Bulldog Bulletin 12.04.24

It was nice to see our students back in school this week. Many of them had a lot of fun things to share about their Fall break. I hope you all had a chance to relax and enjoy some time as a family. My parents and brother stayed over at our house and we had a great time eating too much, watching football, and enjoying some local holiday activities. The mornings have been extra tough for our family this week after spending multiple nights staying up late and sleeping in during the break, but hopefully everyone is gradually readjusting back into school mode.

Our 4th/5th grade student leaders who signed up to be classroom volunteers have started their shifts this week. It's super exciting to see some of our older students practicing their leadership skills by being role models and helpers in our kinder, 1st & 2nd grade classes.

Also, our student leaders have brainstormed ideas for our next Spirit Week scheduled for December 16-20. I will share the themes with our community very soon.

Our next BSU meeting is this Friday at 10:45-11:30 AM. Students who typically eat lunch during this time should bring their lunch to the meeting in room 104.

This is just a friendly reminder that our next early release Wednesday is on December 18th. School will end at 11:50 AM and buses will run as usual at that time. Students should arrive at their bus stop about 3 hours earlier than usual. Breakfast and lunch will be served in the cafeteria, but lunch is much earlier in the day.

THANK YOU to everyone who has brought in a delicious snack or drink for our 3-hour staff meetings on early release days. If you would like to sign up for snack donations on 12/18, click here and go to the blue "winter sign-ups" tab at the bottom. Thanks again for making our teachers feel special during these long meeting days.

Richmond community, if you have size 5-8 unisex, girls or boys pull-on pants (i.e. elastic band, sweatpants, leggings) that your child has outgrown please consider donating them to our health room. Our supply of extra changes of pants is depleted. Pants come in handy when students spill milk or food, have accidents, get muddy or wet from recess. Donations can be dropped off at the office. Thank you!

While Richmond Art4Life does not currently have space, we do have openings at our Abernethy location (2421 SE Orange Ave) and welcome you to utilize our afterschool services there!

Convenient Transportation:

• PPS bus route 257 picks up children directly from Richmond after school.
• The 10-minute bus ride ends at the Abernethy location.
• An Art4Life staff member will meet your child at the bus stop each day.

Next Steps: If you're interested in enrolling your child at Abernethy, please fill out an enrollment packet and email it to us at AbernethyA4L@gmail.com. We can quickly process your enrollment and arrange a visit if you'd like. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or to request a site visit!

School Webpage HERE
District Student Handbook
Google Dismissal and Dismissal Changes Form
Want to Volunteer?
Fliers approved for distribution
Richmond Calendar
School Supplies Online Payment

WHO: Richmond PTA

WHAT: Get ready! The book fair is almost here!

WHEN: Mon 12/9 - Fri 12/13, 7:30-8 AM and 2:30-3:15 PM each day

WHERE: Richmond Library - enter through door 9 across from playground/next to school garden

WHY: All purchases benefit our school library!

HOW: Buy books for fun, for holiday/birthday gifts, and for your student’s classroom

**The book fair will be cashless. All purchases will be by credit card or e-Wallet.**

To create an e-Wallet or to find out more information, visit our fair homepage at https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/richmondelementary

Sign up for volunteer opportunities on Konstella. Your help makes our fair possible!

Volunteer Questions? Email Molly at mollyott890@gmail.com

BOOK ANGELS PROGRAM: The PTA believes that every child deserves a book. If it isn't in your family's budget to make a purchase at the book fair, please come select one free book per child from the Book Angels Program bin at the register of the book fair. Only adults are permitted to take books from the bin. You can bring your child(ren) with you to choose their book. If you can't make it to the book fair, feel free to send an adult friend to pick up a free book on your child(ren)'s behalf.

If you prefer online shopping, go to our store page.

OBOB books are only available for order online this year.

Questions? Email Tera at tlstefan@gmail.com

Show off your Richmond pride with our exclusive Bulldog Gear! From comfy hoodies to timeless tees, cozy crewnecks, and long sleeves, we’ve got something for every fan – kids and adults alike. These aren’t just clothes; they’re a vibe!

Help us crush our goal of 200 shirts by December 11 and power up our school’s spirit and programs. We are already halfway there! Every purchase goes right back into supporting our amazing school community. Plus, your gear gets delivered straight to your door – just in time to slay the holiday season in style!

Don’t wait – unleash your inner Bulldog today! Click this link for the online storefront.

Questions? Reach out to andrewkerslake@hotmail.com.

That’s a wrap for 2024! Thank you all for your support this Fall and showing up to help out during our monthly work parties. *There is no Breakfast in the Garden event during December.* January 11th, 2025 we’ll be back at it from 9 am - noon with a focus on the front of the school. Mark your calendars and help us get things cleaned up and looking sharp in time for prospective family tours to begin.

There will be a mason bee cocoon cleaning party hosted at a private residence in SE Portland on December 7th in the mid-morning. If you are interested in joining, please email us at greenteamrichmond@gmail.com. Cleaning supplies will be provided along with instruction and support. You are welcome to get experience cleaning our cocoons or bring your own.

*If you are interested in joining the Super Green Team or staying closer in the loop about happenings please join the committee on Konstella and/or send an email to greenteamrichmond@gmail.com

Thank you all who visited us at the 5th Grade Movie Night recently! It was so fun to see ya’ll cozied up on your blankets and help with the cozy vibes with hot cocoa, hot apple cider, and coffee.

And… Presenting the Rich Coffee Bulldog Beats Spotify Playlist! We received J-Pop (and J-Punk and J-Metal) recommendations from folks responding to our Fall/Winter Survey and put the songs together in a Spotify Playlist. Thank you to all who helped build this out. Perhaps if you’re not yet ready to start spinning “All I want for Christmas is You” or “Santa Tell Me” (Ariana people I’m telling you!) or “This Christmas”, then these Rich Coffee Bulldog Beats can help fill the gap. Also, now that we’re get back from Thanksgiving/Autumn Break, it is a great time to support the PTA, Richmond, and our amazing Staff and Teachers or even another Community Member with a Christmas/Kwanza/Hanukkah/Holiday Rich Coffee Punchcard! See you in December!

We need to make room for new merchandise coming next year. Help us clear out our inventory with this major sale! Everything (yes! Everything!) is now 30% off. No minimum purchase, no code necessary. Now is the time to stock up on gifts for the fam, teachers, interns and all your friends! Click the link to start shopping! Sale ends 12/31/24 or while supplies last.

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Oya No Kai in your year-end giving. When you give to Oya No Kai, you support the shared promise of a Japanese Dual Language Immersion experience that connects our children to a larger world, while making that world feel smaller.

Your gift today will have a direct impact on the lives of students, teachers, interns, and families – ensuring we can help host more intern teachers in our classrooms, cover the record-high need for trip scholarships, and meet the rising cost of cultural exchange trips to Japan.

The need for your support has never been greater. We are recovering financially from the pandemic, and we need to close a $40,000 budget gap to continue offering the programs you love.

🎁 Give at the $250 level or higher and receive exclusive Oya No Kai gear like t-shirts, tote bags, or sweatshirts (until Dec. 31 or while supplies last)!

Please go to our fundraising webpage for more details and donate here. Thank you for your continuous support! いつもご支援・ご協力をありがとうございます。