Dear Rowe PTA Supporter,

"Who are we?":  ROWE MIDDLE SCHOOL DEMOGRAPHICS

Rowe Middle School, in the North Clackamas School District, feeds students into the Milwaukie High School/Milwaukie Academy of the Arts education pathway.  Rowe has a population of more than 750 students in a building originally opened in 1963.  Approximately 70% of the families in the Rowe Community reside below the Federal Poverty Level, about 45% are minority students, and more than 20% of students receive Special Education Services.

"What is the story of Rowe?":  ROWE MIDDLE SCHOOL CHALLENGES

Following the Covid19 Emergency, students returned to the classroom full time in the 2021-2022 school year.  Many students currently enrolled have significant academic and social deficiencies due to the rapid experimental changes in education during the crisis.  Electronic devices such as computers, tablets, and cell phones replaced direct social interaction during this time.  As a result, student use of electronics has become extremely disruptive since then.  North Clackamas School District initiated measures to remove cell phones in particular from use during the school day.  However, this sudden change resulted in a significant increase in student behavioral issues.

The administration's evaluation led to an understanding that the students were bored and deficient in physical activity.  As a result, all students are required to participate in Physical Education activity for 50 minutes per day.  Furthermore, the students are given the opportunity to play outside during the lunch break.  Students utilize a covered play area, but there are few activities available beyond basketball.  A student survey showed one activity of greatest interest:  GaGa Ball.

"How Can I Help?":  ROWE PTA GOALS

GaGa Ball is a high pace, high student density, rapidly evolving, continuous, and safe game for students to join in.  However, the game does require some infrastructure to maximize benefit.  The sport requires a circular, 22' diameter, 30" wall to define boundaries and confine action of the ball during play.  Further, the high-speed nature of the game means that playing on unimproved surfaces rapidly leads to prohibitive muddy messes tht are then tracked across the grounds and into the school.  As a result, the School District requires that the game be installed on a hard, improved surface.  The lowest cost option is to extend the outdoor covered play area to accommodate.

Rowe PTA has stepped in to assist with funding due to shortfalls in District and School discretionary budgets.  The total paving cost is nearly $22,000 and game structure is about $2500.  North Clackamas School District will fund $10,000 of the total.  Rotary International of Milwaukie has agreed to fund $2250 for the structure.  Rowe PTA has pledged to provide funds for the remainder: Approximately $13,000.  Ongoing fundraising and capital savings provide much of that amount.  However, Rowe PTA seeks to find a minimum of $6,000 in outside supplemental funding to ensure that Rowe PTA can maintain other budgetary items in the future.  These include funds for student clubs and organizations, teacher grants, funding for celebrations, field trip funding, and special resources for activities like Battle of the Books and Track and Field.

"How Can You Help?":  Rowe PTA REQUEST

Rowe PTA requests that you partner with Rowe PTA to provide the needed resources to ensure an improved educational environment at Rowe Middle School.  We ask for a donation that will be used as part of a prize package deal for our major fundraising raffle.

The drawing occurs May 30, 2025 and we would need to receive the prize/donation by then.

Thank you for your consideration!  Rowe Middle School and Rowe PTA appreciate your time and the value you add to the Community!