Welcome to uM's School Connections

In our informal gathering of parents who discussed their experiences with Portland Public Schools and the choice that goes along with it, we heard that many mamas and papas would like the opportunity to connect with other parents at other schools.  Parents are interested in hearing from other parents: how do they like their schools?  How do they not like their schools?

This will be a work in progress.  Ultimately, we hope to connect parents from schools with parents interested in their schools.  So, please, if you have feedback, give it here.  If you know someone who has feedback on a certain school, encourage them to give it here.  If you want to start a conversation on a new school, submit your post by folling the directions here or give it here (email us at urbanmamas@gmail.com).  And, remember our sacred uM ground rules: honesty and respect. 

To start learning more about a school community, here are some suggestions on ways to connect:

• Attend the kindergarten round-up.  Here is the link / pdf for the 2008 Kindergarten Round Up calendar.
• Attend the annual PPS Celebrate! Schools event, a showcase of all Portland Public Schools complete with student performances and community resources.  The 2008 event is on Saturday, February 2, 1-5PM at the Expo Center.
• Attend a Site Council meeting.  "Site councils are composed of the school principal, teacher representatives, classified staff representatives, and parent representatives."  The groups are intended to discuss school cirrculum.  Meetings are held at each school, and contact individual schools for more info.
• Attend a PTA meeting.  Look at individual schools for more info.
• Call the school and arrange a tour and visit with an administrator and/or parent and/or teacher.
• Talk to your neighbors.
• Connect here.

How have you come to learn more about a particular school?

Comments

[elizabeth]

I am not 100% sure how this forum will work but I am excited to check it out. I was unable to attend the PPS brown bag event but I am very interested in learning more about PPS schools, neighborhood options and transfer options.

My neighborhood school is Sabin. I did attend their MLK breakfast which was a great way to informally meet some parents, school staff and the head of the PTA. I also just walked the halls to try to get a physical sense of the school.

I would be interested in connecting with other parents whose children attend Sabin or will be attending.

Thanks!!

[Sheryl]

Does anyone have any experience/insight with Harriet Tubman Leadership Academy for Young Women at 2231 N Flint; Portland? It's a PPS, part of the Jefferson cluster, and currently in its first year of operation. I'm interested in connecting with parents whose children already attend, or are considering attending.

PPS Celebrate! Schools event has been on my calendar for months.

[jenn Crowell]

this is a great idea! any chance it could later expand to include options in other neighboring districts (i.e. washington/clackamas county)?

[urbanMamas]

Thanks for the first few comments as we try this out.

Elizabeth, we have started a section for Sabin here: http://www.urbanmamas.com/schools/2008/01/connect-sabin-e.html

Sheryl, we have also started a section for Harriet Tubman here: http://www.urbanmamas.com/schools/2008/01/harriet-tubman.html

jenn, we welcome folks to submit requests to discuss schools in all districts and of all types in Portland area, including and not limited to Washington and/or Clackamas county. If you have a particular school you'd like to discuss, please let us know at urbanmamas@gmail.com

We'll keep adding schools as readers request.

[elizabeth]

Thanks very much! I have checked out the Sabin link and am excited to see Sabin Parents have already posted there.
I really appreciate this resource!

[Nancy Rawley]

I would like to suggest, in addition to the other ideas you've listed, VOLUNTEER. When my daughter was about a year and a half old, I started working as a SMART reader at our neighborhood school. By the time she started pre-k, we knew many of the staff and students. One volunteer option can lead to another. It's satisfying, and much-needed, work.

Community members are always welcome to volunteer at our neighborhood schools. Check in with the school secretaries, who can provide you with the applications you'll need to get started.

We're also always looking for mentors and tutors.

Best,

Nancy Rawley
CommUnity Outreach Coordinator
Jefferson Cluster

[KMat]

Hi, my son is currently in kindergarten at Faubion, in the Concordia area of NE Portland. It would be great if you could get a link up for that!

Thanks!

[Sheryl]

When trying to schedule a tour/classroom observation at a neighborhood K-8, I was told that I couldn't do classroom observation. When I asked the reason, the school staffer said that is was for the protection of the teacher.

What the heck?

Does anyone have any insight?

[e.]

I would like to initiate a section for Richmond Japanese Immersion program. Our daughter just was accepted through the lottery into the pre-K and we are eager to connect with other families, especially in the NE area. Does anyone else out there have kids going to or starting at Richmond?

[Diana]

I was hoping to start a thread for private schools, specifically for us, our child will be going to the Cedarwood Waldorf School. Are there any other NE families out there with preschoolers attending? We'd love to make a connection and start some playgroups. Thanks

[urbanMamas]

Diana, Please feel free to add Cedarwood Waldorf School by submitting your detailed post / questions here: http://www.urbanmamas.com/urbanmamas/post-to-the-urbanmamas-fo.html

[Crystal]

We just moved from the BSD to PPS. My son will be starting K at Woodmere in SE. This move was little unexpected and we've missed the deadline/application process to try for a different school. Any info about Woodmere would be greatly appreciated.