Capitol Hill Weekly Update

Thank you for the incredible care and appreciation you showed our teachers this week. It was truly special to witness the outpouring of gratitude from our students and families.

Our spirit days brought so much joy to the building—it was so fun to see students fully embrace each theme. Flower Day was my personal favorite, with beautiful flower shirts, skirts, dresses, and even pants brightening every hallway. And on top of that, seeing the many flowers our teachers received made the day even more meaningful.

Throughout the week, teachers were deeply touched by the thoughtful gifts and heartfelt notes from students. The love and appreciation were felt in every classroom—big smiles, kind words, and even a few tears.

Our teachers give so much of themselves to this community every day, and it meant a great deal to have that care returned in such a visible and genuine way.

Thank you for helping make this week so special.

In service to students,

Febe Armendariz

Principal

farmenda@pps.net

Annual BBQ Planning – All Families Welcome!

We’re excited to begin planning our Annual School BBQ, a beloved event that brings our community together in celebration and connection. This gathering was started two years ago by our BIPOC families and continues in that same spirit of inclusivity, belonging, and community-building for all.

If you’d like to be part of the planning, we’d love to have you join us!

Friday, May 8

3:00–4:00 PM

School Library

Whether you have lots of ideas or just want to help out, all are welcome. We hope to see you there!

As we enter the last month of school, we want to remind you about the importance of school attendance. The end of the school year brings many events and celebrations and we want to make sure your child is here to participate. The last day of school for Portland Public Schools this year is June 5. Our teachers will be here teaching everyday until then- Please make sure your child is here too!

From May 18–29, our 3rd–5th grade students will participate in OSAS state testing, with testing taking place each morning from 8:30–9:20am (3rd grade), 9:30-10:25am (4th grade), and 10:30-11:25am (5th grade).

We work hard to ensure that testing is a calm, supportive, and positive experience where students can show what they know. To support this, we are organizing students into smaller testing groups across three different spaces so they have optimal conditions to focus and do their best.

Our team has been preparing thoughtfully for this work:

• Niki Marienburg, our testing coordinator, has been leading the process

• Saima Goodrich, our Learning Center teacher, and our counselors, Martin Yonn and Erika Moller, have ensured that all student accommodations are set up and ready

• Niki Marienburg and Mary Brant, our interventionists, will be supporting classrooms throughout the testing window
  
  

At Capitol Hill, we view OSAS as an opportunity for students to showcase their learning—not just from this year, but across their entire elementary experience. We are proud of how hard they’ve worked and excited to watch them shine.

Families play an important role in supporting students during this time. It can make a big difference helping ensure:

• a good night’s sleep

• consistent routines

• arriving on time so students can begin testing calmly
  
  

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

This email is a reminder that audition & performances of the Missoula Children’s Theater’s production of the Tortoise and the Hare will take place the week of May 10th. Please see below for more info! If your student is interested, please read this email carefully and sign up for auditions below.

The Missoula Children’s Theatre’s twist on Aesop’s classic is a hare-raising, ab-shell-lute whirlwind of fun! Taylor Tortoise and Curly Hare’s competitive antics are getting out of control, and all the other animals in their little town outside of Cape Canaveral, Florida, get roped into the shenanigans. When a group of astronauts comes through town, Curly Hare comes up with their kookiest stunt ever – to be the first animals on the moon! Well, talking animals, anyway. Taylor Tortoise and Curly Hare race to build a rocket and beat the other to space, but will their rivalry drive away their friends in the process? Who will make it to the moon first? And once they get to the moon…then what? The Tortoise and the Hare learn that maybe winning ISN’T everything; they can accomplish so much more by working together!

5/10 AUDITIONS, 2:45 - 4:45 in the Gym: Open to all CHE students and no advance prep is necessary, just come ready to have fun! There will be 50-60 roles cast (there is no guarantee that everyone who auditions will be cast in the play). Students wishing to audition must stay for the entire two-hour session.

**Those cast in the play will receive their role at the end of auditions and older students may need to stay for an additional 2-hour rehearsal. All caregivers must be available at 4:45 PM to pick up their student in case they are not cast or not needed for the following rehearsal.**

5/12- 5/15 REHEARSALS DAILY in the Gym as follows: Tues 2:45pm-7pm, Wed 2:45 pm – 7 pm, Thurs 2:45pm-7pm, Fri 2:45pm-5:45pm: Please note that NOT all cast members will be needed at every session or for the entire time. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be distributed by MCT at the conclusion of the audition. Those auditioning must have a clear schedule for the entire week and if selected, be able to attend all rehearsals required for their role and be available for all scheduled performances.

PERFORMANCES: 5/15 @ 6:30 PM and 5/16 @ 2:00 PM

COST: $50 per cast member. The PTA is subsidizing this enrichment program, lowering the cost to just $50 per cast member (you do not have to pay to audition). Please reach out to the PTA if you would like to request a scholarship.

Please Click Link to Sign Up - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1724tytvBp9AbS5EpLv4Zrwn7HCTj8xd74Hu4IFJUnPRvzQ/viewform?usp=header

We are searching for volunteers to fill our open broad positions next school year. This is a great way to connect with families and make a impact in the community. The roles can be done on your own time and only about 2 to 4 hours a month (including meetings). All current board members will be available next year to help and answer any questions you may have. The current open positions are President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer 2, Volunteer Coordinators. For more information on these roles and contact information for the current board members, please follow this link: https://www.capitolhillpta.org/our_pta

Also, we are in need of Event Leads/Co-Leads for many PTA events. Some of the events are VIP Day, Big Boo, Auction, Garden Team, Family Fun Nights and Staff Appreciation. If you are interest in leading one of these events, please follow the link to sign up: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gHkZSi8kJuUY0-54EkPskqi2EXlS3Mk0/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=101259453662610996677&rtpof=true&sd=true

If you have any questions on any board positions or event leads, please reach out to Tabitha Ames at amestabs@gmail.com.

Capitol Hill Field Day is Friday, May 22.

The third, fourth, and fifth grade field day session is 9:00-10:15.
Kindergarten, first, and second grade field day session is 12:30-1:45.

The games will be set up and ready to go. However, we are looking for volunteers to help at the field day games. Volunteers need to have a background check on file with PPS. If you would like to help out, here is the link to the signup:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Izt6VrRuAsAbTgm50IDI0kyAmIM909hb6MIVAaaXJII/edit?usp=sharing

• Date/Time: Sunday, May 17, 2026 | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Route: A 2-mile multi-modal loop plus a separate 2.6-mile walking route
• What it is: Streets are closed to cars and opened for people to walk, bike, roll, shop, and connect. This free, family-friendly event features live entertainment, activities for all ages, local vendors, and community organizations.

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

• 5/13 PTA Meeting
• 5/15 & 5/16 School Play Performances
• 5/18 Site Council
• 5/22 Field Day
• 5/25 No School
• 5/29 5th Grade Kickball Game
• 6/3 Assembly-1:45 PM
• 6/5 Last Day of School
  
  

Reminder: When picking up students early please make sure you (or who ever is picking them up) brings their ID so we can check to make sure you are approved to pick up the student.