Our School

Dear Gilbert Heights Families,

Over the last several days and nights, millions of Americans, joined by thousands of Portlanders, have marched through our streets demanding an end to the injustices and violence routinely inflicted by our society on people of color, and specifically in this case on members of our Black community.

The most recent incidents of hate, violence, racism and the killing of George Floyd have shocked our community. It is deeply disturbing, but sadly unsurprising, to know that racism and senseless violence are still prevalent in our community. Many students and families in our community live in fear due to the color of their skin. This is unacceptable. To truly combat this issue, we all must acknowledge what they know to be a fact — racism is ever-present in America, and its impacts are deep, long lasting, and deadly.

If things are ever going to change for people of color in this country, we must all actively join the cause. There are many opportunities for us to dismantle racism and discrimination. From the classroom to the boardroom, we will continue to review our practices and policies of our district and statewide legislation that disproportionately impact our underserved populations.

As educators, we must commit to being culturally responsive and disrupt hate and violence.  As a school District we must listen and learn from our community. As a community we must defend our students and families and constantly interrupt all racism and discriminatory acts.

The David Douglas School District stands in solidarity with those who are working throughout this community, state and nation to combat racism, violence and discrimination against our communities of color.

We know that these events are traumatic, and everyone will react differently. It is important to help our students know we are here to listen and we are here to support them. Our teachers will continue to connect with our students, and our counselors are ready to serve. If you need any support, please do not hesitate to reach out to any DDSD staff member who will help guide you to resources.

I believe our schools, our District, and our community can do better, will do better and must do better.

I commit to our David Douglas community that we will stand up for, and along side, our students and families of color. They deserve our best. I invite you to join us.

Ken Richardson
Superintendent

Kindergarten Registration: 

We are starting online kindergarten registration.  Students who are age 5 on or before September 1 are eligible for enrollment in kindergarten. So if you have, or know of, a child who is 5 or will be 5 before September 1, please register the child soon.  We are looking forward to meeting some of our youngest learners. The Gilbert Heights office is open Wednesdays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm to help with registration questions. The link to kindergarten registration is here: Registration and Enrollment

End of Year Elementary Student Material Pick Up Procedures

Parents will have the opportunity to pick up their child’s belongings from the school on June 3^rd and 4^th. We will follow safety precautions. Parents will remain in their car, staff will maintain 6 feet distance at all times and wear face covering. Families will not be allowed to enter the building.

Distribution Schedule:

•Wednesday, 6-3-20  

12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

•Thursday, 6-4-20

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Distance Learning Packets:

We are continuing our weekly distance learning packet distributions on Wednesdays from 1:00-3:00.  During this time families can stop by Gilbert Heights in their cars, and we will provide a distance-learning packet along with free books and school supplies, if needed.  Our last packet distribution day will be on June 3rd.

We realize distance learning is not the same quality as the traditional educational setting. It is important for you to know that we are learning this process as well. We will make mistakes. We will be trying new things and adjusting as necessary. In the end, though, please know we will do the best we can to continue to deliver a first rate education to your child.

Your child’s teacher has been working hard to create lessons, videos and activities that your child can access online through Google Classroom.  If you need technical support with the Chromebook, please click here for DDSD Chromebook Support.

Your child’s teacher will have office hours throughout the week, so please make sure you are connecting and communicating with them for clarification or support if needed.

Chromebook Return Information

If you borrowed one or more Chromebooks from the David Douglas School District, we are asking you to keep them over the summer. Please do not return them at this time.

We do not know what school will look like when next school year begins in the fall. We want you to have access to these devices in case we still have some form of Distance Learning next school year.

If you are moving out of the District or for any reason do not want to keep your Chromebook over the summer, you can return them during your school’s packet pickup day. Please do this by June 4.

 Below are additional resources you may find helpful:

• Please remember we have four daily meal sites for our families. And we have four food pantry sites for our community. You can see the locations, times and schedules for all of them here: https://www.ddouglas.k12.or.us/coronavirus-shutdown/food-resources/

• DDSD Website – Family Resources – If you have not already, check out the DDSD’s website and all the resources that are there for families. https://www.ddouglas.k12.or.us/2020/03/family-resources-during-the-coronavirus-shutdown/

Successful Reverse Parade!

End of Year Report

In these unprecedented times in education where classroom instruction has been altered due to the coronavirus outbreak, David Douglas, is moving away from our traditional standards-based reporting system for the end of year report card.  With distance learning, we have needed to redefine success.  Success in a distance learning model is valuing each individual’s contribution because success can be different for everyone.  Our focus has been on maintaining connections with students, finding innovative ways to deliver instruction, and ensuring that all learners have the opportunity to succeed and are not penalized in any way by our current grading system.  For this reason Distance Learning will be marked as either “Pass” or “Not Enough Information.”  The final distance learning mark will not affect student placement next year.  

After the school year is completed a Distance Learning End of Year Report will be mailed home to families.  The report will include the final mark for distance learning, topics taught during distance learning, and teacher comments with specific information about your student. 

Library Books can be returned everyday to GH 9:00-11:00 and Wed. 1-3.

Teacher Messages

Follow this link to view video messages from Gilbert Heights teachers