Welcome to MLC!

Welcome to Metropolitan Learning Center! We are so excited that your family will be joining our school community.

We know that finding the right fit for your child can sometimes feel challenging, and we are truly honored that you chose MLC. One of the things we value most about our school is creating a place where students are known, seen, and supported as their full selves. Just as importantly, we want families and caregivers to know that you belong here too.

As I wrap up my first year in Portland Public Schools and my first year as principal of MLC, I’ve been incredibly grateful for how welcoming, thoughtful, and collaborative this community has been. We are building a strong culture of partnership here, and families play an important role in helping shape and support the experience our students have each day.

One thing that truly sets MLC apart is our emphasis on experiential learning. We believe meaningful learning happens not only inside classrooms, but also through direct experiences, exploration, reflection, and engagement with the world around us. At MLC, students will regularly leave campus (with staff supervision and safety protocols in place) and use the city and state as an extension of the classroom.

These learning experiences are an essential part of our instructional program, not optional add-ons. We ask families to help reinforce the expectation that students participate fully in these experiences, as they are the lesson plans for the day and are intentionally connected to classroom learning. When students choose not to participate, there are not separate instructional spaces or alternative lessons available on campus during those times.

We also recognize that it is completely normal for some students to feel nervous or anxious about outings, unfamiliar places, or navigating public spaces. Part of our work as educators is helping students build confidence gradually with guidance, structure, and support. Learning how to safely and successfully engage with the broader community is an important life skill, and we believe these experiences help students develop independence, resilience, problem-solving skills, and self-confidence over time.

As you prepare for the school year, we encourage families to practice and reinforce skills that support student independence and safety in an urban environment. Summer outings can be a great opportunity to build situational awareness, practice safely crossing streets, navigate public spaces respectfully, and develop confidence moving through the community. These skills help students engage successfully in the experiential learning opportunities that are central to MLC's identity. Free summer events around the city can be found in the resource section near the end of the this newsletter.

One great way to get connected is through the MLC PTSA. The PTSA helps families build relationships, stay informed, support school events and initiatives, and hear directly from other caregivers about their experiences in the community. Whether you are looking to volunteer, ask questions, or simply meet other families, the PTSA is a wonderful entry point into the MLC community.

We are excited to get to know your child and your family in the months ahead. Thank you again for choosing MLC, and welcome.

Sincerely,

Ashlee

7/28: MLC Kx3 Family Social + Mr. Ben Summer Concert 4:30 p.m.

8/2: 6th & 9th Grade Welcome Mixer 3:00-5:00 p.m.

8/18: Kindergarten Connect Event (@ Couch Park Playground) 10:30-11:30 a.m.

8/26 & 8/27: Conferences

8/28: First Day of School Grades 1-12; First Day for Kindergarteners Last Names A-K

8/31: First Day for Kindergarteners Last Names L-Z

9/1: First Day for All Kindergarteners

9/4: Picture Day

9/7: No School (Labor Day)

Visit MLCPTSA.org and download the online calendar to stay on top of all things MLC. It includes early release days, conferences, no school days and all MLC and PTSA events.

We know many of you are wondering about teacher assignments, conference sign-ups, and other back-to-school details.

Please note that MLC staff return to MLC on August 21. Our team will be working hard to finalize schedules and class placements, and we are aiming to send conference sign-up information along with tentative class assignments by August 24.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming everyone back soon!

If you've looked at the Portland Public Schools calendar, you may notice that it lists a different start date for students. At MLC, we begin the school year a little differently by dedicating the first two student days (Wednesday, August 26 and Thursday, August 27) to family conferences.

Every student and their parent(s)/guardian(s) will meet with their homeroom teacher for a 15-minute conference during one of these two days.

Why does MLC begin the year with conferences?

We believe that strong relationships are the foundation for student success. These conferences give us the opportunity to reconnect with returning students, welcome new students and families, and begin building partnerships before classroom instruction begins.

During the conference, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Meet your student's homeroom teacher and begin building a relationship.
• Share information that will help us support your student's academic, social, and emotional success this year.
• Learn about important school routines, procedures, and expectations.
• Complete and review required beginning-of-the-year paperwork and verify important student information.

These conversations help us develop a clearer understanding of each student as an individual and ensure we are starting the year with strong communication between home and school. By investing time in these relationships at the outset, we are better able to support students, build community, and create a successful school year for everyone.

Conference sign-ups and additional details will be shared later this summer. We look forward to seeing all of our new and returning MLC families in August!

Each year parents and/or guardians are asked to review and update the information on file for their students. This information can be reviewed, edited and submitted online via PPS ParentVUE.

Benefits of verifying online via ParentVUE:

• Complete yearly verification of your student's information
• Update your communication and language preferences
• Ensure your school has the most up-to-date information
• Save paper and time

This link will allow you to verify online.

As you prepare for the upcoming school year, the MLC Logistics section is designed to help families navigate the day-to-day logistics that support a successful school experience. Please review the information below for important details about school routines, transportation, attendance, meals, communication, and other key procedures. We encourage all families to read through this section carefully and refer back to it throughout the year. That said, we will send it out again before school starts.

Table of Contents

• Upcoming Events
• Action Needed: Complete Yearly Verification
• Our Daily Schedule
• Drop Off/Arrival
• Afternoon Pick-Up/Dismissal
• SchoolPool/Carpooling
• Before & After School Care: KCLC
• School Supplies
• Free Breakfast & Lunch
• Attendance Matters
• When Should Students Stay Home Due to Illness?
• Communicating an Absence
• Personal Electronic Device Policies

We look forward to partnering with you for a safe, organized, and successful school year!

Looking for before and after school care or a fun, reliable option for school closure days?

Kids Community Learning Center (KCLC) has been MLC's aftercare program for over 45 years.

KCLC's programs include:

• After-school care until 6:00 p.m.
• Homework support and enriching daily activities in art, SEL, gym games and science
• Seasonal clubs like ceramics, theater, dance, sports, chess, gardening and many more
• One-on-one music lessons (piano, guitar, ukulele, drums, and bass)
• 8 weeks of summer camp with field trips, special guests and fun activities
• Full-day programming on teacher workdays, breaks, and closure days

Our caring, highly trained and professional staff create a safe, engaging environment where kids can learn, play, and build community.

To register, visit our website kidscommunity.org. School year enrollment opens on June 1st.

We recommend registering quickly, as space is limited!

Questions? Contact Michael at michael@kidscommunitypdx.org.

Check out the free or low cost Summer Family Fun & Resources curated by our Social Worker, Kate Allen.

MLC high school students, click here to view information about programs available to you this summer, including but not limited to free creative workshops, paid internships, career mentor programs that offer a stipend to all students who complete the courses, free healthcare, and free meal sites.

Click here to view the Family Resource Newsletter curated by MLC's Social Worker, Kate Allen.

Some of the amazing resources we have at MLC include:

• On-site gently used clothing closet for students K-12.
• On-site confidential free mental health and substance abuse counseling with partners from Stronger Oregon, William Temple House, and NARA.
• Regular food pantry assistance with William Temple House.
• Holiday support with gift card drive and holiday tree assistance.
• Scholarships to help with everything from school supplies to field trips

Hello Incoming Families!

If this is your first year at MLC, we would like to extend a very warm welcome to you! And if you are a seasoned MLC family, we’re excited to include another monarch butterfly from your crew.

As your child embarks on this joyous journey, we wanted to take a moment to introduce our Parent Teacher Student Association, aka the PTSA. We’re here to support students, staff, and families and we strive to make the MLC experience even more meaningful for everyone. We encourage you to check out these resources to begin getting plugged in to our school community:

PTSA WEBSITE & EMAIL DISTRIBUTION LIST

Visit MLCPTSA.org for information about who we are and what we do (updates coming this summer). To receive informational emails and event reminders from us, please sign up for our email distribution list. We promise not to inundate your inbox!

ONLINE CALENDAR

Download the online calendar found at MLCPTSA.org to stay on top of all things MLC. The new 2026-27 version will go live by July and will include early release days, conferences, and no school days, as well as all kinds of MLC and PTSA events so be sure to check back for it soon!

ANNUAL FAMILY GUIDE

We publish an annual family guide which gives you a glimpse into the world of MLC. Take a peek at our 2025-26 MLC Family Guide and stay tuned for the 2026-2027 edition later this summer.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Each year a new private Facebook group is set up for currently enrolled MLC families and staff so that folks can connect with others in our community. The 2026-2027 MLC Community Group (Private) will go live in July so put in your request now and you’ll be all set for the rollout!

WELCOME EVENTS

This summer we are hosting a Kindergarten Family Social and a 6th Grade Welcome Mixer so please keep an eye on your inbox for those invitations. And we hope to see ALL families at the Back-to-School Welcome Events we’ll host to celebrate the start of the new school year.

We’ll have more to share with you later this summer so stay tuned! Our new membership year begins in July, our annual Family Guide will be released in August, and our first community meeting of the new school year will occur September 9. If you have any questions or want to get a head start on getting involved, please email us anytime at Exec@MLCPTSA.org.

In solidarity,

Your 2026-27 PTSA Executive Board

Chenney Gruber (she/her), Co-President

Sierra Stringfield Perryman (she/her), Co-President

Taylor Wilson (she/her), Vice President

Abbey Fujiyoshi (she/her), Treasurer

Monique Leslie (she/her), Secretary