Wildcat Newsletter

We hope you had time to rest and enjoy friends and family last week. We are all working to get back into the routines of school and by Tuesday morning, many students and staff were up and running at full speed. You may be hearing from your child that the temperatures are not consistent across the building. We have maintenance people working on our issues and hope to have the temperature regulated soon. In the meantime, layers are a great way to have options when the temperature in classrooms and shared spaces is varied. (in some cases it’s a 20 degree difference)

We are so thankful to our Woodlawn Families. Teachers and many staff stayed at school last week for 12 hour days and the dinner that you provided gave us a chance to relax, gear up for more meetings with families, and socialize with each other. It doesn’t happen very often that we are able to be in the same space together to share a meal. Then, quite a few teachers had soup for lunch and dinner the following day, too! Such a treat!

“The food was delicious!” Ms. Amira

“The lasagna soup was so yummy!” Mrs. Marquis

“We appreciate you all taking the time to feed us,” Mrs. Allen

“Thanks for also doing the dishes after creating amazing things to eat!” Coach Layman

If you have not had a chance to meet with your child’s teacher for a conference, please reach out to get one scheduled. This time together is valuable to both the teacher and to you. You will each have a chance to share about your child.

Last week, the Oregon Department of Education released School Report Cards. This report confirmed the work that we are doing and have been doing to move more students towards benchmark. We are focused on our school wide attendance, as I’ve mentioned in this newsletter and in the Back to School Night presentation. If students are not attending school most of the school days (90% or more), how can we expect them to be at benchmark (grade level)? If a child is late to school almost everyday they miss math or reading or foundational skills every day. That gap is very hard to close. Our school wide attendance data directly correlates to our school wide academic achievement. While each is improving, we still have quite a ways to go to be happy with our scores.

This is the last week of SUN Fall Programming. SUN Winter Registration will be open Monday December 9th through Friday December 13th. You’ll find the link in next week’s newsletter. Winter Programming will begin January 13th!!

Thanks,

Ana, LaTora, and Kianna from the Woodlawn SUN Team

We practice emergency drills and action plans at school. For example, we are required to hold a fire drill every month. We practice evacuating, organizing accounting for everyone, addressing alternate planning as needed and reuniting students to classrooms before returning into the building. Having a family plan and practicing parts of the plan will help your family know what to do in case of an emergency. In our current political climate, it will be important for some families to have a plan and share the plan with friends and family members to support your children if there is an instance of detainment.

Here is a template for you to create your own Family Plan in case of emergency

Aquí tienes una plantilla que puedes utilizar para crear tu propio Plan Familiar en caso de emergencias.

Soon you’ll hear more about Superintendent Armstrong’s literacy initiative. You can catch a preview here. And, you may recognize a few Wildcats!

https://www.facebook.com/pps.homepage/videos/2657537691115027/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

THIS Friday we are celebrating community and coming together to enjoy donuts, juice, coffee, and tea before school! There will be a gluten free and vegan option as well. See ya there!

Thank you for helping us raise nearly $25,000 to support our initiatives in PE, Art, Music and the Library. We use this money to upgrade equipment, purchase materials, pursue fun activities, attend field trips, bring presenters for school wide and evening performances and more! We will be working to determine the types of artwork we want to add to the gym walls. A small portion of raised funds pay for the digital platform that we use to collect online donations and for prizes.

Thank you to Aisling and Jocely for taking on the after-run management. We could not have sorted through this without your help!

There were individual prizes and also classroom prizes. The K-2 class that raised the most funds on average was Ms. Fitz 2nd grade class. The K-2 class that ran the most laps on average was Mrs. Allen’s 2nd grade class. For 3rd-5th, Ms. Howard’s 5th grade class won for both average laps run and average money raised. These classes have earned a party.

Students who raised $1 received a Woodlawn sticker. Those who raised $10 received a bag and jump rope. For the students who raised $20, they received a special Run for Woodlawn t-shirt designed by 5th grader Ruthie. These prizes were distributed in November.

Every student who raised $100 or more had their name entered into a raffle for a few larger prizes.

Drum Roll…. Here are our Run 4 Woodlawn Prize Winners

• Mads (2nd grade) won an electric scooter!

• Kofi (4th grade) won moon shoes!

• Leto (kinder) won a whole bunch of family games!

• Ava T. (first) won a ukulele!

• Marinn (3rd) won a badminton set!

• Jeanne (kinder) won a marble maze!

• Roisin (kinder) won a slime making kit!

It is PTA Trivia Time

Click the link below to take our December PTA trivia quiz for a chance to win free merchandise, the winner will be contacted next week.

https://forms.gle/yYxbWVsMwHZ5gbYZ7

Advocacy Made Simple: A Training for Parents and Community Members

Advocacy doesn’t have to be overwhelming or reserved for experts—it’s for everyone who cares about public schools and wants to make a difference. Community and Parents for Public Schools, in partnership with the Portland Association of Teachers, is hosting an approachable, in-person advocacy training designed to empower all parents and community members to use their voices. This training will cover the basics, including:

• The upcoming legislative session and what it means for public schools.

• A beginner-friendly "School Funding 101."

• Tips on building meaningful relationships with legislators and community leaders.

If you’ve ever wondered how underfunded public schools impact your community or if you have a story to share, this session is for you. Whether you're new to advocacy or looking to strengthen your efforts, you’ll leave feeling informed and confident.

Enjoy hearty snacks and cozy refreshments, and rest assured—childcare is available for those who register. Everyone is welcome, and your voice matters!

WHEN: Saturday, December 7 from 1-4pm

WHERE: In-person at the Portland Association of Teachers office - 45 NE 8th Ave, Portland, OR 97232

RSVP Here: https://forms.gle/DVQ3oNY49wCqVR7S9

Or reach out to Sarah Medeiros, Woodlawn PTA Community Engagement and Advocacy Chair ms.sarah.medeiros@gmail.com

Woodlawn Resilience Fund

In 2020, the Woodlawn PTA established the Resilience Fund to support students and families in need. Originally created during the pandemic, the fund provides essentials like glasses for students or help with utility bills. Since its launch, the PTA has raised over $25,000, thanks to generous community donations.

To donate, click here: Donate to the Resilience Fund

https://woodlawn-806881.square.site/product/woodlawn-elementary-community-resilience-fund/38

For more information, contact Luretta Tinnon at WoodlawnSchoolResilienceFund@gmail.com

Winter Movie Night, Friday December 13th

Our Wildcats will be voting on the next movie this week!

We are seeking a variety of volunteers to help set-up, run the concessions stand, and clean-up afterwards. Shifts aren't too long! Take a look here and sign up today:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49AFA828A4FEC43-53482723-movie