Meetings are the second Wednesday of each month form 6:30 to 8:00pm. For now, we will continue to meet virtually. We open the meeting at 6:15 to gather informally with the official meeting beginning at 6:30. When we get the go ahead to meet in-person, we hope to meet in the Blazer/Community Room at Jefferson like usual.

Everyone in the Jefferson community is welcome to attend the PTSA meetings. PTSA stands for Parent, Teacher, Student Association which doesn't fully describe who we are. Alumni, grandparents, caregivers, SEI, Latin Network, anyone who is part of the Jefferson community is invited. You are encouraged to become a member of the PTSA but it is not a requirement for attending meetings.

Come check us out and see what we're about. The PTSA is here to support the Jefferson students, staff and families. If you are looking for a way to get involved and/or be informed, the PTSA is a great way to do that.

We are so glad you are here!

And welcome back everyone else! We had so much fun meeting many new families and seeing some familiar faces at Jefferson registration on August 30th and 31st. The Jefferson PTSA is here to support you and to provide you with opportunities to volunteer and support your school. Come to a meeting and check us out.

Wednesday, September 8th will be our first meeting of the 2021-22 school year. The agenda will include:

• introductions and a little get to know one another
  
• review the budget for the upcoming year
  
• share committees and what they do
  
• report back from committees with any news to share
  
• new business/ideas/questions
  

Please come and check us out. We look forward to seeing you!

Well, last year was quite a year! It was full of challenges and struggles like we have never seen before. And it's not over yet. Everyone had to adjust and make significant changes to their lives. That was true for the PTSA too. Many of the traditional roles we played at Jefferson were no longer feasible in the new environment. We didn't let that stop us. Here are some highlights from last year:

We welcomed three (of four) new board members

We continued a flourishing community food pantry to support families that we started when school buildings closed in March 2020

We started a monthly newsletter to help keep families and community members informed

We established an on-going Jefferson PTSA Bottle Drop fundraiser

We developed a partnership with Kaiser that generously supports our food pantry and provides health-related information to our community

We received a $1000 Metro Grant to support the food pantry

We held several staff appreciation events including a letter writing campaign of notes of appreciation to every staff member

We had three restaurant fundraisers that raised over $1300!

We began discussion on exploring the pros of becoming a PTO rather than a PTA

After eight months of planning and many versions, we had a beautiful celebration to honor our seniors

We established a scholarship fund and awarded three $1000 scholarships to graduating seniors

We also had many wonderful Guest Speakers at our meetings including . . .

School board members: Michelle DePass and Rita Moore on the school bond measure; Kali Thorne Ladd, Kairos Executive Director and Winta Yohannes, Albina Vision Trust Managing Director on The Center for Black Student Excellence; Jameelah Rasheed from BUILD Program of Unite Oregon; Dr. Fellows and others from Kaiser's Center for Health Research and several others.

Although we have officers this year, we welcome anyone who is interested in becoming an officer. We would be open to doing elections if there is interest.

We also are interested in creating President-Elect, VP-Elect, Secretary-Elect and Treasurer-Elect positions. These would be like apprentice positions where 'Elect' officers would learn the role and responsibilities of the position in a supported environment and prepare you to potentially take on that office the following year. Another opportunity for leadership is to chair a committee.

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 and value your voice and participation!

We particularly want to invite students to consider becoming a PTSA officer. Your voice and input is incredibly valuable to what we do to support Jefferson.

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

When we began planning the Senior Celebration last year, we knew it would be different than years past. For many months, we didn't exactly know what it would look like, so we did our best to plan but we knew we would have to be flexible.

In order to keep our students safe during the pandemic, the school district suspended the ability for volunteers to be on school property. For a minute, we were discouraged but, along with many other PTAs around the city and state, we got creative and figured out a way to honor and celebrate our well deserving seniors!

On the evening of June 7th, we had an outdoor, walk through Senior Celebration just down the street from Jefferson. Everyone was masked and safe. There was the raffle prize pick up with over 40 really cool prizes including the grand prize laptop! There was also a prize wheel with lots of prizes, a cupcake station, free books donated by the Multnomah Count Library We also had a photo booth with a photographer and food and music! And every senior received a Jefferson Class of 2021 hoodie including names of the graduating class on the back of the hoodie. Students and family members had a great time!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2021!

• Support our students, staff and community

• Have an impact on the success of our students

• Find out what’s happening at JHS

• Make connections and build community

• Share your ideas, concerns and experiences

• Be a part of making things happen!

All are welcome: parents, care givers, students, staff, alumni, community members. It’s easier than ever, just jump on the zoom link, the second Wednesday of the month. Membership dues are $12.50.

However, don't let money get int the way! We want you. This year we will have a pay what you can option. You will see on the link to our online store there is a link to purchase a membership. We are working on creating a custom payment option so you decide what works for you. The option is not quite up and running but we will let you know as soon as it is.

You are also welcome to attend PTSA meetings and events whether you are a member or not.

online membership link:

https://jefferson-high-ptsa.square.site/

When? Every Friday from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.

Where? At Jefferson, on the N Commercial side of the school *

What? Lots of cooking staples, frozen meats and meat alternatives, prepared meals and sandwiches, fruits and vegetables, snacks, breads, baked goodies and eggs. What we have to offer changes week to week but there is always a great selection. In addition, we often have hygiene products including toilet paper, feminine products, dish and laundry soap, toothbrushes and more. It's an impressive spread.

Want to donate? Drop off on Fridays or https://jefferson-high-ptsa.square.site

* We are now set up under the wrestling gym overhang, still on N Commercial. Look for our blue and gold banner and flags!

Other food pantries . . .

SEI will be hosting a food pantry on Wednesdays from 3:00 to 4:30 starting September 14th. We believe it will be located on N Commercial by the gym. If that changes, we will let you know.

Please share with anyone you know who may be experiencing food insecurity. Everyone is welcome.

Laura Bullock, President: president@demosptsa.org

Georgie Honl, Vice President: vicepresident@demosptsa.org

Gabrielle Mercedes Bolivar, Secretary: secretary@demosptsa.org

Lori Lyons-Lachman, Treasurer: treasurer@demosptsa.org

website: https://www.demosptsa.org

5210 N Kerby Avenue Portland, OR 97217