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.

PPS TAG Parent Advisory Council meets on Tues. 3/20 at 6:30 p.m. at Rice School

The PPS TAG Parent Advisory Council meets on Tues. 3/20 at 6:30 p.m. at Rice School (6433 NE Tillamook / Portland, Oregon 97213). We are focusing a lot of energy discussing how to get the PAC up and running and how we would impact district policy. At this time, the PAC is seeking several new members - ethnically, geographically, and socio-economically diverse. The group is especially interested in outreach to Title 1 schools in the district with a focus on outreach to North and NE Portland and outer Southeast schools. The next meetings are scheduled for April 17, and May 15. Please feel free to contact me or to refer potential new members to Pat Thompson at Portland Public Schools at 503-916-3358.

PPS TAG Parent Advisory Council meets on Tues. 3/20 at 6:30 p.m. at Rice School

The PPS TAG Parent Advisory Council meets on Tues. 3/20 at 6:30 p.m. at Rice School (6433 NE Tillamook / Portland, Oregon 97213). We are focusing a lot of energy discussing how to get the PAC up and running and how we would impact district policy. At this time, the PAC is seeking several new members - ethnically, geographically, and socio-economically diverse. The group is especially interested in outreach to Title 1 schools in the district with a focus on outreach to North and NE Portland and outer Southeast schools. The next meetings are scheduled for April 17, and May 15. Please feel free to contact me or to refer potential new members to Pat Thompson at Portland Public Schools at 503-916-3358.

Portland Public Schools - Parent Advisory Council (2/22/12 Meeting Recap)

The TAG Parent Advisory Council for Portland Public Schools met for the first time in several months last week. The meeting was staffed by Pat Thompson, the District's TAG administrator, and Roxanne Coleman TAG Coordinator. I was joined by two parents - one from Robert Gray and another from Buckman. We exchanged information about how our children and schools were involved with the program. I described the work we'd been doing at Llewellyn and my role as a member of the OATAG Board of Directors. I'm very interested in outreach to create more interest in advocating for TAG at the district levels and potential to advocate for the TAG budget and other resources. We spent a lot of energy discussing how to get the PAC up and running and how we would impact district policy. At this time, the PAC is seeking several new members - ethnically, geographically, and socio-economically diverse. The group is especially interested in outreach to Title 1 schools in the district with a focus on outreach to North and NE Portland and outer Southeast schools. The next meetings are scheduled for March 20, April 17, and May 15. Please refer potential new members to Pat Thompson at Portland Public Schools at 503-916-3358.