Q: How long does it take (intra-district) PONY mail to get to its destination?

A: With the exception of holidays, PONY mail is delivered to every site in two business days, or less.

Q: How much mail is sorted each day?

A: Two clerks sort an average of 8,000 pieces of PONY and U.S. mail every day.

Q: Can I send a personal advertizement or letter through the PONY?

A: No. The PONY and Mailroom services are for school district business only. For further information regarding authorized and unauthorized distribution, refer to the PONY Mail and Material Distribution Policy (pdf).

Q: Is there any PONY distribution to the tri-county Education Service District (ESD) schools and if so, how should the mail be addressed?

A: Yes. Multnomah County ESD picks-up and delivers mail at the BESC every Tuesday and Thursday. MCESD also delivers to Washington and Clackamas County ESD courier services. Mail must be completely addressed and clearly marked "VIA ESD COURIER". Delivery time is not guaranteed, however, there is no charge for this service.

Q: Is there a postage charge to the schools when the Mailroom meters outgoing U.S. Mail?

A: Postage is charged to schools for mailings consisting of 20 or more pieces. Please include your budget string with the mailing and a receipt will be sent to you.

Q: The PONY driver picked-up an urgent piece of mail that must be received by a department within the BESC. When will the department receive my mail?

A: Pony mail that is picked-up from a site on a morning route is sorted and available to each BESC department before 1:30 p.m. PONY mail picked-up on an afternoon route is available before 8:00 the following morning.

Q: Why couldn't the PONY wait while I finished a report I was working on?

A: Two PONY drivers serve 161 potential sites within two days. Including travel time, delivery and pick-up is completed within 8 minutes between each site (average). Please have all materials ready when the driver arrives.

Q: How late can I bring intra-district mail to the Mailroom for delivery on the next route?

A: Mail that is recieved in the Mailroom before 10:00 a.m., or PONY mail that is picked up from the morning routes, will be delivered to schools on the afternoon route. Mail received in the Mailroom before 1:30 p.m., or PONY mail that is picked-up from the afternoon routes, will be delivered on the next morning route.

Q: How much addressing must I include on intra-district PONY mail?

A: It is the sender's responsibility to know the PONY destination of the mail piece and provide complete addressing. The address must include the name of the recipient, department and building. Do not abbreviate names or departments.

Q: Is there any way I can help expediite a distribution to each school?

A: Yes. Most mailing lists are arranged in alphabetical order by site. By banding the envelopes and keeping them in alpha order, we are able to sort them more quickly.

Q: The Mail Clerks were unable to process my large mailing because it was not properly prepared. Who do I call if I have a problem with the mail, or if I need information about U.S. Postal requirements?

A: Refer to the Mail Preparation Guidelines. Please call Mark Schweitzer at 503.916.3234 or email: mschweit@pps.k12.or.us , if you have any questions regarding U.S. Postal requirements, PONY, Mailroom or Audiovisual Library Distribution.