28 February 2025
Inclusion of French in Dual Language Immersion Pathways

February 28 2025

Dear Filip Hristic and Will Flores,

As an advocate for language education within Portland Public Schools (PPS), I am writing to urge the establishment of a dedicated French Dual Language Pathway.

Currently, PPS offers robust dual language pathways for languages like Japanese, Vietnamese, and Russian, providing students with clear and equitable opportunities to continue their language learning through high school. It is essential that French, a language with deep cultural ties to our community, receives the same level of support.

The benefits of a French Dual Language Pathway are numerous and enduring:

*Equitable Access: It provides a transparent and accessible pathway for all students coming from a PPS supported French school, eliminating the need for a complex and often confusing hardship petition process.

*Support for students from diverse cultural backgrounds, including those in underserved communities: Many students at Le Monde hail from or have strong cultural ties to regions of the world where French is widely spoken, including French speaking Canada, Haiti, Senegal, Algeria, and Morocco, as well as other parts of the Middle East, North Africa, and West Africa.

*Student Retention: It keeps students within PPS, preventing them from seeking private education options that offer more comprehensive language programs.

While many Portland Public high schools could potentially house this pathway, Lincoln High School is currently the best option due to the following attributes:

*A strong existing French program.

*Proximity to community resources that enhance language learning, including Alliance Française de Portland and Portland State University.

*An existing International Baccalaureate (IB) program that aligns with Le Monde’s IB Middle program.

*Supportive administration.

Establishing a French Dual Language Pathway is not just about language; it's about providing equitable access to a high-quality education that meets the diverse needs of our students. It's about recognizing and celebrating the rich cultural tapestry of our community.

We believe that all PPS students deserve the opportunity to pursue their language learning goals. Please support the inclusion of French in the formal Dual Language Immersion Pathway programs.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Community members & Parents of French immersion students, current, future, and past.

227
signatures
204 verified
  1. Emma Colburn, GIS Technician, PDX
  2. Marisa Textor, Writer & Editor, Le Monde Parent, Portland
  3. Jessica Riness, Paramedic, Portland
  4. David C Childers, physician, Portland
  5. Carie Nedley, Business Owner, Potted In Portland, Portland
  6. Representative Emerson Levy, Representative, State of Oregon, Bend
  7. Heather Velonis, Adjunt Professor, Le Monde PPS Charter School Parent
  8. Alexander Banks-Watson, Manager, Mastery Systems Inc, Portland
  9. Nicole Riness, Project Manager, Portland
  10. Harry nedley, Portland
  11. Stephanie Jones, Substitute teacher and middle school coach, Portland Public Schools, Portland
  12. Patrick Blakeslee, Contractor, Uncle of LeMond student (nephew), Portland
  13. Wei Shen, Portland
  14. Jennifer “JT” Nies, Current Le Monde parent of 3, Portland
  15. Bethany Skinner, Current Le Monde Parent of 3, Portland
  16. May Barruel, Gallery owner, Le Monde parent, Portland
  17. Stephanie Willis, Business Owner and Mom of 2, Portland
  18. Andrea Ilana Langstaff Woodard, Cancer registrar, Portland
  19. Adrianne Delcotto, Le Monde Parent, Portland
  20. Gisella Barbaray, Restaurant owner, Barbaray S Corp, Milwaukie
  21. Dave Skinner, Le Monde Parent, Portland
  22. Jill Dolata, Professor, Le Monde Parent, Portland
  23. Claire Vlach, Urban designer, Portland
  24. Christina Whitlow, Lactation Consultant, Portland
  25. Jeffrey Yasskin, Software Engineer, Le Monde Parent, Portland
  26. Sebastien Rake, Wine importer, CorksCru Wine Merchants, Portland, Or
  27. Jennifer Miller, Fish and Wildlife Administrator, Le Monde Parent, Portland
  28. Jesse Netherland, Project Manager, PSI-CRO, Portland
  29. Heather Sweeney, Salutation*, Portland
  30. Julie Nimnicht, Parent of two current Le Monde students, Portland
  31. Brooke Smith, Le Monde PPS Charter parent, Portland
  32. Eli A Lane, Trading/Logistics Analyst, Calbag Metals, Portland
  33. Emily Flansburgh, Le Monde Parent, Portland
  34. Emily Bulfin, Art Director, Portland, Oregon
  35. Andrea Mumford, Educator, Le Monde parent, Portland
  36. Allison Frost, Senior Producer, mom, Public media, mom of Le Monde student and one alum, Portland
  37. Cecile Steinbeck, Nurse practitioner, Portland, OR
  38. Tatiana Graham, Portland
  39. Hanah Riley, Portland
  40. Alexis Haslam, Registered Nurse, Portland
  41. Michal McCamman, Art Teacher, Le Monde Parent, Portland
  42. Adam Haslam, Healthcare Executive/ Le Monde Parent, OHSU, Portland
  43. Emily Barrett, Executive Assistant, Arts/Education Philanthropic sector, Portland
  44. Soizic Alberti, GM, Portland
  45. John Hall, Founder and CFO, American Fiduciary Services, Portland
  46. Emily Tucker, Arts Administration, Le Monde parent, Milwaukie
  47. Elissa Kevrekian, Creative Director, Le Monde parent, Portland
  48. zhihui zhen, Business Owner, Le Monde parents, Portland
  49. Laura Dubroca, Interpreter, Laura Dubroca LLC, Portland
  50. Katja Gluhr, Mother (& Teacher), LeMonde Charter School (German American Society:), Portland
  51. Teresa Jacobs, Consultant, Portland
  52. Mary Rebecca Medkeff, Stay at home mom, Current Le Monde parent, Portland
  53. Robert Medkeff, Creative Director, Le Monde Parent, Portland
  54. Aremy Stewart, Artist, Le Monde parent, Portland
  55. Suzanne Ash, Parent of a Le Monde (and a L’Etoile) student, Portland
  56. Jennifer Perlmutter, Professor of French at Portland State U and Le Monde parent, Portland
  57. Jana Rhyu, Senior Director of Product, Le Monde Parent, Lake Oswego, OR
  58. Ann Morrison
  59. Leslie Nies, Veterinarian, Portland
  60. PAMELA J SPORBORG, , Lê Monde Parent, Portland
  61. Emma Langenhuysen, Bookkeeper, Le Monde French Immersion, Portland
  62. Emmanuelle Pare, Physician, Le Monde parent, Portland
  63. Renee Bartley, Portland
  64. Jamie Michaud, Teacher, Culture Club, Portland
  65. Lilith Judd, Physician, Portland
  66. Dory Hobbs, Business Owner, Atlas Immersion Academy, Portland
  67. Mariela Daby, Professor, Reed College., Le Monde Parent, Portland
  68. Megan Li, Digital marketing manager, Portland
  69. Aquila Velonis, Energy Consultant, Le Monde Parent, Portland
  70. Kayleen Nelson, Business Owner, Semi-Conductor Components Industry, Portland
  71. Kylo Konechny, Business owner, Portwood, Portland
  72. Susan Bickerstaff, Education Researcher, Le Monde Parent, Portland
  73. Houhui Leng, Le Monde parent, Portland
  74. Stephanie Olding, Product Manager, Portland
  75. Scott Belleri, Owner/Violin Teacher, Triad Music Studio, Portland
  76. Andrew Fuchs, Technical writer, Portland
  77. Tracey Turkoly, Self employed, Portland
  78. Georgia West, Consultant and Le Monde Parent, Portland
  79. Jordan Dushin, AP Specialist, Crossover Health, Portland
  80. Marjani Hendrickson, Sales, Portland
  81. Randolph Guerra, Business owner, Parent of 2, Portland
  82. Rachel Lim, Electrolysist, Le Monde Parent of 2, Portland
  83. Elizabeth A BORGES, Parent Le Monde Kindergartener, Senior Legal Counsel, Portland
  84. Dana Kuriakose, Physician, LeMonde Parent, Portland
  85. Meredith Mortensen, Business owner, Portland
  86. Brittany Daggett, Sales, Portland
  87. Jack Hendrickson, Le Monde Parent, Portland
  88. Aaron West, Landscape Architect, Shapiro Didway, LLC, Portland
  89. Erika Wilder, Brand Copywriter, Portland
  90. Cyril Kuriakose, Physician, Le Monde, Portland
  91. MATEUSZ Dolata, Transportation Engineer, Le monde parent, Portland
  92. Noah Carolan, Mental Health Therapist, Eastside Counseling, Portland
  93. Mary Bethea, Mental health, Le Monde Immersion, Portland
  94. Brian Whitmer, Therapist, Portland
  95. Andrea Sommer, Entrepreneur, Le Monde Parent, Portland
  96. Angélica Osorno, Le Monde parent, Portland
  97. Betsey Brada, Anthropologist, Reed College, Portland
  98. Julia Dunn, Le Monde Parent, Portland
  99. Zach Dunn, Attorney, Portland
  100. Margaux Mennesson, Public health, Le monde parent, Portland
  101. Hillary Sloane Casper, PPS teacher, Portland
  102. Jana McKamey, Executive Director, Portland
  103. Lauren Lakhdar-Ghazal, Fundraiser, Le Monde parent, Portland
  104. Kelsey Jourdan, Portland
  105. Patrick Weishampel, Creative Director, BLANKEYE, Portland
  106. Alex Shook, Environmental Manager, Portland Parks & Recreation
  107. Gwendoline Van Doosselaere, Business Owner, Artemis Divorce Coaching, Portland
  108. Cielle Taaffe Spurgeon, Parent, Le Monde French Immersion, Portland, OR
  109. Bonnie Carolan, Creative Program Management, Le Monde French Immersion, Portland
  110. Diego Basabe, Communications, Health Department, Portland
  111. Christopher Dimitriou, Le monde parent, Portland
  112. Jacob Strawn, Portland
  113. Karyn Gallant, Engineer, Equilibrium Mining, Portland
  114. Melissa Hendricks, Attorney, Le Monde Parent, Portland
  115. Giri Krishnamoorthy, Portland
  116. Kate Merrill, Project Planner, Portland
  117. Kathryn Peck, Portland
  118. Lew De Leon, Tennis Coach, PDX Performance Tennis Academy, Portland
  119. Shannon Blajeski, Professor, Parent of North Portland child, PSU Professor, Portland
  120. Eva Meszaros, Grant writing consultant, Portland
  121. Brendan O'Hara, Portland
  122. Blake D Johnson, E-commerce Strategy, LeMonde French Immersion Public Charter School, Portland
  123. Naveena Bushan, Le Monde, Portland, OR
  124. Elise Coury, Self employed, Portland
  125. Arash Saffarzadeh, Digital Product Management, Le Monde Parent, Portland
  126. Haydn Dolata, Private Investigator, Portland
  127. Ping Liu, Portland
  128. Anita MacAuley, Contract Specialist, Portland resident/French major, U of O, Portland
  129. Trevor Hendricks, Software Developer, Le Monde Parent, Portland
  130. emily gilbert, Portland
  131. Vajra Alaya-Maitreya, businesses owner, Monochromatic, Portland
  132. Jennifer Stoner, HR Manager, PPS Japanese Dual Language parent, Portland
  133. Ted Winschel, Management Consultant, Le Monde parent, Portland
  134. Clotilde Johnson-Beale, Pediatrician, Le Monde Immersion Parent, Portland
  135. Brianna Beaudoin, HCW/Cosmetologist, LeMonde French Immersion, Portland
  136. Ms. Jennifer L Rollins, RN, Le Monde parent, Portland
  137. Pierre Joseph Kaiser, Engineer, Le Monde Parent, Portland
  138. Emily Lindsay, Consultant, Le Monde parent of 2, Portland
  139. Lirio Penado Monje, Regional Director of Education, Atlas immersion academy, Portland
  140. Raina Croff, Assoc. Prof. Neurology, Portland, OR
  141. Lark Lingenfelter, Community Manager, Atlas Immersion Academy, West Linn
  142. Tosha Vanderburg, Parole/Probation Officer, Multnomah County Department of Community Justice, Portland
  143. Gabrielle payne, operations manager, Atlas Immersion Academy, Portland
  144. Naggybeh Arriaga Solis, Assitant Director, Atlas Immersion Academy, Portland
  145. Marie Scheffers, Human Resources, Portland
  146. Molly Deas, Manager, OHSU, Portland
  147. Stephanie Roulon, Portland State University, Portland
  148. Cathy Lewis-Dougherty, Retired, Lake Oswego
  149. Julie Nelson, French instructor, Portland State University, Portland
  150. Steven Thorne, Professor, Portland State University, Portland
  151. Chrystele Luneau, Adjunct Prof, PSU, PORTLAND
  152. Gina Greco, Professor of Fry, Portland State University, Portland
  153. Ines Warnock, Teaching Assistant Professor, Portland State Un\iversity, Tigard
  154. Heidi Baker, Landscape Architect, Le Monde PPS Charter School Parent, Portland
  155. Rebecca Sanders, Consultant, Le Monde parent, Portland
  156. Gina Johnson, French teacher, Lakeridge HS, Lake Oswego
  157. Alicia Munson, Portland
  158. Michelle Lamanet, Business owner, Le Monde parent, Portland
  159. Amy Norton, Enterprise Architect, Portland
  160. Sam Powell, Commercial construction, Portland
  161. Courtney LaManna, Portland
  162. Kathryn Schwartz, Psychotherapist, Le Monde mom, Portland
  163. Nicolas Gros, Driver, Portland, OR
  164. Jacqueline Brock, RN, Portland
  165. Cynthia Casas, Acupuncturist, Equanimity Wellness, Portland
  166. Cari Bouguettaya, Postal worker, Portland
  167. Lauren Tyers, Account Manager, Flynn, Portland
  168. Christy Trotter, Parent, Portland
  169. Jo Anne Rodgers, Radiologic Technologist, Kaiser Permanente NW, Portland
  170. Jacquelyn Krogman, Realtor, PORTLAND
  171. Erik Snyder, Programmer, Parent, Portland
  172. Joshua Fingert, Software, Portland
  173. Beth Melix-Stanciu, Non-profit finance, Portlanf
  174. Sarah Fuller, WSALPHO Communications, Parent of 2 current Le Monde students, Portland
  175. Maggie Conser, Nurse Practitioner, OHSU, Portland
  176. Liz Rhode, Attorney, Gillaspy Rhode Faddis & Benn, Portland
  177. Peter Motley, Le Monde parent, Portland
  178. Andrew Powelson, YEB, Portland
  179. Adam Woodard, Patient Access Specialist, OHSU, Portland
  180. Alicia Skerritt, teacher, LeMonde parent of student, Portland
  181. Genevieve Maull, Director of IB, Le Monde PYP coordinator and parent, Portland
  182. Josh Rodgers, Business Owner, BolderCRM, Portland
  183. Megan Ogle, Psychologist, Portland
  184. David Anthony, Grocery clerk, Portland
  185. Patrick Spurgeon, Musician, Independent contractor, Portland
  186. Juliette Muracchioli, DLI Parent, Portland
  187. Renee Taaffe, Artist, Missoula
  188. Rebekah, business owner, Portland
  189. Jessica Brinson, Agency operations, Le Monde French Immersion School Parent, Portland
  190. Emily Hawkins, Senior Recruiter, DoorDash, Le Monde Immersion parent, Portland
  191. Emily J Goetz, Marketing, Evernorth Health services, Portland
  192. Nici schroeter, product manager, Portland
  193. Zachary Brown, Director of Platform, Le Monde parent, Portland
  194. Renata Martz, Pressing Pack, Anderson Signs, Portland
  195. Mayumi Rogers, Tech coordinator, Portland
  196. Carolyn C Piszczek, Physician, Le Monde French Immersion, Portland
  197. Nicole Winschel, Le Monde Parent, Portland
  198. Nada Down, Portland
  199. Jon Down, Professor, University of Portland, Portland, Oregon
  200. Glenna Holland, Education, Portland
  201. Joseph Vigorito, Technical Designer, Portland
  202. Adrienne Mullinax, LMT, Le Monde immersion, Portland
  203. Hope Telford, Architect / current parent of le Monde student, Telford+Brown Studio Architecture, Portland
  204. Noelle Shachter, Creative Director, Airbnb, Portland
Create an open letter
and sign it together
Terms of Service