DOLPHIN DIGEST 10/23/2025
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
TOMORROW-ARLETA FALL FESTIVAL - OCT 24
This is no trick: get ready for the Arleta Fall Festival, always a treat! The Arleta Fall Festival is Friday, October 24th from 6–8 PM in the annex. Look forward to a fun-filled evening as we celebrate the best of the fall season! Join us for: A lively dance party, costumes & games, festive decorations and plenty of snacks.
The Fall Festival always takes a community of parents to make this happen! Right now, we only have one parent per hour cleaning up after the party is over. That will not work. So please pitch in and sign up to volunteer at the event itself! This is an exciting part for the kids and we want to make it happen!
SCHOOL BOARD WORK SESSION WITH A VOTE ON CONSENT AGENDA - OCT 28
Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: 501 N Dixon St. Portland, OR 97227, Dr. Matthew Prophet Education Center (Prophet Center) Mazama Conference Room (Floor 2)
This meeting is open for the public to attend in person up to the capacity of the Board Room 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. More information on Public Comment can be found on the Board’s Meeting Protocols and Public Comment web page.
Board Office Staff
- Rosanne Powell – Senior Board Manager (rpowell@pps.net - 503-916-3741)
- Kara Bradshaw - Executive Assistant (kbradshaw@pps.net - 503-916-3741)
¿POR QUÉ NO? DINE OUT FUNDRAISER - NOV 5
Wednesday, November 5 • 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
4635 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97215
Dine in, take out, grab a gift card, or order catering — 10% of all sales all day go directly to Arleta!
PICTURE RETAKE DAY - NOV 12
Did Picture Day find your child making a weird face? Someone not happy with what they were wearing? Never fear, you can get a do-over!
Picture Retake Day Picture is the morning of November 12th. You can place an order for retakes as of October 22nd (yesterday). Click here to order retakes, or go to DorianStudio.com and type "Arleta Elementary" in the search bar. You may need your student's ID number. You can access that by logging into ParentVUE or by calling the office.
We will also have order forms available in the office.
OBOB Team Registration Opens Tomorrow, Oct 24
Oregon Battle of the Books is a friendly reading comprehension trivia competition for grades 3-5. Create your own team of 2-5 players, or just sign up and we will help you form a team! Teams will read the 16 books from the 2025-26 OBOB list.
Read as much as you can from the official list of 16 awesome titles from various genres, or divide up the books between yourself and your teammates and work together to read the list (for instance, each child on a team of four reads four of the books)!
Teams require a parent/guardian coach. Choose a team name. Make a team logo. You can even make team t-shirts if you like! Practice recall and memorization, then come battle it out in a lively and encouraging Q&A trivia competition in the library! Pool Play will be held during school hours for our 2025-26 season.
Teams will be matched against each other and answer specific trivia questions about the books. The tournament will begin in January, with battles being held during school hours. Prior to this, we will have optional practice battles and optional after school open library time. Our final championship battles will be scheduled for late February, after school, well in advance. All finalized dates TBD.
How do I get on a team? Find other Arleta students in 3rd-5th grade that are interested in participating and sign up as a team. Registration forms came home with Friday Folders last week.
● If you want to participate but aren’t sure who you can be on a team with, tell your parents, your teacher or our librarian, and they will help you.
● Registration will begin October 24th. Registration will run for a month and will officially close November 30th. It can take time to commit and form teams so get started right away!
● Return your registration form to your teacher or to the librarian.
Find the official list of titles and other resources at: www.oregonbattleofthebooks.org
Below is a full list of the OBOB books for Grades 3-5 2025-26. Click on the links (or the images below) to borrow them from Multnomah County Library, or you can order them from Powells Bookstore (OBOB books are 20% off at Powell's)!
FREE BREAKFAST FOR ALL STUDENTS
We have breakfast available for all Arleta students at no cost. Please join us!
The doors open at 7:45 and students eat in the cafeteria. Students are dismissed to class at 7:58 in order to be ready to learn at 8:00. Kindergarteners are walked to class by a staff member.
Remember the cafeteria is supervised at 7:45 but no other areas on campus are. If you drop your student off for breakfast please make sure they head directly to the cafeteria.
BEAT THE BELL
Last week, Arleta had a nearly 94% attendence rate (slightly down from 95% the week before) and 119 tardies (more than the 103 tardies the week before).
Looking for some tips to help you get out of the door on time? Check back here each week for ideas.
This week's tips:
- Avoid electronics entirely for a more restful evening and a distraction-free morning.
- Don’t try to do “one more thing”; you’ve done enough!
- Talk about your child’s classroom routine: what happens first thing, how happy the teacher will be to see them.
VOLUNTEER AT THE FALL FESTIVAL
The Fall Festival is October 24th. We need volunteers to help with setup, running stations, and cleanup.
Without enough volunteers, we will have to cancel the festival.
We have had eighteen people sign up to volunteer, but there are not enough peoplee to set up the party, and one person to clean up after it's over. That will not work. It truly takes a village to make these fun events happen and give our kids these important memories, and we hope that we can count on you to help make it happen for us all.
We need volunteers to:
- help set up the decorations and tables
- take half hour shifts selling concessions,
- pass out goody bags, and
- help clean up at the end of the night.
DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE YOU CAN MAKE IN THE PTA
FREEWATER, BY AMINA LUGMAN-DAWSON - 2023 NEWBERY AWARD WINNER
After an entire young life of enslavement, twelve-year-old Homer escapes Southerland Plantation with his little sister Ada, leaving his beloved mother behind. Much as he adores her and fears for her life, Homer knows there’s no turning back, not with the overseer on their trail. Through tangled vines, secret doorways, and over a sky bridge, the two find a secret community called Freewater, deep in the recesses of the swamp.
In this new, free society made up of escaped slaves and some born-free children, Homer cautiously embraces a set of spirited friends, almost forgetting where he came from. But when he learns of a threat that could destroy Freewater, he hatches a plan to return to Southerland plantation, overcome his own cautious nature, and free his mother from enslavement. Loosely based on a little-mined but important piece of history, this is an inspiring and deeply empowering story of survival, love, and courage.
- Click here to borrow the book from Multnomah County Library.
- Buy the book at Powell's Bookstore.
- Buy the book, ebook, or audiobook at Barnes and Noble.
- Purchase the book on Amazon.
- Go to the author's website!
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.
TODAY - SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL OPEN HOUSE - OCT 22 & OCT 23
SPEAC is a council for parents of special education students. SPEAC membership represents the broad array of families and disabilities in special education. The purpose of SEPAC is to:
- Advise the district on planning, development, and evaluation of the disability programs.
- Connect parents, guardians, and school administration on issues and questions around special education;
- Share information concerning special education issues that impact all families in PPS
- Provide a forum for parents and guardians and other interested citizens to maintain a dialogue with PPS on concerns and issues relating to the education, health, and safety of all students enrolled in special education programs.
- To provide and promote information and educational opportunities for the community on topics related to special education services.
- Meet with district leadership on a regular basis.
- Serve as an advisory group that addresses system-level challenges affecting students with disabilities and their families.
The open house gives a chance for families, educators, and administrators to strengthen collaboration and ensure families of children with disabilities have a voice in shaping our district’s priorities and inclusive practices.
Virtual Session:
📅 Wednesday, October 22, 2025 • 6:00–8:00 PM
🔗 Join via Google Meet
In-Person Session:
📅 Thursday, October 23, 2025 • 4:30–8:00 PM
📍 Prophet Education Center, 501 N Dixon St, Portland, OR 97227
Childcare will be available.
Questions or to RSVP: spedfamilysupport@pps.net
If you are interested in joining SPEAC please complete this form.
TODAY - PAT & PIRC ICE RESPONSE NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK TRAINING - OCT 23
In the face of escalating ICE activity in our communities and potential national guard showing up in our neighborhoods, Together Lab and the Portland Association of Teachers are bringing together trusted faith communities, schools, residents and small businesses at the neighborhood level to be better prepared and more resilient. In coordination with regional and statewide groups like PIRC (Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition).
We know the most resilient communities are those with the strongest relationships. And that our neighborhoods thrive when we know each other and our stories, when we trust each other and care for one another. When we don't allow someone on the other side of the country to tell our story for us. And right now, we need our neighbors more than ever.
Open to the public:
- Monday: 10/13/2025 at Harrison Park Middle School; 5-7pm
- Friday: 10/17/2025 at Ockley Green Middle School; 5-7pm
- Thursday: 10/23/2025 at Jackson Middle School; 5-7pm
Food, Interpretation, & Childcare will be available - Please RSVP so we can meet our communities needs.
NURTURING A POSITIVE IDENTITY IN LATINO/A CHILDREN - OCT 30
On Thursday, October 30th, from 4 - 6pm, join Embrace Race for a 2 hour virtual workshop to learn, share, and ask questions about nurturing a positive identity for Latino/a children!
How do I support my Latino/a child to have a strong and joyful sense of self, in light of our current social and political climate?
What action steps and strategies can I take as a parent, educator, family member, or caregiver?
What conversations can I have with my Latino/a child to nurture their identity?
Join us for a 2-hour workshop as we explore these topics together and spend time asking questions, sharing stories, and practicing relevant skills. This workshop is for any caregiver that plays a meaningful role with a Latino/a child or children, either at home, in the classroom, or other spaces. Parents, guardians, educators, and all caregivers welcome!
The workshop will be led by Brittany Del Rosario, Mirna Mejia, and Tamara Montes de Oca. Brittany identifies as a Puerto Rican and Cuban Latina/x American and has worked as a high school English teacher, a trainer and coordinator for anti-racism training for children and families, and is a facilitator for EmbraceRace. Mirna identifies as a Salvadoran Latina/x American and has worked in early childhood education, higher education, and in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Mirna is a facilitator for EmbraceRace. Tamara identifies as Mexican American Latina/e/x and is EmbraceRace's Senior Communications Associate. Tamara is a visual storyteller with a mission to utilize social media as a tool to promote social justice and activism.
Registration is $75. We offer a sliding scale, starting at $25, along with scholarship for those in need.
**Email earlychildhood@embracerace.org for scholarships.
**Please note that this workshop will be offered in English. We hope to offer this workshop in Spanish at a later date!
FULLY FUND OUR SCHOOLS FORUM - NOV 6
November 6, 2025, 6 pm
Fully Fund Our Schools Forum (working title)
@ Sunnyside Elementary, 3421 SE Salmon St, Portland, OR 97214
Co-hosted by Community and Parents for Public Schools (CPPS) and Sunnyside ES Advocacy Parent Group
Agenda: Gather with our lawmakers and educational leaders, convene with fellow community members to learn how we can work towards supporting our students and public schools.
On behalf of the Community and Parents for Public Schools board, thank you for your engagement and interest to work to support our public schools together! Please reach out if you have any questions or if you are interested in a leadership role.
Email: cpps@cppsportland.org
Phone: (503) 220-0577
Website: https://cppsportland.org/
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/cppsportland/
FREE FIRST THURSDAY AT PORTLAND ART MUSEUM - NOV 6
On the first Thursday of each month, the Portland Art Museum and PAM CUT Tomorrow Theater offer free admission from 10am-7pm. The museum brings global and regional art, culture and history to our city.
The museum also offers quarterly free admission day, usually on Sunday. Another way to get free admission to the museum is through Bank of America’s Museums on Us program. You can also get two free tickets from the Multnomah County Library Discovery Pass.
Children 17 and under always receive free admission along with veterans and active-duty military.
LIST OF NEARBY(ISH) FOOD PANTRIES
One in six children in Oregon and SW Washington face food insecurity. Food insecurity can arise for anyone. Should you need a little help, or you want to give a little help, here is a list of nearby resources.
Urban Gleaners takes advantage of Oregon's bountiful harvests, making sure they don't go to waste, sharing food through a variety of free markets around the region. You can find those markets on their website. Find a location by clicking here.
St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 5415 SE Powell Blvd. Hours are on Fridays from 2-5pm and the entrance is in the rear of building. They use a lottery system to give out the initial entry numbers. Those who have arrived by 1:45 pm on Friday will be entered into the lottery. Those who arrive after 1:45pm will be given the next number available.
SVDP Our Lady of Sorrows, 5221 SE Knight street. Referral only. Call Portland Council for food box at 503-235-8431.
Groceries 4 Grout, 4028 SE 34th Ave. This food pantries is hosted every Friday at Kenilworth Presbyterian Church parking lot. The outdoor pantry is shopping-style, available to everyone and we invite people to bring their own bags. Call (503) 235-3977 with inquiries.
The Woodstock Food Pantry 4033 SE Woodstock, provides groceries on Fridays and Saturdays, between 12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. to anyone who needs them. Drive-through or walk-up pantry. Cars – line up and stay in your car. Walkups – line up on the sidewalk.
The Francis Center 6535 SE 82nd provides food boxes Monday through Thursday from 10am -2pm. They ask that people gather one box per month, unless they're homeless, in which case, they can come once a week.
The Equitable Giving Circle provides food boxes, compiled with Black farmers, for BIPOC people in our area and provides home delivery.
Portland Open Bible Community Food Pantry, 3223 SE 92nd Avenue Portland, has an open pantry on Tuesday 4pm-7pm and Thursday 10am-1pm except on federal holidays. Online ordering is open 24 hours per day / 7 days per week (click here to order food online). Walk in, call (503) 442-8228, or visit their website for more information.
PDX Free Fridge is a community based and informed mutual aid effort to increase access to free food and vital supplies by creating a network of independent fridges and pantries in Portland, OR. Go to their website to find a fridge or pantry near you!
Milk Crate Kitchen delivers meals twice a month. To learn more, click here for the Milk Crate Kitchen website.
To research more resources, go to the Oregon Food Bank Food Finder, Findhelp.org, or the Multnomah County Food Assistance page, To donate food, consider the Portland Food Project, which will pick up shelf-stable food from your home and deliver it to food pantries.
Oregon PTA Releases Family-Centered Guidance Amid School Consolidation Talks -
As various school districts across Oregon consider consolidating schools in response to shifting enrollment and budget pressures, Oregon PTA is stepping in to support families with guidance around closure discussions.
Aligned with our PTA mission of "engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children", this guidance aims
- to help families understand why a district might consider school closures
- to summarize research around the impact of school closures
- to provide guidance to families and districts about factors and processes to be considered for potential school closures.
The full guidance, which includes links to additional resources, can be found at https://www.oregonpta.org/advocacy/our-positions/school-closure-guidance
Oregon PTA encourages its members and families across the state to proactively, respectfully and collaboratively engage with their districts and with elected officials on issues affecting their children and their communities, including the case of school consolidations.
Additionally, we are holding a virtual community event on October 28 at 7.30pm to present the guidance and to be available for Q+A. Register for this event here.
For questions and feedback, please reach out to our VP of Legislative Advocacy, Robin Roemer, at legislation@oregonpta.org.
RECORDING OF OREGON PTA EVENT ON SCHOOL LIBRARIES NOW AVAILABLE
On October 8, we talked with Kate Weber, Ayn Frazee, and Jean Gritter of the Oregon Association of School Libraries (OASL) about the dire state of school libraries in Oregon and what we can do.
You can now watch the full recording on our website.
Read the "State of School Libraries in Oregon Report".
SEEKING PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The PAC is a committee that reports to the PPS Board of Education, and makes a recommendation on how to spend privately fundraised dollars from The Fund for PPS’s Champion Schools. Learn More at Strategic Partnerships / Parent Advisory Committee (PAC): Distribution of Donations for Staffing. Please apply by October 24, 2025, to serve on this committee. Thank You!
Click on the appropriate link below and complete the brief application if you are interested in serving on this committee:
ADULT APPLICATION- Seeking one parent/caregiver from each of the following schools or the feeder schools to: Franklin, Lincoln, McDaniel and Roosevelt.
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.
Email: ArletaSchoolPTA@gmail.com
Website: arletapta.org
Location: 5109 SE 66th Avenue
Phone: 503-916-6330
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArletaElementaryK5