Cougar Tracks Newsletter
April 6-10, 2020
Greetings Kelly Creek Community!
Kelly Creek Families,
As we experience challenging and unknown times, we appreciate your patience and understanding as we shift our learning model to better support students during this time. Please know that as the federal and state responses to the virus continue to evolve, so will our response. We know that there is much disappointment in the decisions that are being made throughout our country and community as a result of this pandemic. We all share in this disappointment. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we journey through this unprecedented time together.
Warmly,
Beth Fraze, Principal
Help Us Connect and Stay Connected!
Feel free to email us with any changes to your address, phone number, and email address. Our main form of communication during this time of social distancing will be via EMAIL. Make sure to keep your email up to date with our team feel free to email us directly. Our contact information is on the bottom of this newsletter, you can also reach us by using our staff directory located here https://www.gresham.k12.or.us/domain/1944.
Help us SPREAD the word! If you know of any parents/guardians in our community not receiving school emails please advice them to reach out to us so we can help them stay CONNECTED! Thank you for your help in SPREADING the word, communication continues to be key to the success of our families and students.
This week your teachers will be available for questions daily between the hours of 1:00-3:00p. Please reach out to them by email and they will either email you or call you back during that time.
Counselor's Corner
Please know that all of us at Kelly Creek are thinking about you and missing you!
Christine Fitch, School Counselor
503-663-7483
School Based Food Resources
Grab and Go Meal Sites
Breakfast and lunch can be picked up between specific hours at several locations, including Kelly Creek. For a list of pick-up locations, click here
- Breakfast: 8:30am - 9am
- Lunch: 11:30am - 12:30pm
School Bus Meal Distribution in Neighborhoods
Meals are also being delivered via school bus on selected routes. In our immediate area, you can pick up food at Rosewood Commons - 9:30 for breakfast and 12:30 for lunch.
For additional food distribution routes, click here:
Community Food Resources
SnowCap
Pre-packed boxes of fresh and frozen food are being given out to families outside the front doors. Please dress warmly as there may be a wait. Please practice social distancing while standing in line.
Monday - Friday 10am - 2pm
Monday and Wednesday 6pm - 8pm
17805 SE Stark St., Portland, OR 97233, 503-674-8785 http://www.snowcap.org/
Sunshine Division
Pre-packed food box pick-up available near the entrance, with no contact between people.
Tuesday - Friday 9:30-11, and 12:30 - 3:30. Saturday 9-1.
12436 SE Stark Street, Portland. 971-255-0834 https://sunshinedivision.org/get-help/
Oregon Food Bank
Oregon Food Bank- Food Finder, click here
These are additional food distribution centers by zip-code with hours, addresses, and phone numbers.
Metropolitan Family Services Food Pantries
This organization offers food pantries at several East County school locations. Most sites offer food "shopping style" with parameters set up to keep clients and volunteers at safe distances. For a weekly list of where the food pantries will be, use this link: https://www.metfamily.org/hungerrelief/
SNAP Benefits
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Everything is normal with SNAP and benefits will continue to be available on their regular schedule. SNAP debit cards can now be used to order food online through Amazon and Walmart for home delivery across Oregon. Please note that there are delivery fees (which SNAP ben- efits cannot pay for).
To apply for SNAP benefits:
• Complete an online SNAP application and submit electronically.
• Visit an Oregon Department of Human Services SNAP office and fill out a paper or online application in person. The nearest office is 11826 NE Glisan Street. Call ahead 971-673-0909 to determine what social distancing policies are currently in place.
• Contact Multnomah County SNAP Enrollment Specialist and set up an appointment, any time of the week at 503-320-6658 or 503-928-9689.
Rental/Housing Assistance
Families needing help with housing or rental assistance, should contact 211info.
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Dial 211 (toll-free)
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Text your zip code to 898211
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Email help@211info.org
(link sends e-mail) (Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm) -
Search 211info.org
Multnomah County Restriction on Evictions: Multnomah County residents cannot be evicted for not paying rent during the entire time the county and city are under a state of emergency. This applies to anyone with substantial loss of income due to COVID-19 by way of job loss, job closure, reduction in work hours, missing work due to a child’s school closure, and missing work due to sickness or the illness of a family member. Rent owed to a landlord will continue to accrue during the state of emergency, but with- out late fees. There will be a six-month repayment grace period, which will begin as soon as the state of emergency ends. As of right now, this is in effect until May 31st, with possible extensions. Renters must notify their landlords the day before rent is due.
Home Forward works with community agencies to provide hotel vouchers, rent support, help with evictions and housing support for people at risk for homelessness. Offices are currently closed, but you can reach them by phone or email: 503-802-8300 or info@homeforward.org http://www.homeforward.org
Utility Resources
PGE, NW Natural, City of Gresham Water, will not disconnect services for non-payment, or charge late fees for those who are unable to afford utilities right now. Amounts owing will continue to accrue, and the companies will work with customers on re-payment plans. More details can be found on their websites.
Federal Coronavirus Payment Information
IRS instructions on the corona virus payments coming out to taxpayers. Economic impact payments: What you need to know To be eligible to receive the economic impact payments, the IRS has to verify the income levels either from a 2018 or 2019 tax return. If you did not file a tax return those years, the IRS is working on a simplified method to file a return. Another way to file quickly is to use the free file software found here if your income was below $69,000 and you can use a simple tax return.
Mental Health Resources
Cascadia Mental Health Urgent Walk-In Clinic:
Open for anyone experiencing urgent/emergent mental health needs. They are open daily from 9am- 9pm. If the person needs to see a prescriber, they should arrive no later than 7pm. 4212 SE Division, Suite 100. 503-963-2575. https://cascadiabhc.org
Mental Health Crisis Lines:
Portland Suicide Lifeline: 503-972-3456
Multnomah County Mental Health Crisis Line: 503-988-4888
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800 273-TALK En espanol: 1-888-628-9454
Crisis Text Line (text “HOME” to 741741)
The Teen Line: 1-310-855-HOPE (4673)
Websites for Anxiety and Stress
In partnership with Mental Health America, the team at Shine has vetted and compiled a wealth of research-based and helpful tools to help people manage anxiety related to current events. Contents include articles, meditations, access to mental health experts, anxiety screenings, and more.
To view Care For Your Coronvirus Anxiety, click here:
Headspace: Free online guided meditations and movement activities to decrease anxiety and enhance well-being. https://www.headspace.com/covid-19
Insurance/County Clinic Information
Applying for Oregon Health Plan
Use this link to apply online (the fastest way to apply): Oregon Eligibility
You can apply at any time. You can also call 1-800-699-9075 Monday through Friday if you need help applying or have questions.
County Health Department School Based Student Clinics
All student health centers are closed except Parkrose. This clinic serves all school-age youth, regardless of ability to pay.
Parkrose Student Health Center
Parkrose High School - 12003 NE Shaver (back side of building next to gym entrance).
Hours are M-F 8:15am- 4:15pm. For appointments - 503-988-3392.
Multnomah County Health Centers serve all ages regardless of ability to pay. Services include adult and child health care, women’s health and pregnancy care, and mental health care.
East County Clinic, 600 NE 8th Street, 3rd floor, Gresham.
Monday - Friday 8-7. Appointments:503-988-5558.
Mid County Clinic, 12710 SE Division.
Monday - Friday 8-7. Appointments: 988-5558.
NE County Clinic, 5329 NE MLK Jr. Blvd.
Monday - Friday 8-7. Appointments: 988-5558
County Health Telemedicine/phone consultations - 503-988-5558.
County Dental Clinic - 600 NE 8th Street, Gresham
Monday - Friday 7:30am - 6:30pm. Appointments: 503- 988-4900
Unemployment Resources
Unemployment insurance is available for most workers who lose their jobs “through no fault of their own.” File online and do it as soon as possible — it takes a week for benefits to kick in and three weeks before payments start.
If you have questions about unemployment specifically related to COVID-19: click here
COVID-19 Scenarios & Benefits Information, click here To file an unemployment claim, click here
Other Resources
Multnomah County Covid-19 information page: https://multco.us/novel-coronavirus-covid-19
Emergency Relief Resources for Portland Metro:
This page has lots of information on housing and food, as well as resources for educating and entertaining students.
Tech Support
GET READY FOR VIRTUAL LEARNING
In order to have access to supplemental learning materials, your student will need access to the Internet. Most Internet providers are waiving late fees and suspending data usage limits due to COVID-19. The following are internet providers that you can contact to activate internet services:
Comcast basic internet is free for low-income customers for 60 days and $9.99/month after that: www.internetessentials.com/Apply
Comcast: corporate.comcast.com/covid-19
- CenturyLink: news.centurylink.com/covid-19
Contact Information
Christine Fitch, Counselor fitch@gresham.k12.or.us
Melanie Fitzgerald, Head Secretary fitzgerald4@gresham.k12.or.us
Carmy Suastez Vazquez, Elementary Secretary suastez@gresham.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.gresham.k12.or.us/kces
Location: 2400 Southeast Baker Way, Gresham, OR, USA
Phone: 503-663-7483
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KellyCreekElementarySchool/
Twitter: @KCES_Cougars