RGMS Weekly 12/6/23
RGMS Weekly News 12/6/23
Community ~ Equity ~ Growth
Important Dates Ahead
12/13 PTA Meeting, 6:30pm
12/14 ESL Family Night, 6:30pm
12/18, News with Newlyn, 8am
12/18 - 12/22 Added days of Instruction (NEW)
12/23 - 01/01 Winter Break (UPDATED)
Click here for the full RGMS calendar
From Assistant Principal Jeff Waters
Dear RGMS Community,
We learned last week that US Daily News, ranked Robert Gray Middle School the twelfth best middle school in the entire state of Oregon. There are over 600 middle schools in the state, and to be considered one of the very best is an honor. Thank you for partnering with us to provide a quality education and positive community experience for students.
Take a peek below for important updates:
On Time To Class Initiative
As we come back to school and re-establish norms and routines, we want to take a minute to remind students and families about the importance of being on time to class. Students have heard me say it maybe 1,000 times: “On time means in your seat. On time means that you’re ready to learn. On time means that you have all your things that you need to bring so that you can get your learning”
The first 10 minutes of class are some of the most important instructional minutes. It’s when the day’s learning objectives and agenda are previewed, when teachers review important content from the day before, and when students “warm-up their engines,” so to speak. Arriving late to class disrupts learning, both for the student who is late and the other students in the learning community.
To that point, we are launching the On-Time Initiative. In the next week, we will be handing out three pairs of Portland Trail Blazer tickets to students who:
1) have ZERO tardies this school year (MAVERICKS @ BLAZERS, 12/16/23);
2) have ZERO tardies during the month of December (WARRIORS @ BLAZERS, 12/17/23)
3) have ZERO tardies between 12/11 and 12/15 (SUNS @ BLAZERS, 12/19/23)
A big shout out to the Portland Trail Blazers for working with us to make this happen!
That’s all for now - stay tuned for more information next week.
In the service of students and families,
Jeff Waters
Assistant Principal
RGMS New & Timely
8th Grade High School Forecasting
Benson High School
Benson HS will be coming to give a presentation to our 8th graders on Monday, December 11th at 9:30am.
Benson HS 8th grade info night is Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 6-7:30pm. Students will be receiving info on Monday. More info: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QrIsn5MYQTY7y442M6Bj4QzZp4IYiPTAXH-KAWB9jVY/edit
IBW High School
Counselors from Ida B Wells HS will visit RGMS 8th graders on January 10th and 24th.
On the 10th they give the students a presentation on how forecasting works.
On the 24th students will meet individually with their counselor and go over the student's forecasting information.
Will you be with us during the week of 12/18?
We are in the midst of contingency planning for the week of 12/18 - 12/22, dates that were added to the instructional calendar as part of resolving the November work stoppage. We know that many students and families already have vacation plans during this time and may not be at school. To get a head start on attendance tracking and to assist us with our planning, please complete this brief survey:
Now Accepting Gift Cards for our RGMS Winter Gifting.
If you can purchase $5, $10, $25, $50 gift cards - that would be amazing!
We want to shower our families with gift cards to support them this winter.
Your contributions will be greatly appreciated.
Please bring gift cards to the main office no later than December 15, 2023.
Suggested gift cards: Fred Meyers, Target, Restaurants, Jiffy Lube, Grocery stores, book stores etc. All places are appreciated.
THANK you for your consideration!
Meet Ms. Jessica Duggan: Restorative Justice
Pronouns:
She/Her
Where can you find me at RGMS?
I share an office with Mr. Waters in 114 - just where you used to be able to find Ms. Jules and I will be here until she comes back to work
How can I help you?
I can help you work through conflicts with friends or classmates - if you are talking to me you’re not in trouble, it’s my job to help you solve the problems before anyone gets in trouble!
What I love to do outside of school:
I love hanging out with my family, traveling, and playing ice hockey!
RGMS Reminders and Weekly Announcements
From the RGMS Counselors
We recognize the Middle School years are tricky and at times exhausting both for students and for the adults who lovingly care for them. If you have any questions, concerns or would like support or referrals, please contact us. We are here to help. -- Lisa Hyde (serving students A-K) and Laureen Held (serving students L-Z).
Student Absent?
Email Gray Attendance at grayattend@pps.net
If your student will be absent, please email their FULL NAME and reason for absence or tardy to grayattend@pps.net. Phones are really busy in the morning, so please email attendance if possible.
Attendance phone calls go out around 1pm & 5pm daily. If you have excused your student, you will not receive an attendance call.
Stephens Creek Homework Club
Stephens Creek Homework Club
Located in the Classroom below the Main Community Room
Mondays: 4:30 - 6:00pm
Thursdays: 5:00 - 6:30pm
NOTE: We will stay until 8:00pm if students are here and need more time
PLEASE NOTE:
● 3rd - 12th Grade Students Only Please
● Students must have homework to enter the room.
● Chromebooks, printer and supplies available
● Volunteers are available to help with homework if needed.
Want more info?
Please contact Austin (scchomeworkclub@gmail.com) or Fran (fbarth212@gmail.com
RGMS Foundation News
RGMS Foundation Updates
The RGMS Foundation raises money to support a well rounded school experience for students by adding class options for students that are engaging and enhance student connections to RGMS. The money raised is used at the principals discretion.
BottleDrop Drive
We recently were able to donate $1,000 to the foundation from our account. Thank you so much for supporting the school via this program.
1. Get Blue bags from the following locations: RGMS office; Rieke area-1656 SW Sunset Blvd.; Hayhurst area: 5252 SW Idaho St.; Bridlemile area-4031 SW Jerald Way
2 Fill Your Bags!
3. Return Full Bags to any BottleDrop location or Burlingame Fred Meyer.
4 Scan the Barcode on the bag to unlock the self-service bag drop.
Questions: Melissa Light, grayschoolfoundation@gmail.com
RGMS PTA NEWS
PTA Update
PTA meetings occur the 3 rd Wednesday of every month at 6:30 PM in the RGMS library, with
the option to attend over Zoom. The next meeting will be held on December 13. Mark your
calendars!
Zoom information will be as follows:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86339523318?pwd=TmZubFFFWWRFWlBaYzZLQnJ2V0lqZz09
Meeting ID: 863 3952 3318
Haven’t joined the PTA yet? Do so now using this link.
You will have to select “ROBERT GRAY MS PTA (PORTLAND)” as your “Local Unit”. The rest
is straightforward and takes less than 5 minutes to complete. Membership is $20 for the year.
Do you wish to make a one-time or recurring donation to PTA? You can do so here. Click “Donate” then enter your amount and indicate your intent to donate monthly if desired!
Robert Gray PTA Volunteer Opportunities
Looking for ways to get involved this year? Use the following form to sign up for the events you are interested in and you will receive a follow up email with additional information. The time and support of our volunteers is greatly appreciated. Without it we couldn't make special Gray events happen! Some of these events include Run for Gray, Teacher Appreciation Week, Bottle Drop Fundraiser, Sustainability and extra supervision during lunch time, and more. Please consider volunteering or donating as you are able.
Thank you for your time and support! Looking forward to a great year!
RGMS PTA
Fliers Approved for Distribution by PPS
Camps, Classes, & After School Programs:
VIBE of Portland Art Camps & Classes
Preschool Programs:
Multnomah Early Childhood Program Free Preschool Classes
(Spanish) (Vietnamese)Portland Parks & Recreation Preschool 2023-2024
Community Events & Information:
PPS Supplemental Transportation Plan, Phase I Schools Flier
City of Portland 311 Non-Emergency Hotline
(Spanish) (Vietnamese) (Chinese) (Russian) (Somali)
Vaccinations, Health & Wellness:
Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment begins Nov. 1
Multnomah County Student Health Centers (fliers in English, Russian, Chinese, and Vietnamese):
Multnomah County Free Community Vaccination Clinic
(Spanish)
Get RGMS Text Alerts!
Get text alerts about school closures, delays, emergencies and school events:
Text YES to 68453
About Us
Email: lnewlyn@pps.net
Website: https://www.pps.net/gray
Location: 5505 Southwest 23rd Avenue, Portland, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 916-5676
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertgraymiddleschool
Twitter: @notwitter