Oak Creek Families,
Thank you to all of our families who were able to attend Back to School Night this week. It was awesome to have so many families in the school! Here is our slide deck presentation for any of you who missed the presentation in the gym.
We hope to see you all at conferences next week! If you haven't already scheduled your opportunity to meet with your child's teacher, please reach out to them. Because student participation is different at each grade level, please pay close attention to the communication from their classroom teacher to know if you should bring your child or not.
Please make sure to read below for important information, including news about conferences, the PTO Carnival 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,
Barb Keeton
In This Message:
Updated in Every Edition:
- Principal's Message
- Dates to Remember
- PTO Corner
NEW In This Edition:
- i-Ready Reports in ParentVue
- Lost and Found
Repeated Information:
- Holiday Outreach
- SMART Reading
- Reading with Jillian
- Book Fair Website
- Purposeful People
- Black Student Mentorship Program
- New Application for School Volunteers
- Recognitions and Observations in October
LOSD District News:
- "I Love Lake Oswego" Clothing Closet
- SafeOregon
- Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
If you have forgotten your ParentVUE password, go to the login page, click "I am a Parent," then click "Forgot Password." If you are unsure whether you have a ParentVUE account or need assistance, please contact Tanya Goodwin, goodwint@loswego.k12.or.us.
Oregon Battle Of The Books
OBOB at OCE is back! And here is What to know now! Get to know the Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) Statewide program at their website. Linked here.
Beginning next week, OCE OBOB volunteers will be coming into the 3-5 grade classrooms over the next two weeks. They will be…
describing OBOB at OCE for the 22-23 season
introducing the books
reading a chapter of one of the OBOB books
sending a flyer home with your readers!
OBOB Competition
Students in 3-5 grades read books, form teams, prepare for & compete in a trivia style competition.
Registration Deadline November 4th
QR Code to register for the competition side of OBOB.
OBOB Book Club
Is for anyone in grades 3-5. Students come to the library during their lunch recess on specific days to talk about OBOB books, read new and old OBOB books, and practice for the competition (if they choose).
No sign up necessary. Simply show up during your lunch recess
3rd Grade - Mondays lunch recess beginning October 31st
4th Grade - Wednesdays lunch recess beginning November 2nd
5th Grade - Wednesdays lunch recess beginning November 2nd
We will share more soon! If you have questions for...
the PTO & their involvement with OBOB, email:
Kirstin Martin at oakcreekelementarypto@gmail.com
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
Dyslexia Awareness Month
Userway is Lake Oswego School District’s primary accessibility tool. When you see this graphic (or “widget”) on our district webpages, click on it to view a variety of accessibility tools, e.g., keyboard navigation, screen reader, pause animations, text spacing or color options. You can add this tool to your own computer at WCAG 2.1 AA Website Accessibility - Accessible Websites with UserWay | UserWay. Userway does not store information on users and is COPPA, FERPA, HIPAA, GDPR and ADA compliant.
Assistive Technology … Did you know?
Technology is changing and improving the school experience for students with dyslexia. Text-to-speech and speech-to-text software, calculators, and note-taking apps are common examples of “assistive technology”. Many of us enjoy audiobooks for pleasure reading, but audiobooks also can serve as a vital piece of assistive technology for those with learning differences such as dyslexia.
With audiobooks everyone can acquire new vocabulary, expand their knowledge and love of books, and enjoy complex or intriguing storylines. Because dyslexics have great listening comprehension, audiobooks enable independent access to school curriculum through “ear-reading” of complex or voluminous textbooks and novels.
The Lake Oswego Public Library has many audiobook services here:
LOSD assistive technology and audiobook resource information can be found here:
LOSD Audiobooks & Read-Aloud Tools
If you have questions or concerns regarding your child’s learning, please contact the school principal and/or literacy specialist. Another great parent resource would be to contact your school’s Special Education Advisory Committee representative. Please see here to learn how to contact your school representative.
Message from PTO!
Hello OCE!
The Oak Creek Elementary School Fall Carnival is TONIGHT, 4-7pm! Please note, there is limited access from 4-4:30pm for students with IEPs, 504s, and kinders. The carnival opens to all OCE kiddos at 4:30pm. Join an unforgettable night of Spooktacular fun for all ages. You will be welcomed by LO emergency vehicles. We will even have items available for auction. Wristbands purchased today are $25. Each parent who signs up to volunteer at the carnival will receive a free wristband for their child. Use the QR code, this link, or text “Coyotes” to 366283 to purchase a carnival wristband.
Please sign up to volunteer at the Book Fair! We need help to make this a wonderful event for our kiddos.
Thank you for joining us at Back to School Night! As mentioned by our president, you will be receiving a green form from the PTO. This form includes a direct monetary ask for your student. The suggested amount of $175 per student covers all of the PTO expenses. You are not required to give this amount, any little bit helps, even $1. You can also use this form to apply for a confidential scholarship. Use the QR code, this link, or text “Coyotes” to 366283 to make a donation to the OCE PTO.
Square 1 Art fundraiser coming soon! Keep a lookout for more information coming home with your student.
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
New Application for School Volunteers
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.
Recognitions, Observations in October
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.
Dyslexia Awareness Month is always a good opportunity to raise awareness and understanding of dyslexia and help to bring about positive change.
LGBTIA+ History Month is a month-long, annual, celebration and remembrance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history.
National Bullying Prevention Month includes activities, education, and awareness building for the entire month.
National Principals Month recognizes the essential role that principals play in making a school great. Principals are among the hardest working, yet often least recognized individuals in education.
School Custodian & Grounds Appreciation Day is celebrated each year on October 2 by different businesses and organizations across the United States.
Mental Health Awareness Week educates and increases awareness about mental illness. It takes place every year during the first full week of October. World Mental Health Day, October 10, is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma.
World Teachers' Day, October 5, created in 1994 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is an annual and internationally recognized day devoted to the assessment, improvement, and appreciation of teachers worldwide.
World Cerebral Palsy Day, which occurs annually on October 6, reminds us that there are over 17 million people impacted by this disorder. CP is one of the most common physical disabilities affecting the most vulnerable among us — children.
National Coaches Day, October 6, honors the men and women who inspire us to work harder and do our best.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day, October 9, is a federal holiday in the United States that celebrates and honors Native American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures.
National Coming Out Day is an annual LGBT awareness day observed on October 11, to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in "coming out of the closet."
Safe Schools Week, October 16-22 is observed and actively supported by local, state and national public officials and professional organizations.
Red Ribbon Week is an alcohol, tobacco, and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign observed annually in October in the United States. It began as a tribute to fallen DEA special agent Enrique Camerena in 1985.
Mix It Up at Lunch Day
Mix It Up at Lunch Day is an international campaign that encourages students to identify, question and cross social boundaries.
National Organization for Women (NOW) Founded
The National Organization for Women is an American feminist organization founded in 1966. The organization consists of 550 chapters in all 50 U.S. states and in Washington, D.C.
Halloween, October 31, Also known as All Hallows’ Eve—the evening before All Saints Day or All Hallows Day—this event has roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (SOW-an). In Gaelic culture, it is a celebration of the end of the harvest season and a time to remember loved ones who have died. Today, in the United States and some Western countries, it is customary to wear costumes and take part in revelry.
Yom Kippur, October 4-5, is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Recommended accommodation: Avoid scheduling major academic deadlines, events, or activities after a day of fasting.
Shemini Atzeret, October 6-8, is a Jewish holiday celebrated on the 22nd day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei in the Land of Israel, and on the 22nd and 23rd outside the Land, usually coinciding with late September or early October. Recommended accommodation: Avoid scheduling major academic deadlines, events, or activities. If planning an event, provide food accommodations (Kosher restrictions apply)
Sukkot, October 9 - 16, is a Torah-commanded holiday celebrated for seven days from the 15th day of the month of Tishrei. It is one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals on which those Israelites who could were commanded to make a pilgrimage to the Temple at Jerusalem. Recommended accommodation: Avoid scheduling major academic deadlines, events, or activities on the first 2 days. If planning an event, provide food accommodations (Kosher restrictions apply)
Birth of Bahá´u’ llah, October 17, is one of nine holy days in the Baháʼí calendar that is celebrated by adherents of the Baháʼí Faith and during which work is suspended.
Recommended accommodation: Avoid scheduling major academic deadlines, events, or activities. Baha’i employees will likely request the day off.
Diwali, October 24, known as the "Indian Festival of Lights”, is a major Hindu holiday signifying the renewal of life, and the victory of good over evil. To celebrate, people light lamps and candles, set off fireworks, and wear new clothes.
If we've missed a recognition opportunity, please email kristoft@loswego.k12.or.us.
"I Love Lake Oswego" Clothing Closet Open to Entire Community!
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.
SafeOregon
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.)
Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
Stay connected to the district and your school(s) and receive urgent notifications by subscribing to the Lake Oswego Schools App.
About Oak Creek
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
