SABIN SCHOOL A-Z GUIDE

2025-2026

Welcome to Sabin School! This A-to-Z guide was created by the Sabin PTA to explain many of the terms, tools, groups, and events at Sabin School. For general school information and staff listings, visit the Sabin Elementary School website.

Back to School Night

This community event is typically a September gathering of students, their loved ones, teachers, and the administration to share a meal, music, and to get (re)acquainted with Sabin. Organized by the school with support from PTA, the event gives parents and caregivers the opportunity to tour the school, see their child’s classroom, meet their child’s teacher, and get to know other Sabin community members.

Bike Bus

Bike Bus is an ongoing movement to promote biking to school as a safe and joyful experience. The adult-led bike ride follows a specific route and timetable through the school neighborhood on designated mornings. This school year (2025-2026), we have two "routes" -- two starting points that converge before the everyone arrives at school together. Riders are welcome to start with us OR join along the route. For updates, follow @sabinbikebus on Instagram.

Black & Brown Parent Advisory Council

BBPAC is a team run by and for Black and Brown families in a culturally affirming environment. BBPAC guides the school administration and the PTA to help ensure all decisions prioritize Black and Brown student success in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

BOTTLEDROP GIVE (aka BLUE BAGS)

The BottleDrop Give program allows Sabin PTA to raise money through returning cans and bottles at any BottleDrop redemption center.

Fill your blue bag with rinsed glass, aluminum and plastic bottles (no more than 25-30 glass bottles per bag as there is a 20 pound weight limit per bag)
Find the nearest bag drop location at: https://bottledrop.com/locations
Scan the white sticker to open the door of the bag drop, place the bag inside and close the door.

Contact fundraising@sabinpta.com to get your blue bags or have your full bags picked up!

Conferences

Fall parent/teacher conferences are an opportunity to meet your child's teacher and learn about how your child is doing. It's also a time to ask questions or talk about any concerns. Creating a partnership with your child's teacher around your child can make a big difference. For tips, visit the PPS website.

Connect to Kindergarten

These informational events take place in the early spring and fall, with day and evening options. Parents/guardians of incoming kindergarteners are invited to visit Sabin, spend time in kindergarten classrooms, meet the teachers and view the common areas of the school. Parent volunteers help answer questions and direct visiting families. For updates, check the Sabin PPS website.

Community Care Day

A day of service in September to spruce up our campus grounds—all are welcome to help out.

CUB (Civic Use of Buildings)

Individuals and community groups may schedule use of PPS facilities during non-school hours by obtaining a permit through the Civic Use of Buildings (CUB) office, as school schedules permit and by permission of the school principal. For info, visit the PPS website.

Field Day

Field Day is an all-inclusive, non-competitive, active and fun day at the end of the school year. Under the direction of our physical education teacher, stations are set up on the field and playground. Parent volunteers make this fun and exciting day possible for all students.

Fred Meyer Community Rewards

By linking your Fred Meyer Reward Card to Sabin (visit www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards), the PTA earns a donation every time you shop. Search for Sabin PTA by name or non-profit number (85955). And you still earn your Rewards, Fuel Points, and Rebates!

Fun Fridays

On periodic Fridays during the school year, students have the opportunity to earn and participate in fun activities, such as the Golden Ticket Store, dance parties and ice cream buffets.

Golden Tickets

Golden Tickets are a positive behavior support system in which teachers and staff give out yellow tickets to acknowledge students for displaying traits such as being kind, open-minded, caring, helpful, etc. During Fun Fridays, students in 1st-5th grades have the opportunity to visit the Student Store to “buy” items, gifts, or experiences (like an ice cream party).

Kelso’s Choice

Kelso’s Choice is a conflict management skills program. The choices are: Make a deal, Wait and cool off, Go to another game, Talk it out, Share and take turns, Ignore it, Walk away, Tell them to stop, and Apologize. The Kelso’s Choice wheel is painted on the South Playground and etched in boulders in the Sabin Peace Garden.

Leadership

Student Leadership is an opportunity for teams of 4th and 5th graders, facilitated by school staff, to help shape our school for the better with their ideas and energy. Students participate through committees such as Equity, Student Support and Assemblies and Events. Student Leadership meets during the school day. Students can let their teacher know that they’re interested. Adult volunteers are also appreciated to help guide the teams once per week.

Lost and Found

The Sabin School lost and found is located by the first floor staircase on the east side of the building. Volunteers help organize, display, and eventually wash lost and found items in preparation for donation at the end of each month. Unclaimed items are donated to the Portland Council PTA Clothing Center. Parents, please label your child’s belongings and check the lost and found area on a regular basis.

Mt. Readmore

Mt. Readmore is Sabin’s annual celebration of literacy. In November students and loved ones gather for a “basecamp” event with storytellers, librarians and reading throughout the school. For the next few weeks students find sponsors, track their time, share favorite books with friends, and read, read, read. The “ascent” of Mt. Readmore helps raise money to support the Sabin PTA. For questions or to volunteer, contact mtreadmore@sabinpta.com

Nature Playground & Garden

Located on the north side of the school, the Sabin Nature Playground (aka North Playground) was the first natural playground created in PPS. It includes the Sabin Garden, the outdoor classroom surrounded by a natural amphitheater, a climbing area made with natural materials, and the Sabin Peace Garden, with willow huts, boulders with Kelso’s Choices and a Little Free Library.

Neighborhood House (before and after-care)

Neighborhood House offers before- and after-school care when school is in person and in session, in addition to full-time summer care, for school-age children at Sabin School. For more information, visit nhpdx.org or email them at saenrollment@nhpdx.org

OBOB (Oregon Battle of the Books)

OBOB (also called Battle of the Books, for short) is a statewide voluntary reading motivation and comprehension program supported and organized by school volunteers. Students in 3rd-5th grades are exposed to quality literature representing a variety of literary styles. The mission is to encourage students, broaden reading interests, increase comprehension, promote academic excellence, and encourage cooperative learning and teamwork among students. For more info, visit www.oregonbattleofthebooks.org

PTA (Parent Teacher Association)

The mission of the PTA is to make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. We support school administrators, teachers, and staff by recruiting and coordinating volunteers, fundraising, and organizing community events and programs to help meet the needs of all Sabin students. The PTA hosts monthly meetings throughout the year in which all community members are encouraged to participate! To learn more or volunteer, email info@sabinpta.com.

Restorative Justice

Restorative justice empowers students to resolve conflicts on their own and in small groups. Inclusion, bringing affected parties together, making amends, and reintegrating students into the classroom community are common pillars of Restorative Justice. Sabin teachers and staff have been trained in RJ practices and use them with students when applicable. See also Kelso’s Choice.

Room Parents

The room parent serves as a point-person to organize parents for classroom events, ensure good communication among parents within the classroom group, and help coordinate the volunteer needs of each classroom. If you’re interested in becoming a room parent, let your child’s teacher know.

Run for Sabin School

When red and yellow leaves cover the South Field, it’s time for Sabin Stars to run! Typically in October, Run for Sabin School is our most important fundraiser for school activities, classroom support and empowering the Sabin learning community. Students collect pledges for the number of quarter-mile laps they can run in 30 minutes, then zip around to the sounds of music, encouraging teachers, and cheering parents. For more information, contact info@sabinpta.com

Sabin Stars

The official mascot of Sabin School.

Safety Patrol

Supervised by Mr. Gardiner, 5th grade teacher, the Safety Patrol is made up of 5th grade students who volunteer as crossing guards. They are stationed at selected intersections near Sabin before and after school.

SES Classrooms

Sabin is home to two SES (Social Emotional Skills) classrooms of approximately 8-12 students each (one class for K-2nd and one for 3rd-5th grades) that are staffed by Special Education Teachers, paraeducators, Therapeutic Instructional Coaches and Qualified Mental Health Professionals (QMHP). SES students, family and staff are an integral part of our Sabin school community.

SES Family Nights

Parents and families of SES students are encouraged to join in periodic family nights to build community and socialize.

School Pictures

Sabin students typically get their individual pictures taken in the fall, with a retake day available if needed. Class pictures are taken in the early spring. For more details, visit the Dorian Studio website,

SchoolPay

SchoolPay is an online tool that allows families to pay for items such as school lunch, registration fees and donations without having to send a check to school. It also provides the convenience of paying by Visa, MasterCard or Discover Card online or onsite. Parents and guardians are able to use one login at SchoolPay to see all items available to them as well as the payment history for each of their students. Visit the PPS website for more information.

Season of Sharing

Our annual Season of Sharing event is an opportunity for our Sabin School families to help provide a happier, healthier holiday season for families in need right here in our community. Parent volunteers work closely with our Sabin SUN Community School office to coordinate, collect and deliver gift baskets and groceries to area families in the month of December. For more information, contact Rachel Carpenter at RachelC@selfenhancement.org

Site Council

The Sabin Site Council is composed of parents, teachers, and staff working together to develop plans to improve the school’s instructional program, track progress toward implementing a comprehensive achievement plan, and to improve staff professional growth in order to best serve our student population.

Spring CARNIVAL

The Second Annual Sabin Carnival will be held on May 7, 2026. The event is free and the entire school community is encouraged to attend! Dinner will be provided in addition to lots of games and activities.

SUN

Sabin SUN, a program of Self Enhancement, Inc (SEI), aims to improve the lives of children, their families and the community by extending the school day and developing schools as community centers in their neighborhoods. SUN provides applications for free after-school snacks and programming for Sabin students during much of the year, with classes such as dance, Spanish and chess. For more information, email SUN Site Manager, Rachel Carpenter at RachelC@selfenhancement.org or call 503-916-6707.

TAG (Talented and Gifted)

The Portland Public Schools’ TAG program focuses on meeting the student's instructional level and rate of learning every day in the classroom across the curriculum. Classroom teachers assess a student's level and rate in all subject areas and modify the instruction to provide appropriate content challenge and instructional pacing. Nominations for the TAG program are accepted in the fall. Teachers or parents may nominate students. TAG testing takes place in the spring. Announcements regarding TAG nomination deadlines are posted on the TAG bulletin board by the Sabin office. Questions regarding Sabin’s TAG program should be directed to Sabin TAG Facilitator, Stephen Gardiner at sgardiner@pps.net.

Teacher Appreciation Week

This week is part of a national teacher appreciation initiative during the first full week of May. It is an opportunity for families to thank the teachers, administrators and support staff who make the difference in our children’s education. Room parents and other volunteers typically help arrange classroom-wide expressions of appreciation, and individual notes are encouraged all the time, but especially the first week of May!

Tickle Bees

The Sabin School field is home to Andrena bees that burrow in the soil to provide a safe nesting place to lay their eggs and where young bees can develop before emerging each spring. As the name "Tickle Bee" (bestowed upon them by our own Sabin School students) suggests, Andrena bees are harmless and will not sting. In fact, they are incredibly useful pollinators in the garden, and many Sabin kids look forward to their emergence each spring.

Visitors

During school hours, ALL visitors and volunteers must buzz in at one of the video intercoms (located at the North and South entrances) then check in at the front office upon arrival and follow PPS and County/State health and safety guidelines.

Volunteering

Sabin students benefit immensely from caregivers’ volunteer support in a variety of ways, including in the classroom, during lunchtime, planning community events, and supporting teachers. Please email us with your volunteer interest so we can help match you with volunteer opportunities: volunteer@sabinpta.com

Walk, Bike & Roll to School

This program encourages students to walk, bike, skate or scooter to school, promoting health and well-being as well as encouraging the use of alternative forms of transportation. Students also are invited to participate in International Bike and Walk to School Day. For more info: www.walkbiketoschool.org/

Yearbook

Yearbooks are available in late spring and include individual pictures by class as well as pictures of student activities and events. Parent volunteers assist with yearbook planning and collaboration. To join the volunteer yearbook team, please email yearbook@sabinpta.com