RAAW! Ambitious Girl, Spring Reading Challenge + Resource Round-up 3/5

Counselor Corner  /  News & Events a book lies open on a wooden surface. Above the book are stills from videos and links to a website to submit entries in the reading contest. Title reads: Read Across America Week Challenge

Friends, it is fun-times city around here!

  • Have you been participating in our Read Across America Week challenge? If not, you can watch the videos, record the secret phrase and submit your entry here!
  • Ms. Bartels also has a Spring Break Reading Challenge with fun prizes. There is a contest for PK-2nd grade and one for 3rd-5th grade.
  • PLUS! This month, our Family Fun event is a kit of fun activities to do over the break. Create a butterfly out of coffee filters! Use toilet paper rolls to make aliens! Grow your own sunflower! Make your own ice cream!  Sign up now to get a kit that will include most of the materials you need to complete at least 7 projects at home. We’ve got 50 kits to give away to current LP students so sign up now while supplies last! Spring Break Kit Sign Up

March is Women’s History Month. You can learn and celebrate Women’s History with the district here, and also with this week’s story! Ambitious Girl is written by Meena Harris (yes – niece of our Vice President!) – this book was inspired by some women who are currently making history, can you recognize them in Marissa Valdez’s illustrations? What are YOUR ambitions?

Ambitious Girl by Meena Harris and Marissa Valdez

Resource Round-Up

  • Revised instructions on how to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine. The new appointment scheduling process for eligible older adults who live in Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah or Washington counties, instituted on March 1, will be based on names being pulled from the Get Vaccinated Oregon tool. 
    • People can sign up at covidvaccine.oregon.gov (either through the ChatBox or by clicking the “Get Vaccinated Oregon” button). 
    • Each week, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will pull a list of eligible individuals from the database (at random). The list size will be matched to vaccine supply for that week.   
    • All4Oregon (the hospital systems group running the convention center vaccine site) will directly outreach to individuals on that list and schedule them via phone or email.
    • People who already have an appointment will not be impacted by this change.   
    • The current online scheduling process will remain for educators and PDX drive-thru scheduling.
    • 211 will be able to complete the registry on behalf of callers.
    • The OHA bot will be updated to address seniors with mobility needs and individuals with disabilities and their caregivers – they will continue to be offered appointments at PDX. All other groups will receive a message that Oregon Convention Center scheduling is currently closed and they should use the Get Vaccinated tool to sign up to be notified when future appointments are available.
  • Pharmacies now offering COVID-19 vaccine. Pharmacies will screen for eligibility according to state guidelines. They will have limited doses and so appointments will be limited. Go directly to their COVID vaccine websites to make an appointment:
  • Job Opportunity: Word is Bond is seeking a passionate individual to serve as their full-time program manager. The job description can be found at www.mywordisbond.org/careers
  • COVID19 Vaccine 101 Workshops for Community Workers/Leaders. This online train the trainer workshop is provided by the Multnomah County Health Department for Community Health Workers/outreach workers/faith leaders/community leaders.  Priority will be given to people working in the Portland metro area with communities of color/LGBTQ+/houseless/people with disabilities and other marginalized communities.Click here to register for the workshop by March 4th.
  • Tomorrow March 4th: COVID-19 Vaccination Information Session geared towards Middle Eastern Communities. Live Arabic and Dari translation. (PDF)
  • Oregon Law Center eviction information flyer with the declaration form.
  • Accessing Financial Aid for Refugee Youth and Adults webinar. Click here to read more and to register.
  • This Saturday, March 6th: Coats for Kids.Flyer.
  • Community Services Network has two resource fairs coming up next week. (N. Portland, Milwaukie)
  • Oregon Council for Behavioral Health has their Spring Webinar Series coming up. Click here for more information.
  • Mortgage payment assistance through March 14th. (PDF)
    • The COVID-19 Mortgage Relief program helps Oregon homeowners who are struggling to make their mortgage payments. For eligible applicants currently receiving unemployment benefits, it will bring their mortgage current and make up to six monthly payments directly to their mortgage servicer. For those who have returned to work, but are behind on their mortgage, it will bring their account current.
    • Homeowners who have suffered a financial hardship and are struggling to keep up with their mortgage should visit https://www.oregonhomeownerhelp.org.