Annual Events
Black History Month Celebration
Irvington celebrates Black History Month each February with an afternoon full of cultural activities! Volunteers are needed to plan and promote the festivities, arrange for entertainment, and coordinate decorations. Contact: Re’nee Boland, (503) 257-1189, bolandheart@aol.com. WANTED: Help Re’nee plan the event.
Family Write Night
All ages are welcome to come and enjoy an evening of writing, art, and community. Leave with a family-created writing project that makes a great gift. In 2011 it’s scheduled for December 7. Contact: Katharine Johnson, kjohnson@pps.net, Roseann Bennett, rbennet1@pps.net, Kara Hinderlie, khinderl@pps.net,or Billy Nee, bnee@pps.net.
Grandparents and Special Friends Day
Students invite a grandparent or special adult to visit their classroom and join in fun activities. In 2011 it is on November 19. Students often prepare a performance, snack, gifts, and/or a presentation for their guests. Look for information in your child’s Friday folder.
Ice Cream Social and Family Barbecue
At the beginning of the school year, families get to know each other at the Ice Cream Social and Family Barbecue. Families eat free hot dogs courtesy of the PTA and bring potluck dishes to share. Teachers provide ice cream treats for $0.25. A fun filled evening of socializing and play! Volunteers are always needed to bring grills and cook hot dogs. Contact: Dick Cherry, rcherry@pps.net and the Volunteer Coordinator, Caitlin Krause, caitlinkrause@yahoo.com.
IRF (Irvington Reads for Fun)
Twice a year Irvington students get a chance to pick a book to take home and keep through our own reading program, IRF. Volunteers are needed to help organize the event and help kids choose their books. Contact: Jen Maas, jlmaas@hotmail.com.
Irvington Spelling Bee
Parent volunteers are needed to help run the spelling bee. There are some impressive spellers lurking in the Irvington halls, and the spelling bee gives them a chance to show their prowess. Contact Caitlin Krause, caitlinkrause@yahoo.com, if you want to help with the bee.
Jelly Bean Field Day
One June day kids get to participate in fun outdoor games to earn credits toward jelly beans. Teachers, parents, and older students supervise the activities and check lists. Contact: Derek Barnes, dbarnes@pps.net.
Jungle Night
This beloved annual event was developed by our former PE teacher, Karen Barker, and revived by our current teacher, Derek Barnes. Kids bring in their favorite stuffed animals and the gym is transformed for a week into a jungle gymnastics obstacle course complete with a swinging vine and a bear cave! Kids go the jungle during the school day and families can visit in the evening. Contact: Derek Barnes, dbarnes@pps.net.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
During his lifetime, Dr. King sought to forge the common ground on which people from all walks of life could join together to address important community issues. Irvington commemorates his life by participating in service projects in our communities. Volunteers are needed to help identify and select suitable community service projects, promote and encourage participation and coordinate volunteer crews. Contact: Lisa McCall, lmccall@pps.k12.or.us.
Oregon Trail Overnight
As a part of studying Oregon history, each spring Irvington fourth graders have the opportunity to live the pioneer life by grinding their own wheat, making candles, sawing logs, and many other activities that children their age did when crossing the Oregon Trail. Staff, parent chaperones, and students dress in pioneer garb for their overnight at a regional camp. Contact teachers Dick Cherry, rcherry@pps.net, Cathy Percich, cpercich@pps.net, or Eric Lofquist, elofquis@pps.net about chaperoning the trip or registering your Safeway Club Card to help fund the Oregon Trail Overnight.
Run for the Arts
Run for the Arts is a regional spring jogathon/walkathon conducted by schools to raise money for educational arts programs like theater trips, concerts, and artists in residence. At Irvington students collect sponsors and run or walk around the school grounds while parent volunteers help count laps and cheer for the participants. Contact: Derek Barnes, dbarnes@pps.net.
Scholastic Book Fair
This book sale in November provides funding for library books and the IRF program. Volunteers are needed to staff the book fair. Contact: Chelle Casey-Stevenson, wrekless@mac.com or Caitlin Krause, caitlinkrause@yahoo.com.
Science Fair
The annual showcase of the hypotheses and experiments of all of Irvington’s 6th-8th graders. In 2012 it is scheduled for February 2 from 6 – 8 p.m. Contact: Brett Hutwagner, hutwagner@pps.net or Todd Rinier, tstewartr@pps.net.
Spirit Days
One Friday per month students are encourage to show their school spirit by dressing up. Each spirit day has a theme, such as hat day. Teachers are encouraged to participate as well! Notices are sent out in Friday folders.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Many of us strive to find ways to show our appreciation for jobs well done throughout the year but sometimes even the best intentions get lost in the hustle and bustle of busy lives. As a community, we make a concerted effort to show our appreciation for the wonderful work of teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week each May. Volunteers are needed to promote and coordinate the activities. Contact: Lisa Wernick, 503.493.2345, lwernick@juno.com or Lulu Barker, 503-233-2355, Lulu@easystreet.net.
TV Turnoff Week
Irvington participates in the national TV Turnoff Week (in April) to encourage children (and adults) to watch much less TV in order to promote healthier lives and communities. The kids enjoy the challenge of making it through a week without any screen time and a surprising number are successful! Volunteers are needed to promote the event, organize alternate activities, and to provide recognition for participation. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Caitlin Krause, caitlinkrause@yahoo.com, if you’d like to help.
Wordstock Write Night
Irvington is proud to host a second annual Wordstock Write Night for families of 3 – 6th graders. It is designed to empower parents to understand expectations for writing and how they can help. The 2011 Wordstock night will take place on October 12 from 6 – 8 p.m. in the library and is made possible by a generous donation from an Irvington Family, in honor of our former Principal, Cynthia MacLeod. Contact: Hether Dunn, ptapres@irvingtonschool.com.
Irvington school volunteers make it happen!
PTA coordinates parent involvement at school but you are in charge of what you’d like to do. Not all families look the same and not all volunteer roles are the same and both can change from year to year. If you had 10 hours to share with our school this year, what would you like to do? Together many hands make light work and our community grows. Best of all your child will see you actively involved in his/her future.
