Falcon Flash

Dear Falcon Friends and Families:

In an effort to keep our families informed, I need to direct your attention to an issue of increasing importance. I know we don’t want to think about our elementary students participating in drug use, but it’s important to keep up to date with information. As you know, our young citizens from all around the world are experiencing greater stress, anxiety and depression, so it shouldn’t be surprising that some may choose to turn to substance use as a result.

Children as young as elementary-school age are reporting the use of alcohol, illicit drugs, and sniffing everyday substances. To support students’ social, emotional, and physical health, LOSD CARES, just this week, hosted a virtual workshop with Brian McCrady of the Clackamas County Prevention Coalition discussing substance abuse prevention for children in grades kindergarten through 12th grade. During the 1-hour online workshop, parents/guardians learned how to identify signs of substance abuse, how to talk with their child about it, and how to find help.

LOSD CARES is a connection and resilience education series hosted by our district's team of counselors, social workers, and psychologists to provide our families with greater access to mental health resources.

This workshop was recorded and posted with other sessions hosted by LOSD CARES on the district website under Student Services / LOSD CARES.

I want to share this link with you within this newsletter and urge you to take a look. Knowledge is power, and we need to do our best to stay informed.

LOSD Cares Workshop

Thank you for partnering with us at Forest Hills to keep all students safe and healthy!

Jim Mangan, Principal

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Our Very Own Nicole Merino is a SASEE Award Winner!

Please join me in congratulating Nicole Merino for her consistent dedication to the Forest Hills community for the last 16 years! This past week, she was awarded the Service Above Self Education Excellence award! The SASEE awards serve to recognize a community of dedicated citizens, educators and students who contribute to others and to education, and support social and civic justice. Congratulations Mrs. Merino!

3/21: 4th Grade Music Concert at 2:00 pm in the gym

3/22: 3rd Grade Music Concert at 2:00 pm in the gym

3/24: NO SCHOOL- Teacher Prep Day

3/27 - 3/31: SPRING BREAK

4/13 -14: Conferences - NO SCHOOL

4/21: Neon Nights Dance Party 5:30 - 8:30 pm

5/4: Talent Show & Art Exhibit **NOTE DATE CHANGE**

5/13: Round Up @ Barn Kestral

6/9: 5th Grade Promotion and End of Year Party

EVERY THURSDAY IS EARLY RELEASE-- 2:00pm

link to full Calendar

To purchase tickets and for more information visit www.foresthillsroundup.com.

We need you! Please consider applying for our school or district advisory committee for terms starting next school year. There is one application for all committees -- please mark the committee that is of interest to you. Only committees with vacancies -- School Advisory Committees and Long Range Facility Planning -- are listed in the application for this period. See the charters posted on the School Board Advisory Committees web page for more information about each committee.

Applications are due Friday, April 7th at 5 p.m. Recommendations and selections will be made in April. All applicants will be notified by May 1. Thank you!

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.

Please complete this form to opt your fifth grade student OUT of the science state test.

Please contact Tori Elliott, Student Support Specialist, with all questions: elliottv@loswego.k12.or.us

Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 581-022-1910

FILL OUT FORM

The Forest Hills school directory is found on DirectorySpot. Access your account in 3 easy steps:

1. Download the DirectorySpot app to your smartphone:

iPhone - http://goo.gl/5U2Tzq or Android - http://goo.gl/iBK9lY

2. Launch DirectorySpot, enter your email address as your Username, and click on "Reset Password."

3. Click on the link in your email to set your password, relaunch the DirectorySpot app, and login with your username and password.

Once your account is set up, be sure to bookmark the URL for easy web access:

https://www.directoryspot.net/schools/foresthillselementaryportland/

Handwashing

While hand sanitizer is a great option, it cannot replace good handwashing. Be sure to wash your hands after using the restroom,sneezing or coughing, or touching your face to help keep our community healthy.

Allergies?

If your student has a health plan that includes an Antihistamine (Benadryl), please be aware that you must provide it. If your child has an allergic reaction or potential exposure to allergen and you have not provided it, we will have to call 911 per the regulations and guidelines of OHA/ODE/CCESD.

If you would like to speak to your school nurse, click the link below for contact information.

Contact your District Nurse

For the safety of children, volunteers are required to have an approved background check when volunteering in schools.

To help streamline compliance with state and school board policies, which require that all volunteers have background checks and knowledge of other board policies -- as well as state-mandated proof of vaccination (or a qualified exemption) -- we are introducing a new all-in-one volunteer application and approval process through ou Raptor Visitor Management System.

Submitting an online application initiates the background check process. Once submitted, applicants will receive an email upon approval of your background check and you will be given access through the onsite Raptor System at all schools. Please allow up to three weeks to process your approval.

Volunteers need to submit only one application for volunteering in all LOSD schools. Applications need to be submitted annually to capture changes in background checks, policies, and/or vaccination requirements.

Volunteer Application for LOSD

Thank you for applying promptly, and for your service to our students and schools. We are grateful for our volunteers.

It’s that time of year… Lake Oswego schools administer the YouthTruth every spring to help improve students’ experiences in our learning community. Responses from students, staff, and parents/guardians are incredibly valuable. We will be sending the survey link at the end of February, and we ask that you please take 15 minutes to complete it before March 24.

Importance of YouthTruth

• YouthTruth (YT) is a national nonprofit that harnesses perceptions to help educators accelerate improvements. Student perceptions are empirically linked to academic outcomes, and student perceptions are leading indicators.
  
• YT survey questions are grounded in research about what matters for student outcomes. The findings are used to inform our long-term strategic plan progress, curriculum and instruction, and professional development to improve practices.
  
• The survey design has been rigorously tested for validity and reliability. Through developmentally appropriate questions, students in all grade levels provide feedback on engagement, academic challenges, relationships, belonging, culture, emotional and mental health, diversity, and inclusion. Elementary students will also provide feedback on instructional methods and middle and high school students will provide feedback on obstacles to learning and career and college readiness. Staff and parents/guardians will be asked to provide feedback on similar topics. All responses are anonymous.
  

Timing of YouthTruth

Lake Oswego YT surveys will open on February 27 and close at midnight on March 24. Students will complete their survey in school, and staff and parents/guardians will be emailed the survey to complete in their own time. The link we send to you will be specific to Hallinan. Please make sure to take a survey for each school your students attend.

Please contact Jim Mangan with any questions about the survey. Thank you in advance for taking the time to provide your feedback.

Mark your calendars! Lake Oswego High School’s Asian American Student Union is hosting their second annual Asian Cultural Festival on Saturday, April 8th! The event will feature free Asian food, music, and activities from over 30 organizations/restaurants between 2 pm and 6:15 pm, as well as cultural performances from 6:30 pm to 9 pm. The show features a variety of spectacular performances including lion dancers, taiko drumming, music, martial arts, and more!

Tickets for the performances ($5) are limited and can be purchased on their website, www.asianfestivallo.com. The first 100 tickets purchased with the promo code EARLYBIRD23 will get 20% off! Thank you so much! We hope you also choose to join us at our festival this April!

Click here to see the updated LOSD Elementary School Student and Family Handbook.

Please contact the office and your teacher any time your student will miss or be late for school. Include: Nicole Merino, merinon@loswego.k12.or.us and Susan Locey, loceys@loswego.k12.or.us. Thank you!

Ms. Susan is our new Attendance Secretary!

Stay connected to the district and your school(s) and receive urgent notifications by subscribing to the Lake Oswego Schools App.

Stay in touch with the PTO on social media!

Instagram #foresthills.pto

https://www.instagram.com/foresthills.pto/

Facebook Forest Hills Elementary PTO

https://www.facebook.com/LOSDForestHillsPTO

All members of our community are committed to providing a safe and inclusive learning environment that cultivates empathy, creates challenging opportunities, and fosters lifelong learning.

Email: merinon@loswego.k12.or.us
Website: https://or01813384.schoolwires.net/Page/9
Location: 1133 Andrews Road, Lake Oswego, OR, USA
Phone: 5035342350