Bilingual Kindergarten, new principal, Kiyoshi’s Walk + Resource Round-up 5/20/21

Counselor Corner  /  News & Events sunrise over east portland

I’ve really been enjoying the return of early morning light! Between the sunrises, our lovely stretch of weather and the roses blooming, I’m reveling in all the wonders of living in this time and this place. (Yes, we had our first precipitation at arrival and dismissal this week, but I’ll take rainbow weather over the grey gloom of late winter any day!) Grow Portland, our garden partners, distributed produce at dismissal on Wednesday and students were so excited to take home school-grown produce!

Our dual language program is growing! We will open a bilingual kindergarten next year, and welcome 10 new students to our preschool: Nuestro Futuro. If you have a 3, 4 or 5 year-old and are interested in bilingual instruction (Español/English), please visit our dual language program page.

In other news, our new principal has been selected. Holly Wilkes has eight years of experience as an elementary school administrator and is currently serving as the Assistant Principal at Alder Elementary in the Reynolds School District. She has leadership experience in equity work and family and community outreach, including specific outreach to Spanish-speaking families. A word from Principal Wilkes: “It’s truly an honor to be selected as Principal. I am thrilled at the opportunity to join the community and to get to know Lincoln Park’s students, staff and families. I’m looking forward to the great work we will do together!”

As the end of the year approaches, a few details about our last week of school. The last day of in-person instruction is June 16 (Wednesday). However, the last day of school is Thursday, June 17th, which will be from 9-11 am. On the 17th, we will have a virtual field day and class celebrations. That afternoon, between 1 and 2, there will be a “reverse parade” for students and families say goodbye and return their computers. (Learn more here!)

This week’s story is Kiyoshi’s Walk, by Mark Karlins and Nicole Wong. Where does poetry come from? A boy and his grandfather go for a walk and discover the poetry of the city around them. Mr. Karlins’ elegant prose teaches the reader about haiku, while Ms. Wong’s illustrations bring the characters’ neighborhood to life, especially the cats. What poetry is in your heart today?

Resource Round-Up 5/20

  • Oregon Rental and Energy Assistance for past due bills
    https://www.oregonrentalassistance.org/
  • PGE Bill Assistance (matching program and other assistance) (PDF) hem because they should have similar programs  
  • BIPOC Vaccination Calendar 
  • Social Service Fair at Rosewood Initiative this Friday, May 21st. 
  • New Oregon Mask Guidance. Click here for more information.
  • Did you know that Lincoln Park’s dual language program is GROWING!?!? Next year, we will have both a bilingual preschool and a bilingual kindergarten (Spanish).