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Vestal Elementary School
Our richly-diverse community nurtures life-long learning to support all students
in achieving their very highest educational and personal potential.

161 NE 82nd Avenue•Portland, OR 97220•Ph (503) 916-6437•Fx (503) 916-2679

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Vestal
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  • Hello all and happy Thursday! Today we had two wonderful assemblies filled with live salsa music, our younger students were dancing up a storm! Check out pictures on our school Facebook page!
    Just a reminder that tomorrow is Vestal Spirit Day, Spinny Wheel day and the Fresh Food Market!
    As we are getting down to the last few weeks of school, we are making a push for being ON TIME to school! Remember, school starts at 8:00! Please help model for your student how important it is to be at school on time and ready to learn!

    From our wonderful ART teacher-
    Hello Vestal Bees!
    As we near the end of the school year, I’d like to express my deep gratitude to our amazing community for all that you do to support the arts, especially during this time of budgetary cuts in all of our schools. From the PTA’s monetary contributions for classroom supplies, to families that donate their time, energy, and unused materials to art, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! Thank you as well for all of the times I hear from you personally how much you value art education for your students. I always tell students that art is problem-solving…in the best possible way!
    Kindergarten and first grade have been using everyday materials to stamp painted trees; second grade are creating beautiful koi ponds; third and fourth grade are almost done with their stunning radial symmetry prints, and fifth grade (back by popular demand) have been weaving on cardboard looms. Look for a lot of this work in the next couple of weeks to be displayed in the building.
    As always, never hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns, or just to say “hey”!
    All the best to you,
    Ms. Breaux

District News

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  • Join the Climate Crisis Response Committee

    5/19/2025

    If you are a passionate student or community member that wants to make a difference at PPS, apply to join the Climate Crisis Response Committee! This is a committee that reports to the PPS Board of Education.

    On the committee you will learn about how PPS is making progress towards our climate justice and sustainability policies, provide input and recommendations to the PPS Board on how to better support PPS staff as we advance these policy goals, and connect with other passionate members of our PPS community from diverse backgrounds, knowledge areas, and lived experiences.

    No previous professional experience in climate change or sustainability required! Students can apply via this form. Community members can apply here.

    Deadline to apply: June 6. 

  • Students Dance Their Hearts Out at This Year's Earthstock

    5/19/2025

    Earthstock 2025 was a huge success!

    Each year, special education students from across the region gather at Portland's Crystal Ballroom for a truly unique and uniquely joyful high school dance. 

    Earthstock began in 1992 at the request of a young student who was confined to a wheelchair and was disappointed he couldn’t attend the high school dances because of transportation issues. There were 60 kids at the first event. Earthstock now entertains more than 700 students, staff and volunteers, and is rapidly becoming one the largest events of its kind in the country. 

  • Author and Former PPS Teacher Visits Skyline

    5/19/2025

    Students at Skyline school were recently treated to a visit from PPS teacher-turned-graphic novelist Aron Nels Steinke. 

    Steinke is the award-winning author and illustrator behind the popular Mr. Wolf's Class series. He also taught at Skyline during the 2015-16 school year.

    During his visit to Skyline, he opened up to a group of third, fourth, and fifth graders about how he got started as an author despite struggling to read and write in school. He also read a short excerpt from his newest book, Speechless. 

    Speechless tells the story of Mira, a sixth grader who spends her first year of middle school finding herself and her voice. Skyline students were some of the book's first readers. We can't wait to see what Mr. Steinke writes next!

     

  • Mayor Delivers State of the City at Franklin HS

    5/16/2025

    On May 2, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson delivered his first state of the city address at Franklin High School.

    Members of the district and Franklin student councils had the chance to hear Wilson speak about his plans and vision for Portland’s future. Student Representative JJ Kunsevi opened the panel with a powerful question about education funding and the impact on students. 

    It was an evening that put public education front-and-center and a chance for PPS student leaders to shine.

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