Otter Outlook
October 19, 2017
In this issue...
A Message from the Principal
Need to Know!Donuts with Dads
Testing Parent Workshop
Evacuation Drill
Clinic Request
Save the Date: Ocee's Thanksgiving Feast Nov. 15 & 16
The Coach's Corner: The Standards for Mathematical Practices (article 1 of 4)
From Shannan LaPorte, CST and Math Coach
Saddle Up and Read
Ryan's Resource
Remembering One of our Own
From Our PTA
Red Ribbon Week
Donuts with Dads
Spirit Wear
Sky Zone Spirit Night - Thursday Oct. 19
PTA Reflections Contest Winners
Community News
The Great Cupcake Challenge
Reminders
Ocee Elementary Career Day - Gr. 3-5
Parent University
Think First and Stay Safe
Dates to Remember
Oct. 19 - Report Cards Go Home
Oct. 19 - Sky Zone Spirit Night - 4-8 p.m.
Oct. 20 - Donuts for Dads 7:10 - 7:40 a.m., Last Names M-Z
Oct. 20 - PTA Exec Meeting 8 a.m.
Oct. 23 - AR 2nd Period Begins
Oct. 23 - 28 - Red Ribbon Week
Oct. 23 - Red Ribbon Week - Hat Day - Put a Cap on Drugs
Oct. 24 - Red Ribbon Week - Superhero Day - Be a Superhero and be Drug Free
Oct. 24 - Parent Workshop - Testing 101 7:15 a.m.
Oct. 25 - Red Ribbon Week - Pajama Day - Follow Your Dreams and Put Drugs to Bed
Oct. 25 - EIP Parent Coffee - 7:15 a.m.
Oct. 25 - Off-site Evacuation Drill
Oct. 26 - Red Ribbon Week - Neon Day - Too Bright for Drugs
Oct. 27 - Red Ribbon Week - Ocee Bands Together Day
Oct. 27 - SGC Outreach and Communication Committee Mtg. 7:15 a.m.
Oct. 27 - PTA Cultural Arts Program - Diwali - K-2 8:15 a.m. 3-5 9:15 a.m.
Oct. 31 - Mix-it-up Day in the Cafeteria
Nov. 1 - Ocee Spirit Day
Nov. 1 - Giving Tree Kick-off
Nov. 1-3 - Collecting Candy for Troops
Nov. 2 - Dedication of Annemarie's Garden 5 - 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 3 - Career Day for Gr. 3-5, 8-10 a.m.
Nov. 3 - Chorus Performs at Gwinnett Gladiators' Game
Nov. 3 - Business Partners Summit 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Nov. 4 - FALL BACK - Don't forget to set your clocks back!
A Message from the Principal
This week I am at Columbia University at the Teachers College exploring balanced literacy through the Reading and Writing Workshop models. As I walk through classrooms and sit in impressive workshops on literacy, I am excited about Ocee’s position in this work. We have teaching practices at Ocee that rival schools who are 14 years into their implementation of these research-based best practices for literacy!
Our SGC met on Monday and there was rich discussion about how we can provide better focus for literacy and STEM. We will be exploring these ideas and seeking your feedback this year, but I want you to know that I am dedicated to providing our teachers and students with the resources they need to succeed.
Part of our team will participate in our first of many strategic planning sessions today. We look forward to sharing our learning with you about the strategic planning process next week!
One thing that I truly cherish about Ocee is the well-rounded experience we provide for our students. This week, we celebrated college spirit week, supported students through several extra-curricular after school programs, and welcomed our dads in for some donuts! These experiences have a profound positive effect on our scholars. Thank you for your continued support of these efforts!
Best Regards,
Ryan Moore
Principal & Ocee Parent
Need to Know
Donuts with Dads
What an amazing morning at Ocee! Thank you to all of our Ocee dads, grandfathers, and father figures for coming out this morning for the first day of Donuts for Dads. It was wonderful to see our cafeteria filled with fathers and their children enjoying a morning treat. We are looking forward to our second group tomorrow morning.
Testing Parent Workshop
Do you often wonder why your children participate in different assessments throughout the year? Do you want to support your child in being successful with those tests? Join us in The Learning Commons on October 24th at 7:15 a.m. to have your questions answered about assessments that are given at Ocee Elementary. Jennifer Rosenthall, our testing coordinator, will lead a conversation regarding the who, what, where, when, and why of testing.
Ocee Evacuation Drill
Safety is of the upmost importance to us here at Ocee Elementary. Each month our school participates in safety drills to prepare for a variety of emergencies that may occur. The teachers explain the purpose and procedures to our students during each of the drills. The morning of October 25th, our whole school will participate in an offsite evacuation drill. The purpose is for students and staff to be aware of our procedures in case of a true emergency. The school will evacuate to Gesher L’Torah under the guidance of our administrative and safety team. Please make sure your students have a sweatshirt or sweater with them for cooler weather and are wearing comfortable shoes. If you have any questions about our safety procedures please feel free to contact Jennifer Rosenthall at rosenthall@fultonschools.org.
EIP Coffee - for parents of students receiving EIP Reading instruction
Is your child participating in the reading Early Intervention Program? Would you like to learn more about this valuable program and how the EIP teachers help your child to increase his/her reading academic skills? If so, please plan to attend our EIP “Coffee and Conversation” event for parents on October 25 at 7:15 a.m. Margo Tepper and Sandra Gifford will be on hand to share elements of the reading program and provide strategies and suggestions for how you can help your child at home. Save the date!
Clinic Request
The clinic needs girl’s size 8, 10, and 12 bottoms. If you have any that your child isn't using any more, we would appreciation the donation!
Save the Date! - Ocee's Thanksgiving Feast Nov. 15 & 16
Ocee will be celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday with our annual family feast days. Family is invited to join the children for lunch on Nov. 15 for grades 1, 3, 4 and Nov.16 for grades PK, 1st, 3rd and 4th. Please note that lunch times will be different for those two days (more details to come). On the day your child is not feasting, they will be eating sack lunches (from home or the Café) in their classrooms and parents will not be able to eat with their child that day.
Coaches’ Corner: The Standards for Mathematical Practices (article 1 of 4)
From Shannan LaPorte, CST and Math Coach
We all know that elementary students learn basic computation skills in math. We know they learn about things such as measurement, geometry, and fractions. Each year there are content standards that guide what students learn in these areas and more. What you may now know, however, is that there are eight additional standards that cover all mathematical learning in grades K-12. These are called the Standards for Mathematical Practice. Instead of being topic-driven, these standards require us to involve students in the things that mathematicians do each and every day. These can take place no matter what the content standards of math may be. In this series of articles, you will learn more about the Standards for Mathematical Practice and how they play out in Ocee’s classrooms each day. You will also learn how you can create experiences that build on these practices at home!
A group of students is gathered on the carpet in a first grade classroom here at Ocee. Their teacher has presented them with a series of numbers between 1 and 100 that they are to place correctly on a number line. With white boards and markers in hand, they discuss a plan with a partner. How far apart should the numbers be? Which are closer to 0? Which are closer to 100? 50? Can benchmark numbers help? Listening to students tackle a difficult task with enthusiasm is truly inspiring. These students are putting Mathematical Practice #1 into play: Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. We want students to see that difficult problems in math are exiting challenges, and that mathematicians can work together to live up to those challenges! At home, present your children with problems that are not easily solved. “We have 22 people coming for dinner. We have one table that seats 5 people, two card tables that seat 4 each, a table we borrowed from a neighbor that seats 6, and a dining room table that seats 10. Which combination of tables would be best to set up for this party? Why?” Have your child work through the different possibilities and help you develop a plan!
Entering another math classroom at Ocee, you hear a teacher say, “How do you know the answer is 12?” “Well, I knew that they had 6 jelly beans, and they needed 20. So I counted to find 12.” “Counted what?” “The numbers.” “Where did you start?” “I started at 6.” “Then what?” “I counted to 20.” “Oh, so you used the strategy of counting up to find the difference between 6 and 20?” “Yes.” “Class, let’s all use that strategy together.” “7, 8, 9, … 14.” “Oh, I guess I counted wrong.” “I’m glad you figured that out.” This teacher is gently pushing the child to do Mathematical Practice #6: Attend to precision. Attending to precision means that both your answer is correct and you can explain your answer clearly using appropriate mathematical terms. Try this at home! When your child completes homework, choose a problem or two. It doesn’t matter if the answers are right or wrong, just ask your child to explain the problem to you. Keep questioning if the answer is vague. Ensure that proper vocabulary is being used. Your child will be excited to explain something to you for a change!
Ryan's Resource
This week’s article discusses the importance of building an inclusive culture. Our world continues to change and evolve, and one of the benefits of that change is growing diversity of people and growing diversity of thought. At Ocee, we hope to encourage our students celebrate and discuss our differences.
I hope you enjoy his week’s article: http://news.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/220649/not-supporting-workplace-inclusion.aspx
Sincerely,
Ryan Moore
Howdy partners!!! It's time to wrangle up your cowboy hats and your cowboy boots, and join the hootenanny at our annual Scholastic Fall Book Fair. This year's theme is "Wild West" and we are ready to SADDLE UP AND READ!!! But we need your help, too.
Please take a moment to view the sign-up links below and pick a time to help our kids find and purchase amazing new books for their home libraries. There are 5 volunteer sign up links, including set up and break down days:
Volunteers for Set Up on 11/3: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b4eafa62ca02-scholastic4
Volunteers for Preview on 11/8-11/10: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b4eafa62ca02-wild
Volunteers for Shopping Week on 11/13-11/17: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b4eafa62ca02-wild1
Volunteers for Literature Night on 11/14: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b4eafa62ca02-wild2
Volunteers for Break Down/Clean Up on 11/17 and 11/27: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b4eafa62ca02-scholastic7
**NOTE: If you would like to volunteer when your child will be coming to preview or shopping, you may view the class preview and class shopping time Sign Up Genius links provided here for your reference and sign up for the slot/s that overlap your child's preview and/or shopping time. But please know that times may be subject to change if the teacher decides another time may work better for her class. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Class Preview Times: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b4eafa62ca02-scholastic5
Class Shopping Week Times: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b4eafa62ca02-scholastic6
Thank you for helping to make our Wild West Book Fair a Rootin' Tootin' Good Time!
Thank you,
Marcy Morantz
Remembering One of Our Own
We will be dedicating the garden on November 2nd from 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Please join us as we celebrate Ms. Hodge's memory with friends, family, and colleagues.
From Our PTA
DONUTS WITH DAD - Tomorrow!
Calling all dads...mark your calendar for Ocee PTA's annual Donuts with Dad breakfast!
WHAT: A special breakfast of donuts, coffee, OJ and milk for Ocee students and their dads
WHEN: Friday, October 20th at 7:10-7:40 AM - All dads who didn't attend Thursday are welcome!!
WHERE: Ocee cafeteria
No RSVP is needed. We look forward to seeing you there!
Ocee Spirit Wear
There are limited sizes available of Ocee spirit wear (both short- and long-sleeved). These will be on sale Friday morning at Donuts with Dads.
Ocee Red Ribbon Week 2017
Spirit Days Oct. 23 - 27
Monday: Hat Day
Wear a hat to "put a cap on drugs!"
Tuesday: Superhero Day
Be a superhero & be drug free!
Wednesday: Pajama Day
Follow your dreams & put drugs to bed!
Thursday: Neon Day
Wear bright colors to show that you're too bright for drugs!
Friday: Ocee "Bands" Together Day
Wear your Ocee spiritwear to school. Wristbands will be handed out at school for everyone to wear to show that Ocee is "banding" together against drugs!
Sky Zone Spirit Night - Tonight - 4-8 p.m.
Come have some fun and support your school!
PTA Reflections Contest Winners
Thank you to all the students that competed in this year's Reflections competition. We had some amazing entries! A reflections breakfast will be held later to honor all those who entered the Reflections competition. Our winners who are moving onto council judging are:
Film:
Aaron Urbanawiz (3rd)
Literature:
Gavin Kraker (K)
Praneeth Bhat & Heidi Moelich (2nd)
Lily Moelich & Aaron Urbanawiz (3rd)
Victor Huang & Ahana Singh (4th)
Neil Lothe & Aanya Pandey (5th)
Music:
Aaron Urbanawiz (3rd)
Spencer Cavin (5th)
Photography:
Heidi Moelich (2nd)
Aaron Urbanawiz & Lily Moelich (3rd)
Victor Huang (4th)
Olivia Fishman & Neil Lothe (5th)
Visual Arts:
Jane Parks (K)
Rishi Narula & Krish Narula (1st)
Adwait Dhaneshwar & Heidi Moelich (2nd)
Aditi Jadhav & Siddhant Chitupe (3rd)
Nikhila Cheekati (4th)
Dance Choreography:
Aaron Urbanawiz (3rd)
Community News
Reminders
Ocee Elementary - Career Day
Grades 3-5
Friday, November 3rd, 2017
8:00 – 10:00 AM
The counseling office at Ocee is in the process of planning Career Day for grades 3-5. We are looking for parents who would be interested in coming out to the school and talking with some of our classes about their careers. If you or someone you know is interested in speaking at Career Day, please click here. Career Day is scheduled for Friday, November 3rd, 2017 from 8:00-10:00 a.m. for grades 3-5. Thank you for your help with this exciting
event!
Think First, Stay Safe
Think First & Stay Safe™ enables students to take an active and necessary role in protecting themselves from harassment, abduction, bullying, exploitation, and various forms of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional). The Health Advisory Committee reviewed and approved this program and selected components will be implemented through the elementary health curriculum by teachers and school counselors.
Please contact our counselor, Anna Aronowitz at 470-254-2960 to schedule a preview or if you have any questions. The materials will be available for preview from November 1, 2017 to November 17, 2017. In late November and early December, Think First & Stay Safe™ prevention lessons will be implemented for all K-5 students. You can also learn more about the detailed lesson plans and research behind this program at www.childluresprevention.com. Please be aware that more information is provided on the website than is actually used in Fulton County Schools.
If you prefer that your child not participate in the Think First & Stay Safe™ program, please fill out our Think First, Stay Safe curriculum opt out form. Unless opt out documentation is received by Friday, November 17, 2017, your child will participate in the Think First & Stay Safe™ program. Please click here to access the Think First, Stay Safe opt out survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LQ2CQZJ
Outstanding Character Educational Excellence
Ryan Moore, Principal @oceeprincipal
Jennifer Rosenthall, AP
Shannan LaPorte, CST
Anna Aronowitz, Counselor
Email: fowlerjj@fultonschools.org
Website: www.oceeotters.com
Location: 4375 Kimball Bridge Road, Alpharetta, GA, United States
Phone: 470-254-2960
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OceeElementary
Twitter: @oceeotters