Westridge Wildcat News
Friday, October 7th, 2022
Message from Principal Hurd
What a busy week! The energy was frenetic this week at Westridge. I'd like to take a moment to give a shout out to our PTSO and the Fun Run event today. The sun was shining, music playing, and students were having a blast running around and around and around again. PTSO did a great job organizing this event, and it was a fantastic way to step into the weekend. I also wanted to give a big shout out to our entire community for the shift we've made with dismissal protocol this week. Royce Way looks so much better during dismissal!!! Cars are able to pass thru and get where they are going, and this is due to your attention, and willingness to make the shift-- it's been noticed and very much appreciated. I DO want to make one additional note on this, though. Many people who live on the streets adjacent to the school have been noticing an increase in parents driving unsafely through the neighborhood, and blocking driveways during dismissal. If you are parking in the neighborhoods during arrival or dismissal please be extra conscious that you are doing this in a conscientous way. And my last shout out goes to our support staff this week. One thing that happens during a 'frenetic week' is a lot of organizing, support, communicating and clean up! Our custodial staff, office staff, behavioral and instructional support staff have been working SO HARD this week-- I've seen it every day. Our team holds instructional improvement meetings, receives and communicates with hundreds of families daily, fixes broken doors, works with dysregulated students, supports the logistical components of a Fun Run, handles fainting students (not connected to Fun Run!), and all of the many things that come with 'another day.' And they do it all with a smile. It's a great team to be a part of.
Have a great weekend everyone,
Noah
In This Newsletter:
Save the Dates
Fitness Month at Westridge
Dyslexia Awareness
Nurse Notes
Counselor's Corner
OBOB is coming!
October Community Events
Continuing Reminders:
STEM Supplies: Donations needed
Meet the Westridge Staff!
Welcome Back Wildcats Night
New Application for School Volunteers
Reporting Tardies and absences
Statewide Assessment Notice
Save the Dates!
10/12: Walk/Bike & Roll to school day!
10/14: No School
10/21: No School
10/27 & 10/28: No School- Conferences
10/26: Picture day
OCTOBER is…. Westridge Wildcats Fitness Month!
Calling all active Wildcats! We are excited to get moving and a-grooving together in October – a time to move together and celebrate the importance of developing an active lifestyle! Save the dates for three FUN, schoolwide events coming your way.
First Up:
Oct 7th – 2nd Annual Run, Walk & Roll Fun Run
Students will celebrate movement with our 2nd Annual Fun Run! Alongside Rocky, students will run, walk, skip, jump and roll their way around our track, tallying laps. Grade level winners will receive an extra PE class with Mrs. Jacobs!
If parents would like to attend in person, please be sure to sign up for a volunteer slot.
Event will be streamed live for parents via zoom: https://loswego-k12-or-us.zoom.us/j/84812468392
If you have any questions, please reach out to Fitness Month chair Megan Caldwell at meganscaldwell@gmail.com Let’s go Wildcats!
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a learning disability in reading. People with dyslexia have trouble reading at a good pace and without mistakes. They may also have a hard time with reading comprehension, spelling, and writing. But these challenges aren’t a problem with intelligence.
Children and adults with dyslexia struggle to read fluently, spell words correctly, and memorize rote facts such as multiplication tables, among other challenges. But these difficulties have no connection to their overall intelligence. While people with dyslexia can be slow readers, they often, paradoxically, are very fast and creative thinkers with strong reasoning abilities.
Dyslexia can’t be “cured” – it is lifelong. But with appropriate instruction, an individual with dyslexia can learn to read, write, and spell and can become a highly successful individual.
Get the facts on Dyslexia from the International Dyslexia Association (IDA): Fact Sheets
Video: What is Dyslexia? https://youtu.be/zafiGBrFkRM
Ways to help your child at home: https://www.understood.org/en/learning-thinking-differences/child-learning-disabilities/dyslexia/dyslexia-strategies-you-can-try-at-home?_ul=1*jhht1b*domain_userid*YW1wLTY5YzJjRVMxUnU3YU03WDduMFdORVE
Each week in October, we will feature 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. Please see here to learn how to contact your school representative.
Nurse Notes:
Hello LOSD Families! As we return to community gathering, we are seeing some
cases of Lice and Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease. Please review the links below
for more information on how to prevent, identify and treat either. Please see
your medical professional for diagnosis, treatment and more information. Also,
it is very important for you to bring your students medications to school if they
may be needed during school hours.
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease - CDC Lice Information for Parents
Dear Westridge Families,
This month we are talking about Responsibility.
One way to define Responsibility is “taking action and understanding the impact of our choices.”
Taking action can mean doing the right thing or completing the tasks you have been assigned. Understanding the impact of our choices means that our actions matter. Positive and responsible actions can help people and irresponsible actions can hurt others.
Responsibility is one of the three traits we will focus on throughout the year that encourages students to “Be Strong”. Throughout our school, Lake Grove students will be developing skills like focusing, organizing, and goal-setting.
Have some fun connecting as a family this month while practicing Responsibility. Here are three “PurposeFull Pursuits” for you to complete together. How many can you do this month?
Pursuit #1: As a family, think of ways in which you might make someone’s life a little easier by helping a neighbor or family friend with one of their responsibilities. Could you help someone with their garbage or recycling? Could you carry things in from the grocery store? Could you invite someone over for a meal or a show?
Pursuit #2: Review Responsibility as a family! Responsibility is taking action and understanding how our choices affect others. Choose one household chore (or more!) that requires multiple steps. Then have each member of the family select one step to complete to help get the job done. Maybe it is washing the dishes, doing laundry, cleaning the living room, or unloading the groceries. Whatever it is, see who can be the quickest or most effective at their task.
Pursuit #3: Family meeting story prompts
● A time I (or someone else) showed responsibility was _____.
● An act of responsibility that changed/challenged me was _____.
Thank you for partnership and support of our Social Emotional Learning. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I can be reached at kieserg@loswego.k12.or.us or 503-534-2371.
Sincerely,
Gary Kieser
Westridge School Counselor
OBOB is Coming!
What is OBOB?
The Oregon Battle of the Books is a reading and trivia competition that serves as
a statewide celebration of literacy and good books. 3rd to 5th grade students
form teams of three to five members, then read and study from a common list of
16 books selected by the State OBOB committee each year. Teams then square
off in a series of "Battles" to show off how much they have learned by answering
questions about the books.
Parents of 3rd through 5th graders please see teacher’s newsletter for more
details. Just note that battles begin at lunch recess in mid-January and then we
will have the remaining battles on Saturday February 4, 2023.
Sign up here: http://tinyurl.com/wrOBOB23
***All team members need to be signed up by their parent or guardian.
***If your child does not have a team, we can help! If they want to participate, we
will work to find them a team.
Please email Rebecca Weinstein rebeccaweinstein2@gmail.com with any
questions.
STEM Supplies Needed
Meet the Westridge Staff!
Each week we will get to know a few Westridge staff members with a Q&A session!
This week, we met up with the Second Grade Team:
Jolin Harrison, Nicole Howard and Tess Hanberg
Jolin Harrison
Q: What is your job here at Westridge?
A: 2nd grade Teacher
Q: How long have you worked at Westridge?
A: This is my 4th year
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Cupertino, CA - Silicon Valley
Q: What did you do after high school?
A: I studied theatre at Chapman University where I studied theatre. After college, I ran theatre conservatory programs for young people and toured the country as the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland. I found my way to elementary education as a first grade teacher and eventually taught all the elementary school grades. I came to the northwest when I started a theatre company in Vancouver, Washington. I served as the Executive Director for 7 years and also enjoyed performing, directing and teaching.The company relocated to Portland in 2008 and so did I! However, I missed teaching, so I got my MAT from USC and started work at Parkrose School District before coming to Westridge as a 2nd grade teacher. I am so grateful to be here!
Q: Tell me about your family or any pets!
A: Geoffrey is my 14 year old son. He's bilingual and so tech savvy. He's pretty cool for an eighth grader. We live with our 2 cats, Hoku and Kona.
Q: What are some interesting or fun facts about you?
A: I write gratitude every day and often write poems and short stories. Music is a big part of my life and I sometimes sing instructions or make up songs in class.
Q: What are somethings you love to do in your free time?
A: I love to read, listen to stories, write, sing, go to theatre, create beaded art and hang out with friends!
Nicole Howard:
Q: What is your job here at Westridge?
A: Second Grade Teacher
Q: How long have you worked at Westridge?
A: This is my 4th year
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I was born in San Antonio Texas, but I grew up in my younger years on the east coast in Springfield, Virginia near Washington, D.C. Then moved to Portland at the end of elementary school.
Q: What did you do after high school?
A: After high school I went to Concordia College and earned my Elementary Ed degree. I then got a 1st grade position and taught in the Centennial School district for 13 years. During that time I went back to Concordia and got my Masters in Education with a literacy endorsement. I transfered to the Lake Oswego School District 6 years ago and I am happy to be here!
Q: Tell me about your family or any pets!
A: I have a wonderful husband of 20 years and 2 amazing kids. My daughter, Isabel, is a junior at Oregon State. And my son, Gabe is a junior at West Linn High School. I also have 2 adorable dogs, Harley and Chloe!
Q: What are some interesting or fun facts about you?
A: My favorite season is fall. My husband and I love to try new restaurants. I love country music and I don't like spicy food.
Q: What are some things you love to do in your free time?
A: In my free time I enjoy reading and going to movies. I am also working on getting better at pickleball! I am most happy when all my family is together!
Tess Hanberg:
Q: What is your job here at Westridge?
A:Second Grade Teacher
Q: How long have you worked at Westridge?
A: This is my 21st year!
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in Durham, Oregon.
Q: What did you do after high school?
A:I went to the University of Oregon and then began my teaching career.
Q: Tell me about your family or any pets!
A: My husband and I have 2 wonderful daughters, a son-in-love, two beautiful grandchildren, and recently added Otis, our cavadoodle puppy to our family.
Q: What are some interesting or fun facts about you?
A:I studied at a university in Germany during college....I remember a few German words. :-)
Q: What are some things you love to do in your free time?
A: I love to soak up family time and spend time in the kitchen. I also like to acrylic pour paint.
Community Information:
October:
National Bullying Prevention Month includes activities, education, and awareness building for the entire month.
Mental Health Awareness Week educates and increases awareness about mental illness. It takes place during the first full week of October. World Mental Health Day, October 10, is day for mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma.
World Cerebral Palsy Day, which occurs annually on October 6, reminds us that there are over 17 million people impacted by this disorder.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day, October 9, is a federal holiday in the United States that celebrates and honors Native American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures.
Safe Schools Week, October 16-22 is observed and actively supported by local, state and national public officials and professional organizations.
Red Ribbon Week is an alcohol, tobacco, and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign observed annually in October in the United States.
Halloween, October 31, also known as All Hallows’ Eve, in Gaelic culture, it is a celebration of the end of the harvest season and a time to remember loved ones who have died.
Yom Kippur, October 4-5, is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Its central themes are atonement and repentance.
Shemini Atzeret, October 6-8, is a Jewish holiday.
Sukkot, October 9 - 16, is a Torah-commanded holiday celebrated for seven days from the 15th day of the month of Tishrei. It is one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals.
Birth of Bahá´u’ llah, October 17, is one of nine holy days in the Baháʼí calendar.
Diwali, October 24, known as the "Indian Festival of Lights”, is a major Hindu holiday signifying the renewal of life, and the victory of good over evil. See below for a celebration at Lakeridge High School.
Reporting tardies, absences and illnesses:
Office phone number and voicemail: 503-534-2371
Attendance Secretary: Andrea Murphy (murphya@loswego.k12.or.us)
Principal's Secretary: Jodi Steward (stewardj@loswego.k12.or.us)
Safe Oregon
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.)
Stay connected with the LOSD AP:
Contact information for the Westridge PTSO
Find us on Facebook!
Follow us on Instagram @westridge.ptso
Email: westridgeptso@gmail.com
Yearbook Photos: yearbookwestridge@gmail.com
Westridge Elementary School
Email: hurdn@loswego.k12.or.us weaverl@loswego.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.losdschools.org/wr
Location: 3400 Royce Way, Lake Oswego, OR, USA
Phone: 5035342371