February Newsletter
February 2020
A Note From the Principal
Greetings Orion Families,
January was a very busy month. The teachers and students are back in the groove of teaching and learning. Being at school each day, plays a vital role in your child’s success, we encourage all parents/guardians to let your child stay the entire day which ends at 3:45pm. If you have ever been in the front office at the end of the day, you are aware that it is a very busy place with phone calls from parents and announcements informing teachers of student pick-up changes. Therefore, we discourage early dismissal unless it is an emergency. The office staff and teachers do a great job making sure every student is where they need to be at the end of the day.
Please remember that student drop off and pick up in on Bullard Ave. It is not appropriate to use the bus lanes. This is hazardous to students and bus drivers have a hard time maneuvering around vehicles. In addition, dropping students off at the handicapped parking is a safety concern with drivers backing out or being blocked in. Please be respectful of school safety rules. These are in place to keep everyone safe!
Parent Teacher Conferences are just around the corner. Please go online at the district website to schedule your conference using the Online Scheduler. Please contact your child’s teacher if you need assistance or office staff with scheduling concerns. We are looking forward to visiting with you.
Brrrrr! It’s cold outside but Orion Elementary is full of excitement, activities and events. Thank you to all of the Orion School families for attending the Winterfest Glow Dance. It was a great family evening with lots of friends, dancing, party favors and yummy treats! Upcoming, we have PTA Gummy Grams for Valentine’s Day on sale now, Spirit Week, Parents Night Out on 02/14 and Family Skate Night on 02/28. Look for more information to follow!
Remember to take part in your child’s education and show them how important it is. Thank you for your support and if you need anything feel free to ask or call.
Principal Cheathon
Notes From Nurse Wurm
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.
· They 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 thrive 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 your 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.
Thank you,
Mrs. Wurm, RN Orion School Nurse
Resources: http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/body/teeth.html
LET’S GET HEALTHY (2020)
Aloha families,
February begins our second month into the 2020 “New Year.” How many of you have made resolutions to make healthier choices this year? Whether or not you have chosen a goal to get physical exercise at least 60 minutes daily, eat more fruits and vegetables, or cut out bad habits that endanger your health, taking baby steps towards a healthier lifestyle for you and your family is a positive way to start 2020.
Safe Children’s Act: Personal Safety lessons begin the last week of February and may continue thru the first week of March.
The last week of February (Orion only 5th& 6th grade) will begin Human Growth and Development. (Ptarmigan 5th grade) will begin March 16th. If you have not signed your permission slip (at registration), please check with the office.
There will be a preview of materials available if you have any questions. I will be sending home a notification of date and time of the preview.
Below are the names of the Health Units we will be studying in February:
K - No Drugs, No Way!
1st - Drugs Are Trouble
2nd - Drugs Are Dangerous
3rd - Saying No to Smoking, Drinking, and Drugs
4th - Stay Drug-Free, Build Your Assets
5th - Danger Ahead: The Truth About Drugs
6th - Who Has The Addiction?
When children exercise at the same time 3-4 times a week, it can help to establish a routine. When starting a routine, it helps to be consecutive for at least 3 months for it to become a daily habit. Making excuses are easy, but making up lost workouts are hard. If you find that you fail, don’t beat yourself up, (Just begin again and
stay positive.) Good luck to you and your family for beginning 2020 with a healthy lifestyle.
With Health,
Anny Hunsucker
Health/SEL Specialist
Orion / Ptarmigan Elementary Schools
What’s all the buzz? It’s time for the 2020 Spelling Bee!
Students and families of grades 3-6,
It’s time to hold our Orion Elementary school spelling bee! The spelling champion of Orion will be headed to the Alaska State Spelling Bee held on March 24th! Here are the details to get you prepared:
Each class will hold its own class spelling bee. The top 4 student spellers per class will be headed to our school spelling bee. Your classroom teacher will provide the date of your class bee.
To get ready for the class spelling bee, study and practice the words from your Lists One Bee and Two Bee. When you are ready for more of a challenge, you can study the words from the List Three Bee!
If you place as a Top Speller in your classroom spelling bee, be prepared to begin studying from a new list, as well as having 2 practice sessions after school with the other Top Spellers to prepare you for how the school and district spelling bees will be run.
The school spelling bee will be held on Tuesday, February 21 @ 2:00 pm in the MPR. Families are encouraged to attend!
Good luck, study hard and bee-lieve in yourself!
Contact your classroom teacher, or Ms. Seitz (5th grade) for more information or clarification.
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!
BEST DEAL: $70 per student by February 18th
Regular Rate: $75 per student by February 25th
Last Chance: $85 per student by March 19th
*Please see Coach Howard for packet.
February 1 ~ 13
February 20th @ 4:15 in the MPR
February 28th
Visit Our School Month!
February Happenings
- 1 - Access Testing
- 10~13 - Spirit Week
- 11 - Book Fair
- 12,13 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
- 14 - Inservice
- 14 - Parents Night Out
- 17 - Holiday
- 18 - D.A.R.E Graduation (5th grade only)
- 20 - Dental Assembly
- 21 - Spelling Bee
- 28 - Spring Pictures
- 28 - PTA Skate Night