Dear Parents:
We are eagerly preparing for a new school year. As one might expect, there are changes to personnel and modifications to some school practices. The intent of this letter is to highlight a few of them. This will be the first of my email “updates.” As always, I am available to meet with you to answer your questions or your concerns, or to hear about the successes your children are experiencing in our schools and classrooms.
Policies Forms and Documents
As a parent, I remember the first few days of school when my wife and I filled out reams of paper for each child. In Portland, we are attempting to reduce the amount of paper we send out. As you will see throughout the year, we will improve our automation processes and reduce our paper, but we are not there yet.
On the first day of school you will receive a packet of information for each of your children attending. In addition to school specific information, as well as a 2015-2016 school calendar, you will also receive the following forms that require your signature. (School health information is in red.)
· Internet/Computer Network Use (Policy 6141.321)
· Directory Information 5145.15
· 2015-2015 Application for Free and Reduced-price School meals or Free Milk (This includes FAQ, instructions, and a two-sided application form. (You now only have to submit to us one application per household, even if your children attend more than one school in the Portland Public School District.)
· School Health Notifications/Information
Emergency Card
Tylenol Permission (SECONDARY SCHOOL ONLY)
Health Alert Information
Authorization for the Administration of Medication
Medical Advisor Standing Orders
Please return these important documents to school promptly.
Please note that we are no longer sending notifications that do not require your signature. However, they are important notifications and require your attention. All of them (and others) will be on the Publications and Forms section of our DISTRICT link.
http://www.portlandctschools.org/publications--forms.html
· Annual Bullying Notification (Policy 5131.911)
· Hazard Materials in Schools (Green Cleaning Program- Policy 3524.2)
· Conduct-Video Cameras on School Buses (Policy 5131.11)
· Notification of Rights Under FERPA for Elementary and Secondary Schools
· Grievance Procedure for Cases of Alleged Discrimination
· Notice of Pesticide Application
· Annual Asbestos Notification
· Husky Health/SNAP Enrollment Information
Meet and Greet Event
I also want to invite you to a “Meet and Greet” evening event that I am hosting with the purpose of meeting our new PHS Principal, Mrs. Kathryn (Kate) Lawson, our new Director of Student Services, Dr. Mary Anne Morris, our interim Director of Curriculum, Technology, and Instruction, Dr. Krista Karch, and our new Athletic Director Mr. Chris Serra. This event will be held in the Portland High School Library on Monday, August 17, 2015 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
While this will be an informal way to meet our talented new leaders, I have also asked them to speak briefly about, and share with you, the transition plan that each of them has created for the upcoming year. I think you will see that each of these administrators has a clear blueprint for the coming year. Please join us for this event on Monday, August 17th.
Miscellaneous Information
The first day of school for Portland students, K through 12th grade, will be on Wednesday, August 26, 2015. This day will be a full day of school. Preschool parents will be notified directly as to its starting date.
Student School Hours: Pre-K 8:45 am – 11:15 am 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Kindergarten 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
Grades 1-6 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
Middle School 7:45 am – 2:15 pm
High School 7:45 am – 2:15 pm
Open houses for the schools are scheduled as follows:
September 10th Valley View Elementary School
September 16th Portland Middle School
September 17th Portland High School
September 21st Gildersleeve Elementary School
September 24th Brownstone Intermediate School
Board of Education meetings are usually the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Portland High School Library Media Center. This year our September meetings will be on Tuesday, September 8th and September 22nd. Check out the district website at www.portlandctschools.org for agendas and minutes.
The year ahead will undoubtedly bring a sizeable share of new challenges. I thank you for your ongoing support of the Portland Public Schools and for assisting us to make a positive difference in the lives of our students.
Sincerely,
Philip B. O’Reilly, Ed.D.