The Orion/Mandarin Gazette
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MAY 10
Principal's Message May 11-May 15
I am sure you can all relate to our staff meeting photo. While we posed with silly faces for this screen shot, I know that at times I feel overwhelmed by our current circumstances. Connecting with the staff and sharing moments of humor or just talking about the simple things in our day are bright spots during the week. My wish for your and your children is that you find these moments too. Happy Mother's Day!!
Orion School Spirit Days Every Wednesday
May 13: Sports Day
Celebrate Sports and Healthy Ways to Stay Active
If you want take a picture and send to Principal Katherine to post in the newsletter next week at krivera@rcsdk8.net.
Librarian Cristina also has her own newsletter. May is Poetry Months. Check it out:
All classes have virtual library times with Librarian Cristina once a week. Check with your child's teacher for the day of the week and time.
Isbaella in Grade 2
To All the Moms
Adelaide in Grade 1
Ian in Kinder
Elliot Creates with Food
Samuel Shares his Lembas Recipe
"Coffee" with Principal Katherine via Zoom Friday May 22
I hope to share more about the District and School Plan for next year. Stay tuned for more detials.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81488516224?pwd=ZFNVREZFWXRPQzNCbEcxeVRoN2VrZz09
Meeting ID: 814 8851 6224
Password: 1UGgCu
S.T.E.A.M. and Making Projects from Maker Instructor Nienke Levin
She has created her own channel to keep us making and designing.
School Site Council Thursday May 15 at 2:00 via Zoom
The link for Zoom SSC is:
If you would like to know more about the work of SSC or are considering joining next year, be sure to attend the meeting. Agenda is attached to the newsletter.
Grades k-2 Final Learning Packet
Students in grades k-2 Mandarin Immersion program, your child has assigned on work on Seesaw and online learning tools, you do not need to pick up a learning packet but are welcome to pick one up if you would like.
All students in grades k-2 in the MI and Orion Alternative Programs: You can also pick up your child's personal belongings from their desks and cubbies that the teachers put into plastic bags. Staff will be on site to supervise and hand out the individual bags. Masks are required. Parents will not be able to go into classrooms to look for items, this is a drive through process only.
You can also return classroom books and school library books in labeled boxes at this time.
Grades 3-5 when chromebooks are returned in early June, we will also have staff present to hand out personal items in plastic bags belonging to the students.
Last Call for Orion Yearbook
For students in grade 5 who have not yet purchased a yearbook, the school is purchasing extra yearbooks for the 5th graders. Yearbooks will be handed out later this month or early June. Stay posted for more information.
Explore, Discover and Learn new things
NATURE
Oakland Zoo’s Zoo@Home
https://www.oaklandzoo.org/programs-and-events/zoo-at-home
Zoo@Home allows you to experience all the educational opportunities from the comfort of your home! Continue where you left off at school with grade level appropriate activities and lessons. Safely enjoy nature and the outdoors while learning more about local wildlife. Learn all about the zoo animals and ask those questions you've always wondered. Even become a Jr. Zookeeper by creating enrichment for your pets at home. New content added weekly!
FloridaAquarium https://www.facebook.com/floridaaquarium/ https://www.flaquarium.org/sea-span
Sedgwick County Zoo Live Keeper Chats, Ambassador Animal Adventures
www.facebook.com/SedgwickCountyZoo
Elmwood Park Zoo, Zoo School: https://www.facebook.com/EPZoo/
Houston Zoo https://www.facebook.com/houstonzoo/
Brookfield Zoo, Keeper Chat https://www.facebook.com/BrookfieldZoo/
Virginia Zoo, Virtual Voyage https://www.facebook.com/thevirginiazoo/ In addition to social media updates, they will have several online resources listed on their website: virginiazoo.org/virtualvoyage
Monterey Bay Aquarium will feature videos through Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/montereybayaquarium
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Home Safari, https://www.facebook.com/cincinnatizoo/
MUSEUMS
Virtual Art Museum Tours
https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours
Take a trip from home to famous Art Museums around the world!
2500 Museums You Can Now Visit Virtually
https://hyperallergic.com/547919/2500-virtual-museum-tours-google-arts-culture/
Another great site to visit museums from all over the world with the air flights and fees!
GARDENING
Kids Gardening
https://kidsgardening.org/garden-ideas-kids-parents-teachers/
“Kids Gardening is here to support our growing community of parents, educators, and gardeners as they think creatively about ideas to get kids gardening and ways to stay connected to nature. Whether you’re a newbie, experienced grower, or somewhere in between, below you will find links to kids garden activities, garden-based educational resources, gardening advice, and other helpful tips to inspire you to just keep growing.”
PBS Kids
https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/gardening-with-kids-how-it-affects-your-childs-brain-body-and-soul Check out their article about gardening but then explore the other links – articles, stories and activities.
SCIENCE EXPERIEMENTS
Club SciKidz
http://www.clubscikidzmd.com/blog/
Check out this Science Blog with daily activities that are pretty simple and fun. It has videos to go along with the activities. (thank you to the Fletcher family for sharing this link)
Science Kids – Fun Science and Technology for Kids
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments.html
Experiments, games, projects and lessons for students with things around the house.
Curiodyssey
https://curiodyssey.org/activities/science-experiments-for-kids/
“Science isn’t just something you do in a lab or in a classroom. You can do science with your kids any time, any day! Do a science activity yourself, at home! Try out our science experiments and discover something amazing”