Falcon Flash

Dear Falcon Friends and Families,

Thank You!

A big thanks goes out to all that were able to attend parent/teacher conferences this week. It was wonderful seeing so many smiling faces and meeting many of you for the first time. In the fifth grade, students were in charge and led their conferences with pride. Throughout the school we had a very successful turn out with approximately 75% of parents and guardians showing up in person and 25% participating online, mostly due to trips out of town. Thank you again for your continued partnership.

CALLING ALL FALCONS HOME

I’m making a plea for school registrations. If you know of any potential Falcons for the 2023/24 school year, please urge them to register now, especially any Kindergarten and/or First Grade students. Early registration helps us with student placement and staff hiring so that we can form stable, well balanced classrooms. Many families in our community may have chosen an alternative environment for their child’s Kindergarten experience and are ready to return to public school, and there are several families that may be waiting to register their child for Kindergarten. Wait no longer! Our staffing and class sizes are dependent upon the number of students we have at each grade level, so please help us and register now!

Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!

Jim Mangan, Principal

4/21: NEON NIGHTS DANCE PARTY 5:30 - 8:30 pm

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

5/11: 5th Grade Choir Club Concert at 6:30 pm in the music room

5/13: Round Up @ Barn Kestral

5/17: 5th Grade Music Program: Pirates! at 6:30 pm in the gym

6/9: 5th Grade Promotion and End of Year Party 8:30 am

6/9: Kinder Promotion and End of Year Party afternoon -- TBD

EVERY THURSDAY IS EARLY RELEASE-- 2:00pm

link to full Calendar

The 2nd Annual NEON NIGHTS DANCE PARTY is just a few weeks away and we can't wait to see you there! No need to RSVP this year but please consider signing up for one of the roles below to help make it an awesome experience for our Falcon Families! This is an after school hours event & volunteers do not have to also be registered with Nicole Merino/LOSD. Quick reminder - all students must attend with an adult - thank you!

Sign up to:

Set up food and decor (need 4)

Manage face paint line & help kids choose a design (need 4 - 90 min each)

Breakdown after dance (need 4)

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040E4DADA928A0FB6-neon2

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

We will meet on Wednesdays during lunch recess in the 3 Bees Garden. Please let your kiddos know we are back in action!

This season we have seeds to start and baby plants to tend. We are looking forward to getting our hands dirty!

AND, if you would like to join us, parent volunteers are very welcome! Please remember to check in with the front office to get a name tag before you come around to the garden on Sunningdale.

Dear Forest Hills Families,

During April, we will turn our social emotional learning focus on Courage. One way to think about Courage is “choosing what is helpful, right, and kind even when it is hard or scary.” Courage is 1 of 3 traits we will focus on throughout the year that helps students Be Strong. Throughout the school, students will be developing skills like focusing, organizing, and goal-setting.

As we enter April, we will be talking about the virtue of Courage - to help our children be courageous and learn to conquer things that frighten or scare them. Children need reassurance that fear is one of our feelings and to help them understand that it’s okay to feel afraid. Courage isn’t fearlessness, but instead our ability to choose the right thing even when we are scared! The definition we will be talking about is: Courage is to choose what is helpful, right, and kind - even when it is hard or scary.

Have some fun connecting as a family this month while practicing Courage. Here are 3 “PurposeFull Pursuits” for you to complete together. How many can you do this month?

1. Reflect, think, and discuss with your student things you both would like to do, but find intimidating or scary. Maybe it’s a new hobby, trying a new game, sharing your art or invention with others, or going on an adventure somewhere. Give 1 of these things a try together and take a selfie to capture the memory!

1. Review Courage as a family! Remember that Courage is choosing what is helpful, right, and kind - even when it’s hard or scary. What’s something that you’ve been afraid to discuss with your student? Something that might be difficult to explain about our community or the world. Chances are they will hear about it eventually and it may come from someone who is less informed or less supportive than you. Have a courageous conversation with your student. It could be about bullying, the environment, uncertainty, etc. Remind them that love and support are 2 tools that we can use to practice Courage. Discuss as a family ways they can practice Courage around the issue you discuss.

2. We have all demonstrated Courage in our lives. Many of us have seen people practice Courage in ways that have inspired us. Stories are powerful tools for connecting as a family. Protect time this week to share stories about Courage with each other (you can use the story prompts to get started). At the end of the conversation, think of 1 way you can practice Courage this week. Pursuit #1 Pursuit #3 Pursuit #2 Reflect, think, and discuss with your student things you both would like to do, but find intimidating or scary. Maybe it’s a new hobby, trying a new game, sharing your art or invention with others, or going on an adventure somewhere. Give 1 of these things a try together and take a selfie to capture the memory! Story Prompts: ● A time I (or someone else) showed Courage was _____. ● An act of Courage that changed/challenged me was _____.

We believe involving families in our Social Emotional Learning is important. The letters linked below include activities and conversation starters for you to explore Courage as a family.

Courage Family Newsletters

Thank you for taking the time to engage your family in these activities.. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I can be reached at drimmelh@loswego.k12.or.us.

Sincerely,

Hayley Drimmel

School Counselor

Parents-guardians who have concerns about a student’s well-being are encouraged to reach out to their principal and 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. https://www.safeoregon.com/

In addition, below are reporting methods for parents-guardians or students to use to report issues related to racist, bias, or harassment incidents.

· Incident Report for Elementary School

· Incident Report for Middle Schools

· Incident Report for High Schools

Lake Oswego Public Library has embarked on a library visioning process, guided by the voices of our community. What matters to you? There is still time to participate if you have not yet made your voice heard!

The goals of the Library visioning process are to:

• Understand the community’s needs for service and accessibility
• Determine the Library’s role to address community challenges and meet emerging needs
• Create a shared community vision for the future of Lake Oswego Public Library

Everyone in the community is invited to share their needs and vision for the future through one of the many opportunities to engage in the visioning process:

• Tell us what’s important to you via our 3-minute online survey
• Share your ideas and vision by posting on our online idea wall
• Discuss the future of the library in person at the Mayor’s Roundtable event on Thursday, April 20, at 5:30 pm in Council Chambers

Join us for a virtual community forum on one of the following dates:

• Monday, April 17, 6:00-7:00 pm
• Wednesday, April 26, 6:00-7:00 pm

At these final forums, we will be wrapping up the visioning process, reviewing and discussing preliminary consultant recommendations, and gathering additional feedback from participants to further shape the vision and recommendations for our library.

For more information including links to the virtual community forums, please visit https://berrydunn.mysocialpinpoint.com/lakeoswegopubliclibrary.

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/

BIKE SAFETY

As the weather improves, it’s a great time to consider getting outside. Your District Nurses want to remind and encourage your student to ride their bike safely and remember to wear a helmet. These resources can help your student get off to a great start.

Bike Safety

Reduced Cost Helmets

SUN SAFETY

While outside, be sure to protect yourself and your student from harmful UV. Visit this link to learn ways to safely enjoy the sun and what to do if your student gets a bit too much.

INDIVIDUALIZED HEALTH PLAN? - Watch for an Email

If your child has a LOSD Individualized Health Plan (IHP) developed in consultation with your District Nurse, please watch for an email! Your response is needed to confirm or update your student's plan. We appreciate your prompt response..

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.

Does your child like to sing? Join the Windjammers (advanced choir) of Lake Oswego High School for a morning of music and fun on 4/22 from 9am-12pm at LOHS. Learn a pop song and choreography to perform with the Windjammers that night at their Variety Show! Registration is $50 and includes the camp, snacks, T-shirt, plus an adult admission to the evening show. Register by 4/18!

A Note From Mrs. Hedgepeth...

As summer is approaching I wanted to share some local organizations that offer summer camps in the fine arts!

Oregon Repertory Singers Youth Choir is a local youth choir program that offers both school year choir and fun summer camps for elementary students.

ORS Summer Sing Information!

Spotlight Musical Theater Academy offers classes during the school year along with camps in the summer! If your child loves singing, dancing, and acting this might be a fun opportunity for them!

Spotlight Musical Theater Summer Camps

Youth Music Project offers lessons and different music classes throughout the year along with summer camps! If your child is interested in being in a rock band or learning how to play mariachi music this could be the camp for them!

Youth Music Project Camps

Vibe of Portland offers art and music classes throughout the year along with summer camps!

Vibe of Portland Summer Camps

***Disclaimer: Even though I am familiar with most of these organizations and know people working within them, I am not affiliated with any of them.

GRATITUDE REVEALED

Thursday, May 4, 2023 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

**Doors open at 6:30 pm**

Hosted by LOHS parents and Gratitude Revealed film distributor, Kirt Eftekhar of Area 23a Films.

Q&A directly after the film

Suggested Donation: $8 for Students & $12 for Adults

Film Summary:

An epic journey forty years in the making, Gratitude Revealed from acclaimed filmmaker, Louie

Schwartzberg, the director of Fantastic Fungi, takes us on a transformational, cinematic experience of how to live a more meaningful life full of gratitude through his intimate conversations with everyday people, thought leaders, and personalities revealing gratitude is a proven pathway back from the disconnection we feel in our lives; disconnection from ourselves, our planet, and each other.

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