Welcome!

Dear Families of Incoming Kindergarten Students,

Welcome to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School! I want to start by saying how excited we are to welcome you and your kindergartener into the Dr MLK Jr community. Some of you already have children at the school, and I hope you agree with me that Dr MLK Jr School is a special place. We will do everything we can to make sure that school is a positive experience for your child and your family.

I am so excited to welcome our next group of kindergarten students. My most important piece of advice is to be kind to yourself and to your family. I strongly believe that love, care and compassion will carry us into times of incredible growth and bonding.  I look forward to meeting you all and am honored to welcome you to Kindergarten at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary!

Warmly,

Teresa Seidel

Principal, Dr Martin Luther King Jr Elementary 

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Kindergarten Bell Schedule

• 7:45AM: Doors open. Breakfast Available.

• 8:00AM: Tardy Bell/Students in Class 

• 2:30PM: End of Day. Please confirm your dismissal location with your student’s teacher.

 

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Our Kindergarten Programs & Teachers

We have three kindergarten classrooms and teachers:

• Ms. De Lara-Vargas teaches in our English Scholars Program (ESP). Students in this class remain with her for the full day.

• Ms. Amanda Larriva teaches English in the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP).

• Law Laoshi (Laoshi means “teacher” in Mandarin) teaches Mandarin in the MIP.  Ms. Larriva and Law Laoshi co-teach two classes of students, which are referred to as the Red Group and the Blue Group. You'll find out which group your child is in during your teacher meeting.

 

Some of our kindergarten classes also have an Educational Assistant (EA) providing additional support for our youngest learners.

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Additional Notes

• If you have questions about enrollment or registration, please call 503-916-3205 to speak with an Enrollment & Transfer Specialist. 

• No need to bring school supplies—we have everything your child will need! 

• All students will be assigned individual headphones for classroom use, especially during computer-based assessments. If you’d prefer to send your child with their own, you are welcome to do so.

One more detail: On the first day, families will line up outside and teachers will walk the students into school on their own. Students will say goodbye to their families every morning outside and go into school on their own. 

 

Dr. MLK Jr. Highlights

• Mandarin Dual Language Immersion (MIP) Focus Option
• King School Museum of Contemporary Art (KSMoCA) - an art museum integrated into the school in collaboration with PSU College of the Arts and Dr. MLK Jr. students and staff
• Weekly Art, Music, Library and PE
• Play It Forward private guitar, ukulele and piano lessons during school hours FREE
• SUN Afterschool Program offering after school care and classes Monday-Thursday during portions of the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters
• Neighborhood House after school childcare Monday-Friday, early dismissal days and some school closure dates
• Active and supporting Parent Teacher Association (PTA) with Latinx Family Groups, Black Family Nights and AAPI Night. Info at mlkjrpta.org
• Comprehensive Pre-K program located at Dr. MLK Jr. elementary through  the Early Learners Department