Falcon Flash
December 9th, 2022
Dear Falcon Friends and Families,
As we enter the last week of school before winter break, and the last days of 2022, I cannot help but reflect on how far we have come as a school community during these past (almost) 365 days. One year ago we were back at school, but continued to work under strict restrictions due to the ongoing pandemic. I remember fielding many different opinions about having open or closed windows, and under what conditions students should eat lunch. Although those issues are in the past, we continue to make up for learning gaps and the social/emotional health of our students. A particularly current issue is the weakened immunity of our students body as measured by a record number of absences due to illness. Let’s all hope for good health in the new year!
Though our current reality has its challenges, I find comfort in realizing how our community came together during the past year. We are a resilient group here at Forest Hills, and this group includes our families, teachers, staff and most importantly our students. So during this holiday season remember the distance we come and the character traits we’ve learned.
Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!
Jim Mangan, Principal
SAVE THESE DATES
12/15 - Early Release 2:00 pm
12/19 - 1/2 - WINTER BREAK
1/3 - Classes Resume
1/16 - MLK Day (No School)
1/18 - PTO Meeting 8:30 am at Forest Hills -RIGHT AFTER DROP OFF!
1/27 - Elementary Grade Prep Day (No School)
REGISTER A TEAM FOR OREGON BATTLE OF THE BOOKS!
OBOB 2022-2023 - DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FRI 12/16
REGISTER A TEAM FOR OREGON BATTLE OF THE BOOKS! Sign-ups are NOW OPEN and the deadline has been EXTENDED to Friday, December 16th!
Parents of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders: it’s time for Oregon Battle of the Books, a fun and engaging reading competition that is run by the Forest Hills PTO!
What is OBOB? Part reading with buddies, part quiz show, and lots of fun! Students read and then compete with their team in book trivia “battles”.
What do I need to do? Form a team of 3-5 students and divide up reading responsibilities. Please note: no more than 4 students per team compete in each battle. Teams of 5 will have a rotating alternate.
What books do I read? Check out the 2022-2023 OBOB Book List! 3rd graders read 8 of the 15 books - these are noted with an asterisk in front of the titles. 4th-5th graders read all 15 between team members!
When is the competition? During the month of February, we will run battles during lunch/recess following official OBOB rules. Exact dates and times are to be determined. The Forest Hills 4th/5th grade champion team will go on to compete in OBOB Regionals in March. View the full timeline here: 2022-2023 OBOB Timeline & Overview
Here is a link to the 2022-2023 Google Sign Up for OBOB.
Sign up deadline: Friday, December 16th, 2022
Please contact Lorri Wilson and Monica Bunch at foresthillsobob@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.
Happy Reading!
SCRIP ORDER PICK-UP
We will have someone from the Scrip committee with the family gift cards at the school the below dates. Families who ordered gift cards can be picked up at drop off/pick up:
Friday, 12/9 - pickup only
Monday, 12/12- drop off and pick up
Tuesday, 12/13- pick up only
Wednesday, 12/14- drop off and pick up
Thursday, 12/15- pick up only
Friday, 12/16- drop off and pick up
WINTER BREAK READ-A-THON
Your elementary student is invited to join in LOSD’s first-annual Winter Break Read-A-Thon! It’s a fun program developed by our high school students. Your child will learn more about it during library time. Keep reading for more information and watch the video:
What is a “Read-A-Thon”?:
All elementary school students in LOSD are encouraged to read as much as they can over winter break! Read alone, with an adult, listen to an audiobook…whatever inspires a love of literacy!
Family and friends are asked to pledge an amount for each book their student reads to a corresponding class fund.
One-time donations and/or continuous pledges per books read are accepted.
All donations support our local Lake Oswego Public Library and SMART Reading, an Oregon-based organization whose goal is to provide access to books and reading sessions to students in need.
Our Goal:
To encourage elementary school students to read at least five books over winter break.
To inspire elementary school students to raise $20 each to help us reach our district-wide goal of $5,000+ in donations!
To promote healthy reading habits throughout our local district, and to improve literacy across Oregon!
How to participate:
We are using a website called 99Pledges to keep track of reading and collect donations.
Here's how it works:
Click here to create an account for your student. Scroll down to the bottom, and click "Add Participant".
Once you fill out the quick form, you will receive an email from 99Pledges. The email will have two links: one to manage your page and one to share with others to collect donations.
Once your student's page is created, send the link to relatives and friends so they can help support your student in their reading goals! When sending the link, share how many books your student plans to read so their donors can pledge accordingly.
Each time your student finishes a book, update the book tracker on the website!
Prizes:
Every LOSD school that raises$3,000 or more by the end of the Winter Break Read-A-Thon will be entered into a drawing for a school-wide donut party! (Note: We will have alternative prizes for students with dietary restrictions or allergies).
The school that reads the most books will be crowned "The FIRST-EVER LOSD Read-A-Thon Champions!", and will receive a giant banner to put in their library, presented by us at a celebratory school assembly!
On top of this, a prize will be awarded to the student who reads the most in each grade across the district!
Thank You!
Thank you to our amazing LOSD community for all the time and support you dedicate to our local community and kids. It’s because of your support we can host fun events such as these. We wish you all the best this holiday season, and happy reading!
Questions?
Email us at:
li00665990@loswego.k12.or.us (Alicia Li)
scipi05456@loswego.k12.or.us (Jeb Scipio Del Campo)
bohn802784@loswego.k12.or.us (Sam Bohn)
WARMTH FOR UKRAINE
I’m very grateful for the support Ukrainians have in our community!
Unfortunately war in Ukraine is going on. There are days when a hundred bombs a one day targeting civilian buildings and energy infrastructure fall on Ukraine. 40% of the country's energy infrastructure has already been destroyed. This is an urgent collection from the local non-profit organization Ukrainian Foundation, which organized a collection of warm things for Ukraine. We need specific things such as sleeping bags, warm thermal underwear, wool socks. We also ask that items be new or like new if we are talking about sleeping bags. If you are interested in details or have any questions, please contact me, Tetiana Zelyanovska, Mom from Forest Hill, advisory board of Ukrainian Foundation.
Thank You!
Sincerely,
Tetyana Zelyanovska (Tanya)
971 320 5692
Hello Falcon Families! November is already over.
Check out our website for updates and photos. K-2 families can check Seesaw for pictures of their child's work. 3-5 families can ask their students to show them their ePortfolios.
Are you cleaning out for the holidays? iLab would love some donated toys if you are getting rid of them. We would gladly take the following second hand donations:
-legos of any kind, especially the people
-magnatiles
-dinosaur, animal, or people figurines (only small ones please, no bigger than a hand)
These tools are great for lots of projects in the lab. Please send them in with your kiddos.
Got shipping materials from all those holiday deliveries? iLab will gladly accept the following:
- amazon gift bags cut into squares no larger than 12"x12"
- bubble wrap or bubble envelopes cut into squares or rectangles no larger than 12"x12"
Again, please send them in with your kiddos. Donations can be dropped off at the front office or given to Mrs. Jordan.
Winter i-Ready
This Winter, all elementary students will complete two online i-Ready assessments. Like Fall, one is for math and the other is for reading. i-Ready is a diagnostic that will help us determine your child’s strengths and areas for growth, personalize their learning, and monitor their progress throughout the school year. i-Ready allows us to meet your child where they are and provides us with data to inform and tailor instruction to accelerate growth. This is the second of three i-Ready assessments we give each year, and the results will be shared with parents.
WHO WAS? HISTORY BEE FOR GRADES 3-5.
Students in grades 3-5 have the opportunity to participate in The Who Was? History Bee. Reading and participating in the Bee is a fun way to learn and test knowledge about history. The Bee will start with a classroom competition the week of November 28. The winners will then move on to a school competitors-only bee the week of December 12, and the finalist from the school will write an essay the week of March 20 to compete in the Western Regionals. The winning regional champion will win some terrific prizes including scholarship money and books for their school library. Check out (whowashistorybee.com) for study information.
1.Classroom Bee Week of 11/28
2. School Bee Week of 12/12 (10 students from graders 3-5)
3. Finalist - 1-1 Week of 3/20
SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING AND VOCABULARY BEE
The 4th and 5th graders will have an opportunity to participate in the Scripps National Spelling and Vocabulary Bee. Classroom competitions will be the week of January 3. The top scorers from each class will move onto the final competitors-only bee the week of February 6. Since Scripps study lists are not to be published on the web, students will be sent links for spelling and vocabulary study sheets from their classroom teacher.
1. Classroom Bee Week of 1/3/23
2. School Bee Week of 2/6/23 (10 students from grades 3-5.)
3. Regional Bee for Finalist: 3/2023
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
This month’s Social Emotional Learning focus is EMPATHY.
One way to think about Empathy is “understanding and connecting with other people’s feelings.” Empathy is a practice that can help us grow strong relationships.
Empathy is one of three traits we will focus on throughout the year that helps students learn to Be Kind. Throughout the school, students will be developing skills like perspective-taking, conflict resolution, and leadership.
Have some fun connecting as a family this month while practicing Empathy. Here are three “PurposeFull Pursuits” for you to complete together, if you wish.
As a family, create your own poster showing different emotions. For example, you could use emojis to represent different emotions and label them. Hang your poster in a central location. Each day, designate a time that your student will do an emotion check-in and tap the feeling they felt the most that day. This reminds your student of the emotion vocabulary they are learning at school and gives you insight into how they are feeling. Understanding other people’s feelings can help us grow in Empathy.
Review Empathy as a family. Remember that Empathy is understanding and connecting with other people’s feelings. Schedule a family movie night so that you can specifically watch for feelings and emotions. Let everyone know that you’d like them to point out how the characters in the show are feeling and that you will pause periodically to discuss Empathy. As emotions are identified, invite one another to Empathize by sharing about a time they felt that way or imagining how they might be feeling in that moment.
Find a time to sit in a circle together and celebrate all the ways you have seen each other practice Empathy. Take turns sharing responses to the following prompts or make up your own. Remember to practice Empathy as you listen to each other.
What is one way a family member has shown you Empathy lately?
Share about a time someone was a good friend to you.
Share about a time when you felt like someone really listened to you.
Share about a time you worked with a family member to resolve a conflict successfully.
Share about a time you stopped to look at a situation from someone else’s point of view.
Share about someone you think is a good leader. What can you learn about leadership from that person?
Thank you for your partnership! It’s an honor to watch our school community grow with Empathy!
Hayley Drimmel
Forest Hills Counselor
Did you know we have a school directory?
Do you need
The Forest Hills school directory is found on DirectorySpot. Access your account in 3 easy steps:
1. Download the DirectorySpot app to your smart phone:
iPhone - http://goo.gl/5U2Tzq or Android - http://goo.gl/iBK9lY
2. Launch DirectorySpot, enter your email address as your Username, and click on "Reset Password."
3. Click on the link in your email to set your password, relaunch the DirectorySpot app, and login with your username and password.
Once your account is set up, be sure to bookmark the URL for easy web access:
https://www.directoryspot.net/schools/foresthillselementaryportland/
Oregon State Assessment Opt-Out Form
Each school year, Oregon students take assessments to meet federal requirements. The purpose of these assessments is to provide data that schools can use to ensure that every child is on track and achieving learning goals.
State law requires us to inform you that a form is available from the State Department of Education that allows you to opt your child out of the math and English Language Arts assessments for the current school year. Should you wish to opt out your child, fill out the form and submit it to the main office at your child’s school. Please note the submission deadlines listed on the form. Meeting the deadline will help the school with planning and preparation. If you wish your child not to participate in the science assessment for grades 5, 8, and 11, submit this request in writing to the principal of your child's school.
If you have questions or want more information about state assessments, please contact your child’s principal or teacher(s).
Click here for opt-out form for Math and English Language Arts.
Nurse Notes
WHEN TO KEEP YOUR STUDENT HOME FROM SCHOOL. Please follow this link to see when and for how long to keep your student home due to various symptoms.
IMMUNIZATIONS: Is your child up to date? Check here and be sure to update school records before you leave for Winter Break.
Please take a few minutes to review the information and resources below regarding Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) updates and resources for respiratory viruses, including Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), plus Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease (HFMD). This information can also be found on our District Nurse website page.
Oregon health officials recently issued a call to action in response to the rapid spread of RSV and Influenza virus. State health officials recommend that people:
Stay home when sick.
Cover coughs and sneezes with the inside of your elbow, or with a tissue that you immediately throw away after use.
Clean and disinfect all high-touch surfaces, including doorknobs, faucets, chairs, countertops, and tables.
Regularly wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially after coughing or sneezing into a tissue.
Avoid sharing cups, water bottles, and other drink containers, or eating utensils.
Get a flu shot and stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including new bivalent boosters. There is no vaccine for RSV.
Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces.
Influenza (the Flu)
The flu was nearly nonexistent during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic but is now making a significant comeback and earlier in the year than normal. Many students have already been affected and many more will be. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Practice (AAFP) recommend early testing for those who are symptomatic to differentiate the Flu from COVID-19. Also, most antiviral medications against the Flu are most effective if started in the first 48 hours.
OHA Flu Prevention Website – Information for prevention and vaccines.
CDC Influenza Resource Center – Information and resources in multiple languages.
AAP Influenza Recommendations – American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for prevention and control.
AAFP Influenza Website – American Academy of Family Physicians resources for prevention.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
RSV is a common respiratory virus that is transmitted through respiratory droplets, direct contact, and by touching contaminated surfaces. For most children, RSV produces mild illness, however, children under 2 years old are especially susceptible to RSV and are at increased risk of severe illness and hospitalization. It is important to note that many school-age children have siblings at home who may be younger and more susceptible to severe illness and hospitalization. The ways we can prevent the spread of RSV and other respiratory illnesses are familiar and include frequent and thorough handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, masking, and disinfection of high-touch surfaces.
OHA RSV Website – Information about symptoms and prevention.
Oregon’s RSV Report – Updates RSV activity in Oregon every Wednesday.
CDC RSV Resources – Information about prevention, symptoms, and care.
AAP RSV Guidance – American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations.
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)
There has been a notable increase in outbreaks of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in Oregon this year, particularly this Fall. HFMD is an infection caused by a virus. Although HFMD is common in children younger than 5, several recent outbreaks have involved high school or junior high students, including student-athletes. Common symptoms of HFMD include fever, mouth sores, and rash (commonly on the hands and feet). HFMD spreads through fluids spread through coughs and sneezes, fluids from blisters or scabs, contact with feces, and contact with objects and surfaces that have the virus on them. Most people with HFMD recover on their own in seven to 10 days. Treatment of HFMD is symptom-based: drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration and use over-the-counter medication to relieve fever and pain from mouth sores.
OHA HFMD Information for ADs, Coaches, Athletic Trainers, and Parents (English)
OHA HFMD Information for ADs, Coaches, Athletic Trainers, and Parents (Spanish)
CDC HFMD Website – Information about symptoms and prevention.
New Application for School Volunteers
For the safety of children, volunteers are required to have an approved background check when volunteering in schools.
To help streamline compliance with state and school board policies, which require that all volunteers have background checks and knowledge of other board policies -- as well as state-mandated proof of vaccination (or a qualified exemption) -- we are introducing a new all-in-one volunteer application and approval process through ou Raptor Visitor Management System.
Submitting an online application initiates the background check process. Once submitted, applicants will receive an email upon approval of your background check and you will be given access through the onsite Raptor System at all schools. Please allow up to three weeks to process your approval.
Volunteers need to submit only one application for volunteering in all LOSD schools. Applications need to be submitted annually to capture changes in background checks, policies, and/or vaccination requirements.
Volunteer Application for LOSD
Thank you for applying promptly, and for your service to our students and schools. We are grateful for our volunteers.
DISTRICT/COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Elementary School Student and Family Handbook
CONTACT THE OFFICE FOR ILLNESSES, VACATIONS, APPOINTMENTS
Ms. Susan is our new Attendance Secretary!
Subscribe to LO Schools App
Stay connected to the district and your school(s) and receive urgent notifications by subscribing to the Lake Oswego Schools App.
Stay in Touch with the PTO
Stay in touch with the PTO on social media!
Instagram #foresthills.pto
https://www.instagram.com/foresthills.pto/
Facebook Forest Hills Elementary PTO
About Forest HIlls Elementary School
Email: merinon@loswego.k12.or.us
Website: https://or01813384.schoolwires.net/Page/9
Location: 1133 Andrews Road, Lake Oswego, OR, USA
Phone: 5035342350