HEALTH February 6, 2023 THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 11 For Oregon Public Schools S tories of immigration frequently come with the story of losing ing a native language. When a family’s original language is lost over time, so too are vital links to culture, history, and community. This his is just half of what we lose when we live in a culture that places little value e on language learning. The other half is the opportunity to create a truly bilingual workforce to develop international markets and our local economy. Can Public Schools Create Fluent Speakers? Portland Public Schools rose to the task of addressing ressin these challenges by developing state-of-the-art dual language immersion programs. While many schools across Oregon do the same, most of these programs understandably prioritize English and Spanish — Oregon’s two most widely spoken languages. With its larger population, Portland has broadened its offerings to include, not just Spanish, but Russian — as well as Japanese, Mandarin, and Vietnamese. When You Play Lottery Games, You Play it Forward When lots of people play a little lottery, funds add up to support public education in Oregon, including innovative programs that give students the opportunity to experience more than just the classroom basics. Portland’s dual language immersion programs are a perfect example. They prepare Oregon for a more vital economic future. And, for some students, establish a stronger connection to their history and heritage. Your lottery play helps. When you play, you play it forward rward — blic for Oregon’s public schools. Lottery games should be played for entertainment only.