Dear Deering,

A few notes and updates for March:

ALL ONE SCHOOL

It feels good to come to work each morning knowing that, whatever divisions there are in the outside world, Deering is a place of relative calm and unity. We have fun together, and we learn together. When conflict occurs, we are typically able to talk it through and get to a resolution quickly. Thank you for supporting and being a part of that.

LEARNING TOGETHER

Congratulations to Violet Blum-Levine, Anja Machado, and Asa Tussing, who have been named National Merit Finalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Less than 0.4% of high school seniors nationwide receive this recognition of academic achievement and potential. This is of course not the only kind of success that counts or matters, but it is rare enough to deserve true celebration.

Deering is in the midst of a push to increase the academic achievement of its students. The school is already known as fun and inclusive, but we also want to be known for our learning gains. To that end, our faculty has been spending the year observing each other and teaching each other their best practices for getting and keeping students minds-on. If your student reports that class is hard, it might be working!

We want all students to aim higher than just passing their classes. Barely passing does not signal readiness for the next level of study. There are two ways to remediate low summative assessment grades. The first is to see your teacher at Learning Center to retake or revise within two weeks. The second is, in classes where the teacher already offers multiple summative assessments of the same skill, to use class and Learning Center to get better prepared for the next summative assessment of that skill. If you are not sure which option is relevant, talk directly to your teacher.

BATHROOMS

A small but impactful percentage of our student body has had trouble this year using bathrooms appropriately. Please know that we are actively addressing this both as a school and with those students and their families. It’s not how any of us want to be spending our time, but it is part of helping students become their best selves, no matter what challenges they come to us with.

MILITARY OPT OUT

We are occasionally asked by branches of the United States military to provide student contact information so that the branches can share scholarship, financial aid, and career opportunities. If you do not wish for your student’s contact information to be shared with the military, and did not already opt out in the summer survey, please contact Liz Davenport, davenl@portlandschools.org.

FOOD SERVICES PARENT ADVISORY GROUP

The school district is recruiting guardians for a parent advisory committee to offer opinions on the breakfast and lunch program. If interested, email montaj@portlandschools.org with the subject line “parent advisory group”.

GUIDANCE UPDATES

Last month, students learned about choosing courses for next year in advisory. The next step is for them to make and enter their choices. We always encourage students to take the most difficult classes in which they can be successful.  Ask your student what they are thinking about signing up for! We welcome questions from you and from them to help them make the best plan.

• 11th graders should also be scheduling and attending their one on one Junior Meetings to focus on their postsecondary plans.  If you have a Junior, please encourage them to visit their counselor soon!
• 12th graders who applied to college may be getting admissions decisions this month, along with financial aid packages.  Counselors are happy to help them navigate their options. Please reach out if you have questions, too.

School counselor Ms. Watts (students last names O-Z) is out on maternity leave. Her students are in great hands with Terry Bartels on M-W and Hannah Ryde on Th & F. Students with the last names O-Z may also work with social worker Ms. Atkinson-Lewis any day! 

THIS MONTH IN ADVISORY

• March 12: 
  • 9, 10, and 11th graders will be doing course sign-ups. If they miss this day, they may not be able to get their first-choice classes if they do not quickly follow up with their advisor and/or counselor. 
  • 12th Graders will work on the Capstone graduation requirement project. 
• March 19: As part of “March Madness Spirit Week” (see below) all students will decorate their doors and more, winning points for a schoolwide competition. 
• March 26: Students will discuss apologies and repairing harm, then advisors will check in on one-on-one with students about their semester to help them stay on track. 

MARCH MADNESS SPIRIT WEEK

Student Council is working hard to bring some joy to a long month and have planned a great “March Madness” spirit week. Students can earn points for their grade throughout!  

• Monday, March 17: Theme: Wear Green!
• Tuesday, March 18: Theme: Meme/Character Day
• Wednesday, March 19: 
  • Theme: Pajamas/Be Cozy! 
  • Advisory: Competitions to win points, including the spring door decoration! 
• Thursday, March 20: 
  • Theme: Jersey Day
  • Learning Center: Class vs. Class Volleyball Competition
• Friday: 
  • Theme: Purple & White
  • Learning Center: Student vs. Staff Basketball Game 

MARCH SNACKS

In March only, any student can opt to pick up a non-perishable snack pack from the cafeteria that can be taken home and eaten later in the day. Interested students should talk with the cafeteria staff. 

CALENDAR

March is National Music in our Schools Month & Youth Art Month

Mar 3-7 School Social Work Week

Mar 5 9th/10th Centerpoint in Adv

Mar 19 All City Concert

Mar 27 Blood Drive

Mar 30 Eid al-Fitr (approx)

Apr 3 Ed Tech Appreciation Day

Apr 2 MEA Science Test for 11th Grade

Apr 3 11:30 dismissal: Conferences 12:30-6

Apr 4 11:30 dismissal: Conferences 12:30-6

Apr 4 End of Third Quarter

Apr 4 School Librarian Day

Apr 7-11 National Assistant Principals Week

Apr 13-20 Passover

Apr 16 NWEA Reading Test for 10th grade in Advisory 

Apr 16 SAT for 11th grade in Advisory

Apr 18-27 April Break

Apr 20 Easter

Apr 23 School Bus Driver Day

Apr 24 Administrative Assistants Day

Apr 30 NWEA Math for 10th Grade in Advisory

 

GOOD PLACES TO GET THE LATEST INFORMATION

• Year-at-a-Glance Calendar
• DHS Instagram
• Rams Athletics Instagram
• Current Announcements to Students

 

Let us know if you have any questions.  You are important to us!

Sincerely,

All of us at Deering High School