Duniway Dispatch
April 26, 2024
Calendar
- April 26: Duniway Auction
- April 30: Dining for Duniway @ Pizzeria Otto
- May 8: Connect to Duniway for Interested Families
- May 17: Duniway Fund Run
- May 27: Schools Closed - No School for Students
- May 30: Duniway Spring Showcase
- June 7: Duniway Parade, 2:15 pm
- June 7: Duniway Carnival
- June 14: Last Day of School
Principal's Message
Dear Duniway School Community,
The day is finally here! After weeks of palpable energy and excitement, tonight at 6:00 p.m. is our Spring Auction. I’m almost ready to grab my jungle attire and head over to Leftbank Annex.
If you’re attending this evening, please depart early and allow for some traffic as there is also a concert at Moda Center tonight. Rideshares are highly-encouraged. Our Welcome to the Jungle Guest Guide has a great overview.
Everyone can bid and explore the great items and experiences in our Online Auction! It closes at 8:00 pm this Sunday so don’t delay. If you’re a new Duniway family, you may need to sign up here.
I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has been working tirelessly on this important fundraiser for our school. All of the funds raised now will support our students in the classroom in the coming school year. Our Duniway community really shows up!
Yesterday, we had a highly successful earthquake, evacuation, and relocation drill. At 1:30 pm, we ducked and covered, then headed outside and relocated towards the field behind the church at Holy Family on 37th and Rex. Because of the morning's wet weather, we didn't line up but instead took attendance when we reached the field, a class at a time, and headed back to campus. The entire drill took 38 minutes and went perfectly. Students and staff now have a scheme and reference for relocation, which we would use in the case of the Duniway grounds being unsafe for students. Bravo to our staff and students.
Thank you to those folks who came to the principal's coffee this morning. It was great to be able to share with you information regarding the staffing process; here is a quick overview of what I shared:
Set aside full-time employment (FTE) is allocated and held to solve issues like the one we face at Duniway. This year in PPS we have limited set aside FTE due to our budget crisis, which results in a need to be very prudent on how it is issued district wide. We were not issued this FTE in February when the staffing was projected because, at the time, we were only a few students over, and the set-a-side team was waiting to see if our enrollment stayed steady. We are now more than a few students over and, as a result, are a stronger candidate for FTE when they revisit that process. The timeline for revisiting is dependent on the overall budget season, as all of the folks who allocate the set aside FTE are working on other budgetary matters through May.
I have worked with the interim superintendent, senior leadership, and human resources, who all understand our situation. I am hopeful that we will have a third section of 5th grade in place before the 2024-25 year starts as we work through this entire process.
Once again, I want to express my deep appreciation for the Duniway community. I understand that this process may not be as fast as we all would like, but I am grateful for your patience and understanding. These are challenging times in PPS and Oregon public education, but I remain steadfast in my belief in Duniway, our exceptional staff, and our remarkable community.
I will keep the community informed of the progress of this situation as I learn more.
Have a terrific week, and I look forward to connecting with many of you this evening!
Best.
Principal Rafferty
971-284-6708
Auction Art Gallery
"It looks like a museum in here!"
A big thank you to the auction committee for organizing this beautiful art gallery!
Photos by Lucy Greenfield
PTA Corner
Come have a drink with your PTA!
Are you interested in a leadership role with the PTA? Many of the current leaders are nearing the end of their terms and the PTA is in need of future leadership. The PTA plays a vital role in the culture and community of our school, and we can't do it without parent volunteers. If you'd like to learn more about the PTA and how you can get involved please join us Wednesday May 1st from 6:30pm-8pm at Maeve (6664 SE Milwaukie Ave).
Dining For Duniway
We have a BIG Dining for Duniway event on Tuesday, April 30. Pizzeria Otto (7122 SE Foster Rd.) will be donating 50% of the sales from the entire day to Duniway! Dine in/take out, delivery and even the purchase of gift cards will be donated back to our wonderful school.
Funds that are raised through Dining for Duniway help the PTA supply educational enrichment items such as literacy support programs, supplemental classroom funds, technology, library books, field trips, guest speakers, musical instruments and Art instruction.
PTA Bake Sale
May the FOURTH be with you! On Saturday May 4th, the PTA will be holding a bake sale outside of the Windermere building on SE Bybee Blvd from 11am-4pm. This is a part of the Sellwood Moreland Business Association's Springville neighborhood event. We will be posting signups for bakers and parent/child selling teams this weekend. Please keep an eye on Konstella to sign up to help.
Emergency Preparedness Event: May 8th from 6-7:30 PM
Is your family prepared for possible emergencies in your home and in our neighborhood?
Are you “Red Cross Ready?”
On Wednesday, May 8th, Eastmoreland’s Emergency Preparedness Committee is hosting an evening emergency preparedness event from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Duniway School auditorium.
Everyone Is Invited
Presentations will cover safety in the home as well as neighborhood emergencies, including a major earthquake and weather-related events. We’ll hear how the neighborhood could support faculty and students in the event of a major disaster during school hours. Join the American Red Cross Emergency Planning Team, Duniway School Principal and PTA, Portland Public Schools Emergency Planner, the Holy Family School and PTA, the local Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Team, the Eastmoreland Neighborhood Association's Emergency Preparedness Committee, and the Basic Earthquake Emergency Communications team for presentations and Q & A.
This is a great opportunity to receive practical information that could help you, your family, and your neighbors be prepared for potential emergencies.
For questions or suggestions, please contact Rob Walton at 503-833-2266.