Bulldog Bulletin 11.20.24

Richmond families, I need your help!

I had multiple families report to me this past week about dangerous situations on the roads around our school during morning arrival. Just this morning a car took a sharp turn and although there was not a crash this time, a woman and her children on their bicycle were knocked off balance.

As a working parent I totally understand the sense of urgency in the mornings, but arriving on time will never be more important than the physical safety of our students and families.

Please follow the one way traffic flow around the school (right turns only) and drive extra slowly between 7:40-8:10 when most people are arriving at Richmond.

In addition, please be mindful of how small our staff parking lot is. Our staff, school volunteers, and persons with disabilities should take top priority for parking spaces in our lot. There is not enough space for families to park there temporarily for morning drop off.

Here’s a Recap of What Happened in the Black Student Union (BSU) Last Week:

• Defining Race: Students explored the meaning of race and how it relates to physical traits like skin tone and hair texture, as well as its impact on identity.
• Learning About Melanin: Students learned that melanin is what gives color to their skin, hair, and eyes and how it helps protect the skin from the sun.
• Community Building: The group participated in activities to strengthen their sense of belonging and connection.

Here is the presentation used to facilitate the discussion. Our next meeting will be on Friday, December 6th.

Our 4th/5th grade student leaders have created a fun week of dress up themes for us. Let's show a little school spirit before Fall break begins!

Your child's teacher(s) have emailed families their conference sign up forms in their classroom newsletter. As you know, a teacher's schedule is jam-packed from start to finish and the work never truly ends after school. This is why it's so important for families to prioritize conferences each year. This is the one time the district carves out days in our calendar for teachers to meet with all of their families. This time is not provided again in the school year.

Thank you for honoring our teachers' time and doing your best to prioritize conferences. I understand the holidays are right around the corner, but it is very challenging for our staff to accommodate families who prefer to go on vacation during the times we have allotted for conferences. Thank you for understanding.

There is no school next week on November 25th through November 29th. The building will be open on Monday & Tuesday for conferences, but we will be closed for Fall break on Wednesday through Friday. Thank you for planning accordingly and we will see you all on Monday, December 2nd!

Please complete the PPS Successful Schools Survey for Richmond. Your responses help our staff and I to better understand the strengths and areas for growth at our school. Thank you in advance for your time! https://surveys.panoramaed.com/portlandor/fall24family

The survey window closes on December 6th. Make sure your voice is heard!

News from the Art Room

Yearbook Update: The 2023-24 yearbook is being finalized by picaboo and should take about 4 weeks for printing and shipping. Many things led to the delay but I'm glad it’s almost done!

I am going to be starting the 2024-25 yearbook after conferences and would love to have a couple parents work with me to create it this year. Please send me an email if you would have time to help create and take pictures! Must be a verified volunteer and have received the training etc…

Conferences: I will be in the building for conferences! I will have student artwork that has not gone home for many students and be available to discuss student progress as well. I may be sitting in on some conferences with classroom teachers but will leave a note on the door if I have to step out for a brief time. Both days I will be available following this schedule (unless a parent requests a private discussion) :

8:15-11 Open for meeting

11-12 Lunch

12-2:30 Open for meeting

2:30-2:45 Break

2:45-5 Open for meeting

5-6 Dinner

6-8 Open for meeting

If you wish to see me privately please email and I will schedule you either before or after your classroom conference!

Sparrow Sensei

swest1@pps.net

Conferences are a perfect time to peruse the overflowing Lost & Found for those cozy coats, wet water bottles, and other invaluable items our children leave behind at school. Please visit the racks in the cafeteria next Monday and Tuesday to claim your kids' stuff before it gets washed and donated to the PPS Clothing Center around winter break.

Congratulations, Richmond Bulldogs!

Thank you to those who brought in their plastic film to school for recycling. We were able to fill

two (2) large garbage bags for recycling with our Ridwell partner!

We still have time for families and our neighbors to sign up for Ridwell service at their homes as

a way to support future recycling at Richmond Elementary School.

• If 10 people / families sign up for Ridwell (by Sunday, 15December) using our Richmond

Elementary School link / QR code then Richmond will earn plastic film pick-ups (that is

generated from school, only) for the rest of the 2024-25 school year!

• If 20 people / families sign up for Ridwell (by Sunday, 15December) using our Richmond

Elementary School link / QR code then Richmond will earn a field trip for up to 50 to our

local Ridwell warehouse for a tour and learn about how materials are recycled.

If you’d like to learn more about the various recycling services that Ridwell provides and to help

Richmond Elementary School earn rewards by helping to keep plastic film out of the landfill,

please click this link or scan this QR code.

Again, thank you for your support.

Karen Rodriguez (Richmond parent)

Khilts4@gmail.com

HELPFUL LINKS
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

Autumn Bulldog Gear Sale

Unleash your school pride with Richmond Bulldog Gear! From classic tees to cozy hoodies, crewnecks, and long sleeves, we’ve got styles and colors for every Bulldog fan in both adult and youth sizes. These shirts aren’t just apparel – they’re a statement! Let's hit our goal of 200 shirts by December 11 and fuel our school’s spirit and programs. Every purchase supports our school’s activities and programs. Order now, and we’ll deliver your Bulldog gear straight to your door – just in time for the Holidays! There’s no better way to show off your school spirit! Click this link for the online storefront.

Feel free to contact andrewkerslake@hotmail.com with any questions.

Super Green Team

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

Rich Coffee

Well you didn’t realize how needy we are here at Rich Coffee did you?... We can’t get enough of you so we’ll see you this Friday evening, 11/22, at the Studio Ghibli Movie Night fundraiser for the 5th grade trip to Japan. We’ll have available a few carafes of decaf coffee and a whole lot of hot cocoa and hot apple cider. Additionally, the 5th grade group will separately be selling some baked goods to pair with your warm beverage and spectacular movie. Keep an eye out for more details on Konstella!

PTA Fun Fact

In response to the growing youth mental health crisis, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, PTAs have increasingly prioritized programs that support students' emotional well-being. Many PTAs now collaborate with schools to provide resources such as mindfulness workshops, peer counseling programs, and educational seminars for parents about recognizing and addressing signs of mental health struggles in children.

Art Search

We've extended the Art Search through Saturday, November 30th so that more creative artists in our community can submit images of their Favorite Things of Japan. Are you a student, past student, parent, or friend of the Japanese Program? Then we'd love to see your talent!!

Visit oyanokai.org/artwork for more information and to submit your ideas! If you have more than one idea, please share them with us!

Movie Night is Back!

Start your Fall Break with a showing of Studio Ghibli's Secret World of Arrietty (rated G)

WHO: Richmond community

WHAT: movie, food, drinks, friends, & fun!

WHERE: Richmond cafeteria, enter at Door #6 (nearest playground)

WHEN: this Friday, Nov. 22nd, enter 6.15 pm, eat+drink 6.15-6.45, film 6.45-8.30

WHY: support the 5th grade Japan Trip participants

HOW:

1. sign up here to attend this free event (limited capacity due to fire codes)

2. pack a blanket for you and your crew to sit on (NOT a drop-off)

3. please bring cash for pizza, popcorn, cold drinks, desserts, & Rich Coffee warm drinks

4. consider donating to the 5th grade Japan Trip at the entrance

Many thanks to our community parents who offered their film studio connections. We secured official permission to show Studio Ghibli's films, and we expect to host more Movie Nights in 2025! So if you can't make it this week, you can look forward to future free screenings.

Any questions, please contact cielle.swatland@gmail.com.

Thanks for your support,

- 5th grade Japan Trip Fundraising Team