I do not know what next week will hold, but I want to reiterate my respect and support for all of our staff as the Portland Association of Teachers negotiates with Portland Public Schools on their contract. It is possible that a strike would start on Wednesday, November 1, which would close schools. I will keep you posted as negotiations take place.

Unrelated: Take a look at a photo from our fifth graders' trip to see author Renee Watson speak at Harriet Tubman Middle School. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and our students had a blast!

Here are a few unrelated items relating to the possible strike next week:

• By today, all classes have had conversations with their teacher about the strike. If you are looking for advice or resources for how to continue that conversation with your child, click here.
• If you need emergency childcare or can provide childcare during a possible strike, fill out this survey.
• If a strike occurs, all after-school classes will be canceled with no make-ups or refunds. If a class is rescheduling off-site, the instructor will reach out to you.
• If a strike occurs, Irvington will be open a few days a week to provide food for families. I will share the schedule as soon as it's finalized.

Parent-teacher conferences will take place Monday and Tuesday, November 20 and 21, from 7:30am-7:30pm. Teachers will reach out to families starting today to schedule them. Just like last year, you have the option to attend the conference in person or request a virtual conference. If you have any questions, please contact your child's teacher.

After a year of reserach and community-based development, Portland Public Schools will be unveiling a new report card for elementary students this year! You can learn more about the process here, and you can expect to see the new report card this first quarter, which ends on November 3.

The biggest change is that teachers will be rating students' mastery of grade level standards in all subject areas. Because we're just finishing our first quarter, you can expect to see many of the standards blank. Over the course of the year, as your children are learning all of their grade's content, these areas will fill up.

If you have any questions about the report card in general, let me know. And if you have any questions about your child's report card, please connect with your teacher. Because we send report cards in the mail, you will likely receive it at your homes the week of November 13.

November: Counselor Corner Monthly Update

There are a few extra updates this month!

For 5th grade families: I will be introducing 5th graders to the lottery process for middle school and will explain what makes each middle school option different. I will also host a virtual parent night during conferences and those details will be shared soon. All materials will be made available to all 5th grade families. Letter to Families and MS Family Info Nights

Irvington Career Day: We will host our first, school-wide Career Day on Friday, March 15. Here is a flyer with some information. I will also be recruiting volunteers to present. Please read this letter for more details and complete the form if you are interested. Thank you!!

Be sure you’re set up to stay connected with other school families in the upcoming weeks by knowing how to use the PTA School Directory. By joining the online Irvington School directory you’ll be able to connect with other Irvington families and also receive important school and PTA updates. To access the directory, you’ll be asked to create a free AtoZ Connect login. And look for the easy-to-use Membership Toolkit app in the App Store on your phone!

Is your child interested in participating in the Oregon Battle of The Books? Make sure you sign up before November 3. All 3rd-5th grade students are eligible to participate in this Jeopardy-style trivia competition where students read from the list of 16 amazing titles, including two Newberry Awardees. Sign up link: https://forms.office.com/r/ZEjRs7h67R

And if you anticipate having some free time in the next few weeks to fill, all 3rd-5th grade teachers have a complete set of the OBOB books in their classroom to borrow.

Come find lost items next week! Lost & Found items will be on display under the covered area Monday, October 30, at pickup (3:00-3:30) and Tuesday, October 31, at drop off (8:30-9:00).

In order to be inclusive of families from all background, Irvington as a school does not celebrate Halloween. Please do not send your child in costume on October 31 or bring any candy on that day.

Fifth grade families: More information will be coming in the next two weeks about the middle school transition, but I wanted to share a list of middle school info sessions since the first one is scheduled next week.

Just a reminder from our family handbook: students are not permitted to have cell phone or smart watches on their person during school hours. We understand that many students use them to communicate with their families before and after school, but they can be a distraction from learning during the school day. Their teachers will collect them and keep them safe during the day and return them to students at dismissal.

Thank you to everyone who has been able to help serve lunch in the cafeteria so far this school year! November sign ups are now open - CLICK HERE to sign up! Interested in helping out? Start by becoming a PPS-approved volunteer here.

Monday, October 30: Lost and found outside, 3:00-3:30pm

Tuesday, October 31: Lost and found outside, 8:30-9:00am

Wednesday, November 1: First day of a possible strike, which would mean no school

Wednesday, November 1: Site Council, 7pm (canceled in event of strike)

Friday, November 3: No school, regardless of strike status (grading day for teachers)

Friday, November 3: OBOB sign up deadline

Monday, November 6: Popcorn Monday

Monday, November 6: PTA meeting, time TBD

Tuesday, November 7: Chipotle restaurant fundraiser night

Friday, November 10: No school (Veterans' Day)

See it all at a glance here: https://www.irvingtonschool.com/