4-10-09 Newsletter - Lake Oswego School District

Palisades Elementary
Dear Palisades Families,
I have always said that when we work together great things happen. What occurred
last weekend was a true labor of love that began last fall with discussion to final product
over the weekend. If you have not had a chance to see the beautification of the
library, I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the transformation and how welcoming
it looks.
Last fall it was very evident the walls were stained and the overall color had become
dingy. Discussion took place over several months about possible colors, timing, and
ways to preserve the characters on the wall. The outcome is a very welcoming library
for our students. I would like to thank a number of individuals and businesses
that helped make this project happen. Without the support of many, it would not have
been possible. All paint, materials, supplies, and labor were graciously donated. I
would like to thank: Mr. Adam Kohl, store manager of Sherwin-Williams on NE
Broadway for donating the 0 VOC primer and paint; parent Tim Neville, Regional
Director of Operations for Purdy Corporation for donating his expertise, painting supplies,
materials, and hands-on effort; parent and professional painter Sandy Walker
who donated supplies and acted as the site project coordinator. I also want to thank
the following volunteers for providing their time and talent for discussion, and effort
to get the work done: Liz Contag, Ellie Gatto-Combs, Lori and Kevin Faris, Mike
Huggins, Sue Kelso, Audrey Monroe, Patricia Insigna, Jill Walker, and Georgeann
Emmons. We have a beautiful library!! Prior to painting the library, pictures were
taken of each character on the wall and a book will be created so that we can continue
to enjoy the storybook characters.
On Wednesday, April 29 th Linda Brown, school board member will be at Palisades
to talk with parents about the 2009-2010 school year budget, decision making process,
and answer any questions. As a district we anticipate making deep cuts to the
budget next year. Linda Brown will meet with parents at 9:30 a.m. in the library.
This is a great time to bring any questions you might have to the meeting.
Just as we have wonderful support for projects in the school, we also have incredible
support for the school Foundation. We currently have 43% participation from Palisades
families. Anything you give is very much appreciated. Remember, it is not the
amount you give, but that you contribute. The teachers and I appreciate everything
you do from donations, fundraisers, volunteering in classrooms, or organizing events.
You really do make a difference!
April
4/13 — May 1 Multicultural enrichment
Young audiences
14 School Council 8:15 library
15 PALS Board Meeting
15 1/2 grade music performances
17 3/4 Welcome to My World 12-3:25
17 1/2 music performances
22 1/2 music performances
24 1/2 music performances
17 Regular School Day – make-up from
snow day in Dec.
24 Family Fun Night (New Date)
TIKI TIKI TEMBO
A SHADOW PUPPET PLAY
Our first and second graders will be performing
in the music room on the following days:
Mrs. Graver April 15th 1:45-2:00
Mrs. Flanigan-Jones April 17th 1:15-1:30
Mrs. Wolff April 22nd 1:15 -1:30
Mrs. Keyes - Hanlon April 24th 1:45 -2:00
BABY PICTURES
OF 6 TH GRADERS
Warm Regards,
Carol Whitten
PUMA PRIDE Caught in the Act
Thanks to all Palisades Students for making choices that are,
SAFE, RESPECTFUL and RESPONIBLE!
The lucky students whose Puma Pride slips were drawn are:
Sasha Hennig, Margaret Darby, Colin Hay, Walter Lewandowski, Ben McDowell,Terran
Walker, Samantha Willis, Leah Rosenbaum, Nathan Salzburg, Dalton
Meyer, Shelby Larson, Anthony Dupuis, Peyton Booth, Kelly Landreth,
Katherine Dreier, Siena Davies, Jack Cole, Shaun Lieb, Sam Gaddie, William
Johnson, Erin Elliott, Noah Jones, Corey Rich, Amelia Steinley, Ayden Meyer,
John Dieringer, Kayla Freisen, Melanie Santiago
Staff - Mrs. Podpura and Mrs. Evans!
If you haven’t brought in baby pictures
of your 6th graders please do so
by Monday , April 13th.
They will be used for the Memory
Book and front window.
Please bring in a photo with your
child’s name & class on the back, by
APRIL 13th to the front office.
(Please no larger than 5” X 7”)

SAC and School Council Openings Turn in your application by April 22nd!
Palisades will have SAC and School Council openings for the 2009-10 school year. Each school has a School Advisory
Committee (SAC) that provides an important communication link between the school board, the school, and the
community. SAC members work to facilitate citizen involvement in the decision-making process of the school. The
School Advisory Committee assists the school principal in establishing priorities and goals, suggesting ways to address
issues, and assist with the collection of information and citizen opinion.
The School Council provides guidance and support to Palisades in the areas of school improvement, curriculum enhancement,
and community building. Members of SAC and School council serve two-year terms and are appointed by
the school board. Each typically meets once a month. If you are interested in getting involved in either SAC or the
School Council, please contact Mrs. Whitten or the school office for further information or stop by and pick up an application.
Now that it is spring, it is time to remind students and parents of the District’s dress code:
Student Dress and Grooming Guidelines
Lake Oswego School District Policy # 5130
Revised 8/13/03
Responsibility for personal dress and grooming rests primarily with the students and their parents.
The student should select clothing that is appropriate for a learning environment and that does not disrupt or interfere
with the educational process or other students or staff. In addition, clothing or accessories should not create a health or
safety issue for the student or others. Since students and families have varying opinions on what is appropriate for a
learning environment, the district administration has set standards for dress, grooming or appearance to clarify what we
consider to be disruptive to the learning environment (school board policy #5130). These guidelines include the following
types of dress and accessories:
Responsibility for personal dress and grooming rests primarily with students and their parents.
However, the district will set standards for dress, grooming, and appearance in the following
ways:
Immodest clothing shall not be permitted to disrupt the teaching or learning environment. This includes clothing
that exposes one’s undergarments or midriff such as sagging pants; sheer blouses; strapless, backless or low
cut tops; sports bras; sleeveless undershirts; or short shorts (above mid-thigh). These examples are not meant
to be inclusive but only to provide guidelines.
Clothing, jewelry and accessories shall be free of writing, pictures or any other insignia that are vulgar, profane,
or sexually suggestive or that advocate racial, ethnic, or religious prejudice or that promote the use or displays
of drugs or alcohol.
Students may not wear clothing or accessories that signify or are recognized as indicating an affiliation with any
gang or secret society as those terms are defined in Board policy.
Students participating in voluntary extra-curricular activities must conform to their standards. A coach or advisor
may alter these stands to fit specific sports or activities with the approval of the principal.
For unique or special curricular or co-curricular activities, the principal may alter or waive the standards.
Students whose appearance violates one of these standards will be asked to correct the situation by wearing a
school t-shirt or returning home to change their clothes. The student may return to school as soon as they have
changed to appropriate attire.

SHAPE UP ACROSS OREGON 2009
Congratulations go out to those Palisades students, families, or teachers
who are joining us for Shape Up Across Oregon.
Your goal is to earn 800 miles by being physically active each day
for 30 – 90 minutes and develop this healthy habit for one-month as
you follow the path across Oregon.
Every thirty minutes of exercise earns you one box on the Oregon map.
You may fill in no more then “3” boxes per day. But you may exercise
longer then that if you are able.
Are you walking to school, jumping on a trampoline, doing martial arts, playing
soccer or lacrosse, swimming, dancing, doing gymnastics, walking the dog, riding
a stationary bike or treadmill at home, rock climbing at the local fitness club,
mowing the lawn, doing housework, riding your bike, or playing at a local playground?
Keep up the good work. YOU are awesome and physically fit!
Mrs. Somers
PE teacher
PALISADES FUNDRASING OPPORTUNITY
Please remember to dine at LaVangs Vietnamese Restaurant this week. Lavangs
will donate 15% of all profits from Palisades customers through this Saturday, April 11 th This
applies to dine in and take-out orders. You must tell your waiter that you are from Palisades.
LaVang is affordable and delicious! More information about LaVang and a link to their website
are listed below. Thanks for supporting PALS!
Please visit LaVangs website at: www.lavangrestaurant.net to view their menu and hours.
We are conveniently located at:
17770 SW Pilkington Rd.
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 697-6253

PALS President’s Update
Can you believe it is April already?! That means it is time for PALS to begin planning for the 2009-2010
school year. Ellie Combs will be our PALS President next year and she has begun the process of recruiting
volunteers to chair committees for next year. We are grateful that many parents have committed to take
another year with their current position, but we will need many more to step forward and get involved!
Please talk to Ellie if you are interested in chairing a committee or taking on a board position. Her
email is combsfamily@comcast.net. Participation in PALS is fun and makes a difference in our children’s
education.
Our Animal Ransom (FLAMINGOS) fundraiser is well underway and pink flocks have been happily visiting
Palisades families for fun and to raise ransom money for PALS . Thanks to all the volunteers who are handling
the covert mission of flocking each evening. It is so fun for kids to wake up to flamingos in their
yard!
Another exciting PALS event that is just around the corner is Family Fun Night (April 24 th ). Please note
the date change from your original PALS calendar. Dusty Johnson and committee have been planning away
to make sure it is better than ever! Plan to attend and please volunteer for a shift that night if possible.
Tracy Sandor and Karen Leib have worked tirelessly to orchestrate our upcoming multicultural event that
all grade levels will participate in. Be on the lookout for possible related volunteer opportunities in your
child’s classroom. It should be a fantastic experience for everyone!
Please remember to make your donation to the Lake Oswego School Foundation. It is more important
than ever to help offset the drastic budget cuts which will happen in the coming school year. Foundation
dollars go directly to hiring teachers. Whatever amount you can give will make a difference!
On a related note, Lake Oswego School District Board Member Linda Brown will be visiting Palisades
for a budget update and Q & A session on April 29 th at 9:30 am in the library. This will be a
“BYOC” (bring your own coffee) meeting and will be a great opportunity to learn just how deep the coming
cuts are (DEEP) and what we can do to help & prepare for them. Please come and bring your questions for
Linda Brown.
Remember to dine at LaVang Vietnamese Restaurant TONIGHT or TOMORROW NIGHT. If you mention
you are a Palisades Family, PALS will get 15% of the profits! See the included information about La-
Vang for more information.
Last but not least, I want to again thank all the people who worked to “make over” our library. It looks
beautiful thanks to the hard work of planners and painters Ellie Combs, Liz Contag and Tim Neville who
also arranged and provided most of the material donations along with our on site project coordinator
extraordinaire Sandy Walker who also provided some material donations as well as lending us all his equipment
and expertise. Thanks also to the many painters who gave up much of their weekend to get the job
done. These volunteers include: Mrs. Whitten, Mrs. Kelso, Kevin and Lori Faris, Patricia Insigna, Mike
Huggins and Jill Walker. If I have left anyone out please forgive me because your efforts are much appreciated
and made a beautiful difference!
Sincerely,
Audrey Monroe
audreymonroe@comcast.net