Oak Creek Families,
Snow days are a great opportunity to unplug and spend quality time with your family. So embrace the snow and make some memories that will last a lifetime! I hope all of you are making the most of this time together.
Next week, as we head into the month of March, our character trait of focus shifts to cooperation. Here are some great examples of how you can start fostering that trait, even with very young children:
- Take turns
- Explain your reasons for limits and requests
- Take time to problem solve
- Do chores together, from a very young age
- Give specific praise for cooperative efforts
- Offer suggestions, not commands (Would you like help putting your coat on, or would you like to do it yourself?)
- Give choices
Please make sure to read below for important information, including details about Family Code Night, our School Advisory Committee, and more! If you have any questions, please see the FAQ section below, or feel free to reach out to myself or Tess Kristoffersson at kristoft@loswego.k12.or.us.
Thank you again for your support from home!
Barb Keeton
In This Message:
Updated in Every Edition:
- Principal's Message
- Dates to Remember
- PTO Corner
NEW In This Edition:
- Our Thanks to the Kiwanis Club
- Recognitions and Observations in March
Repeated Information:
- School Advisory Committees (SAC)
- Youth Truth Survey Info
- Flopsies
- Family Code Night!
- Purposeful People: Honesty
- Nurses' Newsletter
LOSD District News:
- Asian Cultural Festival
- LOSD Cares
- Tualatin Food Pantry
- "I Love Lake Oswego" Clothing Closet
- SafeOregon
- Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
Dates to Remember!
February 28: SMSP Family Code Night
March 11: The Lake Oswego Schools Foundation Gala
March 24: Teacher Work Day - No School
March 27-31: Spring Break!
April 13-14: Conferences - No School
May 26: Grade Prep Day - No School
May 29: Memorial Day - No School
June 12: Last Day for Students! 11:00 Dismissal
Seeking Volunteers for Our Advisory Committees (SAC)
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!
Youth Truth Survey
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. Principals will provide school-specific survey links and parents/guardians are asked to take a survey for each school their student(s) attends.
Please contact Barb Keeton with any questions about the survey. Thank you in advance for taking the time to provide your feedback.
Hello Oak Creek!
SAVE THE DATE! Coyote Spirit Week, the school wide Move-A-Thon, and the adult only action are back! We cannot wait to bring the community together! Specific times and details TBA. Stay tuned!
Coyote Spirit Week: April 17-21, 2023
School Wide Move-A-Thon: April 21, 2023
Adult Only Auction: April 22, 2023
Seeking auction items (game tickets, house rental, etc.), party boards (hosted party for a group), and sponsors! If you are able to support this OCE event, please email ptofundriasingoakcreek@gmail.com.
Calling young artists! We need a design for the 2023 Coyote Day tee shirt. Design parameters include:
created by an OCE student grades K-5th (no parents / siblings)
created on 8.5 x 11 blank, white paper (no cardstock)
must be school appropriate
must be one sided in black and white (no color)
must represent Oak Creek Elementary - coyotes, school name, etc.
must include full name and teacher name on back of paper
DESIGNS ARE DUE TO TEACHERS BY FRIDAY, MARCH 17th! Deadline is firm for printing purposes. All designs will be reviewed and one winner will be selected by the Oak Creek Elementary PTO.
Volunteer Opportunities!
Do you wanna get involved? The green team is beginning to work on the pollinator garden on Kingsgate Road. The first work party will be March 4th at 10 am. Help to reset bricks, remove weeds, and lay bark chips. Volunteer your time / manpower or a truck / trailer to haul. We will have coffee and snacks available!
Opportunities to get involved include:
Dine out and raise money for the OCE PTO! A night without cooking, yes please!
On February 27th, visit Laughing Planet LO and 10% of your purchase will be donated to the OCE PTO. No flyer / code necessary.
Shop and earn money! Get your spring flowers / plants!
On March 4th, shop at Dennis’ 7 Dees with special code: Fundraise-OCE! Seven percent of your purchase will be donated to the OCE PTO.
Order your yearbook! Pre-order for $25. If you make a “Direct Ask” donation, or a donation over $175, a yearbook is included.
Get your OCE spirit wear! Use this link to shop for all of your coyote gear.
Follow us on social media!
Facebook @ Oak Creek Elementary
Instagram @ Oak Creek Elementary PTO
Questions? OakCreekElementaryPTO@gmail.com
Oak Creek Elementary PTO Executive Committee
Kirstin Martin / President
Amanda Schade / Treasurer VP
Samantha McCaskey / Assistant Treasurer VP
Page Donnelly/ Membership VP
Brooke Mattern / Communications VP
Holli Hansford / Co-Events and Enrichment VP
Barry Hansford / Co-Events and Enrichment VP
Steve Farnham / Co-Fundraising VP
Heather Shoyer / Co-Fundraising VP
Lauren Terpstra / Parental Involvement VP
Rachel Wilde / Secretary VP
Teressa Raine / Sustainability VP
Purposeful People
Dear OCE Families:
This month’s focus is Honesty. One way to think about honesty is “being truthful in what we say and do.” Practicing Honesty helps strengthen our relationships and reduce stress.
Honesty is 1 of 3 traits we will focus on throughout the year that helps students Be Well. As a school community, we will be examining how HONESTY looks, sounds, and feels.
It’s not always easy to be Honest in our words, actions or thoughts with others or with ourselves. Practicing Honesty with ourselves allows for us to identify emotions, be aware of our emotions, regulate emotions, and advocate for our emotions.
As always, we appreciate you partnering with us,
Roxanne Davidson
Ms. D 💙 Oak Creek Elementary School Counselor 💙 davidsor@loswego.k12.or.us
Recognitions, Observations in March
We have a lot to celebrate and acknowledge this month. All teachers and staff are encouraged to find ways to recognize these and other awareness opportunities to help create a culture of belonging in our schools.
March
Women's History Month
In the United States, March is Women's History Month and the celebration of the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.
Oregon Historical Society Resources
Developmental Disabilities Month
Each March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) partners with Association for University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) and National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) to create a social media campaign that highlights the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities.
The campaign seeks to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all areas of community life, as well as awareness of the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities in which they live.
March 14-18, 2022
Say Something Week
National call-to-action week to celebrate students being 'upstanders' by speaking up when noticing warning signs and threats of potential violence. Say Something Week reinforces the power young people have to prevent tragedies and save lives when they Say Something to a trusted adult.
March 1
International Wheelchair Day
International Wheelchair Day is always 1st March and is an annual day of events and activities which take place around the World when wheelchair users celebrate the positive impact a wheelchair has on their lives.
March 1
Self-Injury Awareness Day
Self-Injury Awareness Day (SIAD) is a global event held annually on March 1. Its purpose is to remove the stigma attached to self-injury and to encourage parents, family members, educators, and healthcare professionals to recognize the signs of self-harm.
March 1
Zero Discrimination Day
Zero Discrimination Day is an annual day celebrated on 1 March each year by the United Nations and other international organisations. The day aims to promote equality before the law and in practice throughout all of the member countries of the UN.
March 2
Read Across America Day (formerly Dr. Seuss Day)
March 2 is National Read Across America Day, a day to celebrate our favorite activity. The day was established by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1998 to help get kids excited about reading. (The day occurs each year on the birthday of beloved children’s book author Dr. Seuss, so a perfect way to celebrate is to don a Seussian hat and read one of his famous tales, like One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.) On National Read Across America Day, students, teachers, parents, and community members around the nation come together to read books and celebrate the joy of reading — join us!
March 2, 2022
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is a Christian holy day of prayer and fasting. It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and falls on the first day of Lent [the six weeks of penitence before Easter]. Ash Wednesday is traditionally observed by Western Christians.
Recommended Accommodations: Provide food accommodations as requested; prohibitions include animal products.
March 4, 2022
Employee Appreciation Day
Celebrated on the first Friday in March, it was created in 1995 by Dr. Bob Nelson, a founding member of Recognition Professionals International. Employee Appreciation Day is a day when employers are called to do something extra for their employees to show appreciation for the work they do.
March 7-11
Classified Appreciation Week
The first week of March is Classified School Employees Week (CEW), a celebration of classified school employees and the important work they do for our schools. Classified school employees go above and beyond for our schools and do whatever it takes to be a positive force for Oregon students. That's why our theme this year is Classified... We Make It Work With Class!
Please join OSEA in recognizing the essential workers who keep schools running, even in extraordinary circumstances. Postcards, cards and more will be available on our website on Monday. Use #CEW2022 to share photos of your celebrations all week long!
March 6-12
National School Social Worker Appreciation Week
The School Social Work Association of America is proud to promote National School Social Work Week, held the first full calendar week of March (Sunday - Saturday). SSWAA collects and shares resources to help you celebrate and promote School Social Work Week. We hope you will make some great plans to celebrate as well as receive much-deserved recognition for the vital role that you provide to students, administrators, teachers, educators, parents, and the community!
The theme for National School Social Work Week 2022 is “Time to Shine.” SSWAA believes that School Social Workers shine brightly for their students, families, and school communities. Shining hope. Shining understanding. Shining respect.
March 7-11
National School Breakfast Week
Mark your calendar for National School Breakfast Week—March 7-11, 2022! The #NSBW22 theme is “Take Off with School Breakfast,” a fun way to promote your super-powered school breakfast program to students, parents and stakeholders!
March 7-April 23, 2022
Orthodox Lent & Easter
Eastern Orthodox and Greek Orthodox Lent mark a period of fasting and penitence before Easter. During this period, members of the Eastern Orthodox and Greek Orthodox churches fast and do penance prior to Easter Sunday. Greek Orthodox Easter is April 24.
Recommended accommodation: Avoid scheduling major academic deadlines, events, or activities on Greek Orthodox Easter.
March 8
International Women's Day
International Women's Day honors working women everywhere, celebrating their economic, political, and social achievements. This day is also the anniversary of the 1857 garment and textile workers' strike in New York, one of the first organized actions by women anywhere.
2022 Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
March 13-April 15
National Deaf History Month
National Deaf History Month is celebrated at this time of year because of three main events in the history of deaf education.
On April 15, 1817, America’s first public school for the deaf was opened.
On April 8, 1864, Gallaudet University (the first institution of higher education for the deaf and hard of hearing) was officially founded.
On March 13, 1988, Gallaudet University hired its first deaf president.
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) first introduced National Deaf History Month in 1997 and, in 2006, the American Library Association partnered with NAD in supporting and spreading awareness of this celebration.
March 16-17
Purim
Purim is a Jewish holiday which commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman, an Achaemenid Persian Empire official who was planning to kill all the Jews in the empire, as recounted in the Book of Esther. Haman was the royal vizier to King Ahasuerus.
Recommended accommodations: Purim is not subject to the restrictions on work that affect some other holidays; however, some sources indicate that Jews should not go about their ordinary business at Purim out of respect for the festival. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (kosher restrictions apply).
March 21
World Down Syndrome Day
World Down Syndrome Day (also known as WDSD) is a global awareness initiative that has been backed by the United Nations since 2012. It has been spearheaded by Down Syndrome International, which has linked up with national charities across the world to develop activities and events to raise awareness and support for those living with Down syndrome. It also highlights the facts of what it’s like to have Down syndrome, and how those with Down syndrome have, and continue to play, a vital role in our communities. March 21 was the date chosen to represent the chromosomal defect found in Down Syndrome.
"I Love Lake Oswego" Clothing Closet Open to Entire Community!
I Love Lake Oswego Clothing Closet has received an overwhelming amount of support and donation during the pandemic. We want to give back to our community and encourage our community to lean on us not for just hard times, but for up cycling, sustainability, and for our environment. In the past the closet was just for students, and since the pandemic we have opened our doors to anyone within our community.
Visit https://www.ilovelakeoswego.com for more information.
SafeOregon
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.)
Subscribe to Lake Oswego Schools App
Stay connected to the district and your school(s) and receive urgent notifications by subscribing to the Lake Oswego Schools App.
About Oak Creek
Reach out to us if you have any questions or need anything!
- Principal; Barb Keeton: keetonb@loswego.k12.or.us
- Administrative Assistant; Terese Kristoffersson: kristoft@loswego.k12.or.us
- Administrative Assistant; Tanya Goodwin: goodwint@loswego.k12.or.us
Address: 55 Kingsgate Rd., Lake Oswego, OR 97035
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakCreekPTA/
Interested in OCE Spirit Wear? Check out this website sponsored by our PTO! OCE Spirit Wear
