Orion Elementary School
3rd Quarter January/February/March
A Note from the Principal
Greetings Orion Families,
It is so hard to believe that we are well into 2024 already! This school year is going by so quickly and students still have much to learn. We are excited for a new year and the sense of excitement and renewal brought with it. We are so grateful for all the students, parents, and staff that bring joy to Orion daily.
A few safety reminders.
Please have your child dressed for the weather every day. Our students will be outside for recess unless the temperature is below a real feel temperature of zero degrees. Please make sure to send your child with hats, mittens, boots, snow pants, and winter coats. Also, please take time to label your child’s items with initials or last name.
Students who walk to school should be reminded to walk carefully, staying on the sidewalks, and wear reflectors on clothes. You can purchase reflector tape from any local store including the BX. Tape to outerwear and this will allow students to be seen clearly by drivers when it's foggy, rainy, cloudy, or dark. Encourage your child to walk with friends whenever possible. There is safety in numbers.
Morning drop off is in the back of the school on Bullard Ave. Students are released through the back exits of the school for pick up on Bullard. Please do not drive or park your car in the bus lanes at the front of the building. This is a safety issue for students and staff coming into the building for work. Please use caution with speed and watch out for our little ones. Students should not be arriving on campus before 8:50 am. Staff is not on duty until that time. It is cold and dark outside, and we want to ensure everyone's child is safe. If your child is later that 9:05am, please drop your child off at the front entryway. For early release, please call ahead and we will have your child ready for when you arrive. Please try to call before 3pm if there is a change in plans for how your child will be getting home.
It truly does take a village to keep our little ones safe and our school running smoothly. Thank you, Orion Families, for the positive things you do for our students and Orion school each and every day.
Brenda W. Cheathon- Principal
Events
02/02 Speling Bee
02/09 DARE Graduation
02/13 NAEP Testing
02/16 Dental Health Assembly
02/19 President's Day No School
02/19 - 02/22 Spirit Week
02/21 -02/22 (Student Release at 12:30pm) Parent Teacher Conferences
02/23 PD Day (No School)
03/05-03/06 Science Fair and STEM Night
03/08 Grade Day End of 3rd Quarter No School
03/11 - 03/15 Spring Break
Parent Teacher Conferences
Happy 2024, Orion families!
Notes From Nurse Wyant
Nurse Notes - Dental Hygiene
February’s health theme is Dental Hygiene Month and I want to share with you why healthy teeth are so important.
* They help with word pronunciation, to speak the sounds TH, SH, CH, S, V, and L, among many
other letters.
* They help you look your best with a happy smile :)
* They help support the facial muscles and skin contour of your face.
* Thy help with the digestion of food by biting and chewing.
All these reasons are why it is so important to take care of your teeth by brushing and flossing at least twice a day, especially after you eat. You have plaque on your teeth that bacteria likes to stick to, which then thrives on sugar from the foods you eat, which then breaks down into acid that eats away tooth enamel causing holes called cavities. Plaque also causes gingivitis, which is gum disease that can make your gums red, swollen, and sore. Your gums are partly responsible for holding your teeth in place.
How you can keep your teeth healthy
· Brush at least twice a day - after breakfast and before bedtime.
· Brush all of your teeth, not just the front ones.
· Brush away from your gums.
· Spend at least 3 minutes each time you brush.
· Use toothpaste with fluoride.
· Use soft bristles and change tour toothbrush every 3 months.
· Learn how to floss your teeth.
· Make dental visits twice a year.
· Reduce the number of times you snack.
· Eat fruits and vegetables and drink water instead of soda.
Remember: Do not forget to smile! If you take care of your teeth, your teeth will help take care of you :)
AK STAR Testing Alaska Science Assessment
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Each spring, Alaskan students are provided an opportunity to show what they know. When students show what they know, teachers and parents can partner to promote student success. This year, the State of Alaska Department of Education has partnered with NWEA to align the English language arts and mathematics tests with the MAP Growth benchmark assessments students take in fall, winter and spring. This balanced assessment system will target instruction and better support meeting students’ individual learning needs.
AK STAR (Alaska System of Academic Readiness) and the Alaska Science Assessment are administered to students in Grades 3-9 (English language arts and mathematics) and grades 5, 8 and 10 (science) each spring. The purpose of a large-scale, summative assessment is to provide parents and schools an overall picture of a student’s progress in meeting the Alaska standards at his/her grade level. The assessment is taken on the computer and is not timed, but each content area takes approximately 150-180 minutes. Additionally, an English Learner student who has recently arrived to the country in grades 3-9, will not be taking the ELA portion of AK STAR.
Parents can locate resources for the new AK STAR test and the Alaska Science Assessment, including directions for Practice tests and Tutorials on the ASD website at https://www.asdk12.org/akstar.
Parents can also help by ensuring their children are well rested, eat a nutritious breakfast, and are at school on time for the days of testing. Please avoid scheduling appointments on your child’s testing days.
The ASD AK STAR and Alaska Science Assessment testing window allows for school assessment scheduling flexibility. Students! Get ready to show what you know during our school’s AK STAR and Alaska Science Assessment testing dates: March 25-April 05