We hope this message finds you and your loved ones well. Thank you for being part of our school community — your partnership and support make a real difference for our students every day.
Important Announcements:
Please review the schedule below and note dates when practices or school closures affect your plans:
Monday, November 17
HSBB Practice — 4:00 PM, Ione
Tuesday, November 18
HSBB Practice — 4:00 PM, Ione
MSBB Practice — 4:00 PM, Arlington
Wednesday, November 19
MSBB Practice — 3:00–4:00 PM, Ione
HSBB Practice — 4:00 PM, Ione
Thursday, November 20
MSBB Practice — 3:00–4:00 PM, Ione
HSBB Practice — 4:00 PM, Ione
Friday, November 21
NO SCHOOL — please make plans for childcare or family time
Saturday, November 22
FFA — EOU event (students involved should check with advisors for times and transportation)
Monday, November 24
MSBB Practice — 3:00–4:30 PM, Ione
HSBB Practice — 4:00 PM, Arlington
Tuesday, November 25
Thanksgiving feast Please RSVP if attending
MSBB Practice — 4:00–5:30 PM, Ione
HSBB Practice — 4:00 PM, Arlington
Wednesday, November 26
NO SCHOOL — holiday break begins
Thursday, November 27
NO SCHOOL — Thanksgiving
Friday, November 28
NO SCHOOL — holiday break continues
Celebrations from the Week
We are grateful for many special moments this week. Highlights include:
Veterans Day appreciation — Thank you to all veterans for your service. Our school community honors and appreciates your sacrifice and dedication.
Family conferences and Book Fair — Thank you to everyone who attended conferences and visited the book fair. Your time and interest in your student’s learning are deeply appreciated and help strengthen our school-home partnership.
Additional Information
Parent/guardian communication: If you need any support or have questions about schedules, events, or student needs, please contact the main office or your child’s teacher. We are here to help.
Reminders for students: Encourage students to pack any needed items for practices and events (water bottle, proper shoes, permission slips if required).
Volunteers and chaperones: If you’re interested in helping at future events or assisting with transportation, please let us know — we welcome family involvement and will share requirements for background checks as needed. If volunteering, a volunteer form must be filled out before volunteering.
We are grateful for your ongoing support in helping students thrive both in and out of the classroom. Your involvement — whether attending conferences, cheering at practices, or supporting student organizations — strengthens our school community.
Thank you again for everything you do. We look forward to continuing our partnership and celebrating many more successes together.
Warmly,
Ione Cardinal Team
I hope this note finds you well. I want to begin by saying how grateful we are for your continued partnership and support. Your involvement makes a real difference for our students and our school community.
Important Announcements
November 11 — NO SCHOOL: Veterans Day. School will be closed.
November 22 — Oregon FFA State Ag Sales and Food Science (La Grande): Students participating will be traveling for the event. If your student is involved, please watch for communication with details about times, chaperones, and any required forms.
November 24 — Thanksgiving Feast: Families are welcome to join students for lunch. Please RSVP if you plan to attend so we can prepare seating and meals.
November 25–29 — Thanksgiving Break: No school. We hope you enjoy this time with family and friends.
December 10 — Elementary Christmas Concert: Mark your calendars! More details about performance times and arrival will be shared soon.
Please take a moment to add these dates to your calendar. Action items: RSVP for the Thanksgiving Feast and look for event-specific permission forms or travel details for FFA participants.
Celebrations from the Week
Thank you to all the parents and guardians who attended conferences this week. Your time, questions, and partnership mean so much to our teachers and students.
I had the privilege of attending the Oregon School Boards Association conference in Portland along with four of our board members and Bridgett, our board secretary. We are always striving to learn new strategies to better support our district, students, and community.
A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped make the book fair a success this week. Your time and energy created enthusiastic readers and supported our school programs.
These moments of collaboration and learning strengthen our school community. We are grateful for everyone who contributes to student success.
Additional Information
Volunteer opportunities continue throughout the year. If you’re interested in helping at events like the Christmas Concert, classroom activities, or future book fairs, please reach out — we welcome your involvement.
Reminder: If your family needs support over the Thanksgiving break (meals, resources, or community referrals), let us know confidentially and we will connect you with available services.
Thank you for your ongoing support in helping our students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Your partnership is valued and appreciated.
Warmly
The Ione Cardinal Team
We hope this message finds you well and thriving! As we navigate through this busy season, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and partnership. Together, we are creating a nurturing environment for our students to grow and succeed.
Important Announcements
Monday, October 20, 2025
HSVB @ Central Christian (Redmond) - 5:30 PM (varsity only)
MSFB vs. Sherman (in Arlington) - 4 PM start time
October 20, 2025
Oregon FFA State Soils Contest - Prineville
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Board Meeting - 4:30 PM
Friday, October 24, 2025
HSFB vs. Jordan Valley - 4 PM start time (Senior Night)
Saturday, October 25, 2025
HSVB at the Big Sky District Tournament - The Dalles HS, 10 AM start time
Please note: Times are subject to change.
October 27-30, 2025 - Red Ribbon Week
October 30, 2025
8:00 AM - Call time for 7th/8th grade
8:55 AM - Play Performance until 9:30 AM
12:15 PM - 6-12th Assembly in HS gym
1:45 PM - Trick or Treat
Community pumpkin carving contest - submit entries from 5:00-5:30 PM
Tombstone Terror Stories - 5:30 PM community performance
Jr High Halloween Dance - 6:00-8:00 PM
Celebrations from the Week
We are thrilled to announce that the middle school volleyball season has concluded with great success! Our students showed incredible teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the season. We appreciate all of our athletes for their hard work and dedication.
Additional Information
Volunteers Needed: We are looking for volunteers for the Book Fair from November 2-6. If you are interested, please contact Cydney McElligott.
Warm Coats: If your student is in need of a warm coat this season, please let the office know; we are here to help.
Conference Notes: Keep an eye out for conference notes coming home soon. Conferences are scheduled for November 5-6.
We are grateful for your ongoing support in our school community. Your involvement makes a significant difference in the lives of our students. Together, we look forward to achieving great things and continuing to foster a positive learning environment.
Thank you for being a vital part of our school family!
Warm regards,
The Ione Cardinal team!
Fall Fun, School Spirit, and Upcoming Events
🌾 Upcoming Events
October 20
Oregon FFA State Soils Contest – Prineville
Good luck to our FFA students competing at the state level!
October 27–30
🎗️ Red Ribbon Week
Join us in celebrating healthy choices and positive lifestyles! Look for themed dress-up days and classroom activities throughout the week.
👻 Wednesday, October 30 – A Day Full of Fun!
8:00 a.m. – Call time for 7th & 8th Grade students in the play
8:55–9:30 a.m. – Play Performance
12:15 p.m. – 6th–12th Grade Assembly in the HS Gym
1:45 p.m. – Trick-or-Treat around campus
Evening Community Events
🎃 Pumpkin Carving Contest – Submit entries from 5:00–5:30 p.m.
🪦 Tombstone Terror Stories – Begins at 5:30 p.m.
🕺 Jr. High Halloween Dance – 6:00–8:00 p.m.
🏐🏈 October 13–17 Sports Schedule
Monday, October 13
🏐 MS Volleyball @ Sherman County – 4 & 5 p.m.
Tuesday, October 14
🏐 HS Volleyball vs. Condon (at Arlington) – 5 p.m., JV to follow
🏈 MS Football vs. Condon (at Arlington) – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, October 15
🏐 MS Volleyball @ Dufur – 4 p.m. (A game only)
Thursday, October 16
🏐 HS Volleyball @ Horizon Christian – 5 p.m., JV to follow
Friday, October 17
🏈 HS Football @ Huntington – 1:00 p.m.
🏆 Go Cardinals! Let’s cheer on all our student-athletes this week!
📚 Coming Soon!
Scholastic Book Fair – November 3–7
Get ready to shop for your favorite books and support our school library!
If you’d like to help at the book fair, please contact Cydney McElligott.
🍂 Have a safe, fun, and spirited October!
Thank you for supporting our students and community.
We hope this message finds you well and enjoying the beautiful fall season! As we move through October, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude for your continued support and partnership. Together, we are making a positive impact on our students' lives.
Important Announcements
Upcoming Events:
October 5-6: Blue Mountain FFA District Leadership Camp at Camp Elkanah
Monday, October 6:
MSFB @ South Wasco at 4 PM (transport for Ione players will depart Ione at 12:30 PM, Arlington at 1:30 PM)
MSVB @ Horizon Christian (Hood River) at 4 PM/5 PM
Tuesday, October 7:
HSVB vs. Dufur (at Ione) at 5 PM - Senior Night (Junior High will run concessions)
Wednesday, October 8:
MSVB vs. St. Mary’s at 4 PM/5 PM
Thursday, October 9:
HSVB @ Bickleton (varsity only) at 5 PM (depart Ione at 2 PM, Arlington at a time to be determined)
Friday, October 10:
HSFB @ Dayville/Monument (at Monument) at 1 PM (depart Ione at 10 AM, Arlington at a time to be determined)
October 20: Oregon FFA State Soils Contest in Prineville
October 27-30: Red Ribbon Week
October 30:
Jr High Halloween Assembly at 1:15 PM
Jr High Halloween Dance from 6-8 PM
Celebrations from the Week
We are excited to share a wonderful video created by our students about "Being an Ione Cardinal." You can view it here.
Additionally, we are thrilled to announce that the Ione Weight Room will reopen on October 13th. Please stay tuned for information on usage times and how to either pick up a new card or download an app for your phone.
Additional Information
If you are interested in helping at school, please reach out to the office. We can provide you with a volunteer form and inform teachers of your interest.
We are looking for a volunteer to take over the Book Fair from Becky Doherty. We sincerely thank her for her years of dedication to organizing this event. If you're interested, please contact Tracey Johnson for more details.
A friendly reminder: per an executive order from the governor, students are not allowed to use their cell phones from bell to bell each day. We appreciate your help in reminding your student of this rule.
As the weather gets colder, if you need warm coats or clothes for your child, please let the office know. We are happy to assist, thanks to a generous donation from Umatilla Electric for these items.
We are grateful for your ongoing support in making our school community strong and vibrant. Thank you for being an integral part of our students' education and well-being. We look forward to continuing our partnership and working together to create memorable experiences for our children.
Warm regards,
Ione team
Last spring, student leaders in the Ione School District received funding from the #OregonStrong campaign for mobilizing their peers. To celebrate, OregonStrong asked students: "What do you love about being an Ione Cardinal?"
This fall, Intermountain ESD returned to Ione to capture the voices of these students in their new space. Their answers were full of pride and community spirit. ❤️ Watch the video to hear what they had to say:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaQHqck5TbY
Dear Ione Families,
We hope this newsletter finds you well and thriving. As we transition into the fall season, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude for your unwavering support and partnership. Together, we are creating a warm and nurturing learning environment for our students.
Important Announcements
Upcoming Events:
Monday, September 29
MSVB @ Arlington - 4 PM start (2 games)
Midco Bus: Depart Ione @ 2 PM (2+15)
MSFB @ Lyle/Wishram (Lyle, WA) - 4 PM start
Depart Ione @ 1 PM, Depart Arlington @ 2 PM
Tuesday, September 30
HSVB @ Sherman County - 5 PM start
Depart Ione @ 2 PM, Depart Arlington @ 3 PM
Wednesday, October 1
MSVB hosts Condon - 4 PM start (2 games)
Thursday, October 2
HSVB @ Trout Lake/Glenwood (Glenwood, WA) - 5 PM start
Depart Ione @ 1 PM, Depart Arlington @ 2 PM
Friday, October 3
HSFB hosts South Wasco (in Arlington) - 7 PM start
Depart Ione @ 4 PM
Saturday, October 4
HSVB (JV) @ Sherman County JV Tournament - Time TBD, Depart TBD
Celebrations from the Week
We are thrilled to announce that this week has been filled with remarkable student learning experiences! Our students have shown incredible dedication and enthusiasm, and we couldn't be prouder of their achievements.
Additional Information
ED Foundation Dinner: Join us on Saturday, September 27 for a wonderful evening.
5 PM: Social Hour
6 PM: Dinner
7 PM: Live Auction
Lost and Found: Please remember to put your child’s initials in clothing items to help us return lost items.
Weather Reminder: As the weather gets colder, if you are in need of a coat, please let us know. We are here to help.
Weekend Food Needs: If you require extra food for the weekend, please reach out to us. We can provide you with a form for our backpack program.
We are grateful for your continued partnership and support. Thank you for being an essential part of our school community. We look forward to more collaborative efforts as we work together for the success of our students.
Warm regards,
The Ione School Staff
9/18/25
Dear Families,
We hope this newsletter finds you well! As we embark on another exciting month, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continuous support and partnership. Together, we are creating a nurturing environment for our students to thrive.
Important Announcements
Thursday, September 18
FFA District Greenhand Conference - Pendleton
V/JV Volleyball @ Lyle, WA
Departure: 2:15 PM
Board Game Night in the Commons- CANCELED
Friday, September 19
Football Hosts Wheeler County
Game Time: 7:00 PM
Sports Complex Dedication
Before the game at 6:30 PM
Court Presentations
During Halftime
Dance to Follow in the Commons
Saturday, September 20
Alumni Volleyball Game
4:00 PM
Alumni Football Game
5:00 PM
Monday, September 22
MS Volleyball @ Trout Lake
Game Time: 4:00 PM
Tuesday, September 23
V/JV Volleyball @ Maupin
Game Time: 5:00 PM
MS Football Hosts Dufur @ Arlington
Departure: 2:00 PM
Wednesday, September 24
MS Volleyball Hosts Lyle/Wishram
Game Time: 4:00 PM
Thursday, September 25
V/JV Volleyball - Wheeler County @ Arlington
Departure: 3:00 PM
Game Time: 5:00 PM
Friday, September 26
HS Football @ Harper
Departure: 10:00 AM
Game Time: 7:00 PM
Saturday, September 27
Varsity Volleyball Tiger Classic Tournament @ Redmond
Ed Foundation dinner 5 pm social hour, 6 pm dinner, and 7 pm live auction
Celebrations from the Week
We are excited to share that we recently celebrated Homecoming Week! Special thanks to our Booster Club for organizing a wonderful spaghetti dinner on Tuesday before the high school volleyball game.
Additionally, we will dedicate our new track and field before the football game on Friday at 6:30 PM. This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our achievements together as a community.
As always, we encourage you to stay engaged with our school events and activities. Your participation makes a significant difference in our students' experiences and fosters a strong school-community bond.
Go Cards !
Dear Families,
We hope this message finds you well! As we move through September, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt appreciation for your continued support and partnership. Your involvement makes a significant difference in our school community, and we are grateful for all that you do.
Important Announcements
Thursday, September 11
V/JV Volleyball @ Condon: 5:00 PM (Depart at 3:00 PM)
Friday, September 12
HS Football hosts Sherman @ Arlington: 7:00 PM (Depart at 4:00 PM)
Saturday, September 13
V/JV Volleyball @ Riverside Tournament: 9:00 AM (Depart at 7:00 AM)
Sunday, September 14
Homecoming Week: Hallway Decorating 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday, September 15
Picture Day
MS Volleyball hosts Dufur: 4:00 PM
Powderpuff Football: 6:05 PM (After Practice)
Macho Man Volleyball: 7:00 PM
Tuesday, September 16
School Board Meeting: 4:30 PM
V/JV Volleyball hosts Horizon Christian: 5:00 PM
Booster Club Spaghetti Feed at Volleyball Game
Bonfire to follow after Volleyball Game
Wednesday, September 17
MS Volleyball hosts South Wasco: 4:00 PM
Mud Wars: 6:15 PM
Thursday, September 18
FFA District Greenhand Conference - Pendleton
V/JV Volleyball @ Lyle, WA: 5:00 PM (Depart at 2:15 PM)
Board Game Night in the Commons with Popcorn Bar:
5:30 PM: Kids and Community Welcome
6:30 PM: HS Board Game Tournament
Friday, September 19
Football hosts Wheeler County: 7:00 PM
Sports Complex Dedication before the game
Court Presentations during Halftime
Dance to follow after the game in the Commons
Saturday, September 20
Alumni Volleyball Game: 4:00 PM
Alumni Football Game: 5:00 PM
Celebrations from the Week
We are thrilled to celebrate the wins on the volleyball court for our middle school, JV, and varsity teams! Your support at these events means the world to our student-athletes.
A big thank you to everyone who attended the Open House on Friday!
Additionally, we are excited to announce that we held our first football game on the new football field! A special shoutout to Mr. Rudolf for all his hard work in getting the field and event ready.
Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to our school community. Together, we can achieve great things for our students and build a brighter future.
Go CARDS!
We hope this newsletter finds you well and excited for another wonderful school year! It has been a joy to welcome our students back, and we are grateful for your continued support and partnership as we embark on this journey together.
Important Announcements
Thursday, August 28
HSVB @ Pendleton Jamboree 5 PM
Departing at 3 PM
Friday, August 29
HSFB @ Wallowa 7 PM
Departing Ione at 12:15 PM, Arlington at 1 PM
Monday, September 1
No School (Labor Day)
Tuesday, September 2
HS Volleyball hosts Pilot Rock 5 PM
Wednesday, September 3
HS Volleyball hosts Weston-McEwen 5 PM
Thursday, September 4
HS Volleyball @ Helix & Mac-Hi 4 PM
Friday, September 5
No School
Open House to celebrate the new middle and high school from 4-6 PM with a back-to-school BBQ hosted by the Booster Club—BBQ on the playground
HS Football hosts Joseph 7 PM
Saturday, September 6
HS Volleyball @ Helix Tournament 9 AM
Celebrations from the Week
We are thrilled to share that the first week of school has been a resounding success! Students have reconnected with friends, engaged in exciting learning activities, and embraced new challenges with enthusiasm. Thank you for encouraging your children to make the most of these early days; their energy and excitement are truly inspiring!
Additional Information
Please remember that the main entry to the school is through the new office located in the new building. We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring a smooth and safe arrival for all students.
We are grateful for your ongoing support and partnership. Together, we can make this school year a memorable and impactful experience for our students.
Thank you for being such an integral part of our school community! We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming events and celebrating our students' achievements together.

