Westridge Wildcat News
November 25, 2019
In This Edition
- Important Dates
- Quick Reference Links
- Message from the Principal
- School News
- Office Information
- PTSO News
- District News
Important Dates:
- No School: November 25-29th
- No School: Winter Break December 23rd-January 3rd
- No School: January 20th (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
- No School: January 24th: (Grade Prep day)
Westridge Quick Reference Links:
Message From the Principal:
Dear Wildcat Families
The first part of the 2019-20 school year has gone by quickly. This season of the year provides time for quiet reflection on what we are thankful for, and I would like to take this moment to share my thoughts with you.
I am grateful for the beautiful new building that our Wildcats enjoy each day! I am even more grateful for the patience and grace our Wildcat staff and community have shown during the process of renovation, moving, and re-opening. Seeing our students enjoying our new reading cubbies, people collaborating in the small workrooms, and the learning that is happening in our classrooms and innovation lab make everything worthwhile.
I am deeply grateful for the generous support our community gives to Westridge through our PTSO FUNdraiser and with your time and energy. Our new furnishings in the library, office, staffroom, and innovation lab are enjoyed by our community daily thanks to our PTSO. Students enjoy field trips, guest speakers, and learning opportunities thanks to the time and financial support our community provides. Our Westridge community continues to strive for excellence in each and every classroom, to grow stronger by our diversity, and to cultivate an open and positive school climate. Your efforts make all the difference for our students and staff.
We have all heard the saying that it takes a village. I am grateful that we get to be a part of your village. Each day our Wildcats are growing and striving to learn. Watching students form new friendships, take pride in their learning, and that “lightbulb moment” when something inspires or excites them is contagious. Thank you for trusting us with those who mean the most to you.
On behalf of the Westridge staff, I would like to thank you for your continued support and wish you all a safe and happy holiday. During this time of Thanksgiving, I hope you are able to enjoy making memories with those you love. We look forward to seeing you on December 2nd.
Best Wishes,
Principal Montgomery
STAFF FAREWELL AND WELCOME
A big Wildcat welcome to Kristen Hoevet. Kristen has had years of experience in education and joins us as an educational assistant here at Westridge. We are excited to have her be a part of our Wildcat family.
We would like to take a moment to thank our Dean of Students, Ryann Furrer for her passion, energy, and commitment to the students and staff at Westridge. Ms. Furrer joined our staff as a half time RTI Coordinator in 2017/18 and served in that same role on a full time basis in 2018-19. She was hired in the role of half time Dean of Students and half time District mentor this year where she has served our students and teachers in multiple areas. Ms. Furrer’s role as District mentor has developed into a fulltime need and as such she will be leaving the Dean of Students role at Westridge. We will miss her and wish her the very best as she embraces this new position.
HOLIDAY GIVING FOR THOSE IN NEED
The holidays are a time for giving. Westridge Wildcats will be accepting donations for organizations such as The Oregon Food Bank and Toys for Tots. One of our own Wildcat parents, Shannon Whitaker, is spearheading this effort in partnership with our Westridge Wildcat Leadership Team. If you would like to participate, please bring non-perishable goods and unwrapped, new toys to Westridge from December 2nd through December 13th.
Let’s line the hallways with cans of food (non-perishable) and collect as many toys in our office bins as possible for those less fortunate!
Toy donation ideas might include:
Ages 11-12
•Sports/Workout Equipment
•Gift Cards
•Headphones
•Purses/Make-up
•Drone
•Art Supplies
•Clothes
•Outdoor Games (spike Ball, yard jenga, etc.
Ages 9-10
•Nerf Guns
•Air Hogs
•Kids Tool Set
•Scooter
•Door Pong
•Remote control anything
•Pogo stick
Ages 6-8
•Treasure X Aliens
•Lol Dolls
•Legos
•Youth Sports Sets
•Pomsies Lumies
•Slime or science kit
•Wireless Karaoke
•Art Kit
•Terrarium Kit
If you would like more information about how your family can support this effort, please connect with Shannon at shanwhitaker@gmail.com
School News:
Getting to know your Westridge Staff:
Each week we will interview a team on our staff. This week, we met up with our Counselor, Gary Kieser, our RTI Coordinator, Lindsey Kopacek and our Literacy Coach/Reading Specialist, Kelly Troike!
Gary Kieser:
Q: Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Lake Oswego, and went to Uplands Elementary.
Q: Where did you go to college?
Q: Did you go on any trips this summer? If so- where?
I camped at Glacier National Park and in the Canadian Rockies near Banff. I also took my two sons to Boy Scout camp. I also had several shorter camping trips.
List 3 fun facts about yourself:
2.I have attended at least one Seattle Seahawks game every year since I was 7 years old.
3.I love to camp. I slept outdoors 23 nights last summer.
Lindsay Kopacek:
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Beaverton, Oregon
Q: Where did you go to college?
A: Carroll College (Helena, MT) & University of Portland (Portland, OR)
Q: Did you go on any trips this summer? If so- where?
A: Last Spring Break- Loreto, MX
List 3 fun facts about yourself:
1. I LOVE coffee, like truly obsessed- the smell alone makes me happy!
2. I have a twin sister.
3. I once rode in RAGBRAI (Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa)- It starts at a Western most town and goes all the way to the Mississippi River/Eastern town each year. Lots of corn fields, soybean fields, cows, and farms, and yes they DO have cougars too (short story on that).
Kelly Troike:
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in San Francisco...not the Bay Area, the City itself!
Q: Where did you go to college
A. Cal State University Sacramento for undergrad and grad school at San Francisco State University...Go Gators!
Q: Did you go on any trips this summer? If so- where?
A.Every year I spend a week on the Russian River in Sonoma County at our family's cabin. Best summer memories there!
List 3 fun facts about yourself:
1. I am pretty predictable (aka: boring ;)! I actually love to clean my house!
2. I have 4 older brothers
3. I am currently addicted to watching Hallmark Christmas movies
Office Information:
The office needs extra pants!
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
STEM Lab Supplies:
- Cardboard (broken down boxes)
- Toilet paper and paper towel rolls
- Egg cartons
Reporting Absences
PTSO News!
Wreath Sales!
Hello 5th grade families! Our kids did a GREAT job selling wreaths!!! We’re going to need a LOT of help getting the truck unloaded on Dec 2nd, and sorting orders for families who will pick up their orders also on 12/2!
We don’t get any indoor space for this, so dress accordingly. Work gloves recommended!
Amazon Smile
With the holidays right around the corner we know many of you will be buying gifts for all of the people on your list. Shop at smile.amazon.com and select Westridge Elementary School PTSO as your charitable beneficiary and we will receive a portion of your purchase. You can shop and support the Westridge PTSO at the same time! Thanks for your support!
Sign Up Parties!
7 SPOTS AVAILABLE: 2nd Grade Winter Festival Movie Night - Tuesday, December 3rd, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Register at https://tinyurl.com/2ndgradeparty2019
NOW FULL: K-2 Grinch Night / Parents Night Out - Thursday, December 12th, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Hosted by Principal Montgomery and Dean of Students Furrer
To be waitlisted, sign up at https://tinyurl.com/grinchparty2019
NOW FULL: Kindergarten Winter Party - Thursday, December 5th, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
To be waitlisted, sign up at https://tinyurl.com/kinderparty2019
NOW FULL: 3rd Grade Winter Party - Thursday, December 5th, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
To be waitlisted, sign up at https://tinyurl.com/3rdgradeparty2019
District News:
Making Sure You Receive Important District News
The Lake Oswego School District newsletter The Current is emailed to all families every Friday afternoon. It contains important district-wide news and information. As of this November, it is now coming to you from LOSD's new director of communications, Mary Kay Larson, mary.kay.larson@loswego.k12.or.us.
Because Mary Kay is a new sender, the newsletter message is going straight to many people's Spam folders. To recover the message and start receiving it directly in your in-box, please follow these steps:
- Go to your Spam folder.
- Find the message to move out of Spam.
- Click on “not spam” and the message will move to your in-box
Please note, in Spam, the newsletter formatting is compressed as a way of protecting your system from potentially unsafe content. Moving the message out of Spam will open up the newsletter in full view.
After moving the message out of your Spam folder once (maybe twice), your system should start accepting the newsletter directly into your in-box.
Thank you!
Lake Oswego School District App:
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