The Guardian Gazette

Hello IBW Students,

Welcome back to your high school and Happy New Year! I’m still trying to wrap my brain around the year 2025. I remember watching “2001: A Space Odyssey” as a kid and how it was a futuristic portrayal of humanity. It’s a bit of a weird movie, but if you like science fiction, then, this is right up your alley.

It’s a bit of a haul between now and spring break in March and I hope you are returning to school after some much needed rest, or perhaps adventuring, with your families and friends.

Speaking of what’s ahead, January is a big month in school, with the end of the semester, and also out of school with the Presidential Inauguration. Lots to process in and out of school, and I appreciate each of you lending support to one another by being an advocate and kind, two of our four school wide values (PEAK). “P” is for being prepared and “E” is for being engaged. We are stronger as individuals if our community is also supportive and strong together.

Here’s what’s ahead of us in the coming weeks. We do not have school on MLK, Jr. Day which is Monday, January 20th. Final assessments for the semester are January 22nd-24th. 9th-11th graders will begin forecasting for courses next year in early February.

Also in early February, on Feb. 8th, we are hosting our Winter Formal at the Crystal Ballroom, one of my personal favorite venues in Portland. Please note that we will begin our process of checking with you if your attendance is under 90% and you want to attend the Winter Formal.

Basketball season is in full swing and I am looking forward to the boy’s and girl’s games this Friday at home against Lincoln!

See you soon,

Ayesha

Please see below for more details about each of these calendar items.

January 6 - School resumes
January 10 - Battle of the Birds Basketball Games
January 17 - Deadline to apply for Rose Festival Court

January 17 - For Seniors - Deadline to submit Senior Photos and Quotes to Yearbook

January 20 - No School, MLK Holiday
January 22-24 First Semester Finals
January 27/28 - No School for Students, Grading Day and Professional Development
February 1 - Grad Night Fundraiser - Electronics Recycling Event
February 8 - Winter Formal
February 20 - Black History Month Assembly and Community Evening Event with guest, Michelle Duster
March 5 - PreACT and SAT Testing Day

See more dates on the:

The Trivory Calendar: https://trivory.com/ibw/calendar
2024-2025 PPS School Year Calendar

Here is a cool article written for the Smithsonian by Michelle Duster, great granddaughter of Ida B. Wells. In partnership with the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum, Ida B. Wells was selected as one of 20 women to be part of the American Women Quarters Program.

Mark your calendars as we are excited for Michelle Duster visit to Ida B. Wells High School!

Event Schedule:

• February 19th:
  • Special Dinner with our Black Student Union and our Community Equity Council
• February 20th:
  • Morning Assembly: Michelle Duster will address our entire student body.
  • Evening Community Event: Public speaking event honoring Ida B. Wells and her legacy during Black History Month. Stay tuned for more details!

Design Club meeting is canceled for tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 7th. Please join us for the next meeting on Tuesday, Jan 21st at lunch in room 143.

Please note that Graduation on Wednesday, June 4th is at 7:30pm. It had been previously published beginning at 7:00pm. We apologize for the error.

The price for a ticket to the Class of 2025's Grad Night Party increased on January 1st due to an increase in the cost of the event. Tickets are now $125. You can still purchase tickets

on SchoolPay: https://www.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Senior-Grad-Night-Party-Tickets-20242025/Sb1Z3vp

Families interested in full or partial Grad Night scholarships can contact school counselors. Find your student's counselor.

Grad Night is an overnight event that will take place after the graduation ceremony. Students will load up on buses about 10 p.m. to go to a surprise location for fun, entertainment and food. A quiet space will be available if students need to take a break. Adult chaperones will be onsite. Sign up to volunteer as a chaperone.

See below for upcoming fundraisers to support Grad Night: an electronics recycling drive in winter and early spring, and a wine and purse sale in April. You can donate anytime toward Grad Night scholarships and expenses via SchoolPay. https://www.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Senior-Grad-Night-Party-Donation/SbtnOCF

Doing some January cleaning? If you have any Electronics, please donate to the Grad Night Fundraiser!

Send in your photos for senior slideshows!

Work is underway on two slideshows featuring the Class of '25:

Senior Assembly/Grad Night slideshow: This will show candid photos of seniors through the years. Please include the full names of all students shown.

Graduation slideshow: This will show slides about graduating seniors. Each slide will have the student's preferred name, their senior photo (does not have to be their yearbook photo), a baby/childhood photo and their post-graduation plan.

Submit your photos as soon as possible to: ibwslideshow@gmail.com

Please note: Submitting a photo does not guarantee it will be used.

Send Senior Photos to ibwseniorphoto@gmail.com and check your email to submit your Senior Quote. Both are due January 17th. Don't Delay!

Dear Junior and Senior Female Identifying Students-

Are you a driven, community-minded student ready to make a difference? The 2025 Rose Festival Court is seeking talented junior and senior female-identifying students to join this exceptional program. Here's your chance to gain valuable skills, build lifelong friendships, and earn a scholarship!

Eligibility Requirements
To apply for the Rose Festival Court, you must:

1. Identify as female.
2. Attend an eligible 4A, 5A, or 6A high school in Multnomah, Washington, or Clackamas Counties.
3. Be a senior graduating this school year or a junior on track to graduate next year.
4. Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (Students with a GPA between 2.75 and 3.0 may still apply if they submit a variance form explaining any special circumstances, subject to approval).
5. Complete at least 20 hours of community service during high school.

Why Apply?
Court Members receive:

• A $3,500 scholarship for any accredited college, university, or trade program.
• A custom travel wardrobe (including shoes and accessories).
• Exclusive training in media, public speaking, and networking.
• Opportunities to travel, connect with community leaders, and participate in the Rose Festival’s events and parades.

Applications are now open!

Take the first step toward an unforgettable experience. Apply today to become part of a tradition that celebrates leadership, service, and community pride.

For more details and to apply, visit https://www.rosefestival.org/f/188

Internship applications are open including popular OHSU internships. Please see all of the opportunities in the IBWHS Career Happenings Newsletter

Here is the link to the December 12th edition of the the IBW College Newsletter https://secure.smore.com/n/a92bfq

Check out today's edition of the IBW Athletic Weekly here: https://secure.smore.com/n/arg6n

Hot off the press....check out the 2024-25 Winter Season Media Guide where you can find schedules, rosters and team photos! Use the QR code below or access from our website https://www.ibwathletics.com/mediaguide

Join us on Friday as we have a Varsity double-header vs. the Lincoln HS Cardinals in the "Battle of the Birds". JV women will kick things off at 4:15, Varsity Women at 5:45pm and then the Varsity men will take the floor at 7:15pm. Let's pack the gym and cheer on our Guardians!

Website:www.ibwathletics.com
Phone: 503-916-5280, ext 75318
Athletic Director, Mike Nolan,mnolan@pps.net
Athletic Assistant, Leanne Van Horn,lvanhorn@pps.net
Instagram: ibw_athletics
Facebook: Ida B Wells HS Athletics
Trivory App: Agreat way to see the daily Athletic Schedule
Mike's Weekly Athletic Newsletter. Be sure to watch for it here in the Student News each week! It includes a recap of the prior week, what's on tap and includes Student-Athletes of the week and more!

Did you miss the last edition of the Family Newsletter? Here is the link to the December 19th Edition: https://secure.smore.com/n/ykczp