LEWIS ELEMENTARY NEWS

EVERY SCHOOL DAY COUNTS. “Did you know?" As we prepare to send home the third report card of the year, remember one of the most effective ways families can support their child's success in school is through consistent attendance. Now that we know the last day of school is June 5, it's more important than ever for students to come to school in April and May. Every day your child is healthy is an opportunity to connect with teachers and friends, to practice essential skills to be successful learners, and to progress toward end-of-year grade level benchmarks.

Thursday, April 9th - Drop off blue bags outside main doors 7:45-8:15am / Connect to Kinder 5:30-7pm

Friday, April 10th - Final call for Yearbook Photos / Caregiver Coffee after drop off in the cafeteria / School Dance 5:30-7:30pm

Saturday, April 11th - Garden Party Power Hour 9-10am

April 13th - 17th - Spirit week (See below for details)

Wednesday, April 15 - Auction Artwork Due / HeART of Portland 6:30pm

Friday, April 17th - Free Popcorn Friday after school on the blacktop

Saturday, April 18th - Garden Party Power Hour 9-10am

Wednesday, April 22nd - Full Instructional Day

Thursday, April 23rd - Art Night 5:30-7pm

Saturday, April 25th - Garden Party Power Hour 9-10am

Wednesday, April 29th - Lewis Dines Out at Double Mountain All Day!

Thursday, April 30th - 4th grade Link up Field Trip

Friday, May 1st - NO School / Lewis Auction 5:30-8:30pm

Tuesday, May 5th - PTA General Meeting and Board Elections 6:30-7:30pm

Please tell your friends and neighbors about our upcoming Connect to Kinder event on April 9th from 5:30-7pm

Please join in celebrating the student honorees from Lewis K-5:

• Rozlynn Alvstad
• Ben Loh-Menendez

Portland Public Schools is proud to partner with the Portland Art Museum, our host for the 2026 HeART of Portland: A PPS K-12 Arts Showcase. This premier district-wide annual event kicks off with an evening of student dance, music, and theatre performances, along with the opening of a stunning student visual art exhibition featuring over 100 works.

Windows of Our Future: In addition to the 100+ works, this year’s visual arts exhibition also features a citywide collaborative student art project inspired by the theme Windows of Our Future. Drawing on the symbolism of windows – reflection, light, and new perspectives – and the newly reimagined spaces of the Portland Art Museum, students created vibrant “stained-glass” style artworks exploring identity, imagination, and the possibilities ahead. Guided by PPS visual arts educators, each piece contributes to a larger installation that brings individual visions together into a collective reflection of our community’s future.

Event Details:

6:30 PM – Opening reception remarks
(Kridel Ballroom, 3rd Floor, Mark Building)
6:30 – 8:00 PM – Student performances
(Kridel Ballroom, 3rd Floor, Mark Building)

6:00 – 8:30 PM – Student Visual Art Exhibition
(Silver Family Youth & Community Gallery, Level 0, Main Museum)

5:00 – 8:30 PM – Free admission to all museum exhibitions
(Main Museum)

"The Birdie’s Place Committee is thrilled to announce that it has secured a generous grant of over $5,000 from the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation, bringing Lewis Elementary one step closer to our goal of building the Birdie’s Place Memorial Playground. This funding marks a significant milestone in the committee’s ongoing efforts to create a lasting tribute to Birdie and the community’s resilience and spirit. With momentum growing, the committee is actively seeking additional sponsors and volunteers to help turn this dream into a reality. Those interested in supporting this worthy cause are encouraged to get involved and contribute to the vision of a playground that will benefit generations to come.

To receive more information about how you can get involved or to request a sponsorship kit electronically or by mail, please contact us by email at birdiesplacefundraising@gmail.com and please follow us on Facebook and Instagram

Birdie's Place

"A hummingbird is sacred in many cultures, always symbolizing good luck, joy, and beauty."

The last day to refer a student for TAG Identification and make sure that the referral is completed this school year is April 10th. You may refer your student all year long, but the process for referral takes up to eight weeks, so may not be completed by the last day of school June 5th. We cannot process TAG referrals in the summer.

The Single Subject Acceleration-Math application window has closed. Students will complete the assessment by the end of April and families will be notified of decisions by May 31st. More information can be found at pps.net/tag.

Exciting News! We were featured in the Spring Newsletter by Eco-School Network. Please click here to see the article. You will need to scroll down (or read about the other exciting Change Makers) to read about the Lewis Garden.

Great job Lewis Green Team/ Garden Club!!!

Photo Deadline EXTENDED until April 10, 2026! Click here to access the google drive and upload your photos today!

Love to decorate? Have an half an hour to spare to hand out snacks during this fun event? Or prefer to close things down and clean up? Lots of fun opportunities to volunteer for the dance below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4EAAA62AA0F49-63000042-lewis

Ready to make a difference in the vibrant and fun community events at Lewis? Want to play a bigger role in building and strengthening our amazing school community? Step up and join the Lewis PTA Board! The nominating committee is seeking interested people for the following board positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, Communications Chair and Treasurer. Please email the Nominating Committee at nomcomm@lewispta.org, and let us know what position you are interested in, the names of your student(s) and their grades (if applicable), and a member of the nominating committee will reach out to you. Additionally, if you know someone who may be interested in the PTA Board, please let us know. This is a great opportunity to become more involved with our special community and grow the PTA. Board elections will take place during the general meeting on May 5.

Not a member of the Lewis PTA? You can join here: https://www.oregonpta.org/membership.

Showcase your creativity and support Lewis by donating your art to the 2026 Auction! Don't let this opportunity fly by! Art Submission Deadline has been extended until April 15th!

Get Your Applications In!

Portland Parks Preschool applications open today!

Portland Parks Preschool | Community Centers | Preschool For All | Find a Park

Apply For Portland Parks Preschool:

April 1 through April 30

Portland Parks & Recreation is excited to share that applications for Portland Parks Preschool for the 2026–2027 school year will be open today and are available through April 30.

Our preschool programs provide a welcoming, play-based learning environment where children build social skills, confidence, creativity, and a love of learning while preparing for kindergarten.

How To Register

Enrollment is based on a lottery managed through Multnomah County’s Preschool for All program. Families can apply April 1–30 at Multnomah County Preschool for All or with help from a Family Navigator once the application opens. Applications will reopen later in the summer.

Locations And Program Times

East Portland

• East Portland Community Center: Monday through Friday | 9am to 3pm
• Montavilla Community Center: Monday through Friday | 8:45am to 2:45pm

North Portland

• Charles Jordan Community Center: Monday through Friday | 9am to 3pm
• Peninsula Park Community Center: Monday through Friday | 9:15am to 3:15pm
• St. Johns Community Center: Monday through Friday | 9am to 3pm

Northeast Portland

• Matt Dishman Community Center: Monday through Friday | 9am to 3pm

Southeast Portland

• Mt. Scott Community Center: Monday through Friday | 9am to 3pm
• Woodstock Community Center: Monday through Friday | 8:45am to 2:45pm

Southwest Portland

• Southwest Community Center: Monday through Friday | 9am to 3pm

We look forward to welcoming your family to Portland Parks Preschool.

Portland Parks Preschool | 503-444-0682 | krisit.lilly@portlandoregon.gov

If you are interested in volunteering in the school, help chaperone a field trip visit or school event please make sure to submit your background check: https://www.pps.net/volunteer