RGMS PTA Newsletter
January 2026
Enhancing Our Student's Experience at RGMS
What does PTA do? What do we pay For?
The PTA funds many essential programs at RGMS - programs our kids and teachers depend on. Programs that make up our $26,000 fundraising goal for this year. Click here to see our budget.
PTA Grants
Teacher Grants
Student Leadership, including the Ka-ching Store
SUN After School Program
School Supplies for each classroom
PTA Programs and Special Events
Teacher Appreciation
8th Grade Promotion
Community Events (Back to School and End of Year)
Student Aide
School Beautification
Please consider attending a dine-out, donating funds or volunteering. Volunteer roles range from one-time support to event committee leadership. There's something for everyone's schedule and interests. Email Donna Ingram at secretary@rgmspta.org to learn more.
In This Month's Newsletter
- 8th Grade Promotion Planning Meeting Feb 4. - Help Make It Magical!
- Dine Out for Gray at Sasquatch Brewery on February 11th
- January PTA Program Spotlight - School Supplies!
- Kickball for Gray Tournament + End of Year Celebration Planning - Join Us!
- Volunteers Needed at RGMS!
- Join the RGMS Community What's App
- Attend the next PTA Meeting on February 18th at 6:30pm
8th Grade Promotion Planning
Our 8th graders were forecasting for HIGH SCHOOL last week!?!?
We're gearing up for their big promotion, and we need a dream team to make it unforgettable. From planning fun activities to adding those special "wow" moments, volunteers are the magic behind the memories. If you like organizing, celebrating or just making kids feel proud of how far they've come, this is your moment to shine. Join us and help send our 8th graders off in style!
The First 8th Grade Promotion Event Planning Meeting Wednesday, February 4th, 7:30pm Johns Market Place Multnomah Village
Let me know if you're interested- Committee Head; Jen Zwartverwer woodruff.jenn@gmail.com
Save The Date : 8th Grade Promotion, June 8th 2026
Fundraising for PTA Initiatives
Make the Most of Early Release Wednesdays and Support RGMS PTA!
March:
Laughing Planet and Sunny's Legendary Yogurt
Wednesday, March 11th
RGMS receives 10% of sales.
April:
Steeple Jack Brewing
Wednesday, April 22nd
RGMS receives 10% of sales on food and 15% on beer. *Bring quarters and cash for the secret arcade - they do not have change.
May:
Por Que No? on Mississippi
Wednesday, May 13th
RGMS receives 10% of sales up to $1K!
Do you know of a restaurant or business that would be willing to host a give-back event for the PTA? Email secretary@rgmspta.org and let us know!
January PTA Program Spotlight - School Supplies!
💡 Did You Know? The RGMS PTA launched a School Supply Program this year to ensure every classroom has the essentials students need to learn— and to offset Principal Newlyn's diminishing budget.
This school year, the PTA donated $5,000 to RGMS stock classrooms supplies like:
📒 notebooks + notebook paper
📓 composition books
📂 dividers + folders
✏️ pencils + highlighters
🧽 erasers (and more!)
📌 What’s Next for 2026–27?
Principal Newlyn would love additional funding to purchase two of the most-requested, most-used school basics:
🧻 Kleenex
📄 Copy Paper
✅ Big Impact, Small Amount at $14 per student
RGMS has 432 students. If we raise $6,000 for school supplies, that’s $13.88 per student.
Can you help us reach our $6,000 School Supply goal?
Every donation matters—whether you give $10, $25, or $100, you’re directly supporting teachers and students at RGMS. Please consider sponsoring another student - or two - with your donation.
🎯 Donate today and help keep classrooms stocked all year long.
RGMS Kickball Tournament + End of Year Celebration! 🎉
In place of our Run for Gray fundraiser, we’re turning one of Gray’s most popular traditions into a community-wide celebration and fundraiser—supporting the programs that make RGMS thrive!
Principal Newlyn and her team will organize the tournament, with student teams competing in elimination rounds until one champion remains. The winning team will take on a mean team of RGMS Teachers and Staff for a show-down.
🏆 Kickball Tournament (Final Round) Friday, June 5th, 2:30pm
Mark your calendar. At the end of the day, students and families will gather on the field to watch an epic Student vs Teacher/Staff game.
The winning team will take home prizes (and serious clout!) 🎉
🎊 End of Year Celebration
Immediately after | students will celebrate the end of the year with free dessert and free time outside. ALL FAMILES ARE INVITED TO JOIN! The celebration will wrap up at 4pm in time for students to head home and get their weekend started.
🎯 Our Goal: $18,000
We need YOU to make it happen!
Bring your school spirit. Cheer loud. Celebrate big. Support Gray.
Help Us Meet Our $26K Goal!
Monthly donations help us establish a reliable source of income to pay for grants and programs.
Does your company use Benevity or another employer giving program, maybe with a match? Register the RGMS PTA! Our EIN is 94-3159433.
Invite Family and Friends to Donate!
Whether its a one time gift or monthly, every dollar counts. Please consider forwarding this email to your family and friends.
Parent Volunteers are Needed at Gray!
😅 Volunteering Might Be “Cringe”… But It Matters
Our kids may roll their eyes at the idea of us volunteering at school — but RGMS still needs parent help, and even 30–60 minutes makes a big difference.
⭐ Easy Volunteer Opportunities (30–60 minutes)
Most volunteer roles are quick, simple, and based at the Front Desk:
- Morning help (9:15–9:45 AM): Signing in students who arrive late
- Support teachers: Copying and prep work
- Library support: Shelving books
- School communications: Updating the reader board outside
- Lunch Duty (12:56–1:26 PM): Helping supervise and support students
⏱️ Can You Spare an Hour or Two? Email Peggy Bruce to get started: pbruce@pps.net.
👉 Complete your volunteer background check here: Volunteering with PPS - Portland School District
Get Connected with the RGMS Community WhatsApp
Let’s chat! Have a question, a thought about what’s working (or not), or just want to connect with other Gray families? Join the RGMS Community WhatsApp for conversation, support, and shared answers. All Gray parents and caregivers are welcome to join.
Join Our Next PTA Meeting!
Join us in-person at the RGMS Library or via Zoom. Hear updates from Principal Newlyn and find out what the PTA is doing to make Gray a great place for our kids. We will also be talking about an important school safety issue at the February meeting: Community members bringing unleashed dogs from the dog park onto campus during school hours.
Time: February 18, 2026 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82820059747?pwd=WWdobrU7kc5qyQMnLjve97Lty5x5kD.1
View meeting insights with Zoom AI Companion
https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/edl?muid=55bf61a3-001f-49a9-bd89-77c74f51909b
Meeting ID: 828 2005 9747
Passcode: 912570
Minutes from the January 7th meeting can be viewed here.
Become a Member
Help us enhance the quality of our students’ education, build community and connection.
Your PTA Officers
President - Kirsten Carr, president@rgmspta.org
Treasurer - Greg Benison, treasurer@rgmspta.org
Secretary - Donna Ingram, secretary@rgmspta.org
Committee Chairs
Dance - Ann Shih
8th grade promotion/Teacher Appreciation - Jenn ZwartverwerTeacher Grants - Jill Muhm
Yearbook - Chelsey Chen
Equity - Sasha Pollack
Fundraising - Donna Ingram
Member at Large - Thia Knowlton
Reach Out!
Email: president@rgmspta.org