The Guardian Gazette

Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week is coming up May 4–8, 2026, and we’d love your help making it meaningful for our amazing team.

Students, families, and alumni are invited to submit a short note of appreciation, gratitude, or a favorite memory about a teacher or staff member who has made a difference. Each message will be printed and delivered during the week—a simple gesture that truly goes a long way.

Please submit your message by May 1, 2026 via google form.

Need inspiration? When writing your note, you might reflect on:

• What makes this teacher or staff member special
• A favorite memory or moment
• A meaningful lesson learned
• Three words that describe them
• Something they do that makes you smile
• The impact they’ve had on you or your student

Let’s show our appreciation—your words matter more than you think.

Planned celebrations include:

• May 4: Cards from Admin, student-made banner, and a cheering welcome
• May 5: Coffee for staff
• May 6: Fruit stand from PTA
• May 7: Leadership hosts Staffulty Room Service
• May 8: Pancake breakfast from Athletics

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

April 22 - Rightsizing Our Schools, Community Engagement Session

April 23 - Student Climate Project Community Showcase
(See More About Both Events Under District News)
April 24 - Earth Day Festival during Lunch (NEW DATE!)
April 24 - Unified Prom
April 26 - DEADLINE Online Auction closes at 7pm
April 27 - PTA Night at Boosters Bingo
April 28 - DEADLINE PTA Flower Sale
April 30 - Spring Assembly
April 30 - Verselandia
April 30 - DEADLINE Donations for PositiveChargeIBW! Period Power Project Drive
May 1 - NO SCHOOL - Staff Furlough Day
May 2 - Recycling Fundraising Event for Grad Night
May 2 - Prom

May 4 - AP Exams Begin

May 4 - 8 Staff Appreciation Week
May 7 - Spring Rep Shows Open
May 8 - DEADLINE to vote for Staff Bests for the Year
May 15 - Girl's Night for 8th and 9th Grade

May 15 - DEADLINE Band Spring Flower and Plant Fundraiser
May 20 - Best of PPS Film Festival
May 22 - ADPI Club Fundraiser

See more dates/information on the:

Looking Ahead to the 2026-2027 School Year, the 2026-27 District Calendar has been approved.

Mark these dates on your calendar, Times TBD
Monday, August 17th - First Day of Fall Sports

Friday, August 21st - Back to School Business Days for Juniors and Seniors

Monday, August 24th - Back to School Business Days for Sophomores and Freshman

Tuesday, August 25th - Back to School Business Day - All Grades Make-Up Day

Wednesday, August 26th - Jump Start Day for Freshman and Seniors

Thursday, August 27th - First Day of School for all Grades

Monday, August 31st - Make-Up Photo/ID Day

Due to the weather, the Earth Day Celebration has been moved to Friday, April 24 during lunch in the Courtyard.

Just can't get enough of the Awesome 80's Auction? The online auction is now open until Sunday, April 26 at 7pm!

There are some AMAZING things online. Here's a sneak peek:

• We have signups like a Cheese and Wine Pairing party to benefit choir, a Come as you were in High School party to benefit the Class of 2027 Grad night and a Bourbon tasting benefiting Men's Volleyball.

• We have gift cards like King Pins, Portland Clay House and Switch Clothing

• Reserved Parking for next school year

• Vacation stays

• Senior Picture Packages

• Experiences and sport event tickets

• Wine, wine and more wine

• Birthday party packages

• and more!

Donate to our grant fund: You also can make a donation to the IBW Booster Club to contribute to our grant fund. While we are all very excited about the IBW remodel, the Booster Club's incoming profit will be reduced by $20k for the next 3 years because we can't run Concessions. Less money means we can give out fewer grants for student programs. We ask you to consider donating if you haven't already done so to help us sustain our grant fund at the current level. You can donate here.

To those of you who attended the auction this weekend we thank you so much for your support and generosity for our student programs. It was truly a TOTALLY AWESOME night with our community.

IBW Booster Club

AP exams are coming up starting May 4th! Here are some important reminders:

• Check your MyAP account to make sure the exam information looks accurate
• Exams will be held at the Marshall Campus. The only exception is accommodations exams and you will receive information on accommodation location by note and email this week
• Make sure you are not scheduled for 2 exams on the same day. If you are contact Abby Menashe
• Review the AP Exams 2026: What To Expect. This should answer all questions

If you have questions or concerns see Abby Menashe in 139 or amenashe@pps.net

Student Government Elections were held last week. Congratulations to all our new Student Body Officers and Class Cabinet Members for the 2026-27 School Year!

ASB Government
President: Mia Durham-LeBus
Vice President: Kannon Walter

Commissioner of Spirit: Charlie Small
Treasurer: Isa Llados
Vice Treasurer: Ruby Moller

12th Grade Class Cabinet
President: Talia Andreyuk
Clubs and Activities: Shaadiya Ahmed
IDEA-W: Layla Woods
Spirit: Bella Briley
Communications: Anaya Miranda-Blank

11th Grade Class Cabinet
President: Xane Brennan
Clubs and Activities: Skylar Hammer
IDEA-W: Adelaide Carlson
Spirit: Rosa Conlee-Brown
Communications: Samantha Moylan

10th Grade Class Cabinet
President: Tasnim Kalifa
Clubs and Activities: Willa Gross
IDEA-W: Ella Greenman
Spirit: Ruthie Kaiser-Meguire
Communications: Sabrina Campbell

Five IBW Freshmen were selected as winners for the PPS Film Festival in the category of broadcast journalism for their video on free speech suppression in the media! The team includes Alice Adkins, Sumaya Ali, Willa Gross, Sidney McCrae, and June Shanks.

We're very proud of them and look forward to seeing our community show up on May 20 at 6:30 PM at the iconic Hollywood Theatre to support them and the other winners from around PPS. Come enjoy a fun night at the movies: tickets are free! RSVP and claim your FREE tickets HERE!

The yearbook has been completed and will be distributed the week of May 25th. We tend to sell out each year, so the only way to guarantee a book is to pre-order one on SchoolPay. We cannot guarantee that books will be available for sale after they arrive.

We hope to have as many students as possible cast their votes for Staff Bests. Students please check your email for the ballot!

Did you earn an "F" in a required course 9th, 10th, or 11th grade? If so, PPS Summer Scholars dates and information will be coming out soon. Summer school is the best way to make up failed courses. Students can typically make up two - semester classes (3 weeks/class) and it's free!

We have our dates confirmed for Summer Scholars!

Classes will be 9:00-12:00 Monday through Friday on the following dates:

Session 1: June 22 - July 9 (no class July 3)

Session 2: July 13 - July 29

We will hold classes for both sessions at the same 4 sites that we were at last summer:

Benson HS

Franklin HS

McDaniel HS

Roosevelt HS

Registration is still TBD but it will be mid-May. Once registration opens in May, students will register for classes with their school counselor.

The weekly GNN: https://youtu.be/ubsy2EKm930

Thank you to everyone who has already supported our Band Spring Flower & Plant Fundraiser! Thanks to your generosity, we’ve raised $552 so far.

Great news—the fundraiser has been extended through May 15th, giving you more time to shop for beautiful bulbs, seeds, Mother’s Day gifts, and gardening supplies.

With 50% of every purchase going directly back to the Ida B. Wells High School Band program, your support makes a real difference. Funds raised help provide sheet music, instrument repairs, professional workshops, pre-game meals, transportation to parades, and financial assistance for student band trips.

If you haven’t had a chance to shop yet, or would like to place another order, please visit:
https://www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/index.php/marketplace/seller/profile/shop/idabwellshsband

Thank you for supporting our talented musicians!

Take advantage of these pop-up Tutoring Sessions with the Smart Learning Cafe

Wednesday, April 22, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, Cafe at the J, Mittleman Jewish Community Center

6651 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland OR 97219.

There is plenty of parking. Just check in at the front desk and tell them you are there for the Learning Cafe. The Cafe will be serving food until 6:30 pm!

​

Wednesday, April 29, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, Maplewood Coffee and Tea

Maplewood Coffee and Tea is at 5206 SW Custer St, Portland, OR 97219, near Maplewood Elementary School. There are a several parking spots in front of the cafe. There is parking at these hours in front of the elementary school a short walk away. Otherwise find street parking.

For future sessions, see their website https://www.joeminato.com/smart-city-learning-cafe

Hello Wells! We are challenging Lincoln High to a Battle of the Birds for collecting period supplies! Help join the challenge!

We're hosting our annual Period Power Project drive to help end period poverty in our community. According to national data, more than 2 in 5 people struggle to afford period products, and federal assistance programs such as SNAP and WIC do not cover these items. A recent study by Period.org found that period stigma and period poverty is especially severe for teens and is growing every year, but the good news is, you can help!

From now until April 30th, Positive Charge! IBW Club we're collecting donations of unopened boxes of the following:

• Tampons,
• Pads,
• Panty liners,
• Reusable pads & covers,
• Reusable menstrual cups, and
• Travel-size hand sanitizer or individually wrapped sanitizing wipes

Collection bins are located at Ida B Wells HS by the gymnasium and front (Vermont Street) entrance. Keep your eyes peeled for cardmaking sessions and information on our Period Packing Party on Saturday, May 16th, where we will assemble all of your donations and cards into essential care packages that will go out to our nonprofit partners across Portland.

Make a difference in your community today by donating supplies this month and joining us at our weekly Positive Charge! IBW meetings on Thursdays during lunch in room 119! Thanks Guardians!

We are thrilled to announce the winners of this year's Ida B Wells Poetry Slam Championship! These talented young poets poured their hearts onto the stage, delivering powerful performances that left us all inspired and moved. Our finalists and alternate will be representing our school at Verselandia, our citywide high school poetry slam.

Finalists: Eloise Parson and Eliza Evens

Alternates: Ada Cornett

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026

• Time: 7:00pm

• Location: Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

• Free ticket vouchers are available in the library

• All youth admitted free at the box office

Tickets are now on sale for Prom. 11th and 12th grade students can purchase tickets on SchoolPay.

All guests attending Prom—including 9th or 10th grade students from Ida B. Wells—must submit a completed Prom Guest Form by April 29th. Guest tickets will not be sold until this form has been approved. Submit completed forms to Ms. Klein-Wolf (Room 143) or email to lkleinwolf@pps.net.

Guest Guidelines:

• Guests must be of high school age or no older than 20 years old.

• All guests are subject to approval by Ida B. Wells High School administration.

• Guest tickets must be purchased in person from Ms. Curtis before school or during lunch only (no sales during class time, Flex, or after school).

We are looking for parents/guardians who are interested in chaperoning our dance. This year, our Prom will be on Saturday, May 2nd from 7-10 pm at The Loft at 8th Avenue (2010 SE 8th Ave, Portland, OR 97214)

Chaperones will have to arrive around 1 hour early (6:15 pm).

There are four chaperoning options for Prom night, and these include:

• Coat check

• Check-in

• Hall monitors

• Dance floor monitor

We would love for you to come!

To volunteer as a Prom Chaperone, please fill out the form linked here:

Google Form Link Here

If you have questions, feel free to email mpillsbury3373@student.pps.net.

Your pals here at SouthWest StageWorks have two tasty treats for you as part of their 25/26 Season: Church And State by Jason Odell Williams, and The Importance Of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde...both playing in repertory on the Cosgrove Auditorium stage!

​Church & State is a fast-paced dramedy about faith, politics, and “The Twitter.” It’s three days before Charles Whitmore’s Senate re-election and he’s decided to finally tell the public exactly what’s on his mind, no filter. What could possibly go wrong?
Join director Christopher Gilmartin and the talented student-artists of (SW)2 for this journey into the consequences of abiding by your principles.
**Note: No Senators were harmed in the making of this play.

The Importance of Being Earnest is a sparkling, farcical masterpiece that follows two bachelors, Jack and Algernon, who invent elaborate alter egos—both named "Ernest"—to escape tedious social obligations and woo two ladies infatuated with that very name. As they "Bunbury" between London and the countryside, their tangled web of lies, mistaken identities, and formidable obstacles leads to a delightful collision of shallow romance and razor-sharp wit. Join us for this timeless satire that proves that when it comes to living well, being trivial is a serious business, and sometimes, you must tell the truth only to find out you've been entirely E(a)rnest all along.
Written by the legendary playwright and author Oscar Wilde and directed by (SW)2 Artistic Director Jamie M. Miller, this all-ages play promises to charm even the stuffiest of audiences!

(SW)2 Spring Rep: The Importance Of Being Earnest

Thu, May 7 at 7:30pm

Sat, May 9 at 7:30pm

Thu, May 14 at 7:30pm

Sat, May 16 at 2:00pm

Purchase Tickets for The Importance Of Being Earnest HERE

(SW)2 Spring Rep: Church & State

Fri, May 8 at 7:30pm

Sun, May 10 at 2:00pm

Fri, May 15 at 7:30pm

Sat, May 16 at 7:30pm
Purchase Tickets for Church & State HERE

Our Tango Crab fundraiser for AANHPI Heritage Month is open for ordering! We will donate our proceeds to help communities in Hawai'i recover from the flooding.

Students, here is the link to order! Your order and exact change payment is due by end of day on Tuesday, 5/19 to Ms. Suehiro in the LIBRARY. There will be a box at the circulation desk if Ms. Suehiro is not there. To confirm your order, payment must be received.

Help our Ida B. Wells social worker, Britni Locke, support students with snacks to keep them going during the school day! Snacks can be purchased online and delivered to either the office or to our parent volunteer's home OR you we will do the shopping with the donations we receive. Follow the link for details!

https://tinyurl.com/mupnajz3

Check out all the upcoming Career Days, Internship opportunities, and more in the IBWHS Career News! Here’s a calendar of some of the key dates and deadlines highlighted in this month’s issue:

• 4/22 - Deadline: Roots ‘N Threads Clothing Design Mentoring Program
• 4/24 - Providence Ready Career Exploration - Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
• 4/25 - Bodecker Speak Your Peace Spoken word
• 4/29 - PWA Law Career Day @ Tonkon Torp
• 4/29 - PWA Entrepreneurship Career Day

These opportunities go fast, so please apply or register as soon as possible.

Greetings Sports Fans!
Here is this week's edition of the IBW Athletic Weekly https://app.smore.com/n/1zut8

Check out the Weekly Schedule here: https://www.ibwathletics.com/this-week

Use this QR code for our 2026 Spring Season Media Guide that includes links to team pages, schedules, team photos and more!

We are thrilled to announce that sophomore Lennon Schmidt has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious Portland Golf Club Lamberton Scholar Athlete Program. This honor is awarded to only two students annually who demonstrate a unique combination of academic excellence, meaningful community involvement, and elite competitive golf ability.

As a Lamberton Scholar, Lennon will receive full practice and playing privileges at the historic Portland Golf Club through her senior year, with the opportunity to extend those privileges into her collegiate career.

"Lennon personifies what it means to be a scholar-athlete," says Women’s Golf Coach Mick Mulligan. "She has a genuine passion for the game of golf, is an excellent student, and brightens our entire program. We are incredibly proud to see her hard work recognized by such an esteemed organization. I know she’ll use this opportunity as a tool to further her golf journey."

Please join us in congratulating Lennon on this incredible achievement! We look forward to seeing her continue to lead our Guardians on the links this spring and for years to come.

Get Your IBW Sports Button! Show your school spirit by purchasing a IBW sports button for just $5-- add up the amount of buttons needed and pay that x5 ! Once your button is ready, we’ll deliver it directly to your student to bring home or you can email ecaldwell@pps.net if you prefer to pick it up from our school. Purchase on SchoolPay Today https://www.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Photo-Buttons-w-IBW-Athlete-Photo/SeywSvE

Senior BBQ Coordinator Needed (NEW)

Each year Wells seniors are celebrated with a fun BBQ and we need a non-senior parent to help coordinate this event for 2026! Is that YOU? All the details from past years are in place, so this is an easy opportunity to jump in and make a big impact with limited time needed. Please email communications@ibwboosterclub.org if you're interested!

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

The PTA is already planning for teacher appreciation week and you can help! Please sign up now to buy fruit and other items in May - it helps us to plan the event early! Reminders will be sent as the event gets closer. All the information you need is in the link header: volunteersignup.org/Y8PK7

The PPS Board of Education will be hosting an engagement session at IBWHS next week.

This session is an essential part of what will be a multi-tiered, months-long effort aimed at surfacing the impacts, complexities, and community realities involved in school consolidation and closure. The insights we gather during this phase will guide future engagement and provide crucial context for the Board and district leadership as we work to ensure well-resourced, sustainable schools and equitable access to opportunities for all PPS students.

Family, staff, student, and community member perspectives are an essential part of this process. We hope you’ll join us for the following discussions

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 6 p.m. at Ida B. Wells High School

Virtual Option: https://pps-net.zoom.us/j/82289805530#success

Please RSVP here to help us plan for childcare and accommodation needs. (RSVP is much appreciated but not required.)

We understand the high stakes and sensitive nature of this work and are fully committed to centering student well-being and community voices as we move forward. Thank you for your partnership.

Sincerely,

Office of Family and Community Engagement

PPS Students will be showcasing the creative and impactful ways they’re taking action on climate through their PCEF-funded, student-led projects at our Student Climate Project Community Showcase. It’s a great opportunity for families and community members to see student work in action and to connect directly with students about their projects.

The event will be held at OMSI on April 23 from 5–7pm. A short program at 5:30pm will include remarks from district and student leaders, followed by time to explore student projects. This is a free event, but registration is required — RSVP here.

FaithBridge Portland invites you to save the date for the 2nd annual Black Girl LIVE! suicide awareness and prevention event for Black and Brown girls ages 12 to 17 and the adults who support them. Last year’s event hosted approximately 100 girls from Portland and beyond for education and celebration in an intentionally created space. The event is supported by OHA and intended to raise awareness, promote healing and offer access to culturally relevant resources and strategies.

Save the date: May 15, 2026

Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: 2800 NE Liberty Street, Portland (University of Oregon Portland campus)

The Southwest Portland Community Band (SWPCB) is celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2026. Clarinetist Kristin Rencher founded the ensemble with the goal of helping people of all ages to discover – or rediscover -- the joy and healing power of music. The non-profit band was also an opportunity for lapsed musicians in the community to come back to instruments they played years ago. Founded in collaboration with current director Nick Caldwell, the band gathered around 20 players in its first year. Their first concert, in spring 2016, featured three works, including a band arrangement of Jean Sibelius’ famous orchestral work Finlandia.

Nick also leads the band program at Ida B. Wells High School. Now boasting more than 50 players, the band uses its two annual concerts, spring and winter, to raise funds for the Wells music program, primarily for the purchase of new instruments. Some of the percussion instruments at Wells are as old as the school itself (68 years) and are in need of replacement. Two years ago, the band purchased a new set of chimes, and last year they replaced the old vibraphone. This year the fundraising goal is instruments (both wind and percussion) as well as funds to cover the cost of professional musicians to help the young players at Wells with technical development and musicianship.

The band’s tenth anniversary spring concert takes place on Sunday, May 31, at 5 pm at the Multnomah Arts Center. Admission is free, and donations are appreciated. Pizza, salad and beverages will be available, including microbrews, wine and sparkling water.

For this special anniversary program, the band decided to play favorite works from previous concerts over the past ten years, including Finlandia, from their inaugural concert. Other works include:

· Volver a la Montaña by Shelley Hanson (from spring 2024 concert)

· Moment for Morricone by Ennio Morricone (from spring 2023 concert)

· October by Eric Whitacre (from spring 2017 concert)

· Drums of the Saamis (The Merger of the First Nations and Modern Albertan Cultures) by Samuel
Hazo (from spring 2022 concert)

· The Universal Judgement by Camile de Nardis (from spring 2018 concert)

One of the highlights of the program is Pantomime, a beautiful piece for band and solo euphonium by Philip Sparke. Designed to show off both the lyrical and technical prowess of the instrument, the piece draws on the varied characters of the Italian Commedia dell'Artetradition for its wide emotional range. The soloist is Adam Graves, a member of the band since its founding in 2016. Since he and his family are moving from Portland this summer, this is his last concert. The band added this piece to the program as a tribute, send-off, and a thank you for ten years of music and service.