The Guardian Gazette
December 16, 2025
Please scroll down to find more specific information about each of these events. If there is no information, stay tuned, it's coming soon!
December 16 - PTA Social
December 17 - 19 Leadership Recess Games Continue in Gym during Lunch
December 17 - Winter Choir/Orchestra Concert, 7pm in the Auditorium
December 17 - College Center - IBW Alumni Panel during FLEX
December 17 - Pick up a copy of The Headlight Print Edition!
December 18 - Winter Assembly
December 18 - DEADLINE to bring in items for Leadership Advocacy Campaigns
December 19 - FOR SENIORS - DEADLINE for first round of Senior Bests Voting
December 20 - January 4 Holiday Break
January 5 - Classes Resume
January 5 - Teacher Feature Lunch
January 8 - Pre-SAT Workshop during FLEX
January 9 - Yearbook Deadline for Changing Name/No Picture
January 15 - FOR SENIORS -Deadline to purchase Grad Night Tickets before price increase
January 16 - FOR SENIORS - Deadline to Submit Senior Photo/Quote for Yearbook
January 31 - Electronics Recycling Drive for Grad Night
See more dates/information on the:
We had a wonderful Guardian Showcase last Tuesday night and thank all the students and staff who came out on a very rainy, dark night to help us show our future Class of 2030 all the great things happening here at IBWHS. Here is a link to a newsletter we sent out today to our 8th grade families.
https://app.smore.com/n/npy9m and some photos of just a few of our student-athletes that were on hand to talk about their programs.
If you DO NOT want your school photo included in the yearbook, please email Higbee (khigbee@pps.net) from your school email or see him in room 142 before school or during lunch. This request must be completed no later than January 9th.
If you want your name changed in the yearbook to something other than what was submitted to Lifetouch at the beginning of the year, please email Higbee (khigbee@pps.net) from your school email or see him in room 142 before school or during lunch. If you aren't sure that you have been properly named by Lifetouch (this may be different from what is listed in StudentVue), please make sure to check with in with Higbee ASAP. This request must be completed no later than January 9th.
Your PSAT/NMSQT® scores are available now on College Board! Access your scores here College Board accounts now!
If you have tried, but are unable to access your scores on CollegeBoard, please go to the College & Career Center in the main hall for assistance. In addition, on CollegeBoard, there are also additional insights to help you better understand your scores. Students with access to the BigFuture® School mobile app will receive customized information from Big Future as well.
Remember, all juniors will be taking the SAT at school in March.
GNN, week of December 15 https://youtu.be/FMH7_3mZQdk
Ida B. Wells Leadership is bringing back the holiday toy drive for Doernbecher's Children's Hospital. Until the last day of school before winter break, please come to room #143 to drop off new and unused toys. Stuffed animals are a great option, but arts and crafts, action figures, and fidget toys are also great! Each donation, whether large or small, makes a difference in these children's lives. Help make a change for the better in our community!
This holiday, we don´t want anybody to go hungry. That´s why from December 1st through December 18th, we are asking YOU to donate at least 1 item to the Guardians of a Hunger Free Holiday Food Drive. You can drop your donations off in your grade level bin, which are located by the North and South entrances to the school. The grade with the most donations will get points for class comp. As a school, we want to be able to donate 400 items to Neighborhood House Food Pantry in Multnomah Village, where all the food will be donated. Items we are looking for are non-perishable pantry items that are unexpired, packaged, and unopened. Specifically, canned foods, whole grain pasta/rice, nuts/nut butters, and breakfast items/cereals. Remember guardians, donate to the Guardians of a Hunger Free Holiday Food drive, and share the joy of having a full plate.
Congratulations to the Positive Charge Club and all who contributed to the Cookies for a Cause event! Positive Charge Club took a key role in organizing and publicizing the event put on by the Positive Charge! PDX non-profit. IBW leadership helped organize greeting card making during flex as well.
Cookies and greeting cards of support were delivered through the following agencies for over 1200 people in need. Agencies that received the support included:
New Narrative
Sunstone Way
NW Pilot Project
Janus Youth
Multnomah Safe Rest Village
Transition Projects
Our Just Future
https://ibwheadlight.com/6202/news/cookies-for-a-cause-spreads-sweetness-to-over-1000-portlanders/
Here is the link to our photo album. https://photos.app.goo.gl/itnBLjqPPZJvxoYC6 with a variety of photos from the event. It was a wonderful gathering of the community as well as students.
Winter sports contests are now underway! Check out the IBW Athletics Weekly, 2025-26 Winter Sports Preview here: https://app.smore.com/n/6d703
You can view this week's Athletic Schedule here:
Official Weekly Athletic Schedule
Ida B. Wells High School science teacher Kate Nichols has been honored with the Local 2025 PhysTEC Teacher of the Year Award. PhysTEC (the Physics Teacher Education Coalition) recognizes exemplary physics educators, and this award highlights Ms. Nichols’ outstanding impact on students, colleagues, and the broader school community.
In a letter to Principal Coning, the PhysTEC CEO and Project Director praised Ms. Nichols for her significant contributions to physics education at a time when the nation is in critical need of qualified physics teachers. Her dedication and leadership continue to influence not only Ida B. Wells students, but also the district and state.
Ms. Nichols grew up in Littleton, Colorado, and studied Astronomy at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. She later worked as an environmental engineer in California before discovering her true calling in the classroom. Each year brings new stories, challenges, and learning, and Ms. Nichols says she is living her dream job. Even if given the chance to become an astronaut or retire, she wouldn’t leave teaching behind: “Teaching is the thing I’m best at, so why would I stop?”
We are proud to celebrate Ms. Nichols and grateful for the passion and excellence she brings to Ida B. Wells High School every day.
