September 6, 2024

Hello Deering Students, Staff, and Families,

Thanks to all of you for a strong start to the school year. Our ninth graders have been a wonderful addition, our athletic fields are filled with ambitious young athletes, and our new staff are fitting right in. We will be writing to you monthly with updates like the following:

HOW FAMILIES CAN BE INVOLVED
Open House: This Monday, from 5 to 7. Families and students start in the cafeteria, where you can visit stations to learn about clubs and other opportunities. After that, you will visit each of your students’ classes and learn from the teachers important information about the school and the school year.  We’d really love to see you there.

Attendance and Grades: Our students can’t learn if they aren’t here. Please partner with us to make sure your student is attending all classes every day. You can see your student’s attendance and grades by logging into Infinite Campus with your Parent Portal. Don’t have a Parent Portal? Please call Deering and we will help you create one. 

Family Teacher Organization: Stay tuned for information about an October meeting: The first of four for the year.

Household Income Survey: On Sunday, you will receive a very short electronic household income survey. The information is held highly confidential and high participation is required for Deering to continue getting federal funding for our breakfast and lunch program. You will get reminder messages if you don’t complete it. I apologize for this inconvenient system, but we have no legal way to avoid it.

Volunteer to help with Picture Day. Sept 12, 8 to noon. Earn a free photo package or cash. Email giessj@portlandschools.org if you are interested.

Car Show and Carnival. Oct 5, 8-3. Some of our student organizations are holding a Saturday fundraiser at the Deering parking lot. There will be a vintage car show from 8 to 1 and a carnival from 1 to 3. Rain date is the next day.

Conferences. Oct 15&16. Watch in the coming weeks for sign ups for family conferences. Meet your student’s advisor and learn more about their classes, attendance, and grades. On these two days, school will dismiss at 11:30am.

Cheer on our Teams. Fall sports are in full swing. See calendars here.

UPCOMING FOR STUDENTS
Picture Day, Sept 12. Students will be called down in small groups to get their yearbook and identification photos taken. You can order copies here using the password DHS2024.

Co-Curricular Fair. During Learning Center on September 13th, students will have the opportunity to learn about and sign up for clubs and activities. We have many.

Safety Drills. We take safety seriously at Deering. We review procedures and practice with students throughout the year. We work hard to keep it from being a stressful experience while also making sure that everybody understands the procedures. Coming up: 
Evacuation (fire drill): Wednesday 9/11 during Advisory
Lockdown: Wednesday 9/18 during Advisory

NWEA Testing, Sept 25 and Oct 2. Tenth grade students will be taking the state mandated math and reading tests during Advisory on these two days. This is an important measure of our school, and we need all students to do their very best.

Homecoming Week. A week of spirit activities including a pep rally on Oct 10 during Learning Center, the Homecoming Dance 7:30-9:30 that night, and the Homecoming game on Oct 11, a day off from school.

OTHER PLACES TO FIND IMPORTANT INFORMATION
There is a year-at-a-glance calendar here that is formatted so that you can print it and hang it on a refrigerator or bulletin board, but the most up to date calendar information will always be on our website here. You can find much more information about Deering, including our family handbook, at our website, dhs.portlandschools.org.

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

Sincerely,

All of us at Deering High School