MLC Logistics

8/18: Kindergarten Connect Event (@ Couch Park Playground) 10:30-11:30 a.m.

8/26 & 8/27: Conferences

8/28: First Day of School Grades 1-12; First Day for Kindergarteners Last Names A-K

8/31: First Day for Kindergarteners Last Names L-Z

9/1: First Day for All Kindergarteners

9/4: Picture Day

9/7: No School (Labor Day)

Visit MLCPTSA.org and download the online calendar to stay on top of all things MLC. It includes early release days, conferences, no school days and all MLC and PTSA events.

Each year parents/guardians are asked to review and update the information on file for their students. This information can be reviewed, edited and submitted online via PPS ParentVUE.

Benefits of verifying online via ParentVUE:

• Complete yearly verification of your student's information
• Update your communication and language preferences
• Ensure your school has the most up-to-date information
• Save paper and time

This link will allow you to verify online.

8:00 a.m. - Main Office Opens

8:30 a.m. - Cafeteria Opens for Breakfast

8:40 a.m. - Doors Open

8:45 a.m. - Instruction Begins (arrival after 8:45 is late/tardy)

11:21 a.m. - Lunch/ Recess

3:15 p.m. - School Dismissal Grades Kx5

3:30 p.m. - School Dismissal Grades 6x12

4:00 p.m. - Main Office Closes

The cafeteria opens at 8:30 a.m. and doors open for students at 8:40 a.m. Please do not drop children off prior to this time as there is no staff supervision before the doors open.

Instruction begins promptly at 8:45, so an on-time arrival is extremely important for student success. Late arrivals need to sign-in at the office.

Vehicle drop off occurs on the blacktop near the front entrance of the school. Enter the blacktop from Glisan.

To ensure traffic keeps flowing and the blacktop is clear for morning recess, we do not allow parking on the blacktop.

Kx5 students are dismissed at 3:15 p.m.

• Kx5 students getting picked up will be met at their classroom’s designated outdoor location on the blacktop. The classroom teacher must see the adult that is picking up each student before the student is released.
  
  

6x12 students are dismissed at 3:30 p.m.

• To ease traffic congestion and ensure that the blacktop is available for use by our afterschool program right after school, we ask that caregivers of 6x12 students pick up on Hoyt.

On Early Release days, all students are dismissed at 12:45 p.m.

Metropolitan Learning Center is promoting a free carpooling web-based tool called SchoolPool to all PPS households. Carpooling with other families can ease traffic congestion during pick-up and drop-off, and provide options for kids who are not able to walk, bike or roll to school.

SchoolPool is part of Oregon Department of Transportation’s larger Get There program that helps Oregonians find alternatives to driving alone - including finding a carpool match. SchoolPool is only accessible to families that opt in and are verified through their school. This ensures that carpool matches are secure and are not a part of a general public carpool matching system.

To join SchoolPool you must opt in through the link below.

Please carefully read all instructions as you set up your account. Or view step-by-step visual instructions here.

Here’s how to begin making connections with other families at your school:

1. Use this URL to opt into SchoolPool: https://getthere.rideamigos.com/s/schoolpool-metropolgba26
2. Log in to your account, or create a new account.
3. After entering your information - DO NOT “join your employer, organization or school network.” We’ve already done that for you, and your household will automatically be connected to your school.
4. Read and acknowledge the disclaimer. Select “Enter the Get There SchoolPool system.”
5. At the top of the page select the orange “school” button. Feel free to manage your household’s information, or select your School and see who is in your neighborhood and network.

For questions about SchoolPool contact your Network Manager: rlewallen@pps.net

Looking for before and after school care or a fun, reliable option for school closure days?

Kids Community Learning Center (KCLC) has been MLC's aftercare program for over 45 years.

KCLC's programs include:

• After-school care until 6:00 p.m.
• Homework support and enriching daily activities in art, SEL, gym games and science
• Seasonal clubs like ceramics, theater, dance, sports, chess, gardening and many more
• One-on-one music lessons (piano, guitar, ukulele, drums, and bass)
• 8 weeks of summer camp with field trips, special guests and fun activities
• Full-day programming on teacher workdays, breaks, and closure days

Our caring, highly trained and professional staff create a safe, engaging environment where kids can learn, play, and build community.

To register, visit our website kidscommunity.org. School year enrollment opens on June 1st.

We recommend registering quickly, as space is limited!

Questions? Contact Michael at michael@kidscommunitypdx.org.

PTSA provides financial support to help cover fees for supplies and field trips. If families would like to request assistance in paying the Kx5 $45 fee or in purchasing supplies for 6x12 students, please submit this short request form which is sent directly and confidentially to MLC's social worker.

At MLC, we take a community approach to school supplies at the elementary level to ensure equity, cost savings and convenience for our families. Instead of sending home individual shopping lists, we pool our resources to purchase high-quality supplies in bulk. This ensures every child has exactly what they need from day one, while saving our families a trip to the store.

To cover your Kx5 child’s materials for the entire school year, we are asking for a $45 contribution per student. If your family is in a position to give a bit extra, we invite you to contribute more than your share, this generous support directly helps cover the cost for families in our school community who are not in a position to pay at this time.

Payment options will be available at pps.schoolpay.com.

Our 6x12 teachers have compiled this supply list for MLC secondary students.

Portland Public Schools Nutrition Services is happy to announce all enrolled MLC students will be able to enjoy breakfast and lunch at no charge for the 2026-27 school year. Families do not need to submit a free and reduced-price meal application.

Breakfast includes an entree, choice of fruit, and milk. Lunch includes a choice of entree, milk, and unlimited fruits and vegetables. Students must choose at least three foods, with one food being at least a 1/2 cup of fruit and/or a vegetable. If students bring their lunch from home and want milk, they may choose two other foods, such as a fruit and vegetable, at no charge. Milk can no longer be purchased separately. Access to nutritious meals is a crucial component of student success and well-being, and we are thrilled to be able to provide this for our students.

You are always welcome to take a look at the menus via the 'Food Menus" link on MLC's website: https://mlc.pps.net/our-school/food-menus.

One of the first ways you can partner with us is sending the message to your child(ren) that going to school on time, every day, is important

Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s social and academic development. Even as children grow more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school and understand how attendance benefits their health and success in school and beyond.

Kx5 Families: Did You Know?

• Too many absences in elementary school can cause children to struggle socially and academically.
• Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
• Missing 10% of school (2 days each month) can make it harder to learn to read and do basic math.

6x12 Families: Did You Know?

• Students should miss no more than 9 days of school each year to stay engaged and on track to graduation.
• Frequent absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, dealing with a bully, or facing some other difficulty.
• By 6th grade, chronic absence (missing 10%, or 2 days each month) is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
• By 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.

There are symptoms of illness that would necessitate keeping students out of school and details when students may return. The guidance is linked here for your convenience.

If your student says they’re feeling sick but doesn’t meet the criteria to stay home, it can be helpful to refer to the district’s illness guidelines to make an informed decision together. Reviewing the symptoms and return-to-school guidance can support both student wellness and consistent attendance.

Parents have the ability to report future full day attendance using ParentVUE. This solution articles guides parents on how to enter/report future excused absences for their students using the ParentVUE module. Once reported or submitted, their students will be marked with an excused absence on all periods at the secondary level or morning or afternoon at the elementary level.

Click here for more information, including screen captures of the steps.

ParentVUE can generally only be used to report full-day absences. For partial days, early dismissals, or tardies, you call our school's attendance line directly

MLC Attendance Line: 503-916-3656

Please call by 9:00 a.m.; calls made later than 9:00 may still generate Auto Dialer calls to you.

Click here to view the MLC Personal Device Policy and Contract.

We deeply care about caregiver voice and believe our school is at its best when our families help shape our community. Your unique perspectives, insights, and experiences matter, and we are committed to ensuring you have a seat at the table.

There are many different ways to get involved, share your input, and make a difference no matter how much time you have to give:

• Site Council: Join this collaborative leadership team of staff, caregivers, and students to help guide school priorities and policies. This team typically meets monthly during the school year.
  
  

• PTSA Meetings: Come join in person or virtually to hear directly about school updates, ask questions, share feedback, and learn about volunteer opportunities. These happen monthly.
  
  

• Teach 1x5 Electives: MLC's 1x5 Electives are hands-on, activity-focused classes that introduce students in the 1st through 5th grades to new topics, information, and learning experiences while at the same time giving caring adults and older students the chance to share their talents, passions and interests.

  
  

  There are three 5-6 week cycles for 1x5 Electives, and classes are held on select Wednesday afternoons in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. 1x5 Electives are split into two sections; one 1x3 class, and two 4x5 classes. 1x5 Electives is a special and very unique program that allows for cross-age student interaction and volunteer opportunities at MLC. If you are interested in teaching a 1x5 Elective class please contact Meredith at mgilchrist.pps.net.
  
  

• Surveys: Keep an eye on your inbox! Taking a few minutes to complete our periodic surveys provides us with important information to help us improve.

Look for more opportunities in our weekly community newsletters.

Having community members in the building makes a real difference for our students, who truly benefit from having a wider circle of adults to learn from and connect with.

Before adults are able to come in to support our students, they need to have completed the steps to become a volunteer. Steps to becoming a volunteer can be found at this link.

Take a look at our Volunteer Handbook for more information. We can't wait to have you in the building!