Principal's Message 4.21,23
Dear Lake Grove Families,
We had another fun-filled week of learning at Lake Grove! We were thrilled to be able to participate in Run Club on Thursday, despite some rain, so we know we're ready for the Walk/Jogathon on Monday! Additionally, fifth-graders began state testing and fourth grade will start next week.
We hope to see many of you at at Cougar Day throughout the day on Monday! Parents are welcome to volunteer and/or cheer on students as they move around the perimeter of our field (rain or shine) to raise money for our amazing PTA and ultimately for the enrichment activities our students will enjoy throughout next year! See below for prize and fundraising details. Thanks, in advance, for promoting that with your child(ren) this weekend.
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
COUGAR NIGHT IS NEXT WEEK! TICKETS ARE ALMOST SOLD OUT!
Cougar Night is just around the corner on Saturday, April 29. We've received incredible donations from LG families and local businesses and can't wait to showcase these items and invite some friendly competition as we auction them off. This is an event you don't want to miss! Follow us on Instagram @lakegrovepta or https://www.facebook.com/lakegrovepta to preview some of the items up for auction.
You can still purchase your tickets at the Cougar Night website https://lake-grove-cougar-night.mailchimpsites.com/ Last day to buy tickets is Wednesday, April 26 unless we sell out sooner. Tickets won't be sold at the door.
A few things to know before you go
Included in the price of your ticket:
- Delicious catering by Elephants
- 1 drink of choice (beer, wine or specialty cocktail)
- Late night snacks!
Fundraising activities:
- Live auction of wonderful local and destination vacations, wine tasting and one-of-a-kind experiences (mayor of LO for a day, anyone?!)
- Silent auction that includes event tickets, themed gift baskets, and more. Note: On-line bidding is not available this year.
- 50/50 draw
- Wine pull
Plus, fun extras all night long:
- Photo booth
- DJ & dancing
- Spectacular views from the rooftop balcony (weather forecast is looking incredible!)
What should I wear?
We went with "Dressy Casual" which is code for "wear what makes you comfortable"... but also permission to dress up (hint, hint!)
Where is it?
Cougar Night will be held at Ironlight, 525 3rd Street, in downtown Lake Oswego. Parking is available in the Ironlight building garage, but we highly recommend taking a ride share!
When should I get there?
Doors open at 6:45 pm and there are events planned throughout the night, with the live auction happening at 8 pm, a raffle closer to the end of the evening, and food served throughout, with no formal dinner seating. Come whenever works for you – but we encourage you to come early and stay late to enjoy the night out!
Any other questions about Cougar Night, don't hesitate to reach out! Contact lakegrovepta@gmail.com.
Thanks for your generous donations.
We hope to see you on the dance floor!
- Tiffany Parks, Jessica MacGregor & Courtney Blommer
National Volunteer Week
We cannot thank our volunteers enough!
Without you, we would be without our classroom helpers, garden, Art Lit, OBOB, children's theater, spirit wear, the book fair, a school directory, the Jog-a-Thon, Walk/Bike to school days, mystery readers, Number Ninjas math club, newspaper club, field trips, class parties and the list goes on and on.....
Our PTA is responsible for so much of our invaluable programming and enriches our students' experiences in so many ways. A tremendous and very grateful THANK YOU to all our volunteers for sharing your time and your amazing children with us!!!
Lock Down Drill
Lake Grove Elementary School will be conducting a lockdown Drill on Tuesday April 25th.
State law requires we conduct two lockdown drills each year. Our goal in planning for this important safety drill is to minimize the disruption to classroom learning and avoid creating undue concern, while simultaneously providing practice for staff, students, visitors, and volunteers in the event of an emergency. The safety of our students, staff, and visitors is our highest priority.
A Lockdown is initiated when there is a threat inside the building. A lockdown secures students, staff, and volunteers within classrooms while leaving entrances open for emergency personnel and law enforcement to clear the building.
Consistent with district practice, we will be conducting this drill with the assistance of our School Resource Officer, Bryan Sheldon. Afterward, we will spend time assessing how well we executed procedures and where we can improve our practices. If you are interested in learning more about our lockdown procedures, visit the Safety and Security department page located on the LOSD Website.
This drill can be highly stressful for some kids. We are sensitive to this fact and do everything possible to minimize the potential stress this drill may induce. However, if you believe the drill may be too much for your child, Lake Grove Elementary School is offering a less intense Lockdown drill option at the same time. If you believe your child would benefit from the less intense Lockdown drill format, please email Jennie Knapp and Wendy Post.
The safety of our children is our most important priority and we care deeply that each child feels safe at school.
Autism Acceptance Month
Autism Acceptance Month, previously named Autism Awareness Month, in April aims to celebrate and promote acceptance for the condition that occurs in one in every 54 children in the United States, including many students in LOSD. A few questions below build understanding; look for more throughout the month.
What is autistic culture? Autistic culture is the shared history, patterns of movement, communication styles, creative work, shared experiences, and world perceptions of autistic individuals. Some values in autistic culture include respecting all forms of communication, rejecting the use of functioning labels, using identity-first language, respecting stimming and sensory needs, and presuming competence.
What is autism acceptance? Autism acceptance means celebrating diversity by recognizing that people with autism are different and not less, thriving as equally valid and valuable members of our community. Autism acceptance invites us to recognize that we all have strengths and weaknesses. Sharing mutual support and respecting each person's individual differences are just some of the ways we can accept each other and celebrate diversity.
Save the date - talent show May 25
Lake Grove’s annual talent show is back LIVE this year! All talent is welcome and all Kindergarten-5th grade students are encouraged to participate. Space may be limited due to time constraints. You must have a practiced/prepared talent to share. Each participant must fill out the entry form, add a group name if it applies. All entries will be reviewed for school appropriate content (e.g. song lyrics). All entry forms are due no later than May 10th to the Lake Grove Office. Late entries will NOT be accepted. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Post.
Social Emotional Learning
Dear Lake Grove Families,
During April, we will turn our social emotional learning focus on Courage. One way to think about Courage is “choosing what is helpful, right, and kind even when it is hard or scary.” Children need reassurance that fear is one of our feelings and to help them understand that it’s okay to feel afraid. Courage isn’t fearlessness, but instead our ability to choose the right thing even when we are scared. Courage is one of three traits we focus on throughout the year that helps students “Be Strong”. Throughout the school, students will be developing skills like focusing, organizing, and goal-setting.
Have some fun connecting as a family this month while practicing Courage. Here are three “PurposeFull Pursuits” for you to complete together. How many can you do this month?
Reflect, think, and discuss with your student things you both would like to do, but find intimidating or scary. Maybe it’s a new hobby, trying a new game, sharing your art or invention with others, or going on an adventure somewhere. Give one of these things a try together and take a selfie to capture the memory.
Review Courage as a family. Remember that Courage is choosing what is helpful, right, and kind - even when it’s hard or scary. What’s something that you’ve been afraid to discuss with your student? Something that might be difficult to explain about our community or the world. Chances are they will hear about it eventually and it may come from someone who is less informed or less supportive than you. Have a courageous conversation with your student. It could be about bullying, the environment, uncertainty, etc. Remind them that love and support are two tools we can use to practice Courage. Discuss as a family ways they can practice Courage around the issue you discuss.
We have all demonstrated Courage in our lives. Many of us have seen people practice Courage in ways that have inspired us. Stories are powerful tools for connecting as a family. Protect time this week to share stories about Courage with each other. You can use the story prompts below to get started. At the end of the conversation, think of one way you can practice Courage this week.
Story Prompts:
The time I (or someone else) showed Courage was _____.
An act of Courage that changed/challenged me was _____.
We believe involving families in our Social Emotional Learning is important. Here are some activities and conversation starters for you to explore Courage as a family.
Thank you for taking the time to engage your family in these activities.. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I can be reached at postw@loswego.k12.or.us or 503-534-2357.
In Partnership,
Wendy Post
School Counselor
OSAS Schedule and Reminders
What students need to be prepared for state testing:
- Be well rested (good night sleep)
- Eat a healthy breakfast
- Bring a book to read when they are finished
- Encouragement (think growth-mindset!)
A reminder - students do not need a smartphone or smartwatch at school. We have a landline phone in the office where we encourage students to memorize an important phone number to practice dialing. Additionally, each Lake Grove student has been issued an iPad or a Chromebook. Please be sure that they bring CHARGED chromebooks for testing.
If a student has a smartphone or watch during testing it will invalidate their test (smart phones and watches are an impropriety, per state assessment regulations).
April 17 is the beginning of the Statewide tests for English Language Arts (ELA) and Math for all students in grades 3-5. Here is the schedule for the next few weeks:
News from the District Nurses
Bike Safety
As the weather improves, it’s a great time to consider getting outside. Your District Nurses want to remind and encourage your student to ride their bike safely and remember to wear a helmet. These resources can help your student get off to a great start.
Sun Safety
While outside, be sure to protect yourself and your student from harmful UV. Visit this link to learn ways to safely enjoy the sun and what to do if your student gets a bit too much.
If you would like to speak to your school nurse, click the link below for contact information.
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.
Safe Oregon
Safe Oregon, Ways to Report Incidents
Parents-guardians who have concerns about a student’s well-being are encouraged to reach out to their principal and 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. https://www.safeoregon.com/
In addition, below are reporting methods for parents-guardians or students to use to report issues related to racist, bias, or harassment incidents.
· Incident Report for Elementary School
Save the date!
4/24 - Cougar Day Jog-a-Thon
4/27 - Staff Appreciation potluck lunch hosted by Kinder and 5th grade families
4/27 - Run Club at Recess weather permitting
4/28 - First grade field trip
4/29 - Cougar Night at Ironlight 7-11 pm (must purchase tickets in advance)
May 4 - Run Club at Recess weather permitting
May 8-12 Staff Appreciation Week
May 11 - Run Club at Recess weather permitting
May 16 VOTE!
May 17 Spring Social on school playground 5-7:30 pm
May 18 - Run Club at Recess weather permitting
May 24 - Run Club at Recess weather permitting
May 24 - Lake Grove Talent Show (for students only)
May 26 - No school for students
May 29 - Memorial Day - No School
June 1 Last Run Club of the year!
The district calendars for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years are now available on the district and Hallinan websites. You can find them here quickly.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE SPRING SOCIAL ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 17
Join us on the school playground and surrounding fields for the Spring Social on Wednesday, May 17 from 5-7:30 pm, hosted by our community building volunteers! Bring a picnic dinner or try one of the food trucks with options available for purchase: Bobablastic, Gourmet on the Go and Kona Ice. PTA-sponsored activities include two face painters, a photo booth, spirit wear for sale and of course lots of fun playing on the playground.
COUGAR DAY: THE ANNUAL WALK AND JOG A THON
Lake Grove students are participating in raising funds for our school through a Walk and Jog-a-Thon on Monday, April 24. Grades 3, 4, and 5 are allocated 45 minutes of walking and jogging time while grades Kinder, 1 and 2 have 40 minutes. The course is set at approximately 1/4 mile. After each grade has completed their walk/jog-a-thon, students will be offered snacks (fruit snacks or peanut-free and tree nut-free granola bars) before returning to class. Volunteers, teachers and staff will be on hand to track laps and we have set a whole-school goal to walk, run or jog 1,000 total laps—if students achieve this goal, the entire school earns a pizza party!
Monday 4/24 Grade Level
8:30-9:10 AM 2nd
9:10-9:55 AM 4th
9:55-10:35 AM Kinder
10:35 AM-12:00 PM Break
12:00-12:40 PM 1st
1:00-1:45 PM 5th
1:45-2:30 PM 3rd
Families are welcome to join us on the field on Monday, April 24. Sign up here to volunteer or just stop by to cheer on our runners. All campus visitors must stop at the office and check-in before coming to the field.
This year, the students’ fundraising efforts will fund a new bark lap track around the playground to be built over the summer. The new bark track will help offer new activities at recess, enhance PE offerings and provide dedicated areas for PTA activities like Run Club, Cougar Day and Field Day. Funds will also support the purchase of new, larger desks for our growing students in the fifth grade classrooms. These new tables are 2-person desks with adjustable heights for different students.
BE A PART OF IT
This is your student’s opportunity to be a part of raising money for our school! Every student received a pledge envelope to bring home last week.
Encourage your student to send an email or text message to their network of neighbors, friends and relatives to ask for pledges (students should request flat pledges instead of “per lap” pledges).
All pledges are tax deductible and a receipt can be downloaded from our website https://www.losdschools.org/Page/8671. Send this receipt to anyone who gives you a pledge! Pledges are due by Monday, April 24.
This template can be used by your student to ask for donations via email:
Dear ___,
I’m raising money for my school! The contributions I earn will help Lake Grove Elementary offer free programs and activities to me and all students. Our PTA offers programs such as Run Club, Oregon Battle of the Books, Art Literacy and field trips—AND they purchase a yearbook for every student. Could you help me by making a donation to our PTA? I have a goal to raise $___ by Monday, April 24. I can accept:
- Checks made payable to Lake Grove Elementary PTA
- Venmo @LakeGrovePTA (please note my name when you use Venmo so I get credit!)
- Paypal https://paypal.me/LGPTA (please note my name when you use PayPal so I get credit!)
- Cash
You can download a receipt here: https://www.losdschools.org/Page/8671. On April 24, I will participate in a Walk and Jog-a-Thon. I want to do __ laps! Thank you for considering a donation to my school!
WHY WE RAISE FUNDS
Fundraising is extremely important to support enrichment programs at Lake Grove. Contributions to our PTA help create completely volunteer-run programs like Art Literacy, Run Club, Oregon Battle of the Books and more.
PTA BY THE NUMBERS 2022-23
- Every Lake Grove student will have five art lessons through the Art Literacy program and a visit to Iran through Culture Travel
- 40 students are producing a newspaper in Journalism Club
- 35 students are playing math games in Math Club
- 80 students produced a play in Drama Club
- 97 students participated in OBOB
- A whopping 330 students have participated in Run Club!
- All Lake Grove teachers received general classroom funds to help students achieve their potential
- All students & staff will receive a Walk-a-Thon t-shirt
- At the end of the year, every student will receive a yearbook to chronicle the year
- And of course…the ALL IMPORTANT FIELD TRIPS!
Donations also fund student events like classroom parties and fun events like 5th grade celebration…as well as allow us to show our appreciation for the stellar teachers who help our students grow and thrive! Without contributions from families and local businesses, and volunteers stepping up, our PTA could not offer this level of support.
Prizes!
The three students who raise the most money from pledges will receive a gift card to their choice of Amazon, Lakeshore Learning or Target.
- First place earns a $100 gift card
- Second place earns a $75 gift card
- Third place earns a $50 gift card
Winners will be announced on April 28.
Giving back to our community with your student’s pledge tickets
As a part of our giving back campaign, students will vote for their favorite book for the PTA to purchase and donate to the school library. Students will simply drop their tickets in the jar of their choice in the library through Monday, April 24. On April 28, we will announce the winning books to be donated, along with an additional monetary donation to the library.
Where’s Waldo? by Martin Handford
Creepy Tales by Aaron Reynolds
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland
Diary of a Pug by Kyla May
Spy School by Stuart Gibbs
I Survived by Lauren Tarshis
Lake Grove families are welcome to join us on the field on Monday, April 24. A SignUp Genius will be available next week; sign up to volunteer or just stop by to cheer on our runners.
Questions about Cougar Day? Contact lakegrovepta@gmail.com.
Thank you for your support!
Sincerely, the Lake Grove PTA Board and our Principal
Lisa LeBlanc & Cheryl Sharkey, Co-Presidents
Yan Liang, VP of Enrichment
Erin Quandt & Sarah Mehrabzadeh, VPs of Community Building and Social Responsibility
Christi Osborne, VP of Membership
Ginni Tribanas, Secretary
Lena Elbakshish, Treasurer
Jennie Knapp, Principal
KINDERGARTEN AND 5th GRADE FAMILIES: SIGN UP TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE STAFF POTLUCK ON THURSDAY, APRIL 27
On Thursday, April 27 our kindergarten and fifth grade families will sponsor a brunch themed potluck to show our appreciation for the Lake Grove teachers and staff. Parents can view and sign up to make food or contribute items to the potluck here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b4ea5ab2caafa7-kand5th#/. We need your help to make this a successful event!
ART LIT TRAINING SESSION FOR RIVERA AVAILABLE
The final training session on Rivera (artist #5) can be viewed here. More information on Rivera can be found here with the password volunteer4loartlit.
To sign up to volunteer with Art Literacy, just visit this SignUp Genius and look for your student’s classroom, organized by teacher name and add your name to the list.
Questions? Contact Kim MacKay (kimtamura@gmail.com).
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
