Westridge Wildcat News

Hello Westridge Community,

Westridge continues moving forward, parents are conferencing with teachers across the building as I write this and the pumpkins for Monday's Harvest Festival keep coming in. Monica Yenokida put together this beautiful balloon arch to add a little more cheer for the Festival and was willing to pose for me here with her son, Kingston. Our PTSO also did an incredible job decorating our teacher's lounge during conferences with a log cabin theme and extra food and treats. Thanks for all you do to make our team feel appreciated here. You all go over the top.... and we love it!

November is Native American Heritage month! Next week Friday we have an assembly, the first assembly in several years, to celebrate and support our Native American community. The assembly is being led by North Star, a local dance group and we're excited to have them here (thank you again PTSO for your support with this) . Have a great weekend everyone.

Noah

New or Updated Information:

Save the dates!

Holiday Fundraiser

Picture day info

Counselor's Corner

Nurse Notes

Dyslexia Awareness

Music Man

Continuing Reminders:

Meet the Westridge Staff!

OBOB is coming!

STEM Supplies: Donations needed

Reporting Tardies and absences

Statewide Assessment Notice

11/11: No School: Veterans Day

11/21-11/25: No School

12/2: PIcture retakes

12/13: Vision Screening (Grades K/1/3/5 only)

12/19-1/2: No School (Winter break)

It's time for Holiday Fundraisers! Our annual fundraiser kicks off next week and we are bringing back Teufel Wreaths for your holiday evergreens. In addition, we are adding Ripcity Popcorn to offer more holiday goodies to celebrate our entire community. This campaign is a 2 week fundraiser with big prizes for your student; so get family, neighbors, and co-workers ready:

November 1st: Student Order Forms sent home

November 16th: Student Order Forms must be returned

December 2nd: Order Pick-Up Event

If you have not already ordered school pictures there is still time.

The most efficient and cost-friendly way to order is to visit mydorian.com, search for your school, click the green Order button that corresponds with your school picture day and place your order. This option is available for up to four (4) days after picture day.

Once all of the images have been processed. Any student that has not ordered will receive an email with a unique access code and instructions to preview their image and place an order. All orders placed using the unique access code will be shipped directly to the student’s home.

Did you miss picture day or want to retake your picture?

Find your school’s retake day date and order information on mydorian.com by searching for your school. A student wishing to have their picture retaken should bring their original package back to school and return it to the photographer on retake picture day.

Digital downloads are delivered based on how you ordered.

If you ordered an image download online, you will receive an email with access to your image once it is ready. If you ordered with an envelope, you will receive your download instructions when packages are distributed at the school.

The fifth grade class met up at DEFY last weekend and had a blast!

Dearest Westridge Families,

This month, we will be investing our time and attention on the character trait: GRATITUDE in our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons, classrooms, and throughout our school community. Gratitude has been shown to be one of the best ways to reduce anxiety, increase happiness, & improve relationships. The practice of gratitude is a tool that both grounds us and also inspires hope, peace, and joy. For when we are grateful, we are stronger to “be the good” to our world.

One way to think about Gratitude is “choosing to appreciate the people and things in our lives.” Practicing Gratitude can increase our well-being and our happiness. Gratitude is 1 of 3 traits we will focus on throughout the year that helps students Be Well. Throughout the school, Westridge Wildcats will be developing skills like emotion regulation, positive self-talk, and stress management. We are choosing Gratitude!

The definition students will be learning at school this month is Gratitude: choosing to appreciate the people and things in our lives. Through our monthly Counseling Lesson, students will learn about having Gratitude for our emotions and for Coping Skills. We can bravely use those coping strategies when feelings overwhelm us.

Our monthly letters include activities to explore GRATITUDE further as a family.

Enjoy connecting together with the PurposeFull Pursuits inside the PreK - Grade 5 Gratitude Family Letters!

Thank you for teaming with us to empower our students socially and emotionally. We are all the Heart of Westridge. Please reach out if you or your student would like more support. You can also fill out this form to Request for Family Resources.

Together,

Gary Kieser

Westridge Elementary School Counselor kieserg@loswego.k12.or.us

Please follow this link to see when and for how long to keep your student

home due to various symptoms.

VISION SCREENING

Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation will soon be conducting their

annual vision screening of K,1,3,and 5th grades. Click for more

information.

DONATE YOUR OLD GLASSES

On the day of your school's vision screening, please consider donating any old glasses you have to

the Lions Club. Click for more information.

IMMUNIZATIONS

Is your child up to date? Check here and be sure to update school records before you leave for

Winter Break.

Contact your District Nurse

What is Oregon’s State of Mind on Dyslexia?

Oregon developed its first legislative guidelines for dyslexia in 2015 with the passing of Senate Bill 612 followed by 1003 in 2017. By law each school is required to complete a universal screening on all kindergarten and first grade students to identify those who are at risk for dyslexia. This law also mandates that each K-5 school have an extensively-trained educator who is able to recognize the warning signs of dyslexia and support students, teachers, parents, and the community. LOSD currently uses Dibels as our dyslexia screening tool. If you have more questions please reach out to your school’s literacy specialist.

There also are three major federal laws that directly affect children with dyslexia. They are the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Oregon Department of Education Dyslexia Resources: Oregon Department of Education : Dyslexia : Regional Programs and Best Practices : State of Oregon

Gifted and Dyslexic?

Some kids with learning and attention difficulties have exceptional skills in certain areas. These kids are often called “twice-exceptional” (2E) learners.

LOSD Student Services and TAG (Talented & Gifted) Services are both responsible and should work in cooperation to meet the needs of twice-exceptional students. The student’s abilities will determine appropriate instruction.

To read about twice exceptional students, visit UNDERSTOOD.ORG:

Twice-Exceptional Students | 2E Learners | Gifted and Learning Disabilities

Each week this month, we featured a message about dyslexia in this newsletter. If you have questions or concerns regarding our child’s learning, please call the school principal, TAG coordinator, and/or literacy specialist. You can also contact your school’s representatives for TAG-AC (TAG Advisory Committee) or Special Education Advisory Committee. Please see here to learn how to contact your school representative.

We are here to help you and your child succeed.

What is OBOB?

The Oregon Battle of the Books is a reading and trivia competition that serves as

a statewide celebration of literacy and good books. 3rd to 5th grade students

form teams of three to five members, then read and study from a common list of

16 books selected by the State OBOB committee each year. Teams then square

off in a series of Battles to show off how much they have learned by answering

questions about the books.

Parents of 3rd through 5th graders please see teacher’s newsletter for more

details. Just note that battles begin at lunch recess in mid-January and then we

will have the remaining battles on Saturday February 4, 2023.

Sign up here: http://tinyurl.com/wrOBOB23

***All team members need to be signed up by their parent or guardian.

***If your child does not have a team, we can help! If they want to participate, we

will work to find them a team.

Please email Rebecca Weinstein rebeccaweinstein2@gmail.com with any

questions.

Our fabulous STEM Teacher, Mrs. Lang is collecting a supply of toilet paper and paper towel rolls, cupcake liners, googly eyes and playdough. Please drop any donations off in the lobby.

Each week we will get to know a few Westridge staff members with a Q&A session!

This week, we met up with the Fifth Grade Team:

Lisa Bales, Angie Matteri and Lindsay Harvey

Lisa Bales:

Q: What is your job here at Westridge?

A: 5th grade Teacher

Q: How long have you worked at Westridge?

A:This is my 6th year at Westridge.

Q: Where did you grow up?

A:I grew up in Salem until 9th grade and then we moved to Redmond where I graduated high school.

Q: What did you do after high school?

A: I went to Oregon State University where I got two Bachelor's Degrees. After graduation, I worked for a year as a special education teacher. I then moved to Hawaii where I attended University of Hawaii at Manoa and got my Masters Degree. I taught third grade in Hawaii for 3 years, and then moved back to Oregon. I've been at Westridge teaching 5th grade ever since.

Q: Tell me about your family or any pets!

A:I am not married and do not have any children. My parents live in Bend and have a dog, Paisley (which I claim as my own).

Q: What are some interesting or fun facts about you?

A: 1) I was born in Germany and lived there until I was 3 years old.

2) I've never broken a bone.
3) I'm an only child.

Q: What are somethings you love to do in your free time?

A:I love to go to Bend to visit my parents - family is very important to me, plus I get the perk of having a free place to stay in Bend. Ha. I love to spend time with friends - hiking, shopping, brunching, going to sporting events, and more. When I'm alone, I love to workout, read books, and cook/bake.

Angie Matteri:

Q: What is your job here at Westridge?

A: Fifth Grade Teacher

Q: How long have you worked at Westridge?

A: This is year #3!

Q: Where did you grow up?

A: I was born in Burlington Vermont, but grew up in Eugene Oregon

Q: What did you do after high school?

A: After deciding that I really didn't want to be an attorney when I grew up, I moved to Kirkland and got my Masters In Teaching from Seattle University. I then returned back to Portland and started teaching out in the Reynolds School District. This is actually teaching career 2.0- as I took several years off to raise my kids.

Q: Tell me about your family or any pets!

A: I have three kids- Grace, who is a recent graduate of the University of Arizona. My twins Marcus and Ava are juniors down at the U of A. They are track and field athletes (unlike their mother) and pretty awesome. No pets - the three kids in 21 months was all the responsibility I needed. Now that they are "grown ups" I am reconsidering, but it still seems like a LOT of work and responsibility that I might not have time for.

Q: What are some interesting or fun facts about you?

A: I was a soccer player for much of my life and as a result had two total knee replacements in my mid 40s. Unfortunately, I do not play soccer anymore. :( I also graduated from the University of Arizona and a huge college sports fan. Even though I consider myself crafty, I have had a Cricut for three years that I still don't know how to use.

Q: What are some things you love to do in your free time?

A: In my free time (what is that?!) I love to read, bake cookies, and sip and nibble with friends. I WANT to spend more time crafting with friends who are more disciplined, or just simply more creative, than I am.

Lindsay Harvey:

Q: What is your job here at Westridge?

A: Fifth Grade Teacher

Q: How long have you worked at Westridge?

A: 5 years

Q: Where did you grow up?

A: Southern California

Q: What did you do after high school?

A: I went to Lewis & Clark College where I swam for 4 years and majored in Economics and minored in Communications. Then, I worked at Lewis & Clark in the Admissions office for a couple of years before becoming a recruiter. Then, I went back to school at George Fox University for my Master's Degree in teaching.

Q: Tell me about your family or any pets!

A: No pets

Q: What are some interesting or fun facts about you?

A: 1. I have a first grade daughter. 2. I teach Zumba! 3. I am in the Hall of Fame for swimming at my college.

Q: What are some things you love to do in your free time?

A: Go to any and all Disney parks!

Please contact the office any time your student will be absent or be late for school. Anytime your child arrives at school after 8:20am, they will need to report to the office to get a tardy slip and report their lunch choices. When reporting absences, please email both Andrea and Jodi.

Office phone number and voicemail: 503-534-2371

Attendance Secretary: Andrea Murphy (murphya@loswego.k12.or.us)

Principal's Secretary: Jodi Steward (stewardj@loswego.k12.or.us)

Parents-guardians who have concerns about a student’s well-being are encouraged to reach out to their principal, and to maintain strong lines of communication and partnership between students, families, staff, and other resources.

SafeOregon is also an effective way to report a tip regarding safety threats or potential acts of violence to our students or schools.

https://www.safeoregon.com/

(Students should also be aware that intentionally providing a false report is a serious offense.)

Stay connected to the district and your school(s) and receive urgent notifications by subscribing to the Lake Oswego Schools App.

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Email: westridgeptso@gmail.com

Yearbook Photos: yearbookwestridge@gmail.com

All members of our community are committed to providing a safe and inclusive learning environment that cultivates empathy, creates challenging opportunities, and fosters lifelong learning.

Email: hurdn@loswego.k12.or.us weaverl@loswego.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.losdschools.org/wr
Location: 3400 Royce Way, Lake Oswego, OR, USA
Phone: 503-534-2371