Oak Creek Elementary
Coyote News - March 4, 2022
Principal's Message
Oak Creek Families,
This coming week is National Classified Appreciation Week, and a great opportunity to say thank you to our team of assistants, secretaries, and engineers/custodians! We have an awesome classified team here at OCE, and their work is a vital part of what we do. There is no way that we could manage without them!
Earlier this week, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel to Washington, DC to collaborate with administrators from across the country and to meet with legislators to advocate for public education in Oregon. This experience affirmed both my commitment to the work we are doing, and to this community in which I am privileged to serve. The team at Oak Creek has reason to be proud of the way we support students, and the impact it is having on them, and to be extremely grateful for the positive support from our families we receive every day. Thank you for all you from home!
If you have any questions, please see the FAQ section below, or feel free to reach out to myself or Carrie Beach at beachc@loswego.k12.or.us.
Thank you,
Barb Keeton
Principal
Oak Creek Elementary
In This Message:
Updated in Every Edition:
- Message from the Principal
- Dates to Remember
- Counselor Corner
- Message from Your PTO
NEW In This Edition:
Artwork from Ms. Croome's Class
Book Fair is Coming Back in Person to Oak Creek!
Arrival/Dismissal Reminders
National School Breakfast Week March 7-11!
Cub Scout 4th Grade Webelos Den is Back!
Repeated Information:
- Extended Day Need Survey
- Employment Opportunities
- Girls on The Run is Back and Registration is Now Open!
Youth Truth Survey
Boundary Review Update
Lost and Found
- Volunteer Requirements
- 2022-2023 Registration for New OCE Students
- Upcoming Health Lessons
- Oak Creek FAQs
LOSD District News:
- Hunger Fighters
- How to Find LOSD Covid-19 Information
- Back to School Clothes at Clothing Closet
- SafeOregon
- Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
Dates to Remember!
March 21-25: No School: Spring Break
April 1: 11:00 AM Early Dismissal
April 7-8: No School: Conferences
April 7-8: Book Fair in the Library
May 27: No School: Grade Prep Day
May 30: No School: Memorial Day
June 10: 11:00 AM Early Dismissal Last Day of Classes
Artwork from Ms. Croome's 4th Grade Class
Book Fair is Coming Back in Person to Oak Creek!
During our conference week of April 4-8 the Scholastic book fair will be held in the library. Parents will be able to load their students’ ewallets from the scholastic website (not yet available, but notice will be made when it is).
Parents may shop during our two conference days on Thursday 4/7 and Friday 4/8.
For more information, contact Darcy Benson Library Tech Assistant bensond@loswego.k12.or.us.
Arrival/Dismissal Reminders
Also, remember that parking within 20 feet of crosswalks is illegal, and parking on Kingsgate should be avoided.
Thank you for your support in keeping everyone safe, and traffic moving smoothly!
National School Breakfast Week March 7-11!
Cub Scout 4th Grade Webelos Den is Back!
If you are interested in joining us, please email NatashaORichmond@gmail.com or Jen Jaffe at jenjaffe@gmail.com.
Extended Day Need Survey
LOSD is assessing its extended day service for students in Preschool - Grade 5. We are opening a survey seeking to identify our families’ needs for before and after school care for the 2022-2023 school year. We know that this has been a pain point for many who have had limited options, and we are developing ways to expand this service for all who need it. Your input in the survey is essential in our planning.
Please click here to complete a survey. This survey will remain open through Monday, Mar. 14. Thank you in advance for your feedback.
Employment Opportunities
Girls on The Run is Back and Registration is Now Open!
The season starts March 21st and ends May 21st with a 5K celebration. Follow this link to learn more: https://www.gotroregon.org/Program-Registration
YouthTruth Surveys
As part of LOSD’s efforts to create a culture of belonging and to achieve equitable academic outcomes, we will once again administer the YouthTruth survey to all staff, parents, and students in grades 3-12. The Family Survey link is ytsurvey.org/losdfamily22, and it will be accessible beginning Monday, February 28. The YouthTruth survey is confidential, and responses from children and parents will be held in the strictest confidence. We encourage everyone to participate. This will be an important piece of information for administrators to improve our students' experiences at school.
Elementary students in grades 3-5 will also complete the survey between February 28 and March 25. This is a vital opportunity for students to provide feedback and help guide the school’s improvement plan. The survey will take 15-30 minutes to complete and will be offered during school hours.
*Please note that parents may opt their child out of the survey if they would like. Click here for the opt-out form. For more information, visit the YouthTruth website: youthtruthsurvey.org
Elementary Boundary Review Community
LOSD is planning boundary changes to balance enrollment at Lake Grove and Oak Creek to ensure students have adequate spaces and resources for equitable educational experiences. The Elementary Boundary Review Committee, charged with determining how the boundary lines are redrawn, has arrived at its recommendation.
Boundary "Option Pink" was selected by the committee, informed by input and feedback from our learning community. The committee's recommendations, which will include special considerations for rising 5th graders and suggestions for supporting those impacted by the transition, will be presented to the School Board at the meeting on Monday, March 7. Anticipate the School Board taking action on the recommendations at its public session on Monday, April 11.
Information about the boundary review process, including a map of Option Pink, is available on the district homepage Trending Topics, Elementary Boundary Review 2022.
Lost and Found
Volunteer Requirements
We're are excited to welcome volunteers back into our schools!! Please watch for communication from your child's teacher about when the opportunity will be available in their classroom, and check out our website for volunteer requirements.
2022-2023 Registration
Upcoming Health Lessons
Counselor Corner
Dear OCE Families,
This month through our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons, we will be introducing the character trait of HONESTY. As a school community, we will be examining how HONESTY looks, sounds, and feels. During our lessons, we will be referencing this definition:
HONESTY: Living truthfully in your words, actions and thoughts.
HONESTY is not about just telling the truth. It is about living a life that is thoughtful and clear about what we believe is good and just. It’s about making sure what we think is kind and worthwhile also lines up with what we say and what we do. In March, we will talk about the cost of dishonesty and what it does to our bodies and minds. Further, we will connect how HONESTY and KINDNESS are closely related traits.
We have opportunities throughout each day where we can either choose to be truthful, or choose to be untruthful through either our words, actions, or thoughts. As we learn about the importance of HONESTY, we will also understand that being truthful isn’t always the easy choice, but it’s always the right (expected) choice. Students will learn about integrity and the importance of being honest with themselves. This month we will have challenging, but rewarding conversations and as always, we appreciate you partnering with us.
For your reference, here are links for extension activities you may wish to explore further as a family:
K-2 HONESTY Parent Letter (English) K-2 HONESTIDAD para familias (En Español )
3-5 HONESTY Parent Letter (English) 3-5 HONESTIDAD para familias (En Español )
Warmly,
Wendy Olsen
School Counselor Grades K/1
Roxanne Davidson
School Counselor Grades 2-5
Oak Creek Resources and Programs
Oak Creek is very fortunate to offer services for students or families experiencing need, thanks to the federally funded Title IA program, the Lake Oswego School District, generous donations from our community, PTO, Lake Grove Presbyterian Church, BeeLine Foundation, Love Inc., Kiwianas, and the Lake Oswego Rotary Club.
This form: OC Resources and Programs can be returned to your student’s teacher, the school counselor, or the front office. It will be kept confidential.
*****
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us. Your privacy will be respected.
503-534-2323 davidsor@loswego.k12.or.us
PTO CORNER
Message from PTO!
Dear Oak Creek Community,
Art Literacy
Take a look at the website for more info on the Art Literacy that will be taking place in our classrooms in the weeks to follow.
Donations
To make a donation, please click here: OC Donation
Your employer may match your donation. Don’t forget your spouse’s company too!
As tax season approaches, we remind you that all PTO donations are Tax Deductible.
EIN: 81-3009316 (for tax records)
Spring Plant Sale coming soon!
School Supplies
School supplies will be available for purchase soon. More information to come!
Directory Spot
If you WERE a DirectorySpot user last year, please log in (same username and password) to review your families new data for this school year. Please make sure you have the latest version of DirectorySpot to see the new features (check the app store for any “updates”).
If you are a NEW user, you have been set up and can download DirectorySpot for free from the App Store (iPhone users) or Google Play (Android users), or you can also access the data from the web.
Here at Oak Creek, the PTO uses DirectorySpot to share information with our school community. DirectorySpot is a mobile, private, and secure directory platform customized for our school. It’s purpose is to provide a way to communicate with families about events and activities at Oak Creek as well as tools to help people stay connected. All schools in the Lake Oswego School District use DirectorySpot for this purpose. It can also serve as a way to look up class lists by teacher and as an online family directory.
You can access the directory, once you have your account and password set up,via the internet here or via the Android or Apple app.
For your security, the directory is by invite only. As a new family to Oak Creek, you should have received an email on how to set up your account. The email detailed how you can download the app and directs your family to set up a password for your account. Only Oak Creek families and staff can access our directory. Information for the directory is pulled directly from the school district’s enrollment data. If for some reason, information is missing or incorrect, you can edit the information yourself at any time and choose which information you wish to share or not share. If you log in and see your family’s data, note that you are the only one who can see this information aside from the DirectorySpot Oak Creek Admin.
If you have questions please refer to this helpful guide.
Still have questions?
Email us at ocedirectoryspothelp@gmail.com
Oregon Battle of the Books
We have added the option to donate $25 for a bundle of OBOB books to the school library. All students may use these books, not just those participating in OBOB. Order HERE. We are looking for helpers to record themselves reading the first book chapters. Book Titles Sign up in the volunteer sign up, below. More information is HERE.
Volunteers
We are still looking for volunteers. Please sign up HERE for events and activities you would like to participate in this year. No commitments required. Sign up and we will reach out to you.
PTO Website
Check out our new website. It is still under construction so check back for updates on this page. PTO Website You will find the link to the ordering site here also. We still have two positions available this year. Contact OakCreekElementaryPTO@gmail.com if you have questions or would like to join.
Thank you for your continued support and doing your part in our wonderful community.
Sincerely,
Oak Creek Elementary PTO Executive Committee
Kirstin Martin / President
Samantha McCaskey / Treasurer
Jesse Nguyen / Assistant Treasurer
Juli Webster / Membership
Rachel Wilde / Secretary
Wendy Jenkins / Parental Involvement
Iris Tilley / Sustainability
Grayce Moody / Communications
FAQ's
What is the daily schedule?
First Bell - 8:10 am: Students are welcome to enter the building.
Tardy Bell - 8:20 am: Students who arrive later must check in with the office and receive a Tardy slip before going to their classroom.
Dismissal - 2:40 pm: Students taking a bus home will exit the building through lower doors, students being picked up by parents will exit the building through the top floor doors, students staying for after care will go to the assigned classroom.
Early Release on Thursdays - 2:00 pm
Will students and staff be wearing masks?
Yes, currently all students, staff and anyone who enters the building are required to wear masks. Additional information about mask requirements can be found here.
If you are still looking for an answer, please let us know by clicking here to submit your question.
LOSD District News
We have made all of our COVID-19 information easier to find on our district and school websites. Look for the new LOSD COVID-19 Information graphic (above) and find information about guidance, protocols, notifications and more.
Included is a new COVID-19 Dashboard, which notes all active cases in each school currently. Active cases are people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are currently in their 5-day isolation period. Once the isolation period is complete, the case is removed from the dashboard. The dashboard is updated with exposure notices.
Also included is the recording of LOSD's Information Session about exposures and quarantining. We anticipate making these Information Sessions regular events to make sure we address all of your questions and concerns. Look forward to notices about upcoming sessions.
"I Love Lake Oswego" Clothing Closet Open to Entire Community!
I Love Lake Oswego Clothing Closet has received an overwhelming amount of support and donation during the pandemic. We want to give back to our community and encourage our community to lean on us not for just hard times, but for up cycling, sustainability, and for our environment. In the past the closet was just for students, and since the pandemic we have opened our doors to anyone within our community.
Visit https://www.ilovelakeoswego.com for more information.
SafeOregon
Parents-guardians who have concerns about a student’s well-being are encouraged to reach out to their principal, and to maintain strong lines of communication and partnership between students, families, staff, and other resources.
SafeOregon is also an effective way to report a tip regarding safety threats or potential acts of violence to our students or schools.
(Students should also be aware that intentionally providing a false report is a serious offense.)
Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
Stay connected to the district and your school(s) and receive urgent notifications by subscribing to the Lake Oswego Schools App.
About Oak Creek
Reach out to us if you have any questions or need anything!
- Principal Barb Keeton: keetonb@loswego.k12.or.us
- Secretary Carrie Beach: beachc@loswego.k12.or.us
- Secretary Brenna Crocker: crockerb@loswego.k12.or.us
- Secretary Tanya Goodwin: goodwint@loswego.k12.or.us
Address: 55 Kingsgate Rd., Lake Oswego, OR 97035
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakCreekPTA/
Interested in OCE Spirit Wear? Check out this website sponsored by our PTO! OCE Spirit Wear