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District News | News of Interest | Richmond in the Media
General
Richmond's Oregon state report card!
Once again, for the third consecutive year, Richmond Elementary School has earned an Exceptional rating on the 2007-2008 State of Oregon School Report Card. Richmond’s small classes, highly qualified faculty, and students’ excellent academic achievement were all factors in determining the school’s rating. The full text of the report is available here. Thank you to everyone who works so hard to make Richmond the wonderful school that it is!
Adequate Yearly Progress report, 2008 - 2009 school year
The Oregon Department of Education has released the annual Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) report for all schools as required by the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law. You can view a PDF of Richmond's own AYP report here. Any questions about Richmond's Adequate Yearly Progress or the No Child Left Behind law can be directed to principal Beverly Pruitt.
New flagpoles for new school year
You will notice a new addition to the Richmond entrance this fall. A wonderful group of parents and businessmen got together this summer and installed two new flagpoles that will grace either side of the front entrance. This dedicated team included the following:
R&H Construction owner John Bradley
Superintendent Randy Logue
R&H Construction Shop Manager Bert Cavett
Holes Unlimited Inc. / Concrete cutting / Chuck Pepper
Pape Rents / excavation / Les Hunter
Woodmen of America Foundation / Donated a flagpole / Chuck Cloud
Organizer, Manual shovel operator, Master wheelbarrow operator, master Flag pole setter, motivator / Artie Gunderson
Traffic Concerns
Just a reminder to everyone to follow the rules of the road, especially around the school. The traffic flow getting into the parking lot of Richmond is not ideal, so be mindful of children and bikes. Bikers, please don't ride on the sidewalks. Cars, please slow down.
Parents, please remember to exit the school driveway carefully. With such a narrow street and parking on both sides of the driveway, visibility is poor. Exit slowly and cautiously to avoid parked and moving cars and pedestrians. If you drive a van or large vehicle, parking near the driveway is not advisable, as exiting drivers can't see past your car.
Volunteer Background Checks
Please remember to keep your Volunteer Background Check current so there aren’t any surprises when your child’s class goes on a field trip. Background checks expire after three years, so if you applied when your child was in kindergarten, yours has probably expired by now. We have a complete list of current volunteers, so if you’re in doubt, please call the office and we’ll help you check it out.
If you would like to fill out a Volunteer Background Check form, please pick up a packet at the Richmond Office and turn it in with the $5.00 fee. We will process it through the Portland Public Schools Security Office, which usually take one to two weeks.
Thank you for volunteering!
Have you changed your phone or address?
What about your friends, neighbors or family listed as emergency contacts/pick-ups on school records?
If so, please let the school office know so we can maintain accurate contact records in case of emergency or the illness or your child. Recently, we've needed to reach quite a few parents to let them know their child has succumbed to the flu bug and we’ve been unable to reach both parents and emergency contacts. Please email Patsy Burke, school secretary, to let her know new contact numbers.
Academics
Richmond Science Fair
Richmond will be having a Science Fair on Friday, April 23! It will be from 6:30-8:30 PM in Richmond’s cafeteria. We hope that with your enthusiastic encouragement, your student will participate in the fair by preparing a project. We do want to stress that this will be a non-judged science fair and that it is strictly voluntary. You may work individually or with a partner.
Parent support is essential to your child’s success. A general rule of thumb to go by is:
- 4th - 5th graders should be doing almost the entire project by themselves
- 2nd - 3rd graders should be able to do many parts
- K – 1st graders will need help for most of the project
We are confident the following benefits will result from you child’s participation in the Science Fair:
- Reinforcement of grade level science, literacy, and math skills (ie. Critical thinking, problem solving, etc.)
- Fostering curiosity, awareness, and creativity
- Increased scientific knowledge
- Learning research techniques
- Growth in ability to work independently
- Development of positive attitude about own self and his/her work
- Having fun with science!
Each participant must complete a Science Fair Project Selection Form. They are available in the office, or contact Sara Tam or Dianne Barton to have a PDF document emailed to you. Please turn it to the office in the "Science Fair" box by Friday, April 2nd, and receive a FREE Science lapel pin to wear before the fair!
Visit our school’s Science Fair website. You will find information about “project types” (ie. collection, invention, research project, experiment), how to make a project display, The Ada Lovelace Project, and any other information regarding Richmond’s Science Fair. Go to: http://richmondsaluteslovelace.wordpress.com.
Thank you and have Fun with Science! Remember to register and get your FREE science lapel pin!
Sara Tam, Science Fair Co-Chair
Dianne Barton, Science Fair Co-Chair
Build a library for your child
Children often want their own place to keep books that have special meaning for them. By encouraging children to set aside their personal favorites, you are helping them express their affection and respect for books. Here are some tips for helping children set up a personal library of their own:
Find a special place for books. If your child's room doesn't have a bookshelf or bookcase, use a box, basket, or other sturdy container. Plastic stacking cubes work well.
As often as possible, let your children choose the books they want to add to their collection. A bookbuying trip to a yard sale or bookstore is a fun Saturday activity.
Encourage your child to explore a wide variety of books. A well-stocked child's library should include fiction and non-fiction books. Make sure your child has a book collection that includes books of poetry, mystery, adventure, science fiction, biography, autobiography, comedy, etc.
Take your children to the library regularly. Even a child with a well-stocked bookshelf needs a fresh supply of books. Encourage children to treat library books with the same care they show their own. Give kids books or magazine subscriptions as gifts.
For babies and young toddlers, choose sturdy books that will survive rough handling. Board books, for example, have thick pages that can be turned easily and wiped clean.
(The above is modified from information provided by Reading is Fundamental.)
Need recommendations about children's books suitable for your child? Richmond's classroom teachers and library assistant are two excellent sources of information as are the librarians at your local Multnomah County Library. Staff at local bookstores like A Children's Place (4807 NE Fremont) or Powell's Booksellers (various locations) are well-versed in helping families make great book choices.
Here are two more Web sites to get you started with great recommendations about children's books.
Bank Street Bookstore: A fabulous bookstore that specializes in children's books and is associated with the wellknown Bank Street School in New York City. This Web site lets you search for books in a dozen different ways to get you to the perfect title.
New York Times Book Review: This site shows children's books reviewed by The New York Times since January 1997, arranged alphabetically by author.
Oya No Kai (more information)
Please Subscribe to the Listservs!
Make sure that you are receiving the most up-to-date news about our school by subscribing to the grade-level listservs provided by Oya No Kai. The Richmond Shinbun is exclusively online at the Richmond Web site, and an email is sent to the listservs when a new issue is published. Fundraising efforts are publicized through the listservs, and teachers will increasingly begin to use the listservs for distributing homework, notices, and other information. Because we want you be aware of all these activities, it is very important that ONK has a current email address for every family that is checked regularly. Visit http://www.oyanokai.org/community/email.html to subscribe to your grade-level listserv. If you have any questions, contact ONK Webmaster Jean Mittelstaedt.Scrip news (more information)
Order form (pdf)
Order dates (pdf)
Standing orders
You can now pay for your standing order with a check! If you want to help keep the profits in the JMP program, consider setting up an automatic check payment for your standing order. The check can be sent to: ONK Scrip, PO Box 14392, Portland, OR 97293. Please call Carrie (503-515-6687) if you are interested in setting up this option.
Carrie Sherrill
Oya No Kai Scrip Coordinator
503-515-6687
Wanted: additional scrip volunteers
Do you want to volunteer a little bit of time to benefit our great JMP program? If you only have just a couple of hours to spare each month, helping with scrip might be for you!
We would like to have a few people who are willing to be back up volunteers for filling orders, selling scrip on Fridays, and helping process orders on order Mondays. We would also appreciate some help to recruit more local businesses to participate in the scrip program. There are many great businesses like Fubon, Uwajimaya, and Hot Lips Pizza who might participate. We just need someone who has the time to ask them!
Thank you for purchasing scrip through Oya No Kai (and for being patient through the transition from our very dedicated former coordinator, Leslie Kowash, to our newbie, Carrie.)
Scrip is a great, easy way to raise funds without spending extra money for the programs you love. If you aren't participating yet or if you have any questions about scrip, please contact Carrie Sherrill, Scrip Coordinator, at 503-515-6687.
Please use check or cash to purchase scrip
Did you know that processing a credit card costs Oya No Kai about 2.5% of each purchase, or $10 for a $400 scrip order? That's money that could be used to support important programs like Japanese interns or class trips. We want to encourage everyone to write a check when ordering scrip. Here's what you can do to help keep our profits in the JMP program:
Write a check or use cash for scrip.
For standing orders processed once a month, set up an automatic bill pay with your bank. Checks should be mailed to PO Box 14392, Portland, OR 97293-0392 and need to be received by the Thursday before the scrip standing order day.
Add a donation to your scrip order which will directly offset credit card fees. Just write in the amount at the bottom of your order form on the line marked "Credit card fee donation". Forms are being updated to give you a space for a donation option.
Continue to pay with your credit card. Even with credit card fees, ONK still makes a profit on each scrip order.
Thank you for purchasing scrip through Oya No Kai. This is a great, easy way to raise funds for the programs you love without spending extra money. If you have any questions about scrip, please contact Carrie Sherrill, Scrip Coordinator at 503-515-6687.
What is Scrip?
Scrip has long been a favorite school fundraiser: no selling to family and friends, no buying things you wouldn't normally buy – it's like free money for your class! Merchants sell gift certificates or gift cards to us at a discount, families pay face value, and 90% of the proceeds go into your child's class account for the 5th grade cultural exchange to Japan. (You can also choose to direct the proceeds to the ONK General Fund, Pre-K, Richmond PTA, or Richmond Foundation). The remaining 10% goes into the Oya No Kai general fund, which supports the entire JMP program including our fabulous interns.
What merchants are available?
We carry scrip for over 80 merchants: major grocery stores (Fred Meyer/QFC, New Seasons, and Safeway), bookstores, restaurants, fast food chains, and clothing, video and music stores. Please see our order form for a complete list. Some of our featured merchants are: Powells Books, Kinokuniya, Burgerville, Regal Cinemas, Krispy Kreme, Amazon.com, Washman Auto Spa, Pizzicato, McMenamins, Starbucks, Baja Fresh and Barnes and Noble.
Can it really make a difference? Yes! The earning potential for the scrip program is great: If only 30 families in a grade order $300 of grocery scrip every month (5% profit), that class will raise $4,500 by June; $4,050 of that goes to the class fund, and $450 to the ONK general fund, which supports the entire program, including teacher supplies and funds for our interns. Of course, you can buy scrip for many more merchants than grocery stores, and most of them offer higher profits, too. As you can see, a class that has even a small participation in scrip can raise over $40,500 by the time the 5th grade trip to Japan rolls around. High participation will result in high results!
How do I order scrip?
We make it easy to participate in scrip. Order days are every other MONDAY, and you pick your orders up that Friday afternoon at Richmond School or through a Team Captain (someone in your neighborhood who will hold your scrip until you can pick it up). You can find order forms on the Oya No Kai Web site or at Richmond in front of the office or on the bulletin board in the cafeteria. Return completed order forms to the Scrip mailbox in the Richmond Office or give to a scrip volunteer in the cafeteria by 8AM on order Mondays. Mt. Tabor orders are due in the ONK box in Mr. Bacon-Brenes' room by 9 AM Monday morning. You can also email orders by 8PM Sunday night to onkscrip@comcast.net (call Carrie Sherrill 503-515-6687 to be sure we have your credit card on file before you email your order).
What is a standing order?
If you find yourself needing the same scrip every month, or have a hard time remembering to turn in your order form, consider a standing order. These are orders we automatically fill once a month, charging your credit card. Standing orders require a $200 minimum order. You are welcome to add to or change your standing order as you need. All you have to remember is to pick up your order!
Should I pay with cash, check or credit card?
We are charged a low percentage fee for every credit card transaction we run. With some merchants that provide a low discount rate, the credit card fee eats some of that profit. If it is just as easy for you, paying by check gives us the entire profit. BUT, if you have a standing order, or find it easiest to pay by credit card or email your order, we would MUCH rather have your credit card order than not!
Can I help with scrip?
Yes! Our successful scrip program requires volunteer time from our Oya No Kai families, and there are a few volunteer opportunities available every year. Please let Carrie Sherrill (503-515-6687) know if you would be interested in helping the scrip program stay strong.
What's new this year?
This year, we have added Chevron $50 and $250 cards. With the price of gas now, a $250 card is a great item for your standing orders and they give us 3% (more than the other gas cards). We also added Newport Bay/Stanford's $25 cards (8% profit) for those business lunches and evenings away from the kitchen. If you don't see a vendor you frequent, let us know and we will see if it is something we can add to the order form.
What is the latest news about scrip?
See the latest order form for the most up-to-date list of merchants that accept scrip and the profit percentage or check out the latest issue of Scrip News. Leftover scrip is for sale in the Richmond cafeteria on pick-up Fridays and is an easy way to try out scrip and see how easy it is to use (check or cash only for Friday sales.) There is always have grocery scrip left over, and other popular merchants (Starbucks, Burgerville, Powells Books, etc.) are usually available. Stop by on Friday and check it out!
District News (more information)
PPS receives grant from US Department of Education for language immersion instruction
PPS has received the official Grant Award Notification from the US Dept of Ed for the Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP) Grant to support the Japanese Immersion at Grant HS, Mt. Tabor MS, and Richmond Elementary School. We have Diana Fernandez, Director of ESL and Immersion Education, to thank for this wonderful opportunity. She led the development of the grant, enabling our three schools to benefit from almost $300,000 per year, for five years, to support the refinement of our program. The primary goals of this grant are:
Goal 1). To increase the number of students in the PPS Japanese immersion program who achieve an ADVANCED LEVEL of Japanese language and cultural proficiency by the end of 12th grade and are on track toward a Superior proficiency level by college/university graduation.
Goal 2). To increase student enrollment and retention in the Japanese immersion program at the critical transition points between school levels and increase enrollment in rigorous course work.
Goal 3). To increase the ability of Japanese immersion students in grades 8-12 to use emerging technologies to extend Japanese language/culture learning beyond the classroom and demonstrate their knowledge and skills in authentic contexts.
Goal 4). To increase Japanese immersion program teachers' knowledge, skills and ability to engage and motivate students through student-centered, community-based projects and real-world focused curricula.
Goal 5). To establish partnerships with institutions of higher education, parents, business/industry, and community-based organizations to support comprehensive, innovative, standards-based PreK-16 Japanese language studies toward the goal of superior student proficiency levels.
Some of the key provisions in the FLAP grant pay for:
- A full-time Japanese immersion curriculum specialist to lead the refinement of our curriculum and instructional program.
- Extended hours for teachers to work on curriculum refinement during the school year (12 hours per teacher per school year).
- Extended hours for teachers to work on curriculum refinement during the summer months (30 hour summer institutes).
- Teacher salary for a 3-week summer institute for students.
- Portion of the salary for Fujiwara-sensei to enable her to provide cultural arts guidance throughout curriculum revision.
- Travel for students' (grades 10-11) summer research residency in Japan in years 3-5 of the grant.
- Materials for summer institutes.
- Technology to supplement middle school and high school labs (see goal #3 above).
- Contracts with national immersion experts to guide curriculum revision and provide teacher training.
- Contract for an external evaluator to document progress toward grant goals and evaluate programmatic changes.
You'll hear much more about this grant in the months to come.
News of Interest
Japanese for Grownups classes
Richmond parents Yoko Sato and Shinobu Chrisman will again offer Japanese language instruction to the Richmond community. These classes have been attended by parents and grandparents, and they provide an excellent way to learn more about Japanese language and culture. There are three classes being offered this year.
Beginning Japanese I (Introduction to Japanese language)
For Who: For anyone who wants to study Japanese and has no previous Japanese language learning experience.
Textbook: Japanese for Busy People Vol 1. 3rd edition with CD (List price $27 or $17.82+Shipping at amazon.com)
Time: 1:00-2:00pm on Thursdays starting October 8
Place: Room 208
Fee: $60 for Fall term 2009 (October through December)
Fees will not be refunded for absences, but short make-up lesson can be available.
Objectives:
- gaining basic knowledge about Japanese language,
- being accustomed to Japanese counting and greetings,
- understanding simple Japanese sentences, questions and answers, and
- being familiar with the Japanese writing systems (if requested by majority).
Teaching Japanese at colleges since 1993. Currently teaching at Mt. Hood Community College.
Beginning Japanese II
For Who: This class is for those who have studied Japanese for 3 to 6 months or more. You must be familiar with both Hiragana and Katakana. We will begin with much reviewing.
Textbook: Japanese for Young People I Student Book (ISBN 4-7700-2178-X)
Time: 8:15 to 9:15 AM on Thursday starting October 8th
Place: Room 208
Fee: $60 for the fall term, or $20 per month
Instructor: Shinobu Chrisman (Mom of a 4th and a 7th grader)
Beginning Japanese III
For Who: This is for those who have studied Japanese for 6 months to a year or more. You need to be comfortable with both Hiragana and Katakana, and some Kanji. We will begin with much reviewing.
Textbook: Japanese for Busy People I Revised 3rd Edition Kana Version (ISBN978-4-7700-3009-2)
Time: 8:15 to 9:15 AM on Tuesday starting October 6th
Place: Room 208
Fee: $60 for the fall term, or $20 per month
Instructor: Shinobu Chrisman
Kabuki lecture at Winningstad Theatre
The Japan Foundation would like to announce our Kabuki Lecture and Performance event in Portland! This is a rare and exciting opportunity for Americans audiences to experience the performing arts of the royal court in Japan.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The Dolores Winningstad Theatre
111 SW Broadway (at Main Street), Portland, OR 97205
Theatre Box Office: (503) 248-4335
$20 General, $12 Senior/Students
http://www.jflalc.org/index.php?act=tpt&id=139
Taiko news from Ito-Sensei
This year, I would like to focus on some Taiko skills, with particular emphasis on the concept of "Ma." "Ma" can be defined as "space," "time," "pause," or "interval," among others. Taiko music has uncountable spaces within a song that sets it apart from other types of music. I hope you will come play in 2010 to explore "Ma" together.
Classes
All classes will be held in Richmond's gymnasium.
*For Kids' Taiko and Honki Taiko classes, there will be a performance on Sunday, 9/27, at Uwajimaya. Therefore, we'll start preparations on this right away.*
Kids' Taiko : Grades 2~3
9/11 ~11/20 Fridays
2:20-3:20pm + Japan Fest performance on 9/27 at Uwajimaya
$115
Kids' Honki Taiko: Grade 4 and up
(beginners welcome)
9/11~11/20
Tuesdays 2:20-3:20pm AND Fridays 3:30-4:30
$145
Oyako Taiko: Adults and Kids
9/22~11/20 Tuesdays
6:00-7:00pm
$125 for 2 people
Adults:
9/29~11/17 Tuesdays
7:00-8:30pm
$99
For first-time registrants, please contact Kazuyo Ito. For returning students, please come to the first day of class with your payment.
I hope to see you soon!
Kazuyo Ito
Richmond in the Media
The Oregonian
Mural beautifies Richmond school, neighborhood - January 1, 2009The latest art project at Richmond Japanese Immersion School will enrich the lives of neighbors as well as students.
Last month, volunteers and artist Lynn Takata completed the installation of a four-panel tile mosaic-and-clay mural on the exterior front of the building, which faces a residential street in Southeast. Each panel measures approximately 14 feet high and 4 feet wide ...
Read the full story at the Oregonian Web site
Richmond students will learn in 3 gardens - May 15, 2008
Most schools would be delighted to have one garden. Two would be a luxury. But three?
By summer's end, Richmond Elementary School will boast an organic fruit and vegetable garden and an authentic Japanese garden -- joining a flower and fern garden that parents created about three years ago.
Read the full story at the Oregonian Web site
The Portland Tribune
Richmond was mentioned in the April 27, 2007 article in the Portland Tribune that described several of the PPS immersion schools in SE Portland.
Article by Toshiri Edagawa of Hokkaido Shimbun
Local correspondent Toshiri Edagawa wrote an article about Richmond for the Hokkaido Shinbun. Read the February 19, 2006 article in Japanese.