CJES Family Bulletin

The school year is off to a great start! We are very excited about our upcoming Open House on Thursday, September 18th from 5:00pm to 6:30pm. During the Open House we invite you to come into the school to meet CJES teachers, specialists, and community partners. You will also have the opportunity to sign up for your students first quarter conferences that will take place in November.

The PTO has lined up three food trucks to join us at the Open House. Food and beverages will be available for purchase on the blacktop of the school. Food trucks will serve from 4:45 to 6:30pm.

Reminder of Early Release - 9/17/25

Our first official early release day is on Wednesday, Sept 17th. All early release days are on the PPS academic calendar. Take a moment to get these dates on your family calendar so you are prepared to pick up your student, or coordinate care.

What to know about early release days:

• Lunch is part of the regular schedule on early release days, so students can bring their home lunch or have school lunch.

• Students will be released by classroom teachers at 11:50am from their classroom's dismissal location.

Breakfast Reminders:

We are all still adjusting to the new start time and this year the time for students to eat breakfast is very condensed. If you are dropping your students off for breakfast please have them go to the south side cafeteria doors at 7:45am to allow them 10 minutes to eat. The first bell rings at 7:55am, and students should be in their classroom ready to learn by 8:00am.

General Schedule and Calendar information:

The PPS district calendar is available online here. Please take a moment to review and update your family calendar at home. For days that are on the calendar as release days, at Chief Joseph Elementary we have decided that we will use those days as buddy day and assembly days. More information about this will be coming soon.

Lost and Found:

The lost and found has already started at CJES! A large quantity of jackets, clothes, and other items accumulate at school in the lost and found. Please label your child’s items so they can be returned. If your child is missing something, please check the school lost and found after school or at community events. Unclaimed items will be given to community agencies at winter, spring, and summer breaks. Small Lost and found items will be taped to the window in the office!

9/10: First PTO Meeting of the Year!

9/17: Early Release Day - students dismissed at 11:50am

9/18: CJES Open House 5:00pm to 6:30pm

9/22: First PTO Profit Share with the Old Spaghetti Factory

10/3: Picture Day!

10/9: Fun-D Run

Each month we are required to complete emergency drills.

• Summary of Drills

• Parent Emergency Resources

For the month of September we will have the following drills:

• Lockdown Drill

In the month of September, we are required to do a Lockdown Drill, this will occur on Tuesday September 30th at 9:00am. In preparation, our School Counselor, Molly Clark, will be delivering trauma-informed lessons on safety drills in all of our K-2 classrooms. These lessons are instrumental in empowering our students to perform and understand this emergency action in an age appropriate and trauma informed way. If you have questions about this drill please reach out to the front office for more information.

Hello Chief Joseph Families!

Our student health assistant Zoe Eberspecher works from 8:00am to 2:30pm. If you have any student health questions or needs please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach Zoe by phone by calling the main office, or by email zeberspec@mesd.k12.or.us

With the new school year starting I wanted to send out a reminder about updating the school with any relevant significant medical information or updates. This includes allergies, asthma, or any other significant conditions that may impact your student during the school day. Additionally don't forget to bring in any emergency medications such as epi pens or inhalers. In the event that your child is hospitalized or treated in the emergency room, please provide the school nurse with a copy of the “After Visit Summary”. Doing so ensures that we are aware of any changes in your student’s health care needs including activity restrictions and accommodations.

• Current Exclusion guidelines are available online, please take a moment and review the guidance (Available in English and Spanish).
• School Health Needs: The health room is in need of pants kids sizes 5-7. If you have any gently used pants that you can send into the office we would greatly appreciate it!
• If you are looking for vaccine resources, see the attached flier for information for deadlines and resources.

Thank you from the Health Room!

Zoe (School Health Assistant)

Susan Rhedmon MESD RN, BSN, HNBC

Please join the PTO for the first meeting of the year!

Wednesday, September 10th

Doors to the cafeteria open at 6:00 and meeting will run from 6:30– 7:30pm

The first PTO meeting will be a great opportunity to meet PTO members and CJES families. You will learn more about how to get involved with the PTO and also have a chance to hear from Ms. Amber!

The PTO will order pizza for families in attendance. Please come meet the new CJES PTO board and meet other families. You are welcome to bring your student with you!

The PTO has scheduled its first profit share with The Old Spaghetti Factory! If it fits within your schedule and budget please consider dining in or taking out food on October 22nd. A portion of food and drink sales will be donated back to The CJES PTO!

The Old Spaghetti Factory is located at:

715 S Bancroft Street, Portland, OR 97239

Online ordering here