Our PTA/PTO discussion was scheduled to happen at our March meeting but other opportunities came up at the time. So we are rounding back to this topic . . .

We will be discussing the pros and cons of a PTSA within the National PTA organization and an independent PTO with the focus of examining barriers to having a diverse and fully inclusive parent, guardian, teacher, student, alumni, staff member, community member organization. Come and learn more and join the discussion. Our wonderful PTSA secretary and Jefferson parent, Gabriela Mercedes Bolivar will be facilitating the discussion.

The folks from Kaiser's Center for Health Research were our guests and shared lots of valuable information related to COVID-19, vaccines and variants. For more information that was shared, you can check out the PTSA meeting minutes.

Thank you so much to Kaiser and Chalinya Ingphakorn, Jeff Fellows, Leslie Bienen, David Mosen and Sacha Reich for your time, expertise and caring.

Most recent report from Oregon Health Authority of COVID in schools-

https://www.oregon.gov/ode/students-and-family/healthsafety/Documents/Weekly-Outbreak-COVID-19-Report%205-5.pdf

Mental Health Questions that came up:

How can we protect their mental health and support them? Are there strategies, practices, or information?

Develop mental health literacy among teachers, staff, administration, support personnel, etc. Sponsor professional development in trauma responsive practices such as https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org. Create a network of peers within the school who are known among the student body as resources (i.e., Natural Helpers), support them with training and supervision by school counseling professionals and cultivate a speak-up environment that is responsive when students bring concerns forward; this requires advance planning for how to respond to mental health events.

Are there things teachers, care providers and guardians should be watching and listening for from our kids?

Personality changes from previous behavior, unexplained school absences or tardiness, falling asleep in class, concentration impairment, disengagement/withdrawal either academically or socially, lack of energy or motivation, lack of enjoyment/participation in typically enjoyable activities, aggressive or combative or irritable reactions, excessive worry or difficulty coping with stressors, destructive or risky behavior, evidence of self-harm or hiding arms/legs to hide scarring, excessive weight loss/gain, paranoia (e.g., thinking someone is trying to control their mind), auditory hallucinations, suicidal ideation/behavior. Again, https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org is a program that teaches skills for recognizing and responding to mental health symptoms.

How can we humanize this experience with care and compassion?

Regularly check in with students, ask how they are doing, how they are coping, who is supporting them, what they’ve found to be helpful in managing the demands of our current time. Forge meaningful relationships, connect them to others who will also check in with them. Share your own strategies for maintaining wellness.

Here are a couple of articles on youth perspectives on social distancing and on the impact of isolation on youth mental health:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8020468/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7267797/

During these times, many of the ways we typically show our love for our Jefferson staff have had to be adjusted. As teachers and staff shifted gears in order to provide in-person opportunities for students while continuing all distance learning, the PTSA provided a variety of beverages, snacks and treats to show our gratitude for their hard work. Also, the first week in May was Teacher Appreciation Week. We delivered flowers, fancy pens and delicious chocolates to our teachers and all staff.

Special thanks to Michael Sanchez, our counseling secretary, for his help 'on the inside'!

Have you been thinking about becoming more involved in the PTSA?

We are looking for officers in all positions: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and 'Elect-' positions for those who are interested but want to ease in, like President-Elect, VP-Elect, etc. Nominations will be taking place soon!

We are working really hard to create an organization that goes beyond what we think of as a typical PTSA. We have a vision of a group that is Parent, Guardian, Care-Giver, Grandparent, Teacher, Staff Member, Administrator, Student, Alumni, Community Member. Be a part of this re-creation. We would love your participation.

Contact any board member for more information, current board members' contact info is at the bottom of this newsletter.

website: https://www.demosptsa.org

5210 N Kerby Avenue Portland, OR 97217