Capitol Hill Weekly Update

Dear Families,

As we move into this season of reflection and connection, I want to share my deep gratitude for our community. Every day, our school is shaped by the values we hold together—inclusivity, kindness, growth mindset, respect, safety, and wellbeing—and your children reflect those values every day in their joyous enthusiasm to learn and grow together.

Parent-teacher conferences next week are truly one of my favorite moments in the year. We love sitting with families, celebrating each student’s growth, and partnering with you to lift up their experiences, strengths, and next steps. These conversations remind us how powerful our work becomes when families and educators come together with a shared purpose: helping every child feel known, supported, and fully capable.

They also give us the chance to talk about the heart of our work—instruction and learning. Our students are not only developing confidence and connection—they are working hard, thinking deeply, and growing as readers, writers, mathematicians, scientists, athletes, musicians, and critical thinkers. We are proud of the academic momentum they’re building and the way they show up for challenging, meaningful learning every day.

As we approach the upcoming break, I hope your family finds time for rest, connection, and the traditions that bring you joy. Whether your celebrations are big or small, shared or quiet, I hope this time offers moments of warmth and renewal. Thank you for your continued trust, partnership, and care for our school. It is an honor to serve this community and to learn alongside your children.

In service to students,
Febe Armendariz

Principal

farmenda@pps.net

At Capitol Hill, we truly believe that our school is better when we listen to the voices of our families. Your experiences and perspectives help us understand how our students are doing—both academically and emotionally—and they guide us as we continue to strengthen our programs and community. We deeply value your input and look for meaningful ways to hear from all of our families.

One way you can share your thoughts is through the 2025 Successful Schools Survey. This anonymous survey gives parents and caregivers a chance to reflect on your child’s experience and let us know what’s working well and where we can keep growing. Our teachers, support staff, and leadership team use this information to improve learning and support for every student.

The survey is open now through December 8th. You can access the survey directly here: https://surveys.panoramaed.com/portlandor/fall25family

If you have any questions, please reach out to our counseling office at myonn@pps.net or call the front office. We’re here to help.

The Holiday Giving Program is off to a great start! The Giving Tree is on display outside of the front office with wish tags. These are wishes from 11 families at our school!

Here's how it works:

• Select a tag
• Purchase the desired gift
• Tape the tag to the unwrapped item
• Drop it in the office at school before December 10th
  
  

In addition to the gifts, we also would like gift cards to the following stores to provide to families:

• Amazon
• Fred Meyer
• Costco
• Target
  
  

Please check out the Giving Tree while you are here for conferences! If you would like to purchase a gift but don't come into the building regularly please reach out to Melissa and she give you a list of potential items for you to choose from.

Questions? Contact Melissa Light in the front office at mlight@pps.net.

Start your holiday shopping early while helping raise money for school programs and activities. 30% of all sales from this site will be donated to the Capitol Hill Elementary School PTA to support their school programs. Orders by December 5th!

Link: https://capitolhillpicturebookfundraiser.square.site/

We will be showing Charlie Chaplin's comic masterpiece “The Circus!” This may be the first time many of our students will ever see a silent movie. The Little Tramp is still making people laugh 100 years later, and for good reason... this is a VERY funny film.

Doors open at 6:00, the movie starts at 6:15 and ends at 7:30 pm. Please remember to wear comfortable clothes and bring water bottles and blankets/pillows. Popcorn will be provided, along with a few surprises!

See you at the movies!

(*Please note: This is not a drop-off event.)

Our Lost & Found will be in the hallway by the front entrance during conferences so please take a look while you are here! Whatever is not claimed will be bagged up and donate to the PPS Clothing Closet.

Our school year calendar has all of the important school-related dates for your reference.

• 11/24-25-Teacher Conferences
• 11/26-28-No School-Thanksgiving Break
• 12/10-Holiday Giving ends
• 12/10-Early Release-11:50 AM
• 12/10-PTA Meeting
• 12/12-Family Fun Night-Movie Night
• 12/23-1/2/26-No School, Winter Break (Return to School 1/4/26)

Watercolor for Kids is offering a three-week "pop up" class during the month of December. Registration is now open and space is limited.

To register click here: https://www.watercolorforkids.com/

We have started opening registration for many of the other classes beginning in January - please visit the After School Classes page on the CH PTA website to check out the options! These could make great holiday gifts for kiddos :)