Phonathon A Success!

​The Phonathon raised $53,000 towards the Foundation’s goal of $2 million, and we are now at 41% parent participation in the campaign with the goal of reaching 55% by June 30, 2015.

However, we are $190,000 lower raised in pledges/donations compared to the same time as last year.

I know that many of you have been asked to donate to other causes or to your local parent clubs.  The Foundation is equally important. By giving to the Foundation you are strengthening your community.  

The Foundation is here to ensure high quality teachers in every classroom.  Without your support this goal is harder to reach.  Please make your donation today and help us achieve our shared goal of having great teachers in every classroom in our excellent schools across the district.

Let’s keep the momentum going, please donate today!

www.losfoundation.org

Orientation meetings will be held for parents and next year’s 4^th and 5^th grade students who wish to participate in the string program for the 2015-2016 school year. This meeting is for beginning string students only, not for those who are continuing on to orchestra.

Parents and students should try to attend one of the following fun and informative meetings to learn about the beginning strings program and the enrollment process.  We offer a morning and evening meeting to choose from in June, and an evening meeting in September if you are unable to attend in June.  Please read the times and locations carefully!

AGENDA: 

Introduction and philosophy

Demonstration of the Instruments: violin, viola, cello, bass

Opportunity for students to try each instrument

How to acquire an instrument of the right size

Answers to your questions

CLASS: 

Classes meet at the Uplands building before school

Classes meet 4 days each week (5 days in the beginning)

Students may ride buses or parents may drop them off

Students are bused directly to each elementary school after class

If you cannot attend a meeting, you can find answers to your questions and the enrollment form on the district web page at:

http://www.edline.net/pages/Lake_Oswego_School_District/Academics___Programs/strings

For any further questions you can contact Kristy Hewitt, the district music coordinator, at hewittk@loswego.k12.or.us

We look forward to having your child as a member of the Lake Oswego Beginning Strings Program.

At Monday’s districtwide parent committee meeting, we were fortunate to have speaker Diana Cutaia, founder of Coaching Peace, speak to us about the district initiative that is currently underway in Lake Oswego.  While the current efforts are focused on the secondary level, I found that many of the aspects of her presentation were relevant and important to consider at the elementary level.  The district has created a webpage that highlights many resources and links – including a video that shows Diana at work with the secondary students – that I think many of our parents would find interesting and useful.  You can check it out here:

http://www.edline.net/pages/Lake_Oswego_School_District/Parent_Info/Culture

One of the things that I personally found most poignant from the presentation is the idea that we, as the adults, are the models for our children.  They are constantly watching our interactions with others, listening to our conversations, and taking note of our decisions.  Even when we think they aren’t watching – they are!  It was a good reminder for me to be thoughtful about the example I am setting for my three children at home and my 460 children at school.  Am I actively treating others with kindness and empathy?  Do I act in a manner that is inclusive of others?  Do all of my words match my actions?  Not a one of us is exempt from the the responsibility of providing that consistent example to our students.  Thank you for all that you are doing to assist us in raising children that are not only growing academically, but socially and emotionally as well.

Sara

Why Participate and Donate to the Foundation?

The Lake Oswego Schools Foundation plays a key role in the level of education all of our student receive in all our schools. On average, the Foundation funds 20 teaching positions throughout the district annually.  This year, two teaching positions at every elementary are funded by the Foundation and at the middle and high schools the Foundation is funding teaching positions that instruct math, science, PE, band, health, English, social studies, language arts, ecology and marketing. 

Without the Foundation, there would be fewer teachers in our schools and fewer electives at our middle and high schools.  The education our students receive would look and feel very different. The Foundation is here helping to keep the level of education high at all our schools and teachers in the classroom.

Please consider making a gift to the Foundation this year.  Currently, 33% of parents with students enrolled have made a gift.  Our goal is to have 55% of parents make a gift this year by June 30, 2015.

Haven’t given before?  Consider becoming a Starkweather Donor with a gift of $1250 or more.  At this level your family will receive an athletic pass that grants you free admission to varsity athletic games (playoff games not included) and an invitation to the annual major donor party in the fall.

You can make a one time gift of $1250 or become a sustaining donor with a monthly gift of $104.17.

Make a donation at www.losfoundaiton.org or call the Foundation office at 503-534-2106.

Gifts of all sizes are always appreciated because together we support our exceptional teachers and extraordinary students.

Thank you for your support.

Let’s keep the momentum going, please donate today!

www.losfoundation.org