The Oak Park Advantage

September 2020 Third Edition Newsletter

MHSAA FOOTBALL: OAK PARK KNIGHTS VS WEST BLOOMFIELD LAKERS

Friday, Sep. 18th, 6pm

13701 Oak Park Boulevard

Oak Park, MI

OAK PARK FOOTBALL IS BACK, BUT SAFETY FIRST.


Oak Park Football is back, but out of an abundance of caution, we will not allow any spectators in our stadium or campus for the 3 home games that we have this season.

Oak Park Schools is currently 100% virtual. We made an exception to allow outdoor sports to play.


We understand that the fall out from COVID-19 has been disappointing for many of us, but we believe that it is our responsibility to do what we can to limit the spread while maintaining post-graduate opportunities and physical activity for students.


With the landscape of Michigan high school football changing for the 2020 season, the MHSAA has loosened its restrictions on live-streamed broadcasts to help alleviate the burden on fans having less opportunity to watch games in person due to COVID-19 attendance restrictions. The Free Press will begin streaming high school football games for the 2020 season on Friday when West Bloomfield travels to Oak Park at 6 p.m.


Our game vs. West Bloomfield High School will also be live-streamed at two local locations:


Bobcat Bonnie's

240 W. 9 Mile Road

Ferndale, MI 48220

(248) 677-0158

  • Must wear mask
  • Seating: groups of 10 or less
  • Outdoor Seating available

Manager: Skip

Email: skip@bobcatbonnies.com


Rosie O'Grady's

279 W. 9 Mile Road

Ferndale, MI 48220

(248) 591-9163

  • Must wear mask
  • Seating: groups of 10 or less
  • Outdoor seating available

​Manager: Stephanie

Email: scollopy@ymail.com


We are excited to have our student-athletes back on the field. However, in order to ensure they continue to do so, we must adhere to all health and safety measures. Go Knights!


Sincerely,


Greg Carter, Athletic Coordinator

Oak Park High School

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Oak Park Schools on Live in the D
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The Hoffman Planetarium is an engaging, interactive full dome classroom. It is powered by advanced programs including, Starry Night, The Layered Earth and Zygote Body. The SciDome IQ2400 brings real-time space and earth science into a unique, innovative teaching environment.


We immerse students in the planetarium’s interactive visual macrocosm, explored Earth’s 3D topography and layers in spectacular detail. Each individual high school Science course and grade level courses in kindergarten through eighth grade participate in a developmentally appropriate interactive presentations tailored to the curriculum and/or Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) disciplinary core ideas while providing a connection to the astronomical 'big picture' - the Universe.

At the Hoffman Planetarium, we believe that 'your journey into the mysteries of space begins here...



Planetarium Offerings


  • Upon arrival into the Planetarium, students view a presentation specifically designed for their current science unit. For example, the 5th grade Earth Science show is entitled “Our Place in the Solar System” and explores most of the Next Generation Earth Science Standards (NGSS) for the 5th-grade level.
  • Students are also provided with an opportunity, during their Science Lab experience, to complete a hands-on activity related to their current unit. For 5th grade students, the activity allows students to construct a model of the solar system. Additionally, students also access the Virtual Labs available through the FOSS Science Curriculum and/or online Virtual Labs related to the unit material.

We have accommodations for both wheel-chair bound and students with disabilities, including devices for the hearing impaired. Our goal is to ensure that all students have access to the unique, interactive learning experience that the Planetarium offers!


Preparing Students for a Lifetime of Success: Next Generation Science Standards Alignment


Within the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), there are three distinct and equally important dimensions to learning science-core ideas, practice and cross-cutting. The implementation of new science standards with the support of Planetarium programs provides an opportunity to advance science education for all students. To learn more information, please review the NGSS Parent Guides below


Elementary School (Einstein, Key & Pepper)

Grades K- 2: Download the Grades K-2 Parent Guide

Grades 3- 5: Download the Grades 3-5 Parent Guide


Middle School (Oak Park Preparatory Academy)

Grades 6-8: Download the Grades 6-8 Parent Guide


High School (Oak Park High School)

Grades 9-12: Download the Grades 9-12 Parent Guide



Planetarium Coordinator

To learn additional information about the Hoffman Planetarium or schedule a visit, please contact Mr. Grayling Mercer at gmercer@oakparkschools.org or 248.336.7620

CENSUS 2020 IMPACT IN YOUR COMMUNITY

The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade. That funding shapes many different aspects of every community, no matter the size, no matter the location.


Think of your morning commute: Census results influence highway planning and construction, as well as grants for buses, subways, and other public transit systems.


Or think of your local schools: Census results help determine how money is allocated for the Head Start program and for grants that support teachers and special education.


The list goes on, including programs to support rural areas, to restore wildlife, to prevent child abuse, to prepare for wildfires, and to provide housing assistance for older adults.


Please complete your form online, by phone, or by mail when your invitation to respond arrives. Visit my2020census.gov to begin.

ONLINE CLASS CODES/TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT

Click on your child's school for the (Zoom Link/Google Classroom Code)


Oak Park High School


Oak Park Preparatory Academy


NOVA Academy


Einstein Elementary


Key Elementary


Pepper Elementary



If you are utilizing an Oak Park Schools Chromebook, please follow the steps below:

  • Plug the Chromebook (laptop device) into a electric outlet & press the power button to turn it on.
  • Click on the (Wi-Fi symbol) next to the clock. In the box that pops up, choose your Wi-Fi service or hotspot, and enter the password.
  • On the login screen, you will see a blank space followed by "@students.oakparkschools.org"
  • Enter your Oak Park Schools student email address, and click "Next".
  • Students should enter their password.
  • If students experience an issue with usernames, passwords, or other problems, please call 248-336-7667 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Tech Help?
If you experience problems with the Chromebook, please make sure it is plugged into an electrical outlet, and that the cords are tight. Hold the power button down for 30 seconds, release it, and then try again. If the Chromebook still does not turn on, please contact the Help Desk at the email address or phone number below.

Email Support
studenthelp@oakparkschools.org

Phone Support (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
248-336-7667

COMMUNITY HEALTH & NUTRITION NEWS

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SCHOOL IMMUNIZATIONS: DON'T WAIT TO UPDATE!

All OPS students must have an up-to-date immunization certificate or a valid immunization waiver to attend Oak Park Schools per Michigan law. If your child(ren) need immunizations, please use this time (virtual learning), to update the required immunizations. Attached below is link to find schedules for the recommended immunizations based on age, along with information to several clinics in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties that you can visit to get your children immunized.


IMPORTANT NOTE: Students who are not properly immunized will not be permitted to return to in-person teaching and learning until immunizations are up-to-date.

For more information, please visit https://www.oakparkschools.org/community-parents/school-health-k-12/ or email Victoria Ipina, School Nurse at victoria.ipina@ascension.org

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FEED OUR KIDS UPDATE

Dear Oak Park Schools Families,


On Monday, August 31, 2020, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) extended the federal waiver allowing for the continuation of free meals through the end of 2020.

Oak Park School District residency and/or enrollment in the school district is not necessary to receive meals. All meal distributions will take place on Wednesday’s from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (new).


Our next meal distribution will be Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at Oak Park High School located at 13701 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, 48237.


For more information, please visit //www.oakparkschools.org/coronavirus-information/feed-our-kids/ or email Aric Wienclaw, Director of Dining Services at awiencl@oakparkschools.org.

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NO HUNGRY KID ORGANIZATION

No Kid Hungry Organization runs a summer meal texting service. The service is free and open to anyone. A parent, grandparent, or caregiver can simply text the word “FOOD” to 877-877 and the system prompts them to provide their address or zip code, which is used to provide the location and service times of up to three nearby summer meals sites. For additional information, log onto www.nokidhungry.org.

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE/PROGRESS REPORT DISTRIBUTION

Friday, Oct. 9th, 6pm

This is an online event.

WHY OAK PARK?

Our mission is to provide a quality education that promotes respect for the individual and cultural differences of students and provides college and career readiness skills to become lifelong learners and productive citizens.


The Oak Park School District’s nearly 4,500 students are served at Einstein, Key and Pepper elementary schools (grades PreK-5), the Oak Park Preparatory Academy (grades 6-8), , Oak Park High School (grades 9 -12), NOVA (grades 3-12) the Oak Park Alternative Education Center (ages 16-19 years old) and My Virtual Academy of Oak Park (grades 5-12) in Oak Park, MI in Oakland County located in a suburban community near Detroit with approximately 30,000 residents. Our district consists of over 450 staff members, including 250 teachers and 11 building administrators.


Our school district boasts an abundance of educational and co/extra-curricular programs to meet the needs of a vast array of learners from Pre-K through twelfth grade. We encourage students to challenge themselves academically, explore comprehensive course offerings, and take risks to discover their individual gifts. We are dedicated to providing an intellectually challenging educational experience in safe, nurturing school environments that thrive on cultivating and empowering students to be their authentic selves. In addition, our academic and co/extra-curricular opportunities provide agency and shape self-identity, which are critical components to the adolescent development process.


Oak Park Advantage

The Oak Park Advantage is a holistic approach to education that not only prepares students academically, fosters a sense of belonging but creates long-lasting connections to the Oak Park community. While attending Oak Park Schools, students develop a confidence that is woven throughout their post-secondary, professional and social-emotional well-being years after they graduate.

Contact an Oak Park School District principal and take a tour! Get the Oak Park Advantage!


Our 2020 Goals

Maintain dynamic, healthy, and safe learning environments that inspire unlimited equitable opportunities for optimal classroom instruction to increase student achievement.

Implement ongoing transparent best practices to reduce operating costs to create opportunities to invest in human capital and professional learning, sustain quality facilities, establish a healthier organizational culture, and ensure fiscal stability.

Strategically design and implement organizational systems to increase efficiency, boost productivity to allow staff and students to focus entirely on student learning and social-emotional well-being.


Review and refresh curricular needs and resources employing planned adoption schedules based on current research with technology integration for classroom instruction.

Operate collaboratively district-wide and abandon ineffective silos.