Orion Oaks Weekly Updates
9.2.2022
The entire Orion Oaks staff is excited to see students return on Tuesday, September 6 for the first day of the 2022-23 school year. This will be a half day (8:50 a.m.-12:05 pm) for 1st through 5th graders.
first day signs
SUPPLY LISTS
DK & KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION
DK & Kindergarten Orientation-September 6
DK and Kindergarten (Lawrence, Thorpe, Van Arsdale) students will attend a 45-minute orientation on the first day of school to allow them to get acclimated to Orion Oaks and the student's new classroom. Parents will transport and remain with your child(ren). Bussing and lunch will not be provided on this day.
Students with last name beginning with A-L are recommended to come from 9:30-10:15.
Students with last name beginning with M-Z are recommended to come from 10:45-11:30.
Parents please sign in at the front office and obtain a visitor badge.
Staggered Start-September 7 & 8
DK and Kindergarten students will attend their first full day of school on September 7 (Last name begins with A-L) or September 8 (Last name begins with M-Z) to allow teachers to provide more individualized attention to our young learners.
September 9
All DK & Kindergarten students will attend school.
back to school 2022-23 information
bus information
Bus schedules for the 2022-23 school year are scheduled to be shared with families the week of August 29 via email. If the student's schedule does not appear in your inbox by the end of Friday, Sept. 2, please check the junk/spam folder.
If students are attending after or before school care in a non-LOCS location, parents will be required to submit a new alternative bus stop request form, found on the Transportation Department page.
The Transportation Department is available during business hours.
During the school year, families can use the Versatrans My Stop App to check on their students' bus progress (available on iTunes and Android.)
school hours
Full day of school 8:50 a.m.-3:50 p.m.
Half day of school 8:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m.
new orion oaks staff
Kate Lawrence-Kindergarten Teacher
Jessie Hagan-Kindergarten Teacher
Amanda Melecio-Special Education Substitute
Cami Giberson-5th Grade Teacher
Kimberly Bruce-Special Education teacher
Jennifer Carpus- Special Education Social Worker
Gabby Hanna-English Learner Teacher
Philip Macrae-Tech Support
Pam Moreman-STEM Instructional Coach
Nicole Kruse & Dawn Couture-Café Helpers
Jennifer Kelly-DK Assistant
Dominique Duey-SACC Assistant
Tracy Aceron-Office Assistant/Clerk
Jeanne Ziraldo-Teacher Substitute
MEDICAL AND MEDICATION PROCEDURE UPDATES
The new Health and Wellness page is bringing all of the important health-related topics for families into one location.
Located on the page:
- All medical forms, including medication plans and allergy documents. (Please note: Even over-the-counter medication needs a physician's signature on the form.)
- The LOCS COVID-19 online dashboard
- A link to the Oakland County Health Division's COVID-19 page
Meal payments return
During the 2022-23 school year, students will return to the process of paying for breakfast and lunch at school.
There are important steps you can take now to be sure your student receives the meals they need during this school year.
If your family does not qualify for free or reduced meals, you may begin depositing money into student accounts at any time to prepare for the cost of school lunches next year. Sendmoneytoschool.com has been replaced by lakeorion.familyportal.cloud. Please visit the site to set up a lunch account for your student. There is a tutorial at the bottom of the Family Portal page that walks you through the process of setting up an account.
Information on meal prices for the 2022-2023 school year are listed below:
Free and Reduced Application
If your student qualifies for free or reduced meals, they can still receive them this fall, but you must take action to make it happen. Please complete the online application process at lakeorion.familyportal.cloud.
Again, to receive free or reduced meals for the upcoming school year you must complete an application and be approved to participate in the program.
For assistance, please contact the LOCS Food Service Department at 248-814-0201.
food allergies
For the 2022-23 school year, we will be returning to our district allergy protocol in place prior to the pandemic. Please feel free to review our district allergy protocol. Below are some items to note with our allergy protocol.
All classrooms will remain peanut aware, meaning food items that contain peanuts are prohibited. This includes all student snacks.
Other allergy restrictions may be in place for individual classrooms depending on allergies present in particular classrooms.
There are no allergy restrictions in the cafeteria during lunch time.
There will be a table reserved in the cafeteria at lunch time for students who have allergies that may require them to not eat at the same table as a child who may have these allergens in their lunch.
Birthday treats will once again be allowed. Any edible items must be pre-packaged and store purchased with an ingredient list. All edible treats will be sent home with students and not consumed in the classroom.
The main office and teaching staff will be in touch with families with other food allergies to determine if additional accommodations are required for lunch and snack time.
technology
For the 2022-23 school year, devices (laptops and iPads) will remain at school. Therefore, there is no need to purchase insurance.
Current K (previously in DK) through 3rd grades students will need to turn their iPads with chargers into their current teacher through the first week of school.
positivity project
The entire staff is so excited to kick off Positivity Project this school year.
specials rotation
Attached below is our specials rotation for this year. Your child’s teacher will communicate which specials they will have on each day. As you will note in the schedule, the specials classes will rotate daily. Mondays through Thursdays will be consistent which special your child will have throughout the year, with a rotation occurring on Fridays.
curriculum night
This year, teachers will send out videos to families for Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 15. More information will be shared about this in the coming weeks.
picture day
Wil be on Wednesday, September 28.
Details to follow.
dress code
Student Dress Code
It is the policy of the School Board that building administration shall
make the final decision on the appropriateness of dress and what
actions shall be taken in each individual case depending on specific
circumstances. Decisions will be made by the school administrator
on the basis of health, safety and whether the attire is disruptive to
school routine. If a student’s attire does not meet these requirements
he/she shall be referred to the administration. The student may be
required to change his/her clothes before returning to class, asked to
modify his/her attire in some way in school, or be asked to be picked
up by parents if a change of attire is not possible.
As a frame of reference, the following are standards which shall be
in operation.
1. Shoes must be worn at all times. Due to safety concerns,
flip flop sandals are strongly discouraged.
2. Inappropriate language/signs/symbols worn on clothing shall
be prohibited. This shall include, but not limited to, any
message which expresses profane or obscene language, or
which makes a derogatory comment on any race, creed,
religion, or national origin and any material which encourages
illegal substance use/abuse.
3. Bare midriffs, halter tops and tank tops are not acceptable.
All shirts and blouses must cover to the waist.
4. Spandex or underwear style pants are not permitted.
5. In elementary schools (Pre-K through 5), any dress is subject
to review by the building administrator or his/her designee.
Hats and hoods are not permitted to be worn in school unless
previously approved by the school administrator.
6. Dress which distracts attention from school routines or is a
cause of behavior which is distracting either to others or to the
wearer is subject to review by the building administrator or
his/her designee.
7. Dress which is deemed to be detrimental to the student (i.e.,
nonprescription sunglasses worn indoors) will be prohibited.
8. At the elementary level, children should be dressed
adequately for the weather conditions and outdoor recess
play, and they should be able to handle their buckles, zippers
and buttons. Clothing should be labeled with their name.
SAFETY DRILLS
For the 2022-23 school year, Orion Oaks Elementary will once again work closely with our local law enforcement and fire department officials and conduct our variety of multiple state-mandated safety drills. I will send an email notification to families after we conduct a safety drill to make families aware and records will be posted on the website.
STRATEGIC PLAN 2022-27
Earlier this spring, the Lake Orion Community Schools Board of Education approved the strategic plan to guide the district from 2022-2027. The plan includes a mission statement, a vision statement, belief statements and focus areas to guide the district administration.
Belief statements
We believe…
- Preparing Dragons is a collaboration of students, staff, families and community.
- We have a responsibility to provide a safe, welcoming, equitable learning environment where all individuals are respected and valued.
- In fostering an environment that cultivates each individual’s maximum potential.
- Character development is an integral part of education.
- In a dynamic innovative approach to educating Dragons.
Mission
Empowering the Dragon community to achieve excellence
Vision
Empowered Dragons experience joy and success
calendar
The 2022-23 Lake Orion Community Schools calendars are available on the LakeOrionSchools.org Calendars page.
Tuesday, September 6-First day of school, Student half day (dismissal at 12:05 p.m.)
Thursday, September 15-Curriculum night videos
Wednesday, September 28-Picture day
Friday, October 7-Student half day (dismissal at 12:05 p.m.)