Irvington Weekly Newsletter
April 4, 2025
Soccer Field Closed until May 5
The soccer field at Irvington is being restored through a $3,000 investment by the PTA. We ask for your cooperation in staying off the field until May 5 to make sure this investment pays off and the new grass can take root. Even after that date, dogs are not allowed on the field at any time. Contact the grounds committee with any questions at grounds@irvingtonschool.com. Thank you!
Connect to Kindergarten Yard Sign
Display a “Connect to Kindergarten” yard sign to remind the neighborhood we’re entering kindergarten enrollment season and to let the community know you love your school! Early enrollment helps with school funding. These signs (as well as our school spirit Irvington School signs) will be available at drop off and pick up next week on Tuesday, April 8, and upon request at any other time by emailing ptapres@irvingtonschool.com.
Irvington School Auction: Host a Party!
The auction is April 26 at Steeplejack Brewing! In addition to the fun of the event itself (get your tickets!), the Irvington School Auction is special because of the events hosted by community members as part of our online silent auction.
From a simple craft night to a fancy seafood dinner, Irvington families and staff come up with amazing ways to build community and raise money for our school each year. These parties can be just for kids, just for adults, or fun for all ages. Some ideas from previous years include:
Pub trivia
Taylor Swift bracelet-making party
Red solo cup game night
Remote control vehicles and pizza
Poker party
And so much more!
Tickets for parties will be sold in our online auction, which goes live on April 21. Hosts set the prices and determine the date and number of attendees (we can help you with this!). It’s fun to attend these parties, and it’s also fun to host them! If you have an idea for a party, please fill out this form or email parties@irvingtonschool.com. These events are a wonderful way to build community while raising money for our school and we couldn’t do it without you!
Q&A with School Board Vice-Chair Michelle DePass
The Irvington PTA is sponsoring a Q&A with our PPS School Board Representative and Vice-Chair Michelle DePass on April 14 at 6:30pm in the school library. Please come ask your questions and make your voice heard!
Doors open at 6:15, discussion begins at 6:30. Come to the front of the school for entry.
Light refreshments and free childcare will be provided.
Tricky Terrain: How to Help Your Teen Navigate Life Online
Please join the Harriet Tubman Middle School community for a discussion on navigating online safety with our teens (and tweens).
Date and Time: Tuesday, April 15, 2025, from 6-8pm
Location: Harriet Tubman Middle School, 2231 N Flint Avenue, Portland, OR 97227
Event Details:
Dinner and Socializing: Doors open at 6pm for a pizza and salad dinner, followed by socializing.
Program Start: The program begins around 6:30pm.
Featured Speaker: Family therapist and author Yshai Boussi will lead the discussion on helping teens and tweens use devices responsibly, safely, and with balance.
Childcare: Free childcare is available for children aged 3 to 12.
Registration and Donations:
This is a free community event, with an option to make a tax-deductible donation to the Harriet Tubman Middle School PTSA.
Register and learn more at: https://htmsptsa.membershiptoolkit.com/store/17533
Tea with Mr. G. Next Friday
The next Tea with Mr. G. is next Friday, April 11, 8-9am. The theme will be report cards: what we measure, how we score, etc. Come join us for a cup of coffee and good conversation!
Green Team Meeting
Join the Green Team for the next meeting on Thursday, April 10, after school on the small playground. The Irvington Green Team works to raise awareness about the environment and promote sustainable practices in our school. We encourage recycling, saving energy, and reducing waste. Our team leads projects to lower the school's carbon footprint and teaches others about the importance of protecting the environment.
Q and A for Current Third/Fourth Grade Families <REPEAT>
As you read last week, Irvington will return to a familiar structure next year: a fourth grade class, a fifth grade class, and a fourth/fifth grade blended classroom. Even though we're in the beginning stages of planning, I'd like to offer an opportunity to share what the model looks like, dispel any myths, and answer questions (even if the answer to most questions is, "I don't know yet!"). Please join me online at 7pm on Wednesday, April 9, at this link.
April Lunch Sign Up <REPEAT>
The April lunch helper sign up is now live! Please consider volunteering, particularly the week after Spring Break. If you've never served lunch before, you'll have to be a PPS-approved volunteer first. Please contact Betsy at bihuigens@gmail.com with any questions.
Next Author Visit on April 30 <REPEAT>
Aron Nels Steinke, author and former PPS teacher, will be coming to Irvington on April 30. You can pre-order a signed copy of his newest book, Speechless, by clicking here. (All copies of the book will come to school for pickup.)
Upcoming Events
Monday, April 7: No school (teacher planning day)
Tuesday, April 8: "Connect to Kindergartent" yard sign pick-up, 7:45am and 2:30pm
Wednesday, April 9: Information session for 3rd/4th grade families, 7pm
Thursday, April 10: Green team meeting, 2:40pm
Friday, April 11: Tea with Mr. G., 8-9am
Monday, April 14: Popcorn Monday, 2:30pm
Monday, April 14: Q&A with Michelle DePass, 6:15-7:30pm
Tuesday, April 15: Tricky Terrain, 6-8pm, at HTMS
Wednesday, April 16: Class picture day
Wednesday, April 16: Tacovore fundraiser restaurant night, 12-8pm
Wednesday, April 16: Families of students of color dinner, 5:30-7:00pm
Thursday, April 17: Family gym night, 5:30-7:30pm
Saturday, April 19: Grow Portland Earth Day celebration, 11am-1pm
See it all at a glance here: https://www.irvingtonschool.com/