LEWIS ELEMENTARY NEWS

Dear Lewis Families and Caregivers,

What a week it has been. Monday’s announcement regarding the district’s rightsizing scenarios has placed our community in a state of uncertainty for the next few months, and my heart goes out to every PPS school facing potential changes. I know the release of these proposals has brought up strong emotions and many valid questions.

Yesterday, our staff met to debrief, and this evening we are hosting a Principal Community Rightsizing Chat from 6:00 to 7:00 PM in the cafeteria. This will be an open, supportive space where we can share thoughts, ask questions, and discuss next steps together. Please [RSVP here / reply to this message] so we can ensure we have enough chairs and adequate childcare available.

Here are upcoming rightsizing events:

• District Admin Community Chat on Wednesday 10/21, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., cafeteria.

• Rightsizing Community Engagement Event Calendar: View district-wide listening sessions, town halls, and engagement opportunities.

• Sellwood Middle School will have a PTA meeting next Thursday 10/15, 7-8pm in the gym. Principal Carbone will be attending and addressing the issue of Sellwood closing in both scenarios presented by PPS. The Lewis Community is invited to attend

On another note, a huge thank you to the PTA for organizing a fantastic Jog-a-Thon! We have already raised $17,524 toward our $18,000 goal, and donations are still coming in. Please return all remaining forms tomorrow to help us cross the finish line. These funds directly support our school's community events.

Finally, thank you to all the parent volunteers who stepped up for Picture Day—the day ran seamlessly thanks to your support!

In community,

Anna Davis

Starting the day on time allows students to connect with friends and teachers, reduces stress, and sets everyone up for a successful day. Students who arrive after 8:00a.m. will be marked tardy. Here are some tips to get to school between 7:53-8:00a.m.

Wednesday, October 7th -💬Principal Chat 6-7pm

Thursday, October 8th - 🌎Bottle drop pick up 7:45-8:15am/3rd grade field trip

Friday, October 9th - 🚫No School

Wednesday, October 14th - 📖Author Visit for grades 3-5

Thursday, October 15th - 🌎Bottle drop pick up 7:45-8:15am/ 🚨The Great Shakeout Earthquake Drill/Sellwood MS PTA meeting 7-8pm

Friday, October 16th - 🍿 Popcorn Friday

Saturday, October 17th - 🍎 Harvest Party 9-11am

Monday, October 19th - Site Council Meeting

Wednesday, October 21st - 🕐Early Release @11:50am / 💬Community Meeting 6-7pm / Lewis Dines out @Dairy Hill Ice Cream 1-9pm

Friday, October 23rd - 🎃Trunk or Treat Event 5-7pm

Wednesday, October 28th - Lewis Dines Out @Double Mountain

Thursday, October 29th - 🚫NO School for students (Grading Day)

Friday, October 30th - 🚫NO School for students (Planning Day)

Portland Author and Spirit Award Winner Rosanne Parry will be visiting with our 3rd through 5th graders on October 14th to talk to students about her newest book, A Raven of the Rainforest. See the flyer below for more information on how to purchase a copy signed by the author or to apply for one of a limited number of book scholarships, compliments of the Lewis PTA!

https://www.achildrensplacebookstore.com/product-page/raven-of-the-rainforest

Hi families,

As you may know, Lewis has a really special school garden — one of the most diverse and thriving gardens in PPS! I’m passionate about helping our students learn from the garden (and taking care of our garden), and I would LOVE some parent help with planning and development. Many of you have already come out to help the kids after school and shown up at Saturday Work Parties.

I’m looking for one or more parents or caregivers who would like to help with some aspect of garden care, improvement, or student garden learning that you’re excited about. The Eco-School Network, which has supported the Lewis garden for years, has a free Changemaker Training coming up this fall that would be a wonderful way to get started. You’ll get practical ideas, support, and a community of other parents and educators working to make their schools greener and healthier. I took this training last year and found it to be super helpful and a great connection to lots of support for our school.

There’s a 30 minute zoom info session to learn more about it on Friday at noon. Here’s the sign up for that. This is like a little teaser for the class.

Here’s a website with more information: www.ecoschoolnetwork.org/training, and if you’d like to sign up, you can also just go ahead and register for the training here: registration form.

Here’s a little video that shows what Changemakers and students have made happen in their schools.

If this sounds interesting, please contact Amy Higgs at amy@ecoschoolnetwork.org. She’s helping us get set up and would be happy to answer questions.

I’d love to have one or two Lewis families join me in helping this wonderful garden continue to thrive!

Warmly,

Evin Aksay

We have seen a peak in head lice cases. Prevention focuses on avoiding head-to-head contact, wearing hair up, and weekly checks, Head lice are tiny, crawling insects that live in the hair on your head. They lay eggs and bite your scalp, making it itchy. Lice are most common in younger or school-aged kids. Lice are treatable with special shampoos, creams or lotions.

https://www.cdc.gov/lice/about/head-lice.html

You can always find the latest dates and times for upcoming events at lewispta.org/calendar

Thanks for supporting the jog-a-thon!

With your help, we have nearly reached our $18,000 goal. If you want to donate but have not, you still can! Thank you for helping cover the costs for critical programming throughout the year.

We hope to share a photo album for families who were unable to attend. If you have photos you are willing to share, or if you might be willing to help take photos at future events, please email communications@lewispta.org.

We have a new Lewis Dines Out! to add to your green family calendar: Lewis Dines Out! @ Dairy Hill Ice Cream Sellwood on Wednesday, October 21, 1pm-9pm.

10% of all sales from that day are heading back to Lewis so celebrate the October early release day with a cone or two of Dairy Hill ice cream in Sellwood.

Lewis has a strong community and a safe building.

We encourage Lewis PTA members to fight for our school with respect and empathy for what school closures mean for our neighbors.

We hope PPS school board members will visit our neighborhood school to fully understand the loss if Lewis closes.

We believe in the positive possibility of our neighborhood school - and are determined to celebrate Lewis, no matter the outcome.

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Watch PTA Vice President Aneesa Turbovsky speak on KOIN here.

Each year, the Lewis Winter Bazaar showcases arts, crafts, and other homemade goods by students, parents, and community members. If you have something to share with our community, please consider applying to be a vendor. Rates are:

• $10 per student

• $30 per family member

• $35 family member / student combo

• $45 outside vendor

Apply here: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/lewis-winter-bazaar-vendor-fee-payment/items

If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Grandgeorge at winterbazaar@lewispta.org

Every Thursday morning before school, you can drop off your empty bottles and cans near the main entrance. Blue bags are available in the Free Little Library by the main entrance. Funds go directly to the Lewis PTA. Questions: Maria Ethridge, bottledrop@lewispta.org

Duniway PTA is hosting our state representative, Mark Gamba, for conversation in their cafeteria on Friday, Oct. 23, 8 to 9 am in their cafeteria. This is a critical opportunity to speak with one of our elected officials directly about how the state funds K-12 schools like Lewis.

Learn more and RSVP: https://luma.com/xgox9h2v

Online Registration Link

Cleveland Boys Basketball Team registration for grades 3rd-5th is open!

Cleveland Boys Recreational teams are organized through the community non-profit program, Cleveland Youth Basketball. Registration is first come, first serve and space is limited. Volunteer coaches are needed.

For complete details and registration go to the Cleveland Basketball Youth Program website. Questions? Email info@cleveland-warriors.com

GO WARRIORS!!

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