Westridge Wildcat News
October 25, 2019
In This Edition
- Important Dates
- Quick Reference Links
- School News
- Office Information
- PTSO News
- District News
Important Dates:
- Superintendent Listening Session: October 30th 6:00pm River Grove Library
- NO School: November 11th (Veterans Day)
- Picture Retakes November 19th
- PTSO Meeting : November 21st 8:30am
- NO School November 25-29th
Westridge Quick Reference Links:
Message from the Principal:
The Wildcat Fundraiser was a HUGE success! We hit our fundraising goal and raised over $100,000 in donations! I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to this community for continuing to support the students, staff and all the amazing programs here at Westridge. Special thanks to our PTSO Wildcat Fundraising team who put amazing effort into reaching this goal.
The staff and I would also like to thank our PTSO for the generous lunches and treats that were brought in to feed our staff during Parent/Teacher Conferences. We appreciate you!
I hope you enjoy your weekend and this beautiful fall weather!
Warmly,
Principal Montgomery
School News:
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month
Gifted and Dyslexic?
Some kids with learning and attention issues have exceptional skills in certain academic areas. These kids are often called “twice-exceptional” learners. (You may sometimes see this abbreviated as “2E.”)
Some organizations estimate that there are hundreds of thousands of twice-exceptional learners in U.S. schools. But there are no hard numbers because so many of these students are never formally identified as being gifted, having a disability, or both. Your child may experience dyslexia and be talented and gifted (TAG).
In LOSD, both Student Services and TAG Services are responsible for meeting the needs of twice-exceptional students and should work in cooperation. The student’s abilities will determine appropriate instruction.
If you have questions or concerns regarding our child’s learning, please call the school principal, TAG coordinator, and/or literacy specialist. You can also contact your school’s representatives for TAG-AC (TAG Advisory Committee) or SSPAC (Student Services Parent Advisory Committee).
To read about twice exceptional students, visit UNDERSTOOD.ORG:
Gifted Children’s Challenges with Learning and Attention Issues:
LOSD 2E information: https://www.losdschools.org/Page/2761
Each week this month, we featured a message about dyslexia in this newsletter. If you have questions or concerns regarding your child’s learning, please contact the school principal and/or literacy specialist. Another great parent resource would be to contact your school’s Student Services Parent Advisory Committee (SSPAC) representative.
We are here to help you and your child succeed. #UBELONGLOSD
Red Ribbon Week!
Red Ribbon Week is coming up! Red Ribbon Week is a nationwide annual event to celebrate and encourage healthy choices and building community. At Westridge we will hold a poster contest and spirit days. The 2019 theme is “send a message...stay healthy”.
Spirit Days:
Monday the 28th: Get “RED”y! Wear red to kick off Red Ribbon Week and celebrate health!
Tuesday the 29th: Keep Moving! Wear a sports shirt or other athletic wear to celebrate exercise.
Wednesday the 30th: School Spirit! Wear your Westridge t-shirt to celebrate community!
Poster Contest Rules:
Create a poster that will inspire others to make choices that keep our bodies and brains healthy.
Be creative and have fun!
The work must be your own creativity. Parents, teachers, and friends may help you come up with ideas, but the final decision on artwork and slogan must be your own.
One entry per person.
Please use standard size white paper (8.5 x 11) so all posters are the same size.
Posters should include a picture and a slogan.
Posters are due to your teacher by lunch on October 28.
Posters must include your name, grade and teacher on the BACK of your poster.
One More Week for OBOB Registration for all Interested 3rd, 4th and 5th Graders!
Each year, Westridge participates in the Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) competition. This is an optional, fun enrichment activity, and a good way to read some great books with a team of school friends.
Registration:
It is now time to register your interested student. Please click the link here and fill in all parts of the registration and waiver / permission slip sections. Registrations are due by Friday, November 1st. https://tinyurl.com/wrOBOB
What is OBOB?
The Oregon Battle of the Books is a reading and trivia competition that serves as a statewide celebration of literacy and good books. 3rd to 5th grade students form teams of three to five members, then read and study from a common list of 16 books selected by the State OBOB committee each year. Teams square off in a series of "Battles" to show off how much they have learned by answering questions about the books. Watch out if you get a question wrong -- the other team then gets a chance to steal the points!
How does OBOB work at Westridge?
- The OBOB competition at Westridge is funded by the PTSO, run by parent volunteers, and coordinated with Librarian Mrs. Calbreath and the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers
- Students form teams of 3 to 5 players in the Fall and begin reading the books
- Parent volunteers hold voluntary practice sessions with the kids in December / January
- The competition will be held on Saturday, February 8th at Westridge, and is completely volunteer run
- In each "Battle," two teams square off and answer questions in turn. Note that only a maximum of 4 players participate in each battle round. Teams of 5 will need to set a rotation.
- The highest scoring teams in preliminary play move on to knock-out rounds
- At Westridge, we hold a separate 3rd Grade Competition and name a 3rd Grade Champion
- The champion of the 4th/5th Grade competition wins the right to represent Westridge at the Regional OBOB Championships in March. Last year, Westridge's team qualified for the State Championships in April and finished 5th in all of Oregon!
Halloween Information
Halloween is an exciting day for elementary-aged children, but it can be difficult to manage in the classroom. Please take these steps to help them, and us, be more successful.
Costumes can be brought in a bag for celebrations on Halloween. No weapons, no face make-up, and please keep costumes school-appropriate costumes. Students do not arrive in their costumes but put them on later in the day. For specific times of your classroom celebrations please consult your teacher’s newsletter.
Kindergarten and 1st grade participate in a Halloween parade, going through the building to show their costumes to the older students. This parade starts at 12:45 pm. We encourage parents who want to watch to gather in the lobby. Parking is tough so arrive early and please wait in the lobby.
Not all classroom parties are at the same time so please read your classroom newsletter to make sure you know when your child’s party is scheduled.
Please limit candy sent in school lunches and do not send candy with nuts. We have students with life-threatening nut allergies and appreciate you keeping those candies at home.
Halloween is an exciting and therefore exhausting time. Please make sure your children are getting their rest.
Socktober is here!
So why SOCKTOBER? Because every night in the United States an estimated 600,000 people live on the streets and need simple things, like socks, to help get them through the night. Plus the number one needed clothing item for those in need is new socks, but people very rarely ever donate new socks to the homeless!
SOCKTOBER is a national sole warming movement that gives everyone an easy and fun way to help those in need within our very own area! Consider donating new socks at Westridge anytime through the month of October...oops! Socktober!
Our Wildcat Leadership Team set a goal to collect 1,000 pairs of socks this year, please help us reach our goal by dropping new socks off in the entryway of the school. This is a great way to show how much our Westridge community cares about others!
Message from the Wildcat Leadership Team:
Dear Wildcat Families,
We would love to thank you for the donations of 448 pairs of socks so far. Our goal is to double that by next Thursday! Thank you to everybody who has contributed.
Wildcat Leadership Team
Getting to know your Westridge Staff: The Third Grade Team!
Each week we will interview a team on our staff. This week, we met up with our fabulous Third Grade Teachers.
Alix Swanson:
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Lake Oswego, just down the road from Westridge in Bryant Woods.
Q: Where did you go to college?
A: University of Oregon for undergrad where I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Studies, then I went to Lewis and Clark College for my Masters degree, and most recently to Portland State University for my Reading Endorsement.
Q: Did you go on any trips this summer? If so- where?
A: Not many trips this summer as we were waiting on baby Koen’s arrival in mid July, just a family trip to Pacific City and lots of trips to the park.
List 3 fun facts about yourself:
1. I’ve donated my hair 4 times.
2. My first teaching job was teaching kindergarten at Bryant where I went to school during its last year open.
3. I enjoy watching and playing sports with my family.
Karen Carter:
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Portland
Q: Where did you go to college?
A: University Of Oregon
Q: Did you go on any trips this summer? If so- where?
A: Kelowna, British Columbia and Rupert, Idaho
List 3 fun facts about yourself:
1. I've backpacked through Europe and been to 14 countries
2. I was pen pals with a sitting president as a child
3. I just moved into a new house
Kristen Shambaugh:
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: West Linn, Oregon
Q: Where did you go to college?
A: Oregon State (BS) and University of Portland (MAT)
Q: Did you go on any trips this summer? If so- where?
A: Bend (three times), the beach
List 3 fun facts about yourself:
1. I get up and walk 2 miles before school every morning.
2. My family loves Lego. My favorites have been any of the Harry Potter sets and the Disney castle.
3. I've taught with Karen Carter for 13 years.
Office Information:
New cut off time for change of "go home" plan or bus passes:
If you need to change your child(ren)'s go-home plans or have a bus pass issued by the office, please let the office and teacher know via email by Noon. You can also call in to the office by Noon. If you have last-minute emergency changes, please call into the office instead of emailing. Thank you
Reporting Absences
PTSO News!
Box Tops!
District News:
Parent Listening Sessions
The Superintendent wants to hear from you!
Dr. Lora de la Cruz will be holding parent listening sessions to get to know you and to hear your perspective on any topic you'd like to share. Four sessions will be held across the district with each night dedicated to specific schools. If you are unable to attend your school's listening session, you are welcome to attend a session that is more convenient. Listening sessions will be held as follows:
Monday, October 28th at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Lakeridge High School - Library
Target Audience: Lakeridge High School, Lakeridge Middle School, Hallinan Elementary
Tuesday, October 29th at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Lake Oswego High School - Library
Target Audience: Lake Oswego High School, Forest Hills Elementary, Lake Grove Elementary
Wednesday, October 30th at 6:00 p.m.
Location: River Grove Elementary - Library
Target Audience: River Grove Elementary, Westridge Elementary
Tuesday, November 5th at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Oak Creek Elementary @ Uplands - Gymnasium
Target Audience: Oak Creek Elementary, Lake Oswego Middle School
Lake Oswego School District App:
Safe Oregon
The Oregon State Police is pleased to announce the availability of SafeOregon, a new school safety tip line program available to all public k-12 schools in Oregon. SafeOregon is a way for students, staff, or other members of the public to anonymously report and share confidential information of a threat or a potential threat to student safety. Trained staff are available 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year reached through a phone call, text message, mobile application or website. The main goal of SafeOregon is to intervene at the earliest possible point in the life of a young person who is struggling, helping them when they need it, before the situation turns into a tragedy.
SafeOregon is designed to encourage Oregon students to share and respond to anything that threatens their safety or the safety of others, anything that makes a student feel unsafe, or if a student knows someone who feels unsafe. Here are a few examples: safety threats, violence, threats of violence, fights, drugs, alcohol, weapons, bullying or friends that talk about hurting themselves, harassment, intimidation, cyber bullying, or self-harm.
Tips can be submitted 24/7/365 through the SafeOregon.com web portal, by email to tip@safeoregon.com through the SafeOregon mobile application (available for android or ios device), or by calling or texting 844-472-3364. Tips are promptly analyzed and routed for the most appropriate follow up and urgency. This may be to school officials, law enforcement, community mental health programs, or other appropriate local or state agencies. Tip Line staff make sure follow-up is noted.
For more information, please visit safeoregon.com.
Additionally, it is a violation of ORS165.570 to improperly use the SafeOregon system.
Westridge Elementary
Email: kari.montgomery@loswego.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.losdschools.org/wr
Location: 3400 Royce Way, Lake Oswego, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 534-2371