Oak Creek Coyote News
December 17, 2021
Oak Creek Families,
As we finish the last day of school for this calendar year, we are very grateful to be serving students in such a supportive community, and we hope you all enjoy the extra time with your children over the break. Thank you for your ongoing support from home, and all of the expressions of gratitude and well wishes this last week!
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
In This Edition:
- Volunteers Return to OCE
- What is an SRO?
- Oregon State Assessment Opt-Out Form
- Kiwanis Virtual Santa
- Breakfast and Lunch Routines
- Student Illness Reminders: When to Keep Home from School
- Oak Creek FAQs
LOSD District News:
- Hunger Fighters
- How to Find LOSD Covid-19 Information
- Nutrition Services
- Back to School Clothes at Clothing Closet
- SafeOregon
- Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
Dates to Remember!
December 20-31: Winter Break
January 17: No School: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 28: No School: Grade Prep Day
February 21: No School: Presidents Day
March 21-25: No School: Spring Break
April 1: 11:30AM Early Dismissal
April 7-8: No School: Conferences
May 27: No School: Grade Prep Day
May 30: No School: Memorial Day
June 10: 11:30AM Early Dismissal Last Day of Classes
Tualatin Food Pantry
DONATIONS needed and accepted during regular hours as well as the hour before each day. Top needs: 25 more hams, sugar, flour, oil, canned veggies and canned fruit. Thank you!!
Car Line Request
Volunteers Returning to OCE - Starting with Kindergarten
We are excited to welcome back volunteers into our classrooms beginning in January! Volunteers and special guests are an integral part of our learning community and we look forward to reconnecting through service and support.
To make sure we are able to continue successful in-person instruction, we plan to introduce volunteers gradually to allow us to monitor possible transmission, adjust practices, and provide time to verify district volunteer requirements.
At the elementary level, we will start with kindergarten class volunteers beginning the week of January 10, and add more groups and grade levels in the coming weeks. The Art Literacy committee is organizing materials to launch in February.
At the middle and high schools, principals will work with teachers, staff and parent club leaders to begin introducing more volunteers and guests into our schools.
Volunteer Requirements
Volunteers need to verify the following requirements before volunteering in schools:
Complete Background Check through school Raptor system (this will be done onsite when you come in to volunteer)
Sign Statement of Knowledge and Understanding of LOSD Policies (only once)
Show Proof of Vaccination (only once). LOSD will not be granting exemptions for volunteers due to requirements of weekly testing and distancing.
Let’s get prepared for January: If you are planning to volunteer in our school, please email a copy (or a photo) of your proof of vaccination to Carrie Beach at beachc@loswego.k12.or.us.
What is an SRO?
The Lake Oswego Police Department (LOPD) and the Lake Oswego School District (LOSD) work together with students, parents, teachers, and administrators to facilitate safe school environments that foster and support our Lake Oswego youth. School Resource Officers (SROs) provide consistent and readily available support for various K-12 schools within the City of Lake Oswego. This ongoing trust and relationship building supports a safer and more productive learning environment for our youth. To learn more about how our SRO's support our students and schools, please check out the SRO section of Safety & Security on the district website: https://www.losdschools.org/Page/8501
Oregon State Assessment Opt-Out Form
Kiwanis Virtual Santa
PTO Corner
Message from PTO!
Dear Oak Creek Community,
Happy Holidays! We hope you have a wonderful end to 2021 and look forward to seeing you in 2022. Have a great break!
Safe Routes
Our school is getting safer!
Oak Creek Elementary PTO was recently awarded one of twenty-five $500 mini-grants from the Safe Routes To School program; a national effort to encourage students and families to “walk and roll” to school. New MUTCD compliant LED safety vests and LED stop sign paddles were purchased to assist school crossing guards by enhancing visibility.
Please notice and stop for the flashing crossing guards before and after school. We also ask that you do not park on Kingsgate road by the school in the "No Parking" locations. Those that have parked there are endangering children and families. Thank you for taking a little more time to ensure safety first!
Winter Bingo!
Stay busy this break with our Bingo card that has been sent home. You may download and print it out at home if you do not have one. Try to fill out all the squares you can. Send your bingo card to OakCreekElementaryPTO@gmail.com by Monday, January 3rd to be entered for a chance to win! Please send incomplete Bingo cards too if you did some.
Directory Spot
Are you looking for playdates this winter break? Enter your information into the directory so other families can find your information and contact you.
Here is how:
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 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
Holiday Cards – Minted
Check out Minted.com before you order your holiday cards. Use the code ”FUNDRAISEOAKCREEK” to save 20% and 15% goes to our Oak Creek PTO.
Donations
To make a donation, please click here: OC Donation
Your employer may match your donation. Don’t forget your spouse’s company too!
Yearbooks
Yearbooks are up for pre-order and are $20 until February. Pre-orders will be unavailable, and you will need to purchase them in person for $25 each after they arrive. Pre-Order Here
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. No volunteers are allowed in the school yet but as of January 2022 volunteers should be allowed into the school with proof of vaccination and ID!
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 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
Counselor Corner
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.
Jodi Pope, School Counselor 503-534-2323 popej@loswego.k12.or.us
Message from OC Counselors (Snack Donation Requested)
Dear Oak Creek Families,
December 2021
During the month of December, we look forward to investing our time, head, heart and hands on the character trait of C R E A T I V I T Y in our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons, classrooms, and school.
One of the best things about being a human being is our ability to imagine! We get this cool part of our brain that allows us to not just think about survival, but also about sparkly space pigeons or colorful caterpillars or a cardboard box that is secretly a rocket ship. It is that same imagination that makes a sandbox into the moon that is capable of imagining the world’s problems as opportunities for new, bold, innovative solutions. This month, we will be talking about and practicing solving problems, working in teams, and dreaming up new perspectives! The only way we change the negative normals in our world is to have the Courage and Creativity to think differently and exercise our imagination to help make the world better!
The definition students will be learning this month is:
Creativity: Using your imagination to create something
or solve a problem.
We believe involving families in our Social Emotional Learning is important. The letters linked below include activities, conversation starters, reading lists, and more for you to explore CREATIVITY further as a family:
K-2 Creativity Family Letter (English) 3-5 Creativity Family Letter (English)
K-2 Creatividad para Familias (En Español) 3-5 Creatividad para Familias (En Español)
Wishing you and your family a season of peace, love, and joy.
Sincerely,
Roxanne Davidson and Jodi Pope
School Counselors
davidsor@loswego.k12.or.us Grades 2-5
popej@loswego.k12.or.us GradesK/1
Breakfast and Lunch Routines
In order to keep our students safe we will be eating lunch outside as often as possible. When we do have to eat inside, due to rain or other weather related conditions, classes will spread out into the hallways to ensure 6 feet of distance is maintained between unmasked individuals.
Breakfast will not be served at school in the morning. Instead students can order a Grab-N-Go breakfast to take home at dismissal to eat the following morning before coming to school.
Please see the current lunch/breakfast menu here: LOSD Lunch/Bfast Menu
Student Illness
If your child will be absent, please email your student's teacher and copy the office. Please list the date your child will be absent and any illness symptoms. See the guide below for information on when to keep your child home from school.
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
How to Find LOSD COVID-19 Information
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 10-day isolation period. Once the isolation period is complete, the case is removed from the dashboard. The dashboard is updated with exposure notices.
Also new is the recording of last night'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.
Free Meals for All Students
This school year the Lake Oswego School District will be offering breakfast and lunch meals (one breakfast and one lunch per student per day) at no charge to all students. Breakfast meals will be served in Grab-n-go style as students arrive to school. Lunch meals will offer healthy tasty entrees, fresh fruits and vegetables with a seasonal rotation of local farm produce and organic products when available.
For information about Food Services, please click here to visit our web page.
For information about part-time job opportunities in Food Services, please click here to visit the employment web page.
Back to School Clothes at Clothing Closet
I Love Lake Oswego Clothing Closet is a donation-based closet that provides clothing items and hygiene products for residents, students, and employees that work or live within Lake Oswego.
Open Saturdays
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
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 Tanya Goodwin: goodwint@loswego.k12.or.us
Address: 55 Kingsgate Rd., Lake Oswego, OR 97035
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakCreekPTA/