Falcon News
Forest Hills Elementary
October 27, 2019
Summary of Upcoming Events
OCTOBER
Saturday 26 @ 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM | Rummage Sale
Sunday 27 @ 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM | Rummage Sale
Sunday 27 @ 1:00 to 3:00 PM | Halloween Night at Lakeridge High School
Tuesday 29 @ 6:00 PM | Superintendent Parent Listening Session for LOHS, FH, and LG*
Wednesday 30 | Picture Re-takes
Thursday 31 @ 8:20 to 9:20 | Halloween Classroom Parties
NOVEMBER
Tuesday 5 @ 5:30 to 6:30 PM | SAC Meeting (School Advisory Committee)
Thursday 7 @ 6:30 to 8:00 PM | Executive Function Event sponsored by SSPAC
Monday 11 | Veteran's Day / No School
Thursday 14 @ 8:30 to 9:30 AM | PTO General Meeting
Monday 25 to Friday 29 | Thanksgiving Break / No School
Rescheduling Note: Father Daughter Dance has been rescheduled to January 17 (previously scheduled for November 8)
*See below for additional event details
Counselor's Corner, Growth Mindset
Our SEL topic this month is growth mindset. K-2 classes read the book Bubble Gum Brain to learn how to overcome challenges with a growth mindset. 3-5 classes took the topic a step further and learned about brain plasticity and how our brains grow through effort and practice. They also discussed how making mistakes is often an important part of the learning process.
Here are a few tips for continuing the conversation & growing your child's mindset:
Mistakes are learning opportunities that help us learn. When kids feel safe to make mistakes, they develop the courage the explore new challenges.
Every challenge has a different pathway leading to the end result. Ask open-ended questions that cause kids to look at a situation from a different perspective.
Lead the child to water...but don’t drink it for them. Often it's easier to tell children how to solve a problem than it is to ask questions that leads to genuine problem solving. Rather than providing kids with the answer, get in the habit of asking, “What’s another way that might work to solve this problem?”
The Power of Yet! Our students have gotten really good at replacing “I can’t do _______,” with “I can’t do _______ yet.” Challenge your kids to use their super power!
Encourage and model the practice of not giving up. Oftentimes when solving a problem, the process becomes more valuable than the solution. Developing persistence leads to mental endurance and grows thinking skills.
Applaud the effort and focus on the learning.
Cultural Travel Week Sweden! Jan 27-31
We are looking for Swedish artifacts! Do you or any of your friends of Swedish descent have artifacts or interesting material from Sweden to loan us for Culture Travel Week? We are happy to coordinate pick up & all items will be well taken care of and just for visual display. This is a great event where students will explore the culture and natural beauty of Sweden through food, traditional clothing, handicrafts, informational videos, music and more.
Forest Hills families may be interested in gearing up for CTW by checking out the Nordic Northwest’s 36th Annual ScanFair Market, a Nordic craft fair extravaganza, Dec 7 & 8: https://www.nordicnorthwest.org/scanfair
Kiwi Berries are Here!
Kiwi Berries are Here!
Straight from Morning Shade Farm out of Canby Oregon.
About the size of a grape, kiwi berries are a smaller and sweeter variety of kiwi fruit that have a smooth and edible skin. No need to peel! These will be featured on our salad bars beginning in the middle of next week (as they ripen). Yum!
National Geography Bee
The 2019-2020 National Geographic Geography Bee competition is open to all Forest Hills fourth and fifth graders. Classroom rounds will occur in November. A finalist will be chosen from each classroom, and the final competition for the school winner will be held with the TAG teacher on January 8, 2020. The school winner will then take an assessment to qualify for the state competition on March 27. For more information and study tips, check out the Study Corner on the National Geography Bee Website.
National Spelling Bee
The fourth and fifth-grade students will also have the opportunity to participate in the 2019-2020 National School Spelling Bee. The first round will be in the classroom in mid-November. The classrooms will select finalists. The final school spelling bee will occur on February 15 with the TAG teacher. The finalist will have the opportunity to advance to the city-wide competition. For more information, you can click on these links: National Spelling Bee and Spelling Bee Book List with Words for Bee.
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
Executive Function Event
Are you a parent, teacher or caregiver of a student who struggles with Executive Function Skills?
Join us for a night of exploring tools & ideas to help your student succeed.
Guest speaker is LOSD parent and expert in the field of executive function.
Jessica C. Klein, MS-CCC SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Thursday, November 7th 6:30pm-8pm
Lakeridge Middle School Cafeteria
Difficulty with executive function is common in kids who learn and think differently.
All kids with ADHD have difficulty with executive function.
Many children with learning disabilities struggle with executive function.
What are Executive Function Skills?
The three main areas of executive function are:
Working memory
Cognitive flexibility/flexible thinking
Inhibitory control/self-control
Executive function is responsible for a number of skills, including:
Paying attention
Organizing, planning, and prioritizing
Starting tasks and staying focused on them to completion
Understanding different points of view
Regulating emotions
Self-monitoring and keeping track of what you’re doing
Halloween Classroom Parties (Repeat)
Classroom Halloween Parties will be from 8:20 to 9:20 in your child's classroom. You are welcome to attend and enjoy the festivities, which will include the K-2 costume parade. Doors will open at 8:10 for party volunteers and 8:20 for party attendees. A big thank you to our parent volunteers for making this event safe and fun for all students!
Costume Guidance
- Costumes are optional
- Costumes need to be easily removed
- Costumes will be worn only during the class party
- No accessories as these are easily lost
- Costumes must be school appropriate; no weapons or violent themes
- Face must be fully visible; no masks, face coverings, or face paint
Parking
Parking is very limited, especially on event days. Walking or carpooling, if you are able, is highly recommended and can make a big difference to overall congestion. When parking, please be considerate of our neighbors and do not block driveways.
Superintendent Parent Listening Sessions (Repeat)
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
Event Details
Annual Wreath and Poinsettia Sale Lot Party
Join us for the Annual Wreath and Poinsettia Sale Lot Party and help support the 5th Grade End-of-Year Celebration!
Hot Cocoa and Coffee Station
Delicious Treats
Holiday Gifts
Secret Santa Sighting!
Holiday Music
Saturday, Dec 7, 2019, 10:00 AM
Forest Hills
Links to Helpful Information
Past Falcon News Editions
- Falcon News October 19, 2019
- Falcon News October 12, 2019
- Falcon News October 5, 2019
- Falcons News Change in Traffic Pattern Special Edition
- Falcons News September 29, 2019
Other Helpful Links
- Forest Hills Homepage
- Forest Hills Calendar
- PTO Homepage
- PTO Registration
- 2019-2020 School Year District Calendar
- Transportation Registration Form, 6-digit student ID required
- Meal Prices and Payment Options
- Free and Reduced Price Meals Information or call 503-534-2361
- Extended Day Program (before and after school child care)
- LOSD District Kindergarten Page
- Talented and Gifted