Principal's Message 1.20.23
Dear Lake Grove Families,
Today we had a schoolwide assembly to hear the band, orchestra, and choir from the middle school perform for our students and staff! I hope that this experience inspired your children to create music themselves. We are lucky to have strong music programs in LOSD schools, including the foundational skills students learn here with our own music teacher, Ms. Sarah Hotz.
We were joined by representatives from the LOSD Library who came with a few high school student leaders to thank our Lake Grove students and families for their generous contributions to the winter break read-a-thon. I'm proud to share that our students earned a reading banner for our library. It's wonderful to see our community so invested in helping one another - and enjoying books!
If you can't find what you need to know here, please feel free to email or call our office with questions.
Be kind,
Principal Jennie Knapp
Emergency Drills
Smart Watches Reminder
The use of electronic devices has the potential to compromise student privacy, safety, property, and academic success. These devices include, but are not limited to, smart watches, cell phones, headphones, airpods, and video game players. Students are expected to have their personal electronic devices off and put away during school hours. Devices need to be off and away in classrooms, hallways, and bathrooms. This also includes devices put into “school mode”. I’m sure you would agree that we want our teachers concentrating on teaching and learning and not monitoring the mode of student watches. School issued chromebooks and iPads are the only electronic devices needed at school. Personal computers/laptops are not allowed to be used at school.
We understand that there are times when a student needs to communicate with a parent/caregiver during the school day. They may come to the main office to call home. Parents/caregivers can also call the office at 503-534-2357 and a message can be delivered to your student. If students choose to bring an electronic device to school, they may secure it in their backpack. Lake Grove will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items.
It’s best to keep all non-school issued electronic devices at home. Thank you for understanding and cooperation.
Practice Skills at Home with i-Ready Personalized Instruction (My Path)
LOSD has been utilizing iReady as a benchmark assessment in fall, winter and spring to help us learn more about what we're teaching well and in what areas we need to improve. This year, students have also been spending some time practicing and learning new skills in math and reading on the instructional side of this platform as well. If your family is interested students have the option to engage in My Path from home.
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, allowing them to practice the skills they need to be successful.
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.
Social Emotional Learning
Dear Lake Grove Families,
As we start the new year of 2023, we will be spending the month of January practicing the character trait of PERSEVERANCE in our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons. The definition we will be using for Perseverance is: pushing yourself to work through challenges and obstacles.
A lot of research today is telling us that the highest indicators of success in our kids isn’t just about their grades or their IQ. The number one skill that helps people of all walks of life be successful is GRIT! Grit is the ability to persevere in the face of adversity or even failure.
Over the course of the month, we will talk about inspiring people who faced many failures before they found success. We will talk about what it means to navigate tough stuff, even when it feels overwhelming or really hard. We will talk about having a Growth Mindset; to see challenges and failure as an opportunity to grow instead of a brick wall. During my SEL time in each classroom we will also talk about anxiety and worries and how to push on through when things get tough.
One way to reinforce our teaching here at school is to let your child know it’s ok to not be perfect. Students are often expected to perform their best on everything from tests to playing on the sports field. Complimenting their effort, determination and good character places the focus on the process instead of the product.
Here are links for extension activities to explore PERSEVERANCE further as a family:
Kindergarten Perseverance Family Newsletter
1st Grade Perseverance Family Newsletter
2nd Grade Perseverance Family Newsletter
3rd Grade Perseverance Family Newsletter
4th Grade Perseverance family Newsletter
5th Grade Perseverance Family Newsletter
As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns at postw@loswego.k12.or.us.
Sincerely,
Wendy Post
Lake Grove School Counselor
News from the District Nurses
What services does your school nurse provide?
School Nursing by Definition:
School nursing, a specialized practice of nursing, protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success. School nurses, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice, are the leaders who bridge health care and education, provide care coordination, advocate for quality student-centered care, and collaborate to design systems that allow individuals and communities to develop their full potential. (Adopted by the NASN Board of Directors February 2017.)
Some of the services provided by your school nurses:
Provide first aid care and health assessment;
Write care plans and coordinate the care of students with chronic or acute health conditions;
Communicate with teachers and staff to ensure the safety and well-being of students;
Administer medications and monitor delegated medication administration;
Assist in the evaluation of students for Special Services (Special Education);
Coordinate and provide vision screenings and vaccination clinics;
Track and monitor immunizations and dental care and;
Educate and train staff on: asthma, life threatening allergies, diabetes, and blood borne pathogens.
If you would like to speak to your school nurse, click the link below for contact information.
First Annual Foundation Gala – Save the date!
This is an evening dedicated to our wonderful community and the amazing schools we support.
February Ski Bus Opportunity
Snoblasters is Mt. Hood Meadow's Consecutive Week lessons are a wonderful way to introduce your child to skiing or snowboarding or enhance their current skill level. The program runs 4 consecutive weeks and is a completely supervised program with 4 hours of ski/snowboard lessons each Sunday in February. This program is great for kids 1st-5th grade (6th grade and older, see the Trailblazers Consecutive Week program).
The bus will leave every Sunday in February from Lakeridge Middle School. Signup online at www.SkiHood.com for the 4 week package which includes chaperoned charter bus transportation, rentals/helmet and 4 hours of lessons with the talented and patient ski instructors at Mt. Hood Meadows.
Sign up here: https://www.skihood.com/lessons-and-rentals/consecutive-week-programs/youth-bus-programs
Sunday’s in February Snoblasters GO Code: 1020851; Trailblazer GO Code 1163297
Any questions reach out to Kristina Weischadle at LOSnoblasters@gmail.com or 503-964-9258
Oregon State Assessment Opt-Out Form
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.
New Application for School Volunteers - Please apply!
For the safety of children, volunteers are required to have an approved background check when volunteering in schools.
Volunteer Application for LOSD
Thank you for your service to our students and schools. We are grateful for our volunteers.
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.)
SAVE THE DATE: COUGAR NIGHT IS BACK! SATURDAY, APRIL 29
The Lake Grove PTA creates enrichment programs, sponsors community-building events and provides teachers with additional funds to make successful classrooms every year. This Spring, our fundraising committee will begin a specific campaign to raise money for three new initiatives:
- Fifth grade classroom improvements (larger and taller desks)
- A school-wide recess equipment upgrade (new sports equipment and rainy-day recess activities)
- Development of a bark chip running/walking track around the school yard
To provide these new amenities for Lake Grove students, as well as continue our ongoing events and programs, our fundraising committee invites you to Cougar Night, a fundraising event focused solely on Lake Grove Elementary school and our students. Mark your calendars for an evening of fun at Ironlight on Saturday, April 29. More information will be available in February. Questions? Contact lakegrovepta@gmail.com.
CONGRATULATIONS YEARBOOK COVER ARTISTS
Room Parents and yearbook committee volunteers are working diligently to create a wonderful keepsake for our school year! The yearbook will be distributed in June. Thank you to all of the students who provided cover artwork for the yearbook, all of your art will be included inside the book.
We’d like to congratulate our six winning yearbook artists, who were selected by a student vote in December; one artist from every grade level will be featured on the cover:
K - Lucy Robinett
1 - Coco Steinmetz
2 - Isabelle Byrne
3 - Holland Steinmetz
4 - Liam Ghitea
5 - Eric Bi
THANK YOU 1st AND 4th GRADE FAMILIES! POTLUCK LUNCH WAS A HIT
In January, February and March, our staff appreciation committee asks families to donate items for a monthly staff potluck lunch to thank LG employees for their dedication to our students. First and fourth grade families hosted a delicious taco bar on Thursday. Second and third grade families, please watch this space for sign-ups as the dates draw nearer; details will also be sent out by room parents. Please sign up and help us show our appreciation for the Lake Grove staff!
February date tbd: lunch hosted by 2nd & 3rd Grade Families
March date tbd: lunch hosted by Kinder & 5th Grade Families
Lake Grove Elementary
At Lake Grove, we are an inclusive school community fostering social, emotional, and academic growth for all students.
Principal: Jennie Knapp
Website: https://www.losdschools.org/lg
Location: 15777 Boones Ferry Road, Lake Oswego, OR, United States
Phone: 503-534-2357
