Welcome to the 2026-27 school year!
As your family transitions into the new routine, you may find the following information helpful.
- Get back into a school-year bedtime routine before the first day of school
- Set up a simple morning routine
- Talk with your student about what to expect during the first week of school
We believe that strong partnerships between families, teachers, and schools are key to student success. Read the “Stay Connected” section below for important information to stay informed and engaged throughout the school year.
Please continue to visit this page as we continue to update and add new information.
Back-to-School Routine
Creating a smooth back-to-school routine can be helpful for students of any age, from preschool to high school.
- Time to Get Back on Schedule
Adjust Sleep Schedules: Gradually move bedtimes and wake-up times to align with the school schedule. Aim for 8-10 hours of sleep.
- Use an alarm clock to wake up on time.
Practice the Evening and Morning Routines: Before the first day of school, practice these routines. Have everyone wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, and get ready as if it were a school day.
Consistency is key: Use a visual checklist for younger children to help them track their progress.
2. Evening Routine
A consistent evening routine can be an effective way to reduce morning stress.
- Help your child pack their backpack with all the necessary items and place it in a place where they will see it in the morning.
- Ensure weather appropriate clothes are ready for the next day.
3. Morning Routine
- Have a consistent wake-up time and use an alarm.
- Getting ready: everyone gets dressed, brushes their teeth, and combs their hair.
- Eat a healthy breakfast to fuel your body and mind.
- Breakfast is offered at each school before the tardy bell rings.
4. School Readiness
- Middle School & High School students & families:
- Review class schedule and school map.
- Attend back-to-school and registration events.
- Create your transportation plan:
- Ensure students know how they will get to school and get home
- Involve your kids:
- Let your children help create the routine.
- Be flexible:
- Routines are meant to provide structure, not stress. Adjust as needed.
- Stay positive:
- Acknowledge their efforts, and yours. Celebrate the small successes and look forward to a great year!
Stay Connected
Communications
The David Douglas School District communicates news, information and emergency notifications through a variety of platforms. Use these options, not only to keep up on the latest news but also to ensure your family receives school closure and emergency notifications. Read about DDSD communications and notifications here.
1. ParentSquare
We use a platform called ParentSquare for District and school level communications. We encourage everyone to activate their ParentSquare account to take full advantage of this tool. Read more about ParentSquare.
As always, it is extremely important that your child’s school has your current email address and phone number on file to ensure you receive classroom, school and district information.
2. ParentVUE
ParentVue is our secure mobile app that allows families to update their student information, view schedules, track academic progress, view attendance, and more.
Update to the “New” ParentVue App: A new and improved app was recently released. Please delete any previously installed version of ParentVue.
To learn more, visit our ParentVue webpage by clicking here.
3. Websites and Social Media
Bookmark the District website and your school website. Visit the websites for resources, contact information, procedures, and important dates.
Another way to stay informed is by following us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. We love to share highlights and achievements happening all around the district.
4. The Happenings
Watch our monthly publication, The Happenings! We share district and school news, upcoming activities, and much more. You can find these publications on ParentSquare, YouTube, and the The Happenings webpage. New episodes are released on the first of every month.
5. Family Flowcharts
We value collaboration with our families. Working as a team with our schools and community supports student achievement. We want to ensure every David Douglas student can Learn, Grow, and Thrive.
When you have concerns, questions, or need support follow the Family Flowchart.
To find your school Family Flowchart, go to the school website directly.
First Week Schedule
The first week of school begins September 8, 2026. But the first day will vary for students, due to a gradual entry schedule. View the First Week of School Schedule.
Back-to-School Nights Open House
Don’t forget to mark your calendar for your school’s Open House.
Thursday, September 3
- David Douglas Online Academy – 12:00 – 6:00 PM
- In-person at North Powellhurst Gym | 1400 SE 135th Ave, Portland, OR 97233
- Cherry Park Elementary School – 5:30 – 6:30 PM
- 1930 SE 104th Ave. Portland, OR 97216
- Earl Boyles Elementary School – 5:00 – 6:00 PM
- 10822 SE Bush St. Portland, Oregon 97266
- Gilbert Heights Elementary School – 5:30 – 7:00 PM
- 12839 SE Holgate Blvd, Portland, OR 97236
- West Powellhurst Elementary School – 5:00 – 6:00 PM
- 2921 SE 116th Ave. Portland, Oregon 9726
Tuesday, September 8
- Lincoln Park Elementary School – 4:00 – 5:30 PM (Back to School Bash)
- 13200 SE Lincoln St. Portland, Oregon 97233
- Menlo Park Elementary School – 4:30 – 6:00 PM
- 13200 SE Lincoln St. Portland, Oregon 97233
- Ventura Park Elementary School – 5:30 – 6:30 PM
- 145 SE 117th Ave. Portland, Oregon 97216
- Floyd Light Middle School – 6:00 – 7:30 PM
- 10800 SE Washington St. Portland, Oregon 97216
- Ron Russell Middle School – 6:00 – 7:30 PM
- 3955 SE 112th Ave, Portland, Oregon 97266
- David Dougals High School – 5:30 – 7:00 PM
- 1001 SE 135th Ave. Portland, Oregon 97233
Thursday, September 17
- Gilbert Park Elementary School – 5:30 – 7:00 PM
- 13132 SE Ramona St. Portland, Oregon 97236
- Alice Ott Middle School – 6:00 – 7:15 PM
- 12500 SE Ramona St. Portland, OR 97236
Thursday, October 1
- Mill Park Elementary School – 5:00 – 6:00 PM
- 1900 SE 117th Ave. Portland, Oregon 97216
- Lincoln Park Elementary School – 5:30 – 7:00 PM (Open House)
- 13200 SE Lincoln St. Portland, Oregon 97233
School Calendars and Opening/Dismissal Times
View the school year calendars, opening and dismissal times.
Attendance
Consistent attendance is key to student success. Showing up everyday provides valuable learning opportunities, both academically and socially. Please visit our Attendance webpage for resources, tips, and more.
Bus Information
For bus service information, including how to register your child to ride the bus and route information, visit the Transportation Department webpage.
School Meals
David Douglas offers both breakfast and lunch at no charge to all PreK-12 students in the district. Visit the Nutrition Service webpage for menus, nutrition information, and updates on meal service.
School Supplies
View our school supplies information page on our website.
Immunizations and Medication
If you have any questions about required immunizations or medications at school, go to our Immunization and Medication Requirements page.
Cell Phone Policy
To follow Governor Tina Kotek’s Executive Order 25-09 and district’s Personal Communication Devices and Social Media Policy JFCEB: all students are required to keep their personal electronic devices out of sight.
Personal electronic devices:
- Include phones, smart watches, and similar devices
- Must be kept in a backpack, bag, or purse
- Cannot be in use during the school day
For more information visit our Cell Phone Frequently Asked Questions Webpage.
We appreciate your collaboration. Talk with your student about putting their phone away during school. Need a fun resource to use as a talking point? Watch these videos.
Before and After School Programs
Learn about AlphaBEST and SUN school programming, your student can participate in by visiting our Before and After School Programs page.
- Fall 2026 Enrollment for AlphaBEST is now open! Visit the AlphaBEST website to register online.
- To learn more about your school SUN Program, contact your SUN Site Manager.
Community Partners Supporting Our Students
Our district, students, and families benefit greatly from the incredible support of our community. Local partners contribute in so many ways, from donations and after-school programs to counseling, adult education, health services, and more.
Please refer to our Community Partners page to learn more.
This page is updated throughout the year, so please check back regularly for the latest information.
Student and Family Handbooks
The Student Handbook is a helpful guide for families and students in the David Douglas School District. It shares important information about how our schools work, what we expect from students, and how we all work together to keep our schools safe, welcoming, and supportive.
We encourage families to review the handbooks available on our website.
Safety
At David Douglas School District, we always prioritize the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and visitors. Safety is important to us, and we are dedicated to creating a nurturing and welcoming environment for our students and staff. To ensure a uniform and clear response to any incident, our district follows the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) developed by the “I Love U Guys” Foundation. For additional information, visit our District Emergency Response Protocol webpage.
If You See or Know Something, Say Something. The safety of our schools and neighborhoods is a shared responsibility. If you or your student witness or hear about a bullying situation, see something, say something and REPORT IT via safeoregon.
- Talk with your student about the collective responsibility we all share in creating and maintaining a safe and respectful school environment.
- Encourage your student to promptly report any suspicious activity or concerns to a trusted adult, either directly to the school or anonymously to the SafeOregon tip line. You can call or text 844-472-3367 at any time.
Volunteer With Us
If you are interested in volunteering in our schools, visit our Volunteer webpage or contact your school to learn more about the process.
School Board Meetings
David Douglas School Board meetings are held at least once a month, typically on the second Thursday of the month. Oftentimes, the board will choose to hold a work session, usually on the fourth Thursday of the month. View the meeting schedule and learn more about the board.
We look forward to a year of learning, growth, and continued partnership across our school community. Thank you for your continued support and involvement. Together, we can make this a successful and rewarding school year for every student.