DOLPHIN DIGEST 8/28/2025
Weekly Newsletter by Arleta School and Arleta PTA
WELCOME TO ARLETA'S WEEKLY NEWSLETTER!
We’re so glad to have you as part of our school community!
This weekly newsletter is developed and sent in partnership between school administration and the PTA. If you have information you'd like shared in the newsletter, please email it to ArletaSchoolPTA@gmail.com. Keep scrolling for the latest.
INDIGENOUS LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We acknowledge Portland rests on traditional village sites of the Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Chinook, Tualatin Kalapuya, Molalla and many other Tribes who made their homes along the Columbia River. #HonorNativeLand https://youtu.be/ETOhNzBsiKA
DINE-IN FUNDRAISER: ST. FRANCIS ICE CREAM - SEPT 2
Our first Dine-In Fundraiser is coming up quick on September 2nd. Celebrate the start of school with a cold treat at St. Francis Ice Cream, and a portion of your purchase will be donated right back to the Arleta PTA! Come to St. Francis Ice Cream at 4515 SE 63rd Avenue, anytime between 2pm-10pm, and let them know you're there to support Arleta!
Bring your family and friends to enjoy a treat and help support our school—every scoop counts! We hope to see you there!
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING - SEPT 9
The next school board meeting is Wednesday, September 9, from 6pm-9pm at the Dr. Matthew Prophet Education Center (Prophet Center), 501 N Dixon St. Portland, OR 97227.
This meeting is open for the public to attend in person up to the capacity of the Boardroom and will be streamed live under the provision of ORS 192.670 at: https://www.youtube.com/@ppsboardofeducation/live
Links to Board of Education Information:
- Board of Education Website
- Past Board Meeting Recordings
- Board Meeting Agendas and Materials
- Public Meeting Notices
Send requests for public comment to publiccomment@pps.net.
BACK2SCHOOL NIGHT - SEPT 11
Arleta's Back2School Night is this Sept 11th, from 5:30-7pm, meeting at the front door of the school. Our staff is excited for our first full community event of the year coming up next week! We hope that all families will be able to attend our Back to School Night with your child(ren).
Back to School Night is such an important time to come together as a school community… to connect, share and learn about important aspects of the school year. We want to connect, listen to and learn from you, as much as we have information to share. We’ve designed the evening with that goal in the forefront. Back2School Night is a good time to ask questions or share your ideas with all/any of our staff.
From 5:30-6pm we will gather in front of the school and hear opening remarks and welcomes from Principal Lisa and others. From 6pm-7pm parents will go to their child or children's classroom for presentations, a tour of the classroom, and a chance to ask more detailed questions about your kid's learning experience this year!
Each classroom's presentation is a 1/2 hour long, so if you have more than one child (or you arrived late for the presentation) you can switch to a new classroom for the second presentation at 6:30pm!
Please come and meet your teacher(s), learn what your child will be learning this year, and celebrate the new school year with us!
GET READY FOR WALK, BIKE, OR ROLL TO SCHOOL DAY WITH THE SE NEIGHBORHOOD BIKE FAIR - SEPT 12
Make sure your bike is rolling smoothly and safely during the Southeast Neighborhood Bike Fair on Friday, September 12 from 2:30 – 5:00 p.m. at Woodmere Elementary School, 7900 SE Duke St, Portland, OR 97206! There will be free activities for everyone, including:
- Learn-to-ride clinic for adults and children just starting out on a bike
- Helmet fitting and distribution for being safely equipped to ride
- Bike Safety Activities for children to learn bike safety skills
- Quick-fix bike repair to make sure your bike is rolling smoothly and safely
- Guided Community Ride in the neighborhood to practice safe riding on the streets
Participants are welcome to bring their own bikes. There will be bikes of various sizes available for children and adults to borrow for the Learn to Ride clinic.
This event is hosted by the Portland Bureau of Transportation in partnership with Portland Public Schools and the Community Cycling Center. For more information, visit portland.gov/se-bike-fair-2025.
NEURODIVERGENT FAMILY GATHERING - SEPT 18
We're excited to resume our Neurodivergent Family Gatherings welcoming students, parents, and guardians. The first one is on Thursday, September 18th from 5:30-7pm in the Arleta cafeteria. The group offers a safe space to talk, connect, and play. Come join us the cafeteria. Pizza dinner and kid activities will be provided. Please let us know if you would like a translator.
SIGN UP FOR GIRLS ON THE RUN
We are bringing the nonprofit, Girls on the Run, for a second time to Arleta! The program is open to all girls in third through fifth grade. Volunteer coaches will teach lessons in walking and running, along with lessons in building confidence, fostering friendships, self-love and self-care, and social problem-solving skills. At the end of the season, the team will compete in a 5k run and a Community Impact Project. The goal is to experience a sense of connection and belonging, as a team.
Coach Lisa says, "We're not only moms of children currently enrolled at Arleta, but we have also embraced running as an emotional outlet and a fun way to keep our bodies and minds healthy and happy. We will use our training on how to use physical activity and dynamic discussions to build social, emotional and physical skills while encouraging healthy habits for life. We are so excited to bring this program to Arleta!"
Important Dates for Girls on the Run
Registration Opens: Now! Click here to register your child!
Registration Closes: September 2nd
Practices: Mondays and Wednesdays 2:30-4:14 9/22-11/22
The registration fee is $20-$195 on a sliding scale. For questions email Katje Chiller at katchiller@gmail.com or call her at (718) 809-4423.
Check out the Girls on the Run website for more information about the organization and their work, and click here to register you child for the program at Arleta!
JOIN KONSTELLA
Our PTA uses an app called Konstella for all communications. Through this app you can find contact information for youd kids' classmates, PTA events, volunteer sign-up sheets, and lots of news! It's important to sign up for it quickly so you don't miss anything going on at the school.
If you're not already signed up on Konstella, click here to go to the Apple Store to download to your iPhone for free or click here to go to GooglePlay to download it to your Android device for free or click here to access it via the web on your desktop and use invitation code FH3W5B. Email Lisa Hugelier, PTA Family Engagement & Volunteer Coordinator, at lisa.hugelier@gmail.com with questions.
Back To School Checklist
- Follow Arleta PTA on Facebook and Instagram.
- Bookmark arletapta.org and pps.net/arleta for news, updates, and important resources and documents.
- Shop for school supplies by checking out your classroom supply list.
- Become a PTA member or renew your membership (it's free) by clicking here.
- Save the office number in your contacts. 503-915-6330
- Get the ParentSquare app and set your notification preferences. Click here to get the app.
- Download Konstella for iphone or android or set up your account on their website for all PTA communications. The invitation code is FH3W58.
- Pick up a blue Bottle Drop bag to help us fundraise. See the process in the PTA section of this newsletter or call the office or email arletaschoolpta@gmail.com for more information.
IMPORTANT MILESTONES IN THE ARLETA YEAR
If you're new to Arleta School this year: welcome! We're so glad you're part of our community. We've put together a handy list of things that happen throughout the year, to help you get oriented. We've also put together a list of all the PTA officers and volunteers doing helpful things around the school and for the community in case you would like to contact people to pitch in with school life!
The Dolphin Drive -Sept 12-Oct 31
This is the biggest PTA fundraiser of the year, and lasts a little over a month. The funds support all our fun free events, special student experiences, teacher grants, student yearbooks, and so much more! During this time, you'll get information sent home in packets in your child's backpack on how to make donations. While bake sales and running laps can be fun ways to motivate donations, your Dolphin Drive donation is really the support that you give purely to support good things the PTA puts on throughout your child's school year: arts assemblies, movie nights, affinity groups, field trips, classroom resources. We set a goal each year and track donations through drive so that you can help us reach our goal.
Oregon Battle of the Books -Various Dates
Oregon Battle of the Books, or OBOB, is an annual, state-wide competition with three age categories: third-fifth grades, sixth-eighth grades, and ninth-twelfth grades. Students read books from a list of books, form teams, practice, and then compete, panel-show style, to answer questions about the books they read. The winning team goes on to compete in regionals. OBOB registration opens September 1 and closes October 31st this year. Battles will take place after winter break and will be completed by February.
Walk, Bike, Roll To School Day - Oct 8
Walk, Bike, Roll to School Day is a global event that encourages walking and rolling to school on the same day. Arleta supports this event as a way to reduce traffic and pollution, support physical activity and safe routes to school.
Fall Festival - Oct 24
The Fall Festival, is a fun mix of all our favorite fall holidays! There’ll be a dance party, costumes, games, festive decorations, and plenty of snacks. There is also a PTA bake sale fundraiser—so bring a homemade treat if you can and help support our school!
Arleta Movie Nights - Various dates throughout the year
Periodically, we turn on the popcorn maker, project a popular kids movie in the cafeteria, and everyone brings blankets and chairs to watch the movie together. It's a great, chill way to relax together as a community and have fun!
Parent/Teacher Conferences - November 24-25
Parent/Teacher Conferences generally happen in November and sign-ups will go out through the newsletter and apps for slots of time where you can meet with your children's teachers and get down to brass tacks on your child's educational journey. Morning and evening time slots are available. It's a great opportunity to ask questions and to find out more details about your child's experience in class and ways that you can support your kid. Because this makes for some long days for the teachers, the PTA organizes volunteers to bring and set up meals to feed the teachers and keep them going strong. Please know there will be no school that week and video options for families traveling out of town.
Community Care Days - Various Dates Throughout the Year
These are intergenerational volunteering days that happen on a roughly quartlerly basis, to help maintain the school grounds! Our garden is completely volunteer supported, and some of the work on the school grounds like pruning and spreading wood chips and picking up litter are done by volunteers. There's usually a fairly large turnout, and many hands make light work, so we hope you'll join us for these events!
Winter Bazaar - Dec 6
The Winter Bazaar is a beloved Arleta event. This special event gives students the chance to sell their handmade crafts to the community — a tradition our kids look forward to every year! Table spots are limited, so if your child would like to participate, be sure to reserve a table and start crafting now. The event will also feature a PTA fundraisers like a bake Sale and an exciting raffle with great prizes.
Dolphin Dash - Spring
This is our annual fundraiser for the arts and PE classes, as well as assemblies that the school has throughout the year. It's a really important event and makes a huge contribution to the quality of education our children receive. Our students get family members and friends to promise donations, and run-or-walk laps around the school to earn them. Parents who can attend come to cheer on the students with signs and noise makers. Students enjoy popsicles afterwards before heading back to class. It's a great way to get exercise and support our education.
The First Grade Parade - Spring
Every year, Arleta first graders transform shoe boxes and jar lids into parade floats, decorated with objects from their cultural backgrounds. The whole school turns out to watch the first graders, escorted by the Portland Rosarians, and accompanied by the Kellogg Middle School band, as they parade around the school grounds showing off their creations! This is a really beloved school tradition.
Teacher Appreciation Week - May 4-8
This is a national week of appreciation for teachers and the PTA always tries to push the boat out for teachers this week, complete with potlucks, dessert tables, and gift bags. This takes a lot of volunteer involvement and we hope you will join us. Our teachers work so hard and it feels good to give them treats!
Arts and Literacy Night - Spring
Each year the school puts on an event that includes gallery-style showings of student artwork from the past year, as well as literacy games and crafts for all the attendees. Last year also involved a book fair and bingo. This is a wonderful way to support your proud Arleta student and see what they've been learning.
End-of-the-Year Jamboree - June 4
The End-of-the-Year Jamboree is a fun-filled celebration to wrap up the school year. This annual event brings together students, families, and staff for an unforgettable afternoon of community and fun. With hotdogs, cold drinks, treats, karaoke, bounce houses, temporary tattoos, and yard games. It’s the perfect way to relax, have fun, and celebrate the end of a great school year!
This is not every event of significance throughout the year, but gives a picture of the broader shape of an Arleta School Year and also hopefully gives you some heads-up about joining in the fun!
ARLETA PTA AND VOLUNTEERS
Throughout the year it may be helpful for you to be able to contact the PTA President or the Garden Committee Chair so save this list as a who's-who for some of most important Arleta volunteer leaders!
Arleta Volunteers
- President: Sadie Bach
- Treasurer: David Bui
- Secretary: Brian Dombeck
- Events Coordinators: Megan Dilday and Arley Laman
- Fundraising Coordinators: Lizzie Wiesehan and Tim Williams (need address)
- Inclusion Chair: Tiffany Blackmon
- Advocacy Chair: Andy Chiller
- Garden Education Leaders: Adinah D’Andrea & Savannah Dombeck
- Arts Chairs: Adinah D’Andrea & Melissa Hemphill
- Family Engagement & Volunteer Coordinator: Lisa Hugelier
- Teacher Appreciation Coordinator: Claire Garrott & Alison Harding
- Dolphin Digest: Katy Liljeholm
- School Bulletin Boards: Katy Liljeholm
- Social Media: Alyson Kraus
- Website: Sarah Casey
• • Reader Board: Travis Bach
You can find contact information for parents in Konstella, so don't forget to sign up today if you haven't already!
SWITCH TO PARENTSQUARE
Both district and school missives are shared with parents via specialized software. This year we're transitioning from Remind to ParentSquare. Click on this link to download the new app!
LUNCHTIME PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We are looking for 1 volunteer each day to help Candice in the lunchroom by serving fruits and vegetables to children for lunch. This is a fun way to get to know the students and staff while making sure that kids get themselves fed! Shifts are 11:00am-11:45 for Kindergarten through 3rd Grade and 12:05pm-12:25pm for 4th-5th Grade.
Volunteers need to have passed a PPS background check. Visit the PPS website to start your application and screening process. (Once approved, your application is good for three years).
Sign up by clicking the button below to email Candice!
DONATIONS FOR OUR SES CLASSROOM
Miss. Angie is asking for donations for the SES classroom. There are 7 students in but most of our students do not have school supplies, and we also need snacks to keep them going!
Here is the list of supplies needed:
- 7 two inch, three-ring binders
- Loose notebook paper
- Pencils
- Chlorox wipes
- Tissues
- Goldfish
- Pirate bootie
- Fruit snacks
Please drop off donations labeled "Rm 15" or "Miss Angie" in the school office.
SQUISHED - BY MEGAN WAGNER LLOYD & MICHELLE MEE NUTTER
Eleven-year-old Avery Lee loves living in Hickory Valley, Maryland. She loves her neighborhood, school, and the end-of-summer fair she always goes to with her two best friends. But she's tired of feeling squished by her six siblings! They're noisy and chaotic and the younger kids love her a little too much. All Avery wants is her own room — her own space to be alone and make art. So she's furious when Theo, her grumpy older brother, gets his own room instead, and her wild baby brother, Max, moves into the room she already shares with her clinging sister Pearl! Avery hatches a plan to finally get her own room, all while trying to get Max to sleep at night, navigating changes in her friendships, and working on an art entry for the fair. And when Avery finds out that her family might move across the country, things get even more complicated.
Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter have once again teamed up to tell a funny, heartfelt, and charming story of family, friendship, and growing up.
Click here to see the book on the author's website.
Click here to check out the book from Multnomah County Library.
Click here to buy the book from Powell's Bookstore.
Click here to see the book, ebook, and audiobook at Barnes and Noble.
Click here to see the book on Amazon.
Click here to see the author and the illustrator talk about the book with Scholastic.
SUN REGISTRATION OPENS SEP 11
Arleta SUN Community School provides a FREE after-school program that promotes student success by extending the school day through enrichment activities and academic support. SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) also provides adult classes & workshops and fun family events. Community schools serve as mini “community centers” by keeping a public building open & active during after-school hours, and bringing youth & family opportunities directly to the neighborhood. It’s an alternative way for you and the local community to connect via the school! SUN is not a childcare program. Portland Parks & Recreation manages the Arleta SUN program.
Our SUN School Coordinator Raina Bilbrew is wonderful as so many of you already know! In addition to coordinating the various aspects of our after school program, she collaborates with and deeply supports our staff, supports students within the school day, serves on Arleta Site Council, runs an intentionally designated SUN Community Space in Room 4, and collaborates with our PTA Inclusion Committee. To contact Raina directly: raina.bilbrew@portlandoregon.gov or 503-916-6332.
SUN will be at Back to School night on Sept. 11th. Registration forms for SUN School will be due by September 19th and the program starts Oct. 6.
ARLETA FOOD PANTRY, CLOTHES CLOSET, & FAMILY TOILETRIES
Arleta has a small food pantry, clothes closet, and a variety of toiletries available for the use of any Arleta family. To set up an appointment to use the pantry or the closet, please email our SUN School Coordinator, Raina Bilbrew at rbilbrew@pps.net or raina.bilbrew@portlandoregon.gov or call or text her at 971-803-8986.
ATTENDING SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
The School Board meets regularly at the school district's Dr. Matthew Prophet Education Center (Prophet Center), 501 N. Dixon Street, at 6:00 pm on select Tuesdays of each month - and on certain other occasions. Some scheduling changes do occur; if you plan to attend, please see below for the upcoming public meeting notices.
Under the provision of ORS 192.670 all meetings will be live-streamed at http://www.youtube.com/@ppsboardofeducation/live, except for those meetings that fall under the provisions set forth for executive sessions.
To subscribe to email notifications of public meeting notices, email kbradshaw@pps.net to request to be added to the email list. After an email address has been subscribed to the mailing list, a notice of a Public Meeting of the School Board will be sent before each scheduled meeting.
ARAB MAHRAJAN FESTIVAL - AUG 31
Celebrate our local Arab American culture at the Arab Mahrajan Festival.
The event is hosted by the Arab American Cultural Center of Oregon. The organization was founded to promote the richness and beauty of Arab culture through community events, festivals and family entertainment year round.
The Arab Mahrajan Festival is Sunday, August 31, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Oaks Park.
The Mahrajan is a space for everyone to learn about, engage and celebrate the Arab community’s culture and heritage.
Here are some of the highlights of the festival:
- Delicious cuisine
- Bazaar
- Music
- Dance
- Clothing
- Arts and crafts
- Children’s activities
- Cultural booths
- Henna
Admission to the Arab Mahrajan is free and the event is open to all.
Oaks Park is at 7805 SE Oaks Park Way in Portland. Parking is $5. While you’re there, enjoy the Free Carousel and Train Rides and the Oaks Park Roller Rink, which is $13 per person.
For more information, visit AACCO’s FB Page.
LEDDING LIBRARY BOOK SALE - AUG 31
Ledding Library Book Sale offers a mix of books, CDs, DVDs, puzzles and book themed merchandise, such as socks and book bags. Whether you’re searching for a gripping novel, a fascinating documentary or a new family activity, there’s something for everyone.
The last Sunday of each month is $10 per bag day where you can load up on hours of entertainment for an unbeatable price.
The event is on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from May through October.
The event is open to everyone. Head to the Ledding Library Community Room at 10660 SE 21st Ave. in Milwaukie. While you’re in the neighborhood, swing by Great American Video and Espresso for a coffee and movie rental.
Don’t miss this opportunity to support the library, stock up on affordable finds and connect with your community. For more information, visit the Ledding friends’ website.
Email: ArletaSchoolPTA@gmail.com
Website: arletapta.org
Location: 5109 SE 66th Avenue
Phone: 503-916-6330
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArletaElementaryK5