Oak Creek Elementary
Coyote News - October 14, 2022
Principal's Message
Oak Creek Families,
This coming week is going to provide us with a couple of great opportunities to welcome families into our school. First, on Tuesday, October 18th, we will be hosting our Back to School Night:
- 5:30-5:55: Everyone in the gym (Welcome, Introductions, PTO Info, Foundation Info)
- 6:00-6:20: First classroom session
- 6:24-6:45: Second classroom session
The two different sessions will be duplicates, for families with siblings and/or so that people can go see specialists (PE/Music/STEM).
Then, on Friday, October 21st, we hope you can come and join our PTO sponsored Fall Carnival, from 4:00-7:00. Come and join us for lots of fun and games!
Please make sure to read below for important information, including news about conferences, the PTO Carnival and more! If you have any questions, please see the FAQ section below, or feel free to reach out to myself or Tess Kristoffersson at kristoft@loswego.k12.or.us.
Thank you,
Barb Keeton
In This Message:
Updated in Every Edition:
- Principal's Message
- Dates to Remember
- PTO Corner
NEW In This Edition:
- Holiday Outreach
- SMART Reading
- Reading with Jillian
Repeated Information:
- STOP! WALK! TALK!
- Unity Day - Wear orange!
- Book Fair Website
- Purposeful People
- Black Student Mentorship Program
- New Application for School Volunteers
- Recognitions and Observations in October
LOSD District News:
- "I Love Lake Oswego" Clothing Closet
- SafeOregon
- Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
Dates to Remember!
October 14: No School - Statewide Inservice Day
October 15: Chipotle Restaurant Day (Dine-n-Donate)
October 18: Back to School Night
October 18: Pie Fundraiser Deadline
October 19: Unity Day
October 21: No School - Teacher Work Day
October 21: Oak Creek Carnival
October 24-28: Book Fair
October 27-28: Parent-Teacher Conferences
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 Special Education Advisory Committee representative. Please see here to learn how to contact your school representative.
What are the signs of Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a common condition that affects the way the brain processes written and spoken language. It can be associated with trouble reading, but it also can affect writing, spelling and even speaking. Many children have one or two of these issues on occasion. But kids with dyslexia have several of these issues, and they don’t go away.
Here are some signs to look for:
Preschool, Kindergarten, & First Grade:
Difficulties:
Difficulty learning (and remembering) the names of letters in the alphabet
Seems unable to recognize letters in his/her own name
Mispronounces familiar words; persistent “baby talk”
Trouble learning common nursery rhymes
Doesn’t recognize rhyming patterns like cat, bat, rat
A family history of reading and/or spelling difficulties (dyslexia often runs in families)
Reading errors that show no connection to the sounds of the letters on the page—will say “puppy” instead of the written word “dog” on a page with a picture of a dog
Does not understand that words come apart
Cannot sound out even simple words like cat, map, nap
Does not associate letters with sounds, such as the letter b with the “b” sound
Complains about how hard reading is; “disappears” when it is time to read
A history of reading problems in parents or siblings
Strengths
Curiosity
Great imagination
Ability to figure things out; gets the gist of things
Eager embrace of new ideas
A good understanding of new concepts
Surprising maturity
A larger vocabulary than typical for age group
Enjoys solving puzzles
Talent for building models
Excellent comprehension of stories read or told to him
Second Grade through High School:
Reading
Very slow in acquiring reading skills. Reading is slow and awkward
Trouble reading unfamiliar words, often making wild guesses because cannot sound out the word
Has a tough time sounding out unfamiliar words
Avoids reading out loud
Gets tripped up by word problems in math
School and Life
Trouble remembering dates, names, telephone numbers, random lists
Struggles to finish tests on time
Extreme difficulty learning a foreign language
Poor spelling
Messy handwriting
Low self-esteem that may not be immediately visible
Speaking
Searches for a specific word and ends up using vague language, such as “stuff” or “thing,” without naming the object
Pauses, hesitates, and/or uses lots of “um’s” when speaking
Confuses words that sound alike, such as saying “tornado” for “volcano,” substituting “lotion” for “ocean”
Mispronunciation of long, unfamiliar or complicated words
Seems to need extra time to respond to questions
Strengths
Excellent thinking skills: conceptualization, reasoning, imagination, abstraction
Learning that is accomplished best through meaning rather than rote memorization
Ability to get the “big picture”
A high level of understanding of what is read to him/her/they
The ability to read and to understand at a high level overlearned (or highly practiced) words in a special area of interest
Improvement as an area of interest becomes more specialized and focused—and a miniature vocabulary is developed that allows for reading in that subject area
A surprisingly sophisticated listening vocabulary
Excels in areas not dependent on reading, such as math, computers and visual arts, or in more conceptual (versus fact-driven) subjects, including philosophy, biology, social studies, neuroscience and creative writing
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 Special Education Advisory Committee representative. Please see here to learn how to contact your school representative.
OAK CREEK ELEMENTARY: HOLIDAY OUTREACH
Oak Creek Elementary is able to offer resources to households that may need a helping hand over the holidays. Below is a brief description of holiday resources that are being offered. Please complete the form if you would like to be contacted to receive any of these services.
Use this link to complete the form:
https://forms.gle/Uk7iQzotLHrh84QT8
If you have questions please feel free to contact us. Your privacy will be respected.
Roxanne Davidson, School Counselor
davidsor@loswego.k12.or.us 503.534.2323
Kristin Guelsdorf, District Social Worker
guelsdok@loswego.k12.or.us. 971.204.9555
SMART Reading
We are looking forward to welcoming SMART reading back to Oak Creek. SMART volunteers will be reading 1:1 with our Oak Creek kindergarteners.
SMART is a statewide children's literacy non-profit that brings volunteers into the schools to help kids have fun while developing a love of reading. SMART students choose two new books monthly to keep and build their personal library.
We are looking for volunteers (parents, grandparents, neighbors) who can make an academic year commitment reading once a week for an hour with their assigned student.
To learn more about SMART and sign up to volunteer, go to smartreading.org
Reading with Jillian
The BOOKtique, located in City Hall is hosting a young entrepreneur, Jillian, who will be reading to kids Friday (10/14/22 & 10/28/22) morning in our store.
Jillian was homeschooled and she loves children's classics. Her goal is to get kids excited about reading by reading to them the classic literature that she so loved as a child.
These events are free and open to the public and are fun opportunities for kids ages 4-9.
All of our proceeds go to support the library and their cultural events, such as LO READS and Summer Reading Incentives.
STOP! WALK! TALK!
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. This is a month long event to prevent bullying and promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Our school counselor, Roxanne Davidson, is introducing STOP! WALK! TALK! If students feel hurt by someone's words or actions they can use this strategy.
How can you help? You can help by reinforcing this strategy. Please ask them if they 1. Told the other child to stop, 2. If they walked away, and 3. If they talked to an adult if the problem did not stop. It is our sincere desire to have a school environment which is characterized by respect and caring.
Also, mark your calendars for October 19th. WEAR and SHARE Orange to show Unity for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion and to send a visible message that no one should ever experience bullying.
PTO CORNER
Message from PTO!
Hello OCE!
The pie fundraiser is extended to October 18th. Order / sell delicious take and bake pies and support the PTO. Pie pick up is November 1st. Order pies today!
The Oak Creek Elementary School Fall Carnival is on Friday, October 21st, 4-7p! Join an unforgettable night of Spooktacular fun for all ages. Together we will play carnival games, listen to Halloween music, create crafts, watch movies, and take on an inflatable scavenger hunt. Emergency vehicles will welcome us in the parking lot. Food, beverages, and shaved ice will be available for purchase. There will even be a costume contest! All are welcome to visit the carnival, wristbands are required for activities and games. Wristbands may be purchased at a discounted early bird rate of $20. Day of wristbands are $25. Each parent who signs up to volunteer at the carnival will receive a free wristband for their child. We are so excited to monster mash the night away with you and your little pumpkins!
Sign up to volunteer at the Book Fair!
We are collecting allergy-free candy to use as prizes at the carnival. If you are able to donate, please drop an unopened bag to the Oak Creek foyer.Sign up to volunteer at the Oak
Use the QR code, this link, or text “Coyotes” to 366283 to purchase a carnival wristband or to make a donation to the OCE PTO.
Thank you for walking, riding, and rolling to school on Wednesday! It was fun to see so many of you on the streets.
Thank you to all of our volunteers for all that you do! We appreciate extra hands at our events.
Questions? OakCreekElementaryPTO@gmail.com
Oak Creek Elementary PTO Executive Committee
Kirstin Martin / President
Amanda Schade / Treasurer VP
Samantha McCaskey / Assistant Treasurer VP
Page Donnelly/ Membership VP
Brooke Mattern / Communications VP
Holli Hansford / Co-Events and Enrichment VP
Barry Hansford / Co-Events and Enrichment VP
Steve Farnham / Co-Fundraising VP
Heather Shoyer / Co-Fundraising VP
Lauren Terpstra / Parental Involvement VP
Rachel Wilde / Secretary VP
Teressa Raine / Sustainability VP
Book Fair Website
New Application for School Volunteers
For the safety of children, volunteers are required to have an approved background check when volunteering in schools.
To help streamline compliance with state and school board policies, which require that all volunteers have background checks and knowledge of other board policies -- as well as state-mandated proof of vaccination (or a qualified exemption) -- we are introducing a new all-in-one volunteer application and approval process through ou Raptor Visitor Management System.
Submitting an online application initiates the background check process. Once submitted, applicants will receive an email upon approval of your background check and you will be given access through the onsite Raptor System at all schools. Please allow up to three weeks to process your approval.
Volunteers need to submit only one application for volunteering in all LOSD schools. Applications need to be submitted annually to capture changes in background checks, policies, and/or vaccination requirements.
Volunteer Application for LOSD
Thank you for applying promptly, and for your service to our students and schools. We are grateful for our volunteers.
Recognitions, Observations in October
We have a lot to celebrate and acknowledge this month. All teachers and staff are encouraged to find ways to recognize these and other awareness opportunities to help create a culture of belonging in our schools.
Dyslexia Awareness Month is always a good opportunity to raise awareness and understanding of dyslexia and help to bring about positive change.
LGBTIA+ History Month is a month-long, annual, celebration and remembrance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history.
National Bullying Prevention Month includes activities, education, and awareness building for the entire month.
National Principals Month recognizes the essential role that principals play in making a school great. Principals are among the hardest working, yet often least recognized individuals in education.
School Custodian & Grounds Appreciation Day is celebrated each year on October 2 by different businesses and organizations across the United States.
Mental Health Awareness Week educates and increases awareness about mental illness. It takes place every year during the first full week of October. World Mental Health Day, October 10, is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma.
World Teachers' Day, October 5, created in 1994 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is an annual and internationally recognized day devoted to the assessment, improvement, and appreciation of teachers worldwide.
World Cerebral Palsy Day, which occurs annually on October 6, reminds us that there are over 17 million people impacted by this disorder. CP is one of the most common physical disabilities affecting the most vulnerable among us — children.
National Coaches Day, October 6, honors the men and women who inspire us to work harder and do our best.
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.
National Coming Out Day is an annual LGBT awareness day observed on October 11, to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in "coming out of the closet."
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. It began as a tribute to fallen DEA special agent Enrique Camerena in 1985.
Mix It Up at Lunch Day
Mix It Up at Lunch Day is an international campaign that encourages students to identify, question and cross social boundaries.
National Organization for Women (NOW) Founded
The National Organization for Women is an American feminist organization founded in 1966. The organization consists of 550 chapters in all 50 U.S. states and in Washington, D.C.
Halloween, October 31, Also known as All Hallows’ Eve—the evening before All Saints Day or All Hallows Day—this event has roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (SOW-an). In Gaelic culture, it is a celebration of the end of the harvest season and a time to remember loved ones who have died. Today, in the United States and some Western countries, it is customary to wear costumes and take part in revelry.
Yom Kippur, October 4-5, is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Recommended accommodation: Avoid scheduling major academic deadlines, events, or activities after a day of fasting.
Shemini Atzeret, October 6-8, is a Jewish holiday celebrated on the 22nd day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei in the Land of Israel, and on the 22nd and 23rd outside the Land, usually coinciding with late September or early October. Recommended accommodation: Avoid scheduling major academic deadlines, events, or activities. If planning an event, provide food accommodations (Kosher restrictions apply)
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 on which those Israelites who could were commanded to make a pilgrimage to the Temple at Jerusalem. Recommended accommodation: Avoid scheduling major academic deadlines, events, or activities on the first 2 days. If planning an event, provide food accommodations (Kosher restrictions apply)
Birth of Bahá´u’ llah, October 17, is one of nine holy days in the Baháʼí calendar that is celebrated by adherents of the Baháʼí Faith and during which work is suspended.
Recommended accommodation: Avoid scheduling major academic deadlines, events, or activities. Baha’i employees will likely request the day off.
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. To celebrate, people light lamps and candles, set off fireworks, and wear new clothes.
If we've missed a recognition opportunity, please email kristoft@loswego.k12.or.us.
LOSD District News
"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
- Administrative Assistant; Terese Kristoffersson: kristoft@loswego.k12.or.us
- Administrative Assistant; 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