Whitman Elementary Newsletter
2020-2021
January
December 21-January 1: Winter Break
January 18: No School
January 29: No School
PRINCIPAL LETTER
Dear Whitman Community
We are sending you wishes for a joyous and restful Winter Break! We also hope that you continue to be well during this challenging time. We love seeing your children online during their classes and watching them grow as students. Please see this newsletter for a few updates. Happy 2021 to all!
DECEMBER MEAL SERVICES
On Friday, December 18, we will be handing out food boxes with seven days’ worth of meals. Families who are signed up for meal delivery will also receive the food boxes. Most items in the food box will be safe to store at room temperature (see food storage guide).
This will happen during our regular food distribution window, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., at the 35 schools sites we use for food service while we are in distance learning (see sites and map). We ask that you practice social distancing and wear a face mask.
Our meal service will pause while schools are closed during the winter break, from December 21 to January 1. Meal service will resume Monday, January 4.
If families need further assistance in obtaining meals while school is out, please visit www.pps.net/nutrition and click on the "Resources for Locating Food" and "Food Benefits for Families" tabs.
Warmly,
Stephanie Murdock and Celina Garrido
From the Counselor:
YOUTH RESOURCE APP NOW AVAILABLE FOR APPLE AND ANDROID USERS
Search "youth resource app" on the Apple app and Google Play app stores.
The Youth Resource App is a free resource for all Portland area youth, funded by PPS and created by the PPS mental health advisory team along with 100+ PPS students. PPS does not specifically endorse any of the listed agencies. Each organization has their own independent mission and vision. We know the app is likely missing some information. Consider this the 1.0 version.
If a student does not have a phone, they can access the same information on their chromebook at this URL.
Portland Public Schools now has a PPS Youth Resource App!
This App was created by a PPS Mental Health advisory group along with the input of over 100 PPS students from around the district. The app is full of youth friendly community resources. download this FREE app to your phone
At-Home Strategies for Distance Learning' is a series of short, concise resources being developed by PPS to support families during distance learning. Please visit their website by clicking here to learn more.
From the School Nurse:
Happy Winter Break to All Families! Warm greetings from your School Nurse Shannon! As we all roll into the Winter Break, and with so much COVID-19 information coming at us all, I wanted to remind everyone about WINTER SAFETY as well. There are many seasonal and holiday accidents that cause us harm as well. So as you all go out to enjoy the season, please stay safe! Here is a link to the Tom Sargent Safety Center with safety information for the season, including information such as sledding safety, signs of frostbite, and holiday decoration safety. https://www.ohsu.edu/doernbecher/holiday-and-seasonal-safety
Have a wonderful and relaxing Winter Break!
Free Clinic available to students:
The Benson Wellness Center is OPEN!
ADDRESS: 546 NE 12th Avenue, Portland, OR 97232
IN PERSON Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Wednesday 8:00-12:00 p.m.
VIRTUAL Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00-5:00 p.m.
AGE of Student's being served: 7-18 y.o.
Appointments are available for BOTH Mental Health & Physical Wellness
Appointments for BOTH Flu Shots & ALL Other Vaccinations are available
To SCHEDULE an Appointment:
1. Call OHSU Registrar and Register each person needing an appointment at 503-494-8505 (if you've not been seen there before)
2. Leave a Message for Reva at the Benson Wellness Center at 503-418-0409 with your call back information
3. Reva will call back and schedule an appointment, appointments are readily available
Also, here is the PPS link regarding The Benson Wellness Center: https://www.pps.net/Page/5953
SUN School:
Hello Whitman Wildcat Family! This is Laurelee Wells with SUN.
If your family has needs such as a food box , coat or energy assistance please email, call or text me. 503-290-8058 lwells@impactnw.org
Have a wonderful day & hope to hear from you soon!
Child Care
Our contracted child care programs are currently operating in 9 schools and many of them are under-enrolled. One of the programs, Art4Life would love to enroll more families at Winterhaven. Because child care is a much needed resource for our PPS families, it is crucial that we spread the word about availability.
Child care programs are a wonderful resource for families, and a great support for students during distance learning, especially for new Kinder families and students with lower attendance rates.
Now that Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) has increased income limits to 250% of the poverty rate, many more families are financially supported with most or all child care costs. It is important to note that eligible families must be employed to receive benefits. Refer to this link to access more information.
And, please view the PPS Child Care website to find the child care flyer and the ‘Family and Navigator Resources’ tab.
Lastly, here is the Release of Information. This document helps families who are in need of a representative to assist in the process.
CHAMPIONS
Champions is offering Winter Break Camp at Creston Elementary. We will follow all COVID protocols by OHA and CDC. This is a designated Oregon Essential Child Care site and is licensed. ERDC is accepted. We have tons of fun plans including canvas painting, arts and crafts, and science experiments, all while social distancing. We have limited pod sizes and are taking enrollments now on discoverchampions.com or by contacting Family Support at 1-800-246-2154 and they can help walk you through the process. We will be open December 21st-23rd and December 28th-30th from 7:30-5:30pm for a $150 weekly cost. If you are interested in care or have additional questions, please contact Stephanie Balke atsbalke@discoverchampions.com or call 503-915-3063.”
Whitman School
Email: tbonjern@pps.net
Website: https://www.pps.net/whitman
Location: 7326 Southeast Flavel Street, Portland, OR, USA
Phone: 503-916-6370