March Newsletter
March 2020
A Note From the Principal
Dear Orion Families,
Spring is in the air and the month of March brings a lot more daylight and sunshine! Students are gearing up for testing, and our teachers are working hard to ensure they are ready for the spring assessments. We are excited about the progress our students are making in the classrooms and are certain that we will achieve all of our goals during testing this year.
As we reflect on our strengths and weaknesses this year we will analyze and renew our goals for the remaining three months of the school year. The students are working hard and making strong gains in their learning. To the students, keep up the great work! Parents, your ongoing support of your child’s learning is vital to their success.
Thank you for your support at home with encouraging students to do their very best!
On an added note, I would like to introduce Dr. Jenny Whitt as Orion’s principal intern this semester. She will be completing her leadership here in our building. Please stop in to greet her and welcome her to our community. She is looking forward to working with families.
Enjoy your spring break next week and we will welcome students back on March 16th.
Sincerely,
Principal Cheathon
Orion Elementary School
Orion Students, Parents, and Families,
Dear ASD Families,
The coronavirus, known as COVID-19, is a significant topic of concern in Anchorage and globally. While Alaska presently has no confirmed cases of this illness, the possibility remains real. To that end, please know your District is prepared. Here is helpful information for you to make informed decisions.
Prevention Measures - The best defense against any contagious illness is frequent and effective handwashing. Based on guidance from healthcare professionals, masks are not allowed unless specifically coordinated with the school nurse, as they are generally not used appropriately by children.
Family Actions:
· Wash hands frequently
· Use soap & water for 20 seconds; sing “Happy Birthday” or the “ABCs” to time the task
· Use hand sanitizer when water is unavailable
· Practice coughing/sneezing into the elbow or a tissue
· Keep hands below the chin
· Keep children home when sick
ASD Actions:
· Teach proper hand washing
· Purchase hand sanitizer for use in schools
· Suspend handshaking routines
· Increase sanitization of schools and buses
· Educate all staff on current protocols
· Suspend attendance awards
· Encourage staff to stay home when sick
District Closure Preparation - ASD has an Infectious Disease Plan in place, and school nurses have the most up-to-date information. In an extreme situation, the District may need to close for a time. If a closure takes place, we want everyone to be prepared.
If the District were to close, the effects to families and across the entire community would be significant. Families should take the time to consider how a potential closure would impact their daily lives and take steps to plan ahead. Childcare, work/activity schedules, and other family logistics are a few areas that may be affected if ASD is forced to close.
Family Actions:
· Plan for short and long-term closures
o Work schedules
o Childcare
o Activity Schedules
· Know how to reach your child’s teacher(s) via email
ASD Actions:
· Communicate regularly with our community
o Email
o ASD website
o Social media/text
o Local media
· Engage e-learning opportunities
· Coordinate continuation of meal service for students in need
· Plan for employee absences
· Maintain facilities
Travel Considerations - Due to the risk of contracting the virus or being isolated outside of Alaska, ASD has canceled all school sponsored domestic and international travel for students and staff through April 2020. In-state travel is not affected.
During spring break, many ASD families have personal vacation plans. We encourage them to stay current with the latest travel advisories and the specific status of their travel location. The CDC travel page has reliable and accurate information.
Family Actions:
· Monitor travel advisories
· Plan for long-term stays
· Check regularly for school updates and/or assignments
· Inform your school of absences (stipulate illness, travel restriction, or isolation)
ASD Actions:
· Communicate regularly
· Welcome students back to school
· Reduce stigma related to travel locations
· Be flexible with missed assignments
· Manage fear and misinformation
You may find these reputable websites useful in your effort to stay informed: · Anchorage Health Department · Alaska Department of Health and Social Services · Center for Disease Control
ASD will keep you updated with new developments. Thank you for your continued engagement and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Anchorage School District
Notes From Nurse Wurm
I wanted to share some updates on the coronavirus {now known as COVID-19}, it has been in the news over the last few weeks.
• The COVID-19 is a new virus strain that started in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Health experts continue to learn more about novel coronavirus because little is known about its potential to cause severe illness and pneumonia in some people.
• Currently the risk to the general public is low. At this time, there are a small number of individual cases in the United States. To minimize the risk of spread, health officials are working with health care providers to promptly identify and evaluate any possible cases.
• Currently you are only at risk if you are displaying symptoms and have recently traveled to China in the 14 days before feeling sick, or have been in contact with someone who possibly has the virus and has traveled to China in the 14 days before getting sick.
• People who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 have reported symptoms including fever, cough, and difficulty breathing that may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days after exposure to the virus. (Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019 novel coronavirus /faq.html) Remember, at this point you are more likely to catch the flu or a common cold, which show some of the same symptoms.
• No cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Alaska and there are currently no persons under investigation (PUI).
• Health experts are still learning the details about how COVID-19 spreads. Other coronaviruses spread from an infected person to others through:
o The air by coughing and sneezing.
o Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands.
o Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
• The CDC advises that persons follow the usual recommendations for reducing their risk of infection for other illnesses, such as influenza. These recommendations include:
o Wash your hands for 20 seconds or more with soapy water. If unavailable, use hand sanitizer.
o Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
o Avoid contact with people who are sick
o Stay home while you are sick (except to visit a health care professional) and to avoid contact with others.
o Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
o Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to ensure a healthy immune system.
Cleaning and disinfection of surfaces will continue throughout the school following standard procedures for infection prevention.
Feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.
T Wurm RN
907 742-0266
Counselor's Corner
Your children will be learning Resiliency Skills during our Counselor Lessons
over the next three months. Each month we will have a different topic; this month’s topic is: Characteristics of a Good Friend.
We will also be holding the following small groups:
- Boys Club: Self-Regulation Skills
- Girls Club: Self-Esteem Skills
These groups will be held during school hours.
Mrs. Kim Bise Orion
Elementary School Counselor
Email: Bise_kim@asdk12.org
HEALTH NEWS FOR MARCH
The March wind brings us the Iditarod, spring break, 3rd quarter report cards, and more daylight! However, please remember that the cold and flu season is still in full force. Hand washing with warm water for 20 seconds is recommended for the prevention of spreading germs. Setting examples for healthy eating include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein (chicken, fish, legumes, nuts, and occasionally red meat) It is recommended to try and exercise at least 60 minutes daily. This will help to reduce stress, which will increase your immune system.
Mandated Personal Safety lessons will also be taught in March according to the Alaska Child Safety Act.
The following information will inform you of your child’s GREAT BODY SHOP Health lessons being taught in March:
* K Keeping Clean and Healthy
* 1 Happy, Sad, and In Between
* 2 Babies…and How You Grew
* 3 Your Family, My Family
* 4 Be Cool, Keep Clean
* 5 Growing Up (parent permission signed at registration)
* 6 (Orion) The Reproductive System (parent permission signed at registration)
**5th and (6th Orion) If you opted your child out of these units, they will have alternate assignments for Health.
All grade levels will be taught Personal Safety Lessons in March. This is in accordance with the Safe Children’s Act.
Here’s to Making Healthy Choices,
Ms. Anny Hunsucker / Health & SEL Specialist
Ptarmigan and Orion Elementary
March is Youth Art Month
Congratulations to the following students whose art will be displayed at the ASD Administration Building, (5530 E Northern Lights Boulevard, Anchorage, 99504), from February 18 to March 20th:
Skye Fowler and Hunter Knight
Thank you Skye and Hunter for your wonderful participation, enthusiasm and artwork.
Congratulations to the following students from Orion Elementary whose art will be on display for Youth Art Month:
Vera Skinner’s art will be at the Anchorage Museum from March 6-April 4.
Elijah Lemaster’s art will be at the ZJ Loussac Library from March 6-April 2.
Christopher Raese’s art will be at the Anchorage City Hall from March 6-April 2.
Everyone is invited to attend the Student Exhibition Grand Reception at the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, 625 C Street, on Friday March 6, 2020 from 6-8 p.m.
Museum admission is complementary during the reception.
Thank you students!
Spring 2020 Running Club
Running Club Practice Dates:
Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:45-5:00
The first practice is Tuesday, March 24th.
The last practice is Thursday, May 7th.
Running Club Race Dates:
Superhero Showdown - 4/11/2020 @ 10:20 AM
Chuck Albrecht Softball Complex
4781 Elmore Rd
Anchorage, AK US 99507
Heart Run - 4/18/2020 @ 9:30 AM
Alaska Airlines Center
3550 Providence Dr, Anchorage, AK 99508
Salmon Run - 5/2/2020 @ 10:00 AM
Inlet View Elementary
1219 N St, Anchorage, AK 99501
Love A Nurse Run - 5/9/2020 @ 10:00 AM
Hilltop Ski Area
7015 Abbott Rd, Anchorage, AK 99507
Pricing includes ALL student race fees and medals for the Superhero Showdown!
Last Chance: $85 per student by March 19th
*Please see Coach Howard for more information.
Reach new PEAKS of learning!
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. With each new test, reach a new peak! Students receive a sticker for each test taken. They collect all the stickers to reach the summit.
Click here to share North Star students' motivational message about PEAKS!
Click here for the PEAKS flyer: ASD PEAKS Window information and Ways to help your Child.
PEAKS Overview and Spring 2020 Test Administration Window
ASD 2020 Main Testing Window: March 30-April 10 (Make-ups: March 31-May1)
Statewide 2020 Testing Window: March 30-May 1
PEAKS (Performance Evaluation for Alaska’s Schools) is a computer-based assessment administered to students in Grades 3-9 (English language arts and mathematics) and grades 4, 8 and 10 (science) each spring during the state designated testing window. This state-required assessment provides students the opportunity to show their understanding of important skills in these content areas at their grade level.
In the spring of 2020, PEAKS will be administered to Anchorage students during the weeks of March 30-April 10. Schools have flexibility in providing the test to students to minimize the impact on instructional time. Make-ups are allowed any time between April 1-May 1. Students are not allowed to complete more than one full content area in a day. Parents and Guardians should connect with their child's school for specific PEAKS test dates and testing plans. Please see the ASD Assessment and Survey Calendar for the complete schedule of the ASD comprehensive system of assessments.
Please choose a link below to see PEAKS Content Areas and Testing Times, PEAKS Student Preparation: Practice Tests and Tutorials, PEAKS Resources: Assessment Design, TDA and Student Supports or PEAKS or Alternate Assessment Results information.
Thank you so much for participating in our Chains of Caring fundraiser to help support the children at Providence Hospital! The Orion Lions raised a grand total of $226.25!!! A few of our students represented Orion Elementary at the Chains of Caring Ceremony at Providence Hospital and delivered our Chains of Caring along with the funds we raised. Again, thank you for your support for this good cause!
March Happenings
6 - Inservice
9~13 - Spring Break
16~20 - Extended Spring Break
19 - STEM Night (Canceled)
20 - Academic Award Assembly (Canceled)
30 - PEAKS Test