Irvington Weekly Newsletter

May marks the beginning of Asian American and Pacific Islander Month! Many Eagles have AAPI heritage, and we are proud to learn more about their histories and cultures, among others'. If you're interested in learning more about supporting AAPI communities in the Portland area, check out this Portland Monthly article with ideas. (Though it was published in 2021, the article is not outdated with regard to the organizations and businesses it features.)

With gratitude,

Mr. G.

Join our Irvington Arts Night this Tuesday (May 2), fro 5:30-7:00. See some great art, hear some good music, and participate in some activities! (And there are cookies!)

May 25, 5:30pm-7:00pm

Irvington School Cafeteria

For several decades prior to COVID, Irvington School hosted an annual spaghetti dinner. This event was a special chance to build community where teachers served the food and families shared a meal together in the Irvington cafeteria. Families enter through the cafeteria doors, get a green tray, and go through the lunch line just like the students do every day!

Food options include: noodles served either plain or with your choice of marinara or meat sauce, salad, and bread (gluten free and vegan options will be available).

Due to the 3-year gap since our last spaghetti dinner we are asking families to RSVP so that we can get an estimate of how much food to order. RSVP-ing will not commit you to or exclude you from attending. Entering your email address will allow you to come back and change your response later if you need to do so. Please RSVP here - your best estimate will help immensely!

Please email ptapres@irvingtonschool.com with any questions.

The Green Team invites all Irvington students to try walking, biking, or rolling to school each Wednesday in May, starting May 3! If you live too far to walk or bike, consider parking a few blocks away from school and walk in from there. Join a walking group! Here are some routes that students already take. Not close enough? Start your own! Email greenteam@irvingtonschool.com and we’ll help you get connected to interested families who live near you.

As an extra incentive students can earn an extra recess! Teachers will count the number of students who Walk and Roll to school each Wednesday, and once 231 trips have been made all students will have an extra recess. There are five Wednesdays in May; how many recesses can they earn?

Please join us Monday, May 1, for the next PTA General Meeting! Free dinner and childcare begin at 6pm, with the meeting starting at 6:30pm. Enter through the front door of the school either by pressing the buzzer or by texting the number taped to the door. Come when you can, and ALL are welcome - whether or not you’ve come before! We will meet in Room 108A. There are several important items on the agenda including a community building activity, a message about Portland Association of Teachers from a staff member, reviewing the PTA Priority Survey results, and discussing the proposed budget for 2023/24. We hope to see you there!

Teacher Appreciation Week is next Week, May 1-5! Look for an email sent by the PTA yesterday afternoon and in your student’s Friday Folder today for all the details on how you can help appreciate all of our awesome staff next week! Please email tshakesp@gmail.com, kari.delia@gmail.com or nicolelkgalloway@gmail.com with any questions.

Please help your child sign up for the talent show by completing this form. (The form works now!) The talent show will be Friday, June 2.

Movie Night #3 is back next Friday evening, May 5! Showing “Luck”, the cafeteria doors behind the school will open at 6:00 for some disco fun and the movie will begin at 6:30. Remember to bring a camp chair or blanket to sit on, water to drink, a picnic dinner if you wish, and an appetite for free popcorn! This new free PTA event has been really fun and we love to see new faces each time. We hope you come - all are welcome!

At Irvington we strive to have all of our students attending school at least 90% of the time. This means that students should be missing less than 17 days in the school year or, on average, less than 2 days a month. We know that illnesses throughout the year are unavoidable and often families take vacations during the school year. Currently, over 30% of Irvington students are attending school less than 90% of the time. In order to maximize your child's learning, please help us by limiting the number of days missed between now and the end of the school year.

We are open to all student & family voices, and encourage feedback in regards to your student’s attendance to create a better school environment. If you need support in any way, do not hesitate to reach out. We look forward to hearing from you to discuss any support you may need.

There are still LOTS of opportunities to get in the school and serve lunch before school is out for the summer. Sign up here for May and June dates!

Thank you so much to our volunteers in the cafeteria--you make our lunches run smoothly! Ms Rie in the cafeteria asked me to remind you that anyone who volunteers must wear closed footwear (read: not sandals) while volunteering. Thank you for understanding this rule as we head into the summer heat!

Monday, May 1: Teacher Appreciation Week begins!

Monday, May 1: General PTA meeting, 6pm childcare and dinner (6:30pm meeting)

Tuesday, May 2: Irvington Arts Night, 5:30-7:00pm

Wednesday, May 3: Walk + Roll to School Day

Thursday, May 4: Green Team meeting CANCELED

Friday, May 5: Movie Night, doors and dancing 6pm, movie 6:30pm

Tuesday, May 9: Connect to Kindergarten Event, 6-7pm

Friday, May 12: Spirit Day (twin day!)

Thursday, May 25th: Spaghetti Dinner

See it all at a glance here: https://www.irvingtonschool.com/