Connect: Ockley Green

Are things really are changing at Ockley Green?  Anne wants to know.  Share your thoughts below so that others might benefit.

Ockley Green
K-8 (arts focus magnet)
6031 N Montana   
Portland, OR 97217
Phone: 503-916-5660
Fax: 503-916-2661
E-mail: jmalone@pps.k12.or.us

School-created web pages: http://www.ockleygreen.pps.k12.or.us

Comments

[ProtestMama]

We love this school! I am happy to answer questions, though I know next to nothing about the K-5 side.

If I don't know the answer, I'll find someone who does.

I really like the diversity in so many different languages, cultures, ages of kids. The littles always have middle schoolers fawning over them as they pass in the hall. But they're kept pretty separate otherwise. All school showcases are amazing and play to a standing room only crowd.

so ask away!

[concordia_mama]

Hi ProtestMama,
Since you offered...would you be willing to ask around about the 1st-5th grade teachers? I met the K teacher and loved her and the things that were going on in her class but didn't get a good "vibe" from the 1st grade teacher and then didn't meet the 2nd - 5th. The art teacher seemed pretty amazing though and both the asst principal and principal are very friendly. I might call to schedule some observations but thought if you could find any first hand experience to share, that would be great.
Thanks!

[ProtestMama]

concordia mama: do you have any specific questions I can ask folks? personalities and vibes are so individual. My daughter has had teachers that other moms have warned against that we adored, and vice versa.

Also, when she was at "another" PPS school, I painstakingly picked out her 3rd grade teacher, interviewing parents, hallway surveillance, etc. The teacher ended up leaving Portland for a better offer in another state. And we had a horrific year with her replacement. A nice lady who I liked as alot, but not a good teacher. The principal refused to let us switch.

At this point, there isn't the option to switch clasrooms if things aren't working out, AFAIK. I will say that Drs. Malone and Matier are very open to parents. Even me.

I get teary everytime I think of what awaits us after 8th grade.

8th grade parents tend to wax nostalgic.

[ProtestMama]

concordia_mama: FWIW, my 8th grader has expressed some concern about the same teacher. w/o my prompting. . . .

[concordia_mama]

thought i'd take a second to respond - i did not put ockley green on our transfer app. the thought of dreading an unknown 1st grade teacher who didn't impress me and possibly 2nd - 5th grade teachers of the same just was too much. scary and sad really.
i feel strongly that if teachers are not interested in educating then perhaps they should take different jobs so that others will be able to better replace them. no harm done. factory jobs for factory workers, teaching for teachers. not a problem. comments are welcome. thank you for your time.

[Rebecca]

Hi there, we're moving from London, England to Portland, my hometown where I haven't lived for about 20 years. Trying to check out schools for my 7 and 4 year old. I see that Ockley Green is now an arts magnet - is it really up and running, or just a theory? Does that mean that the arts are coming back to Jefferson (I went to the magnet program in the 80s)? My boy isn't a big fan of school (even his lovely,very creative, well-funded inner-city school) but he does love music, drama, etc.Thanks, Rebecca

[ProtestMama]

Rebecca:

Ockley Green is having some trouble with district funding and some programs and staff may have to be cut.

Parents have been emailing the district letters of support but I honestly don't know if PPS is going to honor its earlier committment to funding a fully functioning arts magnet.

email me if you want contact info for the mama heading up the fight. Her ear is closer to the ground on this. Or you could call our principal.

I'm in the middle of the high school selection process, so I'm not in thick of it.

[katemac]

As far as the 1st grade teacher is concerned, I'm really biased. She taught my son last year and I think she's fabulous. If you were to go observe her class for a while, you'd see she's got an extra large crowd this year. Some groups of kids are easier than others, and this group is on the other end of that spectrum. It's just the sheer numbers of vivid personalities. She certainly doesn't teach for the money or the prestige it garners, she teaches because she loves the kids.

And, yes, the district has cut several positions. Once the federal seed money for the magnet programs dried up, they started canceling programs right and left, rather than properly fund the programs as they had earlier committed to. There are email campaigns in place, but I don't know how much good they will do. I worry that Ockley Green isn't going to make it to true magnet status.

[Rebecca]

Thanks for the information. It's depressing that the Portland schools are so plagued by issues of funding and inequality but I'm impressed that people are really involved and fighting for their schools.

[Nicole B.]

We live near Ockley Green (in Piedmont) and our child will be starting Kindergarten there in September. If any other incoming Kindergarten families would like to connect or get together for playdates before school starts, please email me at:
nicolebreedlove at yahoo dot com
Thanks!