Duniway Dispatch

School Closures and Early Releases

• January 20: Schools closed for holiday
• January 27: Schools closed for grading day
• January 28: Schools closed for planning day
• February 17: Schools closed for holiday

• February 26: Students released early at 11:50 a.m.

• March 3: Schools closed for planning day

• March 19: Students released early at 11:50 a.m.

• March 24-28: Schools closed for Spring Break

• April 4: Schools closed for grading day

• April 7: Schools closed for planning day

• April 23: Students released early at 11:50 a.m.

• May 21: Students released early at 11:50 a.m.

• May 26: Schools closed for holiday

• June 10: Last day of school for students

School Events

• January 14: PTA Meeting
• January 17: Student Variety Show
• January 23: OBOB Mock Battle
• January 31: Principal's Coffee
• February 5: Winter Walk & Roll 2 School
• February 7: Winter Dance
• February 10: Funding Forum
• February 22-23: OBOB Final Competition
• February 28: Principal's Coffee
• March 11: PTA Meeting
• March 17-21: Book Fair
• March 21: Principal's Coffee
• April 25: Principal's Coffee
• May 13: PTA Meeting
• May 16: Fund Run
• May 30: Principal Coffee
• June 3: PTA Meeting
• June 6: Parade and Carnival

2024-25 District Calendar

Hello Dragon Families,

Happy Friday to you and Happy 2025! It was great to be back at school this week and welcome students back from Winter Break. For the most part students seemed excited to be back at school and pick up in their learning from where they left off last December. We have been fortunate this week to enjoy some nice sunny weather after weeks of rain and we have all been enjoying the time outside this week. On the topic of weather, I know we have all been saddened and shocked by the terrible fires occurring in and around Los Angeles this week. I know many in our community at Duniway and in Portland have family and friends in Los Angeles and our hearts go out to those impacted by this crisis. I hope you all enjoy a restful weekend.

In gratitude,

John Melvin

The 2025 Duniway Variety Show is NEXT Friday, January 17th. We have some very talented acts excited to show off, but we need a few parent volunteers to help ensure the events run smoothly. We need three parent volunteers to help the Variety Show Committee and Ms. Adams at each of the two shows.

EARLY SHOW 5-6pm

LATE SHOW 6:30-7:30pm.

Please sign up on Konstella

The Duniway PTA will be holding their January general meeting on Tuesday the 14th at 7pm in the Duniway Library. The PTA has a lot going on (Variety Show, Winter Dance, OBOB, Advocacy, Spring Book Fair, Carnival Planning and More), and is in desperate need of new parent volunteers. If you are interested, please attend and talk with PTA President Melissa Ewbank. If you can't attend, but are interested in getting involved, please email ewbankmelissa@gmail.com

SE PPS caregivers, teachers and staff,

Did you know that Portland Public Schools are facing a $40M budget deficit in 2025-2026 on the heels of a $30M deficit in 2024-2025?

Do you want to do something about it, but don't know where to start? JOIN US for an Oregon Education Funding Forum for SE PPS Community

• Monday, February 10th from 6-7:30p

• Duniway Elementary School Auditorium (7700 SE Reed College Place)

• RSVP, submit questions for our district leaders and state officials, share your powerful stories and sign up for childcare here!

Your presence is powerful. The act of showing up alone moves the needle by demonstrating to our elected officials and district leaders that they cannot ignore the future of their youngest constituents. Bring friends, neighbors, and grandparents.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

📚Learn directly about the current state and future of Oregon education funding from your legislators and district leaders – the people sitting at the table in key decisions.

📣 Hear our community speak up on the issues lack of funding is causing our children and schools – such as large class sizes, Special Education Services failing to meet federally mandated obligations, student learning deficits, drops in enrollment leading to reduced resources, and other impacts.

💪🏽Walk away with simple, meaningful actions you can take on your own time, to advocate to fund Oregon schools year-round.

MEET THE PANEL:

We’re bringing together influential leaders who have a direct opportunity to impact funding for our schools, including:

• Superintendent Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong

• Director Eddie Wang (Zone 7 School Board)

• Senator Kathleen Taylor (21st district)

• Representative Mark Gamba (41st district)

• Representative Rob Nosse (42nd District)

Our PPS communities are one of our strongest assets. Yet we remain limited in giving our kids the education they deserve with our current state funding. Coming together is a powerful way to leverage our community to influence change. Simply put, this is an opportunity to show up for all Oregon families in a concrete, meaningful way.

We hope to see all of you there!

The Duniway Elementary School Advocacy Committee

Flyer with Registration Link

Flyer with QR code link

A Special Education Recruitment Day will take place on on Saturday, February 1st, 2025 at PPS Prophet Center (501 N Dixon Street, Portland, OR 97227) from 9am - 3pm. This event will be a great chance to directly speak with the SPED Department, School Administrators, and Human Resources about career opportunities. Scheduled and walk-in interviews will be available. See the Flier for more information.