The Owl Newsletter
OTTO PETERSEN ELEMENTARY
"I am my own muse. I am the subject I know best. The subject I want to better."
-Frieda Khalo
Frieda Khalo is not only one of my favorite artists of all time, she is an important Mexican figure in history. Her life held so much pain, but through it she found beauty and renewal. As the seasons are changing, and the days are getting shorter, I like to look inward and appreciate the person I know best. To be your own muse is to love yourself through the pain of everyday life, and the darkness of the coming winter.
I love the age range of students we have here at Otto Petersen because our students are on the development cusp of understanding and defining who they are. It is so exciting to see how they change their likes and dislikes, friend groups, and interests in extracurricular activities. As parents and family members, set aside some time each day to talk about who they are at this moment. My advice would be to journal about it, so that you have a record of the incredible transformation that they are in the middle of.
Your children are wonderful human beings, and this age is so fleeting. Enjoy and cherish it!
~Principal Ticer
SMS Girls are District Champs!
Tuesday, October 31st - Halloween
Friday, November 3rd- Teacher Grading Day NO SCHOOL
November 8th, 9th- Conferences NO SCHOOL
Friday, November 10th- Veteran's Day NO SCHOOL
November 20th-24th- Thanksgiving Holiday Break NO SCHOOL
Tardies Are on the Rise
Our data is showing us that our tardies are on the rise. Last week, we had 54 tardies. Please plan accordingly in the morning and make sure that your student gets to school on time, if they are not riding the bus.
If we have 30 or less tardies over the next week, we will allow the students to have a tech day next Friday.
Attention OPE Families,
It’s that time of year again! OPPO is selling MO’s clam chowder!
Sales will run until November 6th! We will have a drive-through pick up November 16-17th 3:00-6:00!
The grade that sells the most will earn an autumn-themed recess with cider and a treat! Top-selling students will earn a DQ gift card!
The next meeting is November 14th, 4:00 pm
Contact Chelsea ottopetersenpresident@gmail.com
Hello fellow readers!
It is the most wonderful time of the school year; OBOB TIME! If you have time, click here to watch the promo video. The Oregon Battle of the Books, or OBOB, is a statewide voluntary reading program in which students in 3rd through 12th grade, regardless of ability, are exposed to literature representing a variety of literary styles and viewpoints. The main goal of the program is to encourage and recognize students who enjoy reading, to broaden reading interests, to increase reading comprehension, promote academic excellence, and to teamwork among students.
Students were sent home with OBOB forms so that they may form teams, review the book lists with their families, and discuss any books that may challenge their family’s beliefs and values. Students do not need to read all sixteen books on the OBOB list in order to participate in battles. If you have questions about the forms, you may watch a video about them by clicking here.
Any student may participate in this after school program, the main challenge is acquiring enough coaches to help out teams. Please think about volunteering to help your student’s team so that they may enjoy a successful OBOB season. Here is the link to the district’s background check form for you to submit at your earliest convenience.
Below are some links to help you find some information about OBOB as well as find copies of the forms that were send home. If you are thinking about coaching, I highly recommend checking out the Cedar Mill Public Library page as well as OBOB’s home page. If you have questions about the books, try using Common Sense Media to see what information may be available about the content of each book. You may also click here to check out the book trailers that people have created and posted on YouTube.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email myself or your child’s homeroom teacher for more information.
Happy Reading!
Allyson Richard
4th Grade Teacher
Otto Petersen Elementary
Scappoose, OR
971-200-8003
arichard@scappoose.k12.or.us
Finding Balance and Data Privacy!
IN THE LIBRARY THIS WEEK: We learned about finding balance with screen life and real life and we learned ways to keep our information safe online–the kids shared great plans to keep their screen time and people/play time balanced, and they shared great strategies to keep themselves safe online. They showed me they are well on their way to being great digital citizens! Here are a few resources you can use at home to keep the learning going:
Family Engagement Toolkit: https://www.commonsense.org/education/toolkit/family-engagement-resources
Student Activities: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NpQN-kOT50YtOwoUO6ADKHm9XaUIj7lA?usp=share_link
Family Activities: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KL5uRgToY0q9ZmxAtO3Awys9YZ1WrKRH?usp=share_link
OUR VOLUNTEERS ROCK!!: I am so grateful for all our volunteers–the participation in the library this year is amazing and it is truly benefitting our kids SO much–THANK YOU!
Happy Reading!! ~ Mrs. Nudo
Safety in the Parking Lot
Please always stop at the stop sign that is at the crosswalk.
Pull all the way forward when dropping off your student. Do not block the bus entrance area.
Drive slow, be aware, and follow the safety signs that are available.
Make-Up Work Policy
At Otto Petersen, it has been determined, through parent and faculty meetings, that homework, outside of nightly reading, some small projects, and unfinished work from the classroom, is not developmentally appropriate for students in grades 4-6.
Attendance is incredibly important because missed classroom content will impact student achievement levels. We understand that sometimes students will miss classroom content due to illness or planned absences. In this case, parents may request work that was missed. Please see the following processes, procedures, and expectations:
The parent needs to email the teacher directly with the request for make-up work.
The classroom teacher will acknowledge that they received the request for make-up work within 24 hours of receiving the request.
The teacher will have at least 24 hours to gather make-up materials to be sent home.
Should the teacher need more time to prepare due to an extended absence, they will communicate with the parent when the work will be available.
Students will have until the end of the quarter to return the work to the teacher.
Teachers plan and adjust classroom work based on where students are at, how they are understanding the material, and the students' rate of learning. Please understand that if students are excused from school for an extended period of time, including family vacations, our staff will not provide the work for that period ahead of time.
Toys and Blankets Stay at Home
At Otto Petersen, we are focused on academics and being present for the flow of the school day. Therefore, all toys, blankets, and stuffed animals must stay at home.
If your student needs a fidget, we do have them available at school. Students know that they need to use them appropriately, and not like toys. If they become a distraction to the educational process, they will be taken away and stored for use later.
Scappoose Families,
Your district code is 7H5T
So that you are aware, one limitation of the system is that each bus can only have one route assigned. That means that on early release Wednesday, the app will not show the bus. This is a known issue, and the developers are working to resolve the issue.
Firstview has a great customer service team, and they are the ones to contact for support. The district cannot help with any issues during the installation or use of the app.
For questions:
o Visit: https://firstfeedback.com/
o Use the in-app button to provide feedback
Please click the link below to visit the SSD First Student Bus Services webpage. This will provide details on how to download the app and will reiterate the code.
Attendance Reminders & After School Change of Plans
Also, if you have to change your students' after-school plans, please try to do this one hour before students are released so that we have enough time to communicate with teachers and staff.
- Sue MacLachlan: smaclachlan@scappoose.k12.or.us
- Mary McNabb: mmcnabb@scappoose.k12.or.us
- Your child's teacher
We appreciate your support in making sure we know where your students are during the school day. Thank you!
Sign up for Free and Reduced Meals Here
Families,
If you have not completed a free and reduced application, please complete it here https://www.ode.state.or.us/apps/frlapp
Oregon has expanded the free and reduced rules, and many families are eligible who may believe they are not.
Oregon EIG and Federal Income Guidelines can be found here:
https://www.oregon.gov/ode/students-and-family/childnutrition/SNP/Documents/Oregon%20EIG%20incl%20Federal%20Income%20Guidelines.pdf
My MealTime Breakfast and Lunch Accounts
ParentVue Help
Video explanation of this great tool that can help you understand how your student is doing.
ParentVUE is a web portal that allows parents/caregivers to access real-time information related to their student's education progress. Parents can view their student's attendance, grades, assignments, and more. Look for access links on the school and/or district websites. Here is a link to a video explanation of ParentVue developed by a teacher at OPE: ParentVue video
YMCA
After School Enrichment Program
OPE is excited to welcome the YMCA to campus this year. Through a partnership with the City of Scappoose, the YMCA is establishing an after-school program at OPE designed to serve K-6 students from all of the schools. This is a first-come-first-serve program so if you are interested apply right away!Personal Electronic Device Policy
(Cell phones, Smart watches, Earbuds)
As an upper elementary school, O.P.E. will align with the Middle School policy concerning electronic devices. A personal electronic device is defined by the district as any “device capable of electronically communicating, sending, receiving, storing, recording, reproducing and/or displaying information and data.” The new policy will ask that students have their devices “off and away” while on campus. A private warning will be given if a student uses the device while at school. A second infraction will lead to the device being turned into the office for pick-up at the end of the day. Parents will be asked to pick up the device after a third infraction. The school is asking for parent support with this policy as we focus on building a positive learning environment.Here is the testing schedule for the rest of May.