Oak Creek Coyote News
October 15, 2021
Oak Creek Families,
We are halfway through October and there are so many things happening at Oak Creek! Our new playground equipment has arrived and we expect installation to start soon. We are deeply grateful for the parent support for this project. Our students will benefit greatly, and we couldn't do it without you. Please pay close attention to the PTO Corner below for details about other events and activities at OCE!
Conferences are coming soon on October 28th and 29th! Please remember these two important notes:
- These two days are set aside for teachers to spend conferencing with families, and Zoom is an option. If you are out of town please let your child's teacher know you will need to meet online. Teachers are not expected to make up the conference at another time for families who choose not to meet on those days.
- Due to social distancing rules and other COVID-19 health and safety protocols, we are not able to accommodate siblings at conferences. If your child is going to be included in their own conference, they are welcome to attend. However, if you are unable to find child care for students not attending the conference, please select the Zoom option.
Dismissal:
Thank you to the parents who are picking up only students in kindergarten and 1st grade and who are trying to arrive between 2:25 and 2:40. Parents who are picking up students who are in 2nd-5th grade, please remember to avoid blocking access to the parking lot before 2:40. If you arrive at the school prior to that time, please circle the block to leave access to the lot open for parents with only younger students. Allowing those parents into the lot earlier will make the process move more quickly for everyone. I know this is a new routine, and your support is greatly appreciated. Also, parents in the neighborhood are requesting that families avoid parking or letting their cars idle in the apartment complex parking lots. It is creating an unsafe environment and your help is appreciated.
I have been asked to repeat the following information to help clarify where parents are expected to meet students who are being picked up at the end of the day. All of this information, as well as more details, is also available on our school website.
Dismissal Plan for Parent Pick Up:
Kindergarten and 1st Graders
All K-1st grade students will wait in lines with their teacher in the designated areas at the front entrance.
Parents who are walking to pick up students can come and get them from their lines.
Students in Car Lane will be loaded in cars at the curb.
2nd and 3rd Graders
2nd-3rd grade students in Car Lane will wait between the front entrance and the garden area and load at the curb.
2nd-3rd grade students who are picked up by parents who are walking will wait in the designated area to the right of the bike rack/playground stairs and meet their parents there. The area to the left of the main entrance is not a parent waiting area.
4th and 5th Graders
All 4th and 5th grade students will wait in the designated area just to the right of the building.
Students who are in Car Lane will load at the curb.
Parents who are walking will wait on the sidewalk (before the crosswalk) and students will meet them there.
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:
- Electronic Communication Devices - NEW!
- Dyslexia Awareness Month: Part 2 - NEW!
- Oregon Battle of the Books!
- Register for Laker Youth Basketball
- Lost and Found!
- Breakfast and Lunch Routines
- Student Illness Reminders: When to Keep Home from School
- Oak Creek FAQs
LOSD District News:
- How to Find LOSD Covid-19 Information
- Nutrition Services
- Back to School Clothes at Clothing Closet
- Hunger Fighters
- SafeOregon
- Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
Dates to Remember!
October 18: LO School Bond Town Hall: 5-6 p.m. Webinar
October 19: Pie Pick-up (undercover area, starts at 1:15PM)
October 22: Early Dismissal @ 11:00AM
Oct. 25-Nov. 7: Virtual Scholastic Book Fair! (link coming soon)
October 28/29: No School (Conferences)
October 31: Mod Pizza Dines Night for Oak Creek!
November 11: NO SCHOOL: Veteran's Day
December 1: Picture Day RETAKES
December 9: Square 1 Art Delivery to OC
Electronic Communication Devices
All electronic communication devices (cell phones, watches, etc.) should be left at home. If they need to come to school for some reason, they should be off and away during the school day. Communication between students and their families that needs to happen during the school day should happen through the office.
Part 2: 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
OBOB: Oregon battle of the books!
For questions, contact Megan Lovelace, at lovelac@k12.or.us
REGISTER FOR LAKER YOUTH BASKETBALL!
Is your son or daughter in grades 4-8 and interested in playing competitive basketball? Registration is now OPEN for the Laker Youth Travel Basketball (LOYTBA) 2021-2022 season! There will be an online informational parent meeting on Tuesday, Oct 5th at 7:30pm to learn more about the program. (A link will be provided on our website and by email.) Both the Laker Youth Basketball Board and the LOHS boys and girls varsity coaches will be in attendance to answer your questions. Go to Lakeoswegoyouthbasketball.com for additional information and to register your athlete TODAY!
PTO Corner
Dear Oak Creek Community,
The Oak Creek PTO is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) created to support Oak Creek Elementary School. Donations to the PTO are tax deductible and all the money we raise stays at our school. We provide services, scholarships, supplies, community building events, and grants to our teachers.
Willamette Valley Pies – Pick up your orders October 19th
up will be Tuesday October 19th 2:30pm- 4pm at Oak Creek in the covered area behind the school. Reach out if you would like to help organize the pies on October 19th. We only need a few volunteers. OakCreekElementaryPTO@gmail.com
Square 1 Art
Oak Creek’s students have been working on creating artwork for our Square 1 Art fundraiser. Families may search for their child’s artwork and shop for personalized products.
Fesslers Poinsettias and Teufel Holly Farms Wreaths
Look for our Wreath and Poinsettia fundraisers coming to the website next week.
PTO Meeting – General Meeting
Oak Creek families are invited to join the PTO October 19th at 6:30pm for our general PTO meeting. This meeting will be over Zoom. Please bring any questions you may have or just join us and see what is going on at our school.
Join Zoom Meeting HERE
Meeting ID: 844 7651 6638
Passcode: OakCreek21
Mod Pizza – Halloween
Thank you for an amazing first Oak Creek Dines turn out! You raised $349.16 for our school.
Our next Mod Pizza fundraiser is Halloween. Order your pizza on Sunday, October 31st using the code “GR199072Z”. 20% of your meal payment will go to the Oak Creek PTO. We need 20 families to sign up here to make it a go. Sign Up Here
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.
Membership Forms -Due October 8th
Please look for the membership forms heading home with your students. You may pay by check or online. Thank you if you have already paid your membership fees. I am so happy to see a good portion of you already have paid. Thank you!
Donations
To make a donation, please click here: OC Donation
Your employer may match your donation. Don’t forget your spouse’s company too!
AmazonSmile
You may donate to the Oak Creek PTO through AmazonSmile at no cost to you. Please include us as your charity if you purchase any items through Amazon. You may change your charity HERE to Oak Creek Elementary PTO. Make sure you purchase items through amazonsmile.com instead of amazon.com. If you are using the App on your phone you will need to change the settings each 6 months to use amazonsmile.com instead of just amazon.com. “To activate AmazonSmile in the Amazon Shopping app, simply tap on “AmazonSmile” within the Programs & Features menu or Settings and follow the on-screen instructions.” More help is HERE. The PTO receives 0.5% of any purchase.
Fred Meyer
Do you shop at Fred Meyer? You can support the PTO at no cost to you. Instructions are HERE. Please choose “Oak Creek Elementary PTA” for our organization. Yes, this was created when we were still a PTA.
Attention: Google, Intel and Nike employees (Benevity)
The PTO is signed up for Benevity.com. Your company may give to the Oak Creek PTO if you spent time instructing your children at home or provided community service this calendar year. This is a huge deal and may provide $10 an hour that you have spent teaching your child. Other companies use Benevity and we would like to help you get set up. Reach out to OakCreekElementaryPTO@gmail.com if you need more information to set this up.
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.
Volunteers
We are 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 we are planning ahead!
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.
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
Lost and Found!
Parents or students may come into the vestibule and search lost and found between 8:10 am and 3 pm on school days. We will keep these items through conferences to give families who come to the school an opportunity to look through. Thank you!
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
Dearest Oak Creek Families,
This month, we are exploring the social-emotional skill of Empathy. Empathy is an important trait for healthy relationships and being in community with others. There is always a need for Empathy in our world and it can start at home and in our schools.
The definition of Empathy that we will be using is: the ability to understand and connect to the feelings of another.
We are focusing on a few key pieces of Empathy such as knowing how we feel and having the language to describe those feelings, understanding how others are feeling and listening well to others so we can understand different perspectives and connect in more meaningful ways. We will explore ways that empathy can help us care for and stand up with, and for, others in our communities. We will celebrate what makes us different and the things that we share.
For your reference, here are links for extension activities if you would like to explore Empathy further as a family:
K-2 Empathy Family Letter 3-5 Empathy Family Letter
K-2 Empathy Family Letter in Spanish 3-5 Empathy Family Letter in Spanish
Sincerely,
Roxanne Davidson (2-5th Grade Counselor)
Jodi Pope (K and 1st Grade Counselor)
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.
Hunger Fighters
The pantry will be open all summer for contactless curbside pickup every Saturday from 1-2:30 p.m. Visit the website for more info. www.hungerfightersoregon.org
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/