Westridge Wildcat News
October 18, 2019
In This Edition
- Important Dates
- Quick Reference Links
- School News
- Office Information
- PTSO News
- District News
Important Dates:
- Kindergarten Field Trip (Lee Farms)- October 22nd
- Parent/Teacher Conferences - NO SCHOOL October 24th and 25th
Westridge Quick Reference Links:
School News:
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month
Assistive Technology … Did you know?
Technology is changing and improving the school experience for students with dyslexia. Text-to-speech and speech-to-text software, calculators, and note-taking apps are common examples of “assistive technology”. Many of us enjoy audiobooks for pleasure reading, but audiobooks also can serve as a vital piece of assistive technology for those with learning differences such as dyslexia.
With audiobooks, everyone can acquire new vocabulary, expand their knowledge and love of books, and enjoy complex or intriguing storylines. Because dyslexics have great listening comprehension, audiobooks can enable independent access to school curriculum though “ear-reading” of complex or voluminous textbooks and novels.
The Lake Oswego Public Library has many audiobook services here:
https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/library/ebooks-audiobooks-more
LOSD assistive technology and audiobook resource information can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/100SqBgY1X_EjjRli2MsSkQWoR4RuxZ8ghpdfhy0Olrk/edit?usp=sharing
Read about assistive technology for dyslexia here: https://www.understood.org/en/about/search-results?q=assistive%20technology%20for%20dyslexia
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.
Red Ribbon Week!
Red Ribbon Week is coming up! Red Ribbon Week is a nationwide annual event to celebrate and encourage healthy choices and building community. At Westridge we will hold a poster contest and spirit days. The 2019 theme is “send a message...stay healthy”.
Spirit Days:
Monday the 28th: Get “RED”y! Wear red to kick off Red Ribbon Week and celebrate health!
Tuesday the 29th: Keep Moving! Wear a sports shirt or other athletic wear to celebrate exercise.
Wednesday the 30th: School Spirit! Wear your Westridge t-shirt to celebrate community!
Poster Contest Rules:
Create a poster that will inspire others to make choices that keep our bodies and brains healthy.
Be creative and have fun!
The work must be your own creativity. Parents, teachers, and friends may help you come up with ideas, but the final decision on artwork and slogan must be your own.
One entry per person.
Please use standard size white paper (8.5 x 11) so all posters are the same size.
Posters should include a picture and a slogan.
Posters are due to your teacher by lunch on October 28.
Posters must include your name, grade and teacher on the BACK of your poster.
Halloween Information- (Time change noted below!)
Halloween is an exciting day for elementary-aged children, but it can be difficult to manage in the classroom. Please take these steps to help them, and us, be more successful.
Costumes can be brought in a bag for celebrations on Halloween. No weapons, no face make-up, and please keep costumes school-appropriate costumes. Students do not arrive in their costumes but put them on later in the day. For specific times of your classroom celebrations please consult your teacher’s newsletter.
Kindergarten and 1st grade participate in a Halloween parade, going through the building to show their costumes to the older students. This parade starts at 12:45 pm (last week's newsletter erroneously stated 1:45). We encourage parents who want to watch to gather in the lobby. Parking is tough so arrive early and please wait in the lobby.
Not all classroom parties are at the same time so please read your classroom newsletter to make sure you know when your child’s party is scheduled.
Please limit candy sent in school lunches and do not send candy with nuts. We have students with life-threatening nut allergies and appreciate you keeping those candies at home.
Halloween is an exciting and therefore exhausting time. Please make sure your children are getting their rest.
Health Curriculum Viewing
Greetings Wildcat Families,
Health Curriculum The Great Body Shop will be available during Parent Conferences on Thursday and Friday, October 24th and 25th, 2019 from 9:00am-2:00pm in the Westridge lobby area in front of the Library. You are welcome to come and view your child's grade level Health curriculum.
Here is a link to the Oregon Health Standards Oregon Health Standards that we are required to teach.
For information on program exemption, please click here and complete the required process District Opt Out Form.
Many thanks,
Lindsay Kopacek
Westridge Elementary RTI Coordination & Instructional Coach
Scholastic Book Fair
Get Yeti to Read! The Scholastic Book Fair will be held on parent/teacher conference days: October 24th& 25th from 7:15 am - 4:15 pm. We will also be open 30 minutes before & after school & during recess on October 22nd & 23rd.
This year, we have a NEW cash-free shopping option that makes it easy and fun for your kids to pick out and purchase books on their own. The money the kids don't spend will go back on your card. Visit our homepage to find out more and get registered for the eWallet:
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/westridgeelementaryschool6
We hope to see you and your family at our Book Fair! Remember, all purchases benefit our school.
Sincerely, The Book Fair Committee
STEM Supplies needed!
Students are always creating in the Innovation Lab! As a result, there is an ongoing need for supplies. If you are able to bring in any of the following, it would be very appreciated.
- Foil
- Wax Paper
- Cotton Balls
- Tape (masking, clear, duct, blue painters)
- Shoe Boxes
- Felt
- String / Yarn / Twine
- Newspapers
Thank you for your support!
Ms. Melton
STEM Facilitator
Parent Listening Sessions
The Superintendent wants to hear from you!
Dr. Lora de la Cruz will be holding parent listening sessions to get to know you and to hear your perspective on any topic you'd like to share. Four sessions will be held across the district with each night dedicated to specific schools. If you are unable to attend your school's listening session, you are welcome to attend a session that is more convenient. Listening sessions will be held as follows:
Monday, October 28th at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Lakeridge High School - Library
Target Audience: Lakeridge High School, Lakeridge Middle School, Hallinan Elementary
Tuesday, October 29th at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Lake Oswego High School - Library
Target Audience: Lake Oswego High School, Forest Hills Elementary, Lake Grove Elementary
Wednesday, October 30th at 6:00 p.m.
Location: River Grove Elementary - Library
Target Audience: River Grove Elementary, Westridge Elementary
Tuesday, November 5th at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Oak Creek Elementary @ Uplands - Gymnasium
Target Audience: Oak Creek Elementary, Lake Oswego Middle School
Socktober is here!
So why SOCKTOBER? Because every night in the United States an estimated 600,000 people live on the streets and need simple things, like socks, to help get them through the night. Plus the number one needed clothing item for those in need is new socks, but people very rarely ever donate new socks to the homeless!
SOCKTOBER is a national sole warming movement that gives everyone an easy and fun way to help those in need within our very own area! Consider donating new socks at Westridge anytime through the month of October...oops! Socktober!
Our Wildcat Leadership Team set a goal to collect 1,000 pairs of socks this year, please help us reach our goal by dropping new socks off in the entryway of the school. This is a great way to show how much our Westridge community cares about others!
Getting to know your Westridge Staff: The Second Grade Team!
Each week we will interview a team on our staff. This week, we met up with our fabulous Second Grade Teachers.
Jolin Milberg:
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I was born in Los Angeles, but I grew up in Santa Rose and Cupertino (during the rise of Apple Computer!), California.
Q: Where did you go to college?
A: I went to Chapman College which became a university my senior year. I was in the first graduating class of Chapman University. I got my MAT from USC.
Q: Did you go on any trips this summer? If so- where?
A: I went with my parents and son to Chicago and several places in Indiana to explore family roots. I also went to Maui in August. This is a (nearly) annual tradition.
List 3 fun facts about yourself:
1. One of my favorite pastimes is coloring with sparkly gel pens and brightly colored markers.
2. Prior to pursuing teaching I was an actor/singer/director. I once toured through 23 states in 4 1/2 months as the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland!
3. For most of the years I have taught I have had a piano in my classroom so I could play and sing with my students.
Tess Hanberg:
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in Durham, Oregon and went to Durham Elementary School.
Q: Where did you go to college?
A: I studied at the University of Oregon and the University of Tubingen in Germany
Q: Did you go on any trips this summer? If so- where?
A: Yes, we took two trips this year....both to Canada! First, we traveled to Victoria, BC with our daughters and their families. Our second trip took my husband and I to the Midwest, including a visit to Niagara Falls in Canada!
List 3 fun facts about yourself:
1. I love being a wife, mom, and teacher, but being a grandma is indescribable!!!!
2. I enjoy garage sale-ing...almost every weekend.
3. I was the shyest student in my class until I joined the Speech Club in high school...I took a risk and it changed my life!
Nicole Howard:
Q: Where did you grow up?
A:Portland, OR
Q: Where did you go to college?
A:Undergraduate and Masters degrees at Concordia University
Q: Did you go on any trips this summer? If so- where?
A:My family went to Alabama with my son's baseball team where he played in the Baseball World Series!
List 3 fun facts about yourself:
1.I am married to my high school sweetheart!
2.I have 2 amazing kids who keep me very busy!
3.My favorite season is fall!
Office Information:
New cut off time for change of "go home" plan or bus passes:
If you need to change your child(ren)'s go-home plans or have a bus pass issued by the office, please let the office and teacher know via email by Noon. You can also call in to the office by Noon. If you have last-minute emergency changes, please call into the office instead of emailing. Thank you
Reporting Absences
PTSO News!
Wildcat Fundraiser! WOW!!
GIANT THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY -- $99,000 RAISED AND COUNTING!
The Wildcat Fundraiser was a roaring success this year, with over $99,000 raised and counting! The donation link (tinyurl.com/wildcatfund) remains open throughout the year, so please feel free to donate at any time! Remember, all donations are eligible for corporate matching.
Our first graders won our participation award with over 75% of the class participating! First graders will receive an extra recess in coming weeks as a prize!
Overall participation was phenomenal, with over 2/3 of the school participating -- thank you all for joining together to ensure every child in this school is supported.
Melinda and Jesse Maas won our VIP parking spot for next year with the biggest donation! Congratulations and thank you for your enormous generosity.
Dawn French and Kathy Packard won our final drawing for $50 dollar Salt & Straw gift cards.
If you would like to help us fundraise next year, email us at westridgewildcatfund@gmail.com!
Thank you again to all of you who donated. Our school would not be the same without you!
PTSO Fundraising Committee
District News:
BOX TOP$ FOR EDUCATION INFORMATION
Parents, the Box Top$ for Education program is now easier than ever; no more box top clipping necessary! If you haven't already, please download the all new Box Tops app to your phone. The app will automatically credit Westridge's earnings via a simple scan of your store receipt! IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY STORING BOX TOPS AT HOME, please drop them off at the Westridge office in the Box Top$ for Education shoe box by October 25th so we can receive credit!
Safe Oregon
The Oregon State Police is pleased to announce the availability of SafeOregon, a new school safety tip line program available to all public k-12 schools in Oregon. SafeOregon is a way for students, staff, or other members of the public to anonymously report and share confidential information of a threat or a potential threat to student safety. Trained staff are available 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year reached through a phone call, text message, mobile application or website. The main goal of SafeOregon is to intervene at the earliest possible point in the life of a young person who is struggling, helping them when they need it, before the situation turns into a tragedy.
SafeOregon is designed to encourage Oregon students to share and respond to anything that threatens their safety or the safety of others, anything that makes a student feel unsafe, or if a student knows someone who feels unsafe. Here are a few examples: safety threats, violence, threats of violence, fights, drugs, alcohol, weapons, bullying or friends that talk about hurting themselves, harassment, intimidation, cyber bullying, or self-harm.
Tips can be submitted 24/7/365 through the SafeOregon.com web portal, by email to tip@safeoregon.com through the SafeOregon mobile application (available for android or ios device), or by calling or texting 844-472-3364. Tips are promptly analyzed and routed for the most appropriate follow up and urgency. This may be to school officials, law enforcement, community mental health programs, or other appropriate local or state agencies. Tip Line staff make sure follow-up is noted.
For more information, please visit safeoregon.com.
Additionally, it is a violation of ORS165.570 to improperly use the SafeOregon system.
Westridge Elementary
Email: kari.montgomery@loswego.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.losdschools.org/wr
Location: 3400 Royce Way, Lake Oswego, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 534-2371