• Important Dates
• Message from the Principal
• School News
• Office Information
• PTSO News
• District News

• Back to School Night: October 1st 6:00-7:30 pm
• Picture day: October 2nd (Look for picture packets in backpacks!)
• Welcome to my World October 8-9
• Picture retakes: November 19th

Dear Wildcat Families,

Now that we are over a month into school, we ask that you help your child gain the independence that is necessary for them to be successful at school. Please feel free to walk your child to the front door of the school, kiss them good-bye, and wish them a wonderful day! Allowing your child to walk into the school as an independent young person will build their confidence and help them manage small tasks like hanging up their backpacks, and putting their lunches away.

Just like our theme for the year suggests, we are committed to “Wildcats Building Success”! We appreciate your support as we work together to help your child become all that they can be at school, and in life.

Warmly,

Principal Montgomery

Our annual Back to School Night is on October 1st. This parent/guardian-only event starts in the gym for a general information session, then parents are released to their child's classroom.

6:00 to 6:30 pm - Gym Session

6:35 to 6:55 pm - Classroom Presentation

7:00 to 7:20 pm - Classroom Presentation

7:25 to 7:45 pm - 6th Grade Math Session in Room 16 with Lizz Pilkington and Lisa Bales

This is also a great time to sign up for the new visitor check in system (Raptor). Jodi and Andrea will be on hand in the office starting at 5:00pm on Back to School Night to get parents/guardians set up in the system. This process takes about 2 minutes and will require your state issued ID or passport.

The Student Services Parent Action Committee presents Welcome to My World on October 8-9 at Westridge. Welcome to My World is an LOSD School Board-approved curriculum providing students with an introduction to neurodiversity and the opportunity to build the leadership skills of awareness and empathy. This year Welcome to my World will be presented to Westridge 4th graders on the topics of dyslexia, autism/sensory, and fine motor impairment. Training materials and a short training video are provided to volunteers ahead of time. Questions? Contact Westridge SSPAC reps Susan Fleming at sfleming24@gmail.com or Jennifer Harvey at jennifer.harvey@earthlink.net. Visit the sign up sheet at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F084BA4AF2DA4FC1-welcome2

UPDATE: First Meeting for the Student Newspaper Club is October 15!

Who: Aspiring student journalists in 2nd-5th grade!

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 (generally every other week) on Tuesdays from 2:45-3:15 in the library. Our first meeting will be held October 15 in the Library. Subsequent meetings: 10/22;* 11/5,19; 12/3,17; 1/7,21; 2/4,18; 3/3,17; 4/7,21; 5/5,19; 6/2.

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).

Thank you so much to all who have already donated to the Wildcat Fund this year! To date, we have raised $51,000 towards our goal of $100,000! Donate to the Wildcat Fund by October 1st at 5:00 pm and be entered into a gift card giveaway drawing! We will be drawing for two gift cards to local restaurants at Back-to-School Night on Oct 1!

All money donated stays at Westridge and pays for everything from field trips to library books to furniture and more. All donations are 100% tax deductible and eligible for corporate matching.

Please click here for more details: https://www.losdschools.org/Page/7313

Donations can be made at: tinyurl.com/wildcatfund

**The returning donor button has not been working reliably. Please use the new donor function.

**Please select monthly as donation frequency.

**If your donation and/or corporate match are coming directly from your employer, please forward your donation receipt to westridgewildcatfund@gmail.com

Questions? Want to learn more about where this money goes? Email westridgewildcatfund@gmail.com

Thank you for your support of the Westridge PTSO and Good Luck!

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.