LEWIS ELEMENTARY NEWS

Dear Lewis Families and Caregivers,

We are excited to welcome you to Back to School Night on Thursday, September 17th, as we kick off a fantastic 2026–2027 school year!

This event is an open house designed for you to tour the school, explore your student’s classroom(s), and meet the people who support them every day. Since there is no formal presentation, we’ve created a [Slide Show Link] so you can learn more about our staff and grade-level curricula at your own pace.

Event Schedule & Details

• 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Pizza & Community Picnic

• Slices of pizza from Pizzicato will be available outside for $1.00 a slice. Bring a blanket if you’d like to enjoy a family picnic on the lawn!

• 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Optional TAG Q&A

• Stop by the library for a brief Q&A regarding the Talented and Gifted (TAG) program. You can review the [TAG Info Link] sent out last week.

• 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Open House & Classroom Visits

• Tour the school and visit your child's teacher(s). Please enter through the main front doors.

• 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Popsicles with the Principal

• Join me by the tree near the Gaga Ball court for a popsicle! Thanks to our new admin assistant, Beth, who screen-printed a custom shirt for me, I'll be easy to spot in my "Principal" t-shirt. Please come by and say hello!

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Warmly,

Principal Davis

During the first month of school, students take several assessments to identify if they are starting the year at, above, or below grade level. This data is a roadmap for teachers to deliver personalized instruction to maximize learning. Starting in October, teachers in grades 1-5 work with small groups to deliver targeted instruction to accelerate progress in areas where students need additional teaching and practice. Consistent attendance is essential to reach this goal. Each day a student is at school to receive personalized instruction is an opportunity to achieve academic success.

Wednesday, September 16th - Early Release Dismissal at 11:50AM

Thursday, September 17th - Back to School Night 5:30-6:30PM

Friday, September 18th - Popcorn Friday

Tuesday, September 22nd - Lockdown Drill Letter to Parents

Saturday, September 26th - Garden Work Party 10-12pm

October

Friday, October 2nd - Jog-a-thon/5th Grade Lewis Concert Band Starts

Tuesday, October 6th - Picture Day mydorian.com

Wednesday, October 7th - International Walk & Roll

Friday, October 9th - No School

Wednesday, October 14th - Author Visit for grades 3-5

Thursday, October 15th - The Great Shakeout Earthquake Drill

Wednesday, October 21st - Early Release @11:50am

Friday, October 23rd - Trunk or Treat Event 5-7pm

Wednesday, October 28th - Lewis Dines Out @Double Mountain

Thursday, October 29th - NO School for students (Grading Day)

Friday, October 30th - NO School for students (Planning Day)

Dear Families,

Please take a moment to view the district's Talented and Gifted (TAG) Family Presentation linked here. This presentation is similar to previous years and will be the most helpful to new families and families interested in the TAG referral process. A Q&A with our TAG facilitator, Ms. Lisa, will be held before the Lewis Back to School Night on September 17th. The Q&A will be in the library from 5:00 - 5:30 PM. Please join Lisa if you have additional questions about the TAG identification process and how services are provided to students.

If you would like to start the TAG evaluation and identification process for your student, please click here to complete the referral form.
You can learn more about the PPS TAG Department on the website: www.pps.net/tag.

Thank you,
Ms. Lisa
ltegethoff@pps.net

Portland Author and Spirit Award Winner Rosanne Parry will be visiting with our 3rd through 5th graders on October 14th to talk to students about her newest book, A Raven of the Rainforest. See the flyer below for more information on how to purchase a copy signed by the author or to apply for one of a limited number of book scholarships, compliments of the Lewis PTA!

The 4th grade team will be selling Lewis tote bags at Back to School Night. These bags are durable and the perfect size for grocery shopping, throwing sports gear into, or taking with you to any event!

Purchase 1 bag for $3 or 2 for $5.

Get yours at a table in the upper hall at Back to School Night.

As Portland Public Schools continues its rightsizing process, Village Table representatives are listening to their school communities.
We know families may be entering this school year with questions, concerns or uncertainty about what rightsizing could mean for their students and schools.
Please fill out this google form as your responses will help our Village Table representatives bring community perspectives, questions and experiences back to the district.

Popcorn Friday this week at the dismissal bell

If you’re newer to Lewis, you may not know that there’s a race to the Blacktop at dismissal every third Friday of the month – for Popcorn Friday!

Sponsored by Lewis PTA, every student gets to end the week with freshly popped popcorn and playtime. Would you like to help make this event special? 👉Sign up to volunteer; shifts available starting this week!

Lend a hand at Back to School Night and beyond

There are still several open volunteer shifts to support the Pizza Picnic on Back to School Night. You do not need to be an active Lewis PTA member to volunteer. 👉Sign up to volunteer on Thursday 9/17!

With short shifts, you’ll have plenty of time to still enjoy the event yourself. Meeting at the school with neighboring families? Get a volunteer group together for the same shift!

If you’re looking to help beyond this Thursday, there are also multiple opportunities to support Lewis over the coming weeks – sign up below and learn more at lewispta.org/volunteer

• Popcorn Fridays (sign up to volunteer!) - starting 9/18

• Jog-a-thon (sign up to volunteer!) - 10/2

• Trunk-or-Treat (join the committee!)

What’s Lewis PTA? If you're a caregiver for a Lewis Elementary student, you belong in Lewis PTA! Check out the brand new lewispta.org website to learn more or sign up here 👉https://my.cheddarup.com/c/join-lewis-pta/

There are still a few spots left for Electronic Music Club.

Classes start Monday, Sept 21st from 2:30-3:30

https://www.electronicmusicclub.net/lewis

Calling all apple and pear fans! Sellwood Middle School is hosting a fruit fundraiser and selling freshly picked and amazing tasting boxes of apples and pears from Kiyokawa Family Orchards. This local orchard from Parkdale, Oregon is known for its excellent quality fruit and a reputation for supporting local nonprofits, like the SMS PTA. Pick up date is October 15th from 3:00-5:30 at Sellwood Middle parking lot.

If you are interested in volunteering in the school, help chaperone a field trip, or participate in a school event please make sure to submit your background check: https://www.pps.net/volunteer