Bulldog Bulletin
02/04/26
Richmond Open House: THANK YOU!! 🙏
I want to start by thanking our AMAZING volunteers who supported Richmond's Open House event on Monday morning. This was our 2nd annual open house where we get to showcase our incredible JDLI community through student performances, presentations, student panels, and classroom tours. Our prospective families who attended were very impressed and we couldn't have done it without the support of our volunteers. どうもありがとうございます! Thank you very much!
I also want to thank our students and staff for showcasing their talents and dedication to our school. Visiting families complimented the welcoming climate and culture in our building, the abilities of our students, and the expertise that our staff bring into each classroom.
SPECIAL SHOUTOUT to our kindergarten & 1st grade performers, and 5th grade panel members: June Aispuro, Shayne Euston, Rory Kinsella, Aya Norton, Keita Scholten, Naji Verar Van Allen.
And most importantly, please be sure to give Karen Wilson a shoutout for organizing our open house. Promoting our program to maintain our enrollment each year is an incredibly important job, and Karen continues to support this process in such meaningful ways.
February is Black History Month! 💚
During the month of February we celebrate Black History Month by recognizing the significant role and impactful contributions the Black community has made and continues to make in our country, especially in our own local communities.
When speaking to our children at home about Black History Month, it is important to remind them that although it is necessary to learn about the oppression a community has faced in order to develop empathy and a deeper understanding of the inequities we see in today's society, it is equally important to teach our children about Black joy and Black excellence. The narrative we create about a community can be oppressive or empowering depending on which experiences you choose to highlight.
In the spirit of celebrating Black excellence this week, our 5th grade Student Leadership meeting was dedicated to learning from our own local leaders within Portland.
Attorney Ernest Warren, Jr. and his daughter who is also an attorney, Vera Warren, spoke at our student leadership meeting on Tuesday. In 1990 Ernest “Ernie” Warren, Jr., established the first African American-owned law firm in Oregon with the primary objectives of being a resource to the community, serving the common good, and steadfastly pursuing justice.
Our guest speakers talked about how extra curricular activities in and out of school can help foster a student's leadership abilities, as well as the importance of having dreams to work towards. We also discussed what types of leadership qualities professionals look for in job interviews and how we can practice building those skills in our K-12 years. Our 5th grade student leaders asked great questions and represented Richmond positively during our time together.
I want to send a special thank you to Richmond parent Professor Kelvin Hall for making this local connection for us and providing our students with a special leadership opportunity.
Community Spotlight: Ephraim Bano 🤩
One of our Richmond parents was highlighted in the "PBOT Safe Routes to School" February 2026 edition of their newsletter! Check out the newsletter article from PBOT below.
Do you know someone in your community who helps kids and their families safely walk, bike, and roll to and from school? Tell us about them. We're interested in sharing their story!
Ephraim Bano is one of those people helping kids and their families safely walk, bike, and roll to and from school. Continue reading to learn more about Ephraim!
Question: Why did you start biking to school?
Answer: We started biking to school to cut the morning chaos. The transition from bike to drop-off is faster and smoother than driving. No traffic, no hunting for parking, no stressful last-minute stops. It’s simply a calmer, more predictable start to the day.
Q: What’s one piece of advice for families who want to try it?
A: Test your route ahead of time, ideally a neighborhood greenway or low-stress street so you know how long it takes. Invest in the right bike and weather-ready gear. And if you can, join a bike bus or another organized group, it’s a great way to build community and confidence.
Q: What have you learned from biking to school?
A: It sets the tone for the day. The kids arrive happier, and we feel more energized. It turns the commute into something positive instead of a chore.
Q: What keeps you motivated?
A: Staying active, supporting our mental health, and reducing our carbon footprint are pretty obvious reasons. But honestly, the biggest motivator is the time together with our kids. These rides are core family memories in the making.
Q: What do you wish people understood about biking to school?
A: Not every morning will be magical. Some days will be chaotic, and you’ll wish for a warm car. It takes time to build the rhythm. But if you stick with it, the payoff is huge. The joy of riding through the city with your kids is incredibly rewarding.
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself!
A: Brooke and I met in Hong Kong, and we lived there for about six years before moving to Portland in 2010. Our kids, Elie (6) and Oren (4), were born here. When we’re not biking around the city, we’re usually camping around the region in our camper.
Next group interns are coming in April = NEED HOST FAMILIES!
We are excited to announce that we will welcome 11 new interns coming to the JDLI program in April, 2026! There will be 8 interns at Richmond ESand 3 interns at Mt. Tabor MS!
If you and your family are interested in hosting one of them, feel free to contact Haruka Takanuma, intern coordinator, at haruka.takanuma@oyanokai.org with your questions, concerns, or anything!
