Richmond Catalog Description
From the Portland Public Schools Catalog - English (offsite link, PDF) • Japanese (PDF)
Richmond
Focus Option K-5
Richmond Elementary School is a learning community that focuses on integrating Japanese Language and Culture into the standard Oregon curriculum. This is accomplished through a partial immersion approach where students spend half of each day with a Japanese speaking teacher and the other half with an English speaking teacher. This Model program (Center for Applied Linguistics, 2000) is continued at Mt. Tabor Middle School and Grant High School for an articulated experience in second language acquisition.
At the elementary level teachers coordinate instruction across the curriculum in science, social studies, math and problem solving, health and literacy in both languages, with complimentary lessons that reinforce district, State and National standards. Physical Education and Library skills are offered through full time instructors.
SPECIAL programs and features
- Before and after-school programs include: Fee-based MUSE Band for fourth and fifth grade students, art, kendo, calligraphy, pottery, Tai Kwon Do, floor hockey, and a Taiko Drum residency.
- Additional Artist Residencies, monthly assemblies and Authors' Celebration
- Art4Life for grades 2-5 and Vermont Hills for preschool - 1 before school and after school child care
- PTA Sponsored Activities: Craft Fair, Field Day, Book Fair, Service Awards, Teacher Appreciation.
- Richmond Foundation Activities Include: Back to School Picnic,
- Japanese Cultural and Language Support through classroom Interns, exchanges with Sister Schools, Kinokuniya Book Fair, Fifth grade summer Japan Trip
- Oya No Kai parent organization to support K-12 Japanese learning opportunities
SIDE BAR additions/ changes:
Principal: Kathryn Anderson
Remove Pre-school
Kindergarten: Follow PPS District Application Instructions
Visitation: Wednesday a.m. by appointment Call (503) 916-5325
Web Site: http://www.richmondjmp.org
Testimonials:
"My mom entered me in the program because she knew I would be growing up in a society where intercultural communication would be incredibly important" Grant High Student
"Having those two ways to come at one subject has been a big help to her." Parent
"Using our adopted language we were able to connect with, learn from, and laugh with our host families. Using our Japanese, we became not just observers, but players on the stage of life." Eighth grade student after Japan Research Residency