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Dear MLC Community:
How are you doing? The past few weeks have been a rollercoaster of questions, confusion and heartbreak for so many people. Field trips, events, projects and storylines that MLC's students, teachers, and PTSA have worked so hard on have been canceled or are in limbo. Now as we're all looking towards a month of at-home schooling, it seems impossible to maintain momentum, let alone community. And yet...I suspect MLC will come out of this stronger and more creative than ever. I've gained even MORE respect for our teachers and staff as they adapt an experiential alternative school into a temporary virtual school. How can you and the PTSA support MLC families?: Because so many field trips were canceled this year and scholarships are not needed, a large portion of the PTSA budget can be redirected to needs of our students and families during this time. In order to present this idea to our membership and make these funds available immediately, we've moved our April meeting to Zoom, an online platform. PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR VIRTUAL APRIL PTSA MEETING SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2020 AT 10AM www.zoom.us Meeting ID: 572 026 262 (No password needed) How can the PTSA help you?: If your student and your family need Fred Meyer gift cards to get through this challenging time, please email MLC's school counselors: Genie Gomez at vgomez1@pps.net or Jeanette Scantling, jscantling@pps.net. We are still working on the logistics of how the cards will be mailed out to folks requesting them, but confidentiality will be honored. Also, feel free to email me with any questions or ideas how we can support each other. I've heard from so many MLC folks who just want to DO SOMETHING. So if you are in need of groceries, or a pair of rain boots for your kiddo but can't afford them right now, PLEASE LET ME KNOW! This is my email: mlcptsapresident@gmail.com There's a school community here for you. See you IRL soon! -Alisa & The PTSA Board, John, Joelle, & Rick
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Hello MLC Community,
The PTSA Board is diligently monitoring the local impact of COVID-19 to ensure we are operating in a way that is in the interest of our community’s well-being first and foremost. If you are exhibiting any symptoms of being ill, even if it's a common cold, we respectfully ask that you opt not to attend the auction and focus on your recovery. The PTSA Board & Auction Team have implemented these precautions: · There will be a thorough disinfecting of the venue Saturday morning, and regular wipe-downs during the event of common, high traffic areas. · Food will be served by gloved workers, rather than buffet style, to minimize the number of people handling the utensils. Likewise, all plates, utensils, and glasses are disposable & compostable. · Every participant will be given a pen on a lanyard for silent auction bidding rather than using communal pens. · Hand sanitizer will be located in many areas throughout the room. · Bartenders will use gloves when serving. Additionally, we'll be making some of the auction items available to purchase online so people who can't or do not wish to attend can participate. This online shop will include all the buy-in parties, MLC merchandise, clothing items donated by local shops, artwork done by MLC community members, and possibly other items. The online auction shop will open Sunday morning (3/15) and remain open for the rest of the month. Links and further information will be sent out Sunday. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to the PTSA board at mlcptsapresident@gmail.com. Thanks for being a part of our community! Best Regards, MLC PTSA Board  Auction Update - 2/14/20
Auction will be held on Sat, March 14th at 6:00 in Goodman Hall, Congregation Beth Israel (Address is 1972 NW Flanders St.).
Time sure flies! There are only 18 weeks left in the school year but a MILLION cool things going on between then and now. Here’s what’s coming up:
🎨 Classroom Art Projects: MLC’s sixth through twelfth grades need parents to facilitate classroom art projects that can be sold at the MLC auction. Contact our auction chair, Jenn Halvorson for more information: mlcauctioncommittee@gmail.com ⚽ Timbers Window Wash: Leave your car in the MLC parking lot for 4.5 hours during the following Timbers games: 2/16, 3/1, 3/8, and 3/28. Only $20 and benefits field trip scholarships. 🚲 Bike Team: John Walrod (amazing 3rd grade teacher and PTSA Vice Prez) is looking for folks to help design and build a bike shelter for the parking lot. Drop him a message to get involved: jwalrod@pps.net ❤Valentine’s Day Social: Our February meeting will be Friday, February 14 @ noon in the library. We’ll have Escape From New York pizza, free childcare at KCLC, and updates on all that’s going on at MLC. 👕 Clothing Center and Food Pantry Update: We’ve had a wonderful response to the CCFP and a special thanks to all who have donated funds, clothing, and food. Keep it coming! Popular items we need more of: new water bottles, healthy snacks (Kind bars, peanut butter crackers), apples, oranges, and spring jackets in adult sizes. Many students have asked if it can be open more often (right now it’s open on Wednesdays from 8:30-9:30 AM). If you are able to staff the center before or after school, our kids will thank you! 🎉 SAVE THE DATES: 🗨 February 21, 2020 @ 8:45 AM SPED Affinity Group in the MLC cafeteria 😎 March 14, 2020 @ 6 PM Come Hang Out at MLC’s Rumpus Room! This year's auction will be a nostalgic, fun-filled evening of retro video games, music, delicious food, beer and wine, and of course amazing silent & live auctions and raffles, topped it all off with an 80s/90s video dance party! Sliding scale tickets: $5-$50 available NOW! This is a 21+ event but childcare will be available. 🔆April 15, 2020 Did you know MLC was founded in 1968 by two science teachers? This year, the PTSA continues this legacy at our Renaissance Inventors Faire, a celebration of ingenuity, robots, innovations, art, and more. We'll have creation stations, a Rube Goldberg machine contest, and lots of STEAM. If you want to facilitate an activity table of your choice, let me know! Alisa mlcptsapresident@gmail.com See you soon! Alisa & the rest of the PTSA board: John, Joelle, and Rick Join the effort to determine the fate of MLC's pool. Should it be revived? Should it be repurposed? And whatever happens, how much will it cost? The PTSA's Pool Ponderings committee is gathering historic data, district reports and inspections with the goal of establishing options to the community. Student input will also be a component of this research. (More on that soon!) View, contribute, and comment on documents in the Google Drive here. Email PTSA President Alisa for more information about how to get involved and add your voice to the discussion!
 When you donate to the CCFP, you are donating to children and families in your community. It can be easy to fall into the trap of "wishful donating" or thinking that "someone can use it!" Instead, give your item a nice Marie Kondo farewell and if it does not fit the criteria of what the CCFP can take, recycle or re-use the item or throw it away.
Donation guidelines: Before you donate used clothing, ask yourself:
Please DO NOT donate:
  
The first issue of the MLC newspaper, the Hallway is out! You can get a printed copy in the MLC office or **save a tree** and read the PDF version here.
 Third grade classroom art project from 2019, "The Imaginary Bridges of MLC" coordinated by parent Shauna Myers. This beautiful art piece took the third grade bridges study into creative realms by duplicating student art and laser etching it onto wood. Hello MLC Community,
I've had several people ask me how they can help with the auction. I have ideas, people! --VOLUNTEER! We have many volunteer opportunities before, during, and after the auction. You can sign up by clicking this link.. --Help with a Classroom Project. Ask your child's teacher if they need help organizing and creating a class project for the live auction. --Donate a bottle or two of wine for our Wine Wall. --Create a gift basket. We love fun gift baskets for our silent auction and/or raffle. Feel free to contact me at mlcauctioncommittee@gmail.com to donate, ask questions, give feedback, etc. (Find out more at the PTSA meeting tomorrow, Wednesday 1/15 @ 6-7:30PM in the MLC Library. Free childcare and dinner from Escape from New York Pizza!) Best Regards, Jenn Halvorson 2020 Auction Coordinator P.S. The auction is March 14, 2020 at Beth Israel and tickets are available now!  Rebecca's 1x2 performing a puppet show and a Mo Phillips song about hibernation at the 2019 Solstice.  Greetings, MLC Community!
Hopefully your holiday break was filled with family and relaxation after a whirlwind December at MLC. So much joy and generosity takes over our school during this time of year with our Giving Tree, the opening of our Clothing Center and Food Pantry, and the beautiful staff gifts (thank you Lauren and Co.!). The hope for renewal and peace is exemplified by Solstice—an MLC tradition since 1983—and this year’s wonderful performances highlighted what makes MLC special. Thank you to Julie, Anna, and Susan for taking the lead on this year’s festival of light. Also thank you to high schoolers Kale and Miranda for the Solstice graphic novel. Gorgeous!! What's coming up in January?: * The 2020 MLC calendar is on sale NOW! Only $10 and featuring student art, photos, and birthdays, the proceeds go towards field trip scholarships. * School directories will be distributed the first week of school. The PTSA puts together and pays to print enough copies for every family who did notopt out. * January Dinner and Meeting: Wednesday, January 15, 2020 6-7:30 PM Join us in the MLC library for Escape from New York pizza, free childcare and a chance to find out what’s happening at MLC and how you can get involved. Get your tickets now! * Auction! Hang out in the MLC Rumpus Room, Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Beth Israel, 5:30-9:30 PM Tickets are on a sliding scale from $5-50 and include dinner, games, dancing and more. This is a 21+ event, childcare will be available. We are still accepting silent auction donations and need parent help to create classroom art projects. Please email auction coordinator Jenn Halvorson at mlcauctioncommittee@gmail.com to add your creativity to our largest fundraiser of the year. With the arrival of this new decade, we hope that you reflect on why you chose MLC and how you can contribute to your student's and MLC's continued success. Cheers to 2020! The MLC PTSA Board Alisa, John, Joelle, Rick and Jenn Jump in! We realize it might be a little intimidating, but getting involved with your student's school is the best way to contribute to their success. Start with our January dinner on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at 6:00-7:30 PM. We'll have delicious Escape from New York pizza, free childcare, and lots of information about upcoming events and opportunities at MLC. Dive in! : Alisa  |
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METROPOLITAN LEARNING CENTER
Celebrating 51 years of K x 12 Student-Centered Education
A PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL
2033 NW Glisan St. • Portland, OR 97209
Main office phone: 503.916.5737
Celebrating 51 years of K x 12 Student-Centered Education
A PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL
2033 NW Glisan St. • Portland, OR 97209
Main office phone: 503.916.5737