Message from the Principal:
Hello Everyone,
Thank you for such an amazing Back to School Night. We have a great community here at Westridge and it was fantastic seeing everyone together in the gym, and walking around looking at the things our kids have put together. I went to many Back to School nights this week (I have four daughters in 3 different schools) and ours was definitely the best!
Several of you have asked, so I wanted to give a quick blurb about something we're focused on as a staff this year for professional development. As you know, our Westridge teachers are incredible. But even incredible can get better. And we are committed to growth and learning as we model this for the kids in the building. The district and our school are looking at the Five Dimensions of Teaching and Learning (5 D's) as one tool for examining our practice and making improvements. The 5 D's is an instructional framework, created by the Center for Educational Leadership out of the University of Washington. Many districts now are anchoring their thoughts around best teaching practice in these rubrics because they are so well-researched. We are currently looking at Classroom Environment and Culture (the orange pie slice). I'm attaching a visual below that lists all five of the dimensions. And for those who are interested, here's a link that goes into this work in more detail. It's an exciting time to be in education as we discover new, research-based ways to improve our practice, and I'd be glad to talk to anyone about this more if you'd like to.
Thanks everyone and have a great weekend!
Noah
Noah Hurd
Interim Principal
In This Newsletter:
Save the Dates
Tech Forms Due
Lost and Found
Message from the Office
Counselor's Corner
OBOB is coming!
Lakeridge Homecoming Fundraiser
Lake Oswego Jr. High Fundraiser
Continuing Reminders:
Meet the Westridge Staff!
Hispanic Heritage Month
Welcome Back Wildcats Night
New Application for School Volunteers
Reporting Tardies and absences
Statewide Assessment Notice
The Lost and Found is overflowing!
Items will be donated at the end of the month
Thank you!
From the Office Staff: Raptor, Volunteering and Visiting!
Dear Westridge Families,
The district has added additional security measures to ensure the safety of all our students. Adults wishing to volunteer at Westridge must complete a Volunteer Background check through RAPTOR, our volunteer security system.
What is the difference between a volunteer and a visitor?
- A volunteer is someone who works directly with students (Room Parent, Art Lit, Mystery Reader, Class Parties etc) and will not be alone with students at any time.
- A visitor is someone who is an audience member to an event during the school day, or attending a meeting with adults(class play, Living Museum, PTSO meetings etc) and will not be alone or working with students at any time.
- All Volunteers/Guest speakers/Independent contractors/casual employees who will be working with students and could be alone with any student at any time must have a background check, fingerprints completed and have shown proof of vaccination.
Please take a moment to fill out the application. It can take up to 3 weeks to get an approval, which will be sent directly to your email. Once you get that approval, you must have your ID scanned by the office staff again to activate the volunteer status in the Raptor system. Volunteers will not be allowed in the building without an approved background check.
When arriving at the school, you'll be asked to sign in at the kiosk as either a visitor or volunteer. Once your badge has been printed out successfully, we will buzz you into the school. We will also ask you the nature of your visit upon entry.
Thank you so much for your partnership in keeping our schools safe!
Volunteer Application for LOSD
Westridge Office Staff
Jodi Steward and Andrea Murphy
Counselor's Corner
Counselor's Corner
Hello Westridge families! Our Social-Emotional Learning curriculum includes great opportunities for you to be involved. Each month, there is a family newsletter that describes the monthly character trait that the students are learning about, along with activities and conversation starters. Please click on the grade level for your child and check out the newsletter for this month's character trait, Respect.
I would also like to share a wonderful opportunity to learn about Collaborative Problem Solving. CPS is an effective, empirically supported method to reduce conflict, improve behavior and build skills in children of all ages. The Oregon Health Authority is providing 8-week CPS classes free of charge, with varying times available. The goal of this project is to help families strengthen positive relationships and build the skills needed for success at home, school, in the community, and in life. You can find the website to find more information and a form to sign up here.
Gary Kieser, MA, LPC
School Counselor
Westridge Elementary School
503-534-2371, ext. 3932
OBOB is Coming!
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 all the info. Official sign ups will begin October 7th but now is a great time to create teams and start reading the books.
Please email Rebecca Weinstein rebeccaweinstein2@gmail.com with any questions.
Support Lakeridge Athletics-EAT FOOD!
Are you going to the Lakeridge Homecoming Game on 9/29?
If so help support Lakeridge Athletic Teams, Clubs & Groups by eating dinner at the game.
Concessions Grill — Hamburger & Hot Dog Meals ( in front of the old concession stand by the track and entry gate)
Main concessions at the Stadium — Candy, Hot/Cold Drinks, Hot Dogs, Popcorn & more. (on the backside of stadium)
We will also have Kona Shaved ice and Elephant ears trucks at the game.
Cash/Credit cards are accepted at both concession stands.
Lakeridge Varsity Football vs Tualatin
Thursday 9/29 - Game starts at 7PM, concessions opens at 6:15
Lake Oswego Jr High Fundraiser
Who: World-famous Harlem Wizards will play against twenty-five Lake Oswego Junior High (LOJ) “Salty Sailors,” including the principal, teachers, and staff
What: Tricks, Hoops, and Alley-oops with Music for a great cause
When: Tickets available now for Wed, Oct. 5th at 7pm (doors open at 6pm)
Where: LOHS West Gym
How: Get your tickets online at LOJ Salty Sailors vs Harlem Wizards
Why: Raise funds for LOJ Parent Club to support educational and school community programs
Meet the Westridge Staff!
Each week we will get to know a few Westridge staff members with a Q&A session!
This week, we met up with the Kindergarten Team:
Erika Fagan, Tonya Blankenship and Brandi Houska
Erika Fagan
Q: What is your job here at Westridge?
A: Kindergarten Teacher
Q: How long have you worked at Westridge?
A: This is my 19th year
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Salem, Oregon
Q: What did you do after high school?
A: I took a gap year and moved to Colorado. Then, I started at UofO.
Q: Tell me about your family or any pets!
A: Mr. Fagan and I have four grown kids, their partners and 2 grand babies. My mom is also in town. We see each other often!
Q: What are some interesting or fun facts about you?
A: I was a Rotary Exchange Student to New Zealand. My summer car is a 1973 VW Thing. I lived in New Mexico for five years and especially love Santa Fe.
Q: What are somethings you love to do in your free time?
A: It's been fun to become a grandma! I look for any opportunity to spend time with my family.
Tonya Blankenship
Q: What is your job here at Westridge?
A: Kindergarten Teacher
Q: How long have you worked at Westridge?
A: This is my 5th year
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Houston, Texas
Q: What did you do after high school?
A: I went to college and graduated from University of Houston.
Q: Tell me about your family or any pets!
A: My husband Dan teaches Chemistry at West Linn High School. I have two children Karli (20) and Kyle (18) and our super fun and energetic goldendoodle named Maple!
Q: What are some interesting or fun facts about you?
A: I’m married to my high school sweetheart. I went on a 7,000 mile road trip this summer!
Q: What are some things you love to do in your free time?
A: I love to travel, hike and do pretty much anything outdoors! I am so thankful to be living in the beautiful PNW so that I can enjoy all of the beauty that is here!
Brandi Houska
Q: What is your job here at Westridge?
A: Kindergarten Teacher
Q: How long have you worked at Westridge?
A: This is my 5th year
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Billings, Montana
Q: What did you do after high school?
A:Went to college at the University of Montana! Go Griz!
Q: Tell me about your family or any pets!
A: All of my family lives back home in Montana. My husband and I moved here 7 years ago and we have a corgi named Pearl!
Q: What are some interesting or fun facts about you?
A:I used to nanny kids in the summer. I LOVE Taylor Swift. My senior year of high school I cheered in the New Year's Day parade in London. It was the first time I ever flew on a plane.
Q: What are some things you love to do in your free time?
A:I like to bake, paddle board, go hiking, workout, visit new places, go to sports games, and watercolor paint.
Hispanic Heritage Month
About Hispanic Heritage Month
We celebrate Hispanic Heritage to recognize and celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic Americans who have inspired others to achieve success. Hispanic Heritage refers to a person who is from or a descendent of someone from a Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central, and South America.
Fun Facts
- HHM is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th
- It started 1968 as Hispanic heritage week
- It expanded thanks to President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to make it a month-long celebration and was enacted into law
- Mid-September marks the anniversary that many Spanish speaking countries gained independence
Notable Hispanic Figures
- Rita Moreno – is an actress from Puerto Rico and one of the few performers to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and a Tony award, making her an “EGOT”
- Cesar Chavez - was a Mexican American labor leader and civil rights activist who dedicated his life’s work to what to the struggle of farm workers to improve their working and living conditions
- Lin Manuel Miranda - actor, composer, lyricist, and writer who created and starred in stage productions that blended modern musical forms with classic musical theatre. Perhaps his best-known work was Hamilton.
- Sonja Sotomayor - associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States of Puerto Rican descent. She is the third woman, first woman of color, the first Hispanic, and first Latina to serve on the Supreme Court
- Ellen Ochoa - American engineer, former astronaut, and former director of the Johnson Space Center. Ochoa became the first Hispanic woman to go to space, was the first Hispanic director and the second female director of Johnson Space Center.
Decorations and Hispanic Heritage Month activities are brought to you by the newest Westridge PTSO committee: Culture of Belonging. If you would like to get involved, please reach out to volunteerwestridge@gmail.com
Safe Oregon
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.
(Students should also be aware that intentionally providing a false report is a serious offense.)
Stay connected with the LOSD AP:
Contact information for the Westridge PTSO
Find us on Facebook!
Follow us on Instagram @westridge.ptso
Email: westridgeptso@gmail.com
Yearbook Photos: yearbookwestridge@gmail.com
Westridge Elementary School
Email: weaverl@loswego.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.losdschools.org/wr
Location: 3400 Royce Way, Lake Oswego, OR, USA
Phone: 5035342371