The Guardian Gazette

IBW Families,

Looking forward to seeing you at Back to School night on Tuesday, Sept. 19th. We will start our program in the auditorium at 6pm.

I am very, very excited that we are beginning our process to design and rebuild a new Ida B. Wells High School! We are officially launching a website: https://www.pps.net/IdaBWellsBond

I will continue to give updates on this process! We would enjoy having a group of diverse parents and community members on our Comprehensive Planning Committee. If you are at all interested, please submit your name.

We need a PTA President! Our PTA is an important partner to support our teachers, help them feel cared for while providing resources for classrooms. If you are looking for ways to connect more deeply with the work we do at school with our students and teachers, please consider becoming our President. Email me or our Business Manager, Erica Caldwell (ecaldwell@pps.net), if you are interested.

Parents/Guardians: Important School Attendance Update

Teachers report attendance within the first 10 minutes of class. If a student is late beyond 10 minutes, then, they are marked tardy with the code LAT. If they are later than 20 minutes then they are marked absent with the code A. An “A” means that this is an unexcused absence and we do not know why a student is not in attendance. Robo calls go out for students who are absent and without an excused reason from a parent/guardian. If a student leaves a class during class time and is gone longer than 10-15 minutes, then, they will be marked as skipped with the code as SKP. Please review our Attendance Policies and Procedures on our website https://www.pps.net/Domain/6916

October 21st is the date for our IBW Foundation House Parties to raise money which allows us to fund more teaching positions. As Ida B. Wells High School’s enrollment continues to increase, we know that any additional funding to hire even one more educator makes a difference. We know that fundraising is not for everyone and that our community is very diverse with diverse resources and also diverse perspectives on fundraising. Please know that if you are able to give and participate in the Foundation House Parties, you will have an opportunity to connect with each other as well as raise monies to support our school. We (members of our staff) look forward to attending the house parties and connecting with our students’ families.

Mark your calendars for these 2023-24 School Year dates

September 15 - Final Day for Students to make schedule changes
September 15 - Final day for Juniors to register for PSAT

September 19 - Back-to-School Night

September 27 - PTA Meeting
October 4 - Community Equity Council Meeting
October 9 - Booster Club Meeting
October 13 - No School, Statewide Inservice Day
October 20 - Photo Re-Take Day
October 21 - Foundation House Parties

Our incredible Jazz Band and Choir will welcome you to the new school year beginning at 6:00pm in the auditorium (arrive a bit early to enjoy the jazz band starting before 6:00pm). Our new Principal Ayesha Coning will start us off and you will also meet many key staff (ex. administration, counselors). Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to meet with your student's teachers in their classrooms allowing you to find out more about programs, curriculum, and the layout of Ida B. Wells High School. “Your” period 1 will begin promptly at 6:30 pm. Each period will be ten minutes in length, with a five-minute passing time to get to the next class. In addition:

• Our bookkeeper will be available in her office between 5:45-6:45pm to help with school supply fees and contributions or yearbook/ASB purchases.

• Counselors will be available after the auditorium presentation.

• There will be Ida B. Wells gear (hoodies, shirts, etc) available for purchase

Parent groups will be present to learn more info too!

Filling out your student’s schedule using the Blank Schedule below or using ParentVUE will help you find classrooms as we will not be printing out schedules ( please also see map link below)
Blank Schedule
map of Ida B. Well classrooms

Our PTA is coordinating a dinner for our teachers before Back-to-School Night. More details on how you can help are below in the PTA announcements.

Stop by a Communicare table stationed at either entrance of the school on your way in or out of Back to School Night to enter in a raffle that helps fundraise for our IBW Communicare club! All proceeds from these raffles will go to a non-profit based in Portland, OR whose work aligns with the views of the IBW student community!

Three separate raffles are available to enter in - Take your pick or enter in all three!

1. Gift Cards from local business(s)

2. Two winter formal tickets - auctioned separately (two winners)

3. Two CPR certified babysitters for the night

*CASH ONLY!!

**$10 PER TICKET!!

On Wednesday, October 18th, sophomores will take the PreACT. There is no cost to sophomores. The PreACT helps students prepare for college and careers. Please make sure your student gets a good night’s sleep and breakfast before the test. If you have questions, please contact your child’s school counselor.

In prior years, sophomores took the PSAT. Beginning 2022-23, the Oregon Department of Education changed the required assessment from the PSAT to the PreACT.

PSAT Saturday Testing Opportunity - Registration Deadline Friday 9/15:

On Saturday, October 14, Ida Wells-Barnett and McDaniel high schools will be hosting a PSAT/NMSQT opportunity for juniors only.

Juniors must pre-register via this form to take the test and choose the school where they wish to test. The cost of the test is $15 and must be paid through SchoolPay. Students can indicate on the registration form if they are in need of Financial Assistance to pay for the test.

The PSAT/NMSQT gives students the opportunity to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship. Students must bring a fully charged PPS chromebook to test day. All students must register by Friday, September 15, 2023

Dear Ida B. Wells High School & Ida B. Wells Feeder School Families,

The comprehensive planning process for the modernization of historic Ida B. Wells High School

is getting underway. PPS is seeking a diverse range of engaged citizens who can positively

contribute to the process of creating a next generation high school through the Ida B. Wells

Comprehensive Planning Committee (CPC). View the Ida B. Wells CPC flyer

Ida B. Wells Comprehensive Planning Committee Mission

The goal of the Ida B. Wells CPC is to develop an equitable and integrated comprehensive plan for

a modernized Ida B. Wells High School through authentic community engagement. It will include

students, parents, teachers, alumni, administrators, PPS staff, partners, community representatives

and a school board member.

The CPC collects and synthesizes community-wide input and collaborates around the evolving

project details with other members in the Ida B. Wells community. While CPC members are not

tasked with making final decisions, their input is crucial in creating a comprehensive plan that the

entire community can be proud of.

Join the Ida B. Wells Comprehensive Planning Committee (CPC)

To apply please visit the Ida B. Wells modernization website at https://www.pps.net/IdaBWellsBond

Applications are available in all PPS supported languages. Paper applications will also be available at Ida B. Wells High School and upon request. Interested candidates should plan on meeting about

once a month in the evenings for about 5 to 6 months. The CPC application process will remain

open until late-September. The first meeting will take place in early October.

Other Engagement Opportunities

If you are unable to join the CPC, you will still have opportunities to make your voice heard at

upcoming Design Workshops and Open Houses. Dates will be announced on the website.

Ida B. Wells Modernization Schedule

Planning and Design is set to begin in early fall of 2023 with the development of a Ida B. Wells

Comprehensive Plan. The Planning and Design phase will continue over the next two years. Funding

for the construction of a modernized Ida B. Wells would need to come from a future bond measure.

Get involved and stay informed

The Ida B. Wells modernization website will keep you updated on the latest developments and

provide a list of upcoming engagement opportunities. You can also join the Ida B. Wells

Modernization project mailing list at wellsbond@pps.net. Thank you for helping us create a

modernized Ida B. Wells High School for the 21st century.

We had a great first meeting Monday night and approved two grant requests for a total of almost $7000 that will benefit the students in our school! We are looking forward to seeing you at the next meeting, October 9th at 6:30 PM in the IBW library.

Here are some other ways you can help support the IBW Boosters:

Ida B. Wells Merchandise

With Spirit Week and Homecoming right around the corner, now is a great time to make sure your family has all the Ida B Wells merch it needs! You can buy in person at the Varsity Football game, Friday the 15th or at BTSN on September 19. Be sure to check out our new styles this year!

You can also shop anytime, online, at www.schoolpay.com/link/IBWgear.

Volunteer!

Isn’t is awesome to be able to get a cool refreshing drink on a hot day when you are out watching an activity or sporting event at Ida B Wells? Your volunteerism is what allows this to happen.

We have upcoming openings for help:

Friday, Sept 15th for Varsity Football

Monday, Sept 18th for Varsity Men’s Soccer

Wednesday Sept 20th for Varsity Women’s Soccer

Thursday Sept 21st for Varsity Football

Friday Sept 22nd for JV2 Football (we have no volunteers yet and concessions cannot open without it)

Check out all the openings here: https://signup.com/go/ycboLia

If you have any questions about other ways to get involved or what we do as a nonprofit, please visit our website at https://www.ibwboosterclub.org/ or email info@ibwboosterclub.org

Bookmark this to easily find all our links: @Ibwboosterclub | Linktree

The PTA strives to keep parents informed, advocates for the entire parent community, and provides you with a way to make a difference in your child’s school and educational experience. We all want our children to have a high school experience that prepares them for their next adventure in a safe environment where they can learn and grow. Parent participation is a very important piece of this equation. Here are a few things PTA fundraising supports: classroom support, staff development, scholarships, PTA Clothes Closet, Portland Council Student Aid Fund, and more.

SEEKING PTA PRESIDENT
As Principal Coning mentioned in her Weekly Message, we are seeking a new PTA President. If you are interested please reach out to Business Manager, Erica Calwell at mailto:ecaldwell@pps.net

PTA COORDINATING DINNER FOR TEACHERS BEFORE BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT
Back to School Night is coming up, and the PTA would like to treat our teachers and staff to dinner to celebrate their hard work and dedication. This year, instead of asking for food donations, we're asking for monetary donations for more efficient meal planning and for a fast turnaround.

Please send donations to @ Yvonne-Rasmussen-2 Venmo | Yvonne Rasmussen . Every bit counts and is much appreciated!

PTA MEETING DATE
Our first meeting is scheduled for September 27, 6:30pm in Room 145

IBW PANTRY

Our shelves are bare! Please help our IBW social worker, Britni Locke, continue the important work of helping our students and their families by stocking the shelves of our IBW Food Pantry. This is an important place for our school and community where students can come during the day for snacks, and also where students and families can get needed food as well as personal care and cleaning supplies. The list of needs is long right now and any help is appreciated. Sign up link is here.

The Ida B. Wells Foundation funds teaching positions, raising funds to decrease class sizes and provide a diverse range of electives. The Foundation is the only entity that can pay for staff, and contributions help mitigate cuts to our school due to district and state shortfalls. Foundation receives direct contributions from families in the form of monthly contributions on a credit card, matching gifts from employers, contributions made at House Parties, responses to direct fundraising appeals and the Auction. Last year, the Foundation was able to provide funding to restore teaching positions.

DATES TO NOTE
Foundation House Party Extravaganza: October 21, 2023
The party is on and everyone is invited to help raise funds for the IBWHS Foundation. Each October, Ida B Wells parents have opened up their home to bring the community together in support of IBW High School. We will be sending out signups this fall inviting everyone to support the IBW Foundation. Fun, themed parties are a great way for parents to connect and raise money for our community.

Looking for Party Hosts for our Foundation House Party Extravaganza

Many families join with other families to host a gathering together. If you would be willing to host one of these fantastic events on October 21, 2023, please reach out to Erica Caldwell at ecaldwell@pps.net so we can share how to be involved. Thank you to all of our generous families who have hosted in the past!!

Foundation All-School Auction: April 19, Eco Trust Building
A fun and informal evening of fundraising to benefit Ida B Wells Foundation and all student groups, clubs and teams. Ida B. Wells biggest fundraising event of the year! We already have a Chair, date and location for the 2024 Auction!

MONTHLY GIVING
We hope you will consider a recurring monthly donation of $10 or more to the Ida B Wells Foundation. A little every month adds up to a lot of support for the Foundation! Establish a recurring monthly donation or make a one-time contribution https://fundforpps.org/donate. Many local employers offer matching programs that could double your contribution; check with yours. Matching gift programs allow you to multiply the impact of your gift-at no cost to you. Ask your company's HR or community relations staff if there's a matching gift program.

INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE FOUNDATION BOARD?

We are looking for Foundation Board Members. If you are interested in learning more about this awesome opportunity, please contact Erica Caldwell ecaldwell@pps.net or Kathy Lommen klommen@pps.net

The Community Equity Council (CEC) is a parent group focusing on inclusivity at Ida B. Wells. The members of the group have supported events and activities which lift up historically underserved students and their families, the student leaders of No Place For Hate, and culturally specific and Affinity clubs at Ida B. Wells. The CEC welcomes all parents, guardians, and community members who are interested in participating in these school based missions and learning more.

Meetings will take place once a month (usually on Wednesday evenings 7p-8:30p) in Room 120* Bring a friend.

* Mark your calendars for these future meetings!
Wednesdays 10/4, 11/1, 1/3, 2/7, 3/6, 4/10, 5/1, 6/5
Monday, 12/4

Hello Guardian Families,

We are so excited to be back to school and putting on events for our students. Our leadership class has been working very hard this past year to put together an Ida B Wells High School Homecoming Dance that is fun for everyone! In order to involve our community more, we are still looking for a few parents/guardians who are interested in chaperoning our dances. This year, our Homecoming Dance will be on Friday, September 22 from 7-10pm. Chaperones will have to arrive 30 minutes early. There are four chaperoning options for homecoming night and this includes coat check, admissions, refreshments table, and chaperone in the dance room. We would love to have you come!

To volunteer as a Homecoming Chaperone, please fill out the form linked here: https://forms.gle/DTu8bs39fn3rGPNG7

If you have questions, feel free to email abgriffin@pps.net. We hope to see you there!

-IBWHS Leadership

National Suicide Prevention month is used for raising awareness on this highly stigmatized topic. This month is also used to spread hope via sharing vital information to people affected by suicide. As a school, we want to ensure our students and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help.

At IBW myself, our school psychologist and counselors conduct lifesaving screenings, and do critical prevention work. In addition, we have an in house drug and alcohol counselor 1x a week, school-based therapists through Life Stance 3x a week, and will soon have a Confidential Advocate on campus 1x a week. Findings suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide reduces suicidal ideation. For info and resources #BeThe1To

If you have questions about supporting your child's mental health, please reach out to your child's counselor (extension 75206) or social worker (extension 75340). We can help connect your child to support.

Here are some useful numbers for mental health support:

Multnomah County Crisis Line

24 hours, 7 days a week

(503) 988-4888

Urgent Walk-In Clinic

4212 SE Division (like Zoom Care for mental health)

Daily 7AM-10:30PM - insurance not a barrier

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

English: 1-800-2738255

Spanish: 1-800-628-9454

Kaiser Crisis Line

(503) 331-6425

988 Suicide and Crisis Line

Dial 988

Oregon Youthline

For youth to connect with other youth

Text: Teen2Teen to 839863

Trevor Project

Supports LGBTQIA+ youth

1-866-488-7386

Lines for Life Racial Equity Support Line

Staffed by & for People of Color

(503) 575-3764

We're excited to introduce the new Youth Resources section on Trivory. This is a collection of essential resources and information for youth curated by the Portland Public Schools Student Success and Health Department mental health advisory team together with the feedback of over 100 PPS students. The new section includes information about suicide prevention, health and wellness, housing, food, LGBTQIA+ resources, immigrant and refugee resources, and more.

The new Youth Resources section on Trivory is a continuation of the Youth Resource App, a previous district effort to support the needs of PPS youth. By consolidating the information under one roof, we're making these vital resources just a few taps away for thousands of PPS 6th-12th graders already using the Trivory app.

The new Youth Resources section is now available in the Trivory app for all PPS students. The information is also available online, extending its reach to all Portland youth.

Trivory and PPS remain committed to continuous improvement and welcome user feedback. We hope that the integration of the Youth Resources section into Trivory marks an important step forward in promoting the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of Portland's youth.