Lake Grove Elementary

Dear Lake Grove Families,

Thank you so much for joining your child's teacher at conferences. Our partnerships with families enrich our work and we are so proud of the academic, social and emotional progress your children are already making this year! As we launch our SEL theme of gratitude for November, I want you to know how thankful I am for the opportunity to know and love your children and to partner with each of you.

Be well,

Principal Knapp

This month through our Social Emotional Learning (SEL), we will be exploring the character trait of GRATITUDE. Gratitude has been shown to be one of the best ways to reduce anxiety, increase happiness, & improve relationships. The practice of gratitude is a tool that both grounds us and also inspires hope, peace, and joy. For when we are grateful, we are stronger to “be the good” to our world.

The definition students will be learning this month is Gratitude: choosing to notice and appreciate things in our life, things in others, and things in the world.

We want to make sure we share with students that Gratitude is first a choice that we get to make over and over again on where we put our focus. Second, it does not always have to be about something positive. We can feel grateful even for tough or challenging things in our life. There is plenty of research that shows a strong connection between Gratitude and reduced anxiety, increased happiness, and better relationships. Over the course of the month, we will talk about amazing people who demonstrate Gratitude in various ways. We will talk about what we are grateful for in ourselves and in others. Lastly, we will even find Gratitude in some things we would not expect to be thankful for.

We believe involving families in our Social Emotional Learning is important. The letters linked below include activities, conversation starters, reading lists, and more for you to explore GRATITUDE further as a family:

K-2 Gratitude Family Letter (English) 3-5 Gratitude Family Letter (English)

K-2 Gratitud para Familias (En Español) 3-5 Gratitud para Familias (En Español)

Thank you for teaming with us to empower our students socially and emotionally. Please reach out if you or your student would like more support.

With sincere gratitude, Wendy Post, Lake Grove Counselor

During the next two weeks, Lake Grove 4th and 5th grade classrooms will participate in Welcome to My World, an experiential learning event. Welcome to My World is a school-board approved program developed by the Lake Oswego Special Services Parent Advisory Committee (SSPAC) as an opportunity for students to gain empathy about what life might be like for someone who experiences Dyslexia, Speech and Language Impairments and Sensory Processing Disorders. Classes will reflect on their personal reactions to the experience, their thoughts about what it might be like for students with a disability, and a plan for how to be a supportive community member to peers who may be experiencing these disabilities. Please feel free to ask your 4th or 5th grade student the following questions:

• What is person-first language? Why is person-first language important?

• How did you feel during each station? (e.g. frustrated, confused, successful, etc.)

• How will you help a fellow community member who has a disability and may need some support?

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Lake Grove school counselor Wendy Post, postw@loswego.k12.or.us or 503-534-2357. We appreciate your partnership with this important school community learning activity.

During the week of November 1st, our teachers will be explaining the process of what we would do in an emergency Lock Down, but we will not be practicing the procedures. For our Kindergarten through Third grade students teachers will use this Lock Down Story Book to guide discussions and in 4th and 5th grade students will watch and discuss this video.

A lockdown means there is a possible threat inside the school. This is not business as usual. Hallways are cleared, all classroom doors are locked, and lights are turned out. Students and staff are instructed to stay quiet and out of sight during a lockdown.

We follow the Standard Response Protocol @ https://iloveuguys.org/The-Standard-Response-Protocol.html

We thank you for your help and cooperation, as we work to provide safe learning environments for all students in the Lake Oswego School District.

As we approach the Holiday seasons, Lake Grove wants to connect with families that could benefit from additional resource support. The district has a wonderful partnership with Hope Church and Lake Grove Presbyterian Church to offer Thanksgiving baskets for any LOSD families who may benefit! Please reach out before November 5th to your School Counselor (Wendy Post postw@loswego.k12.or.us) or School Social Worker (Tara Roland rolandt@losweego.k12.or.us) if you would like more information or to sign up. The Hope Church will be hosting pick-up days that are still to be determined. Delivery of the food boxes may be available. Listed below are what the boxes contain:

• A meat selection voucher for Safeway or Albertsons
• 2 cans of green beans
• 2 cans of corn
• 6 potatoes
• A gravy mix
• 1 box of stuffing
• 1 can of cranberry sauce
• 1 pie or assorted Gelatin/Pudding mixes

*Special Items that can accommodate families with Dietary Needs/Restrictions.

What is Oregon’s State of Mind on Dyslexia?

Oregon developed its first legislative guidelines for dyslexia in 2015 with the passing of Senate Bill 612 followed by 1003 in 2017. By law each school is required to complete a universal screening on all kindergarten and first grade students to identify those who are at risk for dyslexia. This law also mandates that each K-5 school have an extensively-trained educator who is able to recognize the warning signs of dyslexia and support students, teachers, parents, and the community. LOSD currently uses Dibels as our dyslexia screening tool. We have also selected LETRS Literacy training to support our educators in meeting the expectations of Senate Bill 612. If you have more questions please reach out to your school’s literacy specialist.

There also are three major federal laws that directly affect children with dyslexia. They are the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Oregon Department of Education Dyslexia Resources: Oregon Department of Education : Dyslexia : Regional Programs and Best Practices : State of Oregon

Gifted and Dyslexic?

Some kids with learning and attention difficulties have exceptional skills in certain areas. These kids are often called “twice-exceptional” (2E) learners.

LOSD Student Services and TAG (Talented & Gifted) Services are both responsible and should work in cooperation to meet the needs of twice-exceptional students. The student’s abilities will determine appropriate instruction.

To read about twice exceptional students, visit UNDERSTOOD.ORG:

Twice-Exceptional Students | 2E Learners | Gifted and Learning Disabilities

Each week this month, we featured a message about dyslexia in this newsletter. If you have questions or concerns regarding our child’s learning, please call the school principal, TAG coordinator, and/or literacy specialist. You can also contact your school’s representatives for TAG-AC (TAG Advisory Committee) or SSPAC (Student Services Parent Advisory Committee). Please see here to learn how to contact your school representative.

We are here to help you and your child succeed.

Hello LOSD Families,

Each student must have a Technology Consent form on file each year.

The District is once again offering a Device Damage and Loss Protection Plan to ease the financial obligation if your student's District Device is damaged or lost.

When you fill out the Tech Consent form, you will "accept" or "decline" participation in the Protection Plan. The cost is $20 per student, with a family maximum of $60. Participation in the program is completely optional. Fee waivers are available for those with financial need.

Click HERE to directly access the 2021-2022 Technology Consent form.

Please fill out one form per student. Payment instructions will be communicated to participating families. For a complete description of the Device Damage and Loss Protection Program, please visit the District's website at https://www.losdschools.org/Page/7761

Fee waiver forms can be accessed here: https://www.losdschools.org/domain/1838 Please mail the completed form to:

Lake Oswego School District Office

c/o James Miller

PO Box 70

Lake Oswego, OR 97034

Thank you,

Computer Network Services

If your child will be absent, please email your student's teacher and copy the office at lgattendance@loswego.k12.or.us. Please list the date your child will be absent and any illness symptoms. You may also call us at 503-534-2357, or leave a voicemail on the 24-hour attendance line at 503-534-2299.

The Lake Oswego School District has engaged the Western Educational Equity Assistance Center (WEEAC) from the Metropolitan State University of Denver for a review of our practices, policies, and protocols in relation to instruction and educational equity. Between November 15-18, the WEEAC staff will be conducting virtual interviews and surveys with administrators, staff, teachers, students, and parents. Each interview will take 45-60 minutes with a WEEAC interviewer.

We are looking for parents to participate in a focus group. If you are interested, please complete this survey form: https://forms.gle/Z6ApYuhe1siXkVUB6

This information collected by the WEEAC Team is anonymous. Questions about the process can be directed to Colleen Toomey, Analyst at WEEAC (ctoomey1@msudenver.edu).

11/5 School Portrait Make Up Day

11/9 - PTA General Meeting (Zoom, 7pm)

11/11 Veterans Day - No School

11/22-26 No School - Professional Development and Thanksgiving Holiday

JOIN THE NEXT PTA GENERAL MEETING FOR A BUDGET DISCUSSION ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9

The executive board for the Lake Grove PTA will present a change to the 2021-22 fiscal year budget for member approval at the general meeting on Tuesday, November 9 at 7 p.m. on Zoom (https://loswego-k12-or-us.zoom.us/j/83750848836). Join the PTA so you have a vote! Easily make your credit card payment online at https://lgs.ejoinme.org/2021PTA. If you have questions about the benefits of membership, email lakegrovepta@gmail.com.

FIND OTHER LAKE GROVE FAMILIES @DIRECTORY SPOT

The Lake Grove DirectorySpot is updated! If you were a DirectorySpot user last year, then you don’t need to do anything new. Just log in (with the same username and password) and you will see the new data.

If you are a NEW user, you have been set up and can easily access the directory from the web—or download DirectorySpot for free from the App Store (iPhone users) or Google Play (Android users).

For Smartphone Users:

1. Download the DirectorySpot app by going to your app store and searching "DirectorySpot" or by clicking on the appropriate link here: 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.

For Tablet, Mac, or PC Users:

1. Go to directoryspot.net and click on "Login" in the upper right hand corner.
2. Enter your email address as your Username, and click on "Reset Password." An email will be sent to you with a link to set your password.
3. Click on the link in your email to set your password and login.

Note – if downloading to an iPad, just search for “iPhone apps” and you will find DirectorySpot.

Check out all the features, such as the auto dial when you click on a phone number, or the auto launching of maps when you click on an address. If you hold down the cell phone number, you will get an option to send a text or call the number (iPhone only). DirectorySpot will even create an email if you click on someone's email address. Questions? Email lakegrovepta@gmail.com.

ORDER SPIRIT WEAR BY NOVEMBER 2

Show your school spirit in a Lake Grove t-shirt or hoodie! Need a back-up mask? We’ve got you covered with Lake Grove Spirit Wear. Paper forms came home with students or download and print your own PDF. Return completed forms with your student or drop them off in the front office with your personal check. Orders due by Tuesday, November 2.

Join other Grovers at MOD Pizza on November 4 and raise funds for Lake Grove Elementary at the Lake O location in Kruse Village! Our school earns money for PTA programs all day. You must mention you are there for the Lake Grove fundraiser and 20% of the sales will be donated to our school. Questions? Email lakegrovepta@gmail.com.

OREGON BATTLE OF THE BOOKS IS COMING TO LAKE GROVE

The Lake Grove PTA will support 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students who want to participate in Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) for the 2021-2022 school year. See the PDF for more information on signing up before November 5!

At Lake Grove, we are an inclusive school community fostering social, emotional, and academic growth for all students.

Website: https://www.losdschools.org/lg
Location: 15777 Boones Ferry Road, Lake Oswego, OR, United States
Phone: 503-534-2357