Lewis Elementary Newsletter January7_09

Meriwether Lewis Elementary School Weekly Letter 503 916 6360 - http://lewiselementary.org Principal Notes From Mr. Lauer Welcome Back... I hope that all of our families enjoyed the winter break. Hopefully we are done with any school closures or delays for this school year. Many of you have asked me about any possible make up days because of the snow days we experienced in December. At this time the decision regarding make up days has not yet been made. I will keep families informed both with the newsletter and on our school web site as these decisions are made. Kindergarten Round Up Meetings Scheduled We will be offering two informational meetings for prospective kindergarten families. Please share this information with family and friends who might be interested. The dates and times are listed below:

January 7, 2009 Inclement Weather & Emergency Closures When school closure decisions are made, the district instantly publishes the information through their web site at: http://www.weather.pps.k12.or.us/ Television and radio stations get their information from this service, but sometimes their broadcast of updates is delayed. If you have internet access, the link above is the first place you should check for weather-related closure information. The site is available 24 hours a day. This information can also be reached from our web site, http://lewiselementary.org Please note, that unless it is pouring down rain, we go out for recess each day at lunch hour. Please be sure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 9:00 am or Thursday, February 26, 2009 - 6:00 pm Today we are sending home the Lewis Elementary School State Report Card. Each year the State of Oregon rates each school in the state on a number of indicators. I am happy to report that Lewis is listed with a rating of STRONG. Also Today, the Lewis Elementary School Family Directory is being sent home. Printing and publishing the directory tool longer than we anticipated and I apologize for the delay. As we enter the new calendar year, I wanted to take this opportunity to wish all of our families the very best and to thank all of you for the opportunity to work with the students, families and staff of Lewis Elementary School. I consider it a great honor to do so. Best wishes, Tim Lauer

Kindergarten Music...

Walk and Bike Update The next Lewis Walk & Bike Day will be held on Thursday, January 15th. Break out extra clothing and an umbrella and make your way to school on foot! Come a few minutes early to enjoy hot cider next to the playground. In other W&B news, the recent inclement weather has pushed back the Lewis Walk & Bike punch card launch. Keep an eye out for upcoming news on how to sign your children up. Also, 4th and 5th graders will soon begin completing walk and bike surveys four days a week during technology class.

First grade students working on winter paintings.... Automated Rapid Response Broadcast System With our recent winter weather and school closures I wanted to remind families of the PPS Rapid Broadcast System. The Rapid Broadcast system enable us to deliver swift notification of inclement weather related school delays or closures and other school information which is deemed urgent or emergency in nature such as safety or facility related issues. This information can be delivered to you in the form of a recorded phone call, a text message, an email message, or any combination of the three. This week the school district activated the system and it provided families with fast and accurate information regarding our school closures. At the beginning of the school year a form for enrollment in the Rapid Response System was included in your child’s registration packet. Over 80% of our families have already signed up for the programs. If you would like to enroll, please stop by the school office and ask for a Rapid Broadcast form. Also Note that having current contact information is very important and if you have any phone or address changes to please share this information with Tracy in the school office.

Kung-Fu Club News Lewis Elementary's after-school Kung Fu Club is now selling student-designed "Ninja in Training" t-shirts as a means to help raise funds to cover costs of the program. Shirts are available in the school office in youth and adult sizes in black design on white t-shirt, or white design on black t-shirt. The cost is $10.00 per shirt [checks payable to Lewis PTA]. Feel free to call Lara at 503-432-7450, or e-mail [email protected] for more info. Silverware Drive Do you have any extra forks or spoons at your house that you would like to donate to the Lewis cafeteria?  Once we gather enough utensils, and with the help of our amazing volunteer tray washers, we will eliminate the use of plastic ware and reduce the amount of garbage created during lunchtime.  We currently have 104 forks and 104 spoons.   We need 250 forks and 200 spoons to start using real silverware.  The collection bin is located in the office.  Thank you for your help! Lewis Auction Ticket Sales Early Bird Ticket Sale specials begin next week! Buy your tickets in January, pay only $20! February purchase price: $25.00, March: $30

Meriwether Lewis Elementary School Weekly Letter 503 916 6360 - http://lewiselementary.org Lewis Eats Out..Or IN ... at Papa Murphy's Take and Bake 4411 SE Woodstock Blvd. On Tuesday, January 13th from 3:00 -9:00 pm 20% of sales will go to support Lewis School programs. A big thank you to Jen Neitzel for her work with these events...

Scrip Upcoming scrip order dates: Friday, January 9 for delivery on Friday, January 16 Friday, January 23 for delivery on Thursday, January 29 (after school) Scrip will also be for sale in the hall by the office on Friday mornings, from 8:40 until 8:50ish. Remember, Scrip is an even money exchange; You receive the same amount of gift cards that you pay for. All proceeds benefit the Lewis Library. Order forms are available in the office. Scholastic Book Fair The book fair is back! It will be open in the Library from January 12-16. Look for the flyer and information being sent home today. There are lots of great books available for all reading levels. Also, be sure to check out the Classroom Wish Lists and see what books your childs' teacher would like for the Classroom Library. Box Tops for Education & Campbell's Soup Labels We have raised over $500 from collecting Box Tops for Education. Box Top for Education money is given to Mr. Jamesbarry for our music program. Campbell's Soup Labels gives us points for sports equipment. Mr. Woods will be able to choose what he needs for Physical Education. Information is posted throughout the school with information and samples of what we need to collect.

January 7, 2009 Family Yoga Night: Friday, January 23, 2009 - 6:30 - 8:00 pm Save the date for family fun, laughter and fitness. Family yoga night will be held at Lewis Elementary on Friday, January 23rd. There will be more details to follow in next week's newsletter. This is a fundraiser for 4th and 5th grade OMSI camp, with all proceeds going to help campers attend camp. If you would like to offer assistance (night of help), I would greatly appreciate it. Contact Kathy Bartlett at [email protected]

Library Volunteers Did your new year's resolutions include being more involved in your child's school? Don't wait another minute, we need your help in the library! This is a great place to help out! Even 15 minutes of your time is appreciated. For questions or volunteer orientation contact Kathy Bartlett at 503-775-4842 or [email protected] PPS LIBRARY INITIATIVE COMMUNITY FORUM Staff, administrators, teachers, parents and community are invited to attend a community forum focusing on school libraries. The meeting is scheduled for January 14, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Grant High School Library. This group will provide input on a district vision to improve and integrate the services provided by and for school libraries. The focus is to increase capacity for information literacy instruction and improving library administrative services. WHAT: Library Initiative Community Forum WHO: Library staff, administrators, teachers, parents, community WHERE: Grant High School Library - 2245 NE 36th, Portland, OR 97212 WHEN: Wednesday, January 14, 2009, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Deb Carroll, Senior Project Manager 503.916.3458 [email protected]

First Grade Winter Paintings...

Martin Luther King Service Day Garden Clean Up at Lewis Elementary Monday, January 19, 2009 9:00 - Noon

Parent Workshops available from Sellwood SUN School & Portland Parks and Recreation: Cyber Safety: A workshop for parents of Elementary and Middle School students about protections when using the Internet. Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 7:00-8:00 pmSellwood Middle School Library Register by calling RoseMary @ 971-222-4982 or e-mail: [email protected] Guiding Good Choices: A Four-Part Workshop for for parents of Elementary and Middle School students-Learn how to support your children in making the right decisions in a world full of peer pressure. March 2, 9, 16, 30, 2009 @ 7:00-8:00 pm Sellwood Middle School Library Register by calling RoseMary @ 971-222-4982 or e-mail: [email protected] Yoga Club Yoga club registration is still open for grades k-2. I have limited space, so please sign up in the office if you are interested. Yoga club for k-2nd grade will be held Wednesday mornings from 8:00-8:40a.m. in the gym starting March 4th. If you have questions contact Kathy Bartlett at 503-775-4842 or [email protected]

We encourage students and families to come out together to support Lewis with a day of service in honor of Dr. King. More information will be sent home next week.