Family events and affinity groups - 2025-26

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The Inclusion Committee partners with our students, teachers, staff, families, and community leaders to prioritize IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access)

• Hygiene Stations: free toiletries for students and families
• Sensorimotor Lending Library: gross- and fine-motor fidgets and tools to help students cope with  big feelings and sensory overwhelm more effectively and improve concentration
• Install flags banner in cafeteria representing world countries (200+), Oregon's Indigenous Peoples (11), Black Americans (2), LGBTQIA2S+ (10), and types of Neurodivergence (9).
• Arleta's Day at the PPS/PTA Clothing Center: recruit mandatory volunteers semi-annually and forward resource to families 
• Fulfill holiday food baskets for families in partnership with our school counselors and SUN Community School
• Share-a-Toy Donation Drive with items donated by and gifted to families within our community in partnership with  our school counselors and SUN Community School
• Family Movie Nights bi-monthly from Nov-May
• Co-host Neurodivergent Family Gatherings in partnership with expert parents  and school staff
• Co-host BIPOC Family Gatherings in partnership with dedicated BIPOC parents and SUN Community School
• Emphasizing the importance of translating documents & announcements in all primary languages spoken by members of our community
• Promote small businesses owned by Arleta families by creating/maintaining a designated page on the PTA website

• Informing PTA communication and activities of inclusive practices
• Monthly bulletin boards celebrating diverse cultures and identities, building positive character, and teaching about global citizenship (photo gallery below)
• Black History Month collaborative student art project in partnership with Teacher Librarian, Treasa Street 
• Feliz Día del Niño (Happy Day of the Child) celebration
• Co-facilitated "Recognizing and Supporting Neurodiversity in the Classroom" presentation at an All Staff Meeting
• Native American Heritage Month 2022 celebration (PTA presentation, Native dance & song at school assembly) through close coordination with NAYA staff and Arleta mother Lisa Jackson

• Hosted DEI-theme community presentations 

                   •  Anti-racism

                   •  Microaggressions    

                   •  Police Violence and Protests       

                   •  Allyship          

                   •  Compassion Fatigue

• Championed PTA to fund a robust DEI library book collection
• Assisted in expanding the on-site clothing closet in partnership with SUN and school counselors
• Supported counselors in creating a Calming Space in each classroom
• Inaugural Fall Lantern Walk: the first community gathering after returning from COVID-19 distance learning, in partnership with PTA Family Engagement Coordinator
• Collaboration with Arleta's parent representative for the SE Guiding Coalition (SEGC) to increase BIPOC family engagement/voices

• National 2022 Advancing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in PTA Grant to support listening sessions with members of our community within marginalized groups to elevate their voices
• Vibrant Spaces Community Events Activation Grant sponsored by City of Portland, Events Action Table Porltand Bureau of Transportation, American Rescue Plan largely funded the BIPOC-led 2022 Fall Welcome Back Block Party