Meriwether Lewis Elementary School - Newsletter

June 4, 2008 Newsletter

Mr. Lauer — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:51:22 -0400

The June 4, 2008 edition of the Lewis Elementary School Newsletter is available for download. Highlights are listed below.

Kathy Grahn Retirement
As we noted earlier this spring, our school secretary, Kathy Grahn, will be retiring after 21 years of service to the Lewis community. Kathy has posted a goodbye note in our Classroom Notes today. We wish her well, but know she will be always be a part of our community.

Mrs. Parks Leaving Lewis
After serving the Lewis community for ten years, Mrs. Linda Parks has accepted a teaching position with the St. Helens School District and will not be returning to Lewis next school year. This is a tremendous opportunity for Mrs. Parks to teach in a school much closer to her home and family. We wish her well in her new position and will miss the kind and caring manner with which she worked with her students.

5th Grade Promotion
We will be honoring our 5th graders at our end of year assembly on Tuesday, June 10 at 1:45 pm.

Breakfast Program Changes for 2008-2008
When we return to school in the fall we will have a new breakfast routine. We will no longer be providing free breakfast to all students, and breakfast will be served before school in the cafeteria starting at 8:25. Students who qualify for free and reduced price lunch, will also qualify for free and reduced price breakfast.
2008-2009 Prices
Breakfast: $1.00, reduced: 40¢
Lunch: $2.10, reduced: 30¢

Report Cards
Report cards will be mailed home on Friday, June 13.

Look For a Summer Welcome Letter
In August, families will receive a letter welcoming them back to school. The letter will also include a welcome from your child’s new teacher and information about the start of school. Look for these letters around the 22nd of August.

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.

Summer Garden Camp Update from Julia Hamlin
Summer Garden Camp registration is still open for the weeks of June 23-27, July 14-18 and July 28-August 1st. The camp will be offered to grades 3-5 and will run from 9:30-1:00 Monday through Friday. We will be learning from, tending to and harvesting from the Lewis Learning Gardens in the morning and having fun with arts and crafts projects in the afternoon. Each session is limited to 7 students. Cost is $50/ week. Scholarships are available. More information and registration forms available in the office. Questions? Contact Julia Hamlin 503-916-6360 or
lewislearninggardens@gmail.com.

Lost and Found
We have laid out all of our Lost and Found items on tables in the hallway between the gym and cafeteria. Please take a look for any items your child may have lost. Items left will be donated to Goodwill.

May 28, 2008 Newsletter

Mr. Lauer — Wed, 28 May 2008 17:01:22 -0400

The May 28, 2008 Lewis Elementary School Newsletter is available for download. Highlights are listed below.

Talent Show
Last Friday we held our 20th annual Talent Show. Thanks to all the participants and to our volunteers. I would like to especially thank Jennifer and Greg Young for their work leading this effort. Also Jennifer would like to express her thanks to the following for their help: Silke Brunning, Marilyn Arellano ,Sarah Kohn, Pat Reilley, Jennifer Talney-Needham, Kristin George, Christy Combs, Monica Franke, Our stagehands: Mary Jo and Sophie. Our Announcers: Janai, Julia, Laura, Raul, Antonia, Elsie, Melody, Mary Jo and Laura.

Lewis Talent Show...

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.

Walk and Bike Challenge Update
Friday is the last day of the May Walk+Bike Challenge. Congratulations to all the participating students and staff - as of last Friday we already reached our goal of 2000 total participants for the month and could pass 2500 by the end of the challenge. Word has it that the level at which Lewis students and staff have embraced the challenge has gotten the attention of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and other schools.

An end-of-challenge celebration will be held on Sunday, June 8th from 10am-1pm in the South Park Blocks downtown. The winning school will be announced, along with entertainment, a bike race, raffles/prizes, and more. All participants from Lewis should try to be there! For more information visit www.walknbike.org.

Also, if you missed the great Oregonian article about Lewis students walking and biking in May, entitled "Bike/walk challenge gets kids on the go", it is available online at www.oregonlive.com.

Lost and Found: PLEASE CHECK FOR LOST ITEMS!!!
Our Lost and Found collection has grown quite large in recent weeks. Please check the lost and found rack. We are moving the Lost and Found rack to the primary hallway near the office. Any items left at the end of the year will be donated to Goodwill.

May 21, 2008 Newsletter

Mr. Lauer — Sat, 24 May 2008 22:26:06 -0400

The May 21, 2008 newsletter is available for download. Highlights are listed below.

Lewis Butterfly Garden
On Sunday a dedicated crew of volunteers worked to plant our Butterfly Garden. The design is by our Americorp Volunteer, Julia Hamlin. I would like to acknowledge the work of all of our volunteers and especially Julia and Martin Nicholson for their work leading this effort. Please stop by and take a look. They did an outstanding job.

Library Summer Reading Program
Again this year Lewis students will have the opportunity to take part in the Multnomah County Library Summer Reading program. Our librarian, Tori Padellford, has worked to register all of our students. She will be distributing materials before the end of the school year.

Walk and Bike Challenge Continues
"The Walk+Bike Month Challenge is still going strong. Lewis students and staff have walked or biked to school a total of 1748 times in May - over one third of the school is participating each day!

Make sure you pick up a copy of the Oregonian on Thursday as Lewis students will be featured in a story about the Walk+Bike Challenge. The article will be located in the InPortland section. If you have any question regarding the Walk and Bike Challenge, please contact Art at aburden@hevanet.com or 971-235-9016.

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.

Lost and Found: PLEASE CHECK FOR LOST ITEMS!!!
Our Lost and Found collection has grown quite large in recent weeks. Please check the lost and found rack in the cafeteria if your child is missing clothing items. Any items left at the end of the year will be donated to Goodwill.
School Supplies Survey
Being Sent Home TODAY
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. Please complete the survey being sent home today and return it to school by Friday, May 23.

Summer Garden Camp
At Lewis we are offering a summer gardening camp during four separate weeks including June 23-27, July 7-11, July 14-18 and July 28-August 1st. The camp will be offered to grades 3-5 and will run from 9:30-1:00 Monday through Friday. We will be learning from, tending to and harvesting from the Lewis Learning Gardens in the morning and having fun with arts and crafts projects in the afternoon. Each session is limited to 7 students. Cost is $50/ week. Scholarships are available. More information and registration forms available in the office. Questions? Contact Julia Hamlin 503-916-6360 or lewislearninggardens@gmail.com.

KungFu Club News
The last session of Kung Fu class will be Jun 5, 2008.

May 14, 2008 Newsletter

Mr. Lauer — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:06:36 -0400

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.

May 7, 2008 Newsletter

Mr. Lauer — Thu, 08 May 2008 08:09:27 -0400

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!

April 30, 2008 Newsletter

Mr. Lauer — Sat, 03 May 2008 06:45:51 -0400

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

April 23, 2008 Newsletter

Mr. Lauer — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 05:22:37 -0400

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.

April 16, 2008 Lewis Elementary School Newsletter

Mr. Lauer — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:09:25 -0400

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.

April 9, 2008 Newsletter

Mr. Lauer — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 05:38:19 -0400

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.

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...

March 19, 2008 Newsletter

Mr. Lauer — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:02:49 -0400

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