Foster Fox Files

Shelley Nurre, Principal

Website: https://shsd55or.gov/foster/

School Hours: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding Wednesdays)

Early Release Wednesdays: 7:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Breakfast begins 7:30 a.m.

Classroom doors open 7:45 a.m.

Get ready for the launch of a Fox Leader program for our 5th and 6th graders this year! Fox Leaders will serve as role models and helpers across the school—welcoming guests, assisting/mentoring younger students, leading announcements, assisting with office tasks, and supporting special projects and events.

Why student leadership matters:

• Builds responsibility and accountability in older students.

• Strengthens confidence and communication skills as students serve as role models.

• Fosters a stronger sense of school pride and community connection.

• Provides an opportunity for student voice.

• Provides authentic opportunities for students to practice teamwork and problem-solving.

• Gives younger students positive peer examples to look up to.

Our Fox Leaders will be carefully selected based on attendance, responsibility, and behavior. Students can apply twice a year--once in October, again in February. We can’t wait to see these student leaders shine and grow throughout the year!

This Month:

• 10/6 (Mon): Stand Up to Bullying Day--WEAR BLUE
• 10/7 (Tue): 6th grade field trip (see teacher communication for details)
• 10/9 (Wed): Kindergarten Your First, My Last ceremony (10:00 @ Husky field)--see flyer below
• 10/10 (Fri): No School: Statewide Inservice Day
• 10/13 (Mon): Board Meeting 6:30 pm
• 10/17 (Fri): October Spirit Day--Socktober
• 10/20 (Mon): PTO meeting 2:30
• 10/21 (Tue): Fall picture retakes/make up day
• 10/22 (Wed): Half Day of School-Teacher Prep Day: Students dismissed 11:15 am
• 10/23-10/25: Parent Conferences (Sign up here)
• 10/29 (Wed): Kindergarten field trip (see teacher communication for details)
• 10/31 (Fri): Halloween Serpentine (see teacher communication for details)

Upcoming Events:

• 11/11 (Tue): Veteran's Day: No School

At Foster Elementary, we’re committed to creating a safe and caring environment where every child feels valued and respected. Part of that work is helping students—and families—understand the difference between meanness and bullying.

Meanness can happen when someone says or does something hurtful on purpose, but it’s usually a one-time event. Everyone can have a bad moment or make a poor choice. When it’s addressed, it often stops.

Bullying, on the other hand, is:

• Repetitive – it happens more than once.

• Intentional – it’s done on purpose to hurt someone.

• Unbalanced – there’s a power difference, whether real or perceived (for example, age, size, popularity, or group strength).

What to Do About Bullying

If your child experiences or witnesses bullying, here’s what we teach at school—and how you can reinforce it at home:

✅ Report it. Encourage your child not to be a bystander. Tell a trusted adult right away if someone is being bullied.

💬 Be assertive. If it feels safe, students can use a calm, clear voice to say, “Stop. That’s not okay.” If it doesn’t stop, they should walk away and find an adult.

👩‍🏫 Get adult help. Teachers, staff, and parents are here to help resolve the problem and keep everyone safe.

Together, we can help every student feel safe, supported, and strong—because at Foster, kindness and courage are always in style! 🧡

Below are two videos we encourage you to watch with your child and discuss them.

At Foster Elementary, we believe every day of learning matters. When students come to school regularly and on time, they build strong routines, lasting friendships, and important academic skills that help them succeed now and in the future.

How we’re doing:
In September, our Foster Fox students averaged 92.11% attendance. That’s a solid start, but our goal is to reach 95% or higher—the rate that research shows supports strong learning growth and engagement. Every percentage point matters!

Why attendance matters:

• 📚 Students who miss just two days a month can fall behind quickly in reading and math.

• 🤝 Regular attendance helps kids feel connected to teachers and classmates.

• 💪 Being present builds habits of responsibility and perseverance.

How families can help:

• Establish a consistent bedtime and morning routine to make getting ready easier.

• Schedule appointments and trips outside of school hours whenever possible.

• Communicate with the school office if your child must miss school due to illness or family emergency.

Together, we can make sure our Foxes are present, prepared, and ready to learn each and every day! Let’s see how high we can climb in October! 🧡