Westridge Wildcat News
September 25, 2020
A Message from the Principal
Dear Wildcat Families,
Thank you for participating in our virtual Back to School Night and for the kind feedback on our videos. As shared in the K-5 presentation, creating community is one of our building goals. To that end, this weekend Westridge teachers and staff will be stopping by your home with a yard sign for your child. EVERY Wildcat will receive a yard sign over the weekend. You are under no obligation to place this sign in your yard, we wanted you to know that even in this distance you are in our hearts and we see you. If you are not home, we will leave the sign at your door.
Over the last two weeks I have had the pleasure of "popping in" to some of our virtual classrooms. I loved seeing and hearing your children learn! I know this is not the classroom experience any of us want, but I am so proud of the student's courage, perseverance, and positivity!
To help us keep classes running smoothly and your students on task, here on some ways you can support your student in being an independent learner:
- Read your teacher's weekly newsletter - it provides important weekly information and schedule
- Provide your student a private and quiet space
- Be mindful of background noises, including TV's, phone calls, pets and siblings
- Make sure your student is prepared with all materials at their work station before class
- Students should complete all classroom assignments and assessments independently; just like in school we want students to try their best first before reaching out to an adult for support
- If your student has a question about their assignments, please encourage them to raise their hand and ask questions
- If YOU have concerns about anything class-related, including your student’s assignments, please email the teacher to discuss (we don't want to take away precious learning time from our students)
Stay safe and well. And, read a book!
Principal Montgomery
Coffee with Kari and Gary
In this virtual world, saying hello to our families at pick up or drop off is something I am really missing! Those soundbytes, and opportunities to connect are missing from our school experience! Please join me for "Coffee with Kari & Gary" on Wednesday, September 30th from 8:30 - 9:00am. This is an informal time to just connect, ask questions, and learn together as we go through the school year. I will be offering these informal meetings twice per month. Join myself and Mr. Gary Keiser, our school counselor through the link below. Bring a cup of coffee, or just call in and let's connect!
ID: 89488956670
Password: 537256
(US) +1 929-205-6099
Passcode: 537256
Library Book Curbside Pickup for all Grades Starts Next Week
Starting next week, all Wildcats can reserve books with Mrs. Calbreath and can participate in our curbside pickup! Please review the information in Mrs. Calbreath's bit.ly and the attached video. Pick up will be Thursday, Oct. 1. The video includes all instructions students and families need in order to place a book request.
Science Bags and Information
For more information, support videos, materials, and handouts, please visit the following website that Mr. Zurcher put together: Science Parent Website. Note that you may substitute materials as necessary.
Thank you!
Are you Ready for i-Ready?
Over the next few weeks, elementary and middle school students will complete two on-line i-Ready assessments; one is for math and the other is for reading. i-Ready is a program that will help us determine your child’s academic strengths and areas for continued growth, personalize their learning, and monitor their progress throughout the school year. i-Ready allows us to meet your child where they are and provides us with data to inform and tailor instruction to accelerate growth. We will conduct these assessments three times per year, and results will be shared with parents.
The i-Ready Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions to suit your child’s needs. Each item a student receives is based on their answer to the previous question. For example, a series of correct answers will result in slightly harder questions, while a series of incorrect answers will yield slightly easier ones. The purpose of this is not to give your child a score or grade but to determine how to best support their learning. Please view this two-minute introductory video, Intro Video to iReady for Families
Our assessment schedule will begin on September 28th; math will be first, and then reading. Please keep your eyes on both the school and teacher newsletters for up to date information.
Register for the School Bus
Click here to register for bus transportation for 2020-21 school year.
Registration will remain open until Monday, Oct. 5, before begin determining exact bus routes. The sooner people register, the fewer route changes need to be made once bus service begins. Thank you in advance for your prompt response in this essential preparation for onsite school.
A Message From Our School Counselor
Dear Westridge Families,
This month through our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons, we will be introducing the virtue of Courage. As a school community, we will be examining how Courage looks, sounds, and feels. Students will be encouraged to be courageous while learning how to conquer things that might frighten or scare them. Children need reassurance that fear is a natural feeling and to help them understand that it is okay to feel scared and afraid. Courage isn’t fearlessness, but instead, it is our ability to choose the right thing even when we are scared.
The definition students will be learning this month for Courage is: To choose what is good, right, and kind even when it is hard or scary!
For your reference, here are links for extension activities if you would like to explore COURAGE further as a family:
K-2 Courage Parent Letter (English)
K-2 Courage Parent Letter (En Español )
3-5 Courage Parent Letter (English)
3-5 Courage Parent Letter (En Español )
Asynchronous SEL lessons will be available to students weekly by 8 a.m. each Monday morning, starting on September 21st. Students may complete these supplementary lessons at their convenience any time throughout the week. Students will find their grade level lessons in their respective Google Classroom.
My classroom codes for your convenience:
Westridge Counselor (Kindergarten-2nd grades): 76wnd6p;
Invite link: https://classroom.google.com/c/MTUzODYzNDMwODgz?cjc=76wnd6p
Westridge Counselor (3rd-5th grades): q53zivt;
Invite link: https://classroom.google.com/c/MTUzODYzNDMwOTI3?cjc=q53zivt
If you would like to request a meeting or phone call from me, please feel free to utilize this form: Request to talk with Mr. Kieser Students are encouraged to use this form as well and I will include it in my Google Classroom for your convenience. I can also be reached via email at kieserg@loswego.k12.or.us or 503-534-2371, extension 3932.
These times can be a challenge for any of us. You or your student can always use this form to reach out to me at any time:
Request to talk with Mr. Kieser
Sincerely,
Gary Kieser
School Counselor
Westridge Elementary
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month Resources For Parents, Teachers & Kids
Celebrating Latino Culture With Our Kids
We plan to bring attention each month to cultures, heritages and initiatives and continue our broader focus on inclusion through the work of the board-appointed Diversity Equity, Inclusion & Access Committee and the work of our Equity and Family Engagement TOSA, Teresa Sanchez. We encourage everyone to feel empowered to be engaged in these discussions.
Tech Support:
Tech Information Sessions
LOSD hosted two Tech Information Sessions covering the “how tos'' for getting started with distance learning. The session recordings and presentations are posted on the district site under Resources/Tech Support for Families.
Tech Support Ticket
A majority of tech concerns can be resolved by submitting a Tech Support ticket -- the link is on all school and district homepages for easy access to help with passwords, log-ins, hardware fixes, etc.
Google Classroom Guardianship
By now all parents and guardians should have received an email requesting you to accept guardianship of your student's Google Classroom. If you need assistance with this request, please submit a request through the Tech Support button. Note: accepting guardianship simply gives you the option of selecting how often you would like to receive summaries (weekly, daily, or no summary) of your student's Google Classroom activity. Only student accounts have access to Google Classroom.
Technology Protection Payment Methods:
Technology Protection Payment Methods
If you have decided to insure your device, please see the following methods of payment:
Online payment through community schools
https://www.onlineregistrationcenter.com/register/207-6753
Check: Please put your child’s name and school in the memo area of the check and mail to:
LOSD Office c/o: Kim Wagner
2455 Country Club Road, PO Box 70
Lake Oswego, OR 90734
Fee Waiver: https://www.losdschools.org/domain/1838 mail to:
LOSD Office c/o: Kim Wagner
2455 Country Club Road, PO Box 70
Lake Oswego, OR 90734
Payment is due by October 1, 2020, to insure your child’s device.
LOSD Student and Family Handbook 2020-2021
Free Meals for All Children
LOSD is providing free packaged breakfasts and lunches for all children who wish to participate in our Grab & Go meal service. New flexibility from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) enables LOSD to provide free meals to all children ages 1 to 18, even if the children are not enrolled in LOSD, now through the end of December 2020.
Children do not need to sign up for meals. However, it would be extremely helpful for our food service team to be able to plan ahead for the number of meals to serve. If children in your care are interested in participating in the Grab and Go meal service, please click here to complete a 30 second form.
The free Grab and Go meal service begins next week. Due to Labor Day holiday, next week's meal pick up will be on Tuesday, Sept. 8. After that, starting Monday, Sept. 14, breakfast and lunch meals can be picked up on Mondays and Wednesdays at the following locations:
Lake Grove Elementary, 11 a.m. - 12 pm.
River Grove Elementary, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Lake Oswego High School, 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Lakeridge High School, 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Meals should be picked up at the school site located closest to you. Children may participate in one or both days of the week; they may pick up 2 days of meals on Mondays and 3 days of meals on Wednesdays. Face coverings are required at pickups.
Westridge PTSO News
Updated School Calendar
ODE State Assessment Notice
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