Urban Mamas

Hello! We are a second year Ockley Green Family. Our son is in first grade.

I’d also like to address the recent post by NoPo Mama by saying that I’m so sorry she witnessed such an unfortunate event. I, too, would be upset to see such a thing and would definitely feel the need to discuss what I saw with the principal (which I’m sure you did) and other parents. Please know that this is not a normal occurrence at OG and in response to your post, our principal has taken your response to the staff and it is being addressed school wide. I know I’m preaching to the choir with such a smart and wise Urban Mamas audience, but I know you’ll understand that the actions of one teacher on one specific day, in no way represent the overall quality of an entire K-8 faculty. My hope is that a bit more time spent in our school would bring you to very different conclusions.

So here’s what I think. Ockley Green is full of incredibly hard working, intelligent, world changing parents & teachers who are giving their all to foster the growth we need to see in our school. Our hope is that you will also decide to contribute to the betterment of your community, roll up your sleeves and join those around you who love the idea of walking or biking to a wonderful magnet school in your neighborhood that fosters a deep sense of community with those around you. Nope, it’s not always easy and there’s definitely work to be done. We have witnessed so much exciting change in our two years at OG, but in order for this to continue and to truly take root, we need you to join us. I promise you, you will meet a great group of smart, energetic & caring parents & teachers. You might even find a surprising joy at being a part of something that is larger than our own important yet ultimately small lives. And by the way, you don’t have to have children enrolled at OG to help out! Come on in, we’d love to see you, children or no.

I am confident that there are few schools in our district that have the enrichment offerings that we have at Ockley Green. And, if you are a “what’s in it for me” kind of person, just think of what a renowned magnet program near you, could do to your property values! You too, could have a cool and successful real estate story to tell your friends.

I urge you to come and check us out! In addition to our 2011 Kindergarten round ups (2/2 @ 1 pm and 2/15 @ 6 pm) PTO meetings are the third Tuesday of each month at 6pm. Dinner and childcare are provided. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to post here or start a conversation on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=186831146824

Our only request: please be respectful. We’re parents but sometimes our feelings get hurt too!

We are 10 year residents of the Piedmont Neighborhood and in our second year at Ockley Green. For me, this school is a fabulous example of the conversations we have on UM regarding our neighborhoods, schools, and building community. This school is very much in transition and represents so much of what I love about North Portland, a vibrancy of people and experience coming together to create a community where I want to raise my children. Every parent and teacher I have met at this school cares about their children and the school experience. To say otherwise is just hurtful and ignorant. (I am not trying to diminish a real experience for you, NoPo Parent. I need to be clear that an incident you describe is unacceptable. And, it needs to be separated from a sweeping judgment about parents who choose this school.) A lot of people have invested much of their time and energy to see this school begin to become what it wants to be. Ockley Green wants parents to be active, to be aware, and to participate. In return, our school has begun giving back by growing and changing with us; not overnight and we are not finished yet, but we have our eye on the prize.

Ockley Green offers me simple things like being close to home and giving us the chance to walk or ride to school that I wouldn’t have if I chose to go elsewhere. We are active participants in the Stop and Walk program we have there. Ockley Green offers a small school setting where I know so many of the children, and so many people know my child. Ockley Green offers me staff and leadership who have always had an open door and been responsive to my child’s needs. The school recently helped create a community room where I can bring my younger child and have a place to be at school while I work on a project for the teacher or just chit-chat with other parents. Our school wants us there. It offers me the chance to see my neighbors at drop off and pick-up. Moving out of my neighborhood for school just isn’t an option for me. Obviously Ockley isn’t my "neighborhood school" given that it is a focus-option, but it is indeed my neighborhood and it might be yours as well.

As for my children, Ockley Green offers a burgeoning art and technology focus that is so hard to find in these days of budget cuts. We have a thriving music program that includes a choir and after school lessons for students who desire them. Our winter program was a showcase of music, singing, and art that brought tears to this mama's eyes. We have a visual arts teacher, a dance instructor, and a Spanish language teacher available for all grades. Every week my son comes home with a new Spanish phrase or words he is proud to share. We have a strong, free, after school program. The school brings kindergarten and upper grades together in an amazing “buddy” program. My son still speaks highly of his wonderful buddy from last year. Children can walk in the school and see their work lining the halls, hear and see classmates that represent a breadth of diversity, and see their teachers greeting everyone by name.

I got caught up in the search for the perfect kindergarten for my son two years ago and thankfully I landed where I am now. I have come to the conclusion that the perfect program doesn’t exist; even the most sought after schools in town have their challenges. I have seen Ockley's strengths and challenges. I have weighed them each and still believe in where we are. I know that schools are only as solid as the people who come to their halls everyday, parents, children, staff, community. We hold each other accountable and demand only the best from each other. I welcome any of you reading this to roll up your sleeves and join us because we sure would love to have you.

NoPo parent I agree that educators should not be screaming into children's faces just to get that out of the way.

I have issue with an overall assessment that parents that value their children will not be attracted to this school. Are you really going there that only parents that don't care about their kids send them to Ockley Green? I value my child and her education and we have been at this school for 3 years and plan to stay until she reaches 8th grade. My child has learning and behavioral challenges related to her disabilities and she is reading above grade level and I could not ask for better partners in educating my child than the teachers at Ockley Green.

I have no problem with people leaving their neighborhood for school or not choosing Ockley because you had a bad introduction. I did not choose Chief Joseph our home school because of it's reputation for poorly educating children with disabilities so I can even relate to having an experience that required me to look elsewhere. I value my child and that is why I chose Ockley. She could not imagine herself anywhere else, she is accepted, she has great friends and a school community that is invested in her doing well. Good luck in your search.

I would like to highlight a few of the outstanding things that are going on at Ockley Green. My family has been a member of the Ockley Green community for 3 years and we have been continually impressed with the level of committment and dedication by the Ockley Green Staff and Administration. During our time the parent involvement has tripled; the amount of music and art programming has increased both in quality of progams offerd and in the number of various artistic persuits.

We have drama; choir and semi-private music lessons in piano, guitar and violin. We have art, dance and athletics.

Our students are learning about being members of a school-wide community through weekly reading buddies and members of an enviornmental community through field trips to the watershed and the columbia slough.

Our teachers are learning ways to bring more art to the classroom through a cirriculum called Visual Thinking Strategies. Our entire community is learning to manage behavior throgh ENVoy - a classroom management tool that is being implemented in the classroom and taught to parents to try at home.

Ockley is a unique place with unique challenges. It's not a perfect place. Sometimes we loose our patience. And there is still a lot of work left to do. However; I have found it to be an extremely fufilling experience for our entire family and I'm looking foward to seeing the great places we will go at Ockley Green!

Augh... typo! That should read "As an educator..."

Sorry!!!! :)

When I visited Ockley Green, the "highlight" of my visit was witnessing a primary teacher literally screaming into the face of a young boy while grabbing on to his shoulders. I was disgusted then, but even more so when the teacher cheerfully explained why she yelled at a student in this manner.
Aa an educator, I cannot fathom any possible explanation for such unprofessional behavior that represents the teaching profession so poorly. Ockley Green has been doing much to market themselves, but as long as they have staff that mistreat students, they will have a hard time attracting families that value their children.
I feel sympathy for their administrator, who seems earnest and well intentioned. It seems that he is genuinely attempting to improve the school, but based on this teacher, he has his work cut out for him. Until then, this family will avoid Ockley Green at all costs.

Past, current, and future Ockley Green families should drop by the playground on Saturdays at 10am this summer as we are trying to get a standing playdate going.

Ockley will be hosting events at Sunday Parkways on June 27th as well.

Just a reminder that registration is still open for kindergarten at Ockley Green Arts and Technology School. To register, call the office:

Ockley Green
6031 N Montana
Portland, OR 97217
(503) 916-5660
http://www.pps.k12.or.us/schools-c/profiles/?id=178

We are parents of an Ockley Green kindergarten student and have been impressed with the kindergarten curriculum, responsive instructors, and friendly staff. We love the "extras" that Ockley Green offers, including a state-of-the-art electronic music lab with an amazing music teacher, but most impressive to us is the diverse, community-focused atmosphere and supportive PTO, all in a school that we can bike to. We are happy that North/Northeast Portland finally offers an arts-focused magnet program and are excited to grow with the school.

Feel free to contact me with any questions:
info [at] nicoleleaper [dot] com

Ockley Green's carnival is this Friday from 5 to 7:30pm.

New or prospective parents should definitely come to the carnival and community members are welcome. Games, prizes, food, and fun for all ages.