The Owl 8/26/2024
IMPORTANT: Bike Commute Routes and More Alternative Transportation Information
You should have received detailed arrival and dismissal instructions yesterday. We realized we omitted the map for arriving to ISP by bicycle for arrival and dismissal. Here are the maps and clearer directions for accessing the ISP campus via bicycle.
As you may have noticed, we have moved our bike rack and are creating a secure bike station with bike tools, and a lockable gate separated from the playgrounds. This will keep students off of the street while dismounting, and also provide a safe and secure area to store bikes. Fencing has been backordered to fully enclose the space, so we appreciate your patience.
Our goal is to optimize safety for pedestrians, and bicycles, and cars. These means keeping routes separate, particularly on our steep hills. The preferred bike routes were developed as part of a bicycle traffic access study, and we know that there is no “perfect” route but we will continue to work to improve.
**For your and others’ safety, please do NOT bike UP Caruthers Street or Water Avenue. Please refer to the maps about how to enter campus via bicycle.** Bicycles coming from the West and North of ISP can as you will see on the maps. Please utilize the designated Bike Station and Learners Hall Bike Racks.
If you take the MAX, streetcar, bike, or walk, you’ll see many ISP families. You might even see Bodo and his kids riding the Orange Line from Milwaukie. There are many ways to get to ISP besides cars, and we certainly encourage all of you who can to try!
More New Faculty Introductions!
Below are just some of our new staff who will be joining us this year! We will introduce more this week and next.
Katie Galuska
Performing Arts Specialist
“I am so excited to start at ISP as the new music and performing arts teacher. This will be my eighth year teaching and I can’t wait to work in such a welcoming, immersive environment. Working in a multicultural community that fosters growth and joy is what I’m most looking forward to at ISP. Along with teaching musical theatre, I love to go to shows and concerts. If I’m not doing something creative, being active, hiking and exploring this new amazing city is where I will spend most of my time. My goal is to bring my passionate love for music into these kids’ lives and give them a growing sense of confidence and community.”
Welcome, Katie!
Evelia Rodriquez Juarez
Spanish LowK Teaching Assistant
“My name is Evelia Rodriguez Juarez. I am Mexican and have lived in Oregon for 35 years. I became interested in working at this school because I am bilingual; I like languages and I like to teach my skills. I like to travel and I also want to speak several languages. One of my hobbies is knitting and walking.”
Bienvenidos, Evelia!
Courtney Farmer
English Specialist
“I am excited to be joining ISP this year as the new first grade English Specialist Teacher! I have been drawn toward working in international education since I started my teaching journey, and I am thrilled to have found such a vibrant, multicultural, inspiring school right here in Portland. I have worked in public schools around Portland for the past five years, and am excited about the new possibilities that will come with moving to an independent school environment. I grew up in Ashland, OR, and have lived in California, Denmark, and Australia, before landing in Portland. In my free time, I enjoy dabbling in a variety of hobbies and activities depending on the season. Some of my recent favorites include: traveling, paddle boarding, reading, cooking, knitting, practicing ASL, visiting local farmer’s markets, and spending time with loved ones. It has been wonderful getting to know my new ISP colleagues, and experiencing a taste of the beautiful school climate here at ISP. I can’t wait to get to know the students and families at ISP as we embark on this new school year together!”
Welcome, Courtney!
Back-to-School Checklist
Below is a list of back-to-school “To Dos” to make sure you’ve got everything covered.
To Do (all families):
1. Complete all forms in MySchool App. MySchool App is the International School of Portland’s school information system. Despite its name, it is web-based, not an app (though you can use it through your phone’s browser)!
NOTE: Authorized pickups will be added in SchoolPass, our arrival and dismissal app. More information about that – and our arrival and dismissal procedures – coming soon!
2. Purchase school supplies. See lists below:
Chinese Track
Japanese Track
Spanish Track
PLEASE put your child’s name on these and anything that is worn to school, all year long!
3. Sign up for a volunteer opportunities here. The ISP Parent Network offers wonderful, diverse ways to help the school. For more information, go to intlschool.org/volunteer.
4. Submit a background check form for volunteering.
All classroom, campus volunteers & field trip chaperones must submit a new background check every 3 years. Fill our the Oregon Department of Education Background Check form.This form requires a signature. You may fill out the form online, but then you need to print it and sign (or use a verified digital signature). (Note: The Department of Education will only accept applications submitted by the school, you do not need to submit a cover letter or the $5 payment as indicated on the application form, ISP will manage that part).
If you are driving on a Field trip, you will also need to submit a photo of your Drivers’ license and insurance card information.
Please upload your background check and optional drivers’ information via our File Upload form. IMPORTANT:. You can take a CLEAR photo of each document and upload via the File Upload form. You can also a) scan and send a pdf your background check form to yourself to upload via the File Upload form, or b) scan and email the pdf directly to background@intlschool.org
5. Immunizations. New students: complete and submit the Oregon immunization form found in MySchool App. Returning students: send an updated one if there have been changes. Any child with incomplete immunizations must be excluded from school by law. For information about exemptions, visit public.health.oregon.gov/preventionwellness.
Join Us for our Founders’ Day Celebration!
We are excited to invite you to a very special Founders’ Day celebration!
Friday, September 6, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Join us for food, beverages, music, and more in celebration of…
- The long-time legacy of founders, Doug and Frey Stearns, and our Head of Early Childhood, Maria Abad
- The opening of the new Owly Court play area and campus connector
- The unveiling of an exciting future project in honor of Maria’s legacy of learning and play!
Follow this RSVP link for all the details, to leave a special message for Maria Abad, and to let us know if you can join us!
Sign up to Be a Room Parent!
Room Parents are needed for the 2024-2025 school year! You do not need to know your child’s class placement to sign up. See intlschool.org/room-parents for the “job” description, and intlschool.org/rp-signup to volunteer.
Questions about room parenting? Feel free to reach out to Kat Applegarth (KatA@intlschool.org), current room parents, or our Parent Network Chair, Stephanie K, for more information: parentnetwork@intlschool.org
THANK YOU!
Load up on ISP Gear at the Spirit Shop
The ISP Spirit Shop features high quality items with our adorable owl logo! You can order online and the items will be shipped directly to your home. Check out our super hip student models!