Category: Save PDX Schools

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Save PDX Schools

Email City Council by noon Tuesday: Save Public Schools resolution

Graphic with an envelope icon: Email City Council: Save Public Schools. Deadline noon Tuesday. Ask councilors to put the Save Public Schools resolution on Wednesday's agenda; 9 of 12 must sign on by noon, Oct 27.

⏰ We have until noon on Tuesday, October 27. Councilor Mitch Green (District 4, our district) is filing an emergency “Save Public Schools” resolution with Portland City Council. To be heard at Wednesday’s Council meeting, it needs 9 of the 12 councilors to sign on by noon tomorrow. Councilor Green’s office reached out to parent organizers today asking families to email councilors right away.

📜 What the resolution does:

  • Urges the PPS Board to pause its school closure and realignment plan.
  • Urges Governor Kotek to release Education Stability Funds to pause the closure process.
  • Makes revenue reform and school funding a top priority for the 2027 Oregon Legislature, including reforming the kicker and referring a fix for Measures 5 and 50 to voters.
  • Calls the closures, up to 14 schools including six Title I schools, a serious risk to the City and to programs like SUN Community Schools.

✉️ Email every councilor now. It takes two minutes. Tap the button to open an email to all 11 other councilors with our template filled in, fill in the [brackets], add a line about your family, and send.

📧 Email all councilors with our template

If the button doesn’t open your email, copy the subject and the email below and send them to the councilors listed under them.

Subject:

PLEASE Sign off on Save Public Schools Resolution

Email:

Dear Councilors,

I’m writing to you this evening with urgency about Councilor Mitch Green’s Save Public Schools Resolution.

Healthy public schools are the centerpieces of our city’s vibrant neighborhoods, and school closures damage communities and should be a last resort. Please sign off by noon on Tuesday, October 27, on the 9/12ths request to add the “Save Public Schools Resolution” to the Wednesday, October 28 City Council agenda. The resolution urges state and local officials to stall the impending crisis of school closures in Portland Public Schools and to implement revenue reform.

PPS families are being asked to accept closures and cuts caused by years of state underfunding. PPS has cut $171.8 million in services since 2023–24 and already projects another $65.2 million deficit for 2027–28.

Our city can’t afford to close neighborhood schools, which are the lifelines and heartbeats of our local communities. Please fight for more funding for Portland students and for kids throughout the state.

I want my child to be able to continue to thrive in Portland’s public education system. Now is the time for all of us to step up and demand that the city and state do right by our children.

With appreciation,
[Your name]
[Your neighborhood or council district]

👥 Who to email (tap a name to email them):

All 11 addresses, to paste into the To: field:

Councilor.Clark@portlandoregon.gov, Councilor.Zimmerman@portlandoregon.gov, Councilor.Avalos@portlandoregon.gov, Councilor.Smith@portlandoregon.gov, Councilor.Dunphy@portlandoregon.gov, Councilor.Pirtle-Guiney@portlandoregon.gov, Councilor.Ryan@portlandoregon.gov, Councilor.Kanal@portlandoregon.gov, Councilor.KoyamaLane@portlandoregon.gov, Councilor.Novick@portlandoregon.gov, Councilor.Morillo@portlandoregon.gov

Not sure which district you live in? Find your council district. Your own district’s councilors matter most, but every signature counts toward the nine.

📣 Pass it on. Share this post with your school, PTA, friends and neighbors tonight. The more emails councilors see before noon, the better.

🔗 Read the full resolution: Save Public Schools Resolution (Councilor Mitch Green, Oct. 26, 2026). See more ways to help on our Save Maplewood hub page.

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Save PDX Schools

Write Letters to Stop School Closures: Friday, October 30

Flyer for “Let’s Make Our Voices Heard,” a letter-writing event on Friday, October 30, 10 AM–1 PM, at Mike Bennett Studios, 707 NE Fremont St. Families and community members write letters urging the PPS School Board to stop school closures. Supplies are provided, and the letters will be delivered for you. Outdoor event, rain or shine. Sticky notes read “Save our schools” and “Closing schools is not the solution.”
✍️ Let’s make our voices heard! Supplies provided, postage handled 📮

On Friday, October 30, join PPS families and neighbors across the district as we write letters to the PPS School Board and elected officials, urging them to stop the proposed school closures. ✍️ Every handwritten letter shows decision makers how many families these closures would affect. 💌

🗓️ When: Friday, October 30, 10 AM–1 PM. Drop in for as long as you can.
📍 Where: Mike Bennett Studios, 707 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212
🌦️ Outdoor event, rain or shine. Dress for the weather!

📅 Add to calendar: Google Calendar · Apple Calendar / Outlook (.ics file)

✅ RSVP: Let us know you’re coming so we can see who’s going and set up carpools from SW. 🚗 Tell us if you can drive or need a ride.

🍩 Free donuts: hundreds of them, provided by Delicious Donuts!

🖍️ Provided: letter-writing supplies, but feel free to bring your own creative flair. 🎨 No stamps needed: the organizers will deliver the letters for you. 📮

🎒 Bring: your family, friends and neighbors. Just show up! 🙌

🎃 Stay for the fun: Mike Bennett’s FREE Haunted House is open, so come for the letter writing and stay for the Haunted House! It’s family friendly: a little spooky, not scary. 👻

📣 Want to make a day of it? Head to the rally with families from across the district at the PPS District Office (Prophet Education Center, 501 N Dixon St), 4–5:30 PM. Come in your Maplewood gear, bring a sign and make your voice heard. RSVP for the rally · Google Calendar · Apple Calendar / Outlook (.ics file)

Hosted by artist Mike Bennett in coordination with Save PDX Schools. Spread the word with your school, PTA, family, friends and neighbors, because the PPS board’s decision affects all PPS families. 💙🍁🧡

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Save PDX Schools

A new “Scenario D” would keep Maplewood open

Two Maplewood students smile outside Benson High School holding signs that read “Maplewood Elementary: We love our neighborhood school!” and “Keep Portland Schools Open.”

There’s real movement in the fight to keep Maplewood open. At Tuesday’s board meeting, our Southwest board member Christy Splitt presented a smaller alternative to the district’s closure scenarios, reported as “Scenario D”, that would keep Maplewood Elementary open. Your emails, testimony and turnout are being heard.

📱 A message from our PTA President, Beckah: “Just a little update, if you need a little hope, you can borrow some of mine!”

View this post on Instagram

📰 What’s on the table, as reported by The Oregonian:

  • Scenario D (Splitt) would close six schools instead of up to 14: Creston, Buckman, Woodmere, Sabin, Irvington and Peninsula, all elementaries expected to enroll 250 students or fewer next year. Maplewood is forecast at 278.
  • In Southwest Portland, Maplewood and Stephenson would stay open. Splitt would instead start a boundary adjustment process across eight SW elementaries: Ainsworth, Bridlemile, Rieke, Hayhurst, Maplewood, Capitol Hill, Markham and Stephenson.
  • Board member Stephanie Engelsman suggests changes to the district’s scenarios, including not closing any school that has had more than $250,000 in bond-funded work. Maplewood had about $1.4 million in 2012 bond funds for its 2015 roof replacement and seismic upgrades.
  • Engelsman is also ready to propose moving the vote to February or March, so families can keep pressing the Legislature for a fix.

🎙️ What board members said on Tuesday:

  • Splitt called her plan “a beginning of a phased approach” that starts with the smallest schools. Watch
  • Engelsman named Maplewood’s seismic work directly: “Maplewood, $1.5 million. It doesn’t feel— honestly, it doesn’t feel ethical or fiscally responsible to spend taxpayer money and then close a building.” Watch
  • Board member Patte Sullivan: “it almost seems like maybe the west side doesn’t need it.” Watch
  • Board member Virginia La Forte: “I’m not sold,” and asked for more time before the vote. Watch
  • Superintendent Armstrong said the draft scenarios were the district’s “best thinking at the time. Our thinking will be updated.” Watch

Thank you to the Maplewood parents who spoke during public comment!

⚠️ This is far from over. Superintendent Armstrong has made no promises, and she’s currently leaning toward Scenario B, which would close Maplewood and 10 other schools. Splitt’s plan still has to be checked by district staff.

🗓️ What’s next: come to the School Impact Conversation with the Superintendent this Saturday, October 24, 4–6 PM at Ida B. Wells High School. Dr. Armstrong is meeting with Maplewood, Stephenson and MLC families to hear our questions in person, so let’s fill the room. RSVP here to help us plan carpools.

Key dates after that:

  • November 17: superintendent’s final recommendation
  • December 15: board vote

See all upcoming events and ways to help on our Save Maplewood hub page.

🔗 Read more: 2 Portland Public Schools board members pitch alternatives to closing 14 schools (The Oregonian, Oct. 20, 2026, free gift link) · Watch the board discussion

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Save PDX Schools

School Impact Conversation with the Superintendent: Saturday, October 24

On Saturday, October 24, Superintendent Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong is meeting directly with the Maplewood, Stephenson and Metropolitan Learning Center communities about the proposed rightsizing scenarios. 🏫 This session is set aside for our schools, so it’s our best chance to ask questions face to face and show the district what Maplewood means to our kids and our neighborhood. A full room speaks loudly. 💪

🗓️ When: Saturday, October 24, 4–6 PM
📍 Where: Ida B. Wells High School, 1151 SW Vermont St, Portland, OR 97219

✅ RSVP: Let us know you’re coming so we can see who’s going and set up carpools. 🚗 Tell us if you can drive or need a ride.

🎤 Speak for Maplewood: families, students and staff can all ask questions and share their perspectives. We’ll work with everyone who RSVPs to prepare clear questions and talking points. Find them in the Speak up section of the Save Maplewood page.

📝 After: please share your notes and takeaways in the Maplewood Families WhatsApp group so everyone can keep learning and stay connected.

🗓️ Can’t make Saturday? The next Board Community Connection is Tuesday, October 27, 6–8 PM at Lincoln High School. See all dates on the Save Maplewood page.

🎒 Bring: your questions, your story, and a neighbor or two. Thank you for showing up and helping us keep it to 11! 💙🍁🧡

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Save PDX Schools

Letter Writing Event with Stephenson: Wednesday, October 21

Flier for the Stephenson Elementary and Maplewood Elementary Letter Writing Event, with a lion and a bear mascot holding pencils. Wednesday, October 21, 4–7 PM at John’s Marketplace, 3535 SW Multnomah Blvd, Portland, OR 97219. Joined by Bridlemile, Capitol Hill, Hayhurst and Markham Elementary, Jackson Middle School, Rieke Elementary and Robert Gray Middle School. Paper, sample letters, crayons, pens and markers provided. Please buy food or a drink to support John’s. Families, students and neighbors welcome.
✍️ Stephenson & Maplewood letter writing, Wed Oct 21, 4–7 PM at John’s Marketplace 🍔

On Wednesday, October 21, Stephenson and Maplewood families are getting together to write letters and speak up for our schools. ✍️ Bridlemile, Capitol Hill, Hayhurst, Markham and Rieke Elementary and Jackson and Robert Gray Middle Schools are invited to join us. 💙 Every letter shows the district how much our neighborhood schools matter. 💪

🗓️ When: Wednesday, October 21, 4–7 PM. Drop in any time.
📍 Where: John’s Marketplace, 3535 SW Multnomah Blvd, Portland, OR 97219 (SW Multnomah & SW 35th)

📅 Add to calendar: Google Calendar · Apple Calendar / Outlook (.ics file)

🖍️ Provided: paper, sample letters, and crayons, pens and markers. Kids are welcome to write or draw their own letters!

🍔 Fuel your letter writing: John’s is supporting us, so let’s support them. Please buy food or a drink while you’re there. ❤️

🎒 Bring: your family, friends and neighbors. Just show up! 🙌

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Save PDX Schools

PPS Board Community Connection: Saturday, October 17

On Saturday, October 17, the PPS Board is hosting a drop-in Board Community Connection at McDaniel High School, and we’d love to see Maplewood and SW Portland families there. 🗣️ It’s an informal, conversational format, which makes it a good chance to talk with Board members face to face about what our neighborhood schools mean to our kids and our community. 💙

🗓️ When: Saturday, October 17, 11 AM–2 PM. Drop in anytime.
📍 Where: McDaniel High School, 2735 NE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR 97220
✅ RSVP: RSVP with PPS so the district knows we’re coming.

🎤 Speak for Maplewood: we’re asking a few Maplewood families to speak for our community. We’ll work with everyone who RSVPs to prepare clear statements, talking points and questions for the Board, on behalf of Maplewood and all PPS schools. Find talking points in the Speak up section of the Save Maplewood page.

📝 After: please share your notes and takeaways in the Maplewood Families WhatsApp group so everyone can keep learning and stay connected.

🗓️ Can’t make Saturday? More Board Community Connections are coming up: Tuesday, Oct 27 at Lincoln HS, Wednesday, Oct 28 online, and Thursday, Oct 29 at Cleveland HS (Marshall Campus). See all dates on the Save Maplewood page.

🎒 Bring: your questions, your story, and a neighbor or two. Thank you for showing up and helping us keep it to 11! 💙🍁🧡

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Save PDX Schools

Ride the Maplewood Bike Bus: Friday, October 16

Route map for the Maplewood Bike Bus on Friday, October 16. The ride starts at John's Marketplace (SW Multnomah Blvd & SW 35th Ave), heads west along SW Multnomah Blvd, then curves north to end at Maplewood Elementary on SW 52nd Ave. Megaphone icons mark safe cheering spots along Multnomah Blvd and near the school. Arrive 7:15 AM, depart 7:35 AM. Post-ride community social at Maplewood Coffee & Tea from 8:00 AM.
Bike bus route from John's Marketplace to Maplewood Elementary. Megaphones mark safe spots to cheer.

On Friday, October 16, Maplewood families, local leaders and neighbors from across the district are riding to school together. 🚲 Ride with us, or bring a sign and cheer from the sidewalk along Multnomah Blvd. 📣 A strong turnout shows the district how connected our neighborhood communities are. 💪

🗓️ When: Friday, October 16. Arrive by 7:15 AM. We leave at 7:35 AM.
📍 Where we meet: John’s Marketplace, 3535 SW Multnomah Blvd, Portland, OR 97219 (SW Multnomah & SW 35th)
🗺️ Route: West along Multnomah Blvd, ending at Maplewood Elementary 🏫 on SW 52nd Ave.

🪧 Not riding? Bring signs! You don’t need a bike to be part of this. Come cheer us on from the safe spots along the route marked with 📣 on the map.

☕ After the ride: everyone’s welcome at the community social at Maplewood Coffee & Tea starting at 8:00 AM.

🎒 Bring: a bike, a helmet, signs, and your friends and neighbors. Just show up! 🙌

📄 Download the printable flyer (PDF)