The Guardian Gazette

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

March 17-21 - Spirit Week
March 17 - Spring sports contests begin
March 19 - Dragon Boat Team - Information Meeting

March 24-28 - Spring Break
March 31 - IBW Food Drive begins for Neighborhood House SW Hope Drive
April 2 - AP Exam Prep Session 1 of 4
April 3 - College Night

April 16 - Senior Meeting, Cap and Gown Pick Up
April 16 - AP Exam Prep Session 2 of 4
April 16 - For Seniors: Photos due for Senior Slideshow

See more dates on the:

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

High Schools that follow the rotating A/B schedule have agreed to a modest change in the calendar. The all 8 Day was moved from April 1 to March 21 to better align the A/B rotations. The changes have been made on the Trivory calendar.
Monday - A Day
Tuesday - B Day
Wednesday - Flex A Day
Thursday - Flex B Day
Friday - All 8 Day

Monday: Green Out
Tuesday: Twin Day
Wednesday: PJ Day

Thursday: Jersey Day

Sivan, a Senior at Ida B. Wells High School is proud to represent the Rose Festival Court and excited for the opportunities to inspire and engage this season.

"I am actively involved in my school community, serving as Co-President of the Jewish Student Union and helping with the Muslim Student Association, PEAK Committee, and Yearbook team as a copywriter. I also participate in theater, track, and help review grant requests for nonprofit organizations across Oregon. Beyond school, I explore my passion for the arts by playing the drums, making jewelry, and leading youth groups in Portland’s Jewish community. Photography allows me to capture the beauty of Oregon’s landscapes, blending my love for nature with creativity."

For Sivan, Forest Park is a special place in Portland. "I’ve loved nature for as long as I can remember, growing up in a family of park rangers, backroads bike trip leaders, and commune members who deeply respected the earth."

Welcome, Sivan!

Be sure to cast your vote for the 2025-26 Executive Board

Hi everyone! My name is Katie Douglas, and I’m the founder and co-leader of the Positive Charge PDX IBW club here at the school. Along with my co-leader, Sophie, we’re excited to announce our upcoming food drive, which will kick off the week after spring break. Our goal is to collect 10,000 pounds of non-perishable food, and we’re partnering with Neighborhood House to make this happen.

We’d love to get as many groups as possible involved in this important initiative! If you're interested in collaborating by spreading the word within your group or helping to advertise within the community, we’d love to have your support. We’ll provide bins around the school and coordinate with all the amazing collaborators.

If you're interested in helping out, please email me at kdouglas4964@student.pps.net. Let’s work together to make a huge impact this spring!

To learn more about Positive Charge PDX, visit https://www.positivechargepdx.org/.

The Class of 2025 Grad Night Committee is putting together a slideshow of candid photos of our seniors. You're invited to contribute!

What to include: First name and last name of each person shown, from left to right. Please avoid sending photos with people who are not in the Class of '25.

Where to send: ibwslideshow@gmail.com

Deadline: April 16

In case you missed last Wednesday's Senior Meeting and Breakfast, please make sure to check out the slide show with all things Senior Year and Graduation.

Quick Highlights:

• Jostens Cap and Gown Ordering: Don’t forget to order your cap and gown by April 4th to ensure you have it for disbursement on April 16th.
• 60 Day Rule: This rule is in effect starting April 1st, and it ensures eligibility for participation in graduation activities. Please refer to the slideshow for the full details.
• Graduation Events: Make sure to mark your calendars for key events like Decision Day (May 1st), Prom (May 3rd), Senior Spirit Week (May 19th-23rd), Senior Sunset (May 28th), and the Graduation Ceremony (June 4th at 7:30 PM).
• Senior Awards Ceremony is May 29th

Brand new episode:
Episode 23, Know Your Rights! https://youtu.be/niJrTx_DO6M

Congratulations to Lyra Roska, Isaac Erickson, Sabine Veillette, Noah Zeitzer (not pictured) who were awarded the Oregon State Presidential Scholarship, the most prestigious scholarship offered by OSU. This scholarship awards up to $40,000 ($10,000 per year, renewable for up to four years total) and awarded to a select number of students every year. Congrats to these amazing Guardians!

The 2025 National Merit Finalists are academically talented high school students who have been selected to compete for college scholarships. The National Merit Scholarship Program selects finalists based on a student's performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Finalists can confirm their PSAT/NMSQT performance with scores from the SAT or ACT. In spring 2025, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation will announce the 6,870 National Merit Scholarships totaling $26 million.

We have the final 3 games of Wells Madness this week. Come out during lunch in the gym and cheer on these final teams!

Does riding a dragon in the Willamette River sound interesting? Then come join the Guardians Dragon Boat Team for our spring season! If you are interested in joining or just hearing more about it, please come for an informational meeting on Wednesday at lunch in Room 245.

Congratulations to the IBW OBOB Team: Helena Stedman, Andy Platosh, Ingrid Gish, and Raahi Podichetty. We are thrilled to announce that our OBOB team placed fifth in our regional Oregon Battle of the Books competition against teams in Multnomah and Clackamas counties!

Through countless hours of reading, studying, and teamwork, they read 12 novels and answered trivia questions about the books during battles against other schools. Their dedication and passion for reading is truly impressive.

We have a brand new Dance Club! The students are eager, joy filled, and having fun. They have learned one full routine, and the instructor Caitlin already has them working on a second routine.

EXPLORE CAREERS! Deadlines are approaching!

Don't miss these registration deadlines for your chance to gain experience, build your skills, meet professionals, and earn your CRLE for graduation. See all of the details in the Career News and APPLY NOW!

• Portland Workforce Alliance Commercial Real Estate & Business Career Day with CREW, Friday, April 11th - Apply Now!

• Providence Career Ready Advanced Nursing Career Highlight, April 10, 9:00am - 12:00pm - Registration Now Open!

• Bodecker Portrait Drawing with Kyra Watkins - Saturday, April 5

• Boeing Portland Tech Prep Open House: Thursday, 3/20; Apply by April 11th
  

• Oregon Metro Youth Internship: Online Open House - Wednesday March 19th, at 6pm-7pm

• Adventist Student Healthcare Leaders - Apply by March 21st

• Portland Parks & Recreation Summer Career Fair - Tuesday, March 25th, 4:30 – 7pm at East Portland Community Center

• Portland Planning Commission Volunteer Youth Commissioner - Apply by March 24th

• Spring 2025 Sound Squad Supreme - Apply by March 28th

• Portland Rotary FREE Enterprise Academy Weekend RETREAT! May 16th-18th - Apply NOW!

• Youth Employment Skateboarding Program! - Apply by Sunday, March 30th, 2025 at 11:59PM.
  

• Youth Conservation Crew - Crew Member: This role is for applicants ages 14+ and pays $18 an hour. The application closes March 31st
  

• Nature Day Camp – Educator: This role is for applicants ages 16+ and pays $18.00 an hour. The application closes March 31st
  

• Next Up Oregon Youth Philanthropy Academy - Apply by April 6th!
  

• 2025 Portland FBI Teen Academy taking place July 15th-18th 2025 - Apply by April 11th

• Girls Who Code - Apply by April 11th!

• 2025 EAGLE Caddie Program Information Session - Tuesday, April 8th; Apply by May 2nd

• Portland Metro Women's Fire Camp - June 20th-22nd. Deadline to apply May 2nd

Over $15,000 in Scholarship Funds to be Awarded!

Gifford Family Scholarship Application

This is a $4000 scholarship designated for a deserving Ida B. Wells High School graduate. Funding comes from Dr. Gifford, a local Hillsdale general dentist and the owner of Gifford Family Dentistry.

Eligibility:

• A graduating senior of Ida B Wells High School

• GPA minimum of 3.0

• Will attend a 2yr or 4yr public or private school, trade/apprenticeship program

• Completion of the FAFSA or ORSAA

• Participated in community service while a student at Ida B. Wells

Requirements:

Upload your resume with special attention to community service/work experience/family involvement and respond to the following questions (250 word limit): What are your specific educational plans and career goals and why? What inspires you to achieve them?

Richard Garfinkle & Debbie Caldwell Legacy Scholarship Application

This is a $1000 scholarship designated to a deserving Ida B. Wells High School senior. Funding comes from Dr. Judah Garfinkle, owner of Garfinkle Orthodontics. Dr. Garfinkle's parents inspired his passion for education and community service. He has established this scholarship in their honor, "to support these values in this community that we love."

Eligibility:

• A graduating senior of Ida B Wells High School

• GPA minimum of 3.0

• Will attend a 2yr or 4yr public or private school, trade/apprenticeship program

• Participated in community service while a student at Ida B. Wells

• Some need as identified on the FAFSA or ORSAA

Requirements:

Upload resume and response to the following statement: Describe your educational goals and the impact your community service experiences have had on you and those you have served.

IBW PTA Scholarship Application

The PTA will award 2-3 scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each to assist with minimizing the cost of continuing education. Continuing education may include advanced

study at a variety of educational institutions such as universities, colleges, seminaries,

institutes of technology, trade schools, and career colleges.

Eligibility:

Any graduating IBW Senior who has completed their FAFSA/ORSAA application

Requirements:

• Personal Essay (300-500 Words)

• Two Letters of Recommendation

• One from an IBW staff member

• One additional letter of recommendation from anyone else in your life (e.g., neighbor, coach, employer, etc.)

Andrea Patton Legacy Scholarship Application

Andrea Patton was a beloved English and Journalism teacher at Ida B. Wells who passed in 2022. In her honor, her family and the Ida B. Wells community are offering a $2,000 scholarship to an IBW senior. Ms. Patton was passionate about equality, liberation, and social justice. She believed in the power of ethical journalism, advocacy, and using one’s voice to create change. She used her power and privilege to stand up for others. Accordingly, this scholarship will be awarded to a student who embodies one or more of these qualities: social justice, ethical journalism, or advocating for equality.

Eligibility:

• Graduating senior of Ida B. Wells High School

• Intention to attend a 2yr or 4yr public or private school or trade/apprenticeship program

• Completion of the FAFSA or ORSAA

Requirements:

Based on the statement above, please describe how you have embodied these characteristics in your life and how you plan to utilize them in the future. 300 word limit.

Ida B. Wells Barnett Community Scholarship Application

The funding for these awards comes from contributions by the Ida B. Wells Aspire program, the counseling college and career department, and the community. We are excited to offer the following scholarships.

IBW Community Scholarship: $1000 award

Harrison J Blackwell Scholarship: $1000 award

Eligibility:

• Graduating senior of Ida B. Wells High School

• Intention to attend a 2yr or 4yr public or private school or trade/apprenticeship program

• Completion of the FAFSA or ORSAA

Requirements:

Upload a resume with special attention to community service/work experience/family involvement and answer the following questions completely (200 word limit): Please describe a personal accomplishment and the strengths and skills you used to achieve it.

Any questions regarding scholarships, please reach out to Mr.Rivas:Wrivas@pps.net

The Spring season is underway. Watch for our IBW Athletics Weekly, Spring Edition coming out this week!

Contests start this week! Our boys golf team heads to Willamette valley for their first match on Monday, Tuesday: our track team heads to Grant on for the first meet, and our men's and women’s tennis team plays their first matches with the men’s team heading to Corvallis and our women’s team plays at home at Gabriel Park, we have 4 home Lacrosse games and our boys volleyball team has their first game.

See the full week's schedule here: https://www.ibwathletics.com/this-week

The Ida B. Wells Softball program is running our annual Orange Fundraiser, and we’d love your support! We have 42 amazing softball players this season across three teams, and funds raised will go directly toward uniforms and equipment to support our growing program.

These are super tasty oranges and grapefruits—$40 for a 1/2 bushel—and a great way to stock up on healthy snacks while helping our athletes!

If you’d like to order:

• Buy directly from one of our 42 softballers
• Or shoot me an email at kgovertsen@pps.net, and I’ll connect you with a player!

Orders are open through the end of March, and we can accept cash, checks, or online payments through schoolpay.

Thanks so much for supporting IBW Softball—we’re grateful for this awesome community!

MULCH FUNDRAISER

The Ida B Wells Football Program is holding their first annual Mulch Sale Fundraiser this Spring! As part of their effort this offseason to purchase the highest quality safety and performance equipment available for their program, the Wells Football Program will be selling bags of Mulch! It's a WIN-WIN!

A longtime North West favorite, Swanson Fir Bark is a ground bark mulch comprised of fine ground bark material with larger pieces of bark up to two inches incorporated into the product. Perfect for use in almost any landscape where mulching is required.

Deadline to purchase is March 28th!

Free delivery for 97221, 97239, 97280, and 97219 zip codes. All home deliveries will be made on Saturday, April 12th. All other zip codes must pickup your order on April 12th in the Ida B. Wells High School parking lot.

There is a price break of $2 per bag for purchases of 50 or more bags! Discount automatically applied during checkout. Use this link to order! https://wellsfootball.org/products/swanson-fir-bark-mulch

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!

The Portland Public Schools (PPS) Board of Education has referred a proposed 2025 School Bond to voters. If approved by voters on May 20, the proposed 2025 School Bond would fund projects that address additional building, health, safety, and learning needs in schools across the District, while continuing PPS’s plan to comprehensively address facility needs by improving all of our schools over the long term. If approved by voters, the tax rate would continue to be approximately $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed value, the level targeted by the 2017 bond.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Email: 2025bond@pps.net

Did you miss the last edition of the Family Newsletter? Here is the link to the March 13th edition https://secure.smore.com/n/vm1zk

Read the most recent District News & Events here: https://secure.smore.com/n/7ys2x