From the Abernethy Office

I can not believe that it is already May!

I hope you all were able to get out and enjoy the beautiful sunshine last week! Spring is definitely in the air and I plan on appreciating all our beautiful Portland Spring Days!

It is always fun watching the students transition to the warmer weather. Last week I can not even begin to tell you how many times I heard students say, "It's too hot" and "Why is the sun so bright"?

Here is to warmer and brighter days!!

There are a lot of fun and exciting events taking place this month. Here are all the events that we have going on!

May 6th - Saturday - 4th and 5th Oregon Writers Festival

May 8th - 12th - Teacher Appreciation Week

May 10th - Connect to Kindergarten - 5:30pm - 7:00pm

May 11th - 1st Grade Field Trip - Elephant & Piggie

May 12th - 3rd Grade Field Trip - Oregon Children's Theater

May 12th - 4th Grade Field Trip - Newmark Theater

May 16th - Bielman Field Trip - Historic Buildings of Portland

May 17th - Gerlach and Springgate Field trip - Historic Buildings of Portland

May 18th - 3rd Grade Field Trip - Audubon Society

May 19th - Abernethy Carnival

May 23rd - Springgate - Bridges of Portland

May 23rd - 1st Grade Audubon Field Trip

May 23rd - Hartmann Field Trip - Newmark Theater

May 24th - Gerlach and Bielman Field Trip - Bridges of Portland

May 25th - General PTA meeting - 6:30pm in the Abernethy Auditorium

May - 29th - No School - Memorial Day

June 2nd - 4th Grade Philip Foster Farm Field Trip

It was so great seeing so many students and families at our open house last week! The students were so excited to show off all that they have been doing in school.

We are hoping that everyone will join us in a community potluck hosted by the Abernethy Staff Equity Committee.

We are hoping that this event will bring the Abernethy community together to share a meal, good conversations, laughs and the community of Abernethy spirit!

This will be the week for us to celebrate the principal, classroom teachers, specials teachers (music, PE, library), learning center teachers, counselors, speech and language therapist, and school psychologist.

Check Konstella for communication from your class leads as they coordinate a show of appreciation for your teachers.

Extra time slots will be available on Konstella for volunteers to sign up to cover lunch and recess duty on Thursday May 11th so teachers can spend more time enjoying their breaks that afternoon.

Thank you for your help!

Kim Schulz (1st and 3rd graders parent/staff and faculty appreciation committee)

Environmental Club Donation Request

The 4th and 5th Grade Environmental Club is a newly formed club that meets during lunch and recess on Tuesdays in the counseling office. We need your help with a project! We are collecting clean trash items to make into art. Single use plastics are great (but please donate them clean without food debris on them). Some examples of good items to donate:

• Bottle tops

• Clamshell containers

• Plastic bottles

• Plastic utensils

• Cardboard

• Metal cans

• To go coffee lids

There will be a box in the main hall by the office where you can leave your donations. Thank you!

The Abernethy community showed up in full force for the Abernethy Auction & Alley Party this weekend. An evening of food, fun, and fantastic auction items culminated in raising over $55,000 to support academics at Abernethy. Go Eagles!

In addition to the powerful financial support, Abernethy parents and teachers celebrated a collaborative and positive year working together. Some highlights included:

• Discovering curiosities at Grover’s Curiosity Shop

• The frozen margarita machine

• Principal Dunn’s moving and impactful speech at the Paddle Raise

• And of course the rollicking after party at Back Country Wines!

Everything the PTA does is to support the educational, artistic, athletic, or social opportunities for our children. To be able to support our children while strengthening our community bonds was a memorable and exciting experience. Thank you to all of you for being a part of the entire Abernethy community!

Same time next year?

Saturday June 3rd at 9 am the grounds committee is hosting a work party to spruce up the grounds before summer break. If the weather works out we will be sanding and painting the fence along with mulching the garden, weeding, etc. If it rains we might move the date, so we will keep everyone posted. We will provide more specifics on the tools and materials we will need as we get closer.

Cheers!
The Grounds Committee

The first graders have been busy making floats that represent their families. They have been discussing the similarities and differences of families in their class community and the broader world. As a culminating event, they will celebrate the end of this unit with a parade and they need an audience!

FIRST GRADE FAMILY FLOAT PARADE

Mark your calendars now! All are welcome

Tuesday, May 9th at 2:30

The parade will begin promptly at 2:30pm. They recommend coming early to claim your spot along the parade route. They will march out the back doors near the Futsal Court , down toward the play structure, between the portables, past the front of the school and back around to the back entrance near our rooms. Each child will pull their own float and we will have special guests leading our parade.

Don't tell anyone, but the Hosford Band will be leading the parade!

If you have suggested changes to the proposed 2023-2024 Budget, now is your final chance to make suggestions by emailing board@supportabernethy.org. The Final Budget will be voted on at the last Community Meeting of the year on May 18th. The agenda for the Community meeting will also include votes on Standing Rules and board positions for next year. An Invitation will be sent out on Konstella and in the newsletter.

The Abernethy Carnival is a huge celebration where families can enjoy:

• Carnival games

• Prizes

• Inflatable obstacle courses

• Musical cakes

• Face-painting

• Balloon animals

• ...and a photo booth.

You won’t want to miss it!

• Kids (ONLY) need wristbands, which covers unlimited games and activities, plus one cotton candy, one popcorn and one donut. Purchase wristbands here or purchase with cash or check in the school gazebo before or after school May 15-19.

• Food will be available for purchase from third-party food vendors (pizza, hot dogs, bento boxes, shaved ice and coffee). Wristbands do not cover vendor food or Fairy Sparkle hair services.

• We want EVERY child to enjoy carnival regardless of ability to pay. Please contact counselor, Jenny Morgan (jmorgan1@pps.net) if you or someone you know is in need of financial assistance.

WE NEED YOUR HELP, PARENTS, TO MAKE THIS EVENT HAPPEN!

Please sign up and volunteer for a short shift. There are a variety of times and activities to choose from. AND if you aren’t able to volunteer, consider dropping off a store-bought cake or baked goods for the very popular musical cake-a-palooza. Donations will be collected in the auditorium the day of the event. Question about cake-a-palooza? Contact cake@supportabernethy.org

General questions: please contact carnival co-chairs (Jessica Mackie, Doug Lee & Cynthia Campos) at: carnival@supportabernethy.org

More information can be found here.

So jump on the Bike Bus and join all the fun while we support our Safe Routes to School!

"The PTA Afterschool Program Committee seeks your input regarding afterschool programming AND before and after school childcare availability. Please take this very brief and anonymous survey to help inform future offerings! "

https://ucsf.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6WIAayyvvvrhYDs

Tamara & Becca

Hosford Middle School would like to invite all Abernethy families to the HOSFORD HUSKY HUSTLE 5K FUN RUN on Sunday, May 7th. This is a great opportunity for rising 6th graders and their families to meet our community!

This fun event begins at 9:00 am at Hosford Middle School with pre-race activities that include the Hosford Band and photo ops with our beloved Hosford Husky! The 5K fun run around the neighborhood begins at 10:00 am and features loops around Ladds’ beautiful rose gardens.

Cost is $25 for adults, $10 for kids, and discount family packs are available. All funds go to Hosford’s PTSA.

REGISTER HERE 2023 Hosford Husky Hustle Family Fun Run-5K

And don’t forget to buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win fabulous raffle prizes from our amazing community partners! Prizes include a family membership to OMSI, gift cards from Powells, Portland Nursery, McMenamins, Cloud City, Woodstock Ace Hardware, Eb & Bean, Dick’s Primal Burger, and many, many more! Raffle tickets are $5 each, or 5 for $20 and can be purchased on the registration website.

Questions contact: hosfordhustle@gmail.com