Westridge Wildcat Newsletter
Friday, February 24, 2023
Message from the Principal
Hello Westridge Community,
I hope you got home safely on Wednesday and are enjoying the snow and sunshine! It was an unexpected event and unfortunately has sent our STEM Night plans awry! We weren't able to have STEM Night this week and will update you soon with a new plan.
Last Friday and this Wednesday, our 1st Graders and Kindergarteners celebrated the 100th day of school! There were activities, costumes and lots of counting! Mrs. Fagan shared a cute story that her class thought that they were done with kindergarten after 100 days and were disappointed to learn they would not be starting 1st grade this week. 🙂 See below for some photos from the events!
Stay safe and stay warm!
Laura Weaver
In This Newsletter:
Save the Dates!
Champions Registration for next year
Continuing Reminders:
Help wanted!
Westridge Newspaper Issue 4
Advisory Committees
Substance Use and Prevention Workshop
YouthTruth SurveyPants needed!
Yearbook Contribution Deadline
Chipotle Fundraiser
Lost and Found
Registration is OPEN
Newspaper Contributions wanted
Pacer Dance Clinic
February Dates and Holidays
Foundation Gala
OSAS Opt Out Form
Safe Oregon
Volunteer Application
Reporting Tardies and Absences
PTSO Contact Information
Save the Dates!
SCHOOL CALENDAR:
2/28: Restaurant Night: Chipotle 4-8pm Details below!
3/16: 1st Grade Music Concert in the gym 5:30
4/20: 3rd Grade Music Concert in the gym 5:30
5/18: 5th Grade Musical 6:30
5/19: 5th grade musical assembly - Time TBD
PTSO Event's Page Calendar can be found here for more info on Parents Nights out and Meet Ups!
Registration for 23-24 school year - CHAMPIONS
Information for registration:
-Begins on March 14th at 9 AM.
-Families will need to go to: https://connect.klcschoolpartnerships.com/ to sign up for an account, pay the registration fee and choose a schedule for attendance
-Families will automatically be placed on the waitlist when they sign up and as staffing and space is confirmed we will release families each Friday throughout the summer
-As we release the wait list weekly, we will be prioritizing incoming Kindergartners that are siblings of current Champions families
-For any questions, reach out to Family Support: 1.800.246.2154
A few friendly reminders
It's that time of year where it's helpful to remind our families of several policies in place to keep our students safe and behaviors in line with school expectations.
- Please do not drop students in the back staff parking lot.
- Please do not drop students off at school prior to 8:00am. We do not have supervision prior to 8:00am.
- Please do not allow students to play on the playground/field after school without adult supervision.
- Toys, pokemon or sports trading cards do not come to school unless it is a special day in class and teachers have given permission. They are not allowed at recess, or before school.
- Students may not use their phones or watches to text or call home during the school day. Students may use the office phone to call home, if needed.
- There are several RESERVED parking spots in our parking lot. Please do not park in these - even if "just for a minute."
Seeking Volunteers for Our Advisory Committees
We need you! Please consider applying for our school or district advisory committee for terms starting next school year. There is one application for all committees -- please mark the committee that is of interest to you. Only committees with vacancies -- School Advisory Committees and Long Range Facility Planning -- are listed in the application for this period. See the charters posted on the School Board Advisory Committees web page for more information about each committee.
Applications are due Monday, March 13 at 5 p.m. Recommendations and selections will be made in April. All applicants will be notified by May 1. Thank you!
Pants Needed!
Due to the weather, the field gets a little muddy this time of year! We are looking for gently used elastic waistband pants in all sizes. (SM-XL) so that kids can change if they slip or have an accident while at school. Donations can be dropped off at the front office.
Thank you so much!
LOST AND FOUND:
Please check the Lost and Found that is inside the school near the gym. Thank you!
Registration for the 2023-2024 school year is OPEN!
Online registration and more information can be found here
Note: If your child is currently enrolled in a LOSD school, you do not need to re-enroll for next year. Your child will automatically move up to the next grade in our computer system. The only exception to this is if your child is enrolled in the Pre-K program - then you DO need to enroll your child in Kindergarten. Please give us a call if you have any questions!
District Information
YouthTruth Survey 2023
It’s that time of year…Lake Oswego schools administer the YouthTruth every spring to help improve students’ experiences in our learning community. Responses from students, staff, and parents/guardians are incredibly valuable. Principals will be sending the survey link at the end of February, and we ask that you please take 15 minutes to complete it before March 24.
Importance of YouthTruth
YouthTruth (YT) is a national nonprofit that harnesses perceptions to help educators accelerate improvements. Student perceptions are empirically linked to academic outcomes, and student perceptions are leading indicators.
YT survey questions are grounded in research about what matters for student outcomes. The findings are used to inform our long-term strategic plan progress, curriculum and instruction, and professional development to improve practices.
The survey design has been rigorously tested for validity and reliability. Through developmentally appropriate questions, students in all grade levels provide feedback on engagement, academic challenges, relationships, belonging, culture, emotional and mental health, diversity, and inclusion. Elementary students will also provide feedback on instructional methods and middle and high school students will provide feedback on obstacles to learning and career and college readiness. Staff and parents/guardians will be asked to provide feedback on similar topics. All responses are anonymous.
Timing of YouthTruth
Lake Oswego YT surveys will open on February 27 and close at midnight on March 24. Students will complete their survey in school, and staff and parents/guardians will be emailed the survey to complete in their own time. Principals will provide school-specific survey links and parents/guardians are asked to take a survey for each school their student(s) attends.
Please contact your school principal with any questions about the survey. Thank you in advance for taking the time to provide your feedback.
Dates and Holidays in February
Black History Month, is an annual observance paying tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society.
American Heart Month is a time to focus on cardiovascular health.
National School Counseling Week, February 6-10, celebrates the unique contribution of school counselors in our school systems.
National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day, February 15, recognizes the partnership with our SROs and the relationships they build with the students and staff in helping keep schools and communities safe.
Presidents' Day National Holiday
Oregon State Assessment Opt-Out Form
Each school year, Oregon students take assessments to meet federal requirements. The purpose of these assessments is to provide data that schools can use to ensure that every child is on track and achieving learning goals.
State law requires us to inform you that a form is available from the State Department of Education that allows you to opt your child out of the math and English Language Arts assessments for the current school year. Should you wish to opt out your child, fill out the form and submit it to the main office at your child’s school. Please note the submission deadlines listed on the form. Meeting the deadline will help the school with planning and preparation. If you wish your child not to participate in the science assessment for grades 5, 8, and 11, submit this request in writing to the principal of your child's school.
If you have questions or want more information about state assessments, please contact your child’s principal or teacher(s).
Click here for opt-out form for Math and English Language Arts.
Safe Oregon
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.)
Stay connected with the LOSD AP:
Westridge Information
Annual Application for School Volunteers
For the safety of children, volunteers are required to have an approved background check when volunteering in schools. Please click here: Volunteer Application for LOSD to start the online application and background check process.
Reporting tardies, absences and illnesses:
Office phone number and voicemail: 503-534-2371
Attendance Secretary: Andrea Murphy (murphya@loswego.k12.or.us)
Principal's Secretary: Jodi Steward (stewardj@loswego.k12.or.us)
Contact information for the Westridge PTSO
Find us on Facebook!
Follow us on Instagram @westridge.ptso
Email: westridgeptso@gmail.com
Yearbook Photos: yearbookwestridge@gmail.com
Westridge Elementary School
Email: weaverl@loswego.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.losdschools.org/wr
Location: 3400 Royce Way, Lake Oswego, OR, USA
Phone: 503-534-2371