The Guardian Gazette

Please scroll down to find more specific information about each of these events. If there is no information, stay tuned, it's coming soon!

February 18 - IBW Opportunities Fair at Flex in Cafeteria

February 18 - DEADLINE for completing the Forecasting Process

February 19 - 21 - SW Stageworks, Winter Play, Shelter, Continues

February 19 - Black History Month Assembly
February 25 - Battle of the Bands

February 26 - IBW Red Cross Club Blood Drive
February 26 - PTA Clothing Closet
February 27 - Alumni Night! Double Header Basketball vs. Grant
March 2 - No School for Students, Professional Development for Staff
March 2 - Spring Sports Season Begins (Register NOW!)
March 4 - FOR JUNIORS - SAT Testing
March 6 - Wells Madness (during Lunch) Kicks Off

March 11 - IBW Wells-ness Fair
March 17 - All Sophomore Field Trip to the NW Youth Careers Expo
March 23-27 Spring Break
April 18 - IBW Auction

See more dates/information on the:

Wednesday, February 18th, 2026

Flex, 9:52-10:36am, IBW Cafeteria

Are you looking for a job or an internship? Would you like to explore volunteer opportunities or a future career path? Attend the IBWHS Opportunities Fair!

This event is your chance to speak with recruiters from the following organizations:
Bodecker Foundation - year-round creative arts workshops for youth
City of Portland Bureau of Human Resources - employment with the City's various departments
Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization - youth workforce development programs
MESD Outdoor School - volunteer as a camp counselor this spring
Oaks Amusement Park - seasonal jobs for 14+
Pacific Northwest College of Art - Pre-College programs
Pedalheads Bike Camps - spring break and summer jobs as camp counselors
Portland Parks & Recreation - seasonal and year-round employment for 15+
Portland Parks & Recreation Aquatics - work the waters as a lifeguard or swim instructor
Saturday Academy - Apprenticeship in STEAM Exploration
Portland State University's Summer Business Institute - Pre-college program for HS youth
Youthline - peer crisis intervention volunteer
Military branches and peacekeeper alternatives

For a full list of opportunities that are currently open to students, please see the IBWHS Career News - https://or01913224.schoolwires.net/Page/16186

The deadline for forecasting for the 2026-2027 School Year is TOMORROW, February 18th. As of this morning, only about 30% of all 9th-11th graders had completed the process.

All the necessary information forms, links, etc. can be found on our website https://ibw.pps.net/academics/forecasting Please take the necessary time to review course offerings and the Interactive Course Catalog to make the best choices.

The final step of the process is to meet with your counselor either before school, during lunch or after school. Keep in mind that nearly 50% of students will be attempting to do this tomorrow so lines will be long. Please be patient.

Sheila Kendall, Last names A-C skendall@pps.net

Malcolm Simonoff, D-He msimonoff@pps.net

Julie Fleming, Hi-McC jfleming1@pps.net

Danny Bradach, McD-R dbradach@pps.net

Lauryn Files, S-Z lfiles@pps.net

A chance encounter on a bench that memorializes a student killed in a hate crime leads to an unlikely friendship… An inappropriate relationship between a student and teacher is reported, but is the accusation a fabrication?… A group of friends preparing themselves to survive the end of the world face unforeseen fractures among their ranks… AI is used in myriad ways to navigate romantic lives, advance career prospects and understand the fundamental nature of reality…

And below them…beneath the school…is a forgotten fallout shelter. When students find out they are not the first ones to uncover this derelict space, the past comes back to haunt them…
Will they put the ghosts to rest…or will past horrors made present destroy them?

Shelter sees the powerhouse partnership of award-winning writer Conor Eifler (You Cannot Undo This Action) and director Matthew B. Zrebski (The Demolition) reunite in crafting a hard-hitting story for this turning-point moment in our shared history.

Shelter is recommended for audiences aged 8th Grade and older for frequent coarse language and mature teen situations.

Experience the magic of a live performance! Reserve your tickets for Teen West Project: Year 14 - Shelter. Don't miss out on the excitement—book now and treat yourself to an unforgettable event.

Final Weekend, February 19-21. https://www.southweststageworks.com/online-ticket-sales

Many IBW Health Occupations attended OHSU's Career Exploration Day today!

On March 4, we will have a B day special schedule with early release for all grades due to the SAT for Juniors. The schedule is linked here

All 9th, 10th and 12th grade students will follow their B day schedule. Periods 5, 6 and 7 all math classes will be held, but in the Cafeteria. Some other classes will be relocated and it will be posted.

Testing will be in room 18-34 and 130-133. Only testing students have access to the testing areas.

All juniors take the digital SAT on Wednesday, March 4 during school. We will be on a special schedule with early release. You have already been registered and it is FREE!

See the Special Schedule for March 4

Follow the SAT Orientation for valuable information you must know

-This is an online/digital test and a PPS issued Chromebook MUST be used

-Information about “Student Readiness Check” (i.e. getting the Chromebook ready) will be sent to students by 2/20 and recommend completing before testing day.

- If students have issues with Student Readiness Check see Meredith McCreight in main office (mornings) or 139 (afternoons) before testing day

- Once Student Readiness Check is completed, you have access to practice test in Bluebook

- Testing rooms will be posted in the main hall by Tuesday March 3. If not sooner.
.- Students need to be in their assigned testing classroom by 8:30am

OSAS testing continues

• Science - Week of February 23

Please remember:

–JUNIORS must bring their CHARGED PPS chromebooks for testing!

–All students whether testing or not, will report to their regular classroom

–These are normal days for classes (i.e. there is NO “special schedule”).
As always, see Trivory for bell schedules and daily events.

On December 19, the PPS District office sent this message to families of students in grade 11 with the ODE’s 30 Day Notice of Testing with Opt Out Form for English and Math and separate Science form and link to exemption forms and translations.

To learn more about OSAS please visit PPS’ Assessment Main Page.

Did you miss fall registration for AP classes? Are you starting a new AP class in the second semester? Between now and March 2nd students in year-long courses have a second chance to have exams ordered, but there is an additional $40 late fee, on top of the exam fee ($80), charged by the College Board. While there is financial assistance for the exam fee, there is no financial assistance for the late fee. The only students that will not be charged the late fee are the 2nd Semester only AP classes. After March 2nd, students that have not registered and paid for their AP exam will not have their exam ordered. This is the LAST chance for registrations. The url to both all things PPS AP at www.PPS.net/advancedplacement and specifically registration information https://ccr.pps.net/enroll-get-ahead/advanced-placement/ap-exam-registration-directions .

Have questions? Contact Scott Burns, sburns@pps.net or Abby Menashe amenashe@pps.net

The GNN for this week - https://youtu.be/sNDFFg9kDdE

GNN covering the protests that students and staff have attended the last month or so:
https://youtu.be/ki68zwpCJD8

Wells' EcoAction Club and Clean Air Club joined the Lincoln Climate Justice class students in Salem, where we participated in issue-advocacy training from the "Make Polluters Pay" campaign, which is a nation-wide effort to get states like Oregon to charge companies that have contributed the most historic carbon emissions in order to bring in funds to help mitigate the harmful effects of climate change. Our Wells students talked about some of the ways climate change has impacted their lives in their meetings with their state legislators, including Rep. Dacia Graber, Sen. Kate Lieber, and Rep. Ken Helm.

On Saturday, February 14, the Wells S&D Team competed at The Ryan Rutledge Tournament at Reynolds High School. Congrats to our competitors!

Jacob Adamidov Nelson - Novice Impromptu; Novice Parliamentary Debate (Eliza)

Jasper DeFrain - (3rd) Big Question Debate; Extemporaneous Speaking; Programmed Oral Interpretation

Marcus Donovan - Novice Parliamentary Debate (Zach Horwitz)

Eliza Evens - Novice Poetry; Original Oratory; Novice Parliamentary Debate (Jacob)

Witnee Fagan - (6th) Impromptu Speaking; Programmed Oral Interpretation

Elise Gorsegner-Harless - Impromptu Speaking; Radio Commentary

Zach Horwitz - Novice Parliamentary Debate (Marcus Donovan)

Naima Jaitla - (1st) Big Question Debate; Original Oratory

Finn Jones - Impromptu Speaking

Robert Kaiser - Lincoln Douglas Debate; Informative Speaking

Maham Luqman - Radio Commentary

Emma Radosta - Novice Radio Commentary

Riley Stone - (6th) Informative Speaking

In the coming weeks, our team will compete for spots at the National Championship in DC! Wish our competitors good luck!

Special thanks to our generous sponsor, Southwest Portland Martial Arts & CrossFit Hillsdale, for contributing to the sustainability of our program!

Contact Coach Terese if you’d like to become a sponsor - terese.bushnell@gmail.com

Club Leaders and Advisors, there is one final opportunity to have your picture taken for the yearbook. No need to sign up but meet with your club outside the Main Office this Thursday, February 19th at lunch.

The Ida B Wells Red Cross Club is hosting our 2nd blood drive of the 25-26 school year on Thursday, February 26th. We are always appreciative of our parents and community members who donate.

Please use the link below to join our lifesaving mission and schedule an appointment today!

REGISTRATION LINK

Time: 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM

RSVP Now for Third Annual Youth Infrastructure Fair, Thursday, February 26, 2026, 3:30 PM-6:30 PM, McDaniel High School

hosted by the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), PPS CTE and PPS College & Career

This fair offers a hands-on introduction to careers that build and sustain our cities. Students will engage with professionals from diverse backgrounds representing fields such as water, electricity, transportation, sustainability, architecture, and more and enjoy:

• Career exploration with engineers and industry professionals

• Raffles, games, prizes (including gift cards, STEM kits, books, and more), and dinner provided

• Scholarships for PPS seniors (class of 2026) pursuing STEM pathways. Application Link: tinyurl.com/2026yifscholarship

• PSU & OSU application fee waivers for qualifying 11th and 12th grade PPS students

• Internship opportunities with industry partners

This event is intentionally designed to engage and expand access and opportunity for our historically underserved students by connecting them with industry professionals and pathways they may not otherwise have access to.

See the Ida B Wells Career News for additional details, registration links, and more opportunities

See this week's IBW Weekly here: https://app.smore.com/n/heyq7

You can view this week's Athletic Schedule here:
Official Weekly Athletic Schedule

Registration is now open and ready for you to register for baseball, softball, golf, tennis, lacrosse, track and field and boy's volleyball. See our website for all the details and links needed for registration https://www.ibwathletics.com/registration

SchoolPay is also open to make the payment for the Spring PIL Pay-to-Play Fee. It is important to note the $400/individual or $800/family maximum for the year. For many, the spring season is free. Lacrosse is still a club sport and does not count towards the maximums. More information to come regarding payments for Boy's Volleyball.

We are currently at 256 spring season registrations but still have a ways to go building towards 500! Keep it up!

The Ida B Wells Awesome 80s auction will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. We hope you will join us to support our student community!

Here's how you can support now:

• Attend: Get your tickets now here.
• Collect donations: IBW clubs, organizations and athletic teams are collecting donations for items for the auction and they get to keep the money raised. Rally the groups you are affiliated with to start procuring! Want to learn more? Check out this video.
• Sponsorships: Does your business want exposure to our community? Auction sponsorship is a great way to reach our community. More details here or email fundraising@ibwboosterclub.org for more information.

Gym Shack Concessions: https://signup.com/go/ycboLia

• We need help during events tonight, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday this week so we can keep the Snack Shack open and raise funds for teams and clubs!
• NOTE: Students need an adult present to work a shift
  
  

Bingo

Don't miss Monday bingo every week at the Old Barn at 6:30 PM! Bring cash to purchase your cards and not only are you supporting the IBW teams and clubs, but you could win big! Follow our Instagram or Facebook for weekly updates.

Booster Membership: http://www.schoolpay.com/link/joinibw

The number of booster members and volunteer hours from a team or group is evaluated in the grant application process, so joining boosters helps your team or club!

IBW Merch

Support Booster Club by shopping online here. Guardians merch is available for sale at ComeUnity PDX. This is an Ida B. Wells family-owned shop located in Multnomah Village at 3536 SW Troy St B, Portland, OR 97219. Get the perfect gift by giving a gift card for IBW Booster Merch!

Stay up to date in real time! Instagram Facebook Favorite Links - Linktree

PPS PTA Clothing Center Volunteers Needed for Thursday, February 26 – Two times a year, IBW volunteers at the PPS PTA Clothing Center. The Clothing Center is a wonderful resource for students from across PPS, run entirely by volunteers and through donations. See here for details about the program. To sign up to volunteer, go to this link. Thank you!

Clothing donations are also welcome. At this time of year, donations of coats, beanies, gloves, and boys size 10-16 sweatpants are especially requested. Items can be dropped off in the school office for district delivery.

What: Grad Night is an overnight celebratory event with entertainment and food at a surprise location. A quiet space will be available if students need to take a break. Ticketholders will get more details the night of graduation.

When: The night of the June 3rd graduation ceremony, students will load up on buses about 10 p.m. from IBW high school and head to surprise location.

Tickets: $150. On sale through Sunday, May 17th. No refunds after this date.

Where to buy: Buy tickets here

Scholarships: Families interested in full or partial Grad Night scholarships should contact school counselors by Friday, May 10th, to ensure the Grad Night Committee has the information before ticket sales end. Find your counselor here

Volunteers: Grad Night needs adult chaperones (!), including a medical professional to act as onsite medic. Ideally, chaperones will have a current PPS background check. Sign up to chaperone here

Congratulations 2026 Graduate Yard Sign

Celebrate your IBW graduate with a yard sign to proudly place in your yard or window!

Yard Signs: $25

When: While supplies last.

Where to buy: Purchase yard sign here

Wine and Purse Sale

Have gently loved or designer purses that deserve a new home? Or a great bottle of wine ($20+) you’d like to share? Donate to our upcoming Wine & Purse Sale and help us raise funds for the Class of 2026 Grad Night Party!

When: Friday, April 3rd

Where: ComeUnity PDX - 3536 SW Troy St B, Portland, OR 97219

Time: 5:00pm – 9:00pm

To donate, please contact: alisondg@gmail.com or molly.fauske@gmail.com

Flamingo Flocking is LIVE

Send a Flock! Hire a cheerful flock of flamingos to visit your friend’s yard for an entire week!

$50 for a 1-week yard visit (parent cost)

$35 for a 1-week yard visit (student cost)

Want to Avoid being Flocked?

A $25 “No Flocking” donation to keep the flamingos away and adds you to the “No Flocking List.”

Where to buy: Flamingo Flocking

Questions? Email: guardiansflock@gmail.com

HOUSE PARTIES

Support Grad Night and host a fun night with your friends! We’re looking for families willing to open their homes for casual, yet fun, get togethers that help fund our seniors’ Grad Night celebration. No pressure, no fuss, just good company for a great cause!

If you can’t think of what to host, here are some fun ideas:

BBQ or Mexican Night, Come as You Are, Cocktail Chemistry Contest, Murder Mystery, Iron Chef, Moms Night Out (or In), Lip Sync Battle, Casino Night, Dad Jokes Comedy, Chopped, Decades Party, Prom Rewind, Paint and Sip, Backyard Movie Night, Cornhole Social/Contest, Driveway Happy Hour, Neighborhood Porch Crawl, Pizza & Pajamas or Host Senior Car Wash.

If one of these sounds like something you’d enjoy hosting, we’d love to chat!

Contact: ibsgradnight@gmail.com

Raffle Baskets:

Donations are needed for raffle baskets!

We have several raffle baskets needing to be filled for our Grad Night Party Graduates! Some examples of the themes that remain are; OSU, UO, Dorm Room Fun, Movie Night, and more!

If you would like to take on a full basket, and/or partner with friends to fulfill a full basket, please sign up via this link: Sign up here. You’ll find a list of different themes, and suggestions for items. Let your creative juices flow as you assemble!

If you would like to contribute and/or have a hook up for theme items but don’t have capacity to assemble a full basket/the theme you want to do is already assigned and you want to add a second or have an idea for an additional theme and/or have any questions, please email Megan Melady, meganleemelady@gmail.com

Cider Mills Fundraiser

Live Music, food and dancing!

Details to come!

The Grad Night Committee is putting together two slideshows and ask that you please submit photos as soon as possible. Submissions will be accepted through until May 15th.

1. Candid slideshow: Send candid photos of our seniors through the years with the first and last name of each person shown (please list preferred name left to right). NOTE: avoid sending photos with people who are not in the Class of '26.

2. Graduation slideshow: Send your senior's photo (can be different from yearbook photo), baby photo and plan for after graduation. Please include your student's preferred first name and full last name.

Send all slideshow submissions to: ibwslideshow@gmail.com

Parents of 2026 seniors, celebrate your senior’s accomplishments with a senior ad in the yearbook. Ads can be designed and purchased using this link: https://www.balfour.com/student-info?smi=62107. Ads are $210 for a full page, $110 for a half page, and $60 for a quarter page. Ads need to be purchased AND completed by March 14th. There will be no deadline extensions, so act now! If you have any questions or need any help, email the yearbook business department at ibwybk@gmail.com.

The Instagram account @ibwhs2026decisions is posting senior decisions.

Seniors who want to participate should message the account with their name, photo, senior decision (what they plan to do after graduation) and favorite high school memory.

Abby's Closet is having their annual giveaway of free prom dresses. Students seeking to receive a completely FREE prom dress must be registered before they can enter and space is limited, so they need to register as soon as possible. Slots are still available across both days, but they will start filling up in the last week, so act now!

For more information and to register, students can visit https://www.abbyscloset.org/giveaway

The East County Community Resiliency Fair is Saturday, February 21, from 10 AM to 2 PM (I advise getting there well before 10 AM for the best freebies) at Centennial High School, 3505 SE 182nd Ave, Gresham, OR 97030. It's hosted by the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability and the City of Gresham, organized through the Community Services Network. Flyers are available in: ENGLISH, SPANISH, RUSSIAN, CHINESE (SIMPLIFIED), VIETNAMESE

This is a big one. Staff will be on-site in a computer lab to help families apply for utility bill discounts and assistance programs, including:

• OHP and SNAP sign-up
• PGE Income-Qualified Bill Discount Program
• Pacific Power Low-Income Discount Program
• NW Natural bill assistance (no proof of income required to apply)
• Rockwood Water assistance
• City of Portland Water Financial Assistance Program
• Xfinity Internet Essentials

Families should bring copies of recent utility bills for any programs they want to apply for. For the City of Portland Water program, they'll also need their service address, names, and birthdates of household members (birthdates for anyone 60+), total gross monthly income by source for all members 18+, and accepted proof of income.

Beyond utility assistance, the fair includes:

• Repair Café – free repairs for small appliances, clothing, jewelry, and tools

• Clothing Swap – free gently used clothing

• Free lunch – burritos
• PGE workshops on clean energy and saving on bills, with free weatherization kits and a chance to win a $50 gift card
• Kids' helmet giveaway
• Flip Museum for Kids (flipmuseum.org)
• Tool Library Truck – free community tool lending
• Safe collection of medical sharps, CFL lightbulbs, and batteries
• Health, wellness, and community support exhibitor tables

You can see a full list of organizations that will be there here: https://airtable.com/appQznXNi44bAB85g/shrmyJEYfQVUwBRW8/tblBajIcy0AX0uALD

There is also more info at the event website: https://www.csnpdx.org/community-resource-fairs/community-resiliency-fair

We are hoping to place one of our inbound students at Ida B Wells next year. We have one family committed, but need one or two more families each willing to host for 3 - 4 months.