The May 14, 2008 newsletter is now available for download. Highlights are listed below...

Thank You Parents and PTA
On behalf of the Lewis staff I would like to express our appreciation for the wonderful gifts and acts of kindness expressed during Staff Appreciation Week.. We are very fortunate to have such a caring and committed community and we thank you all for your thoughtfulness and kindness.

Mark Your Calendar,
Volunteer Breakfast Scheduled for June 3, 2008
The Lewis staff will honor our volunteers with a before school breakfast on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 from 8:00 - 9:00 am. We invite all parents, grandparents and community members who have volunteered during the 2007-2008 school year to please attend. Childcare will be provided.

School Supplies Suggestion
For the 2008 - 2009 school year a proposal was made at a recent PTA meeting to ask families to pay a fee for school supplies rather than sending out a school supply list. The idea is that the school would use the funds collected from families to purchase school supplies. Please look for a survey to come home next Wednesday.

Walk and Bike Challenge Continues
Our participation in the Walk & Bike Month Challenge has exceeded all our expectations. On average, 124 students and staff have been walking or biking to school each day during May. Last week, our participation goal was 500 total walkers/bikers - we beat goal that by 28% with 638 walkers/bikers. Nicely done everyone!

Don't forget, Thursday, May 17th is our monthly Walk & Bike Day! To celebrate the 1/2 way point of the May challenge we will be providing hot chocolate and small rewards for walkers/bikers on the playground before school.

Walking school buses have begun making morning stops on certain routes to school. You may pick up an information sheet in the office to learn more about walking buses, sign your child up to join an existing walking bus route, or volunteer to help "drive" a walking bus or start a new one. You can also contact Art at aburden@hevanet.com or 971-235-9016.

Lewis Butterfly Garden Work Parties Continue!
Last Thursday we began construction to build a Butterfly Garden near the SW entrance to the school. This garden was made possible through the $3,700 WISE Owl Grant and PSU. The design is by our Americorp Volunteer, Julia Hamlin
We are in need of volunteers to help on the following days:

Thursday May 15th 3-6 (load sod in a trailer & spread compost),
Sunday May 18th 9-12 (planting)
Thursday May 22nd 3-6 (finishing touches and bird bath installation)

If you have any questions please contact Julia Hamlin at Lewis or
email lewislearninggardens@gmail.com.

Change of Address and or Phone Number Changes...
Please notify the school office...
If your phone or address changes, please contact the school office with the new information. In the case of an emergency it is very important that we have the correct information.

The May 7, 2008 Lewis Elementary School Newsletter is now available for download. Highlights are listed below.

Walk and Bike Challenge Volunteer Meeting Planned
Our Bike and Walk Challenge continues...Several parents have volunteered to help with walking buses during the Walk and Bike challenge. A walking bus is an organized group of students and parents who agree to meet in a particular location from which they will walk together to school. If you are interested in being a part of a walking bus please join us on Monday, May 12th. Weather permitting, the meeting will take place on the playground so children can play while we talk. Meet at 3:00 outside Ms. Cindy's room on the map of the United States.

Walk and Bike Volunteers Needed
We are also looking for parent volunteers interested in becoming "walking bus drivers" who walk to school from their home, picking up student participants along the way. If you are available for one day up to all 21 school days in May, please email Gregory at macnaugg@reed.edu

Student Profile Form
As we start to think of our next school year we would like to make available to parents an opportunity to share information about their child that will help in our work with student placement for the 2008 - 2009 school year. This process is not a teacher request process, but rather a method for parents to share information about a child’s learning style with us as we make these placements. Student profile forms are available in the school office until May 23rd. Also if your child is not returning to Lewis next year, please let us know through the form being sent home today.

Change of Address and or Phone Number Changes... Please notify the school office...
If your phone or address changes, please contact the school office with the new information. In the case of an emergency it is very important that we have the correct information.

Yoga Club News:
The school year is coming to an end and it's time for our end of the year yoga celebration. We will meet for one more class Friday May 9th and then Friday May 16th will be our end of the year celebration including a complimentary breakfast. I have so enjoyed teaching your children this year! They are all wonderful. Look for yoga club again next year!

The April 30, 2008 Lewis Elementary School Newsletter is now available for download...

The April 23rd edition of the Lewis Elementary School Newsletter is now available for download. Highlights are listed below... Lewis Butterfly Garden Work Parties Planned: Help Needed
This May we will be creating a Butterfly Garden around the SW entrance to the school. This garden was made possible through a WISE Owl Grant and PSU. We are in need of volunteers to help on the following days:• •

• Thursday, May 1st 3-6 (cut trenching for pathway),
• Thursday May 15th 3-6 (load sod in a trailer & spread compost),
• Sunday May 18th 9-12 (planting)
• Thursday May 22nd 3-6 (finishing touches and bird bath installation).

If you have any questions please contact Julia Hamlin at Lewis or email lewislearninggardens@gmail.com.
Thank you and see you there!

Calls into Classrooms
We would like to limit as much as possible classroom interruptions during the school day. We ask that parents please refrain from attempting to call into classroom during the school day to talk with their child unless it is an emergency.

4th and 5th Grade Camp
Our 4th and 5th grade students have returned from a fantastic visit to OMSI camp on the Oregon Coast. I wanted to thank our teachers, staff and parent volunteers for making the trips possible and for giving of their time to make this experience available to our students. Special thanks also to the PTA for their continued support of our OMSI Science Camp program.

PPS Long Range Facilities Plan
Portland Public Schools district staff will soon propose a long-range facilities plan to the school board. This is not a bond plan but instead the plan that would guide major spending if funds were available over the next 15-20 years. As part of our May 8, 2007 PTA meeting a presentation will be made highlighting the condition of PPS buildings and specific Lewis issues.

GET READY FOR PORTLAND WALK + BIKE CHALLENGE MONTH!
In May, we will extend the spirit of Walk + Bike Day into a whole month with the first ever Walk + Bike Challenge Month. This event will be a friendly competition between Portland State University and Portland metro area elementary schools to have the greatest number of students walk and bike to school.
More information will be sent home next week...

Traffic Safety Reminders

• Please use our school crosswalks and remind your child to also do so.
• Please park legally in the direction of traffic. DO NOT PARK ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD.
• CARS CAN NOT BE LEFT UNATTENDED IN THE FIRELANE. THIS IS BECOMING A BIG ISSUE AS OF LATE, AND WE PLAN TO “TICKET” CARS LEFT UNATTENDED...

Next PTA Meeting: Thursday, May 8, 2008
6:30 pm in the Lewis Library.

Laughing Planet - Lewis Eats - We earned $805.60. Thanks to all that took part and a very big thank you to Laughing Planet.

Scrip orders due this Friday, April 25th

PTA Board

PTA Board nominations/voting for 2008-2009 will be held at the May 8th PTA Meeting. Information is being sent home today regarding the board positions for next year. If interested, please complete and return forms to the office.

Lewis Talent Show Permission Forms Being Sent Home Today
20th Annual Talent Show to be held on Friday, May 23. Permission slips due April 30.
Auditions: Thursday May 8 from 3-5 in the cafeteria.
Rehearsal: Tuesday May 13 from 3-5 in the cafeteria.
Rehearsal: Tuesday May 20 from 3-5 in the cafeteria.
Dress Rehearsal : Thursday May 22 from 3-5 in the cafeteria.

The April 16, 2008 Lewis Elementary School Newsletter is available for download.

Below are some highlights from this weeks edition...

5th Grade Teaching Position Filled
I am very happy to report that Ron Soliz will be joining our staff for the 2008 - 2009 school year as the 5th grade teaching parter with Kathy Gould. Mr. Soliz comes to Lewis from Clarendon at Portsmouth K-8 Elementary School. Previous to that assignment he worked at Clarendon Elementary School. Mr Soliz is a highly recommended teacher who has served his school and our school district in a number of curriculum leadership roles. We are very happy to welcome Mr. Soliz to the Lewis community and look forward to him joining our staff.

Run For The Arts
Our annual Run for the Arts will take place on April 23. The make up day is scheduled for April 25. Pledge sheets are due back on April 21.

Art Night May 1st
Our 20th annual Art Night will be held on Thursday, May 1 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. On this evening our hallways will be transformed into an art gallery where student work will be on display. In addition students from our music program will be performing in the cafeteria. Also desserts and drinks will be available for purchase in our Paint Brush Cafe.

More Art Night:
Help Needed Paintbrush Café
Please consider supporting this artful endeavor by donating a purchased gourmet-style dessert to the Paintbrush Café. Just drop off a purchased gourmet-style dessert—such as a cheesecake, torte, specialty pie or large specialty cookies—in the teacher’s lounge on Thursday, May 1 by 3:00 p.m. Thank you for helping and for being part of the art! (If you have any questions, contact Kathlyn Meskel at 503-777-5036.

Below are a few highlights from our latest newsletter. A link to a PDF copy for download is at the bottom of this post...

Teacher Professional Day, Friday, April 11
No school for students...

Lewis Dines Out Report: Thank you Laughing Planet
We had a great turn out yesterday for Lewis Dines Out day at The Laughing Planet on Woodstock. Laughing Planet is donating 20% of proceeds from yesterday’s sales to Lewis. Our staff took advantage of this opportunity yesterday when a larger number ordered out from Laughing Planet for lunch. We thank Laughing Planet for helping our school and also our PTA for working to make events like this possible.

Lottery Donation to Lewis
Yesterday Lewis took part in a promotion sponsored by the Oregon Lottery called Scratch-it for Schools. Lead by our school secretary Kathy Grahn a team of parents and staff from Lewis took park in the event and as a result raised $962 for our school.

Run For The Arts
Our annual Run for the Arts will take place on April 23. The make up day is scheduled for April 25. On Monday Mr. Woods and Mr. Jamesbarry helped us kick off the run with a short assembly. Pledge sheets were sent home and are due back to school on April 21. This event is our major arts fund raising event and we look forward to your participation. Also I would like to acknowledge the work of our Run For The Arts facilitator, Jeanette Findley. Also I would like to thank Kristin George for her many years of work in this area.

Art Night May 1st
Our 20th annual Art Night will be held on Thursday, May 1 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. On this evening our hallways will be transformed into an art gallery where student work will be on display. In addition students from our music program will be performing in the cafeteria. Also desserts and drinks will be available for purchase in our Paint Brush Cafe.

Get Ready for Portland Walk + Bike Challenge Month
In May, we will extend the spirit of Walk + Bike Day into a whole month with the first ever Walk + Bike Challenge Month. This event will be a friendly competition between Portland State University and Portland metro area elementary schools to have the greatest number of students walk and bike to school. Walking or biking to school just one day during the month of May will qualify students to win prizes- the more walking and biking students do, the more likely they will be to win! The elementary school with the most number of students walking and biking over the month will win a grand prize. Gregory MacNaughton will help us with this effort and we will have more information to share soon.

April 9, 2008 Newsletter download link...

The March 19, 2008 Lewis Elementary School Newsletter is available for download.

The March 12, 2008 Lewis Elementary School Newsletter is now available for download...

The latest issue of the Lewis Elementary School Newsletter is available for download.

Below is a link to the February 27, 2008 Lewis Elementary School Newsletter...

The February 20, 2008 newsletter is available for download...

The February 13, 2008 edition of the Lewis Elementary School Newsletter is available for download.

Follow the READ MORE link to read a text copy....

Principal Notes From Mr. Lauer

Chess Club News
Last Saturday, members of the Lewis Chess Club played in a regional tournament that was hosted at Lewis. Congratulations to everyone that took part, and congratulations to second grade student Ezra Diaz who finished in second place in his division. He will represent Lewis at the State tournament later this spring. I would also like to thank our Chess Club sponsors, Mrs. Parks and Mr. Manger for their work with our Chess Club students, and also acknowledge the work of our parent and grandparent volunteers who also contribute to make this club possible.

Walk and Bike Day was a success!  
We had 71 students who walked, biked, or rode a scooter to school on Tuesday.  I saw many smiling faces when they checked in and received prizes at the table on the playground.  We will be hosting these walk and bike days once a month (March 13th, April 17th, and May 15th) and are looking for volunteers to help us with tabling on these mornings from 8 AM-9 AM.  Please contact Julia Hamlin at lewislearninggardens@gmail.com or 503-916-6360 if you are interested.  Thank you very much!

Drama Club Work Party THIS SATURDAY
This Saturday, February 16, 2008 parents of students in the Lewis Drama Club will be working from 9:00 to noon helping to clean the stage in preparation for our Drama Club production later in March. For more information please contact Mrs. Keefer.

State Achievement Testing for 4th and 5th Grade Students
this Thursday and Friday
This week we are continuing our first round of computerized testing as part of the Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills. Most students in grade 3 have already have already finished their first round and 4th and 5th grade students will be taking their reading assessment Thursday and Friday of this week. In addition our 4th grade student are working on their state writing assessment. Mrs. Keefer’s class is working on that assessment this week and Mrs. Bennett’s class will do so starting on Monday. As always, prompt arrival to school helps facilitate this process.

5th and 6th Grade Lacrosse Team Forming
A 5th and 6th Grade lacrosse team is forming. For more information please contact Lewis parent Kristin George at 503 777-6682.
School Choice Transfer Process Begins VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 5TH GRADE STUDENTS
Saturday marked the beginning of the PPS School Choice process. Families interested in transfers at all grade levels should be aware of this process.

Middle School Transfer Process: Very IMPORTANT PLEASE READ
This process is very important for our 5th grade students who may be considering a middle school other than their home middle school. Some middle schools require attendance at a mandatory parent information meeting in order to be considered for a transfer. A list of these information meetings is available on the PPS web site( Mandatory Meetings List ), or in the school office.
Students who live in the Lewis attendance area are slated to attend Sellwood Middle School. Students who have transfered to Lewis are slated to attend their neighborhood middle school unless these choose to go through the transfer process. The deadline for transfer applications is Friday, March 7, 2008. More information can be found on the PPS Enrollment and Transfer Office page at http://www.pps.k12.or.us
Note: If you would like further information or any help with the transfer process, please contact me at 503 916 6360

Lewis Kindergarten Round Up Meetings Scheduled
Lewis Elementary will host an additional informational meeting for incoming kindergarten parents on the following dates:
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 6:00 pm
Parents are invited to attend and learn about our school and our program offerings. For more information, please contact the school office.

Vaccination Exclusion Day is Wednesday, February 20th
Any student who has not obtained required vaccinations needs to provide proof of receiving required vaccines by February 20th or they may not attend school. If you have questions about
immunization requirements, please contact our school nurse
Martha Button at 503 916-6360 on Fridays. Please Note: You can obtain low cost or free immunizations at the
county health department. Visit the website
http://www.mchealth.org/immunizations/

PTA NEWS...

Book Fair a Great Success
Our book fair held last week was a great success. We were able to raise over $1500 for books for our library. Thanks to all those that took part and thanks to Tracy Buckley for her great job running the book fair.

Lewis Elementary Auction Update
SAVE THE DATE - March 13, 2008. The Laurelhurst Club
The auction is approaching quickly. The date is March 13th 2008 we hope that you can make it. The Auction Committee has been working hard getting things ready. If you would like to help, or would like more information, please contact Angie Toops at 503 775 3664.

Booster Seats Available
Booster Seats are available to families in the Portland Safer Routes to School Program for $5.00 at the Portland Fire Station. You can pick up a coupon in the school office. For more information please contact the school office.

Next Lewis PTA Meeting
Thursday, March 6, 2008
6:30 pm

The February 6, 2008 Lewis Elementary School Newsletter is now available for download.

A text copy can be found by following the read more link...

Principal Notes From Mr. Lauer

School Choice Transfer Process Begins
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 5TH GRADE STUDENTS
Saturday marked the beginning of the PPS School Choice process. Families interested in transfers at all grade levels should be aware of this process. This process is very important for our 5th grade students who may be considering a middle school other than their home middle school. Students who live in the Lewis attendance area are slated to attend Sellwood Middle School. Students who have transfered to Lewis are slated to attend their neighborhood middle school unless these choose to go through the transfer process. The deadline for transfer applications is Friday, March 7, 2008. More information can be found on the PPS Enrollment and Transfer Office page at http://www.pps.k12.or.us
Note: If you would like further information or any help with the transfer process, please contact me at 503 916 6360

State Achievement Testing for
3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Students
This week we are beginning a round of computerized testing as part of the Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills. Students in grade 3 have already had a practice session and students in Ms. Davis’ classroom will be starting the math assessment, and students in Mrs. Ross’ classroom will be starting the reading assessment. 4th and 5th grade students will be taking their reading assessment next week. In addition our 4th grade student are working on their state writing assessment. Mrs. Keefer’s class is working on that assessment this week and Mrs. Bennett’s class will do so starting on Monday. As always, prompt arrival to school helps facilitate this process.

Lewis Eats Out Night at the
Bagdad Theater
Tuesday March 4, 2008
The Lewis PTA is holding a Lewis Eats Out night at the Bagdad Theater. McMenamins will donate 50% of the sales from both their restaurant/pub and theater to Lewis Elementary School.

Beading Workshop for 3rd, 4th and 5th Graders
Practicing the ancient art of beading, students will use glass seed beads to make jewelry, incorporating a variety of patterns and colors. This workshop will be offered to 4th and 5th graders, after school from 3-4. The dates include four Thursdays: 2/21, 2/28, 3/6 and 3/13. A suggested donation to cover supplies and materials is $10. Registration for these workshops will be limited to the first 15 students. Forms available in the office. Any questions please contact Julia Hamlin @ 503-916-6360 or email at
lewislearninggardens@gmail.com

Lost and Found
PLEASE CHECK THE LOST AND FOUND RACK located in the school cafeteria. Our collection of coats, sweatshirts and jackets continues to grow.

Lewis Kindergarten Round Up Meetings Scheduled
Lewis Elementary will hold two informational meetings for incoming kindergarten parents on the following dates:
THIS Friday, February 8, 2008 - 9:00 am
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 6:00 pm
Parents are invited to attend and learn about our school and our program offerings.

Drama Production
Last night students from Mrs Bennett and Ms. Swan’s classrooms performed for family and friends as part of our Drama Teacher in Residence program. Both classroom did a fine job and I want to acknowledge the effort of our drama teacher, Mr. Wehrli and also the work of Mrs. Bennett and Ms. Swan in helping put on such a great show. Starting next week students in Ms. Davis and Ms. Leake’s classrooms will begin their drama residency.

Vaccination Exclusion Day is Wednesday, February 20th
Any student who has not obtained required vaccinations needs to provide proof of receiving required vaccines by February 20th or they may not attend school. If you have questions about
immunization requirements, please contact our school nurse
Martha Button at 503 916-6360 on Fridays.
?You can obtain low cost or free immunizations at the
county health department. Visit the website
http://www.mchealth.org/immunizations/

Medication Reminder
In order to assist in the administration of medication during the school day, the following are required:
a doctor’s signature authorizing medication be given at school
a completed medication form describing instruction for administrating the medication
the medication must be brought to school in the original prescription container, labeled with the name of the student, name of medication and dosage.

PTA News...

Lewis Elementary Auction Update
SAVE THE DATE - March 13, 2008. The Laurelhurst Club
“WE NEED YOUR HELP!”
The auction is approaching quickly. The date is March 13th 2008 we hope that you can make it. The Auction Committee has been working hard getting things ready. If you would like to help, or would like more information, please contact Angie Toops at 503 775 3664.

Booster Seats Available
Booster Seats are available to families in the Portland Safer Routes to School Program for $5.00 at the Portland Fire Station. You can pick up a coupon in the school office. For more information please contact the school office.

Lewis PTA Meeting
Thursday, February 7, 2008
6:30 pm

Lewis Book Fair Continues Through Friday
Our book fair continues in the library. Please plan to stop by before or after school.

3:00 Wednesday, January 30 in the library
We began 2008 with 34 students participating in Walk, Bike and Bus to School Day on a chilly January 15th.  Way to go!  Thank you to all the students who made posters to remind everyone of this fun event.  We have now scheduled monthly Walk, Bike, and Bus to School Days, but we need your input.  Please join us for a conversation about encouraging more families to try walking, biking, using a scooter, or taking the bus. More physical activity, less pollution, more quality time with your child - what could be better?  Questions?  Contact Jacqueline Villnave, Safer Routes to School Coordinator, 503-226-0676 x16, or jacqueline@bta4bikes.org