Monday, May 23, 2011

Hosting Iraqi Youth!

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED FOR IRAQI YOUTH - JULY 22 – AUGUST 3

This summer the World Affairs Council and World Learning have the pleasure of bringing Iraqi high school students to Portland through the Iraqi Youth Leaders Exchange Program. They will be traveling with American high School students from St. Louis, Missouri. Attached you will find more information about this wonderful opportunity for Iraqi and American youth to get to know each other…person to person.

We are looking for Portland-area families with teenagers to host Iraqi and American participants in this program.

Hosting involves providing students a bed, breakfast and dinner most days, and transportation to and from our offices in downtown Portland.

Our goal is to pair the St. Louis students with one of their new Iraqi friends in a homestay . So we are hoping to have the good luck of finding host families with two available beds.

Our additional hope is that a willing host family will have a teenager so the Iraqi students can witness everyday life for American teens first hand.

Hosts and host siblings are invited to participate in program activities and events which will greatly enrich the experience for the whole family.

An Iraqi teacher and World Learning staff member will need home stays as well.

Although it is preferred that host families have a teenage in the home and can provide transportation, this is not a mandatory requirement. We will accept applications from any interested hosts. Please be aware that criminal background checks are conducted on all household members age 18 and over.

A fabulous Iraqi youth would love to be a part of your family this summer for two short weeks. Please send the attached host family application ASAP!

All my best,

Karen
Karen Ettinger
K-12 Education Director


World Affairs Council of Oregon
1200 SW Park Ave, FL 3, Portland, OR 97205
503.306.5270 | Cell 503.803.0439
karen@worldoregon.org

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Front Space Update

Hello Trillium Community,

As you may have noticed we have begun our work to finish up the beautiful wall around our front space. The two benches will get roofs and the wall will be getting a final coat of plaster.

Additionally two community members (Bruce Mulligan and Jon Molenkamp) are heading up the project to complete the gate with an artistic design so it can be closed and we can better secure the space.

We are looking for a few volunteers to help with this project. Anyone who would like with metal work and design are invited. You don't have to be an expert and kids may join in as well.

Additionally we are looking for some donations of rebar and metal rods for the gate itself. OR if you could give a cash donation that would be appreciated as well. Bruce and Jon are putting together a price sheet but are estimating a few hundred dollars worth of metal, welding wire and Argon gas.

If you can be part of this project in any way please let me know as soon as possible.

Thank you very very much

Rob van Nood
Intermediate Advisor &
The head of last years gate project who is trying to help finish up the part project that never got completed.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

All School Meeting Proposal

1) proposal -
I propose an all school talent show like we used to have. I think we should have two votes the first to decide whether or not it's happening and the second to decide whether it's a fundraiser or not.
My mom has talked to Kirk who has had past experience with Trillium talent shows and he says he will help out with it. My mom will also help out with organizing.
Some possible dates that don't have anything else on the calendar are the 8th or 9th of June. It would be from 5:30 till 8 p.m. in the courtyard.
We shall have a sign up sheet in the common space for the talent show. There will be room for 24 people. If more than that sign up we will have auditions. Auditions will be Friday the 27th of May directly after school .
We will put together a committee of staff and kids to organize the event, oversee auditions etc.

Parents will be encouraged to attend. No food will be provided.

2) How does this fit in constitution/bill of rights
Rights and responsibilities #1

3) How will the proposal be implemented and by whom?
A committee headed by me and my mom and Kirk will organize it.

4) estimate time needed for proposal
20 minutes

5) This is for the all school meeting

Thanks!
-Django, 4th grade, Sara's Advising.

Monday, May 09, 2011

More FREE Snowboarding!

The most excellent folks at Snowdays are taking us up again, THIS Saturday. This trip is for experienced snowboarders. Sign up sheet is on my classroom window.

Friday, May 06, 2011

Wednesday, May 04, 2011

Senior Update: Class this Friday!

Hi everyone,

There are a few important items to cover this Friday, and it is essential that the class of 2011 is present:
- We are fortunate to have Rebecca Bateman, lower school parent and professional photographer, take individual and group photos of the entire senior class this Friday at 10:00. Rebecca has done this in years past: her work is beautiful and we are fortunate to have her volunteer her valuable skills.
- We need to size graduation gowns.
- We will be planning Senior Project Night, which happens on Friday, May 13th.
- We will do some preparation for commencement, Saturday, June 4th.

Seniors, please make sure you are at Trillium by 9:30. If you are so willing, the pleasure of your company would be most celebrated at high school meeting, which starts at 9:00.

Best,
Ken

Senior Update: Class this Friday!

Hi everyone,

There are a few important items to cover this Friday, and it is essential that the class of 2011 is present:
We are fortunate to have Rebecca Bateman, lower school parent and professional photographer, take individual and group photos of the entire senior class this Friday at 10:00. Rebecca has done this in years past: her work is beautiful and we are fortunate to have her volunteer her valuable skills.
- We need to size graduation gowns.
- We will be planning Senior Project Night, which happens on Friday, May 13th.
- We will do some preparation for commencement, Saturday, June 4th.

Seniors, please make sure you are at Trillium by 9:30. If you are so willing, the pleasure of your company would be most celebrated at high school meeting, which starts at 9:00.

Best,
Ken

Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Taking Action on Climate Change

Climate Justice Portland
Updates, Action & Events!
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Climate Justice will do some Movement Education at May meetings
1st and 3rd Mondays, May 9 & 23, 7-9pm, 2249 E Burnside
Climate Justice Portland will be hosting two opportunities to get down with Movement education -- come discuss and get educated about the ins and outs of climate change, Climate Justice and how Portland will be affected! If you are a new face, now is the time to come in.
Check out the materials for our self-education sessions. Readings & videos!
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Are you a media maker or a video visionary?
Multnomah County is hosting a Climate Short Film Contest.
5 minutes or less about how climate change will impact Oregon. Deadline: June 10.
Want to enter? Got ideas? Come to the May 9th meeting or email cjcpdx@gmail.com and let's collaborate!
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Fight against expansion of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) – No to HB 2700
The Oregon Legislature is voting on an Anti-Climate, Pro-LNG bill soon
Click here to send an email opposing HB 2700 to your State Senator TODAY!
For the third session in a row, a bill to change how state-issued wetland removal-fill permits are granted in Oregon is moving forward. This means LNG on a Fast Track through our communities! Soon, the State Senate Business, Transportation & Economic Development committee will vote on the amendment to exclude LNG-related pipelines from the current bill, HB 2700.
THIS IS AN UPHILL FIGHT, and we need to encourage our state senators to do the right thing against strong pressure from financial and fossil-fuels interests.
Click here to send an email opposing HB 2700 to your State Senator TODAY!
Learn more and take action!
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Events
May 13, 10am -2pm, Portland State University Native American Student and Community Center
Stop the Tar Sands and the Heavy Haul Teach-In & Salmon Bake
We are tribal groups, environmentalists, and community members. We are protesting the use of the Columbia and Snake Rivers by big oil corporations to ship equipment upriver to Idaho where they will then drive the machinery up to the Alberta Tar Sands.
May 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1838 SW Jefferson St.
Climate Ethics and Equity Forum.

Sunday, May 01, 2011

GCC: Iraqi Video Conference Prep

Hi all,

The big day is almost here. Our video conference with students from northern Iraq starts promptly at 7:00 in the morning this Tuesday the 3rd, down at the Action Center, 45 Southwest Ankeny Street. Students should arrive at the Action Center by 6:50 or meet Ken at the MAX station in front of Trillium by 6:25.

In order to be ready, all students must prepare to answer and ask a few questions. These questions have been generated by students (both here, and in Iraq), and student names have been assigned to the specific questions for which the student is responsible. If your name is next to a question, be prepared to both ask AND ANSWER that question.

Click here for the list of questions we will be ASKING.

Besides the questions on that sheet, there is one central question ALL students should be able to answer for the Iraqi students: What does rapid climate change mean to you, and what can you do to stop it?
Please thoroughly review your questions and prepare your answers ahead of time. We are ambassadors of Trillium, of the United States, and of Mercy Corps' Global Citizenry program. Let us be at our truest and best selves for this work.

Peace,
Ken