We got to celebrate AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) students and families this month and continue to through the end of May along with other celebrations around our district including Jewish American Heritage Month and and Mother's Day. Remember to keep celebrating and acknowledging our students and community members. Even as we close in on the end of another school year, our work is not done. We continue to teach and support students. We get to celebrate the class of 2025 grads! We also recognize Mother's Day and the fabulous moms in our district juggling teaching and parenting their own children while sometimes needing to support their students in similar ways. You're all amazing!!!

The David Douglas School District celebrates our Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Students and staff around our DDSD are connected to our AAPI community is aware of the strength of their cultural heritages and the many ways the our Asian American and Pacific Islander friends teach us about celebration and community. Islander families, like many of our other immigrant families, face challenges making their way in Portland, but the resilience, pride, and power they exhibit is a beautiful thing to behold.

Local AAPI Portland Events: https://oregonrisesabovehate.com/events

Also in May, JAHM is celebrated. It is an opportunity to learn more about the history and experiences of Jewish Americans and celebrate their culture, values, and the many contributions they bring to our multicultural tapestry in the US.

In May 2025, Portland, Oregon will host various Jewish American Heritage Month events, including readings of the names of Holocaust victims, film screenings, and cultural experiences. These events will be held at locations like Pioneer Courthouse Square, the Oregon Jewish Museum, and other community centers.

• Portland Jewish Film Fest:

  The festival will kick off with a film screening, "On the Banks of the Tigris," on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 7:00 PM as part of the Portland Jewish Music Festival, Eastside Jewish Commons says.

• The Last Days Film Screening:

  A screening of "The Last Days" will be held at Cinema 21 on Monday, May 5, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Oregon Jewish Museum says.

• Charlotte Salomon Paints Her Life:

  A talk with Pamela Reitman about Charlotte Salomon's artwork will take place at the Oregon Jewish Museum on Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, Oregon Jewish Museum says.

• Family Movie Nights:

  The Oregon Jewish Museum will host a free screening of "The Prince of Egypt" on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Oregon Jewish Museum says.

• Survival and Intimations of Mortality:

  Public tours of the Oregon Jewish Museum's galleries will be available on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, and Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM, Oregon Jewish Museum says.

Shout out to Alice Ott Middle School for launching the Black Student Union! Mr. Joseph Hallett and Shetericka Williams for their leadership and support for students!

Affinity and /or equity groups are happening around the district. These opportunities can be very beneficial for students. We have groups in schools providing affinity spaces for Spanish speaking newcomers, Equity groups for students of most school levels school and equity groups where students are learning to use their voice to advocate for the things that matter to them at school and learn more about how to make positive impact. Never hesitate to reach out to your equity TOSA if you want to chat about how to support students this way. This could be a great thing to launch early next fall.

April GYO Corner

High School Students Explore Early Childhood as a Career

Forty students from David Douglas and Fir Ridge recently visited Portland Community College’s Sylvania campus to participate in an engaging exploration of education as a career pathway. THANK YOU to all of the David Douglas and PCC staff that made this possible! See a summary of their day below:

• Students were able to learn about the PCC undergraduate admissions process and early childhood education programs from Shea Selby, the college’s Early Childhood Pathway Navigator.

• Students participated in an early childhood college class with Professor Jamie Heberlein where they discussed the difference between student-centered process art and teacher-directed crafts for young children. Students especially appreciated playing with and keeping the complimentary playdough!

• Students were able to tour PCC’s state of the art Early Childhood Development Center, where they observed beautiful classroom and outdoor learning environments designed to meet the needs of young children in a culturally and developmentally appropriate way. They even got a chance to meet the worms from the outdoor classroom’s new worm bin, courtesy of a group of very excited preschool students!

We are excited to continue supporting these amazing Douglas students on their pathway to college and in exploring education as a career!

If you are or you know a David Douglas student, family, or community member who is interested in pursuing a career in education, please contact Andreina Velasco (andreina_velasco@ddsd40.org), Grow Your Own Pathway Navigator.