Hallinan Elementary
Hawk Squawk 10/7/21
Principal's Message
Our goal at Hallinan, and throughout Lake Oswego School District, is to cultivate a diverse learning community. We want our students to feel supported, connected and valued. One of the ways we do this is by creating a sense of belonging. We work as a team to know your child's strengths, interests and needs so we can support them in their learning journey.
We take great pride in learning your child's unique story and helping them discover their next chapter as they progress along their distinctive learning path. As you may recall from Back to School Night, our theme this year is Hallinan Story. And, just like Woody said in Toy Story, "Being there for a child is the most noble thing a toy can do", we feel the same way as educators. It is such a joy being here for your child each and every day.
Your child belongs at Hallinan, and your family belongs at Hallinan. Although we aren't able to welcome your family to events at Hallinan just yet, we are so grateful you are on this magical journey with us. On Wednesday, we had a Jog-a-Thon pep rally to get everyone excited about the Jog-a-Thon which will take place next Wednesday, October 13. Band members, cheer leaders and Hallinan alumni from Lakeridge High School visited us along with Miss Oregon, Kendra Berning. It was a fun and energetic event - please ask your child about it.
Today, your child will come home with a photo packet (Picture Day is Friday, October 15) and a Hallinan t-shirt. We hope they will wear the shirt often, especially on Hallinan Spirit Wear Day, Monday October 18, and on Fridays! See the chart below the "Save the Dates" section for information about our October Spirit Week. Hallinan is a loving, nurturing, inclusive, welcoming school and we are happy to have your child and you with us as we write another chapter in all of our stories.
Enjoy the long weekend!
Melissa Griffiths
Photos From the Jog-a-Thon Assembly
Hudson, Sarasija & Jaylynn joined me in the Garden to model our new Hallinan T-shirts!
Save These Dates
10/8 - No School - Professional Day
10/13 - Jog-a-Thon
10/14 - Early Release Thursday - 2 pm
10/15 - Picture Day - Forms in Friday 10/7 folders - more info directly below
10/18-10/22 - Hallinan Spirit Week!
10/20 - PTO Meeting at 6 pm - Location TBD
10/21 - Early Release Thursday - 2 pm
10/22 - Early Release 11 am
10/28 - No School - Conferences
10/29 - No School - Conferences
Hallinan Spirit Week!
Counseling Corner with Ms E
Important PTO Information
What an exciting week! Thank you to everyone who participated in the Walk & Bike to School Day on Wednesday. It was great seeing so many kids walking and rolling into school that morning. A big thank you to Shannon Guirl for organizing the event!
Jog-a-Thon is next Wednesday!!
The t-shirts are in and the kids are pumped! We want to extend a huge thank you to Miss Oregon and the Hallinan alums from Lakeridge High School who came over to throw an amazing pep rally for the kids earlier this week. If you haven't sent out any pledge requests yet, there's still time. Log in to Pledgestar to get started. We are working our hardest to get set up to live stream the Jog-a-Thon so parents can watch at home. Stay tuned for more information on how and when to tune in.
Of course, this event wouldn't be possible without our sponsors! A big shout-out to our "Handy Hawks" level sponsors: Hood 2 Coast, NeuroScience, Inc., Tonies, and RUI-Refrigeration. Thank you for your continued support of our school!
Directory Updates Needed
If you haven't done so already, please login to Membership Toolkit to update your family's contact information and pay your student fees. This must be done every year. The room parents rely on the directory information to build their contact lists - if you haven't updated your information for the year, you risk missing out on important classroom updates.
We STILL Need a Volunteer Coordinator!
We are still very much in need of someone to fill the Volunteer Coordinator position. No specific experience is required, just a willingness to help recruit and answer questions for our amazing volunteers! If you're interested, please reach out to Erin directly (hallinanpresident@gmail.com).
Oregon Battle of the Books:
We are excited to be hosting a Hallinan Oregon Battle of the Books tournament this school year! Hallinan students in third, fourth and fifth grade are eligible to participate in the event. Teams may consist of up to four students with an optional fifth alternate teammate. The teams will be tested on their knowledge of 16 books with the winning team having the opportunity to represent our school at the Regional OBOB Competition. At this time, we anticipate the practice competitions and Hallinan tournament to be held in February of 2022. If you have additional questions, please follow this link to the OBOB website https://www.oregonbattleofthebooks.org or email your committee chairs at lindseymhargrove@gmail.com Kindly, Gillian and Lindsey
***PTO Parent Action Items:
* Please update your family directory information to indicate your student(s) teacher(s) and pay your student fees: https://hallinanpto.membershiptoolkit.com/home
* Send out final Jog-a-Thon pledge requests: go to https://www.pledgestar.com/hallinan/ to get started!
* Mark your calendars for the next PTO Meeting: Wed., Oct. 20th at 6pm in the school library.
* Follow us on Instagram (@hallinanpresident) and Facebook (@HallinanHawks) to stay up-to-date with the PTO's activities and to get important reminders about upcoming events.
Upcoming Lake Oswego School Bond Measure on the November 2021 Ballot
LOSD is on track to complete all capital projects promised in our 2017 bond measure -- on time and on budget. We are now turning our attention to the second phase of the three-part construction and capital improvement program.
The proposed Lake Oswego School Bond, if passed, would modernize classrooms, protect our capital investments, prioritize safety and security, and improve accessibility at all of our schools. It would also rebuild Lake Oswego Junior High and River Grove Elementary to relieve capacity and support best practices in education. If approved, property owners would pay an additional $0.92/$1,000 of assessed value annually. For the median home assessed value of $420,000 that is approximately $385 per year.
What would the bond do here at Hallinan, if the measure passes?
Address priority capital repairs
Replace carpet in classrooms
Upgrade mechanical systems for efficiency and comfort
Improve accessibility
Make accessibility improvements to walkways, parking lots, and entrances to ensure all students, staff, and community members have access to public building
Update playground to be more accessible
Safe, secure campuses
Update fire alarm system
Building door hardware enhancements
Install additional cameras for sight improvement and video monitoring
Update campus communication broadcast systems
Modernize classrooms
Continue technology infrastructure updates
Replace outdated computers
You can find more information, including a complete project list and Frequently Asked Questions, online at www.LakeOswegoSchoolBond.org. The Lake Oswego School Bond proposal can be found on your ballot as Measure 3-577. LOSD is hosting a Virtual Town Hall on the Bond Measure, Monday, Oct. 18, 5-6 p.m. All are invited to attend. https://loswego-k12-or-us.zoom.us/j/81717275309 You are encouraged to vote in this current election and in all elections.
CogAT Screening Coming
LOSD Brings Attention to Dyslexia Awareness Month
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a learning disability in reading. People with dyslexia have trouble reading at a good pace and without mistakes. They may also have a hard time with reading comprehension, spelling, and writing. But these challenges aren’t a problem with intelligence.
Children and adults with dyslexia struggle to read fluently, spell words correctly, and memorize rote facts such as multiplication tables, among other challenges. But these difficulties have no connection to their overall intelligence. While people with dyslexia can be slow readers, they often, paradoxically, are very fast and creative thinkers with strong reasoning abilities.
Dyslexia can’t be “cured” – it is lifelong. But with appropriate instruction, an individual with dyslexia can learn to read, write, and spell and can become a highly successful individual. Reading instruction that is based upon a systematic and explicit understanding of language structure, including phonics is shown to benefit all readers, including those with dyslexia.
Get the facts on Dyslexia from the International Dyslexia Association (IDA): Fact Sheets
Video: What is Dyslexia? https://youtu.be/zafiGBrFkRM
Ways to help your child at home: https://www.understood.org/en/learning-thinking-differences/child-learning-disabilities/dyslexia/dyslexia-strategies-you-can-try-at-home?_ul=1*jhht1b*domain_userid*YW1wLTY5YzJjRVMxUnU3YU03WDduMFdORVE
Each week in October, we will feature a message about dyslexia in this newsletter. If you have questions or concerns regarding your child’s learning, please contact the school principal and/or literacy specialist. Another great parent resource would be to contact your school’s Student Services Parent Advisory Committee (SSPAC) representative. Please see here to learn how to contact your school representative.
Chromebook or iPad problems?
Technology Consent/Device Damage and Loss Protection Plan
Hello LOSD Families,
Each student must have a Technology Consent form on file each year.
The District is once again offering a Device Damage and Loss Protection Plan to ease the financial obligation if your student's District Device is damaged or lost.
When you fill out the Tech Consent form, you will "accept" or "decline" participation in the Protection Plan. The cost is $20 per student, with a family maximum of $60. Participation in the program is completely optional. Fee waivers are available for those with financial need.
Click HERE to directly access the 2021-2022 Technology Consent form.
Please fill out one form per student. Payment instructions will be communicated to participating families. For a complete description of the Device Damage and Loss Protection Program, please visit the District's website at https://www.losdschools.org/Page/7761
Fee waiver forms can be accessed here: https://www.losdschools.org/domain/1838 Please mail the completed form to:
Lake Oswego School District Office
c/o James Miller
PO Box 70
Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Thank you,
Computer Network Services
Contact Information
Office Phone: 503-534-2353
Principal Melissa Griffiths - griffitm@loswego.k12.or.us
Secretary Lee Gates - gatesl@loswego.k12.or.us
Secretary Linda Stevens - stevensl@loswego.k12.or.us
If your child will be absent, please email your student's teacher and copy the office at halattendance@loswego.k12.or.us. Please list the date your child will be absent and any illness symptoms. See this newly updated guide for information on when to keep your child home from school.