Falcon Flash

Dear Falcon Friends and Families:

I want to personally thank all members of this incredibly generous community for their efforts in raising nearly 1,200 pounds of food for Hunger Fighters. The organization was overwhelmed by the incredible support from the Forest Hills community especially for a one week drive. Thank you for helping numerous households seeking food assistance, especially with emergency SNAP benefits expiring in March. It was wonderful to combine this effort with Friendship Day as caring for each other is truly what Valentines is all about.

Thank you and enjoy the long weekend!!

Jim Mangan, Principal

THANK YOU Forest Hills Falcon Families!!

Our amazing school collected 939 items!! We almost doubled our goal. All together the food weighed 991 pounds. Hunger Fighter’s was blown away with how much food Forest Hills families donated. They were not expecting such a large amount from our school in just 10 days. The students who helped deliver were able to tour the pantry and learn more about it.

Thursday was the 100th day of school and the kindergartners celebrated with centers, games and dressing like they were 100 years old! Here are some examples of students that dressed up!

Starting next school year, before and after-school care for Forest Hills families will be offered by third-party provider Champions to be in alignment with the other elementary schools in our district. This will allow our families in all schools equitable access to childcare during non-school days and other benefits of being part of the same system.

This year, Camp Fire Columbia has provided excellent childcare services for the Forest Hills community. Our decision to transition all extended care services to Champions is not a result of service issues. Please know that we remain very confident and appreciative of Camp Fire Columbia, and our families speak highly of their time in their care. Their team will continue to serve Forest Hills through Friday, June 9, 2023.

The other six elementary schools in our district have expressed very positive experiences with Champions, and we feel good knowing that our students will continue to receive quality before- and after-school care. Champions will be opening up its fall registration on March 14. Please go to https://connect.klcschoolpartnerships.com/ for more information.

2/20 - NO SCHOOL - Presidents Day

3/14 - Vision Screening Make-Up Day K, 1st, 3rd, and 5th

3/15 - SCIENCE NIGHT 6:00 - 7:30pm

3/24 - NO SCHOOL

3/27 - 3/31 - SPRING BREAK

EVERY THURSDAY IS EARLY RELEASE-- 2:00pm

link to full Calendar

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 Monday, March 13 at 5 p.m. Recommendations and selections will be made in April. All applicants will be notified by May 1. Thank you!

Great news, Scientists!

ALL Grades are now invited to participate in the science fair! The science projects will be displayed as part of SCIENCE NIGHT on March 15th from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm in the school gym.

Support our young scientists by coming to view the completed science projects and iLab projects on display. There will also be a STEM career fair and hands-on science activities to all to enjoy.

REGISTER your science project by FEBRUARY 22ND

Full Science Night details

Forest Hills Falcons and Friends please join our Polar Bear Plunge Team.

Participants commit to raising $50 to Plunge or Run/Walk.

You will earn the commemorative 2023 Polar Plunge t-shirt by fundraising $50 to support the athletes of Special Olympics Oregon.

Contact Kasie Hansen hansenk1@loswego.k12.or.us for more information

Join the team at https://support.soor.org/team/476730

Dear Forest Hills Families,

For the month of February, we will be investing our time and attention on the character trait of HONESTY in our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons, classrooms, and throughout our school community. Practicing HONESTY helps strengthen our relationships and reduce stress. Practicing honesty in our daily lives also allows us to live in accordance with our personal values.

One way to think about HONESTY is “being truthful in what you say and do.” HONESTY is one of three traits we will focus on throughout the year that helps students Be Well. Throughout the school, students will be developing skills like emotion regulation, self-advocacy, and friendship skills.

Through my school counseling lessons this month, students will learn about practicing honesty through expressing who they are and the strengths they bring to our school community. Our community is stronger because of each student’s individuality, and we seek to nurture each student in embracing the unique qualities that make them who they are.

Check out these Family Letters, which include activities to explore HONESTY further as a family.

Thank you for partnering with us to engage our students in social emotional learning and growth.

Sincerely,

Hayley Drimmel

drimmelh@lowego.k12.or.us

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

DROP OFF: if you are not parking and just dropping off your student, please use Sunningdale Rd in the BACK of the school. Staff are stationed there to help your student get into school.

FRONT ENTRANCE: please park your car and walk your student across the street to the front of the school. Do not let your student cross the street on their own.

This policy was put in place over ten years ago to address the safety and efficiency of student drop. Please cooperate with us in making our school a safe place for all.

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/

February is National Heart Health Month. Click this link to see 10 ways you can help keep your students heart healthy.

Sleep Matters!

Studies suggest most students do not get enough sleep. This puts them at a higher risk of health problems and injuries. Click this link to learn more about sleep and your student including how many hours are recommended.

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.

It’s that time of year… Lake Oswego schools administer the YouthTruth every spring to help improve students’ experiences in our learning community. Responses from students, staff, and parents/guardians are incredibly valuable. We will be sending the survey link at the end of February, and we ask that you please take 15 minutes to complete it before March 24.

Importance of YouthTruth

• YouthTruth (YT) is a national nonprofit that harnesses perceptions to help educators accelerate improvements. Student perceptions are empirically linked to academic outcomes, and student perceptions are leading indicators.
  
• YT survey questions are grounded in research about what matters for student outcomes. The findings are used to inform our long-term strategic plan progress, curriculum and instruction, and professional development to improve practices.
  
• The survey design has been rigorously tested for validity and reliability. Through developmentally appropriate questions, students in all grade levels provide feedback on engagement, academic challenges, relationships, belonging, culture, emotional and mental health, diversity, and inclusion. Elementary students will also provide feedback on instructional methods and middle and high school students will provide feedback on obstacles to learning and career and college readiness. Staff and parents/guardians will be asked to provide feedback on similar topics. All responses are anonymous.
  

Timing of YouthTruth

Lake Oswego YT surveys will open on February 27 and close at midnight on March 24. Students will complete their survey in school, and staff and parents/guardians will be emailed the survey to complete in their own time. The link we send to you will be specific to Hallinan. Please make sure to take a survey for each school your students attend.

Please contact Jim Mangan with any questions about the survey. Thank you in advance for taking the time to provide your feedback.

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.

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