Ocean Avenue School News
December 2019 ~ Volume 41, Issue 41
WINTER BREAK ~ DECEMBER 23 THROUGH JANUARY 1
Maine Educational Assessment Test Results
The Maine Education Assessment (MEA) test results were received earlier this fall. Each parent received their own child’s score, for students who took the assessment last spring in grades 3, 4 and 5.
The MEA is an assessment for all of Maine’s public schools and assesses students on their competency of Common Core skills and knowledge. State testing is best used to look at trends over two or three years. Policy makers use this information to make decisions about programming. Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 took this test (12-15 hours of testing in the spring of 2019). The big picture results of this data, and how we compared to the State of Maine and Portland Public Schools, are displayed here. OAES is at or above the percentage of students meeting standards compared to Maine or other Portland Public Schools. Compared to 2018, this year, OAES students grew two percentage points in literacy and four in math.
On-Going Work in Literacy, Reading and Writing
Our increased rigor in reading instruction, including interpreting themes and making connections to the text. Another focus in the upper elementary is to analyze parts of the story in relation to the whole.
Strong transdisciplinary units helping students make connections. We have embedded the reading and writing instruction into most of our International Baccalaureate work. This helps our students understand the skills we are teaching in a real world context.
The fidelity of using the reading and writing programs. Our teachers have used both of these programs for several years at each grade level, kindergarten through fifth grade. Both our teachers and students know the format and language of instruction. Each grade level team makes decisions on how to support students stretching to grade level and those students above grade level. We are committed to helping students grow at least one grade level, each year, no matter the starting point.
K-2 Implementation of Phonics (Kindergarten-Year 2 of implementing Jolly Phonics, Grades 1 & 2-Year 1 of implementing Lively Letters and Units of Study in Phonics). The goal for these phonics programs is to deliver explicit, systematic phonics instruction for all students, with opportunities to integrate phonics into their reading and writing.
We have strongly focused on math instruction in our school success plan. Our entire plan can be found on our school webpage. Here are some highlights of what we are doing differently this school year to increase teacher understanding of a variety of strategies to support all students and make growth:
Individual teachers and grade level teams working with our math coach throughout the school year. This work is focused on instructional techniques and how to differentiate the learning so that all students can access the math lessons.
OAES has professional development time devoted to this work for teachers to work and learn together.
Number Talks, Counting Collections, and Choral Counts becoming part of regular classroom routines.
Interventions for students working below grade-level. This allows additional instruction for students at their “just right” level of learning. We are using several programs to accomplish this strategy (Fasttmath, Pearson enVision, Do The Math).
Three years ago, we increased time on task in mathematics to 75 minutes a day in grades 2-5 devoted to math instruction. This is up from 60 minutes per day.
We now have two math interventionist ed techs working with students. The focus is with students who are not achieving grade level standards.
Over the last few years, Ocean Avenue staff has been focused on helping students develop a Growth Mindset. We all have times where our mindsets are Fixed and times when we know we can grow. When we approach a new task, having a Growth Mindset allows us to focus on learning and how to improve. While having a Fixed Mindset gets us stuck when the new task is not easy at first. Our students will lose the idea that they are ”not good at math”, and embrace the power of “yet”. Students knowing, they can learn with effort and persistence: approaching math skills as they would basketball skills or learning to ride a bike. Students’ math skills and the processes used to solve problems are emphasized, rather than being the first to get the “right answer.”
We are supporting students in developing an inquiry relationship with mathematics, approaching math with curiosity, courage, and confidence. This means having students and adults talking about math and asking questions:
Why did I choose this method for solving the problem?
Does this method work in other cases?
How is this method compare or contrast to the method other people used?
Can you draw a model or diagram to represent the problem?
Does the answer make sense? How do you know?
Can you explain how you solved this problem? How did you start?
We know that math is a learned set of skills, and everyone can do well in math. We are celebrating mistakes. Mistakes happen when the work is challenging. When the work is easy, we are not learning. Mistakes are productive.
The research into Growth Mindset is striking. Studies looking at students, elementary through graduate school, show that having a mindset of growth increases achievement. The students with the sharpest increases are girls and African American students. Shifting our students from a Fixed Mindset to a Growth Mindset can help us shrink the achievement gap.
How Parents Can Help
Here are some examples of how to help children in your life develop growth mindset for math:
- Model your own growth mindset for math in sharing a time you found math challenging and what you did to learn the new skill. “We can learn this together.” “I can grow my math brain.”
- Support your family to notice when using math in real life: patterns, miles traveled, elapsed time (after we play for an hour at the park what time will it be?, cooking measurements, comparing nutrition labels, comparing prices on shoes or estimating the cost after the 30% off sale, Tom Brady’s career stats vs. this week’s game stats, the relationship of Sony Michel's rushing yards to touchdowns, etc.
CLASSROOM NEWS AND HAPPENINGS
Third Grade News
Boston Museum of Science Traveled to 3rd Grade Again!
This presentation included demonstrations and experiments to explore how motion is a form of energy and how we can use forces to change an object’s motion. We used the energy stored in a bungee cord to launch a student-ridden cart across the room, transfer the energy from a leaf blower to hover a student, and used student energy and force to lift Ms. Vaznis using a giant lever.
Wishtree
Our Wishtree is full of wishes, hopes, and dreams! Thank you to all those who added to our Wishtree! As the story unfolds I will add another updated photo with the word "STAY" hung from all over the tree. Ask your student what it means!
Second Step: Empathy
Reading Log Minutes
We are almost to 5,000 minutes! Keep working those reading muscles! :)
Reading to Learn
Number Talk
The Art of Information
Fourth Grade News
Recently the fourth graders have been writing opinion essays. We began by writing claims, or thesis statements. Students have a wide range of opinions on topics from "homework should be mandatory" to "where people should live". Ask your fourth grader about his/her thesis statement!
In mathematics, students are working to master two digit by two digit multiplication! Exploring word problems and manipulatives have been rewarding! Do not fear teaching your child how to multiply and/or divide the way you learned in school. We call that "traditional algorithm".
Art Room News
- Kindergarten has been studying Henri Matisse and his paper cut outs with organic shapes. They made underwater seascapes using crayons and oil pastels, and are now creating collages with geometric and organic shapes.
- 1st grade finished their clay pumpkins and are now creating Matisse inspired collages where they "draw with scissors" using organic shapes. They will soon be making a line wire "quilt."
- 2nd grade artists have been changing 2D shapes into optical illusions of houses and buildings for their dream village/city. They will be creating a watercolor resist with their imaginative 3D homes.
- 3rd grade has begun self-portraits, and will soon be creating a collage that reflects who they are inside and out.
- 4th grade is creating spirit animal self portraits with implied texture and pattern sweaters that reflect Wabanaki culture with Algonkian double curves.
- 5th graders are continuing to create watercolor crystals and gems for their How the World Works unit. They are learning the difference between analogous and complementary colors.
Physical Education News
Students in Physical Education participate in cooperative activities like "Peaks to Portland" and "It's in the Cards" to emphasize fitness concepts.
Cold Weather Reminders
Snow Reminder Procedures
Dear Ocean Avenue Elementary School Families,
Winter isn’t here yet, but we’ve already had a major storm this fall that toppled trees and cut power to a few of our schools, causing them to close and our other schools to have a delayed start. It’s definitely the time of year to remind everyone about our “snow day” policy and how such decisions get made.
In the past, when school has been delayed instead of canceled due to weather, we have been limited to one-hour delays instead of the two-hour delays other districts have. That’s because of the difficulty of meshing bus and ferry schedules for our island students. However, this year we’re hoping to work out an agreement with the ferry service to address that problem and to be able to institute two-hour delays. I will keep everyone informed as we know more.
If bad weather is predicted, I typically decide whether to cancel or delay school very early in the morning. I don’t make my decision in isolation – it’s based on weather forecasts and my consultations with school and city transportation stall and area school superintendents.
Here’s a typical scenario of how we handle a predicted morning snowstorm:
Before the storm arrives, we begin planning with the city’s Winter Operations Team to check the forecast and review plans and priorities. District facilities staff members generally represent the district at these meetings. School needs are weighed along with other city department needs in determining priorities for crews.
In the early morning hours, district transportation staff members travel city roads to determine the ability of our buses to transport students safely. They look at the state of roads as well as the general access to student pick-up points. They also consider the time it will take to clear snow and ice off our buses and warm them up.
At around 4 a.m., our facilities staff checks in with the city on its progress and otherwise gathers information from various sources, including our school custodians, SeaBreeze (our plowing contractor), METRO (which transports our high school students) and the weather station in Gray.
At 4:30 a.m., they contact me to brief me on their assessment of conditions and make a recommendation. I talk to superintendents in our region to understand what they are thinking. We assess our situations separately, but it helps each of us to understand the variability of the conditions, especially at the perimeters of our attendance area. I use all the information given to try to determine whether it’s safe for our students and staff to attend school that day.
If we are going to cancel or delay school, our goal is to make the decision by 5 a.m. That gives parents time to make alternate childcare arrangements. It also gives our transportation and food service staff time to stand down if we are not having school. In addition, the early notice helps staff who have long commutes know whether to come in or not.
We notify our families and staff about school delays and cancelations in a variety of ways. We send out robocalls, texts and emails. We also notify local television channels to put us on their “schools closings” list for that day. In addition, we post notices on the district’s website; on the district’s television cable channel, Channel 1302; and on Facebook and Twitter. We try to complete these notifications between 5:30 AM and 5:45 AM.
I wish I could say that I always make the right call on snow days, but sometimes a storm turns out to be worse than predicted. Conversely, sometimes the sun comes out shortly after school is canceled and the snow vanishes from roads and sidewalks.
Please bear in mind that we don’t always make the same snow day decisions as surrounding districts. That’s because we are Maine’s largest school district in the state’s largest city. The transportation logistics in our urban district for our 6,750 students are different from those in surrounding communities. For example, we sometimes have to cancel school the day after a big storm, when other school districts are open. The streets in Portland may be plowed, but sidewalks aren’t yet clear, making it too difficult for our students who walk to school.
When it comes to sidewalks, our focus is on whether they are passable, not slip-free. As we all know, melting and refreezing is a fact of life in Maine in the winter, and sidewalks can be slippery throughout the season, so students should always use caution. The city clears downtown sidewalks but city policy states that commercial and residential property owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks in most of the city within set periods of time after a storm. Learn more at the city’s Winter Operations page. You also can call the city’s Sidewalk Hotline at 207-874-8793 to report unplowed sidewalks. You can view the city’s 2019 sidewalk plow maps here.
We will always try to make the best decision on whether to delay or cancel school, but parents should do what they think best for their children. Even if we have not canceled or delayed school, if you do not feel it is safe to commute, please contact your school office to let them know your child will not be in school due to the weather. It will be recorded as a parent-excused absence.
Many students celebrate snow days, but we know they can create childcare challenges for parents and are disruptive to student learning. Still, snow days are a part of life in Maine, and we will continue to make decisions about them carefully and with the welfare of our students foremost in mind.
Sincerely,
Xavier Botana, Superintendent
Snowpants, Jackets, Boots, and More -- DONATIONS NEEDED!
When cleaning out your closets, please think of us if you have any of these gently used or new items to donate. Our students thank you for your generosity!
Lost and Found
Morning Drop Off Reminder!
Students should NOT be dropped off at school before 8:15 AM, unless it is pre-planned or they are attending before school clubs or Morning Rec.
Vegan Food Tasting at OAES!
Cultivating Community and FoodCorps have partnered with our cafeteria to run taste tests of the new vegan lunch options throughout the school year. Students have the opportunity to taste a sample and give feedback.
The next taste test is happening TODAY - Wednesday, December 18th and we are tasting tofu with orange sauce, another new lunch item that is vegan and high in protein. Vegan means there is no meat, eggs, or dairy. This is more inclusive of students who have allergies or other dietary restrictions. Protein keeps our students full and ready to learn all day. Students will have the opportunity to try a sample in addition to their school or home lunch. Please encourage your students to participate and share their feedback.
Orange Sauce Ingredient List:
- Sugar
- Vinegar
- Water
- Soy Sauce
- Modified food starch
- Mushroom soy sauce (water, soy beans, sugar, salt, wheat flour)
- Orange juice concentrate
- Citric acid
- Xanthan gum
- Spice
- Dried garlic
- Contains: Soy and Wheat
Food Bags
If your student is not receiving a white bag and you would like them to start receiving one, please contact the Main Office and we will make sure you are added to the list. Thank you!
Shop with a Cop
CLYNK FOR SCHOOLS RECYCLING CHALLENGE ~ JANUARY 14-MARCH 14
- First Prize: $1,500
- Second Prize: $1,000
- Third Prize: $500
It's never too early to start saving those cans and bottles!
Spring Ocean Avenue Potluck Planning
The English Learner (EL) Teachers at Ocean Avenue Elementary are planning for OA's Potluck in the spring. We are looking for suggestions about entertainment. Do you know a performer(s) who might be interested in performing or have you seen an act we should consider? Do you know a local restaurant or food vendor that might want to contribute?
Please contact a member of the EL team or the Main Office with your ideas/suggestions.
Thank you!
Healthy Foods for In-School Celebrations
Dear Families,
We love to celebrate! Birthday parties and holidays provide a perfect opportunity to role model how to celebrate with activity and play! As a part of our efforts towards health and wellness, we are committed to hosting non-food celebrations.
We know it’s important to honor a birthday. Please do not send in a sugary treat for your child’s birthday. Let’s celebrate their special day in a different way.
Ideas to consider:
- Dance Party: Send in your child’s favorite music and we’ll lead the class in a fun, active dance party in honor of their birthday.
- Birthday Library: Donate your child’s favorite book to the classroom library. We’ll read it together and all the children can sign (or stamp) it.
- Games or Crafts: Arrange with us in advance to bring in a game or craft to be completed in honor of your child.
Our efforts are supported by Let’s Go!, a program of The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center. Let’s Go! works where children and families live, learn, work, and play to help make the healthy choice the easy choice. Let’s Go! encourages families to adopt the 5-2-1-0 message:
- 5 OR MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
- 2 HOURS OR LESS OF RECREATIONAL SCREEN TIME
- 1 HOUR OR MORE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
- O SUGARY DRINKS, MORE WATER
For more information about Let’s Go!, visit www.letsgo.org. Thank you for joining our commitment to healthy kids!
News from the PTO
JOIN US AT THE JANUARY PTO MEETING!
Tuesday, January 14 at 6 PM
Ocean Avenue Elementary School Library
We hope to see you there!
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ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR OCEAN AVENUE SCHOOL?
WE ARE TOO.
Turn that thankful feeling into support for the PTO as we enter our big fundraising season. Here's information on our next big fundraiser:
SAVE THE DATE ~ OAES Auction - February 8, 2020
- The Annual OAES PTO Auction will be held on Saturday, February 8th, 2020. You don't want to miss this event! Live music, potluck, donation bar, silent and live auction, and...it's FREE! It's a great way to support Ocean Avenue and have a fun night out with friends.
Interested in helping out? Sign up here or contact Victoria at president@oapto.org.
Thank you to everyone who volunteered this past weekend at the Designing Women fundraiser. We appreciate your support, as always!