Violet Views November 2020
HOME OF THE SUPERVIOLETS
Principal's Message
November brings us many things, but one thing that it reminds me to do is feel grateful and thankful for many people and things.
“Life is full of give and take. Give thanks & take nothing for granted.”
“The more you thank life, the more life gives you to be thankful for.”
As we move through the days of November, we may encounter some cold and inclement weather. Now, while our weather is unpredictable, put together your inclement weather plan for your family. We may or may not have days called off due to weather but it’s always a great idea to be ready for that possibility. The district has a policy that covers inclement weather; please make sure that you are familiar with that policy.
As we will eventually have old man winter move into our area, please be sure that your students are dressing according to the weather conditions. This may be the perfect time to pack away the shorts and spaghetti strap tanks! Layering your student's clothing may be the optimal way to ensure their comfort due to the inconsistent room temperatures in the building as well.
Students may find it more difficult during the winter months to concentrate on the work that they must complete virtually. What this may mean to families is providing support to their students through praise and confidence in them to keep going and do the best that they can. It will not benefit your child for others to complete work or assist in providing answers to any assignment. We must continue to help them progress through the standards taught at their grade level and with the independent practice, their teachers can have a clear understanding where to intervene or enrich. We appreciate the partnerships that has been built due to the structure we work in currently. Thank you for helping your student reach their fullest potential, whether they are hybrid or VLA.
With the holidays approaching, we realize families may need assistance in providing for their children. We may have access to some assistance this year. If your family would benefit from assistance please get in touch with Mrs. Lowe, our school counselor. She may be reached at lisa_lowe@plsd.us or by calling the Violet office at 614-548-1500. Please see the information below in the Counselors Corner. The deadline for requesting assistance and completing an application will be Friday, November 20, 2020.
Reminder: No School on November 3rd
Lottery for Hybrid to VLA
At the October 12th, 2020 PLSD Board of Education Meeting, the Board determined that hybrid students (Cohorts A & B) will return to full in person learning Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday beginning on November 16th. Wednesday will remain a virtual learning day for the remainder of the semester for these students.
The administration and the Board also decided to allow full time Virtual Learning Academy students the opportunity to apply for a return to the face to face model based on space and availability by grade/building. The district held a lottery for VLA students in grades K-6 and the students that will vacate VLA will now have their “seats” made available for hybrid students to transition to VLA. This will be the only opportunity for your student to apply and remain in VLA for the remainder of the year.
In order to be fair to all parties requesting consideration to transition to the VLA, a lottery will be held for any spots available by grade/building on Monday 11/9/20. In order to be considered, you must submit an application for each student you are requesting consideration for. The district will be sending out a communication to the K-6 hybrid learning families on Monday 11/2 at 8 AM along with a list of open seats available for VLA by grade level. The email will also include a link to a survey that must be completed to be considered for the lottery. If you would like to be considered for having your student transition to VLA, please be on the lookout for the email. The survey link will be open until Wednesday 11/4 at 4PM. If you’re content with the hybrid/in-person learning, there will be no action needed on your part.
Counselor's Corner
Thanksgiving Dinners
Local community members are interested in donating Thanksgiving meals (Gift Card for a Turkey, Stuffing, Pie, Corn, Green Beans, Turkey Pan, Biscuit Mix) to other Pickerington families. This is a confidential donation, neither the names of donors or recipients will be shared. Due to the amount of food in the box, an adult will need to be available to come and pick it up from Violet Elementary on Friday, November 20th. The pick up time is to be determined and will be communicated closer to that date.
If you are interested in receiving a Turkey dinner, please contact me at Phone:(614) 548-1531 or email Lisa_Lowe@plsd.us by November 4th. Please let me know how many family members live in your house so we can make sure the appropriate amount of food is boxed.
Gifted Identification Testing
- 2nd Grade will take the NNAT3 (Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test) on Monday, November 2nd (Cohort A) and Thursday, November 5th (Cohort B.) Please see the attached letter.
- 3rd Grade students will take the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) on Monday, November 2nd (Cohort A) and Thursday, November 5th (Cohort B.)
Please see letters to parents below.
Holiday Assistance
Pickerington Schools are once again teaming up with the Violet Township Fire Department to help provide some holiday assistance for families in need during this holiday season. If you are in need of assistance, please request an online form for holiday assistance by contacting me at Lisa_Lowe@plsd.us or at 614-548-1531. The request link will then be provided to you, only one per household please. This form is handled in a confidential manner with more details from your school counselor. Please remember that we will only be able to supplement your holiday. The online form must be completed by Friday, November 20th. Please see the attached letter.
Violet Township Fire Department Toy Drive
Pickerington Schools are once again teaming up with the Violet Township Fire Department to help provide some holiday assistance for families in need during this holiday season. Donations are needed and there are several ways to donate this year:
Click the link below to make cash donations through Paypal.
Another way of donating this year is through Amazon and Target. If you would prefer to donate in this way, click on the links below. Be sure to ship to Violet Township Fire Department Toy Drive (address will appear as an option).
Picture Retake Days
Picture Retake Days:
Cohort A - Monday, November 9th
Cohort B - Thursday, November 12th
For questions about pictures and ordering, please visit www.inter-state.com and click on "Help" in the upper right corner.
Behavior Supports for Parents/Virtual Learning
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We realize virtual learning is hard on students and their families. We have provided some ideas for how to support your child with completing their work at home. Click HERE to see a variety of strategies and many examples of each strategy. Review them all and choose the ones that may work best in your home.
Sincerely,
Julie Pitman, school psychologist
Lisa Lowe, school counselor
Parent Hotline Google Meet
Meet Link for Grades K-2 https://meet.google.com/vca-digt-sdq
Meet Link for 3-4 https://meet.google.com/buv-rkqs-ewh
Foodservice
Beginning the week of November 1st, the Food Service Department is changing the sign up deadline for cohort and virtual food bags. The deadline will now be every Monday by 10am.
An important reminder: Please sign up weekly as this helps control food waste and monitor inventory levels.
Click HERE for the links to order.
Grade Cards
Parents and Guardians of elementary students will be able to view and print achievement records digitally through their Infinite Campus parent portal. Paper copies of achievement records will not be sent home unless internet access is not available. If this is the case please let your teacher know as soon as possible.
Below are directions for accessing your child’s achievement records in IC.
How to find your student's achievement record in Infinite Campus
The achievement record will be a PDF version which can be downloaded and printed. Please feel free to reach out to your teacher with questions and concerns.
PTO News
Spirit Wear Sale
There is still time to purchase Violet Spirit Wear! The Spirit Wear sale has been extended through Sunday, November 1st. You can view merchandise and place orders HERE.
Trunk-or-Treat Drive Thru Event Cancelled
The event was cancelled due to low sign up numbers. We will try again next year!
Important Dates
November 1 Turn Clocks Back One Hour
November 3 No School K-8, Parent/Teacher Conferences 11:00-7:00 (virtual)
November 9 Picture Retake Day, Cohort A
November 12 Picture Retake Day, Cohort B
November 16 First Day PLSD Green Status, In-Person 4 days per week
November 25-27 Thanksgiving Break
ABOUT US
Email: dee_copas@plsd.us
Website: http://www.pickerington.k12.oh.us/violet-elementary/
Location: 8855 Education Drive, Pickerington, OH, United States
Phone: (614) 548-1500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuperVioletES/
Twitter: @VioletElem