
The Guardian Gazette
IBW Family News, September 19, 2024

February 6, 2025
Message from Principal Coning
IBW Families,
It’s a busy time of year at Ida B. Wells High School with the start of 2nd semester, preparing for an outstanding Black History Month assembly on Feb. 20th, 9th-11th graders forecasting for courses, wrestling, swimming, basketball, skiing and snowboarding competitive seasons, and much more.
Here: https://www.pps.net/Page/20321 is our online forecasting guide that our students are using to choose their classes for next year. One of the most important, if not THE most important, aspect of a successful high school experience are the classes that students choose and take. A student’s high school schedule is foundational to having an overall supportive and positive learning experience. Families, please work with your students to choose wisely and let their counselor, grade level administrator, or teachers know what questions they may have.
We are really looking forward to the Winter Formal on Saturday, Feb. 8th from 7-10pm at the Crystal Ballroom. This is my personal favorite ballroom in all of Portland with the beautiful hand blown glass chandeliers and the bouncy dance floor! Very exciting! Here are some reminders to share with your students. These agreements were created in collaboration with Student Leadership.
All students will not dance with or touch others without their consent. Extremely physical and rough dancing is not allowed. If an attendee is found to be physically inappropriate, their parent/guardian will be notified and they will be removed from the dance immediately.
Students can not be under the influence of or in possession of drugs and alcohol: If you are suspected to be under the influence or in possession, you will potentially be removed from the dance and further disciplinary measures at school will follow. Parent/Guardian will be contacted and expected to pick up their student.
Tickets will NOT be sold at the door. NO EXCEPTIONS.
You need a ticket and a valid school ID to enter the dance. No entry without ID.
Guest passes must be turned in by posted deadlines. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Guests must arrive and enter the dance with the Ida B. Wells student that bought their ticket.
All coats, bags, jackets, purses, hats and other personal items must be turned into the coat check area before you enter the dance. All items are subject to search upon entry.
No outside food or drink allowed.
You must enter the dance within the first 60 minutes from the start time. No entry after 8pm.
You will not be allowed to re-enter the dance after you have left the dance facility.
Additionally, There is only street parking at the venue, so we suggest carpooling, drop off, or taking public transportation. The flu and contagious colds are on the rise this winter, so we ask anyone feeling ill to stay home or use a mask.
Thank you,
Ayesha
UPCOMING DATES
Mark your calendars and see below for further information
February 6 - PTA Social Hour
February 10 - Booster Club Meeting
February 12 - PTA Pickleball Tournament Planning Meeting
February 17 - No School, President's Day Holiday
February 19/20 - Michelle Duster, great granddaughter of Ida B. Wells, to visit IBWHS
February 27 - PTA Volunteer Date at the PTA Clothing Closet
February 28 - Coffee with Principal Coning
March 3 - No School for Students, Professional Development Day for Teachers
March 5 - Special Schedule for ALL Grade Levels
March 5 - Community Equity Council Monthly Meeting
March 24 -28 Spring Break
April 25 - IBWHS Auction
If you haven't had a chance to look at the newsletters from earlier this week:
The Guardian Gazette, Student News, February 3 https://secure.smore.com/n/465vcn
IBW Athletics Weekly, February 3 https://secure.smore.com/n/6bqs1
And always be sure and check the Trivory Calendar for more dates!
NEWS FROM OUR PARENT GROUPS
Booster Club
Volunteer
The Booster Club is in need of volunteers for these upcoming contests for the concession stand! Having fully staffed volunteers for events helps us make about $1000 per week which allows us to continue to give grants to not only athletic teams but also organizations. https://signup.com/go/ycboLia
- Thursday, 2/6 - Wrestling, 1 spot
- Saturday, 2/8- Women's Wrestling tournament - 1 spot
- Tuesday, 2/11 - Men's Basketball, 1 spot
- Friday, 2/14 - (Valentine's Day) - Women's Basketball, 3 spots
- Tuesday, 2/25 - Women's Basketball, 3 spots
Auction
Save the date for the IBW Booster Club Spring into A(u)ction on April 25, 2025 at 7pm at the Multnomah Athletic Club. Tickets will go on sale next week so stay tuned on how you can support the IBW Booster Club along with athletics and organizations at Ida B. Wells.
You may know that the auction was previously run by the school’s foundation. Because the PPS foundation has dissolved, they are no longer running the auction. As a result, the Booster Club has stepped in to take over the event. We will share more details in coming weeks about how you can get involved to support. .
Community Equity Council
The Community Equity Council has been working hard to assist with Michelle Duster's visit on February 19th and 20th. Much more information is coming soon. Stay tuned!
Our next regular scheduled monthly meeting is Wednesday, March 5th
PTA
All IBW parents are welcome to join us for our first PTA Social Hour! There is no meeting agenda and membership is not required! Come meet other IBW parents for what we plan to be a regular community-building event. Meet us TONIGHT Thursday, February 6, 6:30-8 pm at the Buffalo Gap Saloon, 6835 S Macadam Ave. Look for us in the game room.
PTA Clothing Center Volunteers Needed – Two times a year, IBW volunteers at the PTA Clothing Center. The Clothing Center is a wonderful resource for students from across PPS, run entirely by volunteers and through donations. See here for details about the program. To sign up for our second volunteer date on Thursday, Feb 27, go to this link. Thank you!
PTA Pickleball Tournament - A Pickleball Tournament is being planned for late Spring to raise funds to support PTA programs. There are many steps and roles! Please join us virtually for our first planning meeting on Wednesday, February 12th at 7:00pm to see how you can get involved in this very fun event! Please see the attached document with all the details. Here is the meeting link https://meet.google.com/unj-rcad-iod
MORE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Senior Breakfast Volunteers Needed
We need a few helpers for a senior breakfast on March 5. We need a person to lead planning the food. (We have people who have volunteered to help pickup). You will be reimbursed for all costs. The planning is an estimated 1-2 hours of work.
We also need volunteers to setup and cleanup the breakfast on March 5. If you can help, please email Angela Corman at angcorman@outlook.com.
FUNDRAISERS
NEWS FROM AROUND IBWHS
Michelle Duster to visit IBWHS!
Mark your calendars as we are excited for Michelle Duster, the great-granddaughter of Ida B Wells, to visit 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!
NEWS FROM OUR DISTRICT
Refugee Green Card Consultations
Please see the attachments for this information in other languages.
COMMUNITY NEWS/RESOURCES
Please see the attached pdf for a complete Caregiver Support Guide for Parents and Caregivers of LGBTQ+ Youth
Multnomah County Services
Start with 311 as your single point of access to help with any questions or local government service needs within Multnomah County.
7 days a week - 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. (excluding federal holidays)
Call: 311 / 503-823-4000
Email: 311@portlandoregon.gov
Translation services available