Oak Creek Elementary

Oak Creek Families,

Our final Friday for 2022 went very well! I spent some time in classes today and I saw so many great things happening! I saw second graders working together in teams to play Math Jeopardy, and others writing papers that were multiple pages long! I watched fifth graders in PE participating in a game that had everyone involved, throwing, running, catching, and smiling; and students in our Pathways class learning to use assistive technology to increase their communication skills. We have an awesome team here at OCE, and we appreciate your partnership from home.

I hope that the break brings all of you opportunities to spend time with those you love, and I can't wait to see you all again in 2023!

Please make sure to read below for important information, including information about OBOB, i-Ready, two "bee" opportunities, and more! If you have any questions, please see the FAQ section below, or feel free to reach out to myself or Tess Kristoffersson at kristoft@loswego.k12.or.us.

Thank you again for your support from home!

Barb Keeton

Updated in Every Edition:

• Principal's Message
• Dates to Remember
• PTO Corner

NEW In This Edition:

• Winter Break Read-A-Thon

Repeated Information:

• Mostly Operational's STEM Ornament Kits
• "I Love Lake Oswego" Clothing Closet
• Tualatin Food Pantry

• Supporting Students at Home with i-Ready Personalized Instruction (My Path)
• More OBOB Information
• Purposeful People: Empathy
• Oregon State Assessment Opt-out form
• Two "Bee" Opportunities!

• Nurses' Note

• Holiday Outreach
• Recognitions and Observations in November

LOSD District News:

• "I Love Lake Oswego" Clothing Closet
• The Music Man
• SafeOregon
• Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App

December 19-January 2: Winter Break - No School

January 16: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School

January 27: Grade Prep Day - No School

Your elementary student is invited to join LOSD’s first-annual Winter Break Read-A-Thon! It’s a fun program developed by our high school students. Your child will learn more about it during library time. Keep reading for more information and watch the video:

What is a “Read-A-Thon”?:

• All elementary school students in LOSD are encouraged to read as much as they can over winter break! Read alone, with an adult, listen to an audiobook…whatever inspires a love of literacy!

• Family and friends are asked to pledge an amount for each book their student reads to a corresponding class fund.

• One-time donations and/or continuous pledges per book read are accepted.

• All donations support our local Lake Oswego Public Library and SMART Reading, an Oregon-based organization whose goal is to provide access to books and reading sessions to students in need.

Our Goal:

1. To encourage elementary school students to read at least five books over winter break.

2. To inspire elementary school students to raise $20 each to help us reach our district-wide goal of $5,000+ in donations!

3. To promote healthy reading habits throughout our local district, and to improve literacy across Oregon!

How to participate:

We are using a website called 99Pledges to keep track of reading and collect donations.

Here's how it works:

1. Click here to create an account for your student. Scroll down to the bottom, and click "Add Participant".

2. Once you fill out the quick form, you will receive an email from 99Pledges. The email will have two links: one to manage your page and one to share with others to collect donations.

3. Once your student's page is created, send the link to relatives and friends so they can help support your student in their reading goals! When sending the link, share how many books your student plans to read so their donors can pledge accordingly.

4. Each time your student finishes a book, update the book tracker on the website!

Prizes:

• Every LOSD school that raises $3,000 or more by the end of the Winter Break Read-A-Thon will be entered into a drawing for a school-wide donut party! (Note: We will have alternative prizes for students with dietary restrictions or allergies).

• The school that reads the most books will be crowned "The FIRST-EVER LOSD Read-A-Thon Champions!", and will receive a giant banner to put in their library, presented by us at a celebratory school assembly!

• On top of this, a prize will be awarded to the student who reads the most in each grade across the district!

Thank You!

Thank you to our amazing LOSD community for all the time and support you dedicate to our local community and kids. It’s because of your support we can host fun events such as these. We wish you all the best this holiday season, and happy reading!

Questions?

Email us at:

• li00665990@loswego.k12.or.us (Alicia Li)

• scipi05456@loswego.k12.or.us (Jeb Scipio Del Campo)

• bohn802784@loswego.k12.or.us (Sam Bohn)

Winter Break is upon us OBOB families!

Enjoy the time off! Here is what you need to know for winter break and the first two weeks of January.

Two Winter Break Optional Zoom Practices are available!

The zoom links are posted in the OBOB Google Classroom so your readers can join from their school computer. It is also posted below in case the chromebook is unavailable. We will review zoom norms on the call, so that we can encourage positive zoom etiquette (it’s been awhile for our kids)!

Monday, December 19th at 12pm

Friday, December 30th at 5pm

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/94985343178?pwd=NkhKRjYxckZtQkxkVk5ha3dZS0Y1QT09

Meeting ID: 949 8534 3178

Passcode: OBOB

January Practice Schedule

Things start looking different in January for OBOBers. Here is the schedule for the first two weeks of January.

OBOB T-shirt Pick-up & Morning Practice

OBOBers Pick-up their OCE OBOB t-shirt before school starts!

Wednesday, January 4th

Thursday, January 5th

8:00am - 8:20 am in the OCE Library

OBOB T-shirt Decorating

Your OBOB shirts will be white & black when they get delivered to you in January! OBOBers choice; keep them white, dye them another color, tie-dye them, create team spirit on the t-shirts, or individualize your shirt! You can decorate your shirt at OCe (more details to follow) OR you do this on your own time at home!

Volunteers

We are looking for volunteers. Our sign-ups reached around 90 plus readers this year. Let us know if you are interested in helping out THE OCE OBOB Team by communicating with the PTO! Please email: Kirstin Martin at oakcreekelementarypto@gmail.com

For all other questions please contact

The OCE School Librarian & OBOB Book Club Coordinator email: Darcy Benson at bensond@loswego.k12.or.us

The OCE OBOB teacher coordinator email: Megan Lovelace at lovelacm@loswego.k12.or.us

Warmly,

The OCE OBOB TEAM

Hello Oak Creek!

Please sign up to volunteer for Art Literacy using the two-step sign up process below.

Step One: Art Literacy Training

Step Two: Art LIteracy Homer

Order your yearbook! Pre-order for $25. If you make a “Direct Ask” donation, or a donation over $175, a yearbook is included.

Thank you for your donations to the PTO! 2022 donations are tax-deductible with EIN#: 81-3009316.

As a reminder, we have two ongoing fundraisers that you can participate in at no additional cost to you:

1. When shopping on Amazon, visit smile.amazon.com and select “Oak Creek Elementary PTO” as your charity. Make all purchases through smile.amazon.com instead of amazon.com You can even change the app setting on your phone. That’s all. You get your items delivered in 2 days, Oak Creek receives 0.5% of every purchase total.
   
   

2. Before your next stop at Fred Meyer, please follow the instructions to add “Oak Creek Elementary PTA” as your community organization. (created when the PTO operated as a PTA) Make all purchases using your Shopper’s Card number and a donation will be applied to Oak Creek.
   
   

We are also partnering with Minted for a fundraiser! Order cards and invitations on minted.com and save 20% on your order, while 15% of your order is donated to the Oak Creek PTO. Use code: FUNDRAISEOAKCREEK when ordering.

Oregon Battle of the Books practice begins after winter break! Starting January 4th, come practice Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings at 8-8:20a in the library.

Join us for a PTO general meeting January 11th at 7p in the school library.

Have a wonderful winter break!

Questions? OakCreekElementaryPTO@gmail.com

Oak Creek Elementary PTO Executive Committee

Kirstin Martin / President

Amanda Schade / Treasurer VP

Samantha McCaskey / Assistant Treasurer VP

Page Donnelly/ Membership VP

Brooke Mattern / Communications VP

Holli Hansford / Co-Events and Enrichment VP

Barry Hansford / Co-Events and Enrichment VP

Steve Farnham / Co-Fundraising VP

Heather Shoyer / Co-Fundraising VP

Lauren Terpstra / Parental Involvement VP

Rachel Wilde / Secretary VP

Teressa Raine / Sustainability VP

Our families and community are asking parents to remember that parking on the side of Kingsgate creates hazardous conditions for others who are driving and walking in the area. Please find other options during arrival, dismissal, and other events.

To unlock i-Ready's full potential, students should access 45 minutes of instruction per subject (reading and math) per week. Each student's i-Ready Personalized Instruction (My Path) provides instruction at their individual level, providing them with additional instruction and opportunities to practice the skills they need to be successful. With holiday breaks coming up, i-Ready Personalized Instruction (My Path) is an excellent option to help keep your student's skills sharp and extend their learning. If you have any questions about how to access i-Ready Personalized Instruction (My Path) on your student's device, please feel free to contact your teacher.

Dear Oak Creek Community,

This month’s Social Emotional Learning focus is EMPATHY. One way to think about Empathy is “understanding and connecting with other people’s feelings.” Empathy is a practice that can help us grow strong relationships. Empathy is one of three traits we will focus on throughout the year that helps students Be Kind. Throughout the school, students will be developing skills like perspective-taking, conflict resolution, and leadership.

Have some fun connecting as a family this month while practicing Empathy. Here is a “PurposeFull Pursuit” for you to complete together, if you wish.

Find a time to celebrate all the ways you have seen each other practice Empathy. Take turns sharing responses to the following prompts or make up your own. Remember to practice Empathy as you listen to each other.

• What is one way a family member has shown you Empathy lately?

• Share about a time someone was a good friend to you.

• Share about a time when you felt like someone really listened to you.

• Share about a time you worked with a family member to resolve a conflict successfully.

• Share about a time you stopped to look at a situation from someone else’s point of view.

• Share about someone you think is a good leader. What can you learn about leadership from that person?

Thank you for your partnership! It’s an honor to watch our school community grow with Empathy!

Together,

Roxanne Davidson

Ms. D 💙 Oak Creek Elementary School Counselor 💙 davidsor@loswego.k12.or.us

Each school year, Oregon students take assessments to meet federal requirements. The purpose of these assessments is to provide data that schools can use to ensure that every child is on track and achieving learning goals.

State law requires us to inform you that a form is available from the State Department of Education that allows you to opt your child out of the math and English Language Arts assessments for the current school year. Should you wish to opt out your child, fill out the form and submit it to the main office at your child’s school. Please note the submission deadlines listed on the form. Meeting the deadline will help the school with planning and preparation. If you wish your child not to participate in the science assessment for grades 5, 8, and 11, submit this request in writing to the principal of your child's school.

If you have questions or want more information about state assessments, please contact your child’s principal or teacher(s).

Click here for opt-out form for Math and English Language Arts.

Who Was History Bee

Over 80 3rd-5th graders participated in the Classroom Who Was History Bee! The top 15 students continued on to the Who Was School Bee where students answered a variety of questions about famous people in history. Our top 4 finishers were Jai L., Tyson B., Amelia D.C., and our school winner Drew H.! Drew gets the opportunity to represent Oak Creek at the online regional bee in March! Congratulations to everyone who participated and a special congratulations to Drew, our Oak Creek Champion!

Drew's winning question was-- In 2011 who stepped down as the political leader of Tibet? (Dalai Lama)

Scripps National Spelling and Vocabulary Bee- Grades 4-5

Our 4th and 5th graders will have an opportunity to participate in the Scripps National Spelling and Vocabulary Bee. Classroom competitions will be the week of January 3rd. The top scorers from each class will participate in the school bee the week of February 6th. The school winner will then move on to the regional bee in March.

Check your student's Google Classroom for additional information and helpful study links. For questions, please contact our TAG Coordinator, Alix Swanson. (swansona@loswego.k12.or.us)

Please click here to: Learn when to keep your children home from school.

VISION SCREENING: Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation will soon be conducting their

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

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.

Oak Creek Elementary is able to offer resources to households that may need a helping hand over the holidays. Below is a brief description of holiday resources that are being offered. Please complete the form if you would like to be contacted to receive any of these services.

Use this link to complete the form:

https://forms.gle/Uk7iQzotLHrh84QT8

If you have questions please feel free to contact us. Your privacy will be respected.

Roxanne Davidson, School Counselor

davidsor@loswego.k12.or.us 503.534.2323

Kristin Guelsdorf, District Social Worker

guelsdok@loswego.k12.or.us. 971.204.9555

We have a lot to celebrate and acknowledge this month. All teachers and staff are encouraged to find ways to recognize these and other awareness opportunities to help create a culture of belonging in our schools.

Special Education Day, December 2, commemorates the anniversary of our nation's first federal special education law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, signed by President Ford on December 2, 1975.

International Day of People with Disabilities, December 3, is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. It has been observed with varying degrees of success around the planet.

Human Rights Day, December 10, is observed every year on the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is a milestone document, which proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Available in more than 500 languages, it is the most translated document in the world.

Bill of Rights Day, December 15, was ratified on December 15, 1791. Understanding the Bill of Rights is also an important part of the naturalization test.

Hanukkah, December 18-26, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and subsequent rededication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. Academics and work permitted.

Christmas, December 25, commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. In Christianity, Christmas marks the beginning of the larger season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days. Traditions include the sending of cards, decorating with poinsettias and a Christmas tree, singing Christmas carols, and giving gifts. Recommended accommodations: Observe with no school, meetings or events.

Kwanzaa, December 26-January 1, is an annual holiday affirming African family and social values. During the festival, families and friends gather together and exchange gifts. People also light a series of black, red, and green candles, which are symbols of the seven basic values of African American family life — unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

If we've missed a recognition opportunity, please email kristoft@loswego.k12.or.us.

Light up your holidays with Mostly Operational's STEM Ornament Kits. Use our premade LED kits and educational instructions to decorate your tree for the holidays and support our fundraiser.

See the QR code below or go to https://forms.gle/vrhFtcsDsvXeB68aA to reserve your kits today.

I Love Lake Oswego Clothing Closet has received an overwhelming amount of support and donation during the pandemic. We want to give back to our community and encourage our community to lean on us not for just hard times, but for up cycling, sustainability, and for our environment. In the past the closet was just for students, and since the pandemic we have opened our doors to anyone within our community.

Visit https://www.ilovelakeoswego.com for more information.

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.

Reach out to us if you have any questions or need anything!

• Principal; Barb Keeton: keetonb@loswego.k12.or.us
• Administrative Assistant; Terese Kristoffersson: kristoft@loswego.k12.or.us
• Administrative Assistant; Tanya Goodwin: goodwint@loswego.k12.or.us

Address: 55 Kingsgate Rd., Lake Oswego, OR 97035

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakCreekPTA/

Interested in OCE Spirit Wear? Check out this website sponsored by our PTO! OCE Spirit Wear