Oak Creek Elementary
Coyote News - September 23, 2022
Principal's Message
Oak Creek Families,
We just had another great week here at school, and we are looking forward to one more week of September to come! Our PTO has been hard at work and there is a lot going on! Check out the PTO Corner toward the end of this newsletter to see how many different ways they are supporting our school and many opportunities to be involved. Not only do the fundraising events support our school in a variety of ways, there are many fun activities for you and your family!
Please make sure you read below for some important information, including a deadline for technology agreements, an opportunity for a Black Student Mentorship program, Dance Wizards, and a game between LOJ and the Harlem Wizards.
To make sure you see everything, click on this message so that it opens in your web browser. If you have any questions, please see the FAQ section below, or feel free to reach out to myself or Terese (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:
- Deadline for Annual Technology Agreements
- Black Student Mentorship Program
- Dance Wizards Info
- Used Tech Drive
- LOJ vs. Harlem Wizards
Repeated Information:
- Student Emergency Kits
- State Assessment Score Reports
- Mask Policy Information
- iLab Donations
- Friendly Reminder: Change of Dismissal Plans
- New Application for School Volunteers
- Recognitions and Observations in September
LOSD District News:
- "I Love Lake Oswego" Clothing Closet
- SafeOregon
- Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
Dates to Remember!
September 27: Fills Restaurant Day (Dine-n-Donate)
October 5: LOJ vs. Harlem Wizards
October 8: Tech Drive
October 13: School Picture Day
October 14: No School - Statewide Inservice Day
October 15: Chipotle Restaurant Day (Dine-n-Donate)
October 18: Back to School Night
October 21: No School - Teacher Work Day
October 21: Oak Creek Carnival
October 27-28: Parent-Teacher Conferences
Deadline for Annual Technology Agreement
Dear LOSD Families,
A reminder for parents/guardians: please complete the three actions listed below so that your student may use school district software and technology resources (devices, digital textbooks, etc.). The deadline to complete the three steps is Friday, Sept. 30.
A parent or guardian must provide consent for each student to use District software and resources.
A Parent/Guardian and each Student must agree to the Acceptable Use Policy.
Families must choose to enroll or decline participation in the Device Damage and Loss Protection Program ($20 annual fee per student).
Thank you for completing the three steps by Friday, Sept. 30.
Black Student Mentorship Program
Laker Dance Game Day Workshop
Used Tech Drive
LOJ vs. Harlem Wizards
You are invited to come watch 30 LOJ teachers and staff play against the world-famous Harlem Wizards on Wednesday, October 5th.
Game starts at 7pm at LOHS West Gym. Who do you think will win?
Purchase your tickets (starting at just $15) online here:
https://harlemwizards.thundertix.com/orders/new?performance_id=2849339.
Questions? Email sailorparentclub@gmail.com.
Student Emergency Kits
Please put together a student emergency supply kit to bring to your student’s teacher. You can find the Emergency Supply Kit List here.
Kits will be kept in your student’s classroom for the duration of the school year and sent home with them at the end of the year.
State Assessment Score Reports
LOSD now delivers students’ state assessment results online through ParentVUE rather than mailing paper. This is in keeping with the district’s strategic goal of sustainability and mirrors how we deliver report cards. Your child’s 2021-22 assessment reports are now available on your ParentVUE Documents page. As you review your student’s English Language Arts, math, and science scores, please keep in mind:
An achievement level of 3 or 4 is considered to be on track for the student’s grade level.
Scores on state assessments are only one measure of a student’s academic progress. We use these scores in conjunction with classroom work and other daily, weekly, monthly, and term assessments to understand your student’s strengths and areas for improvement.
Mask Policy Information
iLab Donations
The Oak Creek Innovation Lab would love your donations!
Before tossing into your recycling bin, the iLab is looking for donations for the following items:
- Egg Cartons
- Empty toilet paper rolls
- Empty paper towel rolls
- Clean and dry yogurt containers
- Plastic cups or containers
- Shoe boxes
- Flattened cardboard- no larger than 12"x12"
- Used golf balls, tennis balls, and ping pong balls
Please make sure items are clean and dry before sending them to school.
If you are able to send any items in, please have your student place the item(s) in the bin in the hallways outside the iLab.
Thank you!
Mrs. Speer
Friendly Reminder: Change of Dismissal Plans
- Going home with a friend or any other new person
- Not taking the bus home (if they normally do)
- Taking the bus home (if they normally don't)
- Walking home
This will help make sure that everyone that needs the correct new information will receive it in time.
Thank you!
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 September
We have a lot to celebrate and acknowledge this month. In particular, the district and all schools will be bringing attention to National Suicide Prevention and Hispanic Heritage 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.
- National Suicide Prevention Month is September, and National Suicide Prevention Week, September 10-16, is a campaign in the United States to inform and engage health professionals and the general public about suicide prevention and warning signs of suicide. World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10, provides worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides, with various activities around the world since 2003.
- Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 - October 15, pays tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.
- Deaf Awareness Month is intended to increase public awareness about the issues affecting deaf people and deaf culture as a whole.
- Labor Day, September 5, is a federal holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the work and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States.
- International Literacy Day, celebrated each year on September 8, was declared by UNESCO on 26 October 1966.
- International Day of Peace, also officially known as World Peace Day, is a United Nations-sanctioned holiday observed annually on September 21.
- International Day of Sign Languages is celebrated annually across the world on September 23 every year along with International Week of the Deaf. This is the same date that the World Federation of the Deaf was established in 1951.
- Rosh Hashanah, September 25-26, literally meaning "head [of] the year", is the Jewish New Year. The biblical name for this holiday is Yom Teruah, literally "day of shouting or blasting." Recommended accommodation: Avoid scheduling major academic deadlines, events, or activities. If planning an event, provide food accommodations (Kosher restrictions apply)
If we've missed a recognition opportunity, please email kristoft@loswego.k12.or.us.
PTO CORNER
Message from PTO!
Hey Oak Creek!
Get your FILLS, Tuesday, September 27th and 10% of the sales will be donated to the Oak Creek Elementary PTO. Order online for pick up or visit Fills, Mercado Grove.
The Willamette Valley Pie Company fundraiser is back! Order / sell delicious take and bake pies and support the PTO. Pie orders are due October 12th, pie pick up is November 1st.
The Oak Creek Elementary School Fall Carnival is on Friday, October 21st! 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. 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!
We are collecting allergy-free candy to use as prizes at the carnival. If you are able to donate, please drop a bag to the Oak Creek foyer.
Use the QR code, this link, or text “Coyotes” to 366283 to purchase a carnival wristband, order pies, or make a donation to the OCE PTO.
Join us for a PTO general meeting October 12th at 7p in the school library.
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
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