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May, 2024- Vol. 118, No. 9 Scroll down to read this issue! Memories of THE BEE's first 100 years! In 2006, THE BEE celebrated its centennial of serving Southeast Portland! A special four-page retrospective of Inner Southeast Portland's century, written by Eileen Fitzsimons, and drawn from the pages of THE BEE over the previous 100 years, appeared in our September, 2006, issue. Click here to read the special centenary retrospective!
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Parents and students of Woodstock Elementary School gathered here on its front steps to express their discontent with severe reductions looming for its eminently successful, nationally-recognized Mandarin Immersion Program. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
Woodstock School’s Mandarin program again menaced – by budget cuts
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
After the month-long teacher’s union strike last November, PPS announced that meeting the terms of the new contract would require an estimated $30 million in cuts be made in the following school year. But, until lately, it has not been clear how these cuts would impact Portland schools.
One result seems to be that Woodstock Elementary School’s celebrated, and once previously threatened, “Mandarin Immersion Program” (MIP) will be negatively impacted by next year's proposed PPS budget and staff cuts.
One of the parents with a student in the program is Allison Elliott. For THE BEE, she boiled down the information presented to parents about the proposed change at Woodstock School: Currently, the “MIP 50/50 Instructional Model” provides students with daily education from both native English and Chinese speaking “partner teachers”, ensuring that all students receive equitable access and proficient exposure to both languages.
“This model has been a major contributing factor to the bilingual success of the [Mandarin Immersion] program here,” observed Elliott.
But, PPS cuts at Woodstock will eliminate “English partner teachers” for next year's second and fourth grade MIP classes, which will rely entirely on the Chinese language teachers to take on the additionalrole of also teaching English language arts to these students.
So, the PPS proposal would effectively double the class sizes for next year’s second and fourth grade Mandarin Dual Language Immersion classes at Woodstock Elementary – going from 15 or 16 children per class up to 31 or 32 children per class – which halves the time and attention these students would receive from their teacher.
Impacts Chinese-speaking students Several native Chinese speaking parents who spoke with THE BEE outside the school after the cuts were revealed said, through an interpreter, that their students will be the ones most impacted by this change, because they rely on specialized English language arts teachers to help their kids to become proficient in English.
“This is so important – because everyone in our household speaks Chinese, including my parents; but few in our home know how to speak English,” explained parent Selena Li. “It’s really important that our children have teachers who are native English speakers, so they learn how to read, write, and speak in English, and get the best education.”
Parent Lin Chang elaborated, “Many of the kids here at Woodstock Elementary, whose families do not speak English well – or even at all – grow up to be the translators for those families. Those kids serve as a bridge for those families to the rest of the community. That’s why it’s very important that they receive, and grow up with, the best possible instruction that they can.”
All MIP students to be harmed Allison Elliott pointed out that, as a parent of a first grader at Woodstock Elementary, whose daughter will be going into second grade next year, that “she is just now reaching grade-level expectations in English. So, I’m concerned about her progress since we’ll be losing our English teacher next year – and the class size will be doubling.
“And, these students will have an ‘English teacher’ who does not specialize in teaching English!”
Asking Keith Dede, who in our interviews ably served as interpreter, about his own interest in the issue, he replied, “I have two children here at the school; in second and fourth grade.” We also learned he’s a Lewis and Clark College Professor of Chinese, which explained his fluency in Mandarin.
Chen Yuju told us, “It’s really important to me because, as a recent immigrant, I really want my children to grow up in an American cultural environment, and be able to ‘acculturate’ completely. It’s also important for our children to keep our Chinese heritage; that’s why this dual program is so important to us.”
Anita Huynh spoke with us in English: “We don’t speak only Chinese at home; but, I want my child to learn to speak English ‘like a native’, from an English speaker, using correct grammar and accurate pronunciation. I’m asking the leaders [at PPS] to listen to the parents’ voices.”
Families consider leaving Woodstock Several of the parents pointed out they sacrificed to have their children attend Woodstock Elementary because of the outstanding MIP program. “To have a Chinese teacher teaching them English? How will they learn to speak English well? I am totally against this,” said Jennifer Koo, whose grandchildren a first grader and a third grader in the program.
“We would like to keep our children here in Woodstock,” Koo continued. “But if this program no longer exists, I think a lot of parents are going to move out of this school – including mine. But, we love this school and this community, it’s beautiful.”
A successful model threatened Wrapping up the discussion, Elliott stated that the Woodstock Elementary Mandarin Immersion Program is actually the second-oldest Mandarin/English dual language immersion (DLI) program in the country. “Its success has been proven in multiple studies, and it serves as a model program that representatives from other schools around the country come to personally observe.
“The Woodstock DLI program is a model of success that inspires other schools around the country – we’re asking PPS to please, help us keep it this way!”
THE BEE contacted PPS for comment on this issue. As this issue of THE BEE went to press, there had been no response.
The crowning moment: Last year’s Cleveland High Princess Emily Welch was the one who placed the tiara on the head of the school’s new Princess for this year’s Rose Festival – Zora Forsberg. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
Cleveland High picks its 2024 Rose Festival Princess
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
After the school day ended on Thursday, March 14, many Cleveland High School (CHS) students and staff members made their way into the school’s auditorium for the 2024 Cleveland High School Portland Rose Festival Princess selection announcement.
“We have two candidates this year, and they are both wonderful students,” CHS Principal Jo Ann Wadkins told THE BEE before the program began. “I say this because they are really involved with the school in a variety of ways. Not only are both involved with high academics and school leadership; but also, by being involved in clubs. They’ve proven to be really caring human beings!”
As the program began, CHS Portland Rose Festival Court members – the two candidates for Princess – Zora Forsberg and Safia Aweys were announced and arose to the stage. Then, after Portland Rose Festival dignitaries and Royal Rosarian members present were introduced, Cleveland High’s 2023 Rose Festival Princess Emily Welch came up to the podium.
“Not too long ago I was up on this stage, receiving the crown, and looking forward to all the activities of the Rose Festival,” retiring Princess Emily said. “All of the experiences I had as the CHS Princess – I can say with confidence – allowed me to grow, in so many ways.
“Now, I am honored that I can pass on the crown. Both of you should be so proud of yourselves for taking this step and engaging in these opportunities.”
At that point, it was revealed that CHS junior Zora Forsberg would serve as this year’s school ambassador to the Rose Festival. CHS Principal Wadkins presented Princess Zora with a bouquet; and Senior Class President Alice Bokman presented the newly-minted Princess with a gift.
After official photos were taken, Princess Zora told THE BEE that she was attracted to Cleveland originally because of the school’s International Baccalaureate program. “To me, being this year’s representative for the CHS Warriors means that I’ll be able to show everyone how great Cleveland is. This is a great school, with really great people!”
When Princess Zora graduates in 2025, her career goal is earning a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, and ultimately to become a therapist – goals that will be supported by a $3,500 scholarship presented by The Randall Group.
By the way, perhaps you’ll see Princess Zora at what she says is her favorite event, the Royal Rosarian Milk Carton Boat Races, held at the Westmoreland Park Casting Pond – the only official Rose Festival event in Inner Southeast Portland, and the last event of the Festival – on Sunday, June 23.
Learn more about the entire 2024 Portland Rose Festival by visiting their official website – http://www.rosefestival.org
Wreckage was strewn across the intersection of S.E. McLoughlin Boulevard at Holgate by a crash caused by an intoxicated driver speeding through a red light with a suspended license. The driver of the car he hit was severely injured, and that driver’s passenger was killed. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
This is a Coffee Creek Correctional Facility “Adult In Custody” photo of the convicted driver, Ayzaiah Jairre Walker. (Oregon State Corrections)
Driver gets 7.5 years in prison for deadly McLoughlin crash
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
If you were reading THE BEE about this time two years ago, you may remember the photo accompanying this story. It showed one of the worst traffic crashes we’ve ever covered at the intersection of S.E. McLoughlin and Holgate Boulevards. Now, the person responsible will be paying for it in prison.
On the evening of January 20, 2022, a driver, adjudged to have been recklessly behind the wheel of a Honda Accord while intoxicated – and already having a suspended license – was barreling northbound on McLoughlin Boulevard at high speed and blew through a red traffic light at Holgate, causing a horrendous smashup with a Toyota Camry that was proceeding across the intersection on a green light.
The impact proved fatal to the passenger in the Camry; its driver was sent to the hospital with serious injures.
However, the responsible driver, later identified as 22-year-old Ayzaiah Jairre Walker, staggered away from his wrecked car and hid behind the nearby Shell gas station on the corner. Portland Police Bureau officers had no trouble finding him, and made the arrest.
Walker was charged with Manslaughter in the First Degree, two counts of Assault in the Third Degree, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, and Reckless Driving.
As the wheels of justice slowly turned, it wasn’t until November 3, 2023, that Walker went to court, where his lawyers negotiated his plea deal. On March 21st of this year, a Multnomah County Circuit Court judge sentenced Walker, who is now 25, to 90 months in prison on charges including one count of Criminally Negligent Homicide.
And, to be served concurrently, Walker will be serving time on one count of Assault in the Third Degree; and one count of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. Additionally, Walker will serve three years of post-prison supervision.
Walker was admitted into the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility Intake Center in Wilsonville on March 22nd, with his earliest release date set for January 21, 2028.
Again this season at Oaks Amusement Park, NO tickets are needed to enter the park itself, or to ride this historic Oaks Park Train, and the 1911 Herschell-Spillman Menagerie Carousel. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
Sellwood’s Oaks Amusement Park kicks off 119th Season
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
It was a long cold winter – January, especially. But spring is here, and Oaks Park is open again!
During the spring and summer, carnivals come and go. But only nonprofit, historic Oaks Amusement Park provides fun and thrills for the entire family all summer long. It opened its 119th season for Spring Break, on Saturday, March 23.
As in past years, The Oaks will be open only on weekends and holidays until June 14 – that’s when their full summer schedule starts.
“We’re proud that the Oaks Park Association, the nonprofit organization that operates the amusement park and roller rink, is one of the largest part-time employers of youth in the area,” remarked their Marketing & Events Director, Emily MacKay. “On opening day, we had 216 employees!”
And about opening day: “It was great!” MacKay grinned. “Despite the chance of rain, it was a nice crowd, and attendance was up about 20% from the year before.”
One of the nation's two oldest operating amusement parks, Oaks Park continues to be an “open-admission” park – that is, entry to the amusement park is free; guests pay only to participate in attractions or buy food and snacks from their concession stands and food cart pod.
“This means families can picnic at our free first-come, first-served picnic tables overlooking the Willamette River,” MacKay pointed out. “And, we’re pleased to again offer free rides on our two of our historic favorites – the 1911 Herschell-Spillman Menagerie Carousel, and the Oaks Park Train.”
MacKay is one of the Oaks Park Association’s few fulltime employees. “This is my 29th season with the park. During the winter my job is making sure the next season is a success. But once the season starts, I get to do all the things I love doing: Seeing my own and our team's efforts pay off, by making families happy. That’s a huge reward – and it’s what we're in it for!”
While park entry and the historic amusement rides are free, there is a $3 to $5 per vehicle daily parking fee – a good source of revenue which only lately seemed to occur to the nonprofit organization.
“The Oaks” is accessed from the western end of S.E. Spokane Street in Sellwood; turn north on Oaks Park Way, just west of the railroad tracks.
For days and hours of operation, and to securely purchase ride tickets online, see their official website – https://www.oakspark.com
Missed the opening? Or just want to relive it? Below is a brief and exclusive BEE VIDEO of that day in the park!
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