West Sylvan Middle School

We are operating in uncharted educational territory right now in PPS, with the possibility of a PAT strike as early as this coming Wednesday, November 1st. I wish that I had more to share than the information that you are receiving through larger District communications, but I am only privy to the same information that you hear about negotiations. Sometimes I receive updates just before they go out to the larger community, sometimes I am not copied on what you receive.

I remain hopeful that there will be positive movement behind closed doors with both groups, PAT and District leaders, working collaboratively in negotiations to avoid a school disruption. Unfortunately, we are all taking everything a day at a time right now, and just waiting to hear updates at the conclusion of each day of negotiations. We also have to plan for the worst case scenario, which would be a PAT strike starting on Wednesday, November 1. To say that this is very hard for all stakeholders is a gross understatement. These unknowns are unsettling, disruptive, scary, disappointing, and for our young scholars, these unknowns may be exponentially more frightening. I want students to remain in school without a disruption, and I am intentionally centering our students and families in the information that follows.

For our students, this strike possibility is potentially triggering larger past traumas. These unknowns are reminding our students of the feelings around COVID, the uncertain timelines, and the feelings of isolation and losing contact with peers and beloved school staff members. Our students who depend on school for meals, their educational routines, and a safe space for the majority of their day, are concerned about the unstructured, uncertain, and possibly unsafe days that could be ahead. Our sports PIL athletes, our clubs, and our students who are involved in school activities are all worried about losing their extracurricular connections, even for a short period of time. These are all big feelings of fear, and our School Counselors are available to meet with students in the days to come about feelings and worries that our students are experiencing. A few District provided guiding resources are also here for how to talk with your students about a possible strike. Also, specific resources to support our students’ mental health needs can be found at the link on this website.

Additionally, many families and students have expressed a worry about grades and whether our students’ hard work and academic effort will be captured in the quarter grade reports. Again, these are all unknowns right now. If a strike were to begin on November 1st, Educators may not be working to submit those report card grades. First quarter report cards would then be delayed. District leaders would then be working on the plan for how and when the grades would be updated after a possible strike ended. The academic work would not be lost or go ungraded, but the report card could be delayed.

The District educational options for independent learning are linked here, and thanks to Ms. Crombie, we have checked to be sure that each student has a Chromebook to take home and access items virtually, if a strike begins. These linked resources are not teacher-directed or teacher-led items, unfortunately, simply options to continue with some self-paced learning.

For families who qualify for free or reduced meals, there will be meal service Tuesday through Thursday for grab and go packed meals at WSMS. Families can go to any school that offers meal service for that pick up if WSMS is not your closest school. A link to the various resources available for families is here.

As a larger school community, we remain focused on trying to bring some joy to each day for students, because we owe that to our students, regardless of what is happening amongst adults. Tonight, Friends of West Sylvan is hosting a Pack Party for Sixth Graders from 6:30pm-8:30pm at WSMS in the Gym. We have our first assembly of the year on Tuesday 10/31, have a spirit week planned for next week, and FoWS is hosting some treats for students on Tuesday at lunches. We’re doing what we can to still bring some joy to our students during very hard times, and we are here to listen and try to help in the days ahead. Please contact any of us directly if your student needs support as we navigate these next several uncertain days together. No words will make this any better, only actions and decisions that are centered on the needs of our students

Enjoy the weekend!

Jill Hunt, Principal
Ben Keller, Assistant Principal

Counselors are available by email. Please refer to the following list for your School Counselor by grade.

OCTOBER

• Fri, OCT 27th:
  6th Grade Pack Party from 6:30PM-8:30PM in the Gym (Free admission! *hosted by The Friends of West Sylvan)
  
  
• Sat, OCT 28th at 7:00PM
  Sun, OCT 29th at 2:00PM
  POPCycles Variety Show for the Performing Arts (at Lincoln HS)
  

NOVEMBER

• Wed, NOV 1st: first possible day of PAT strike
  
  
• Thu, NOV 2nd: End of First Quarter
  
  
• Fri, NOV 3rd:
  NO SCHOOL for Students due to Educator Planning
  
  
• Mon, NOV 6th: Start of Second Quarter
  
  
• Fri, NOV 10th:
  NO SCHOOL due to Veterans Day holiday
  
  
• Mon, NOV 20th ~ Fri, NOV 24th:
  NO SCHOOL due to Fall Break
  
  
• Mon, NOV 20th: Fall Teacher Conferences (in-person at WSMS)
  Tue, NOV 21st: Fall Teacher Conferences (virtual options)
  
  
• Tue, NOV 28th: Lincoln High School 8th Grade Information Night (5:30pm-8:30pm at LHS)
  
  

The Lost & Found is overflowing. Please have your students look for and collect their lost items. The Lost & Found is emptied at the end of each Quarter. Unclaimed items are donated to the PPS Clothes Closet at Marshall, and other charities.

If your scholar would like to attend the Pack Party, you must fill out a waiver to receive admission to the event. Costumes are encouraged however, please note: No masks, weapons or fake blood allowed.

This year The Friends of West Sylvan are making Pack Parties FREE for all students. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to support the party, you will have the opportunity to do so after filling out the waiver. Thank you!

Fall Conferences are planned to be held both in person and virtually this school year. If a strike impacts these conferences, new dates will be determined. The conference dates are Monday, November 20th, and Tuesday, November 21st. In-person conferences will be held on the 20th, and virtual options will be available on the 21st. Educators will be sending out communications as we get closer to those dates to tell families how to sign up for conferences. Educators are prioritizing meetings with the families of students who are struggling in classes (low grades, poor attendance, behavioral issues) first, and then will open up time slots for families of students who do not have these same concerns. If your student is doing well, setting up conferences is not necessary. Families are also encouraged to contact Educators via email throughout the year, with items as they arise.

• We are still working to hire a permanent Educator for Ms. Ashcraft’s vacant 8th Grade Spanish Immersion position. We have offered the position to a candidate who lives abroad, and we are waiting on TSPC to issue a U.S. teaching license. In the meanwhile, we are working to have a regular substitute teacher who can be here most days to cover the classes, who also speaks fluent Spanish. Consistent substitute coverage has been a challenge. In addition, our DLI Intern is working directly with as many of the classes, as possible, for additional support.
• We have posted a full-time Math position for the school year. If you know of anyone who would be an excellent candidate for our students, please tell them about the opening. The position is temporary for this school year. The website to apply is here.
• We still have an open Paraeducator position in our Intensive Skills Classroom. This is a full-time position from 8:30AM - 4:00PM. Monday-Friday. Interested applicants can apply here.
• We are always looking for Substitutes who like working in our building! To become a substitute, the information is here.

A spectacular showcase of the Dramatic Arts! PopCycles is a collaboration between Lincoln’s Theatre Program, Choir Program (including West Sylvan’s Choir!), Band Program, and individual student performances from the Lincoln community. This family-friendly event features two shows, each with a different lineup. Come to both! Bring your family, friends and everyone know - you don't want to miss it!

SAT 10/28 7 PM & SUN 10/29 2 PM

$25 General Public
$10 Students & Faculty

Purchase tickets online (pick your seats) or at the door
(tickets are always available at the door. Cash or Card).

Sponsored by Ms. Tew's Leadership Class

Our Scholars are practicing being “Communicators” this month, as our selected Learner Profile Trait. Goal setting for the year ahead has been occurring through Advisory, and our students have been reflecting on their learning styles and the daily habits that help them be successful in school.

Please make every effort to pick up students before or after their grade-specific Lunch period (see below). Once students are scattered around the field playing at recess, picking up during Lunch recess becomes more timely for all involved. Please do not call or text your student to tell them you are here or to tell them to come to the Office. If a student uses their device to check a text and/or answer a phone call, their phone will be confiscated.

6th Grade LUNCH: 11:37 AM ~ 12:07 PM

7th Grade LUNCH: 12:31 PM ~ 1:01 PM

8th Grade LUNCH: 1:25 PM ~ 1:55 PM

Breakfast is available in the hot lunch room at that time. Students with Choir before school (appears as period 0 on StudentVue), start school at 8:00AM each day. Students should ring the doorbell at the front doors upon arrival.

Ms. Crombie accepts Chromebooks at the Office for repairs between 10:00AM - 3:00PM each day. Damaged devices are picked up for repair each Friday, and are usually returned the following Friday. A loaner Chromebook can be issued to students in the meantime. Remind and encourage your student to take care of their Chromebook, and keep them in protective cases. If a student does not have a protective case, the school can provide one. Chromebooks are used for class assignments daily. Students will need to charge their device each night and bring their charged Chromebook to school each day. We do not have enough loaners to give to students who forget their Chromebooks. Students and families will be responsible for paying for replacements for lost chargers throughout the 2023-24 school year. They will be ordered through PPS OTIS, and cost $12/each.

Please remind your students to bring and wear their school ID daily. We’ve shared out many ways that our students can be safe by displaying their IDs throughout the day through our Advisory videos. IDs are used on campus for quickly identifying students (this is especially helpful for Substitutes). Students use them to check out library books and to buy hot lunch. Bus drivers also look for student IDs to be sure that students are on the correct route.

We do NOT allow students to order items directly from delivery services throughout the day, as they are inviting strangers to our campus, and we have no way of monitoring what they are delivering. There is an unfortunate option where students can order illegal items, such as VAPE devices, through delivery services. Students are reminded of this school policy regarding food delivery services when it is violated, and items are held in the Office for end-of-day pickup. Family members are also notified when this occurs.

If you have chosen to give your student a cell phone, please actively monitor their social media accounts and messaging activity. Nearly every single school discipline issue on campus has started with social media posting outside of school. This is another reason that our cell phone policy exists, as we don’t want students engaging in cyber-bullying and cyber-harassment throughout their school day. Set up parental controls where they can only access their phone during certain times, if you are allowing these devices.

WSMS is a cell phone free zone from 9:00 AM - 3:45 PM daily. We request and advise all families to keep scholars’ cell phones at home during the school day. If a scholar brings a cell phone to school, they will be expected to store their turned-off phone in their locker throughout the entire school day (including lunch periods). Important messages can be given to our Main Office via phone or email (westsylvanoffice@pps.net), and will be forwarded to your scholars’ PPS student email account. Please do not call or text your student. If your scholar chooses to use their cell phone, smart watch, air pods, tablet, et al, the device will be confiscated. If your scholar uses their device to check a text from and/or answer a phone call from you, their phone will be confiscated. Not only will their phone be confiscated, it shows you do not find this school rule important. This sets a bad precedent.

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Interested in Volunteering and Being More Involved?

Become an approved PPS volunteer by following the information here. Once your application is approved, please contact the Main Office to see how and when you can be of service. Our Friends of West Sylvan organization also regularly shares ways to get involved on campus, specifically to volunteer in the Library, monitor hallways, help in the Main Office, help in classrooms, and do recess duty.

Friends of West Sylvan is parent/family organization that supports Scholars and Staff and fosters community connection through fundraising and volunteer opportunities. Join the mailing list and stay connected with other families!

MAIN OFFICE

westsylvanoffice@pps.net

(503) 916-5690

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/ PRINCIPAL'S SECRETARY

[Staff / Substitutes / Financial]

Jerda Solonche

jsolonche@pps.net

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/ SCHOOL SECRETARY

[Students / Attendance / Enrollment]

Kirsten Crombie

kcrombie@pps.net

Website: www.pps.net/westsylvan
Location: 8111 Southwest West Slope Drive, Portland, OR, USA