Whitman Elementary Newsletter
2020-2021
May
May 28 - School Spirit Assembly
May 31 - Memorial Day, no school - students will attend in-person Tuesday-Friday. Contact Dollie at the office with questions. lovaughn@pps.net or 503-916-6370
FROM THE PRINCIPALS
Dear Whitman Community,
Recently, Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murdering George Floyd. While we were pleased to see that Derek Chauvin was held accountable, we still have work to do as a country as we continue the process of dismantling racism and hatred. We continue to witness the killing of black adults and children. Asian community members are subjected to hatred and violence. It’s important to us that our students of color feel welcome and safe in our school, and know that their teachers and staff members care deeply for them and are a support.
We understand that the verdict and on-going racism brings up a variety of different feelings for students and their families. As a support we want to share the following resources:
Portland Public Schools Civic Engagement and Unrest toolkit
Oregon Department of Education Mental Health and Social Support for Students and Families
We stand in solidarity with our community against racism and hatred. Hate has no place at Whitman.
Thanks to all of our families for their support with maintaining a safe and healthy environment for students and staff. We’ve appreciated students showing up to school wearing masks, and asking adults when they need one. Please remember to review The Daily Illness Self-screening Checklist with your child. It can be found here
Finally, a friendly reminder, if your child is going to be absent from school, please email Dollie at lovaughn@pps.net, or call (503-916-6370) and let us know. It’s also helpful if you let us know the reason your child will be out (i.e. sick, mental health day, personal appointment). If you have concerns that your child may be symptomatic, please keep your child home and let us know.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Murdock and Celina Garrido
From the Office:
REPORT CARDS
Third quarter report cards are in the mail! There was a glitch tallying attendance on the report cards so you will not see totals. This has been fixed and attendance will show on fourth quarter reports.
LAST SPIRIT DAY/ASSEMBLY!
The last Spirit Day will take place on the same day as our assembly beginning at 9am on May 28: School Spirit - wear your Wildcat t-shirts and colors (gray and blue).
Early Kindergarten Transition (EKT) - Whitman will not have EKT this year. See you next year!
Connect to Kindergarten Event
8-9 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m.
If that day and times do not work for you, please contact Dollie at lovaughn@pps.net to arrange a convenient pickup time.
Join with Google Meet
Join by phone (US) +1 501-897-6261 (PIN: 893478785)From the Counselor:
This year, the counseling curriculum will include anti-racist/anti bias lessons. Anti-racist work means acknowledging that racist beliefs and structures are pervasive in all aspects of our lives—from education to housing to climate change—and then actively doing work to tear down those beliefs and structures. This important learning aligns with our district’s vision for our students in creating transformative racial equity leaders. Click here to learn more about the district’s vision.
Counseling Lessons will be live on Google Meet Code Locarno and will take place every other week K-2 and 3-5th.
Lesson 1 : Community / Welcome to 4th quarter!
Lesson 2: K-2 Identity 3-5 Identity and Culture
Lesson 3: K-2 Diversity 3-5 Race and Racism
Lesson 4 K-2 Race and Racism 3-5 Racial Justice
Lesson 5: K-2 Change and Change Makers in Action 3-5 Action and Me
K/1 Mondays : 4/12, 4/26, 5/10, 5/24, 6/7
1st Grade CDL: 9-9:30
1st Grade Hybrid: 12:30-1:00
K CDL: 10:10:30
K Hybrid: 1:30-2:00
2nd Grade Fridays: 4/16, 4/30, 5/14, 5/28, 6/11
CDL: 9:00-9:30
Hybrid: 12:30-1:00
3-5th Fridays: 4/23, 5/7, 5/21, 6/4
3rd Grade CDL 9:00-9:30
3rd hybrid 12:30-1:00
⅘ PM Hybrid 10:00-10:30
⅘ CDL and Am Hybrid 1:30-2:00
Virtual Recess is Back!
Kindergarten Fri 11:30-11:50 code: krecess
1st Grade Wed 10:30-10:50 code: 1st recess
2nd Grade Tues 11:45-12:15 code: 2ndrecess
3rd Grade Mon 11:45-12:05 code: 3rdrecess
4th Grade Thurs 11:15-11:35 code: 4threcess
5th Grade Wed 9:40-10:00 code: 5threcess
Our Next Virtual Assembly and Spirit Day is May 28th.
The theme is School Spirit! Go Wildcats!!!
Three BIPOC Wellness Student Groups start this week, April 29th and 30th and will continue every Thursday ages 8-12 and Fridays ages 13-18 from 4pm-5pm, virtually. One of the groups will be targeting QBIPOC students. The groups are Brown Girl Rise, Adulting IRL, and Coalition of Black men. Use this link to sign up https://tinyurl.com/BIPOCvibe; Email Jenny with any questions at jlocarno@pps.net.
Sparrow Clubs
Sparrow Saturdays in the Whitman Garden
Here is an opportunity for you to get in your community hours for our Whitman Sparrow, Raelyn! Please sign up for a Saturday slot to work in our school garden. We will weed, plant, and do some creative planning in and around the garden. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/16Mh5Kt24XFkGujv5
Slots are for up to two households (maximum of 6 family members each) and all participants must wear a mask in the garden and practice social distancing between households. (Children must be accompanied by an adult family member.) Bring your own tools if you like--or a set of sanitized tools will be provided to each family for use during their time slot.
If you cannot make it during these times, but you want to help in the garden to get your community hours in--please contact Corrie Chambers at whitmangardenteam@gmail.com and we will find a time that works.
From the Library:
Let's Get Reading! Book bags handouts are continuing for everyone on Wednesdays from 2:30-3:30.
Hybrid students can also exchange their bags at school: Grades 3-5 on Mondays, Kindergarten on Thursdays, Grades 1-2 on Fridays.
STEAM kits are available for a one week checkout on Wednesdays.
If you have library books at home from last year, please return them as soon as possible. Don't worry if you can't find them, it's been a long time and a very challenging year.
My Library classes are live now! Check your class schedules, and use the code butlerbooks. I love seeing your kids! I'm still posting activities in Seesaw that go along with what we're doing in class.
Keep your eyes open for communication about Summer reading and news about public library cards.
From the FTW PTA:
Hello families and friends,
As we approach the end of the school year we are faced with finding new leadership for our group. The secretary and I will not be running for reelection with our son leaving Whitman at the end of this school year. We are both sad to leave this incredible community, but trust that new families will step up to support our students and school.
We need your help! We are looking for volunteers for our Nominating Committee to identify individuals who would like to have an impact. Our PTA is ready to be shaped by new ideas and members. Over the last four years we've collaborated closely with Whitman staff to improve our school. If this is something you'd like to learn more about, please reach out to me at president@ptawhitman.org and you can join us at our next General Meeting on May 18th.
I'm excited to report that we finalized our contribution to Impact NW, providing $2700 to families in our community that have greatly suffered over the last year. While we haven't been able to be together, we can at least support each other.
Key events:
General Meeting May 18th at 6:30 PM - Elections for President, Vice President and Secretary.
All our best,
Erik Benton, President
Families and Teachers of Whitman PTA
SUN School:
If you are having trouble with rent please see the link: Eviction Moratorium Extended! Please visit www.oregonlawhelp.org to see if you qualify. The link to give to landlord after completing moratorium: https://lcf.oregon.gov/lcf
Do you need support with a utility bill? Whitman, SUN and PPS have some limited funds and may be able to help. Please fill out the form below to access possible support. Thank you!
rmd.me/Chw2hx6awY0
Call, text or email Laurelee Wells: lwells@impactnw.org 503-290-8058 if you have additional questions or your family needs help with resources. We will have food available during some PPS nutrition services food dates. Message to find out more.
New trees at Whitman!
PP&R contractor Treecology planted 14 new trees! The new trees are a variety including evergreen, flowering and trees with interesting leaves and bark. Students will be able to watch the trees grow and discover the unique characteristics of each tree.
PP&R will be maintaining the trees for three years including watering, mulching and pruning.
And next year, students will have an opportunity to help plant even more trees in cutouts on the playground!
From the District:
Health and Safety Reminder - Consent Form
Translations below:
Dear Families:
On March 30, we shared a message regarding a Health and Safety Reminder - Consent Form. As we shared, PPS is requesting consent from student’s families to test symptomatic students for COVID-19 onsite, during the school day. Your consent is optional.
Here are a few options to turn in a signed COVID-19 Testing Consent Form:
Install the Adobe software to enter your certified signature. The consent form can be signed with DocuSign. You can email them to the school secretary.
You can print this form at home, sign it and return the form to your school.
Schools can send a printed copy to parents/guardians upon request. Families can fill it out and return it with their students. Please reach out to your school secretary for this option.
Tests will only be given to test students who have a consent form on file or to staff who agree to the test. You can find the forms by clicking in the links below:
The Student Success & Health Department in partnership with Multnomah Educational Service District (MESD) will oversee the implementation of the program following the COVID-19 Testing in Oregon’s K-12 Schools guidance provided by OHA and DHS.
The COVID-19 Testing in Oregon Schools FAQ is linked here.
Thank you.
Important Information Regarding Meal Benefits
While meals are served at no cost to children ages 1-18 at several Portland Public School sites this year, there are several benefits for eligible families to submit a meal application this school year.
Families approved for free and reduced-price meals may be eligible to receive future potential government assistance such as Pandemic EBT benefits (*please note that Oregon has not been approved yet for expanded Pandemic EBT benefits; we will alert families when we learn more and if it is approved).
Families may be eligible for other benefits such as school related fee reduction or waivers, low cost internet and health coverage.
All students in the household attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school (list located online: https://www.pps.net/Page/2088) where students eat meals at no cost.
A meal application has already been submitted and approved for the 2020-21 school year.
The household received a 2020-21 Direct Certification Approval letter.
The household does not meet the 2020-21 Federal Income Guidelines
- Online at www.schoolcafe.com/pps.
- Print, complete and mail back a paper meal application (https://www.pps.net/Page/2464) to PPS Nutrition Services, 501 N. Dixon St., Portland, OR 97227.
- Request a paper meal application be mailed home from mealbenefits@pps.net or call 503.916.3402.
Whitman School
Email: lovaughn@pps.net
Website: https://www.pps.net/whitman
Location: 7326 Southeast Flavel Street, Portland, OR, USA
Phone: 503-916-6370