Wildcat Newsletter

November 13th, 2024

Dear Families,

Have you done it? Completed the Successful Schools Survey? You received an email from either PPS or Panorama with a link. If you missed it, you can use this link to access the survey. Be sure to select Woodlawn from the drop down menu of schools. Double check that you’ve selected the right “Wood-” school. While not required, we do appreciate your feedback through this survey. No identifiable information is shared, it doesn’t collect any information. It does register your selections to the posed questions.

If you have children in other schools, please consider the experiences of your oldest child and select their school.

Again, here is the link to access the family survey:

https://surveys.panoramaed.com/portlandor/fall24family

November is Native American Heritage Month. Teachers are presenting lessons about the nine Confederated Tribes of Oregon at all grade levels to educate our students about the achievements and heritage of indigenous peoples in Oregon and the United States. We recently hung the flags of the Confederated Tribes of Oregon in our main hallway.

Later this month, ask your child what they have been learning about the indigenous peoples of Oregon.

Mrs. Porter-Lopez

We Need Your Child’s Field Trip Form!

We are going on an all school field trip to see Hip Hop Nutcracker THIS Friday, 11/15. If you have not already, please ensure you have signed and returned the field trip form and returned to your child’s teacher. If we have not received your field trip form, there is another copy in your child’s Wednesday Folder that was sent home today.

We will not be taking email or over the phone permission, if your child does not have a signed form on file by Friday morning they will not be able to attend the field trip. There are staff staying behind to supervise students who do not attend the field trip.

A note from our OSU Nutrition Educator, Rebecca Marson

Dear Parents and Educators,

The month of November is National Native American Heritage Month. The Portland SNAP-Ed team at Oregon State University Extension celebrates traditional Indigenous knowledge, culture, heritage, and language to honor and uplift Indigenous communities. We invite you to join us in this celebration by sharing these materials with your child(ren) and students to help them learn about squash, a traditional and honored food that continues to play an important role in many Indigenous cultures today.

In partnership with PPS Nutrition Services, we intend to honor Native food sovereignty and foodways by bringing more culturally significant foods to students in our community. On November 15th, PPS Nutrition Services is sourcing locally-grown butternut squash to prepare and serve Harissa Roasted Butternut Squash. This recipe was developed by Indigenous Chef Nephi Craig for Oregon State University Extension’s Indigenous Peoples Workgroup.

Pairing classroom learning with tasting experiences enhances students’ understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures. In the classroom, students learn about the origin and present cultural significance of squash, while in the cafeteria, they experience this food firsthand. This integrated approach transforms cafeterias into 'learning labs,' bridging academic learning with hands-on nutrition education through the school meal program.

Indigenous Peoples continue to contribute vast amounts of knowledge and stewardship of the land, plant and animal world. Please join us in celebrating National Native American Heritage Month, every month and every day!

Respectfully,

The Portland SNAP-Ed Team

Driving safety in the rain and evening pick-up from SUN and Campfire

Please slow down and watch for children and families crossing around our school. The recent heavy rains have paired with downed leaves to cause slippery sidewalks, blocked storm drains and standing water. Now that it is getting darker earlier, after school activity pick-up is in the dark.

Your child is safe at school, please don’t rush in the neighborhood.

Our Safety Patrol team is working hard to support safe crossings in front of the school. When you do not follow the directions of the Safety Patrollers or the adult leading the team, you put yourself and your child at risk of being injured and you put those around you at risk when they must react to your decisions.

We are in this together. Slow down, look around and together we can keep everyone safe.

Holiday Giving for This Year

We are downsizing our Holiday Giving program this year. Teachers and school staff have identified families and Ms. Paige has reached out to let families know that they have been referred. The program is full at this time. Thanks for your understanding this holiday season!

PTA Updates:

The winner of our trivia quiz is Ana Inclan. Ana got both trivia questions correct. The Woodlawn PTA was established in 1965 and Principal Andrea’s favorite Grand Central Treat are the Molasses Cookies. Ana will win free merchandise. Watch for our December trivia, first newsletter of every month.

Last Chance Hoodies and Long sleeves pre-order only until November 20.

Go to Woodlawn PTA website to shop or follow the QR code link on the image: https://woodlawn-806881.square.site/

Tomorrow, November 14, 2024, is Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.

Ruby Bridges became a symbol of the civil rights movement at age six when she was the youngest of a group of African-American students designated to integrate schools in the American South. On November 14, 1960, her first day of school at William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Ruby was escorted to school by four federal marshals. She spent the entire day in the principal’s office as irate parents marched into the school to remove their children.

Woodlawn Elementary PTA encourages all students and families to participate, even if you are parking a few blocks away and walking to school.

Learn more about Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day at www.oregonsaferoutes.org/rbwtsd/

Get Involved:

Teacher Conferences Potluck Dinner - Monday, Nov. 24th

Let's show our gratitude to Woodlawn teachers and staff by providing a potluck dinner for them during conferences! We would love your help in supplying yummy soups, salads and bread for them to enjoy.

Drop-off: Sarah will be at Woodlawn on Monday, Nov. 25, at 4 pm. To learn more and sign up to contribute a potluck item, click here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040D4AABAD2BA3FA7-53100802-staff