Meriwether Lewis Elementary School

October 8, 2008 Newsletter

The October 8, 2008 Lewis Elementary School Newsletter is available for download.

October 8, 2008 Newletter

A text version is listed below…

Principal Notes From Mr. Lauer

Free and Reduced Meals Applications: IMPORTANT NOTICE!!! Carry Over For Prior Year Students Ends October 15!!!
The deadline for carry over of Free and Reduced Lunch status is drawing near. After October 15th students who qualified last year for free or reduced meals, but whose families have not yet applied for the current school year will be denied Free and Reduced Meals status and will be required to pay the full amount.

Free and Reduced School Meals Program Is Used to Help Provide Additional Academic Support For Lewis
Important Reminder
Lewis receives funding based on a number of factors but one important factor is the percentage of students in our school who qualify for free and reduced meals. This percentage has historically been around 42%. If we fall below 40% we are in danger of loosing a significant amount of funding which translates directly into cuts to our program. Each fall the school district looks at this percentage to make funding decisions for the following year. It is important that families who may qualify for free and reduced meals apply so that that we receive adequate funding to continue to do our work. Even if your child brings his or her lunch to school, if you believe you qualify for free and reduced meals please complete an application. Forms are available in the school office.

State Wide Teacher Professional Day Friday, October 10, 2008
No School for Students and Teachers
Friday is a down day for Portland Public Schools. There will be no school for teachers and students on Friday. The second Friday in October is traditionally a day when state wide curriculum organizations such as the Oregon Science Teachers Association, the Oregon Reading Association, and other such groups hold professional development offerings for classroom teachers. Because this opportunity exists for our teachers, the district will not be in session.

Walk and Bike Week Continues…
Today is International Walk and Bike to School Day. This morning we had 100 students walk or bike to school. We are continuing our encouragement efforts with parent volunteers welcoming students to school each morning this week. I would like to thank all of our parents involved in our walk and bike efforts. Their work is making a positive contribution to the Lewis community. Walk and Bike cards need to turned Thursday for inclusion in the raffle next week.

Welcome Patty Zimmerman
I am happy to announce that because of our enrollment increase we are able to have Patty Zimmerman join our staff part time to provide reading support. Patty is a recently retired PPS teacher and has most recently worked at Duniway. I am very happy to welcome her to our staff.

Traffic Safety Reminders
I have recently noticed an increase in parking and crosswalk violations. Please note that cars should not park near cross walks. Also please be aware of our Safety Patrol students and be prepared to stop to allow children to cross.

SMART Reading Program to Begin Oct 13
Again this year Lewis is fortunate to have the SMART Reading program. Our SMART (Start Making a Reader Today) Program provides adult volunteers to read one-on-one every week with K-3 children for a half hour each. Along with the OASIS volunteer program SMART provides us with caring adults who help to instill a love of reading and literacy in our students. Our SMART Program is lead by Darby Walker and Sally Allen. Both of them have volunteered their time this year to make sure that SMART continues at Lewis and we thank them for their work. If you are interested in volunteering with the program please contact Darby or Sally through the school office.

Arrival and Dismissal Times
Please note that students should not be coming to school before 8:30. We do not have any supervision on the playground until that time. Breakfast is served in the cafeteria beginning at 8:20 am. Dismissal is at 3:00 pm. Students who ride their bikes or skateboard to school should not be riding those on the playground before or after school. Also those students are required to wear helmets.

PPS ENROLLMENT AND TRANSFER COMMITTEE
A citizens committee is being formed to advise Carole Smith on enrollment and transfer issues. Applications for the committee are available online.. An announcement and application are available online in Chinese, English, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese at www.pps.k12.or.us. You’re welcome to copy any of this text for inclusion in your school newsletters.
Judy Brennan, Family Support & School Choice Director?503.916.2000 x.1168,   jbrennan@pps.k12.or.us

Saturday Academy Classes
Saturday Academy offers enrichment classes for students in grades 2 – 12. Information is available in the school office or on their web page at http://saturdayacademy.org

Jen/Keefer Drama Performance Thursday
This year Tori Padellford is our Drama Teacher in Residence. She has recently been working with students in Mrs. Keefer and Ms. Jen’s classrooms and they will have a performance for their families and friends Thursday evening at 6:30 PM. This performance will be the first time we have used our new stage lights that were purchased with the support of our PTA. Students should arrive at 6:00 pm and the performance begins at 6:30.

PTA Fall Family Dance Committee Meeting
Tuesday, Oct. 14th, 3pm in Room 3
Volunteers who want to help with the dance are encouraged to attend this meeting. If you can not make the meeting but want to help, please contact Sarah Kohn (Kindergarten teacher Rm 3)

Lewis T-Shirt Sale
Today order forms are being sent home for Lewis shirts. The deadline for orders is Thursday, October 24.

Lewis Events Web Site
Lewis has an events website!  This is a website devoted to updating you about events at Lewis School.  Currently, the information on this site is about the upcoming Lewis Holiday Bazaar and as new events come up they will be added to this site – http://lewisevents.org.  

Holiday Bazaar: Update?The Holiday Bazaar committee has been so impressed with the vendors who have applied for the November 8th Holiday Bazaar.  You can find the current list of vendors at the lewisevents.org web site – click on the ‘vendor’ tab.  We have extended our deadline for the Lewis Holiday Sale to October 3rd.  We really would love to see some child art in our school’s Holiday Bazaar.  See child application sheet or ask for one at the office