The Sabin Star
March 2023 Volume #1 Issue #3
Principal's Message
by Chrysanthius Lathan
Equity is a Verb
Each day, I run a reading group. No, two. In one of the groups, we spend a lot of time on word work. Teaching students how to manipulate root words with prefixes and suffixes to create meaning, and then seeing the lightning strike their understanding, igniting a fire to play with words and phrases even more, brings me joy, keeps me grounded, and keeps me fresh as a teacher. One of the suffixes we study is -ity. When you add -ity to the end of a word, it turns the word into an abstract noun - or a big idea. Think: charity, civility, humanity, cruelty. They all are big ideas created by actions, resulting in the state or condition of something. And yes, the 3rd and 4th graders in my group know that. And yes I am proud.
Like the above example, the word “equity” is comprised of two parts: equ which means sameness, and the suffix -ity. Therefore, Equity means the state of or condition of sameness. But, in this time, doesn’t one have to do something to achieve that state or condition? Action is what produces the outcome, which is why I call equity a verb.
Would there be a move toward equity for students with disabilities had someone not introduced and sponsored the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act? And, even before then, it took numerous people spreading ideas that each and every person on this earth has something to offer and contribute, and simultaneously have nothing to prove to anyone in order to be worthy of love, care, respect, and opportunity. Would there be better pay for women without the suffrage movement, and would there be those same suffrage rights for Black women if there were not actions taken by believers in the movement who noticed Black women still did not get the right to vote when that victory was won by white suffragettes? Would Grant High School have a beautiful, spanking-new, well-lit softball field, if someone had not taken action to go to the board and report a Title IX violation? Would Girls basketball games still be right after school with no time for eating, homework, decompression, or family fans and scouts to arrive, while boys basketball games all got the primetime spot of 7pm - if a member of the Jefferson High School community had not taken action to spur more action?
There must be an action as a precursor to achieving the state or condition of equity. It feels good to say that all deserve a level playing field for opportunity. It does not feel good to pick up the shovel, pick ax, tamper, leveler, thatcher, and sod layer and level that thang out with your own sweat. But that is what it takes.
So, when you see Black Family Nights, Latinx Family Nights, LGBTQ+ family nights, Black Excellence Symposiums, BBPAC meetings, SES Family Nights, and our upcoming Native Garden Renaming Ceremony, do know that these are the actions - born of literal and figurative blood, sweat, and tears, to move toward the assurance that historically marginalized members of the Sabin community are seen, heard, loved, celebrated. We have a long way to go to achieve real equity of voice, but we must start somewhere. The first place to start is moving beyond the abstract idea.
Lunch time is friend time
Pride in hard work makes all the difference.
Classroom shared writing
Office Space
Hopefully everyone is recovering from Daylight Saving Time, and preparing for Spring Break! (March 27 - 31.)
Do you wish you could help out Sabin School, but don’t have the time to volunteer or visit? Consider donating an item or items to the school from our Amazon Wish List! You’ll find it under “Sabin School Wish List.” We try to make sure there are snacks in the office for students who want/need them, clothes in the closet for students in need, and hygiene supplies if necessary. Items you donate from our wish list will help us achieve our goal of keeping all of our students warm, fed, and healthy so they can feel secure and do their best at school.
Thank you so much!
Ms. Lori & Ms. Heather
Did you know…that you can now report some types of attendance using ParentVUE?
Parents can report all-day absences that are either “day of” or in the future through ParentVUE. Log into ParentVUE at parentvue.pps.net. Click on “Report Attendance” in the blue box.
The all-day codes available are: appointment, family emergency, funeral, illness or mental health day.
For all other types of absences, partial days or past absences, please continue to contact the Sabin office.
Here is a document with step-by-step instructions and screenshots:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hjrKyW9a4NPuA-KIjR3sWgcFoA-z2TyR/view?usp=sharing
Please note that we do not get notified that a student's attendance has been updated through ParentVue. Therefore, please do not leave messages in the Note field. We will not see them.
Sabin's First Annual Black Excellence Night
Thank you to everyone who came out in support or our students at our first annual Black Excellence Night. This was a truly beautiful moment where ALL community showed up to honor our Black student growth and achievement. We look forward to seeing even more of our families join in this celebration next school year.
Our beautiful MLK Jr. Schoolwide Art project: Thanks Mrs. Nelson!
Proud Black Excellence Award winners
More Proud Black Excellence Award winners
PTA Corner
Volunteer May 1 for the PPS Clothing Center
Ever heard of the PPS Clothing Center? Located at Marshall (Benson) Campus, this is a welcoming and fun place where families can “shop” (for free) for everything from shoes to prom dresses! Monday, May 1st from 9:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. is Sabin's day to send 5-6 volunteers to help kids receive clothing and sort donations. We need volunteers! To sign up for the May 1 shift, please email the coordinator, Sharon Meigh-Chang at 503.293.0783 or ptaclothingcenter@comcast.net.
Family STEAM Night Planning Team
Want to help plan or lead science or art stations at our STEAM Night May 25? Have ideas, expertise or talents to share? We are forming a team to plan this fun night in May. Please email sabinptapresident@gmail.com with ideas or to join the planning team.
Upload Yearbook photos
You can submit photos of students, staff and school activities at this google drive link.
Sabin's Online Bid-off
Volunteers are starting to organize this year's online bid-off to raise critical dollars for fall staffing positions at our school. If you have ideas for bid-off items (such as gift cards, business donations, homemade items, gourmet baskets etc.) please fill out this bid-off form. To help with planning or help reach out to local businesses for donations, please email sabinptapresident@gmail.com.
Thanks for all you do,
Jenny D., Eliz R. and the PTA board
Fifth Grade Engineering Egg Drop
No cracks in our egg
Success!!!
"My Egg is victorious!"- Thomas
Ready for the Fifth grade egg toss.
A team's successful design to protect their egg.
Teamwork IS the success
News from the Library!
Sabin's Book Treasure Hunt
Our book Treasure hunt was a HUGE success!!! And students took home well over 1000 books.
Wahoo for books!
Chess Tournament
Congrats to all our chess players. Sabin chess team took 2nd place at regionals and will go to STATE!!! Henry took first place and Hanna took 2nd place. Both are invited to the state individuals tournament. The kids had a great day!
This month in library
5th grade has been talking about censorship and books. This is their answers to
Who decides which books are on the shelf?
Librarians and School Boards and sometimes State Legislatures
Can parents say a book is not right for their child?
Yes, but Sometimes they ask that NO one be allowed to read a book - this is called a banned or challenged book.
Why is book choice important? What is your message to the community?
Ny'aniee - Stay Open - Minded
Zoe - When you challenge a book, you challenge my imagination.
Nat - Lose a book, Lose a unique perspective.
Owen - If you are a parent, think about if a book is wrong for everyone or just your kid.
Stella - We Choose our Books, We Choose our Lives
Camylah - Don't judge a book by its cover.
Louis - Books Matter!
Yeah, Libraries!
Books are Among Us OBOB champions
Chess team competes and wins.
Meet the Sabin Staff: Students interview Ms. Lori Martin
Laugh with Leadership
Who is the queen of the supplies?
The ruler.
Why did the chicken cross the road?
To get away from KFC
WHAT DID THE FLY SAY TO THE OTHER FLY?
Your humans open.
When is the worst time to get hit with a tomato?
When it’s in the can!!!!
What has a neck but no head?
A bottle
By Sophia and Jaiden
IB Trait for April: Inquirer
Wellness Wing
Welcome to the Wellness Wing! We are here to support you and your family with a variety of things including: mental health, parenting, in school support with academics, behavior, emotions, and community resources/supports etc.
You can contact us by calling the school or emailing us directly. We look forward to hearing your questions, thoughts, ideas, and feedback.
We are here for you :)
Erika Moller - School Counselor emoller1@pps.net
Janessa Willie - School Social Worker jwillie@pps.net
Wellness Tip:
Parent Tip of the Month:
Talk About Your Feelings. It’s normal to have a wide range of emotions. Try telling your kid/s how you’re feeling.
Take a Digital Break. This is a challenge for us all, as we are all so connected digitally. Try to take 1 hour, for 1 evening without being plugged in.
Value Your Rest. We all talk about how much rest our kids need. Make sure you are getting the rest you need for yourself.
Student Tip of the Month:
Establish a bedtime routine. Younger students may need help from their parents; however, every kid can think of one routine thing to do before bed. This helps with calming yourself. A routine could be brushing your teeth, washing your face, reading a short book.
Take a digital break. Try turning off your phone or any device for 1 hour for 1 evening and see how it feels.
Attendance:
Tips For Getting Out Of The Door
Supporting LGBTQ+ Students:
Gender Affirming Care Resources
Supporting LGBTQ2SIA+ Students in Oregon
Parenting Resources:
-provides parent-to-parent peer support and provides a community for listening, learning and supporting adults in caring for children and teens
Clubs, Groups, Teams and More...
LGBTQ+ Family Night was a Success
Thank you to everyone who attended our very first LGBTQ+ family night. Crafts, food, family, fun and a super fun dance party! Ensuring that EACH and EVERY students and family have a true sense of belonging and connection with our Sabin community demonstrates the values we hope our young citizens will usher into our shared world.
Our wonderful office secretary, Heather Maharry sharing her love of crafts with kids
Taste the Rainbow with Mrs. Lathan at our LGBTQ beverage station
Exploring and learning with the Scavenger Hunt passport
Dinner Table Questions
If you grew to be 40 feet tall, what would you do?
What is the nicest thing you could do for someone?
If you were going to design an amusement park ride, what would it be?
☕Join Principal Lathan
for coffee and conversation
April 14 @ 8:45am in our Family Resource Center☕
Coming Up...
March 27-31 Spring Break
April 5 Health Screenings for K, 1 & 3
April 10 Teacher planning day: no school
April 11 Group Picture Day
April 11 @ 6pm SES parent Night
April 12 Latinx Family Night
April 14 Coffee with the Principal @ 8:45am in the Family Resource Center
April 20 Kindergarten trip to the Newmark Theater
April 28 Dia del Niño Assembly
“Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Questions? Comments? Community events? Donations?
Contact Assistant Principal Michael Diltz at mdiltz@pps.net