Hough Programs & Events
Enrichment programs supplement core curriculum to enhance students' school experience while events help to build a strong community.
Enrichment Programs
Over the years we have seen a number of programs and school ‘extras’ disappear due to state-wide budget cuts and staffing reductions. From library funding to hallway decorations and many things in between, these are the things that make a school special. The things that build a child’s core memories of their school days. The Hough PTSA works with the school to understand what needs can be met with program support and volunteer efforts.
Events & Fundraisers
Attending school events fosters a sense of community, they allow for the development of social skills, and provides opportunities to build relationships with peers, teachers, and other families. Participating in fundraisers helps ensure the PTSA can continue to host events as well as provide programs and support at Hough, such as playground updates, birthday books, spirit wear, classroom grants, teacher appreciation, and more. See the full year calendar.
Events are held in-person at Hough. We do our best to ensure each builds community and is full of fun and laughter. If you love event planning or have a great idea for an event please reach out.
Hough PTSA is funded through donations and fundraisers throughout the year, including community fundraiser events, restaurant nights, and year-round community giving programs.
Hough Enrichment Programs
Hallway Decorations
Who doesn’t love those punny, colorful bulletin boards in the lobby that announce the changing of seasons, holidays, and events. It is so fun to hear the students when they see a new bulletin board creation or hallway decoration; the surprise and delight warms the heart.
Birthday Train
For some students, having their birthday recognized at school is more than they get at home. It is important that every student feel special and celebrated. On the 2nd Wednesday of the month PTSA volunteers roll the birthday train through the halls to celebrate that month’s birthday students. Each student gets to take a silly picture with a friend and takes home a brand new book to build their own library at home.
Yearbooks
Throughout the school year our yearbook committee collects photos of events, day-to-day activities, field trips, and more to create a one-of-a-kind keepsake of the school year. At the end of the year students can take home memories of their school year to keep forever.
Staff Philanthropy/Community
Hough PTSA supports our teachers and staff throughout the year with treats, flowers, wellness days, and even a remodel of the staff lounge. When our staff feels seen and supported they are more able to show up with patience, energy, and creativity. Investing in their wellbeing helps reduce burnout and turnover, strengthens school culture, and ultimately creates a more stable and positive learning environment for our children.
In addition, we provide grants to support their classroom needs. Every year our staff members spend hundreds of dollars of their own money to cover the costs of classroom needs no longer funded by state funding. The PTSA helps offset these costs with classroom grants and special requests funding.
Food Drive
The PTSA organizes an annual food drive that directly supports the families at Hough. Every bit of food donated is given directly to Hough families. Food drives emphasize the importance of helping our neighbors and teaches our children that every act of kindness and compassion, big or small, has a huge impact. This year we collected 1,814.1 pounds of food during the month of November. We hope to lead by example and show the importance of compassion and community service.
Library Support
The PTSA hosts a Scholastic Book Fair every fall that helps to raise funds for enrichment programs as well as provides the library staff a much-needed resource for purchasing books. Every fall the librarian is able to purchase hundreds of dollars of books to help build the Hough library.
Spirit Wear
The sale of Hough Elementary “branded” clothing and gear helps to support the PTSA financially as well as builds a sense of belonging and togetherness. When students wear their school shirt they know that they are an important part of their school and their community. The PTSA works with community partners to purchase the “Hough Hawk” shirts for students that otherwise cannot purchase a shirt so every student can feel they are an important part of our school and our community. Our 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school year sponsor is Saint Luke’s San Lucas Episcopal Church.
Science Programs
Every year the PTSA purchases a Mystery Science classroom subscription that gives teachers full access to standards-aligned, hands-on curriculum that teaches children how to think like scientists.
Playground Improvements/Campus Beautification
Grounds are maintained at a base level (grass mowed, leaves cleared) but weeding, pruning, and picking up tiny bits of garbage are often not done due to time and cost. Weeds are sprayed with chemicals if a school does not commit to a minimum of three campus cleanups per year. To keep chemicals off school grounds and away from our kids, Hough PTSA has made the commitment to weed and generally maintain the grounds. We also plan to do a full repaint of the blacktop activity features that have faded or disappeared over the years. Our students are on the playground for hours every day and low-cost enhancements like blacktop painting make a huge impact on their play.
2025-2026 Events
We encourage each family to try and volunteer at least once during the year. You’ll have fun, we promise! See the full year calendar.
Learn more about volunteering HERE.
Scholastic Book Fair
October 27-31, 2025
Family Movie Night
Fri., November 14, 2025
Winter Showcase
Thurs., December 11, 2025
Winter Wonderland
December 16 & 17, 2025
For one week our library is transformed into a bookshop full of books curated for our young readers. If you love books this event is for you!
Relive the drive-in movie in the school gym complete with popcorn and concessions.
Movie selection: Onward (PG)
Students will perform in a magical winter showcase of songs and music followed by a winter celebration of food, games, crafts, and more.
Students shop a “holiday bazaar” to purchase gifts for their families at prices they can afford. Learn more.
Family Movie Night
Fri., January 14, 2026
Family Movie Night
Fri., February 20, 2026
End of Year Celebration
June 9, 2026
Paddy Hough Parade
Tues., March 17, 2026
Relive the drive-in movie in the school gym complete with popcorn and concessions.
Movie selection: The Super Mario Bros. Movie (PG)
Relive the drive-in movie in the school gym complete with popcorn and concessions.
Movie selection: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (PG).
On his birthday we celebrate our namesake, Patrick "Paddy" Hough with a parade of music and celebration down Main Street.
Celebrate the end of the school year with a fun day of games, activities, and more. Details and volunteers opportunities to come.
2025-2026 Fundraisers
Hough PTSA is funded through donations and fundraisers throughout the year, including community fundraiser events, restaurant nights, and year-round community giving programs. Your participation at fundraisers helps fund programs like birthday books, spirit wear, classroom grants, events, and more.
UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS...
We have concluded our fundraising efforts for the 2025-2026 school year. If you would like to make a general donation to support the mission of Hough PTSA you can do so here: Make a donation!
2025-2026 Fundraiser Results
Thank you for your attendance and participation at our fundraisers. We are a volunteer-run organization and all the funds for our programs and events come from generous community donors and fundraisers.
PAST FUNDRAISERS...
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Raise a Glass for the Kids
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Fun Run-Walk-Roll
for Hough
Friday, May 1, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Washington Wizards
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Thank you to all Hough families, friends, neighbors, community members, and donors that made our fundraiser such a fun night! We raised over $5,000!
We are brought the whole school together with music, bubbles, cheer squads, and so many smiling faces. The students smashed our goal and helped raise over $7,000!
What a great game! Thank you to all that spent the afternoon watching the Blazers trample the Wizards. Your attendance helped us raise $270!
PAST RESTAURANT NIGHTS...
Red Robin Restaurant Night
March 27, 2026
Short & Sweet Restaurant Night
January 22, 2026
Thank you to everyone that attended! We had a wonderful turnout and raised $323.46!
Burgerville Restaurant Night
December 12, 2025
We had a great turnout! Thank you Short & Sweet for being such a wonderful host! Total raised: $274.37!
Red Robin Restaurant Night
October 17, 2025
Together we raised $105.38 for Hough PTSA. Thank you Burgerville!
Thank you to everyone that attended! We had a wonderful turnout and raised $553.08!
Hough Foundation After School Programs
2026 - 2027
Sign up now!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZJkVeDxkI0RJUyKegPPtbtI6ktsugOKNPN_xXNCzj7E6AnA/viewform
Piano Exploration - Mondays, 12:30-2:30pm -due to early release, (3rd-5th grades)-Explore piano fundamentals through hands-on practice and creative musical activities! No prior experience required.
Hough Choir - Tuesdays, 2:30-4pm, (3rd-5th grades)- Students develop vocal skills, learn harmony and rhythm, and prepare songs for performances. A great opportunity for singers of all levels.
Music Exploration - Wednesdays & Thursdays, 2:30-4pm, (3rd-5th grades)- Explore and create music with a variety of instruments such as percussion, ukulele, guitar, and more! Students will have chances to perform for our school and community. No prior experience required.
Seedling Supper- Wednesdays 2:30-4:00pm, (3rd-5th grades)- This program is a weekly garden program, catered to growing food and teaching children how to harvest, prepare, and enjoy what they grow through fun, hands-on activities.
Outdoor Explorers- Thursdays 2:30-4pm, (1st-3rd grades) or Friday 2:30-4pm, (4th &5th grades) -Introduces students to the wonders of nature by exploring the outside gardens. Designed to nurture curiosity, creativity, and responsibility, this hands-on experience guides students as they discover how plants grow, explore botany, study pollinators, and build healthy soils. To keep learning fun and inspiring, the curriculum also incorporates nature journaling, art projects, and outdoor games. The Thursday program is open to students in 1st–3rd grades, while the Friday program is specifically geared for older students in 4th and 5th grades.