OLS News
Dr. Erika Johnson and Dr. Ericka Patterson - Principals
October 17th - 21st
Early Dismissal
Tuesday, Oct 18, 2016, 12:30 PM
Barack Obama School of Leadership and STEM, Concord Drive, Chicago Heights, IL, United States
Great News - Curiosity Machine!!!!
I would like to thank the following parents who agreed to serve as Parent Facilitators
Hollyn Chastain's mom Mrs. Tracy Ustinov
Destiny Harris' mom Mrs. Ayuna Harris
Shukurah Floyd's mom Mrs Kenyetta Floyd
Students and parents who attend the program will participate in a design challenge.
What are design challenges?
- Problems that students love by building a solution.
- There are no right answers families re supported through failure and redesign
- Design challenge are hands-on and use project based learning strategies.
In the process of working on the design challenge, the students build a growth mindset.
Growth Mindset
Belief
I was born smart.
I can work hard to learn new things.
Goal
I want people to think I’m smart
I want to learn new things.
Feelings about Effort
I hope no one notices if I have to work hard.
I worked hard and asked questions – that’s okay
Reactions to Failure
I don’t want to notice mistakes.
I don’t mind making mistakes
The program is geared for 4th - 6th grade students. If you are interested in the program, please contact Mrs. Fry at cfry@sd163.com
Further events will be held in the Barack Obama SMART Lab:
Wednesday, November 2nd
Thursday, November 17th
Thursday, December 1st
Thursday, December 8th
Wednesday, December 14th
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Food will be served.
An ENGINEERED HALLOWEEN
An Engineered Costume Contest
Barack Obama School of Leadership & STEM
3nd Annual “Engineered” Halloween Costume Contest
Judging will take place on October 31, 2016 @ 8:30 a.m.
This is a family challenge so let’s work together.
Calling all “inventors”, “innovators”, “creative thinkers”, “makers”……. The students at OLS are being challenged to create a costume that demonstrates Creativity, Inventiveness, Durability, Communication and Resourcefulness. This is a family challenge that will be take place during the month of October. On October 31st we will present your creations. We will judge students on creativity, inventiveness, durability, communication, and resourcefulness. There will be three winners. Cash prize will be awarded to the 1st place winner. 2nd and 3rd place prizes will also be given. This will be an “Engineered Halloween” to remember!!!!!!
Job Applications
Video Production
The Reading Team is requesting that our students create a video to promote the district's upcoming reading night. If your child is interested in working on the production team, please have them fill out an application in the SMART Lab.
Flyers
This year, our flyers will be designed by OLS students. Information regarding this job will be posted in the SMART Lab.
OLS - Visitation
Last week Dr. Msmanga visited our school to see how we: structure our Professional Learning Community Meetings (PLC) for staff members and how we motivate students. Dr. Msmanga is a Biologist, a teacher educator and a researcher in science education with a passion for research that helps us understand how best to teach science in the local contexts of teacher and learner diversity and multilingualism so as to prepare students for participation in science at the global level. In the past, she has been involved in biodiversity conservation research and now she draws on that experience to inform her current work in science education where she teaches at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels as well as supervise student research at the Honours, Masters and Doctoral (Ph.D.) levels. Dr. Msmanga currently is on sabbatical from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa and is working at the University of Georgia
Dr. Msmanga heard about our school through former Illinois State Board of Education Director of Human Diversity and Director of Teacher Education Mrs. Patricia Flagg. Both women were excited about what they saw and heard from our students. Dr. Msmanga took copious notes and is excited to share ideas with her colleagues in Georgia and Johannesburg.
FLAG Team
Obama Cheerleaders
Obama Cross Country Members
OLS Students on the Girls Basketball Teams
Destiny Farmer Relonda Tyms Kayla Fincher Sydney West Heaven Watkins
7th Graders
Naomi Imoniruwe Noah Smith Fatima Jones Dezearea Rhymes
6th Graders
Suki Samyoo Micah Smith Kikaru Carroll
OLS Students on the Obama Flag Team
Faith Alexander Deja Byrd Holland Chastain Dana Ford Libby Marrs Kayley Marrs Angel Rhymes Jeri Henderson Renesha James Rayma Jones Jasmine Bell Sarah Franklin Elon Miller Errias Elmore Naysa Nunekpeku Janiya Promise Ciara Rhymes Kamryn Fincher Ariel Grimes D'Shari Brewster Rayniah Austin Alyssa Lane Mya Looney La'Mayh Hughes Aiyana Nelson Jamie Harper Destiny Harris Destiny Woods
PTO Meeting - October 27th - ENTER THROUGH DOOR 13
Greetings OLS Parents!
Your PTO is off and running, please consider joining our meetings or running for office. It is important that all parents share your ideas and be informed of what is happening in and around the school. Your suggestions and ideas can can enrich the experiences of our students and their experiences in school.
Here’s a look at some of the key ways parents make a difference, and some specific ways you can have the most impact.
The Benefits
Decades of research have shown that when parents are involved in their children’s education, kids are more likely to:
• Earn better grades
• Score higher on tests
• Pass their classes
• Attend school regularly
• Have better social skills
• Show improved behavior
• Be more positive in their attitude toward school
• Complete homework assignments
• Graduate and continue their education
Want to serve on the PTO Board? We are looking for new parent volunteers to step in and help out. Come and find out what we are all about. Elections will take place on Thursday Oct 27 at 6:30pm.
Fundraising Information:
Save Those BOX TOPS we are collecting Box Tops for Education more information will be coming home with your child in the days to come.
It's Cookie Time!! The PTO's first major fundraiser is right around the corner, help us make this a profitable FUNdraiser. Look in your child's book bag for the order forms, we are asking that each child sell a min of 5 tubes of cookies. Prizes will be awarded to parent and child that sells the most.
Calendar of Events
10/4 Parade/Lunch and Learn
10/5 Chess Tournament @ Obama
10/6 Girls Basketball @ Obama
10/7 1st Installment for the 8th Grade Trip is Due
10/10 NO School Columbus Day
10/12 Girls Basketball at Washington
10/12 IMSA Fusion - First Day
10/13 Curiosity Machine - Parent Meeting
10/14 Eligibility Trip
10/15 Girls Basketball at Huth
10/15 Cheerleading Practice 9-12
10/15 Flag Team Practice 9:30-11:30
10/15 Boys Basketball Tryouts
10/18 Early Dismissal 12:30
10/19 4th /5th Grade Study Tip to the Lyric Opera
10/20 Robotics Club
10/22 Cheerleading Practice 9-12
10/22 Flag Team Practice 9:30-11:30
10/26 Girls Basketball - Crete
10/27 Picture Day
10/27 Robotics Club
10/28 Eligibility Trip
10/29 Cheerleading Practice 9-12
10/29 Flag Team Practice 9:30-11:30
10/31 Engineered Halloween Costume Contest
10/31 Board of Education Meeting