The Cheetah Coalition #34
Weekly Updates from the Atkinson Office — 5/8/26
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PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Site Council is a collaborative group of parents, teachers, staff, and administrators that helps provide input and perspective on important aspects of how our school operates. Throughout the year, the council discusses topics such as staffing, programming, budgeting, kindergarten recruitment, fifth grade transition planning, and school improvement priorities.
Current parent members are Callie Barish and Tiara Grayson. We are looking for two additional parent representatives to join for next year. At least one of these representatives should come from our DLI program so that both of our school programs are represented.
More than anything, Site Council serves as a bridge between school leadership and the parent community. We hope parent representatives can help bring forward questions, concerns, ideas, and perspectives from the broader community while also helping families better understand how and why decisions are made at school.
The commitment is intentionally manageable:
we meet once per month on a Friday morning for one hour
there is little to no homework or preparation between meetings
you do not need prior experience — just a willingness to listen, ask questions, and contribute thoughtfully
We are looking for parents who want to learn more about school operations, help shape conversations and decisions, and serve as an informed voice within our community.
If you are interested in joining Site Council please email me at darmenda@pps.net.
In service to children,
Debbie Armendariz
Principal
Email: darmenda@pps.net
School phone number: (503) 916-6333
NEXT WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, IS A FULL SCHOOL DAY — NO EARLY RELEASE!
Due to budget cuts and furlough days, next Wednesday's early release has been extended to be a full school day with dismissal at 2:30 p.m. We will still hold our all-school assembly and have buddy time, so don't miss it!
MAY CLASSROOM NEWSLETTERS
See below for May class newsletters from homeroom teachers:
English Scholars Classes:
- Jess Wagner - Kinder
- Robin Shue - Kinder
- Laura Humphrey - 1st Grade
- Brittney McAleer - 2nd Grade
- Mary Beth Bitzer - 2nd Grade
- Laurie Shonkwiler - 3rd Grade
- Laura Seckinger - 3rd Grade
- Tommy Allen - 4th Grade
- Mady Hampton - 5th Grade
- Kathy Zipp - 5th Grade
DLI Classes:
LIBRARY NEWS
BOOK FAIR
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming May 18–22. The hours will be from 7:45 a.m.–3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. We will also be open during the Core Enrichment Night on May 21 from 6–7 p.m. Here is a link for more information: Atkinson BookFair Homepage. Come in and check us out. If you would like to volunteer here is the Volunteer Sign Up Form. If you have any questions please email me at khilton@pps.net.
LIBRARY BOOKS ARE DUE ON MAY 22
All library books are due back to school on May 22. Please check your shelves, under the bed, behind the couch, everywhere, for books to return to the library. You may receive one more notice about overdue books. This is just a reminder. If you think it is a mistake or you returned them, let me know and I’ll check. We don’t charge late fees. If you find them over the summer, remember to bring them back in the fall.
SUMMER READING PROGRAM
Multnomah County Library is having its yearly summer reading program. Game Boards will be coming home from school or will be available for pickup at a branch starting June15. You can also participate online. Here is the link for the web page with more information: Summer Reading.
LIBRARY CONNECT
Remember that Multnomah County Library has given every PPS student a library account using their student number. Here are directions if you need them: How to Use Library Connect. If you have any questions, please feel free to email the librarian at khilton@pps.net.
PTA MEETING - CHANGE OF VENUE
The PTA meeting on Thursday, May 14, will take place in PTA president Vigdis' backyard (322 SE 58th Ave), so folks can help polish off some leftover libations from the auction! All are welcome. Let's end this year with some outstanding officer elections, a joyful budget approval, and brainstorm priorities for the PTA next year!
PTA NEWSLETTER
LOST AND FOUND
Please check the lost and found regularly to claim lost items. It is a big task to deal with all these items, so please help us! At the end of the year all items will be donated to the PPS Clothing Closet.
MAY GARDEN WORK DAYS [REPEAT]
Join us for May Garden Work Days! Together with Atkinson students, we will prepare the garden for the summer and fall harvest! We meet from 9–11 a.m. on 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, and 5/29. Refreshments provided. Sign in at the office and meet us in the Multicultural Garden!
FIELD DAY ON MONDAY, JUNE 1 — VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! [REPEAT]
We are excited to announce that Field Day will be on Monday, June 1st this year, with the following schedule:
- Grades 3–5 from 9:15–10:45 a.m.
- Grades K–2 from 12:15–1:45 p.m.
Then the Staff vs. 5th Grade Kickball Game will be that afternoon from 1:50–2:25 p.m.
We would love to have volunteer help for Field Day! If you're willing and able to help, please sign up on this sign-up sheet. Thank you, and cross your fingers for good weather!
HARRISON PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL PLANT SALE [REPEAT]
Harrison Park Middle School is hosting a Plant Sale on Friday and Saturday, May 8–9, with presales through Tuesday, May 5th. A portion of the presale proceeds will come to the Atkinson PTA!
FRANKLIN GIRLS SOCCER YOUTH CLINIC [REPEAT]
See the attached information about the Franklin High School Youth Soccer Clinic coming up June 8–10.
BIKE TO BOOKS DESIGN CONTEST [REPEAT]
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and Multnomah County Library are teaming up once again for the eighth annual Bike to Books design competition. Starting on May 1, Portlanders are invited to design original art to celebrate Bike Month and the hundreds of miles of bike lanes around the city. Participants start with the standard sharrow bike lane marking and put their own flair on it for the chance to add color and whimsy to Portland streets! Submit art in the Pre-Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd through 6th grade, 7th through 12th grade, or adult categories. Learn more and download a design sheet at this link.
KELLOGG MIDDLE SCHOOL MULTICULTURAL FAIR & FAMILY RESOURCE NIGHT [REPEAT]
Kellogg MS is hosting a community Multicultural Fair & Family Resource Night on May 27 and would love to invite the Atkinson community to attend. See the attached flyer for more information.
UPCOMING DATES TO KNOW
- Wednesday, May 13 — All School Assembly & Buddies (NO EARLY RELEASE)
- Thursday, May 14 — PTA meeting, 6:30–8 p.m., Vigdis' backyard (322 SE 58th Ave)
- Monday–Friday, May 18–22 — Book Fair
- Wednesday, May 20 — Class Pictures
- Thursday, May 21 — Core Enrichments Night, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Monday, May 25 — Memorial Day, NO SCHOOL
- Wednesday, May 27 — Connect to Kinder, 2:45–3:45 p.m., playground
- Monday, June 1 — Field Day & Staff vs. 5th Grade Kickball Game
- Thursday, June 4 — Kinder Promotion, 1:30–2:15 p.m.
- Friday, June 5 — 5th Grade Promotion, 1:00–2:15 p.m. and Last Day of School
UPCOMING SAFETY DRILLS
PPS works hard to ensure that all staff and students are trained to respond effectively and efficiently during an emergency at or near school. One of the many ways we accomplish this is through our mandatory drill requirements. These drills are essential in ensuring our school community is as prepared as possible for emergency situations. Atkinson's emergency drill schedule for the remainder of the school year is as follows:
- Friday, May 15 — Evacuation/Fire Drill
- Monday, June 1 — Evacuation/Fire Drill