Westridge Wildcat News
Thursday, October 20th, 2022
Message From the Principal
Hello Everyone,
Fall is finally in the air! The rains are starting as I'm writing this. And in looking at the forecast, it's going to be sticking around for awhile. As we step into this new weather please make sure your students are coming to school with weather-appropriate jackets and clothes. We do keep our students indoors for recess on the really rainy days, but for the in-between days we will still be sending them out. Fresh air and exercise are incredibly important and we'll be keeping this in the daily routine as much as possible.
We had another great event this week with our sock hop. I want to thank all of the volunteers that came out and helped make this event happen. Dancing for that long is a real commitment! And the events continue coming as we head into the end of October. We're all excited to connect with parent next week Thursday and Friday at conferences. Then the following Monday, the 31st is our Harvest Festival. Please note your little one will be coming home with a decorated pumpkin that day so make plans accordingly (probably not a good day for biking!). I also want to remind families that we're not dressing up in costumes on the 31st.
Have a great weekend everyone. Enjoy the rain, fall leaves, soup, etc. and see you on Monday.
Noah
Parent-Teacher Conferences are nearing!
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held October 27th and 28th. Sign Up Genius links will be sent out directly from your child's teacher. Please note: this is the allotted time for parent-teacher conferences. Teachers will not be hosting conferences outside these two days. Thank you!
STOP! WALK! TALK!
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. This is a month-long event to prevent bullying and promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Our school counselor, Gary Kieser, is introducing STOP! WALK! TALK! If students feel hurt by someone's words or actions they can use this strategy.
How can you help? You can help by reinforcing this strategy. Please ask them if they 1. Told the other child to stop, 2. If they walked away, and 3. If they talked to an adult if the problem did not stop. It is our sincere desire to have a school environment which is characterized by respect and caring.
OBOB is Coming!
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.
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 Fourth Grade Team:
Rosa Villeda, Adam Trowbridge, Mai Tran and Andrea Lewis
Rosa Villeda:
Q: What is your job here at Westridge?
A: 4th grade Teacher
Q: How long have you worked at Westridge?
A: This is my 2nd year
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Jalapa, Guatemala
Q: What did you do after high school?
A: Attended Adventist University of Central America in Costa Rica, where I earned a Bachelor's in Computer Technology Science. I became an Educator through an Alternative Certification Program in Houston, Texas.
Q: Tell me about your family or any pets!
A: My parents, two siblings, and two nephews live in Guatemala. I am fortunate to visit them every year during summer time.
Q: What are some interesting or fun facts about you?
A: I love spending time with wonderful people, friends, family, and especially my students! I also love traveling and discovering new places. I enjoy exercising and trying new sports... This summer, I learned how to play Pickleball, and it's keeping me busy!
Q: What are somethings you love to do in your free time?
A: Working out, spend time with friends and family, hiking, salsa dancing, and having a delicious brunch!
Mai Tran:
Q: What is your job here at Westridge?
A: Fourth Grade Teacher
Q: How long have you worked at Westridge?
A: This is my 3rd year
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Vietnam and Vancouver
Q: What did you do after high school?
A: Went to college at WSU
Q: Tell me about your family or any pets!
A: I have a sister who lives in Austin and several plants!
Q: What are some interesting or fun facts about you?
A: I have moved across the Pacific three times.
Q: What are some things you love to do in your free time?
A: I enjoy rock climbing!
Adam Trowbridge:
Q: What is your job here at Westridge?
A: Fourth Grade Teacher
Q: How long have you worked at Westridge?
A: 2 years
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Williston, North Dakota
Q: What did you do after high school?
A: Traveled, Worked at a record store (2nd favorite job EVER, after Teaching of course), Took time going back to college for Teaching Degree.
Q: Tell me about your family or any pets!
A: Wife (Lindsey), Randyn (4th grade), Zaine (3rd grade). No pets
Q: What are some interesting or fun facts about you?
A: I am not a fan of camping (can't handle being sweaty and dirty)
Not a fan of hunting/fishing (too boring and a chance of getting dirty and/or sweaty)During the Covid lockdown, we sadly lost 17 fish...for some reason, we just could not keep them alive :(
I am fascinated with all things space, as well as weather.
Q: What are some things you love to do in your free time?
A: I love to clean (I find it relaxing, plus there is nothing more satisfying than knowing your house is now meticulously clean), I love to run, cook, read, and go on hikes (which are different than camping because I can get home and shower right away!)
Andrea Lewis:
Q: What is your job here at Westridge?
A: 4th grade Teacher
Q: How long have you worked at Westridge?
A: This is my 2nd year
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Tigard, Oregon
Q: What did you do after high school?
A: Went to Oregon State to receive my Bachelor's Degree. Then I moved to Seville, Spain where I was an Au Pair. Finally, moved back to Oregon, attended George Fox University and got my teaching license!
Q: Tell me about your family or any pets!
A: I recently rescued a black lab mix with my partner. Sully is full of energy and can be naughty at times, but we love him endlessly!
Q: What are some interesting or fun facts about you?
A:I studied abroad in Chile (with not much Spanish speaking skills to show for it) and I am left handed.
Q: What are somethings you love to do in your free time?
A:I love being outside! Going on walks, hikes, swimming, paddle boarding or simply hanging in my backyard with Sully and friends!
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: 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