Portland Public Schools: Welcome Message From Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero

Press release from Portland Public Schools:

August 31, 2021

Dear Families and Students, 

After more than 18 months, we will finally be back together in our classrooms, playgrounds and gyms. I recognize that we may be feeling a bit anxious, nervous, and excited...perhaps feeling many of these sentiments at the same time. 

But here is what I know: We are ready. Our students are ready. And we are excited to create many new moments of joyful learning. 

As a former classroom teacher and school principal, the ritual of back to school brings back wonderful memories. I remember students eager to share stories of their summer adventures, show off their new backpack, and, running to see their friends, now a bit taller. This annual tradition is always an opportunity to spark new friendships and build connections between students and our educators -- and we cherish that. 

The global pandemic has been hard on all of us. Some of us got sick, lost family members, or continue to be hesitant to go out in public -- all valid and real fears. Yet, our students -- your children -- need us now to show up for them. To teach them. To see them. 

As we come back to school in-person, we know that the coronavirus continues to be a threat to our community. Throughout the summer, we have partnered with public health experts to implement a range of health and safety measures, including improvements to our schools’ ventilation systems. We’ve developed comprehensive health and safety plans, including bolstering our preparations in response to the rise of the delta variant. 

Each layer of safety we’ve planned for in our schools works together. We know that the combination of our layered safety measures helps to better ensure a healthy learning environment. And that it takes each of us doing our part, wearing our masks, washing our hands, keeping our distance, and getting a vaccine shot when eligible, to keep ourselves, our classmates, colleagues, and school communities safe. 

As we welcome your family back to school, and I commence my fifth year as Superintendent, I want to share an appreciation: Thank you for trusting us to create engaging and safe learning environments for your students. 

I look forward to an incredible year creating an abundance of joyful moments together.

Guadalupe GuerreroSuperintendent of Portland Public Schools

This press release was produced by Portland Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.