Lenox Elementary Newsletter
Week of March 7th
Greetings Lenox Families/Saludos Familias Lenox
This time of the year is one of my favorites - the bulbs that were planted this fall are blooming, the weather is shifting and the days are beginning to get longer. Spring is officially here and I continue to be impressed by how students, staff, and the entire community as a whole are navigating this school year. In classrooms I see students persevering through challenging math tasks, building reading stamina, collaborating with one another, and advocating for and expressing their needs. I am honored to be serving this community. Thank you for your partnership, your flexibility, and for sharing your amazing students with us each and every day! . Lenox Pioneers are truly the best!
You likely received this HSD notification on Friday, March 4th with updated guidance related to COVID safety measures and protocols - You can listen to the podcast version of this communication or click here for an at-a-glance version.
With indoor masking at schools becoming optional for most people on Monday, Mar. 14., we want to emphasize that it truly is a choice for students and vaccinated staff. Those who choose to wear a mask should not be made to feel bad about it, and those who choose to go mask-free should also not be made to feel bad about it. Our schools are supportive spaces where everyone should feel safe, welcome, and accepted. Many thanks to the students, staff, and families who took the time to respond to the HSD survey and share their feedback on the draft plan.
As guidance continues to be released, I will be sharing via this Smore Newsletter and Remind. Even with these upcoming changes, if you would like your child to have access to an N-95 mask, please let the office know 503-844-1360. We will have them on hand daily if needed.
There are many things happening this month both in school and in our community; be sure to check out all of the details below. And, as a reminder, if you ever have questions, suggestions, or wonderings, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's classroom teacher, the office or me. Communication and connection are key to our success!
Check out our instagram - hsdlenox and;
our website - https://www.hsd.k12.or.us/lenox for the latest happenings as well.
In service to you,
Sarah Keller, Principal
Important Upcoming Dates
Feb 28- Mar. 11 - CSE Lessons Grade 6
Mar. 7 - Virtual Booster Club Meeting
Mar. 7 - Mar. 18: CSE Lessons Grades 5 & 3
Mar. 10 - Science Fair - During School/Students Only
Mar. 18 - Win with Reading Last Day
Mar. 21- Mar. 25 - No School: Spring Break
Important News & Notes
The state testing window is officially open for 3rd-6th grade students as well as our English Language Learners who take ELPA. At Lenox, we will start testing in mid-April. If you would like to opt your child out of state testing, please see the following link for more information OPT-OUT State Testing.
To get an idea of the testing format, technology skills the students will encounter, and the sample test items, we encourage parents and students to explore the sample tests. Please click the link to access the sample tests.
Save the Date - STEAM Night
Save the Date for our Spring STEAM Night scheduled for May 12th from 5:00-6:30. More details to come.
Too Sick for School
There are many reasons - including, but not limited to COVID-19 - students and staff may be too sick to attend school in person. We will continue to request that those who are ill stay home until they are feeling better.
If a student becomes ill at school, they will be sent to the health room for evaluation. If they are exhibiting primary symptoms of COVID-19, they will be taken to the isolation room where they will be tested for COVID-19, once parent/guardian permission has been granted.
- If they test positive for COVID-19, they will be asked to isolate at home for at least five days. They may return to school once they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the aid of medication and other symptoms are improving.
- If they test negative for COVID-19, they will be asked to go home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the aid of medication and other symptoms are improving.
- If you or your child test positive for COVID-19, you can access centralized support through the Positive COVID Test website or by calling the COVID-19 Case Support Hotline at 866-917-8881.
If your child is home sick and/or your child is absent for any other reason, they can access applications like Freckle or Epic! on their chromebooks as well as their Google Classroom congruent with past practices. We encourage students to read daily and write about what they are reading or what they are doing.
Rainy Days
As the saying goes, April Showers bring May Flowers. Rain is still a possibility in the coming months; you might consider sending a change of clothes in your student (s) backpack in case they get muddy or wet.
Booster Club Spotlight
Upcoming Booster Club Meeting 3/7 7:00PM-8:30PM Virtual
Google Meet joining info: https://meet.google.com/hak-witg-rjd/ Or dial: +1 916-750-2815 PIN: 135 705 296#
Lenox Booster Club is made up of hard-working parents, grandparents, & teachers who pool their talents to provide practical support for our school. Check out their new Introduction Video HERE to find out more! Booster Club Website - https://lenoxboosterclub.membershiptoolkit.com/
HSD Family Events this Month
Wednesday, March 16th at 6:30 p.m. HSD Latino PAC Meeting.
All families of students identifying as Latino and/or Mesoamerican Indigenous are welcome to attend these monthly meetings to learn more about what is happening in the District and to share thoughts and concerns for how to best support students in their education. Join us and learn about new ways to get involved in the school system. For more information, call 503-844-1475. The meeting will be held in Spanish. Interpretation available in other languages is available upon prior request. Meeting Link: https://meet.google.com/ucv-zcfd-mrc
Or dial: +1 262-737-4648 PIN: 855 522 260#
Please join us to connect with other Native American/Alaska Native parents and staff in our district. Meeting Link: https://meet.google.com/aof-ipwz-dna
Or dial: +1 252-357-6108 PIN: 197 734 832#
Thursday, March 17th at 6:30 p.m. Asian/Pacific Islander Advisory Committee
All families of students identifying as Asian or Pacific Islander are welcome to attend these monthly virtual meetings to learn more about what’s happening in the District and to share thoughts, concerns, and ideas for how best to support students in their education. Meeting Link: HTTPS://HSD1J.ZOOM.US/J/81867324765
Meeting ID: 844 7642 8335 One tap mobile: +12532158782,,84476428335#
Happening in Our Community this Month
Dinosaur Explorer
Do you like dinosaurs? Are you interested in learning about what paleontologists do? Put on your explorer hats and join us as we learn about dinosaurs and their ancestors, go on an outdoor dinosaur egg hunt, and hatch them!
Wetlands Exploration Day
Beavers are a keystone species in the wetlands. What does that mean? Why are beavers so important to our environment?
Questions? Call Jackson Bottom at 503-681-6206.
Online OBOB Book Club - Hillsboro Brookwood Library
Online OBOB Book Club (grades 3 to 5)
Join us for book discussion, trivia questions, and crafting centered around the 2021 Grades 3-5 OBOB books!
Please register so we can send you the Zoom link.
Date: 3/17 3:30PM – 4:30PM
Location: Hillsboro Public Library, Brookwood
Student Technology Support/Resources
If you need help, have questions, or want to report a lost/damaged Chromebook:
Contact Lenox Technology Support: call or text 971-206-4223 or email hartzelc@hsd.k12.or.us (Mon-Fri 7:30 am - 4:00 pm)
Lenox Elementary School
Email: kellers@hsd.k12.or.us
Website: hsd.k12.or.us/lenox
Location: 21200 Northwest Rock Creek Boulevard, Portland, OR, USA
Phone: 503-844-1360