Irvington Weekly Newsletter

Here's to a safe and relaxing three-day weekend! We will see you on Tuesday. (Monday is Veterans Day.) PS: Check out our first graders on their field trip to the Oregon Children's Theater! It's the beginning of one of the "field trip seasons" (the other being the spring), so be on the look out for updates from your child's teacher.

Please check out the document below which shares some community organizations that provide extra assistance over the holidays such as food boxes, holiday meals, and gift support. 2024 Holiday Assistance

Save the date for our next PTA general meeting next Monday, November 18. At this meeting, we’ll vote on the sound panel proposal presented at the last meeting, hear a new proposal to repair the playground ball wall, and have updates from our various committees.

The next Families of Students of Color dinner will be Tuesday, November 19, from 5:30-7:00pm. While we won't be able to meet outside like we did last time, we invite you to come into the building for community building over a meal. Childcare is provided!

On November 14, 1960, Ruby Bridges walked into first grade as the first Black student at an all-white Louisiana school. She faced unthinkable obstacles as school districts in the United States desegregated, and as an adult she has worked to promote tolerance and anti-racist practices.

Schools across the country honor Ruby Bridges with a Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day every November 14. This is a way to remember the hardships that Black Americans have faced to receive a public education and celebrate trailblazers like Ruby who worked for equality.

Three walking groups start at:

• 7:40 at NE 7th Ave & Stanton St
• 7:40 at NE 7th Ave & Thompson St
• 7:35 at NE 24th Ave & Brazee St

Meet up at the beginning or join along the way, including parking along the route joining as the group walks by. There will be some small prize giveaways and snacks at school for all!

On Monday, November 18, our school will participate in a district-wide opportunity for reflection called the Fidelity of Implementation Tool (FIT) Assessment. The FIT is a tool that measures the extent to which a school implements many of the systems and practices that have been identified as critical to equitable and inclusive schools that ensure high levels of learning for all students.

During the FIT, two support staff from the district will spend the day with us, talking to a variety of people in the school community to get an understanding of our practices. Family and community members are invited to participate in a conversation with the district staff in order to respond to predetermined questions that are asked as part of the assessment. WE NEED YOU! If you are free the afternoon of Mon, Nov 18, and would like to be a member of the family panel (only 20 minutes long), please email me (ggregoricka@pps.net) or let me know in person by Friday, November 8.

The book fair is coming to Irvington next week: November 12-15! Come support our school AND a local small business! Jennifer Butler-Brown, a local bookseller, will be hosting our fair again this year, which will offer a multi-cultural, diverse collection of books. Look for Spanish and bilingual titles, non-fiction to inspire, graphic novels for all ages, picture books, chapter books, journals by Indigenous artists, and this year's OBOB books. 20% of sales will be donated back to our school!

This year the Book Fair will be located in Room 107 (across from Ms. Shyla’s room). Students must be accompanied by an adult to shop. Cash, check, Apple pay and credit/debit cards accepted. If you’d like to donate a book to a teacher’s room, look for the labeled boxes where staff have placed ‘wish list’ books for their classrooms.

Open hours are:

• Tuesday, November 12, 2:30-4:00pm

• Wednesday, November 13, 2:30-6:00pm

• Thursday, November 14, 1:30*-6:00pm

• Friday, November 15, 1:30*-4:00pm

• *New this year: enjoy kid-free shopping from 1:30-2:30pm on Thursday and Friday! Be sure to sign in in the office prior to coming to the fair during school hours.

Can’t make it in person? You can also shop online with free shipping to the school! Be sure to select Irvington so your order is counted towards our fair. Questions? Contact Jennifer at jennifer.butlerbrown@gmail.com or 541-619-3960.

We are on a roll recruiting volunteers for our second annual Career Day! Last year's event was so much fun, and we'd love to make this a tradition. But we need YOU! If you (or a family member or friend) are available the morning of Friday, March 14, and you'd like to share with our students what you do for a living, please email our school counselor Ms Blum at cblum@pps.net OR fill out this Interest Form by November 22. We'd love to have as many different fields and types of jobs as possible. Currently, we need at least 10 more volunteers to make this day truly a success!

Monday, November 11: No school (Veterans Day)

Tuesday, November 12: Book fair, 2:30-4:00pm

Wednesday, November 13: Book fair, 2:30-6:00pm

Thursday, November 14: Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

Thursday, November 14: Book fair, 1:30-6:00pm

Friday, November 15: Book fair, 1:30-4:00pm

Friday, November 15: Movie night CANCELED

Monday, November 18: PTA meeting, 5:30pm

Tuesday, November 19: Families of Students of Color (FOSOC) dinner, 5:30-7:00pm

Wednesday, November 20: Early release day (students depart at 11:50am)

Friday, November 22: Spirit day (dress like a teacher day)

See it all at a glance here: https://www.irvingtonschool.com/