Principal's Message 3.11.22
This week has been National Classified Appreciation Week, and a great opportunity to say thank you to our team of assistants, secretaries, and kitchen staff, engineers/custodians! We have an awesome classified team here at Lake Grove, and their work is a vital part of what we do. There is no way that we could manage without them! Our whole staff enjoyed an amazing lunch today, provided by our generous PTA, and we will also continue to celebrate their contributions to our community again in May during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Be well,
Principal Jennie Knapp
Youth Truth Surveys
Please participate in the Family Survey linked here ytsurvey.org/losdfamily22, which is now open for you to complete. It is helpful to me to hear what we're doing well at Lake Grove, as well as how we can improve.
As part of LOSD’s efforts to create a culture of belonging and to achieve equitable academic outcomes, we will once again administer the Youth Truth survey to all staff, parents, and students in grades 3-12.
The YouthTruth survey is confidential, and responses from children and parents will be held in the strictest confidence. We encourage everyone to participate. This will be an important piece of information for administrators to improve our students' experiences at school.
Elementary students in grades 3-5 will also complete the survey between February 28 and March 25. This is a vital opportunity for students to provide feedback and help guide the school’s improvement plan. The survey will take 15-30 minutes to complete and will be offered during school hours.
*Please note that parents may opt their child out of the survey if they would like. Click here for the opt-out form.
SEL Theme for March: Honesty
This month through our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons, we will be introducing the character trait of HONESTY. As a school community, we will be examining how HONESTY looks, sounds, and feels. During our lessons, we will be referencing this definition:
HONESTY: Living truthfully in your words, actions and thoughts.
HONESTY is not about just telling the truth. It is about living a life that is thoughtful and clear about what we believe is good and just. It’s about making sure what we think is kind and worthwhile also lines up with what we say and what we do. In March, we will talk about the cost of dishonesty and what it does to our body and mind. Further, we will connect how HONESTY and KINDNESS are closely related traits.
We have opportunities throughout each day where we can either choose to be truthful, or choose to be untruthful through either our words, actions, or thoughts. As we learn about the importance of HONESTY, we will also understand that being truthful isn’t always the easy choice, but it’s always the right (expected) choice. Students will learn about integrity and the importance of being honest with themselves. This month we will have challenging, but rewarding conversations and as always, we appreciate your partnership with us.
For your reference, here are links for extension activities you may wish to explore further as a family:
K-2 HONESTY Parent Letter (English) K-2 HONESTIDAD para familias (En Español )
3-5 HONESTY Parent Letter (English) 3-5 HONESTIDAD para familias (En Español )
Mask Requirements Change Tomorrow
District Message:
Lake Oswego School District is lifting face covering requirements in our school settings, including indoor school buildings and buses, effective Saturday, March 12. This decision was made in accordance with state guidance and informed by feedback from our students, teachers, staff, and parents/guardians.
Masks will be optional in LOSD. That means our learning community will support those who opt to continue wearing face coverings, as well as those who choose not to wear face coverings, for whatever reason. When community transmission is high, per CDC metrics, face coverings will be recommended. Our community transmission is currently low (green).
To review the guidance, metrics, input and continued mitigation measures informing the district’s decision, please see the presentation posted on the district website under LOSD COVID-19 Information. Also, click here to watch a recording of the presentation and discussion at the School Board meeting. The video is under School Board/Meetings/Available Archives, Meeting March 7, agenda item 5.3.
A short video explaining what the change in face covering requirements means for our learning community will be shown to all students in class this week. Please click here to watch the video and discuss your household’s plans with your student. We will be updating signage in our facilities and materials on our website to reflect the changes.
Thank you for your support and consideration of each other as we take this step in our pandemic journey.
Lock Down Drill March 28
Our staff is charged with two important responsibilities we focus on with confidence every day. We must provide an outstanding education that prepares all students for a bright future. At the same time, we must provide a safe environment so that children can stay engaged with their learning.
On Monday March 28, our teachers and students will be practicing the process of what we would do in an emergency Lock Down. Teachers will prepare students ahead of the drill and continue to reassure students that this is a drill and that everyone is safe at school.
We taught students this process (but didn't practice) in November. If you would like to prepare your child ahead of time, here are some resources you can review as a family. 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.
Board Advisory Committee Applications Open
The Lake Oswego School Board of Directors invites students, teachers, staff members, parents/guardians and community residents to consider serving on its advisory committees. As part of its continuous efforts to increase communication with the public and to provide for citizen involvement, the Board appoints advisory committees to consider matters of district-wide importance. Committees meet monthly, September through May.
Applications and committee charters are available on the district website under School Board. Please submit your application by Friday, April 15 at 5 p.m. Possible interviews following submission, and notification of selected committee members by May 10, 2022.
Board-appointed District Advisory Committees
Culture of Belonging
Achieve Equitable Academic Outcomes
Promote Health & Resiliency
Teach & Practice Sustainability
Bond Accountability Committee
Long Range Facility Planning
Please also consider applying to join the Lake Grove School Advisory Committee. We meet monthly and this group influences our work as a school.
Board-appointed School Advisory Committees
School Advisory Committee
Volunteer Procedures
In order to be eligible to volunteer at Lake Grove, please complete the following steps:
- Review and acknowledge LG Volunteers Statement of Knowledge and Understanding - LOSD District Policies
- Send/show proof of vaccination to Annika Nicholas at nicholaa@loswego.k12.or.us.
Complete Background Check through school Raptor system - if you have not already completed this, bring your driver's license or passport with you on your first day volunteering and we'll get you registered in the office.
Any questions? Please contact the office at 503-534-2357.
Interested in working at lake grove?
See the postings for more details, and feel free to contact the office with any questions 503-534-2357.
Attendance Reminders & Early Pick-ups
If you need to pick your child up early for an appointment, please be sure to bring your ID in to the office to sign them out.
Save the Date
3/15 PTA General Meeting (Zoom, 7pm)
3/17 Early Release
3/19-3/27 Spring Break - No school
3/31 Early Release
4/1 Half Day (11am release)
4/7 & 4/8 No School - Elementary Conferences
PTA
TEAM BLUE WINS THE FINAL OBOB BATTLE AT LAKE GROVE
Fourth graders Sierra Moore, Savannah Moore, Kimberly Hu and Alice Zhang will move on to represent Lake Grove in regional competitions after Spring Break. The following teams participated in a single-elimination bracket earlier this week:
Congratulations to the Lake Grove Top Two!
Team Green (4th grade) Michael Giannini, Parisa Loesch, Lena Campbell, Charlie LeBlanc
Team Blue (4th grade) Sierra Moore, Savannah Moore, Kimberly Hu, Alice Zhang
And rounding out the Lake Grove Final Four!
Team White (5th grade) Jamen Campbell, Ari Epstein, Bennett Kim, Ryder Lopez
Team Purple (3rd grade) Gia Hill, Emma Courtney, Charlotte Grabavoy, Reagan Riggs
OBOB Reader Recommendations
OBOB participants ranked these four books at the top of their lists! Our PTA has purchased several copies of these books for our school library, so check them out on your next library visit:
- The Storm Keeper’s Island by Catherine Doyle (8 votes)
- The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole by Michelle Cuevas (5 votes)
- The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm (5 votes)
- Guts by Raina Telgemeier (4 votes)
What is OBOB?
Students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades were invited to participate in Oregon Battle of the Books, a statewide reading motivation and comprehension program run by teacher volunteers alongside our PTA volunteers. OBOB is like Quiz Show for reading books! Students read the OBOB books, discuss them, quiz each other on the contents, and then compete in teams to correctly answer questions based on the books. OBOB’s mission is to encourage and recognize students who enjoy reading, to broaden reading interests, increase reading comprehension, promote academic excellence, and promote cooperative learning and teamwork among students.
COUGAR RUN CLUB STARTS MARCH 31!
After a long pandemic pause, the Cougar Run Club will start again on Thursday, March 31 just after Spring Break! This PTA-sponsored club helps motivate kids to get active, learn about running, create goals and track miles, and socialize with friends! Run Club takes place every Thursday during lunch recess. No sign up is required—kids can choose to run or not. Every runner who finishes their first lap gets a charm, and charms are earned every 5 miles after that. The PTA also recognizes top runners at the end of the year. The Run Club is looking for parent volunteers to help track laps and cheer on runners! Volunteers must follow school procedures: sign a statement, provide proof of vaccination, and pass a background check. Masks are optional when volunteering outside for Run Club. To volunteer, sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A4DAFA82FA7F49-cougar. Questions? Contact Heather Zadow, hlzadow@gmail.com.
ART LIT BEGINS!
Art Literacy is a completely volunteer run program that introduces elementary students to art principles, elements, and techniques. All training, presentation materials, projects and supplies are provided by our PTA. This Spring, students will learn about artists JMW Turner and Grant Wood. The first lessons began this week; thank you volunteers!
To sign up to participate in an art lit lesson in your student’s classroom, visit: Lake Grove Art Literacy: Lake Grove Art Lit Presentations (signupgenius.com) This is a great opportunity to work with students in the classroom! Note that more volunteers are needed in Parks on May 4.
Our first training session on Turner was offered earlier this month and a recording is available here: https://youtu.be/zcHJt72F3NU
Our second training session on Wood is scheduled for March 31 from 7-8:30pm in the Lake Grove Elementary library. Please sign up via this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409084EADA922A1F85-lake2 The session will be recorded and available to watch after the presentation.
Length of time required in the classroom:
-Presentation: 15 minutes
-Hands-on project: 45 minutes
You will be paired with at least one other volunteer for your classroom and will work together to ensure that all key roles and responsibilities for your classroom are covered. Questions? Contact Kim MacKay at kimtamura@gmail.com.
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.)
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
