The OWL Newsletter
Otto Petersen Elementary School
OPE is celebrating and recognizing National Native American Heritage month!
This is a chance to learn about and recognize the unique ancestry, traditions, and contributions that the Indigenous people and communities make today and have made throughout history.
Dear Families,
As we are in the season of thanks and gratefulness, I want to again extend my gratitude for your support and collaboration in supporting your children at school. This year has brought a few more steps towards "normalcy" and as we continue to navigate the changes within our educational systems, it is so important--now more than ever--to have a strong connection between school and home.
Virtual Family/Teacher conferences are next week on Monday and Tuesday, November 22nd and 23rd. Our goal is to have 100% attendance and connection so that we can keep lines of communication and support open between the homes and school. You child spends the majority of his/her/their time in school and at home. We can't stress enough how important it is to be a united front in supporting each child in growth, learning and development. If you have not already done so, please sign up for a conference with your child's teacher!
Do you not have reliable internet at home for conferences? We can help! On Monday and Tuesday of next week, Scappoose High School will be open for parents to use a computer device for the purpose of conferencing with their child's teacher. Conferences will still be virtual, and we ask that only parents who do not have reliable or access to the internet from home utilize this resource.
We are celebrating and recognizing National Native American Heritage month! This is a chance to learn about and recognize the unique ancestry, traditions, and contributions that the Indigenous people and communities make today and have made throughout history.
Our mental health specialists and school administration will be starting a Parent Resource hand out that we will be sending to all families on a quarterly basis. The first edition will go out in December and will include strategies and tips on assisting your child's experiences at school, from a home standpoint.
In lieu of conferences on Monday and Tuesday, and the Thanksgiving holiday following, there is no school next week for students. We will look forward to seeing everyone back in the building on Monday, November 29th. I want to wish everyone a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!
Respectfully,
Jenneca Crocker
Principal, Otto Petersen Elementary
Scappoose School District
971-200-8003
Character Trait of The Month: Respect
Respect shows consideration for self, others, property, rules, and people in authority through words and actions.
What does it look like?
Getting to school on time
Listening when others are speaking
Speaking respectfully about others and avoiding gossip
Resources
Thanksgiving Baskets:
If you are interested in receiving a food basket please contact OPE by November 18th by 3 p.m.
Scappoose Share and Care
Scappoose Share and Care is a program headed by the Scappoose Fire Department that puts food, clothing, and Christmas gifts in the hands of families who are in need. If you or someone you know need support please click the link: https://www.srfd.us/share-care
Paper copies of the application will also be available near the door at the Scappoose Fire District's administration office located at 52751 Columbia River Highway, and St. Vincent DePaul Food Bank located at 51555 Sw. Old Portland Road.
The deadline for submitting applications is December 9th at noon.
Food 4 Kids:
Scappoose School District has partnered with St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank to continue the backpack program. This is a program to provide nonperishable food to families in need. The food is distributed discreetly, once a week at school. If your family is experiencing food insecurities, please reach out to your student's school counselor, social worker, or care coordinator. There is limited capacity for distribution at school, so please reach out as soon as you can. Picking up food from St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank is also an option for anyone in the community. Currently, they are open Tuesday and Thursday 1-3 pm. (51555 SW Old Portland Rd, Scappoose, OR 97056)
How you can contact me:
Email: lmckedy@scappoose.k12.or.us
Phone: 971-200-8003 ext 3169
Nov 22nd & 23rd - Virtual Family/Teacher Conferences - 8:00 am - 8:00 pm both days.
- The Scappoose School District is using a central location at the high school for families that do not have reliable internet. In this way, those families can access the internet at the high school with a provided device for all of their parent-teacher conferences.
OPE website: www.scappoosek12.org/ope
SSD website: https://www.scappoosek12.org
OPPO website: http://ottopetersenparentorganization.weebly.com/
OPPO Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OttoPetersenParentOrg/
We would also like to remind OPE families that students must ride their buses to and from school and not ride the bus home with friends.
Please call 971-200-8003 or email our office staff -
Mary McNabb - mmcnabb@scappoose.k12.or.us, or Sue MacLachlan -smaclachlan@scappoose.k12.or.us with changes to your student’s after-school plans by 1:30 pm each day and by (12:30 pm on Wednesdays) so that we have enough time to let the necessary staff know. Thank you for your patience as we work through these first few weeks of school.
OPE families,
This year, we are hoping to bring back some of our OPE traditions in celebration of the winter season. This includes Santa's Workshop and a Hot Cocoa Drive-Thru event.
Santa's Workshop, December 13-15th (all day)
For those of you new to Petersen, Santa's Workshop is an in-building "store" set up and run by the OPPO. Students visit with their class to buy gifts for their families. All of the products are purchased from The Dollar Tree and sold at cost. We have a separate budget we set aside for supplies. We also provide gift cards for kiddos who may not be able to purchase for their families on their own.
In order to bring back this event, we need at least ten volunteers to run and stock the "store" and wrap gifts. To work at Santa's workshop, you must have an up-to-date background check on file and proof of vaccination. As with all school events, masks are required. If you would like to volunteer, please email ottopetersenpresident@gmail.com.
Hot Cocoa & Donation Drive-Thru, December 9 (5:30-6:30 pm)
This year we would like to host a drive-thru event to collect cash donations for Scappoose Share & Care in conjunction with Kiwanis and Scappoose Fire Department. The OPPO will receive donations while passing out hot cocoa and candy canes to families. Donations are NOT required; we'd love to have as many families stop by as possible. Watch for more information soon.
Finally, we would like to welcome Angie Oehlert as our new OPPO Vice President. This month we had to say farewell to our acting president, Ann Layton. She and her family are moving out of state. In the meantime, Laycee Kinsman, the former VP, will be taking over as president. We are so excited to welcome Angie on board!
Have a wonderful week and a Happy Thanksgiving!
Please be sure to visit and/or join our Facebook group @ottopetersenparentorganization.or on Instagram @ottopetersenparents.