LEWIS ELEMENTARY NEWS

EVERY SCHOOL DAY COUNTS. “Did you know?" March has just 13½ school days. With our Early Release on March 11th and spring break the week of March 23rd, students have fewer opportunities to build their academic and social-emotional skills so it’s essential they come to school each day they are healthy. Our 2025-26 attendance goal is for 83% of our students to have attendance rates over 90%. As of February, 80% of our students reached this goal. Let’s see if we can get that up to 83% in March! If 8 students improve their attendance this month, we will reach our goal. Go Lewis!

Thursday, March 5 - Bottle Drop! Drop off blue bags outside main doors 7:45-8:15am

Tuesday, March 10th - Spring Picture Day

Wednesday, March 11th - Early Release, students dismissed at 11:50am / LDO at Henry Higgins 7am-3pm

Thursday, March 12th - Sellwood Open house for incoming 6th graders 6-7pm

Friday, March 13th - Bingo Night 6-7:30pm (see details below)

Saturday, March 14th - Garden Party Power Hour 9-10am

Monday, March 16th - Hearing Screenings/Sellwood MS Counselor Mr. KB will be forecasting at Lewis

Wednesday, March 18th - 3rd grade field trip

Friday, March 20th - Free popcorn Friday after school on the blacktop

Saturday, March 21st - Garden Party Power Hour 9-10am

March 23rd - March 27th - No School for Spring Break

Wednesday, March 25th - Lewis Dines Out at Double Mountain all day!

Saturday, March 28th - Garden Party Power Hour 9-10am

Tuesday, March 31st - The Lionhearts author Mike Lawrence visit for 3rd-5th graders (see details below)

Birdie’s Place, a memorial playground project honoring a child’s legacy of joy and play. If you’re passionate about making a difference and bringing Birdie’s Place to life, we’d love to have you on our team! To learn more, please email us at birdiesplacefundraising@gmail.com and please follow us on Facebook and Instagram

Todays memory:

• I remember she was kind and sweet and always on the playground smiling-Scarlett

Birdie's Place

"A hummingbird is sacred in many cultures, always symbolizing good luck, joy, and beauty."

Mike Lawrence, graphic novelist and artist, will be visiting Lewis on March 31st to present to our 3rd through 5th grade classes. His newest book, available beginning on March 3rd, has received multiple starred reviews. Please help us in welcoming Mike as he discusses his new graphic novel, The Lionhearts, perfect for fans of adventure, mystery, and Dungeons & Dragons.

Please consider supporting this visit by purchasing your own signed copy of Mike's book, The Lionhearts ($17.99). Visit https://bit.ly/4jUwd9A to purchase by March 17th.

What a wonderful winter we're having at Lewis! In the new year, we are continuing our school-wide social-emotional learning. We have been learning about the “problem solving wheel” and how to navigate tricky social situations like rumors and gossip. Students have also been learning the difference between a “bystander” and an “upstander”:

“A bystander is someone who witnesses bullying, harassment, or a hurtful situation but does not intervene, often reinforcing the behavior through inaction. Conversely, an upstander recognizes the harmful words or actions and actively intervenes &/or reports the incident”. Bullying Upstanders - Be a Bystander No More!

In grades 2-5, Ms. Jessy has been sharing the book “Trouble Talk” by Trudy Ludwig. In this story, the author defines “trouble talk” as “any kind of talk that ....that leads to nothing but trouble. Gossiping; spreading rumors; and sharing information that is not yours to share are prime examples of trouble talk”. Author Trudy Ludwig notes that according to research on relational aggression - the use of relationships to manipulate and hurt others- “trouble talk” is a growing problem in schools, in homes, in our communities, and especially online. The author goes on to say that electronic devices and social media platforms are being used to quickly spread hurtful material and that experts report that kids who are targets of gossip, rumors and intentional exclusion find it just as harmful as physical bullying. In the book “Trouble Talk”, the character Maya is a courageous upstander and tells her friend Bailey to stop the rumors and gossip. However, the “size of problem”, relating to rumors & gossip, are growing to where the character Maya needs to get help from a trusted adult. In the end, both characters Maya and Bailey get the support they need from trusted adults and learn a lot about the harm that rumors and gossip can have on friendships, on their own mental health (headaches, worry bellies, etc..) and how rumors and gossip can negatively impact their classroom and school communities as well. Here is more information on the book “Trouble Talk”: Trouble Talk | Trudy Ludwig

5th Grade Transition Events - SAVE THE DATES:

March 3rd is the 5th graders' visit to Sellwood MS. Starting with a 9:45am arrival and 11:30am departure.

March 4th is the Lane MS 5th graders visit to Lane MS from 9:30am-11am.

March 12th is the 5th grade Sellwood MS Parent Night at 6pm-7pm in the gym.

March 16th Sellwood MS Counselor Mr. KB will be forecasting at Lewis in the afternoon. More information for families about forecasting from Sellwood MS is forthcoming after Mr. KB’s visit.

Mid March- date TBD: Lane MS forecasting and School Counselor visit to Lewis. More information for families about forecasting from Lane MS is forthcoming after the School Counselor’s visit to Lewis.

Upcoming Lessons Spring:

• Size of Problem

• Problem Solving Part 2

• Growth Mindset

• Boundaries & Healthy Friendships

• 5th Grade Transition to Middle School Events & Lessons

What is the Role of a School Counselor?

• Provide social-emotional learning opportunities (primarily through in-classroom/school wide lessons)

• Provide social-emotional, skill-building small groups for students who need extra support, learning and building their skill-set.

• Collaborate with families, teachers, administrators and community organizations for student success and growth.

• Encourage a safe school climate of learning, trust, responsibility, respect, and inclusion.

• Support students with responsive and urgent needs that relate to school.

• Support students with their connection to their classroom community, their school community and in doing their job of being a student.

• Connect students and their families to appropriate, outside resources and mental health supports, as needed.

*As school counselors, we work to ensure equitable academic, career and social/emotional development opportunities for ALL students. We are unable to provide 1:1 counseling and mental health therapy for a child, however we can consult with you and your family to help you find the support and outside resources you need. *

Community & Family Resources:

• Community Food Resources

• PPS Community Resources & Housing Stability

In collaboration,

Jessy Gretzinger (Ms. Jessy)

jgretzinger@pps.net

Have 30 minutes to spare during Bingo Night? Volunteer to hand out prizes and snacks OR try calling some bingo numbers! Lots of fun opportunities to get involved:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4EAAA62AA0F49-62692167-bingo

The Spring PTA Volunteer Survey is live. Looking for ways to give back to Lewis in the new year? Fill out the Spring Volunteer Survey !

Photos due by April 1, 2026! Click here to access the google drive and upload your photos today!

https://www.pdxreignbasketball.com/after-school-programs/lewis

If you are interested in volunteering in the school, help chaperone a field trip visit or school event please make sure to submit your background check: https://www.pps.net/volunteer