LEWIS ELEMENTARY NEWS

Dear Lewis Families and Caregivers,

We are just one week away from wrapping up Quarter 1, and what a productive and dynamic quarter it has been! While our rightsizing efforts continue to require significant focus and energy, daily life at Lewis remains calm, vibrant, and filled with learning. Our students keep us grounded in our purpose and bring joy and positivity to every workday. Please have your student wear Lewis gear tomorrow for Lewis Spirit Day!!

Tomorrow afternoon, Superintendent Armstrong and PPS Board member Stephanie Engelsman will be visiting Lewis. Event Details

• When: Thursday, Oct 22 | 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

• Where: Lewis Cafeteria

Childcare Options

• Playground Supervision: PTA Board members and student Compass Coaches (identifiable by their yellow safety vests) will supervise students on the playground from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM.

• YMCA: Drop-in aftercare rates are available.

Next Steps

• Submit Questions: Help Dr. Armstrong come prepared by submitting your questions in advance via this Link. Submit as many questions as you'd like. Principal Davis will present them during the Q&A.

• RSVP: Following the Q&A, students & parents will have an opportunity to share testimony about what Lewis means to their family. Please RSVP so we can arrange adequate seating. Link

• Even if you don't want to speak publicly, your presence matters.

In community and partnership,

Principal Davis

Here are a few pictures from the week

Community Voice: Black Family Conversation

Thursday October 22, 2026

McDaniel High School | 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Flyer | RSVP Form

Saturday, October 24th

Southeast Region | 9:00–11:00 AM

Cleveland at Marshall High School

For: Buckman, Creston, Lewis, Marysville, Sellwood, Woodmere, Sunnyside Environmental and Bridger Creative Science

Stay Connected

Your voice is an important part of the Rightsizing process. We encourage families to attend the conversations most relevant to their school communities and stay informed as the district continues exploring the proposed scenarios.

Visit the PPS Rightsizing webpage for the latest information, scenario materials and engagement opportunities.

Duniway PTA is hosting our state representative, Mark Gamba, for conversation in their cafeteria on Friday, Oct. 23, 8 to 9 am in their cafeteria. This is a critical opportunity to speak with one of our elected officials directly about how the state funds K-12 schools like Lewis.

Learn more and RSVP: https://luma.com/xgox9h2v

It has now been 16 days since we learned that Lewis could be closed as part of the district’s rightsizing plans. Caregivers and our community have stepped up in huge ways to advocate for our kids, educators, school, and community. Thank you for whatever you’ve had the capacity to do.

What’s new and upcoming:

• We’ve updated our PTA website to provide information about why Lewis should stay open. While we recognize that individuals will speak from their hearts and personal perspectives, we hope you can emphasize two points in your advocacy:

• Taxpayers have invested in making Lewis an earthquake-ready building.

• If we undo the boundary changes of three years ago, we will have enough kids to fill the Lewis building.

• On Thursday, we will have Superintendent Armstrong and board member Stephanie Engelsman visit Lewis. As with Chair Eddie Wang and Director Michelle DePass’s visit on Monday, we hope we can come together as a community during this visit and represent our school community with grace, respect, and pride.

• Double Mountain has renamed their Sausage Onion Mushroom pizza the “Save Our Schools” pizza, with a special nod to Lewis. We’re grateful for their support and encourage you to stop in and thank them directly.

• The full calendar of district-sponsored conversations is here. We will also work to invite the remaining four school board members to visit Lewis.

• Last Friday, Superintendent Armstrong appeared on OPB’s Think Out Loud and shared that she was leaning toward Scenario B. While she will not make a final recommendation until mid-November, this is good news for Lewis.

The Superintendent will present her official recommendations for school closures to the PPS Board on Nov. 17, and they will likely become public on Nov. 16.

Wednesday, October 21st - 🕐Early Release @11:50am / Lewis Dines out @Dairy Hill Ice Cream 1-9pm

Thursday, October 22nd - Bottle Drop drop off 7:45-8:15 / Spirit Day-Lewis Gear💬Dr. Armstrong Visit 2:30-3:30

Friday, October 23rd - 🎃Trunk or Treat Event 5-7pm

Wednesday, October 28th - Lewis Dines Out @Double Mountain

Thursday, October 29th - 🚫NO School for students (Grading Day)

Friday, October 30th - 🚫NO School for students (Planning Day)

Friday, November 6th - ☕Caregiver Coffee at Drop-Off / Dia de los Muertos Event

Tuesday, November 10th - 📸Picture Retake Day

Wednesday, November 11th - 🚫NO School for Veteran's Day

Thursday, November 12th - 🦷2nd/3rd grade Dental Sealant Presentations

Friday. November 13th - 🚴🏻‍♂️Ruby Bridges Walk & Roll

Hello Lewis Families! If you have a student in grades 3, 4 or 5 and they are interested in participating in the Oregon Battle of the Books competition this year, please access the presentation link. Sign up forms will be offered to interested students next week. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Ms. Lisa

It's time for our Yearbook Cover Coloring Contest! Teachers will be handing out the templates this week. Submissions are due November 13th and can be returned to teachers or the front office. 5th grade will vote on the top submissions and pick the winner for the cover. All artwork submitted will be displayed for students and parents to admire.

Yearbook photos needed! If you take photos at school events or while volunteering we would love to include them in the yearbook! Photos can be added to the folder for the teacher's room or event here, Lewis Yearbook 2026-2027 - Google Drive and are due by April 1, 2027. If you have trouble adding photos to the drive, contact Marisa Torres at marisaelena@ymail.com

You can always find the latest dates and times for upcoming events at lewispta.org/calendar

Trunk-or-Treat This Friday (Oct. 23) – 5pm - 7pm – Rain or shine!

Get your costumes ready! Our annual Lewis Elementary Trunk-or-Treat is just a couple days away, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you.

We will be offering Domino's cheese pizza and gluten-free pizza for sale at $2 per slice. We can accept payment via Cheddar Up (for card payments) or cash. Please help us reduce waste by bringing your own refillable water bottles to fill at the water fountain.

A huge thank you to every family that has already donated a bag of candy—we are so grateful! For those who haven't yet, Sweet Tooth will be at the main entrance each morning during drop-off leading up to Trunk-or-Treat. Please help us fill those trunks by dropping off a bag!

More Than Just Trunks!

While the decorated trunks and candy are the main attraction, we’ve packed the evening with extra activities for the whole family:

• Carnival-Style Games: Try your luck at ring toss, corn hole, or eyeball relay.

• Halloween Scavenger Hunt: Explore the school to find hidden clues and win a prize.

• Photo Backdrop: Capture your family's amazing costumes.

• Coloring Station and Sensory Station: Quiet activities for our younger guests or those who need a break from the action.

To offer all this, we need your help!

1. Can you host a trunk? Sign up to decorate your car trunk and hand out candy. This is the heart of the event! Please sign up here.

2. Can you volunteer? We need help running the game stations, serving pizza, and setting up/cleaning. This is a great way to meet other Lewis parents! Please sign up here.

Thank you for your support! We look forward to seeing all the creative costumes and decorated trunks!

Questions? Email fallfun@lewispta.org

We have a new Lewis Dines Out! to add to your green family calendar: Lewis Dines Out! @ Dairy Hill Ice Cream Sellwood on Wednesday, October 21, 1pm-9pm.

10% of all sales from that day are heading back to Lewis so celebrate the October early release day with a cone or two of Dairy Hill ice cream in Sellwood.

Caregiver Coffee - Friday, Nov. 6 At Drop-Off

Say hello to fellow parents over a coffee and / or donut, courtesy of Lewis PTA.

Mark your calendars: Lewis PTA is thrilled to again host Día de los Muertos in the Lewis cafeteria. There will be food, activities, ofrenda, and movie screening to celebrate the Mexican holiday.

Details and volunteer opportunities coming soon.

Questions? Email fallfun@lewispta.org

Every Thursday morning before school, you can drop off your empty bottles and cans near the main entrance. Blue bags are available in the Free Little Library by the main entrance. Funds go directly to the Lewis PTA. Questions: Maria Ethridge, bottledrop@lewispta.org

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