Back to School Resource Page

Log into PWSConnect to complete a checklist of documents for each student that require signatures, including Medical Forms, Emergency Contacts, and Handbooks. All forms due by Friday, August 21.

Sat, Aug 22 | 9am-1pm at PWS

In preparation for the start of the school year, we welcome all parents/caregivers, students, faculty and staff for a day of caring work, community building and fun in service to the beautiful land and buildings that hold our children every school day.

The PA will also be hosting the REWEAR event at the same time!

Morning coffee and pizza lunch will be offered.

Wednesday, August 26, 4-5:30pm, at PWHS

Students and their families new to PWHS are welcome to join our New Student Orientation. Attendance at this event is not required, however we encourage students and parents to come as it's a wonderful way to get oriented in the high school, including meeting teachers, receiving a preview of the coming year and learning how to use the school's database, PWSConnect.

Following the orientation, from 5:30-7pm, will be the all High School Class Picnic in the courtyard. Please join your classmates and Sponsors for a wonderful reunion! More information is included in Sponsor Welcome Letters.

For students in grades 3-8 and high school orchestra students, don’t forget to rent an instrument before school starts! We recommend renting from David Kerr Violin Shop or Manselle’s Music Shop. Students will need to bring their instruments on the first day of school.

Questions? Contact Mr. Redner

For all families—new and returning, please either familiarize yourself with or revisit our Technology, Media and Electronics Policies before school starts. Visit either Parent Handbook (EC-12) pgs 37-41 or the High School Technology Policy.

All families—please also review our Dress Code Policies. Dress codes evolve with the Grades into High School, so please begin every year with a refresher, even if you are a returning family. Read the Parent Handbook (EC-12) pgs 32-33 or the High School Dress Code for more information.

Grades 1-12: Monday, August 31, 8:30am

Early Childhood: Warming Day on Monday, August 31, 9-11am

Early Childhood First Day of School: Tuesday, September 1, 8:30am (8:45am for Water Lily)

Specific drop off and pick up instructions in class letters below.

Morning care available from 8-8:30am and Aftercare available from 3-5:30pm. See below for more information.

*There is no Morning care on Monday, August 31. There is also no EC Morning care on Tuesday, September 1.

For Grades and High School - Monday, August 31, 8:30-9:30am and Tuesday, September 1 from 8:30-9:30am Early Childhood

at the Founder’s circle, next to the front steps.

All parents and caregivers are invited to start the school year with a social hour and celebration with community members new and old with School Director Chiaki Uchiyama.

Note: Weekly PA-Sponsored Coffee & Conversation will begin on Friday, September 11 at 8:30am

Monday, August 31, 11:45am-12:30pm, PWS Gym

We celebrate the first day of each school year with faculty, staff and students gathering in the gym for our Welcome Assembly. All are welcome, special seating for parents in grades 1 and 12.

PWS has partnered with Fusion School Lunches, a third-party lunch service that provides meals from scratch - prioritizing fresh, locally sourced ingredients that are prepared daily and delivered fresh.

One menu item is offered daily (with variations offered for mild allergies and dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, and dairy-free) and served in 100% recyclable packaging.

Menu changes monthly, so there is always something new to choose from. Parents/caregivers use an online ordering system to place their orders a day or more in advance. The September menu will be sent out on August 21, and lunch service will begin on September 8.

We’ve teamed up with Homeroom to offer an easier Care & Clubs sign-up experience.

Homeroom makes it easier to navigate and sign up for after care, clubs, and camps.

Learn more about each program by visiting the following pages.

Morning and After Care

After School Clubs

School Break Camps

Register now through Homeroom

NEW this year! Report a student absence on PWSConnect. Log in to your account and visit the Resources page. There you’ll find a NEW Report Absences tile.

OR

Email attendance@portlandwaldorf.org to report full or partial day absences. Please include your student’s full name and grade in the subject line.

Main Office: 503-654-2200

Sarah Salas, Main Office Manager, is available to help you in the Main Office.

HS Office: 503-654-2200 x218

Alyssa Grass, HS Assistant Director, and Teresa Chou, Registrar/IT Manager are available to help you in the HS Office.

This calendar highlights all of our non-instructional or early dismissal days. For a full calendar of school events, see PWSConnect.

Please review our Handbooks as they have answers to a lot of questions about our school.

Parent Handbook (EC-12)

High School Handbook

Our school uses PWSConnect, an online information management system where you can find helpful information including the School Calendar, School Directories, Parent Handbook, Aftercare Registration, Athletics Registration, Tuition Billing Account, Student Schedules, High School Grade Reports, Student Year End Reports, Class Pages, and Back to School forms.

Get started by logging in here. Click on RESOURCES and navigate to the “Student and Parents: Instructions for Using PWSCONNECT” tile.

For Technical Assistance, please email techsupport@portlandwaldorf.org.