What is the PTSA?

OUR MISSION
MLC’s PTSA supports a diverse community of students, teachers, and families by:

• Promoting MLC’s legacy of alternative education as a pathway towards personal, academic, and creative success; 
• Engaging volunteers to enrich MLC’s school environment and programs; 
• Providing financial aid for experiential learning opportunities; 
• Sponsoring events that encourage cross-age interaction and foster community;
• Assisting with the material needs of our teachers and staff. ​

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit and a part of the Oregon PTA. A copy of our standing rules is available here. 

Community Meetings

​True to our name, all parents*, teachers, and students are invited to attend and contribute to our meetings.

We meet on the second Wednesday of each month (September through May) at 6:00 pm in the MLC library.

Membership with MLC PTSA is required for voting but not required for attendance. PTSA membership is only $14. (Click here to join and search for MLC under the Local Unit button.)

Dinner and childcare are provided for all meetings.
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*Parents include caregivers, guardians, friends, and community members present for any MLC student.

MEETING SCHEDULE FOR THE 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR

Date	Time	Agenda & Minutes
​Wednesday, September 10	6-7:30 pm	Link
Wednesday, October 8	6-7:30 pm	Link
Wednesday, November 12	6-7:30 pm	Link
Wednesday, December 10	6-7:30 pm	Link
Wednesday, January 14	6-7:30 pm	Link
Wednesday, February 11	6-7:30 pm	Link
Wednesday, March 11	6-7:30 pm	Link
Wednesday, April 8	6-7:30 pm	Link
Wednesday, May 13	6-7:30 pm	Link

How does the PTSA raise money?

The PTSA raises funds several ways. See below how you can help support our fundraising:

• Monthly contributions from our community
• Merchandise such as our tumblers, hats, stickers, totes and magnets
• Thorns and Timbers parking events  (volunteer here)
• And our largest fundraiser, the annual auction
• Bottle Drop: Donate your refundable cans and bottles in MLC blue bags ​

Don't forget, your donation to the MLC PTSA is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law! Our tax ID# is: 93-1026405

Where does the money go?

The MLC PTSA is committed to building a vibrant learning community by funding experiences that benefit the most students.  Our commitment to equity remains and no student will ever be excluded from an activity due to their family's ability to pay.

​What we're asking of MLC families to be mindful that there are students at MLC of modest means. When paying for your own student's field trip or class expenses, consider giving a little bit more to assist another family.

The MLC community is enormously generous and we thank you for your commitment to all of our students! 

2025-2026 MLC PTSA Executive Board

Chenney Gruber

Co-president

Chenney has a 5th and a 3rd grader who have both been at MLC since kindergarten.

The family was drawn to MLC for the experiential, hands-on, student-lead learning.

Chenney has led the parking fundraiser efforts for the last 3 years and enjoys event planning and newsletter building.
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Chenney lives in NE Portland with her husband, kids and dog, Tator Tot.

Lila Pigott

Co-president

A long, long time ago Lila attended an experimental elementary school in suburban Massachusetts. She values and appreciates alternative and thoughtful approaches to education and is so happy she has found MLC which is such a wonderful place for her rising 5th grader to learn and grow. When she is not PTSA-ing, Lila can be found hanging with her kiddo, gardening, working for the City of Portland, or out enjoying all our fair city has to offer. 

Sierra Stringfield-Perryman

Vice President

Sierra, her husband Adam, and their 6th grader Cascadia feel so fortunate to be part of MLC. A desire to support neighborhood schools made choosing something different a difficult decision, but they were drawn to the educational philosophy and have come to greatly appreciate this compassionate and creative community.


Cascadia has been at MLC since kindergarten and the PTSA has always given their family opportunities to feel connected and supported. Serving on the auction committee that first year was the perfect way to get stuck in and Sierra is always eager to help other families find their path to getting involved at MLC!

Abbey Fujiyoshi

Treasurer

Abbey's son, Bruce, who will be a fourth-grader in the 2025-26 school year, has been attending MLC since kindergarten. The Fujiyoshi’s love being a part of MLC and have found that the MLC community creates a fantastic school experience, making it a wonderful environment for both students and families. 

Monique Leslie

Secretary

Monique and her family appreciate the strong sense of community and excellent education at MLC. Her daughter is in first grade, and last year, it was great fun as a kindergarten family to participate in the school events, field trips, electives, and volunteer opportunities that MLC offers.

​ Monique is looking forward to building more connections with the MLC community in the years to come. 

Email Exec Team

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MEETINGS ARCHIVE
2024-25 
Wednesday, September 11, 2024 @ 6:00 PM / Agenda & Minutes
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 @ 6:00PM / Agenda & Minutes
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 @ 6:00 PM / Agenda & Minutes
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 @ 6:00 PM / Agenda & Minutes
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 @ 6:00 PM / Agenda & Minutes
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 @ 6:00 PM / Agenda & Minutes
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 @ 6:00 PM / Agenda & Minutes
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 @ 6:00 PM / Agenda & Minutes
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 @ 6:00 PM / Agenda & Minutes

2023-2024
Tuesday, September 5, 2023 @ 6:30 PM Agenda & Minutes
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 @ 6:30 PM Agenda & Minutes
Tuesday, November 7, 2023 @ 6:30 PM Agenda & Minutes
Tuesday, December 5, 2023 @ 6:30 PM Agenda & Minutes
Tuesday, January 2, 2024 @ 6:30 PM Agenda & Minutes
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 @ 6:30 PM Agenda & Minutes
Tuesday, March 5, 2024 @ 6:30 PM Agenda & Minutes
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 @ 6:30 PM Agenda & Minutes
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 @ 6:30 PM Agenda & Minutes
Tuesday, June 4, 2024 @ 6:30 PM Agenda & Minutes