Principal Update
February 15th - February 19th
Spoiler Alert: Special Schedule, HS Forecasting, Math Resources, MAP Testing Updates, Yearbook update, Mindfulness at BMS...
During our weekly staff professional development, teachers dove into assessment strategies and practices that support students' well being and growth. Some of our teachers explored strategies to alleviate anxious feelings around testing. While others explored universal, formative assessment tools and systems that allow students to express their learning in non-traditional ways.
As we enter into the third week of the quarter, we first want to thank you for supporting your student with their engagement in the online learning process. Additionally, MAP testing will continue in students' math classes. If you have questions about the testing period, please connect with your child's teacher. Also, if you have not done so yet, please complete the Successful Schools Survey - we value and need your feedback.
Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy these few days of Winter Wonderland!
Robbie Davis
Looking Ahead (upcoming events)
Black History Month Flipgrid Videos
Holiday Special Schedule
High School Forecasting (Grant & Madison)
Virtual High School Forecasting at Beaumont
The Beaumont Counseling Team recently hosted 8th grade high school forecasting events. Students learned about graduation requirements, had a Q&A session with a high school Counselor, and had a chance to forecast for freshman classes. Forecasting forms are due by Wednesday, February 17th.
All of the links for course guides and forecasting forms for Grant and Madison are below:
Link for general information for incoming Grant freshman
Grant Forecasting Link for Beaumont 8th Graders
Link to Grant Course Guide
Link to Madison Course Guide
Madison Forecasting Link for Beaumont 8th graders:
Madison Slideshow about freshman class options
MAP Testing Update
Thank you for supporting your students while they took their Reading MAP test at some point over these last two weeks. Many students were able to finish the test either in class or in the makeup testing sessions. If a student is not yet finished with his or her reading test, please have them attend the second to last open makeup testing session Friday, February 19th from 1:45-2:45 p.m. Additionally, Chris Bach, our Testing Coordinator and Instructional Coach, will reach out to individual students through email who may need additional time or support to finish. Finally, students will take the Math MAP test in their math classes at some point over the next two weeks. The in class time allotted to the test and the makeup sessions is the same as for the Reading MAP test.
Math Help and Resources
Is your student having trouble completing their asynchronous math work? Are you having trouble helping them? Our Instructional Math Specialist, RaeAnn Suckow, has put together a website that might help. Here is a sampling of what you will find there:
Information on DreamBox
Information on Free Tutoring done by PPS high school students
Links to resources by grade level, course, and unit
Information about Multnomah County Library live homework help
Visual Math Dictionaries and other tools
You can find the website here.
If you have any questions about the website, DreamBox, or other math related topics please contact RaeAnn Suckow at rsuckow@pps.net.
Mindfulness at BMS
6 Week Mindfulness Series
The Beaumont Counseling Team is offering a 6 Week Mindfulness Series, hosted by Ria Goodwin, in order to introduce those interested to the concepts and practices of Mindfulness. Each week will cover a different mindfulness concept, starting with an Introduction to Mindfulness, with each following week having a specific focus: Breath Awareness, Body Awareness, Focus on Gratitude, Kindness Towards Self & Others, and Open Awareness. We will be learning and practicing on Wednesdays at 1:45, starting February 17th and ending March 31st, using Google Meet, with a meet code of Mindfulness. If you have any additional questions or would like more information please contact Ria Goodwin at rgoodwin@pps.netAnnouncement from the Yearbook Crew:
It's time to submit your baby ads for the Yearbook. Find for that adorable photo to submit and send off your 8th grader to High School with a wonderful memory or message. Please pay via SchoolPay, cost is $15. All payments and photos must be submitted by March 1st, submit HERE (baby ad link). No late submissions allowed. Thank you, Yearbook staff!
Successful Schools Survey
Successful Schools Survey
It is time to make your voice heard once again. The portal for the Successful Schools Survey opens for families on Monday, February 8th. This survey is very important because:
Only time we hear from students, staff, and families system-wide
Gathering these data will help us understand experiences at our schools
School climate is a key component influencing outcomes for students
We will be able to see improvements from last year to understand how our work in schools has changed perceptions
We will use results to identify areas for improvements
Starting Monday, February 8, go to the following link to complete the survey: surveys.panoramaed.com/portlandor/ppsfamily
The survey is available in Spanish, Russian, Somali, Vietnamese, and Chinese. If you cannot complete an online survey we are able to provide you with a paper copy. Call Beaumont Middle School at 503-916-5610, or email the School Climate Specialist at ericjohansson@pps.net.
Community Resources
Food Box Distribution
West Psychological Services
The pandemic has brought up different feelings for many of us. If your child is in need of therapy or counseling services. There is help available, please connect with your child's school counselor; they can support you through the process.
Meal Services: Since Monday, February 15 is a holiday and the district is closed, there will be no meal services. Additional meals will be included in surrounding service days to make sure families still receive 7 days worth of meals.
OES Dreaming Justice Free Event: Students, parents, and staff are invited to Oregon Episcopal School’s next Dreaming Justice event! On February 18, 4:30-5:30 PT, Renée Watson will be joining us for an author visit. Watson will read from her work and talk about growing up in Portland and how that influenced her writing. She will also answer questions from the audience. Please RSVP here. This event is free and open to the public so spread the word!
Math Guiding Coalition: The PPS Mathematics Department is forming a Mathematics Guiding Coalition to continue developing a mathematics instructional framework for PPS. To find out more about the Coalition, the dates the meetings will occur and to express interest in participating, click here.
Multnomah County Student Health Center Immunization Flier (Exclusion Day is February 17)
Saturday Academy Apprenticeships in Science & Engineering Program (grades 9-11)
Vaccine Community Conversation
Information shared by one of our community partners, Ms. Crystal Marion
You are invited to participate in a Vaccine Community Conversation
Monday, February 15, 2021, 6PM
Host: Pastor Craig Brown, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church
Church website: https://www.mystpaulmbc.com/
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Sr. Health Advisor: Dr. Bukhosi Dube
Topic: COVID-19 Vaccine Information Session
Time: Feb 15, 2021 06:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7535013302?pwd=dWhoaHFFV3hzcU1BYmVKNW5aK3Rxdz09
Meeting ID: 753 501 3302
Passcode: 214257
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,7535013302#,,,,*214257# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,7535013302#,,,,*214257# US (Houston)
Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 753 501 3302
Passcode: 214257