Principal's Message 2.24.23
Dear Lake Grove Families,
Snow finally came to Lake Grove this week. Kindergarteners thoroughly enjoyed time outside with the few flakes that fell Wednesday morning. I can only imagine the joy when our students woke up on Thursday! It probably paralleled the happiness of our staff on Tuesday when they enjoyed the lunch provided by second and third grade families.
Thank you for your generous donations towards Earthquake relief for people in Turkey and Syria. We've decided to extend the collection days to include Monday and Tuesday next week, so if you haven't already given, it's not too late.
Meanwhile, at Lake Grove, we continue our love of learning. We had to postpone this week's assembly at which we planned to focus on ability awareness. This month we will celebrate each of our unique differences and try to recognize and understand that we have more in common than we might think with one another. Thank you for modeling this commitment to caring for others at home and in our community too.
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 BACK!
Join fellow Lake Grove Elementary parents for a night of delicious food, fun, and friends with an overflowing silent and live auction, a wine pull and a 50/50 raffle to help raise money for our school! Save the date and book your babysitters for April 29 from 7-11 p.m.
Early Bird tickets are ON SALE NOW! The venue has limited capacity so get yours before they sell out. Please note: All proceeds will be used exclusively to benefit Lake Grove Elementary students. Click here for event, donation and ticket information: lake-grove-cougar-night.mailchimpsites.com Hope to see you there!
Family Coding Night
Pair up to learn the basics of coding, together! A free, fun,
and valuable experience for you and your K-5 children. A live,
one-hour school-wide event. You are welcome to join
between 5:15-6:00. The Livestream event is from 6:00-7:00.
Food will be provided.
Social Emotional Learning
Dear Lake Grove Families,
During the month of March, we will work together to practice the character trait of COOPERATION in our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons, classrooms, and throughout our school. As a school community, we will be examining how Cooperation looks, sounds, and feels. Cooperation is about assistance, support, collaboration, & teamwork. It is a necessary tool in our toolbox for creating a community that cares for one another and in turn creates a school community in which each Lake Grove student truly feels a sense of belonging.
The definition students will be learning this month is: COOPERATION: working together to reach shared goals. Students will be encouraged to use cooperation skills such as communication, self-awareness, and the ability to step up (or step back) when the time is right to best support whatever group you are working with.
March is also recognized as National Disability Awareness Month which we will honor by learning how our classroom communities are made strong by our diversity of learning styles and abilities. We each have different abilities, skills and ways of learning. We will direct our focus on inclusive practices and continuing our work with empathy & kindness. School Counselor-led lessons in March will be centered on cooperation through the critical lens of Disability Awareness.
Here is a link with K-5 Family Letters to explore COOPERATION further as a family and here is a link with some wonderful children's books about disabilities for you to continue the conversations at home.
In Partnership,
Wendy Post
School Counselor
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 in grades 3-5 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 Lake Grove. Please make sure to take a survey for each school yourchildren attend.
Please contact Jennie Knapp with any questions about the survey. Thank you in advance for taking the time to provide your feedback.
Registration for 23-24 school year - CHAMPIONS
Information for registration:
-Begins on March 14th at 9 AM.
-Families will need to go to: https://connect.klcschoolpartnerships.com/ to sign up for an account, pay the registration fee and choose a schedule for attendance
-Families will automatically be placed on the waitlist when they sign up and as staffing and space is confirmed we will release families each Friday throughout the summer
-As we release the wait list weekly, we will be prioritizing incoming Kindergartners that are siblings of current Champions families
-For any questions, reach out to Family Support: 1.800.246.2154
News from the District Nurses
Heart Health Month
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.
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.
Gala Tickets Now on Sale!
You are cordially invited to attend the Lake Oswego Schools Foundation Gala. Tickets are on sale now. We look forward to celebrating with you!
Now Accepting Applications for Foundation Board of Directors
Are you interested in contributing to a dynamic volunteer organization dedicated to advancing our community's commitment to educational excellence?
Please consider applying for the Lake Oswego Schools Foundation Board of Directors. The Foundation is seeking parents/guardians, students and community residents to serve on its Board of Directors. Board members must demonstrate a commitment to the Foundation, the School District and the Lake Oswego community.
The term for new board members will begin July 2023. Board members commit to a two-year term and may serve up to three terms. Please click HERE to access the online application form. The application provides more information about becoming a board member.
Interested people should submit applications by Friday, February 24, 2023. The Nominating committee will review applications and conduct interviews in the March timeframe. If you are unable to access the online application, please contact woolfw@loswego.k12.or.us to receive a pdf version of the application.
Seeking Volunteers for Our Advisory Committees
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!
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.)
Save the date!
2/27 - Drama Club Audition for students who received an invitation
2/28 - Family Coding Night
3/6-10 - Drama Club Rehearsals
3/7 - PTA General Meeting 7pm via Zoom
3/10-11 Drama Club Performances
3/12 - Daylight Savings Time Change
3/23 - 2nd grade music performance 11:15am
3/24 - No School for students
3/27-3/31 - No School - Spring Break
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.
ART LIT TRAINING SESSION FOR MONDRIAN AVAILABLE
The Art Literacy training session for Mondrian, artist #4, can be viewed here. Additional information about Mondrian is available here with the password volunteer4loartlit.
Our final training session on Rivera was held earlier this week. A link to the recording will be sent out soon. 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).
PTA BUDGET VOTE SET FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 7
Join the PTA General meeting via Zoom on March 7 when all PTA members will be eligible to vote on budget increases for the Lake Grove garden in support of the district’s sustainability program, as well as a new line item for the purchase of emergency kits to have on hand in school in case of an emergency that occurs during school hours. Any LG family (members and non-members) are welcome to listen in to any PTA meetings. You will learn more about our plans for the year in support of our mission to serve the students, teachers and staff at Lake Grove. A link to the Zoom meeting will be sent via text message to all families who are signed up to receive school text messages on the morning of the meeting. Questions? Contact lakegrovepta@gmail.com.
GET INVOLVED! MANY WAYS TO VOLUNTEER AT LAKE GROVE
A new Google sheet captures all current volunteer opportunities at Lake Grove. Bookmark this tracking document so you can see the latest and greatest volunteer roles. PTA programs don’t happen without the generous support of volunteers. We welcome parents, guardians, aunts, uncles, grandparents and more!
Simply submit your volunteer application https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/MjIwOTplbi1VUw== and join us at school once you’ve been approved! If you have any questions or need accommodations for the volunteer application, please contact Jennie Knapp at LGE: knappj@loswego.k12.or.us or John Parke with the district: parkej@loswego.k12.or.us.
Manage Dining for Dollars at Lake Grove
Lake Grove PTA’s Dining for Dollars program helps our school earn funds while supporting local businesses. This is a program that can easily be managed by a single volunteer at any time of day throughout the school year, taking a minimal time investment to provide a monthly cadence of restaurant partnerships. A contribution of approximately 2 hours per month can result in thousands of dollars for our students. If you’re interested in managing this program for the remainder of this year and continuing into the 2023-24 school year, contact lakegrovepta@gmail.com.
Seeking volunteers to help produce the yearbook
The yearbook team is working hard to create a fun memory book for our 2022-23 school year! We are looking for two volunteers to help edit the yearbook. This is a simple task that can be done from home at any time of day between in the month of February. We estimate this task should take two people approximately 5 hours each. To help, email: lakegrovepta@gmail.com.
THANK YOU 2nd AND 3rd GRADE FAMILIES FOR AN AWESOME STAFF POTLUCK
Our staff appreciation committee worked with 2nd and 3rd grade families to host a chili bar on Tuesday, thank you for your participation! The March potluck, hosted by Kindergarten and 5th Grade Families, will take place on Thursday, March 16. Be on the lookout for sign-ups for that luncheon next month!
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
