PPS TAG Advisory Council - Survey Results & Meeting Reminder - Tues. 3/12 6:30

I'm writing to share the link to the letter from Dr. Kimberly Matier and the PPS TAG Advisory Council highlighting survey results and discussing the Council's priorities for engaging the TAG community:

http://www.pps.k12.or.us/files/tag/TAG_Survey_Letter_2012.13.pdf

Feel free to contact me at adept_diva at hotmail dot com with your questions or concerns!
In the meantime, here is another meeting reminder for Tues. 3/12 at 6:30 p.m.  Read on for more details about the location and other locations.

Meeting Reminder:
Please accept this invitation to join Portland Public Schools TAG Advisory Council in its work strengthening communication, services, and resources for our TAG students and their families.

We're especially interested in reaching individuals from schools whose TAG students are under identified and underrepresented. Feel free to contact me for more information @ adept_diva at hotmail dot com!

Brenda Ray Scott
PPS TAGAC Chair
OATAG Board Member

Next Meeting:
Tuesday, 3/12 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Location:
BESC (District admin. building) at 501 N. Dixon St, 97227 Mahonia Room (second floor)

To get there:
Take the elevator to the second floor- elevators are to the right after you enter the second set of doors. Go right out of the elevator and take a quick left to walk along the open area to a sign on the ceiling that points to area #255-260. Go right to the next wall (windows). Turn right and take a quick left into the Mahonia room.

Portland Tribune Article on Portland Public Schools TAG Services

Many of you may have seen the article, "TAG tries to find a way out of 'crisis'," featured in the Portland Tribune on Thursday, February 21.  I've provided the link http://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/128647-tag-tries-to-find-a-way-out-of-crisis as well as posting a copy on the TAG bulletin board oustide the Cafeteria at Llewellyn School.  Whether your child was identified recently or a few years ago, this article will provide important information and perspective about the state of TAG services in the District and the state of Oregon. I'm quoted in the article as is Dr. Kimberly Matier from Portland Public Schools, Rebecca Blocher from the state of Oregon, and long-time advocate TAG Margaret DeLacy.  Please take the time to read this article.

Portland Public School, Proposed Budget Cuts, and TAG

My thanks to the many families who expressed an interest in this topic. Here is information that was shared with me about the timeline for the discussion of proposed budget cuts. As some of you are aware, the proposed cuts include the Principal position that leads the district's program. I'm in the process of getting a response from the current TAG director about the impact of those cuts. Please reply to this post or contact me directly if you are interested in joining the discussion. When replying, please confirm whether or not it is okay to share your email address.
My apologies if I'm being redundant about the permission piece. Feel free to share this message and my contact information with those you think might have an interest in advocating for TAG! I'm planning to attend the 4/9 session at Cleveland and am hopeful that I can attend the 4/11 session at Roosevelt as well. Looking forward to hearing from you!

PPS BUDGET: NEXT
STEPS
March 21:
Superintendent shares central cuts with staff.
April 2:
Superintendent proposes budget to board.

Public hearings:

April 9 at 5 pm at Cleveland HS, April 11 at 6 pm at Roosevelt HS.

About District Level TAG Leadership:
I learned that the position is Pat Thompson's and she will be available until 6/30/12. Here is what she shared with me:

My position as a Principal on Special Assignment (including TAG, CTE etc) has been eliminated for next year which means that my last day in PPS will be June 30th. However, the district will still be responsible for providing TAG services and supports looking ahead. I will continue to work closely with district officials in the Office of Teaching and Learning for the next three
months and assist them in any way I can during this time of transition.

I wanted to share this link I received from a Portland Public School parent about the looming budget cuts. At this point, those cuts include the "Principal on Special Assignment - TAG," which is I believe Pat Thompson's position. PPS is challenged to provide appropriate services as it is. If that position is cut, who will assume those duties and how will we make our voices heard?
Here's the story: Portland Public Schools to lay off 23 central administration employees, cut 15 other jobshttp://mobile.oregonlive.com/advorg/pm_32330/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=wSowEZc9

I'm having conversations with approximately 8 PPS TAG parents about how to respond to this news. We're in the process of identifying how we'll work together to advocate for our PPS TAG students. Who will join us? Please reply to me at adept_diva@hotmail.com if you're interested in joining the conversation.