MLC Newsletter

At Tuesday's Board meeting, our new mascot was approved by a unanimous 7–0 vote, which means we are now officially the MLC Monarch Butterflies!

In addition, the Board requested that the Superintendent move forward with the school renaming process. While our community will continue engaging in that work over time, the approval of the Monarch Butterflies gives us enough clarity to begin the next phase of MLC’s marketing and storytelling efforts with the PPS Communications Department.

Thank you to everyone who has participated in and supported this work so far. We are excited to begin this next chapter together and will continue sharing updates and opportunities for community involvement along the way.

As Monarchs know well, meaningful transformation is a process, but it’s exciting to finally be out of the chrysalis and stretching our wings.

Ready to fly together,

Ashlee

5/18: Alina Principal for the Day; HS STEM Labs (during class)

5/20: HS STEM Labs (during class); Dine Out Day: Por Qué No? Taqueria 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m

5/22: STEM Assembly

5/25: No School (Memorial Day/ Furlough Day)

5/26: MS STEM Labs (during class)

5/27: MS STEM Labs (during class); Last Day of 1x5 Electives

5/28: Last Day for Seniors

6/1: Kx8 Portfolios 3:45-5:45 p.m.

6/2: MLC Picnic @ Washington Park (all day)

6/3: Move-Up Day/ 8th Grade Practice

6/4: MLC Volunteer Appreciation 8:45-9:30 a.m.; 8th Grade Celebration 2:00 p.m.

6/5: Last Day-- Egg Drop 10:00 a.m.; High School Graduation 2:00 p.m.; Dine Out Day: Eb & Bean 12:00-10:00pm

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.

It seems fitting that on our first Monday back after officially adopting Monarch Butterflies as our mascot, Metamorphosis Auction raffle winner, Alina, will be principal for a day.

Alina is a third grader in Kiana's room and is ready to help run a safety drill.

Congratulations, Alina, I look forward to working with you!

AAPI Heroes is a show of dynamic contemporary dance honoring Asian American icons who have significantly shaped American history and culture. The show follows a young explorer, Kai, on a journey across time. Along the way, they encounter legendary figures including Bruce Lee, a master of martial arts and philosophy; Hollywood trailblazer Anna May Wong, brought to life through her celebrated archival film footage; NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who walked in space for more than 62 hours; classical music visionary Yo-Yo Ma, honored through a live cello performance; and the global K-POP phenomenon. Featuring the Bessie-nominated piece NuWa, the program reaches thousands of students and audiences annually at schools, theaters, and cultural venues and we had the great fortune of them coming to MLC as part of their national tour from New York.

At the end of the performance, MLC students were invited on stage to dance. Did your child(ren) join?!

To learn more about The Chen Project and AAPI Heroes, click here.

We love and appreciate our fabulous volunteers and hope to show you some of that love and appreciation on June 4th!

Estimadas familias de MLC,

Portland Public Schools está iniciando un proceso de reestructuración que continuará durante el verano y hasta el otoño. Si no pudo asistir a uno de los eventos de participación sobre reestructuración de la Junta de Educación en abril, aún no es tarde para compartir sus ideas sobre esta fase inicial del proceso.

Haga oír su voz completando la encuesta a continuación, que informará el marco de toma de decisiones para la reestructuración. Por favor, complete la encuesta antes de las 11:59 PM del viernes 15 de mayo.

Durante los próximos meses, habrá múltiples formas de seguir compartiendo sus ideas, pensamientos y preguntas. Se están programando eventos adicionales de participación para junio.

Puede encontrar más información y un calendario de próximos eventos en la página web de reestructuración.

Gracias por compartir su perspectiva.

Ashlee

Directora, Escuela MLC

Mental Health Awareness Month was established to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in our lives and to celebrate recovery from mental illness and thriving while living with chronic conditions. Mental Health Awareness Month focuses on increasing awareness about the vital role mental health plays in our overall health and well-being.

Click here for resources and more information.

PTSA UPDATES: Planning for next year

Elections for the President and Vice-President positions were held at our May meeting and the MLC PTSA 2026-27 Board Executive Committee is:

• Co-Presidents: Chenney Gruber and Sierra Stringfield Perryman (thanks to both for their continued support service!)

• Vice President: Taylor Wilson (welcome to the team!)

• Treasurer: Abbey Fujiyoshi (finishing 2-year term)

• Secretary: Monique Leslie (finishing 2-year term)

We are grateful to Lila Pigott for all of her contributions as Secretary and Co-President and sad to lose her, but we know she won't be a stranger.

The PTSA relies on active volunteers and we are looking for folks who want to join one of our standing committees, serve as an event lead, and/or help with various efforts. Do you enjoy planning events and bringing our community together? Will you help procure donations and fundraise? Are you a skilled writer or graphic designer? May we call on you for tasks like passing out flyers? There are big and small ways to get involved and we need more hands to help lighten the load! Please email Exec@MLCPTSA.org if you’d like to learn more.

DINE OUT DAY: ¿Por Qué No?

Wednesday, May 20, 11AM - 10PM

3524 N Mississippi Ave

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Mexico at ¿Por Qué No? Taqueria, a beloved Portland eatery committed to giving back to the community. The Mississippi location will donate 10% of the day’s proceeds to the MLC PTSA so cross your fingers for sunshine and join us for a cold drink and tasty tacos. Mark your calendars and spread the word!

VOLUNTEER: MLC All School Picnic

Tuesday, June 2, arrive 9:00-9:30AM

Washington Park, Elephant House Picnic Shelter Area
Our beloved annual all school end of year field trip is around the corner and MLC needs volunteers! Parents and caregivers are welcome to join any time to hang out and help out, but folks are most needed early on to set-up and staff the first shift at activity stations. If you are able to assist please reach out to Julie Walrod and she will happily sign you up and answer any of your questions. Thank you for helping to keep our treasured traditions alive and creating community at MLC!

RIDWELL RECYCLING DRIVE: Extended!

Our Earth Heroes are partnering with Ridwell to help us reduce waste! Please gather your plastic film (like the grocery store bags or shipping bags) and bring it to the collection box in the commons near the recycling bins. Also, if at least 10 households sign up for a Ridwell membership through our special link, MLC will earn free plastic film recycling for a year! You can even share the link with friends and family in a state where Ridwell doesn’t pick as there are now mail in memberships. Learn more and sign up HERE.

This is a reminder that the Eighth Grade Celebration will occur on Thursday, June 4, at 2:00 in the MLC auditorium. The ceremony will be 2:00 - 2:25 and then we will have refreshments on the blacktop 2:30 - 3:00.

Also, there will not be on-campus parking as our classes use the blacktop for recess.

Please feel free to reach out to Darren if you have any questions.

This season's edition of the Family Resource Newsletter has a couple of upcoming events and resources. Together with the fabulous social work intern, Leah, we are here to support your family.

Resources at MLC include:

• The MLC clothing closet is open and available to all families. We are also happy to provide vouchers to the district PTA clothing closet at the Marshall campus.
• The social work office (room 225) has hygiene supplies for students in need as well as gender-affirming undergarments, snacks, and sexual health resources.
• We have a drug/alcohol counselor with NARA that comes to school to see students once a week.
• Our Thursday school-based mental health therapist Emma with Stronger Oregon is currently full. However we are thrilled to work together with child/adolescent therapist Justyna at William Temple House to help students get therapy just across the street. Email Kate to be referred! kallen1@pps.net

If your high school student is behind in credits toward graduation and needs credit recovery, this is an excellent and essential opportunity.

There will be two sessions:

• Session 1: June 22 - July 9 (no class July 3rd) (for a total of 13 school days)

• Session 2: July 13 - July 29 (for a total of 13 school days)

• Classes meet from 9:00 am - 12 pm

• All classes are in-person and attendance is required.

• Locations: Benson HS, Franklin HS, McDaniel HS, Roosevelt HS

• Exact class offerings and site assignments have not been finalized yet; however Benner recommends connecting beforehand to discuss class preferences and sites so that when registration opens up in mid-May she can register first preferences ASAP.

• To register, students must meet with their counselor (Benner) to review their transcript, because registration is done through her.

• Acceptance is as space allows and priority is given by grade level - 12,11,10,9
  
  

Please contact Benner if you’d like to register or if you have any questions. gbenner@pps.net

Hello MLC Teachers, Students, and Families!

The annual MLC Egg Drop Challenge, an MLC tradition, is quickly approaching and will take place on Friday, June 5th, at 10 a.m.! We would love to have you or your student participate. Please see the Egg Drop Entry Form 2026 for instructions on how to enter and submit your Egg Drop contraption. Email Sharon if you have any questions.

Thanks!

Sharon Forrest

sforrest@pps.net

Schedule for the Day: Egg drop will impact 2nd and 3rd period–teachers should bring Kx5 students down at 9:50 and 7x12 students down by 9:55. Students will be dismissed by 11:20 to go to lunch.

FaithBridge Portland invites you to save the date for the 2nd annual Black Girl LIVE! suicide awareness and prevention event for Black and Brown girls ages 12 to 17 and the adults who support them. Last year’s event hosted approximately 100 girls from Portland and beyond for education and celebration in an intentionally created space. The event is supported by OHA and intended to raise awareness, promote healing and offer access to culturally relevant resources and strategies.

Save the date: May 15, 2026

Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: 2800 NE Liberty Street, Portland (University of Oregon Portland campus)

Preschool Programs:

Multnomah Early Childhood Program 2026-27 FREE Peer Preschool Classes

(Arabic) (Chinese) (Korean) (Persian) (Russian) (Somali) (Spanish) (Vietnamese)

Summer Camps:

• Portland Metro Fire Camp (for women ages 16-22) (Jul. 17, 18, 19)

• OSU STEM Academy Summer Camps

  (Spanish)
• Vibe of Portland & Nihongo Creative Studio Dual-Language Japanese Art Camp (Jul. 6-10 & 27-31)

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.