Vestal School

 Please read about the Superintendent's Budget Update. This information is available in several languages.

New online parent tool

Starting in the 2013-14 school year, PPS families will have access to student progress information in a new online tool called Synergy ParentVUE. ParentVUE will be available in multiple languages and also as a free mobile app.

Families will receive log-in instructions to Synergy ParentVUE and links to online support materials in Fall 2013. For more information, please visit synergyspotlight.pps.net

SPANISH ADAPTATION

Nueva herramienta de padres en línea

A partir del año escolar 2013-14, PPS familias tendrán acceso a la información del progreso del estudiante en una nueva herramienta en línea llamada Synergy ParentVUE. ParentVUE estará disponible en varios idiomas y también como una aplicación móvil.

Las familias recibirán log-in instrucciones a Synergy ParentVUE y enlaces a materiales de apoyo en línea en el otoño de 2013. Para obtener más información, visite synergyspotlight.pps.net

 Please read our May edition of the Vestal Voice, our monthly newsletter.

April 3, 2013

Dear Vestal Families:

Recently I made an important decision to retire from Portland Public Schools effective June 30, 2013.  This was a difficult decision because during my 15 years as Vestal Principal, I have made so many wonderful relationships with young people, families and Vestal’s teachers and support staff.  As Vestal grew into a K-8 school, this enabled me to know your children for a longer time span and watch their extraordinary transformation from kindergartners to teenagers. We have accomplished much as a school community, receiving recognition over the years from The Education Trust and Portland Schools Foundation (now known as All Hands Raised) for excellence and equity in education.  We have also undergone challenges, facing School Improvement status and triumphing through extraordinary effort and determination.  With a new leader, Vestal will continue its trajectory to prepare Portland’s young people to be successful thinkers and leaders in the twenty-first century.

The process for selecting a new principal will begin immediately.  The first step is to hold a community meeting where district leaders will have the opportunity to hear from parents, guardians and teachers about what characteristics you desire in your new leader.  At the meeting Director of Administrative Hiring John Blanck will explain the full hiring process in more detail, including possibilities for having community and staff participation in interviews.  We will announce the meeting time soon through a flyer, autodialer and our school’s website at www.pps.k12.or.us/schools/vestal/ .  If you are unable to come to the meeting, which generally lasts about one hour, there will be other ways for you to communicate your priorities. 

The Vestal community values tradition, but also open heartedly embraces innovation and change.  I know you will join me in welcoming the new principal and Vestal will continue to be a school where families are proud to send their children.  I promise to remain focused on providing a high level of service and a smooth transition to new leadership. 

Warmest regards,

Susan Foxman, Principal

 Please read our April edition of the Vestal Voice, our monthly newsletter.

Please read our March edition of the Vestal Voice, our monthly newsletter.

We look forward to meeting you!

• Kindergarten Family Night
  May 30 at 6:00 PM
  Pizza, meet new classmates and their families

COMMUNITY GARDEN

Read about the ongoing improvements to the Community Garden. http://www.vestalcommunitygarden.blogspot.com/

September 5, 2012

Dear Vestal Students, Parents and Guardians:

We are excited to welcome you to the new school year at Vestal School. We celebrate the growth our students made on the 2012 state reading and math tests. In spring 2012 Vestal students outscored 80% of Oregon students who had similar scores to our students on 2011 assessments. Vestal School scored 4 out of 5 in Growth according to the Oregon Department of Education. We congratulate our students, teachers and parents on this accomplishment. We know we are on the right track to helping all of our students be successful readers, writers and mathematicians. We must continue to work together to succeed.

Mark your calendar for our annual Back to School Night on Thursday, September 27th from 5:30-8:00 pm. PTA will kick off with an ice cream social. We always have a high turnout and there will be time for you to visit classrooms and meet your child’s teachers and sign up for November Parent-Teacher Conferences. On this evening staff coordinators of our federal Title 1, Talented and Gifted (TAG) and English Language Learner programs will meet with parents to describe programs and services for your children. I will share the State of the School report and introduce staff and key partners.

Change in Nutrition Services policy: If your child is eligible for free or reduced price lunch based on family income, your application needs to be active/approved on the first day of school so that Nutrition Services does not charge you. Talk to Candie Farley in the kitchen or our office staff if you have questions. Turn in your application immediately.

This year we will join 15 other PPS schools in the VIDA Program that will bring health screenings and benefits to K-8 students. Watch for information in the monthly Vestal Voice newsletter and at Breakfast Bunch in the Library. Vestal is a Beacon School for anti-racism and proud of the diversity of our learning community. As a staff we are continuing our courageous conversations about race, committed to eliminating academic and disciplinary disparities.

We will continue to have free breakfast and free afternoon fruit or vegetable snack for every student courtesy of the federal government and our Nutrition Services Department. Every boy and girl receives a free backpack with school supplies from Schoolhouse Supplies and Unitus Community Credit Union on the first day of school. Be sure and thank our good partners.

Vestal is a nationally recognized AVID and GEAR UP, CAP school that prepares students for college and careers through rigorous academic work and the development of personal skills. Vestal also provides arts education through our music teacher, Ethos Music Center after school classes, Right Brain Initiative artist residencies and Young Audiences. Our energetic PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) sponsors two Craft Nights, Science Night, Scholastic Book Fairs, the Fall Carnival, Family Movie Night, many partnership evenings, School Pictures and Yearbook. You will find there are many activities you will enjoy as a family at Vestal School.

You will find information about our school in the enclosed Parent and Student Handbook as well as the district’s booklet on Student Rights and Responsibilities. Whenever my staff and I can be of service to you, don’t hesitate to drop by the office, call 503 916-6437 or email me at sfoxman@pps.net. I wish your child a very successful school year of significant learning academically, socially and creatively.

Sincerely,

Susan Foxman
Principal