May 15, 2025

Kids at Portland Forest School, an outdoor alternative private K-8 school in Portland, OR, practice archery outside, in a field with coloful targets.

Kids from the K - 2 pod practice archery.

 

May 15, 2025

Hello PFS Community!

It’s hard to believe there are only four weeks of school left and even more difficult to believe how incredibly busy these last few weeks have been for our PFS community! We are so very fortunate to have all of you who helped plan, organize and/or attend our second annual Forest School Faire. With incredible attendance and participation, we beat our projected budgeted goal to round out our 2024-25 fundraising calendar. We can’t thank you enough for your support and participation.

Among all of the faire and event excitement , we would be remiss to not mention that we’ve welcomed Teacher Jessa back from maternity leave! We are very thankful to Teacher Geoff for keeping all good things moving forward, as the long term sub, during Jessa’s time away! Welcome back Teacher Wizard Jessa and thank you Teacher Geoff!!!

Our 8th graders journeyed to Camp Trackers (just outside of Sandy, OR, adjacent to the Bull Run Watershed) for their 3 day 2-night culminating overnighter! We spent the time stoking fires, hiking the land, and working the earth skills that our school is known for. The culmination of our time was spent with a 5 AM wake up and a walk to each student's individual Sit Spot (think nature bathing before nature bathing was a thing). Students sat for almost a full 6.5 hours, recording observations encountering wildlife, and contemplating the initiation into a new reality of highschool and their PFS graduation.

On the second night, our 5th–7th grade classes joined us onsite to welcome the 8th graders back from their extended sit. With the help of the 7th graders, we gathered the 8th graders from their spots and returned to the central fire, where the 5th and 6th graders were waiting. We listened to the 8th graders’ stories—of challenge, insight, and accomplishment. Next year’s Middle School community will feel different without them, and they will be dearly missed. This overnighter held many purposes: welcoming the rising 6th graders into the Middle School community, honoring the rising 9th graders as they prepare to step into High School, and giving all of us a glimpse into the evolving dynamics of what will soon be a larger Middle School pod.

Ian Abraham

Head of School

Portland Forest School

He, Him, His

ian@portlandforestschool.org

PH: 503-662-8079

A hand is holding a large maple leaf, and pointing to a snail which is crawling across.  A teaching moment for kids at Portland Forest School, an outdoor K-8 alternative private school in Portland, OR.

A new friend has been made in the forest

A banner displaying "Ice Cream Social! 20% of sales go to Portland Forest School.   Dairy Hill Ice Cream.   Hawethorne.  May 28th.  2-8pm."  A fundraiser for Portland Forest School, an outdoor alternative private K-8 school in Portland, OR.

Come for some delicious ice cream and to support our school!

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May 1, 2025