DOLPHIN DIGEST 9/3/2026
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
ARLETA SWIMMING IN DOLPHIN ART THANKS TO BLOCK PARTY
Arleta is bedecked with Odotoncetian-inspired artwork thanks to the many artists, parents, and kids who turned out on Sunday to get creative! Please enjoy these photos from last Sunday's Block Party!
TWO REMINDERS FROM THE OFFICE
If you need to pick up your student early, please call the office no later than 2:10p. Calling ahead allows us enough time to have your student ready before the afternoon dismissal rush. After 2:20pm, the office becomes very busy with parents arriving for regular dismissal, which can make it difficult to process early pickups promptly.
For all other business, please note that our office hours are 7:30am-3:30pm. If you need to contact the office or require assistance, please make sure to do so within these hours.
THE LOW-DOWN ON SCHOOL MEALS
We are happy that Nutrition Services will again provide Free Meals for all Portland Public Schools students: one breakfast and one lunch per day at no charge. Families do not need to apply for meal benefits.
Meal Requirements: To qualify as a complete meal, students must select at least a ½ cup of fruit at breakfast, and at least a ½ cup of fruit or vegetable at lunch.
No ID Cards Needed: Students do not need to enter ID numbers or use meal cards. Our staff will click and log each reimbursable meal as it is served.
Menus & Allergens: Menus and allergy details are available on the Nutrition Services website at Nutrition Services.
Milk: Students bringing lunch from home who want milk must also select two other food items (like a fruit and a vegetable) to complete the meal to receive it at no charge. Milk cannot be purchased by itself.
Adult Meals: Kitchen teams cannot accept cash or checks. Staff, visitors, and volunteers can purchase meals by creating a School Cafe account, or by mailing/dropping off a check or money order payable to Portland Public Schools at the Prophet Education Center (501 N. Dixon St. Portland, OR 97227).
School Recess and Lunch Times:
K-2 Recess: 11:10-11:25
K-2 Lunch: 11:25-11:45
3-5 Recess: 11:35-11:50
3-5 Lunch: 11:50-12:10
GIRLS ON THE RUN REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
Back by popular demand, we are bringing the nonprofit, Girls on the Run, to Arleta for a third year!
The running program, culminating in a 5k and service project, is open to all girls in third through fifth grade.
Important Dates for Girls on the Run
Registration Opens: August 26 Click here to register your child!
Registration Closes: September 28th
Practices: September 21st-November 9th, Mondays and Wednesdays 2:30-4:14 9/22-11/22
The registration fee is $20-$195 on a sliding scale, with financial assistance from the Arleta PTA available. For questions email Lisa Hugelier at lisa.hugelier@gmail.com. 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!
BEAT THE BELL
For the three-day week of August 26-28, we had 97% positive attendance. For the same week there were 47 tardies.
It can be hard to get little ones out the door in the morning, but prompt school attendance is so important for learning. Just five minutes late per day adds up to missing over three days of instruction per school year. Getting kids in their seats and ready to learn on time starts them out on the right foot, in sync with their peers instead of starting the day already struggling to catch up. This column will give you weekly tips and tricks for getting to school on time.
This week's tips for getting to school on time:
- 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.
TOMORROW POPSICLES ON THE PLAYGROUND - SEP 4
The PTA is hosting popsicles & yard games at the playground on Friday, September 4 from 6-7pm. We’ll have a variety of lawn games ready for you to play, but of course, you're welcome to bring any additional games you’d like.
Bring your kids, get treats, play games, connect with other parents and kids, learn how the PTA supports Arleta and find out how you can participate!
TOMORROW LITTER PICK-UP - SEP 4
Once a month, Arleta families gather at the picnic tables to help pick up litter around the school. This helps keep the school grounds a clean, safe, enjoyably place for our kids to play. Volunteers meet on the first Fridays of the month 2:30-3pm. Many thanks to Savannah Dombeck for leading this group of do-goodeers!
The first litter-pick up of the year is this Friday, September 4, from 2:30-3:00pm. Grabbers, gloves, and bags will be provided!
BACK2SCHOOL NIGHT - SEP 10
Back2School Night is a district-wide event (the events can happen on different days, but each school has them) that is held in order to introduce parents to their students’ new teachers and for parents to get to know a little bit about the teacher, the classroom, and what their children will be learning about. Back2School Night is a good time to ask questions or share your ideas with all/any of our staff.
Arleta's Back2School Night is Thursday, September 10 from 5:30-7pm. 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!
NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING - SEP 15
The next school board meeting is Tuesday, September 15, from 6-8pm at the Dr. Matthew Prophet Education Center 501 N Dixon St. Portland, OR 97227. As always, a recording will be up on their YouTube channel. Click here to see directions, the meeting agenda, and a link to the YouTube recording.
Requests to provide public comment can be made via email to publiccomment@pps.net or by calling the Board Office at 503-916-3741. Requests should include:
Full name
Pronouns
Topic (required)
Meeting requested (date and title)
School community
Phone number and whether text communication is okay
Whether you are a student
Whether you plan to attend in person or virtually
Requests must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
ARLETA NEURODIVERGENT FAMILY GATHERING - SEP 17
We’re excited to welcome Arleta familes to our first Neurodivergent Family Gathering of the school year. Arleta Neurodivergent Family Gatherings are every two months and bring neurodivergent students and their families together to bond over pizza and playing. The group offers a safe space to talk, connect, and play.
The first Arleta Neurodivergent Family Gathering of 2026-27 is on Thursday September 17, from 5:30-7pm in the Arleta cafeteria. Pizza dinner and kid activities will be provided. Please let us know if you would like a translator by emailing the Arleta PTA at arletaschoolpta@gmail.com.
COSTUME AND ATHLETIC GEAR SWAP - SEP 21 THROUGH OCT 2
Starting September 21st, bring gently-used costumes and athletic gear to the drop-off bins in front of the school and drop off and pick-up. And then, on October 2nd search for new costume treasure from 2:15-3:30pm right after the Dolphin Dash!”
PICTURE DAY - SEP 23
Picture Day is coming up. On September 23rd, get your little one all gussied up for their school pictures. Order forms will come home soon and may be returned to the office, or you can order online now, and for up to four (4) days after picture day. Here are some helpful tips to make picture day great!
Schedule haircuts 7-10 days prior to picture day!
Wear simple clothing. Solid shirts or small patterns, along with sleeves, photograph best.
Avoid logos and text on clothing. Graphics or wording may not photograph completely and can become partially cropped out of your picture.
Student photos will be taken between 8am and noon. We usually need one or two parents to help escort kids to and fro, so if you can help out, please contact Nicole in the office at nfrancois@pps.net or call her at 503-915-6330.
WALK AND ROLL TO SCHOOL DAY - OCT 7
Small steps for kids and families, giant leaps for safe, active travel! The next National Walk & Roll to School Day on October 7, 2026!
Walking, biking, skating, scooting, or wheeling to school is a great way for kids to start the day! It gives them a chance to move their bodies, catch up with friends and neighbors, and build confidence and independence along the way. On International Walk + Roll to School Day, we’ll fill our neighborhood streets and sidewalks with the joy and energy of kids and caregivers making their way to another day of learning, and remember just how much fun the trip to school can be.
Arleta activities around this event are currently in the planning stages so stay tuned for more! To get involved, contact the PTA's Safety, Sustainability, and Resiliency Committee Chair, Brian Dombeck.
JOIN A NEW TEAM OF CLASSROOM VOLUNTEERS
Things have changed around the school, and we need your help. After years of planning, the PTA is launching a new volunteer program to help match Arleta teachers' specific needs to parents skills. This program comes at just the right time for Arleta. Losing teachers and blending classrooms this year dramatically increased teachers' planning hours as they're learning new curriculum, in some cases for not one but two grades. More kids travel between classrooms for special instruction now, needing supervision. Teachers have less time now to help struggling students one on one or to prepare assignment supplies. The answer to the problem is parent volunteers!
Arleta teachers are giving us a list of their most pressing needs but we need a pool of parent volunteers to draw from to make matches. If you're ready to help, join our volunteer pool by filling out the form below and indicate your interests and skills. Commitments can be sporadic or regular. Every kind of help is helpful. We welcome parents and caregivers to join! Don''t forget to get your PPS background check completed (will be required).
Poems are little packets of creative writing: stories, details, thoughts that quickly and intensely explore little and big life experiences. Reading a poem to your child is a great way to promote literacy and to start conversations about things that your child notices and what's important to them. Each week, we feature a different poem that you are your child can read together.
What washes up on tiny beaches?
Microwaves.
COLLINS GALLERY EXHIBIT- what we hold and what we leave behind - NOW THROUGH SEPT 9
The Collins Gallery at the Multnomah County Main Library is used for exhibits created by library personnel or by community members in cooperation with library personnel. The current exhibit is called "what we hold and what we leave behind" and runs through September 9th.
This exhibition, co-curated by photographer Jim Lommasson and poet Willa Schneberg, celebrates over twenty senior seasoned poets. Jim photographed special objects of these esteemed writers, encompassing what they carry inside — lives filled with creativity, work, intimacy, autonomy, family, place and loss. The object images are paired with their handwritten poems in the white space of the prints. Included are their actual physical objects, memorabilia and artist books.
801 SW 10th Avenue
Portland, OR 97205
503.988.5123
FOSTER POWELL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION WARM SPRINGS FIRE RECOVERY DRIVE, NOW-OCT 8
Greetings friends & neighbors,
FPNA is organizing a supply drive for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs as they navigate the destructive wildfires sweeping through eastern Oregon. Many residents in the Warm Springs Reservation have been evacuated or are without power and water. Neighbors in Foster-Powell are encouraged to donate supplies and funds to help in their recovery efforts.
Needed donations:
water
no-cook foods
pet supplies
gift cards (grocery stores, etc)
blankets
fans
diapers
hygiene kits (shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, etc)
childcare supplies
basic medical supplies
cleaning supplies (laundry detergent, paper towels, soap, etc)
Drop off locations:
Bike Frequency – 5923 SE Foster Rd (map)
Hours: Tuesday – Friday 11a – 6p; Saturday 11a – 5p; Closed Sunday & Monday
Larkspur – 6317 SE Holgate Blvd (map)
Hours: Saturday 11a – 6p; Sunday 11a – 5p; Monday, Thursday, Friday 12p – 6p; Closed Tuesday & Wednesday
If you have a donation and can’t make it to one of the drop-off locations, please click here to email to arrange pick up, and a volunteer will come to your house and pick up your donation.
Due date:
The next delivery date will be October 7th or 8th, so try to have your donations dropped off by then. If you would like to donate money directly, donate using the button below.
Thank you to those who have donated so far! The first delivery was made on September 3rd and was a great success! Keep showing up for our neighbors. ❤️
Click here to donate money directly to the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
Click here to see updates on the Foster Powell Neighborhood Association Website.
COOKING UP THE HARVEST VEGGIES FOR BREAKFAST - SEPT 8
Calling all vegetable lovers! Morning can be busy—but breakfast doesn’t have to be boring and basic—it can be packed with delicious vegetables. With a focus on seasonal vegetables and make-ahead components that are easy to assemble. Join Multnomah County Master Gardener Association September Speaker Series as local author and garden-to-table expert, Willi Galloway, provides a road map to meal prepping your way to better breakfasts every day of the week on September 8, from 7-8pm, online, free. Willi is excited to share simple, delicious breakfast recipes and meal prep strategies that take the stress out of eating healthy, in the morning. She’ll walk us through her simple 5-step meal prep strategy for making healthy breakfasts easier for busy people, plus she’ll demo whipped ricotta toast, savory steel cut oatmeal and some mix and match recipes that are full of vegetables and super versatile!
Register HERE in advance.
Free event. All welcome.
Did you miss a speaker's presentation? Check out our archived webinars:
Multnomah County Master Gardener Association Educational YouTube Channel
MCMGA Speaker Series (Sept 2022 – Sept 2023)
MCMGA Speaker Series (2022 and before)
MID-AUTUM FESTIVAL MARKET - SEP 12 & 13
Head to the 5th Annual Portland Mid Autumn Festival, a two-day celebration that brings together thousands of community members to experience one of Asia’s most cherished holidays. Hosted by the White Lotus Foundation at, Shun Fat Supermarket (5253 Southeast 82nd Avenue) on September 12th and 13th from 12-8pm, the Portland Mid Autumn Festival celebrates the traditions of the Mid Autumn Festival through food, culture, entertainment, and community. Admission is free.
Since launching in 2022, the festival has grown into one of Oregon’s largest Asian-American cultural celebrations, creating a welcoming space where families, friends, and neighbors from every background can gather to celebrate together.
What to Expect
- Mooncakes: Savor the festival’s most iconic treat! A variety of authentic mooncakes will be sold exclusively at the Portland Mid Autumn Moon Festival.
- Lantern Parade: All attendees will receive a free paper lantern! Light it up and join us for a lantern parade that will illuminate the festival grounds each evening.
- Local Vendors: Explore 100+ unique vendors offering Asian food, drinks, snacks, and handmade goods from across our community.
- Live Performances: Enjoy 10+ cultural showcases, from music and dance to martial arts and storytelling — representing the rich diversity of Asian cultures.
- Family-Friendly Activities: From craft workshops and balloon houses to arcade games and Photo Ops. There will be plenty of activities for kids and families to enjoy together.
FOSTER-POWELL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING - SEPT 14
The next Foster-Powell Neighborhood Association Meeting is this Monday, September 14, from 6:30-8:30pm. All neighbors are welcome at meetings. Anyone who lives, works, or owns property in Foster-Powell is considered a neighbor.
Where: Mt. Scott Community Center
Multipurpose Room 1, 2nd Floor - 5530 SE 72nd Ave (Map)
At the top of the stairs, turn left or, from the elevator, turn right. Then, it’s the first room on the right. Look for the Foster-Powell sign.
Join Us Virtually: Zoom link. Dial-in Number: (253) 215- 8782 | Meeting ID: 839 5449 4883 | Passcode: 500305
Agenda Items - Read Full Agenda Here
Firland Parkway/Plaza Brainstorming
After removal of the Firland/Schiller Plaza, PBOT is open to recommendations for ways to manage the space moving forward. Join us as we brainstorm ideas to send their way.
Discussion and Possible Actions
Mt. Scott Community Center has received complaints about post-meeting attendee behavior in the hall. We have requested PP&R’s Code of Conduct to share.
Do we want to close Center Street to car traffic for the Halloween parade? $25 permit fee. Who will organize and next steps?
Do we want to paint doors within the Essex Park bathroom mural? Cost would be an additional $1,000 (we previously approved $750 for mural maintenance to remove graffiti). As of publication time, we are in communication with PP&R to determine if this will be allowed.
Should FPNA submit a proposal for SEUL Community Small Grant?
WOODSTOCK LIBRARY MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL - SEP 19
Mid-Autumn Festival: 古筝演奏 // Guzheng Music (Chinese Zither)
Sat Sep 19
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Woodstock Library
聆听欣赏古筝音乐家毕海先生演奏独特而醉人的中国音乐。
Enjoy the unique and relaxing sounds of the guzheng, also known as the Chinese zither, with expert musician Mr. Hai Bi.
MID-AUTUMN MARKET AT LAN SU GARDEN - SEP 25 THROUGH 27
Mid-Autumn Market 東方市集
In partnership with Chinese Friendship Association of Portland
10:00 AM – 5:30 PM | September 25-27 | Free with admission or membership
Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with a local vendor market, mooncake workshop with Tommy Ly of GeekEasy Cafe, and craft activities. Community partners will represent Asian cuisine, traditional Chinese medicine, and jewelry.
MID-AUTUMN NIGHTS OUT AT LAN SU GARDEN - SEP 25 THROUGH 27
Mid-Autumn Nights Out
September 25–27, 7:30-9:30 PM | Special tickets required ($0-65)
Experience the magic of Mid-Autumn Nights Out, where glowing lanterns, autumn beauty, and evening traditions come together after dark. Featuring an illuminated dragon ribbon performance by Wei Dai, bringing movement, light, and wonder to the garden as it turns into a lantern parade. Make it a truly authentic evening with the Moonlight Feast package and reunion dinner at Golden Horse Seafood Restaurant. No matter what you choose, an enchanting experience awaits! Get Tickets, See Pricing
AFRICAN DRUMMING PLAYSHOP AT WOODSTOCK LIBRARY - SEP 26
Sat Sep 26
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Woodstock Library
Learn all about the African Djembe and the story each drum tells with Hands and Hearts Drumming at Woodstock Library's African Drumming Playshop. Explore multicultural rhythms on different percussion instruments. No need to bring anything - everything to play will already be at the library!
ACROSS THE ANDES BENEFIT CONCERT - OCT 4
The Old Church Concert Hall (TOC) and Venezuela’s Voice in Oregon (VVO) present Across the Andes: A Benefit Concert for Venezuela Earthquake Relief on Sunday, October 4, 2026 from 7:30pm-10pm, celebrating the musical traditions of South America while supporting families affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela.
One dollar from every ticket sold and the concert’s net ticket proceeds will be donated to VVO’s Venezuela Earthquake Relief Fund, supporting humanitarian relief for families affected by the earthquakes.
We envisioned this concert as a musical journey through South America, traveling along the Andes from Argentina northward and ultimately arriving in Venezuela.
MT. SCOTT-ARLETA NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING - OCT 7
The next Mt. Scott-Arleta Neighborhood Association Meeting is October 7th from 6:30-8:30pm. THIS MEETING ONLY is Virtual-only, Mt. Scott Community Center will be closed. The Zoom Meeting Link is https://bit.ly/3Oq59jZ To check out their website, click here!
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