Bulldog Bulletin 04.29.26

This is a friendly reminder that PPS schools will be closed on Friday, May 1st. This is now a furlough day.

We need more volunteers to make this event a success! (Click here to sign up as a volunteer)

The Spring Festival is an incredibly fun and well attended event at Richmond. It has always been a personal favorite for my family and I. Not only are there so many fun things for our kids to do (bounce houses, games, prizes AND a dunk tank!), we also get to watch our children perform on stage. The performances each year are always super sweet and leave my face hurting from smiling so hard.

Thank you in advance for signing up to volunteer at this very special school community event. 💖

The last stretch of the school year always brings up BIG emotions and HIGH energy from our students. Although this is expected for our K-5 students, there are also ways that families can help minimize the level of disruptions and peer conflicts a school may experience.

• Consistency is key: In the PNW we are usually desperate for more sunshine by the end of winter, so it's understandable to want to be outside later in the spring. However, for many kids an inconsistent sleep schedule can really throw them off at school.
• Don't forget to pause: As parents we are always scrambling from one thing to the next. However, slowing down to ask your kids about their friendships and the highs and lows of their school day helps them build resilience and tolerance for the challenges of tomorrow. Remember, it's ok to just listen and not offer solutions during these moments of connection. Simply feeling heard and validated does so much for a child's self-esteem.
• Finish strong: Summer is rapidly approaching and our students are filled with excitement! However, for educators these last few weeks of school are an important time to ensure that your children have reached their highest academic and social-emotional goals. Help us set your child up for success by reminding them of the importance of finishing strong. Remind them of your expectations and incentivize meeting their goals if that helps to keep your child on track.

I want to thank all of the parents (and kids!) who came out to our PTA Equity Committee event last night. It was such a wonderful evening full of conversation, community building, joy and pizza!

Our passion for creating an inclusive school environment for all of the neurodiversity within our community is what brought us together, and we walked away with so many new perspectives and understandings of what being a student or parent at Richmond feels like. We shared our struggles, our hopes, and our experiences, and at the end of the night many of us left feeling hopeful and connected.

If you missed the event, but would like to learn more about the PTA Equity Committee, click here for last night's slides.

If you would like to learn more about the PTA Equity Committee, sign up here to receive future communications from our parent leaders and I.

There will be a Migra Watch training held for staff and families at Franklin High School on May 5th at 5:30pm in their library. Franklin's principal would like to invite any members from our school community to attend.

World Stage Theatre is excited to share our Imagination Express summer camps. The flyer is attached, and full details are on their website.

• Imagination Express Juniors (Ages 3–5) June 29–July 2 | 9am–12pm | $150
• Imagination Express (Grades K–6) July 13–17 | 9am–4pm | $250
• Our Stories Our Voices (Grades 7- College) June 23rd- Aug 2nd | 9am–4pm | No Cost, Students earn up to $1350
• Location: WST Annex — 1935 SE Powell Blvd Meals provided; scholarships available

We are excited to say we are a month away from this year's Spring Festival!

Students are busy practicing away at their performances and so is the Teachers Band!

This year we will also have a dunk tank, Kona Shaved Ice, many new and returning vendors, bounce houses and carnival games and prizes for the students and even a little game for the parents to win some fun Richmond Gear!

Please put May 9th in your calendar and check the schedule for your child's class and their specific performance time!

**Volunteers needed on the day!

We need more volunteers to make this event a success! Even signing up for just one shift in an area that interests you can make a big difference. Join us and help bring this fun event to life!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4CACAA2FABFCC43-63623212-spring

Middle and high school volunteers are welcome too! Come help out and bring your friends along. Before or after your shift, stick around to enjoy the atmosphere, snacks, food, and explore all the amazing vendors. If you have a middle or high schooler, please share this with them and their friends—it’s a fun and meaningful way to support their school while being part of a great event!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4CACAA2FABFCC43-63623209-newspring

Save the date and get excited for a special treat, Japanese curry!

Our amazing PTA Cultural Committee is teaming up with the Richmond kitchen staff to cook up a warm and tasty Japanese curry rice lunch just for students. It’s a fun way to try something new and experience a little taste of Japan right here at school. Don’t miss it!

*We will need multiple volunteers to serve curry for students on that day! Sign up to help out on the day here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094FABAE2DA2FEC34-63837707-copy You get to eat Japanese curry for lunch with your child if you volunteer!

Did you miss the order window for stocking up on your garden goodies?!

You're in luck - our New Leaf Green House Spring Plant Sale fundraiser has been extended.

Since we got the initial order last week they are allowing us to make a one time adjustment addition. The order link will be open until midnight on Sunday May 3rd.

Please get your orders in and share with anyone who would like this opportunity for more plants! Edibles and ornamentals alike! https://richmond-pta.square.site/shop/plant-sale/7

Bring the spirit of sharing to our Spring Festival with another Buy Nothing event.

As usual we'll have space for kids outerwear, kids shoes, Richmond/Oya No Kai gear, and Japanese ephemera. Our special category to welcome spring is tools and plants—from hand tools, garden gear, and hardware to cuttings, pots, seedlings, and houseplants.

Bring something to give, take home something you’ll love, and help keep perfectly good items in use. It’s a fun, community-powered way to swap, save, and celebrate spring together.

RSVP here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4CACAA2FABFCC43-57183714-breakfast#/

Breakfast in the Garden is happening on Saturday, May 2nd, from 9am - noon.

Come check out the new garden beds and help us get things looking beautiful for the spring festival!

We need your help.

Please sign up for volunteer opportunities on Konstella HERE!!!

Location: Richmond Library

(Please enter through Door 9, across from the playground and next to the school garden).

Hours:

• Monday through Friday 7:30–8:00 AM and 2:30–3:30 PM

• Saturday 12 - 4 pm during the Spring Festival

All purchases directly benefit our school library and are a great way to find books for fun, gifts, or classroom donations.

Please note that the book fair is cashless; all purchases must be made via credit card or e-Wallet. You can find more information on setting up an e-Wallet on our Fair Home Page!

If you prefer to shop online, please visit our store page starting 5/1: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/richmondimmersionelemcs

25% of online purchases between 5/1 and 5/14 directly benefit our school library.

The PTA is proud to sponsor the Book Fairy program to ensure every child has the opportunity to choose a book at the fair.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email Tera at tlstefan@gmail.com.

It is a wonderful Richmond tradition for a few 4th grade parents “to pay it forward” by volunteering at the 5th grade promotion ceremony each year so the 5th grade parents can focus on the ceremony and enjoy the moment with their graduates. Next year, it will be your turn to sit back and be present! Please consider signing up to volunteer and/or contacting Ellen Schiller, ellenwatt@netdiving.com, with any questions! Thank you! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0F45ACAC28AAFF2-63759382-20252026

ONK will host a general meeting 5/27 6:30pm-8pm (location TBD)

This is an opportunity to learn about what we do and meet parent group leaders.

Please join us!