VO News You Can Use
Dr. O's Weekly Parent Newsletter
NCSD Mission Statement
Developing each student's potential with a world class education.
August 31, 2020
Dear Village Oaks Families,
Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year! Although this year may look a little different with our virtual learning and the safety precautions to keep students safe, we are committed as a staff to make sure students have a great learning experience! We are eager to begin another learning journey with your children. We have been very busy getting ready to start the new school year. Below are a few bits of important information along with some frequently asked questions from parents about the upcoming year for you to review as you enjoy the last few days of summer with your children. Our staff can't wait to meet you and your children during our Virtual Open House on Wednesday, September 2nd starting at 5:00pm--see the schedule below.
- On Sunday August 30 through Tuesday September 1st, VOICE will drop off a surprise treat on the porch of families with kindergarten students.
- This week on Tuesday, September 1st you will receive an email with a Welcome Letter from your child's teacher along with the Zoom link to join our Virtual Open House.
- Teacher placements and transportation schedules will be available on the Parent Portal in MISTAR on Tuesday, September 1st.
- First day of school is Tuesday, September 8th.
Questions about our CARE program (after/before school daycare) can be directed to Holly Bengle. Holly can be reached at holly.bengle@novik12.org or (248) 449-1307.
Sincerely,
Alex
VO FAQ's About Return To School 2020-2021
We encourage all parents to please review the ROAR plan to examine our district's approach to returning to school. ROAR Plan: https://www.novi.k12.mi.us/academics/roar-plan
Below are some VO specific answers to frequently asked questions:
Q-Will students be required to wear masks to school?
A- Yes, students will be expected to wear masks everyday. Masks will also be required on the bus. We will provide mask lanyards for each hybrid student. The lanyards will allow students to remove them easily to avoid losing them as they take mask breaks throughout the day.
Q-What doors will students (car riders and walkers) use to enter and exit the building?
A- Kindergarten and first grade students will use the Kindergarten entrance in our kindergarten hallway (door will be labeled K & 1). 2nd-4th grade students will use our main entrance.
Q- Will I be able to walk my child into the building in the morning?
A- No, unless your child is arriving after 9:08 am start time. If your child is late to school you may report directly to the office to sign your child in. Due to safety measures, parents will not be permitted to walk their child to their classroom.
Q- Will Hybrid students receive the same amount of instruction as our Virtual students?
A - As a district we are working hard to make sure that the two modalities are closely aligned.
Q - Will students be able to eat in the cafeteria?
A - Yes, due to number of Hybrid students in each grade level we will be able safely distance students in the cafeteria. Our custodial staff will take extra measures to ensure that lunch space is well sanitized.
Q - Will classes be combined during outdoor recess?
A - Teachers will keep their classes in designated play zones during recess?
Q - What will specials look like this year?
A - Due to safety precautions we will be using a block schedule for Specials this year. Stay tuned for details from your teacher.
More FAQ's will be answered throughout the opening weeks of school!
Thanks,
VO Staff
Incoming Kindergarten Students Special Delivery...
Virtual Open House--Wed, Aug. 2nd
- To join the Open House parents will click on the Zoom link that will be emailed to you on Tuesday, Sept 1 by your child's teacher.
- Each teacher will have two fifteen minute blocks where they will split their class into smaller sections. (Hybrid teachers: Cohort A (15 mins.)/Cohort B (15 mins.); Virtual teachers - will divide their class evenly: first half (15 mins.) second half (15 mins.) Since the slots are limited to 15 minutes please be prompt so you don't miss your teacher's introduction.
- During open house teachers will introduce themselves, highlight some of things students can look forward to during upcoming year, and allow students to share what they're most excited about as we kick off the year!
- Open House is not a time for parents to have a Q&A session. During Curriculum Night, later in the year, parents will have an opportunity to learn more about what their children will experience during the year.
- Specials Teachers will have a prerecorded video that will be shared with all families before Open House.
Open House Schedule
- Kindergarten: 5:00pm-5:30pm
- 1st: 5:30pm-6:00pm
- 2nd: 6:00pm-6:30pm
- 3rd: 6:30pm-7:00pm
- 4th: 7:00pm-7:30pm
- Resource Room Teachers: 7:30pm-8:00pm
Thank You Meadowbrook Congregational Church!
VO Spirit Wear
HEY PARENTS! Don't forget to add Spirit Wear to your back to school list. Stitch and Scribe has so many options available this year. . Sherpa sweatshirts, t-shirts, masks, lanyards, water bottles and more! Visit their website www.stitchandscribe.com and click the Village Oaks Spirit Wear link at the top. A portion of the sale supports Village Oaks!
ROAR-Responsive Organizational & Academic Return Plan
The most current version of the ROAR plan is listed below and will be updated, as needed, throughout the 2020-2021 school year.
2020-2021 Supply Lists
Please click on the link to view your child's supply list: 2020-2021 NCSD Suggested Supply Lists. (All supplies are collective donations to our school, not for specific student use.)
We are hiring noon aides!
We are currently looking for more noon aides to help supervise students during lunch and recess when we return to school. This is a paid position, not volunteer. We could use your help whether it's one or more days a week. For more information, please contact Melissa Kruger at melissa.kruger@novik12.org or by phone at 248-996-7215.
NEW THIS SCHOOL YEAR-ONLINE ANNUAL REGISTRATION VIA MISTAR PARENT PORTAL
Please login to MiStar and click on the "Annual Registration" link. (Re-enrollment if using the mobile app.) This must be done for ALL students annually before the first day of school. If you need help with your MiStar pin or password, please call the office. 248-449-1300 Additionally, if you require assistance or do not have access to a device to complete the registration, we have computers available in the main office. Office hours Monday-Friday from 9am-3pm.
VO School Day Conversations
- What is one thing you would like to share with your teacher during Open House?
- Name something that makes your nervous about the school year?
- What is one thing you learned how to do over summer break?
Novi Mental Health Alliance--Parent Empowering Parent Program
The Parent Empowering Parent Program connects parents in need with parents who know. PEP pairs up a parent who has experienced challenges in his or her own parenting to providing support, encouragement, and knowledge, to another parent going through a similar situation. Below are the flyers for program.
Learn more about the Novi Mental Health Alliance by visiting the website at: https://www.novi.k12.mi.us/community/novi-mental-health-alliance
Volunteer and Donation Opportunities
VO Flags
One of the things that makes our building so special is our diverse student population--we have families in our community who come from all over the world! To celebrate our global diversity we have hung flags in our cafeteria that represent many of the countries of our VO families. As a gift from VO retirees we were given flags of the following countries: Israel, India, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Nigeria, South Korea, China, and USA. Thank you to our parents who have also donated the following flags: Poland, Singapore, Japan, Germany, Finland, Ireland, Nepal, Greece, Pakistan, Uruguay, Ecuador, Portugal, Spain, Central African Republic, South Africa, Wales, Iceland, Australia, Armenia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Russia, Scotland and Yemen. If you would like to purchase a flag of your country of origin or to represent one of the many nationalities of our school please visit Amazon and search for an ANLEY 3x5 flag: VO Flags
Before purchasing and donating the flag to our school’s collection please contact me or one of our secretaries with the flag information so we can make sure that another family has not already ordered the same flag.
VO Staff Message
Playworks
This year NCSD elementary schools will continue our partnership with Playworks to enhance the learning experiences for students throughout the district. Playworks is the leading nonprofit in Michigan and nationally using play to transform schools. A Playworks recess creates a place for every kid on the playground to feel included, be active, and build valuable social and emotional skills. Please click on the link below and read the attached Playworks article to learn more about our partnership!
Despite the current challenges Playworks is still committed to providing safe and healthy play for every child everyday. We see the work that you are doing to continue to educate our students and we are committed to providing the same SEL learning opportunities we have delivered in your classrooms all year. #PlayworksAtHome is a resource to help families and educators in a variety of formats so students can continue to #PlayAtHome.
Looking Ahead
9/2/20--Class placements and transportation schedules available on MI-Star Parent Portal
9/2/20-- Virtual Open House--starting at 5:00pm
9/8/20--First day of school
Keep Connected on Twitter
VILLAGE OAKS MISSION
The mission of Village Oaks Elementary is to create and maintain an educational environment that supports academic achievement, consistent with district, state and national standards to meet all students' learning needs.
VO National Blue Ribbon Exemplary School
Village Oaks Elementary
VO school hours: 9:08 am-4:00 pm
Office hours: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Attendance line: 248.449.1301
Office phone number: 248.449.1300
Email: Alexander.ofili@novik12.org
Website: https://vo.novi.k12.mi.us/
Location: Village Oaks Elementary School, Willowbrook Drive, Novi, MI, United States
Phone: 248.449.1300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoviVillageOaks
Twitter: @NoviVillageOaks