August 11, 2025

Dear Families of Incoming Kindergarten Students,

Welcome to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School! I want to start by saying how excited we are to welcome you and your kindergartener into the Dr MLK Jr community. Some of you already have children at the school, and I hope you agree with me that Dr MLK Jr School is a special place. We will do everything we can to make sure that school is a positive experience for your child and your family.

The first day of school for kindergartners depends on their last name:

• 8/26: First day of school for students in grades 1–5

• 8/26–8/27: One-on-one Kindergarten Visits (to be scheduled with your child’s teacher)

• 8/28: First day for Kindergarten students with last names A–L only for a full day

  • Students with last names starting M-Z will not attend this day

• 8/29: First day for Kindergarten students with last names M–Z only for a full day

  • Students with last names starting  A-L  will not attend this day

• 9/02: All Kindergarten Students begin full day school

  • 7:45AM: Doors open. Breakfast Available.

  • 8:00AM: Tardy Bell/Students in Class 

  • 2:30PM: End of Day. Please confirm your dismissal location with your student’s teacher.

I’d also  like to invite you to two welcoming events for the 2025-2026 School Year:

1. The Kindergarten & New Family Social on Tuesday, August 19, from 10 - 11 AM on our playground. This will be a casual, family-friendly gathering where families can meet and children can play. 

2. Our Back-to-School event for all families on Monday, August 25, from 2 – 3PM. During this time, students will have a chance to meet their teachers and play on the playground. We’ll also be handing out backpacks and popsicles! If you have school supplies to share with the classroom, please bring them on this day. Our school supply list can be found here. 

Another important date to note is Back-to-School Night on Tuesday, September 16, from 5–6:30 PM where you will have the opportunity to visit your student’s classroom and teachers and to learn more about our amazing school.

Our Kindergarten Programs & Teachers:

We have three kindergarten classrooms and teachers:

• Ms. De Lara-Vargas teaches in our English Scholars Program (ESP). Students in this class remain with her for the full day.

• Ms. Amanda Larriva teaches English in the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP).

• Law Laoshi (Laoshi means “teacher” in Mandarin) teaches Mandarin in the MIP.  Ms. Larriva and Law Laoshi co-teach two classes of students, which are referred to as the Red Group and the Blue Group. You'll find out which group your child is in during your teacher meeting.

Some of our kindergarten classes also have a classroom assistant, providing additional support for our youngest learners.

Additional Notes:

• If you have questions about enrollment or registration, please call 503-916-3205 to speak with an Enrollment & Transfer Specialist. 

• No need to bring school supplies—we have everything your child will need! 

• All students will be assigned individual headphones for classroom use, especially during computer-based assessments. If you’d prefer to send your child with their own, you can find a recommended durable option here.

One more detail: On the first day, families will line up outside and teachers will walk the students into school on their own. Students will say goodbye to their families every morning outside and go into school on their own. 

I am so excited to welcome our next group of kindergarten students. My most important piece of advice is to be kind to yourself and to your family. I strongly believe that love, care and compassion will carry us into times of incredible growth and bonding.  I look forward to meeting you all and am honored to welcome you to kindergarten at Dr. MLK Jr. Elementary in 2025!

Warmly,

Teresa Seidel

Principal, Dr Martin Luther King Jr Elementary 

Important Start of Year Dates:

• Tuesday, August 19, 10:00 AM Kindergarten and New Family Social.

• Monday, August 25th, 2:00-3:00PM Back to School Event: Back Pack and School Supply Pick Up. 

• Tuesday 8/26 First day of school for Grades 1-5

• Tuesday 8/26 - Wednesday  8/27 One-on-One Kindergarten Visits (scheduled with your teacher)

• Thursday, August 28: Full day Kindergarten students with last names starting A-L 

• Friday, August 29: Full day Kindergarten students with last names starting M-Z ** No school for Kinder students with names A-L this day

• Monday, September 1 SCHOOLS CLOSED - LABOR DAY

• Tuesday, September 2 Full Day Kindergarten for all students begins

  •  Kindergarten Family Coffee Chat (8:00–8:45 a.m.)

Tuesday, September 16,  5:00-6:30 PM Back to School Night

Portland Public Schools Enrollment Process 

Enroll Online: Online New Student Registration Form

Online registration process

The online registration will enroll the student at the school assigned to the address where you reside. If the student is on an approved transfer to a different school, connect with the transfer school for enrollment options. If you experience technical difficulties with the online registration, email IT Support at support@pps.net.

1. Go to:
     Online Registration Site
2. Click Activate Account/Reset Password
3. Click Create a New Account
4. Read the Privacy Statement and if you agree, click I Accept
5. Enter your account information and click Continue to Step 3
6. Refer to the confirmation email you should have received and follow the next steps

Once you have submitted the online registration, school staff will reach out to you about completing the enrollment.

• Proof of age document (birth certificate, passport or similar document) 
• 2 address verification documents. Examples include mortgage, rental agreement, utility bills (dated within the last 30 days at the time of enrollment), insurance or governmental assistance statement. - Parent name, home address and date must be visible - If you cannot provide two proofs of address, contact the Enrollment and Transfer Center 
• Immunization records - Information on the Vaccine Requirements by grade level can be found at https://www.multnomahesd.org/shs-immunization.html
• Vision and Dental Screening Information (7 years old and under only)
• Registration Form -Emergency contact information
• Previous school’s contact information (not required at the start of Kindergarten)

DR. MLK JR HIGHLIGHTS

•  

• Mandarin Dual Language Immersion  (MIP) Focus Option

• King School Museum of Contemporary Art (KSMoCA) – an art museum inside the school in collaboration with PSU College of Arts and MLK Jr. students and staff

• Weekly Art, Music, Dance, Library, PE, Mandarin (non-Immersion) 

• SUN Afterschool Program with STEM, Art, Chess 4 Success, Music, Drill Team, Skateboarding, Airway Science and other exciting classes FREE (K-5 grades)

• Before and After school care with Neighborhood House

• Active & Supportive Parent Teacher Association (PTA) with Latinx Family Groups, Black Family Nights, AAPI Family Night

• Play it Forward private guitar, ukulele and piano lessons

• After school tutoring for Mandarin and English Scholars programs 

• Comprehensive PreK program

Connect to Kindergarten Video

Welcome to our School Kindergarten!
Watch this video to meet our principal and learn more about kindergarten at our school.