Irvington Weekly Newsletter
March 1, 2024
Movie Night Is Tonight at 6pm!
Movie Night is tonight, Friday, March 1! A free Community Event hosted by the PTA, this time we’ll be showing The Super Mario Bros Movie. See all the details below:
Where: School Cafeteria
When: Friday, March 1st. Doors open and disco party at 6pm, movie begins at 6:30pm. Use the cafeteria doors behind the school for entry/exit.
Who: Irvington students and their families! Children MUST be accompanied by an adult.
Food and Drink: Free popcorn provided! Please bring your own water bottles filled with water only. Picnic dinners are ok, too. Thank you in advance for cleaning up after yourselves.
Seating: Bring a blanket or camp chair to sit on. Cafeteria tables are also available.
Disco: Enjoy some fun lights, music and dancing before the show and during a short intermission.
Schedule Change for Next Year
In an effort to save money on transportation, PPS will move all elementary schools to a common instructional schedule: 8:00-2:30. This means that the day will be both earlier and longer than this year. I wanted to share this information as soon as I was permitted so you can start to think about before- and after-school care. You can expect communication from the district about this in the next week or so.
Near Year's Budget
As many of your saw in the former superintendent's email two weeks ago, the district is facing a multi-million dollar shortage, and I am sorry to say that this deficit will trickle down to schools. Irvington, like all schools, will have a smaller budget and reduced staff next year. In my time at Irvington, I have so appreciated family support for our programming and our community, and I will appreciate your support as we navigate these changes heading into next year. Trust that our school team will keep your children at the fore of our decision making.
I will continue to share updates as I have them, but as we wrap up this school year, I encourage you to consider ways you can lobby the state for proper support for education. You can write your legislator, share your concerns with the school board, and find ways to support our local community and PTA with fundraising.
Health Screenings Update from Nurse Cam
Health Screening Day is next week: Tuesday, March 5! As required by law, Multnomah Education Services District (MESD) School Health Services program offers an annual vision screening for students in Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 3. A “vision screening” is an eye screening test to identify potential vision health concerns. Additionally, kindergartners and 1st grade students also receive a hearing screening on the same day.
Irvington's health screening is scheduled for Tuesday, March 5. If you do not want your child included in a vision screening, or have any questions, please email Nurse Cam with your student’s name and teacher (clam@mesd.k12.or.us).
Pack Extra Clothes!
Given the levels of precipitation and mud in our playground, please send your child with changes of clothes, including socks and shoes. Students are coming in from recess wet and dirty!
Counselor Corner from Ms Blum
March: Counselor Corner Monthly Update
- SOAR Word, Career/College Info, and more tips on building good habits and managing big feelings
Black History Celebration <REPEAT>
We invite families to join us on Friday, March 8, for a Black history celebration! Our theme this year is Black artists, and each classroom has studied a Black artist and is working on a visual representation of their learning that they can display in the hallways. We will host an assembly from 2:15-3:00pm (families invited!) that will feature a panel of local Black artists and student drumming and dancing performances. And after school we will open our doors so families can walk the halls to see everything our students have learned.
Next PTA Meeting <REPEAT>
Please join us this Monday, March 4, for a PTA meeting. Free dinner and childcare starting at 5:30 with the meeting business beginning at 6pm. Ring the buzzer or text the number on the front door to be let in.
This meeting we will be VOTING on the two proposals that were presented last month: using PTA dollars to fund a FENCE on the north section of the Irvington School property, and a new MESSAGE BOARD on the school grounds. We will also hear important committee updates and a new proposal to increase spending on spring term after school scholarships.
You must be a PTA member to vote. If you haven’t yet, join now! Please plan to come Monday and make your voice heard in these important decisions.
March Lunch Servers <REPEAT>
Thank you to everyone who has been able to help serve lunch in the cafeteria so far this school year! March sign ups are now open - CLICK HERE to sign up! Interested in helping out? Start by becoming a PPS-approved volunteer here.
Upcoming Events
Friday, March 1: Movie Night, doors open at 6pm (movie at 6:30pm)
Monday, March 4: Popcorn Monday, 3pm
Monday, March 4: PTA general meeting, dinner at 5:30pm (meeting at 6pm)
Wednesday, March 6: Site Council, 7-8pm
Friday, March 8: Black History Celebration, 2:15-3:00pm (and after school!)
Monday, March 11: Spring after-school classes registration opens, 6pm
Tuesday, March 12: Sparky's Pizza restaurant night fundraiser, 11am-9pm
Thursday, March 14: Family gym night, 5:30-7:30pm
Friday, March 15: Career Day! (new tradition for Irvington!)
See it all at a glance here: https://www.irvingtonschool.com/