Woodstock Elementary Newsletter
August 25, 2026
Dear Woodstock Community,
First day of school for 1st - 5th Graders is TOMORROW, August 26th. We are excited to meet students and families new to our community, and to reconnect with those of you who are returning. We mailed Kindergarten familes your meeting and class times for this week, if you are unsure or did not get that information, please email woodstockattend@pps.net.
At Woodstock, we believe that learning should be engaging, affirming, and meaningful. Our teachers will combine empathy with expertise so students not only know what they are learning, but also why it matters and how it connects to their lives and goals. We hope to help students build strong, respectful relationships with peers and adults from all backgrounds, developing the academic, social, emotional, and cultural skills they need to thrive here at school and in the world beyond our walls. We are excited for this coming year and partnering with your family to create learning experiences where our students thrive.
As you may know, the School District is working on a city wide Rightsizing Project this fall. I will share updates as I get them both in this newsletter and also at in person meetings as the process and timelines unfold.
These decisions will directly impact NEXT school year. I ask that if you hear rumors or have questions, please reach out to me directly. This will be an emotional time for all our communities in all our schools across the city. Please remember when talking with neighbors and each other that most folks LOVE their own neighborhood school and while change can be unsettling it also offers opportunity. I will share the information I get from District Leadership as it becomes available.
The start of the school year has brought some staffing updates:
- Learning Center Teacher - Ms. Diller has taken a job outside of PPS. We wish her well and thank her for her service at Woodstock. We are in the process of hiring a new teacher.
- 4/5th Grade teacher Ms. Joseph is on a personal leave taking care of her father. Yana Lirtsman (Ms. YL) who subbed for us a lot last year, will be here to start the year in one of our 4/5 blends. Our kids know her well, and while new to Oregon she is a 20 year veteran teacher.
We are honored to partner with you and your family this year. As we move forward, our school values of Perseverance, Integrity, Curiosity, and Compassion will ensure that we all grow, learn, and support each other.
Thank you for partenering with us. We are so glad you are here.
With Woodstock Pride,
Heidi Stoetzel Earle
Principal
- August 26 First Day of School for all 1st-5th Graders
- August 26 Kindergarten Family Interviews
- August 27 Kindergarten Ramp Up (1/2 class full day)
- August 28 Kindergarten Ramp Up (1/2 class full day)
- August 31 First Day for All Kindergarten Students
- August 31 - Coffee for kindergarten families and those new to our school right after morning drop off
- September 7 NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
- September 16 - Early Release Day - student dismissal at 11:50 am
- September 23 - Family Open House 6-8 pm
Information for arrival & dismissals, can be found on our website, including:
If your student will be riding the bus to and/or from school, please complete our Bus Transportation Request form.
Your student is welcome to ride the bus to school for the first day, but we do need the form completed for them to ride home.
Once the form is completed, you will receive a copy and the office will create a bus tag for your student which they will be given at school.
On their first day, all students will receive a packet of important start of school information. Please take a moment to read through the information included.
There are three papers to complete and return to your student's teacher:
- Arrival & Dismissal (salmon colored)
- Walking Field Trip Permission (green colored)
- Cell phones & personal electronic devices agreement (yellow)
Each year parents and/or guardians are asked to review and update the information on file for their children (students). This information can be reviewed, edited and submitted online via PPS ParentVUE.
Benefits of verifying online via ParentVUE
- Complete yearly verification of your student’s information
- You can update your communication and language preferences
- Ensures your school has the most up to date information
- Saves paper and time
Get started by going to: parentvue.pps.net
Join the Bike Bus
Bike Bus - Updated Maps and Start Times
Bike Buses encourage biking by creating designated routes to school that children and their families can join along the way. For families commuting to Woodstock School, you can join a Bike Bus by parking at the start of the route or anywhere along the way. Please check the updated Bike Bus map, as the routes and start times may have changed for your route. Bike Buses will roll every Friday, starting on the first Friday of school (August 28th).
Ready to roll with us? Join the Bike Bus WhatsApp Group for the route closest to you: Northside WhatsApp Group and the SE 60th/Carlton WhatsApp Group.
Woodstock Walk & Roll Fair - Save the Date
Join us for the 3rd Annual Woodstock Walk & Roll Fair after school on Friday, September 18th from 2:30–5:30 pm at the Traffic Playground (north west side of school). There will be a quick fix-bike repair station, helmet fitting station, bike safety and skills station, a free raffle, and more! We will have free helmets, snacks, and bike decorations while supplies last. This event is supported by Metro and hosted by the Woodstock School PTA Walk & Roll Committee.
New Bike Shelters at Woodstock School
The Woodstock PTA Walk & Roll Committee was awarded a grant from Metro to build two bike shelters at Woodstock School. The shelters were built this summer and the two new bike racks will be installed soon. Thank you Metro for supporting our efforts to get more families biking to school. And a very big thanks to the Woodstock family-owned Kobax Construction and 52nd Avenue Hardware for all your help with this project.
