Oak Creek Elementary
Coyote News - October 7, 2022
Principal's Message
Oak Creek Families,
The beautiful fall weather has continued most of this week, so hopefully you will all have a chance to enjoy it this weekend. We all know this will change as we move further into October, so please consider sending extra clothes in your child's backpack so they have something to change into in the event of wet or muddy recess. We will do our best to keep them clean and dry, but accidents do happen, and their day may go better if they have an option to change.
Please make sure to read below for important information, including news about conferences, school picture day, 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:
- STOP! WALK! TALK!
- Unity Day
- Book Fair Website
Repeated Information:
- Electronic Communication Devices
- Lost and Found
- Purposeful People
- Black Student Mentorship Program
- Dance Wizards Info
- Used Tech Drive
- Student Emergency Kits
- Friendly Reminder: Change of Dismissal Plans
- 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 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 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
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.
Book Fair Website
Electronic Communication Devices
Purposeful People
Dear Oak Creek 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.
Sincerely,
Roxanne Davidson
Oak Creek School Counselor
Lost and Found
We ask you to please come check if your child has any clothes hung up.
Please label their clothes in the future so that we can easily find the owner.
Thank you!
Black Student Mentorship Program
Laker Dance Game Day Workshop
Used Tech Drive
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.
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.
PTO CORNER
Message from PTO!
Hey Oak Creek!
It is the last five days to order pies! Order / sell delicious take and bake pies and support the PTO. Pie orders are due October 12th, pie pick up is November 1st. Order pies today!
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 an unopened 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.
Thank you for joining us at our restaurant fundraisers. In September, we raised $236 at Fills! Plan on a burrito at Chipotle on October 15th.
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
Walk, Bike, Roll
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