PALISADES ELEMENTARY - Lake Oswego School District

PALISADES ELEMENTARYDear Palisades Families,Our students spend hours in school developing critical skills to become successfulin their education. We want them to develop a love for learning that will transitioninto their adulthood. Just as students come to school to learn academic and socialskills, teachers take part in professional development activities during the year. TheLake Oswego School Board considers professional development a high priority thatbuilds on the District’s strength in instruction. The core purpose of these activities is topromote continuous improvement of instruction. All teachers and administrators takepart in some type of district directed professional development activity. We also haveteachers at Palisades who take coursework at the university level. This year the District’sprofessional development activities include a variety of learning opportunities.All teachers in grades K-6 are involved in a year long series of writing inservicesas a result of the District’s Language Arts Curriculum Committee’s work. Handbookshave been developed for each blended grade level, new resource materials arereviewed, and teachers have an opportunity to view mini-lessons from the new materials.Teachers are incorporating these new resources in the classroom as appropriate.Mindful Teaching professional development sessions are taught by our superintendent,Dr. Korach and focus on explicit teaching and expressive learning: by doing,by understanding, and by application. The sessions include instruction, professional collaboration,development of concepts and instructional strategies. Teachers at Palisades involved in these sessions include Ms. Flanigan,Miss Reay, and Mrs. Pilkington. In addition, Joan Romine our TAG coordinator and I are actively involved. This workshop was first pilotedlast year at the elementary level.The Principals of Learning workshops are facilitated by Gail Elkins. The focus is on developing connections for teachers between theoryand practice, as well as creating a common language and working definitions. Multiple teaching strategies are shared during these sessions.Mrs. Graver and Mrs. Martin are involved with these workshops this year.Other professional development activities staff are involved in include Positive Behavior Supports, OAKS Training, and Job Alike workshopsfor staff in the fields of special education and talented and gifted. I am amazed at the high quality of professional development theDistrict provides, and enjoy seeing strategies transfer to the classroom.Best regards,Carol WhittenFebruary 8, 2007February8 5/6 fieldtrip to Biztown12 School council Meeting12 PALS Board Meeting - TBD14 Valentines parties in classrooms15 Early dismissal 11:40AMstaff inservice PM Kindergarten in AM15 Volunteer Workday18 No school, Presidents Day19 No school, Teacher work day20 SAC Meeting 6:00PM in library28 Preschool Story Time 2:45 in libraryMarch4 Report Cards go home6-7 Parent / Teacher Conferences15 Palisades Auction LO Country ClubWhat A Deal!!During the month of February Lamb's Palisades Market will promote scrip to support our school! Here is how it works ~ purchasea gift card from Palisades Market in the amount of $100 and the school will receive $5, purchase $500 in gift cards, andthe school receives $25. Whether you purchase scrip at school or at Palisades Market during the month of February, yousupport the scrip program, PALS, and Palisades students!!InventionConvention!!Important Date….Tuesday February 12Intent to Inventforms are due.(any sheet of paper will do)Please give to the classroom teacher.Please include: First and last nameTeacher’s nameGrade levelSign up now!Invention Convention is held March 12 thSAFETY REMINDERPlease remember to use our drive-up/drop-off if you pull intothe parking lot to drop off your students or walk with them tothe front of school. Students should not be left in the parkinglot to walk up to the front doors alone.

Palisades Auction 2008A Garden Party“Come Grow with Us”Donations NeededWe still need donations of all shapes and sizes.Does your business have a service or item itcould donate? Show your PUMA Pride and offeryour services. Here are some ideas:Dog WalkingPet SittingA Year of DessertsYard WorkCar WashBabysittingAuction 2008 NewsSporting Event TicketsGolf OutingVacation HomesArtwork or JewelryHotel StaySporting GoodsSaturday, March 15, 5:30 pmOswego Lake Country Club20 Iron Mountain Blvd.vd.Get your tickets –they’re going fast!Space is limited so make sure you getyour tickets while they’re stillavailable. You can purchase yourauction tickets on Tuesdays,Wednesdays and Thursdays before orafter school in the school foyer.Tickets are $55 per person. Pleaseconsider sponsoring a teacher too!Wine for our Grand PrizeGift Certificates or Scrip for Services,Restaurants, Movies, Department Stores…To donate an item, please use the attached form. If you have any questions, please call Ana Ryan at503‐697‐4872.Check out some of the awesome auction items that our Palisades community hasdonated so far…..• Handmade Birdhouses from the Nguyen Family• Dream Dinner Gift Certificate from the Moll Family• Two Nights at a Mt. Hood Cabin from the Oelrich Family• A Patio Door from Empire Pacific Windows and the Waehrer Family• Small Pet Sitting from Ann & Marcus Monroe• Air Conditioner and Installation from Sunset Heating & Cooling and the VernonFamily• Family Season Pass to Timberline for the 08‐09 Season from the Kohnstamm Family• Fantastic Overnight Package to Timberline’s Silcox Hut for 24 people from theKohnstamm Family – This package includes dinner and breakfast! Start thinking ofwhom you can invite – 12 fun couples, mothers & daughters, fathers & sons, familyreunion. This is a great opportunity for a one‐of‐a‐kind experience!• Bunches of Webkinz from Lake Shore Pharmacy ‐ check them out in the frontwindow!• Garden Design Consultation from Tricia Larson of Savant Garden Design• Birthday Party hosted by the Lakeridge Dance Team• Color consultation from Gretchen Schauffler of Devine Paint• Original David Kohnstamm painting• Aerial Photograph of Palisades School from Mr. Nguyen• A Summer Membership at Greentree PoolTo see the latest donations, go to www.palsauction.com.Look for some fabulous opportunities for fun coming from our ownPalisades teachers! You won’t want to miss out on these.DETAILS ARE COMING SOON!

VERNONIA DONATIONSA very big thank you to allfamilies that helped out by donatingschool supplies for the Vernonia students!We were able to fill 12 66 qtplastic bins. The Vernonia SchoolDistrict received a check from yourdonations to buy more supplies.They were very thrilled and touchedby our generosity.Way to goPalisades Families !!!!!!!!!!!!!Ellie Gatto CombsSAFETY PATROLMany thanks to our January Safety Patrol Volunteers,Karen Dawson, Shannon and KevinLindsey, Christina Hardy, Shandell Fitkin, BeckiGilbertson, Julie Vissers, Daphne Rosenbaum,Sandy Walker, Danielle Knouf, Ana Ryan,Shradha Rajani, Kay Eberle, Sally Willis, RoxanneRivord, Audrey Monroe,Sarah Wells, Becky Salsburg,Susanne Hall, and Stephani Neville. SafetyPatrol still needs volunteers, it's only 20 minutesand it helps keep your kids safe.Please contact Tricia Larson at503-699-8918, or email savantgarden@aol.com.Jan. 15 - Feb. 7th, 2008PUMA Pride "Caught in the Act"of being SAFE, RESPECTFUL, or RESPONSIBLE.Special drawing winners:Peter Wakeling, Ryan Eberle, Mesa Walker, Rea Agnihotri,Charlie Borah, Audra Cote, Porter Mayer, Aliya Rosove,Chase Vernon, Sarah Stewart, Kelly Landreth, Mitch Gerot,Naomi Bowen, Marcus Monroe, Connor Huggins, Hayley Ferrell, Max Mortonson, Ellie Berry,Chase McCann, Sandra Brandon, Jini Stupak, Shelby Bylsma, Megan Stewart, Austin Ruffner,John Dieringer, Wolf Schildmeyer, Brittany BassettPALISADESSCRIP PROGRAM PRESENTS ….February and March Scrip Raffle!Buy some scrip during the months of February and March, and get a raffle ticket for one of three great prizes:a Webkinz,a $25 gift card from Palisades Market,or a “date night” package of $30 to Macaroni Grill/Chili’s and 2 Regal Cinemas tickets.Each time you buy scrip during February or March you will get a raffle ticket. You could get your first one next weekby buying some scrip to get your sweetheart a pound of chocolates at See’s, or maybe a treat from Cold StoneCreamery for Valentine’s Day. To see all of the scrip choices, go to the “Personal Order Form” on the school websiteat http://pal.loswego.k12.or.us.The money that is raised through the Scrip Program this year will be used to improve the Palisades playground. If youhaven’t tried using scrip yet, this is a great time to start. Every purchase of scrip, big or little, helps!Scrip is available for purchase any time. Just fill out an order form, available on the website, and ask your student toput it in the yellow scrip box in the lobby. When your order is filled, usually within a few days, it will be sent homewith your child. Or, you can come to buy scrip in person in the school lobby on Tuesday mornings right before school,or Thursday afternoons right after.If you have any questions about what scrip is, or how it works, please visit the Scrip section of the school website orcontact a scrip committee member: Jean Karneus, Jennifer Mayerle, Margaret Lemon, Coventry Boucher.

In FebruaryLamb’s Palisades Marketis giving 5% back to your schoolwhen you buy Lamb’s gift cards.For exampleBuy $100 in Lamb’s gift cards, your school gets $5Buy $500 in Lamb’s gift cards, your school gets $251377 SW McVey Ave. Lake OswegoParents these gift cards are part of our Scrip program at Palisades—you can buythem at Palisades market or at our Scrip table Tuesdays and ThursdaysThank you for supporting Palisades Scrip!!

Engine idling:Just the factsA F A C T S H E E T O N E N G I N E I D L I N GThe average Americanbreathes 3,400 gallonsof air a day.Children breathe 50% moreair per pound than adults.A single vehicle droppingoff and picking up kidsat one school putsthree pounds ofpollution into theair per month.HEALTH EFFECTS:• Children’s asthma symptoms increase as a result ofcar exhaust.• Asthma is the most common chronic illness inchildren and the cause of most school absences.• Asthma is the 3rd leading cause of hospitalizationamong children under 15 years.• Auto exhaust emits pollutants into your vehicleas well as the atmosphere. The smallest pollutantscan lodge deeply into the lungs and cause lungdamage, aggravate respiratory conditions such asasthma and bronchitis, increase the risk of strokesand heart attacks, lead to cancer and contribute topremature death.POLLUTION:• Vehicle exhaust is the leading source of toxic airpollution in Oregon.• Idling vehicles emit significant amounts of pollution,including carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and volatileorganic compounds. Carbon dioxide is a majorcontributor to global warming.YOUR CARWhat can you do?It’s easy:just turn the keyVEHICLE IMPACTS:• An idling engine delivers zero miles to the gallon.• Frequent restarting has little impact on enginecomponents like the battery and starter.• Excessive idling can be hard on your engine becauseit isn’t working at peak operating temperature. Fueldoesn’t undergo complete combustion, leaving sparkplugs dirty and contaminating engine oil.Transportation Options1120 SW 5th Avenue, Rm 800Portland, Oregon 97204503-823-6114Commissioner Sam Adams6/07It’s a toxic health hazard,it’s hard on your engine,and it wastes expensive gasoline.Idling gets younowhere

Don’t stay idle:Take action.Have you ever left yourvehicle idling for more than10 seconds while waiting topick up your child at school orwhile at the drive-up windowat the bank?Most of us have.Here are some very goodreasons to rethink thiscommon habit.Vehicle exhaust is the leadingsource of toxic air pollutionin Oregon.While sitting inan idling vehicle,drivers are moreexposed to thevehicle’s pollutionthan whenthe vehicle is inmotion becauseairflow ventsthe emissionsAbout 40 to 50 percent of toxicair pollutants in Oregon comefrom vehicle exhaust. The combustionof fossil fuels releases sulfurdioxides, particulate matter,carbon monoxide and air toxins.These pollutants cause respiratoryor nervous system damageas well as cancer and other healthproblems. Carbon dioxide (CO 2 )the primary global warming gas,is also released from burningfossil fuels.Vehicle exhaust is hazardous tohuman health, especially children’s.Children’sasthmasymptomsincrease as aresult of carexhaustStudies have linked pollutionfrom vehicles to increased ratesof cancer, heart and lung disease,and asthma. Exposure tomost vehicle exhaust is muchhigher inside vehicles than at theroadside. Children, whose lungs are still developing,breathe more rapidly and inhale more pollutantsper pound of body weight than adults. Asthma is thethird leading cause of hospitalization for childrenunder the age of 15.Vehicle idling is expensive andhard on your engine.Shutting off yourengine, ratherthan idling formore than 10seconds, notonly improvesair quality, itsaves fuel, tooOver 10 seconds of idling usesmore fuel than restarting yourengine. Just 1 hour of idlingburns about 1 gallon of gas andgets 0 miles per gallon. An idlingengine isn’t working at peakoperating temperature (sinceyour vehicle, designed to move, isstill when idling), and fuel doesn’t undergo completecombustion. This can damage your engine components,including cylinders, spark plugs, and exhaustsystems. Frequent restarting of a vehicle has littleimpact on engine components such as the battery andstarter motor.Here’s What You Can Do:Turn it off after 10 secondsIf you are going to be stopped for more than 10 seconds (except in traffic), turn off your engine.Reduce warm-up idlingToday’s modern engine needs no more than 30 seconds of idling on winter days before driving.Driving is the best way to warm it up.Spread the wordTalk to your family, friends, and neighbors about the benefits of reduced idling. Encourage them to joinyou in protecting the environment, contributing to a healthier community, and saving money.