Westridge Wildcat News
September 13, 2019
In This Edition
- Important Dates
- Message from the Principal
- Message from the Dean of Students
- School News
- Office Information
- PTSO News
- District News
Important Dates:
- PTSO Meeting: September 19th at 5:30 pm in the Westridge Library
- District SAC meeting September 23rd at LOHS Cafeteria
- Health Curriculum Preview for all grades September 23rd 4:00-5:30pm (see message below)
- Back to School Night: October 1st 6:00-7:30 pm
- Picture day: October 2nd **CHANGED**
- Picture retakes: November 19th
Message from the Principal:
Dear Wildcat Families,
What a busy and fun start to the school year. As this year our Back to School Night is not until October 1st, there are a few reminders and announcements that I would like to share to ensure that our students are safe and our procedures are clear.
School Hours:
8:10 pm First Bell
8:20 pm Tardy Bell
Dismissal 2:40 pm (*Thursday early release @ 2pm)
In the interest of safety, please do not drop off your children before 8:00 am, as there is no supervision before that time. Also, please be sure to pick up your children by 2:40 pm in the afternoon. Reminder, no adult supervision is available after 2:40 pm for students on the campus.
Arrival Times:
Our school day begins at 8:10 am every day. If you are dropping off your child, please remain in your car and pull up as far front as possible before having your child exit the car. We have adults welcoming your child daily and directing traffic to keep everyone safe. Please respectfully follow the adults who are there to support the safe arrival of all 465 Wildcats.
Please be sure to have your child/children here on time. Students who are consistently tardy are at a clear disadvantage and usually arrive feeling frantic and unprepared. All students who arrive after 8:20 am will receive a tardy slip. If your child will not be present, please call and inform the attendance office at (503) 534-2371 or email andrea.murphy@loswego.k12.or.us.
Dismissal Times:
Please DO NOT park in any spot that is not designated parking. Our busses cannot move around cars that are stopped in the firelane in the upper parking lot. Please be mindful of the cones that state NO PARKING. At dismissal it is critical that we give our busses right of way.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding. Please see the full Arrival and Dismissal Procedures here.
Warmly,
Principal Montgomery
Message from the Dean of Students:
Wildcat Families,
On Monday, September 23, 2019 from 4:00-5:30 in the Westridge Library there will be an opportunity for you to come and view your child's grade level Health curriculum. Here is a link to the Oregon Health Standards Oregon Health Standards that we are required to teach.
Thank you,
Ryann Furrer
Dean of Students
School News:
Message from STEM Facilitator Ms. Melton:
Hello Westridge Families!
I'm thrilled to be the new STEM facilitator and am excited to start working with students in the innovation lab on Monday. In the lab, students will have the opportunity to work collaboratively, exercise their creativity, use all sorts of technology, and regularly reflect on their successes and failures.
It is wonderful to be a part of a school community that is so supportive and welcoming. I will be working closely with all teachers in the building to develop projects that tie together the core curriculum, collaboration, and hands-on, inquiry-based learning. Together, we are empowering our learners to innovate and problem solve together. Beginning Monday, classes will come to the lab for one-week rotations during which they will work in teams on specific challenges. For their first week, they will be getting acquainted with some of our tools and routines for exploring, planning, doing, reflecting, and sharing. I look forward to working with your students! Catherine Melton STEM Facilitator
Innovation Lab Sneak Peek!
Student Newspaper Club!
Who: Aspiring student journalists!
What: Did you know Westridge Elementary has its very own student newspaper called What’s Up, Westridge?
When: This year we will meet bi-monthly on Tuesdays from 2:45-3:15 in the library. Our first meeting will be held in early October, after construction is complete.
Why: Students choose their article topics, which can include non-fiction or fiction pieces, illustrations, puzzles, games, etc. No story is too small and no experience is required. Come check it out!
Questions: Contact the parent leaders, Stef Fogarty (svfogarty@gmail.com) or Sarah Barrera (sarahbarrera@gmail.com).
Office Information:
Bell Schedule:
- 8:10am - Doors open
- 8:20am- Tardy bell
- 11:50am (end of first recess)
- 12:25pm (end of second recess)
- 2:40 Dismissal (Thursdays are early release at 2:00pm)
Reporting Absences
PTSO News!
PTSO Fundraiser 2019:
Keep Our Momentum Strong!
Each year, we count on our Westridge community to fund the PTSO budget for everything from field trips to library furniture. And each year, our kids benefit directly from the generosity of folks like you. This year the Wildcat Fundraiser runs from August 23rd to October 17th. Thus far we have raised nearly $35,000 towards our goal of $100,000! Your support is much needed and deeply appreciated! Please click here for more details: https://www.losdschools.org/Page/7313
Donations can be made at: tinyurl.com/wildcatfund
Payment plan options: tinyurl.com/wildcatfundoptions
Art Literacy!
Art Literacy at Westridge is shaping up!
Please bookmark this website for future reference: go to www.lakeoswegoartliteracy.org password: volunteer4loartlit to access classroom calendars, dates, coordinators handbook and volunteer tips.
The "Introduction to Art Literacy" training will be Friday September 20th 1:40- 2:30 pm in the library at Westridge. (New Parents and Bulletin Board info)
The first "Artist Training- Mark Chagall" will be held Friday September 27th 1:40- 2:30 in the library at Westridge. (All Volunteers)
Please come in EARLY or check in at the front office at another time with your PHOTO ID to sign in to the new RAPTOR system. Trainings will be held in the library at Westridge, due to the openness of sound issues and space, we are requesting that siblings not attend the training meetings. As construction is completed, we may have access to hold evening trainings but at this time they are still working in the building after hours. Sorry for any inconvenience.
We hope to see you all there!
Your 2019-2020 Westridge Art Lit Committee
Kathryn Callahan
Clark Lee
Dawn O'Connor
Rebecca Weinstein
Volunteers Needed!
District News:
Online Verification
Annual State Assessment Notification- Reminder
The Oregon Department of Education publishes an annual notice regarding state tests in English Language Arts and Math. Please review the AnnualNotice for Statewide Tests for information regarding why participation matters, an explanation of the right to opt out, testing windows, and other resources.
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