Richmond Interns
Interns and tutoring
Please introduce yourselves and help them feel welcome. They are Chika Koyama (Pre-K), Yuko Kamei (K), Kazumi Oyu (K), Yuka Amano (1st), Nanami Ichimoto (1st), Yoko Miyake (2nd), Erika Kamata (3rd), and Maki Hirano (4/5th). We will be posting pictures and information in the front hallway and on the Oya No Kai Web site. If you are interested in having one of them tutor your child, they will be starting on Monday, May 4th. Please fill out a Tutoring Request Form and turn it into the box in the Richmond office. If you have any questions regarding tutoring, please contact Maya Mori.
Intern Assembly
All Richmond students enjoyed the play of "Ponta no jidouhanbaiki" (Ponta's vending machine) by our wonderful interns on March 11th. It was a story about friendship and each intern became a fun animal character, including "Totoro." There was a nice piano accompaniment and singing. After their show, our students said some warm "thank you" words to them and sang a song. It was a heartfelt moment and there were many wonderful feelings. Some of the interns have already gone back to Japan and we wish them well. Thank you for sharing your great talents throughout the year for our Richmond communit
Update on intern recruitment for the JMP group serving April 2009 - March 2010
The new interns are coming soon! Most of them are scheduled to arrive the weekend of April 11 - 12, although two will arrive the following week. We will have 11 of the 15 requested interns. Richmond will have 8 interns, Mt Tabor will have 2 and Grant will have 1. They will be touring the schools on Monday, April 13th and most of them will be starting in the classrooms on Tuesday, April 14. Please introduce yourselves and help them feel welcome! We will be posting photos and information by the office at Richmond, as well as on the this Web site and the Oya No Kai Web site. Please contact Maya Mori with any questions or concerns.
Maya Mori
Intern Coordinator
Oya No Kai
Interns and Homestays
Japanese interns are an integral part of the Japanese Magnet Program at Richmond, Mt. Tabor, and Grant schools. In addition to assisting the Japanese teachers in the classroom, interns ensure that JMP students hear two Japanese language speakers on a daily basis. At Richmond, these volunteers help out with all classroom duties and also provide one-on-one tutoring through the Homework Club sponsored by Oya No Kai. The interns are also a valued asset to the middle and high schools when the Japanese language program filters into other school curricula.
The interns arrive in the spring in accordance with the Japanese school calendar. This timing also ensures that an experienced intern will be in place for each grade level at the start of the Portland Public School year. The classroom teachers are then able to focus more on the students and less on incoming intern orientation.
Interns live in Portland and work at the Richmond, Mt. Tabor and Grant schools for one year. The Intern Coordinator, Sarah Stephens, and the Host Family Recruiter, Melissa Gorgon Clark, are currently seeking homestays for the interns arriving this spring. We ask for a six-month commitment at either the beginning or the second half of their stay. (The move date will take place this year on Saturday, October 11, 2009.) You may choose to host for both terms, but you will be assigned a second intern to ensure they benefit from more than one American homestay experience.
If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, the following documents need to be submitted:
- ONK Host Family Application
- Signed PPS Letter of Agreement
- Copy of homeowner's or renter's insurance policy
- Individual Volunteer Criminal History Form
- Volunteer Information Form (under other just list Host Family)
For families interested in hosting in October, it would also be beneficial for you to submit your paperwork as soon as possible, especially the application form. We do understand that life is continually changing and in October things may be different for your family. You can complete the rest of the paperwork before you host an intern. Completed forms may be returned to Patsy Burke at the Richmond office, given to either Melissa or Sarah or mailed to:
Sarah Stephens c/o Oya No Kai PO BOX 14392 Portland, OR 97293
Once you have been selected to host an intern, there will be a detailed homestay training in late March or early April to cover all of your questions and important issues such as banking needs, medical emergency info, dating, computer and internet access, summer employment etc.
If you still have questions or would like more detailed information please contact:
|
Melissa Gorgon Clark Host Family Recruiter 503-539-1008 |
Sarah Stephens Intern Coordinator 503-788-3980 |