Orlando Science High School
issue 2
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: August 20, 2021
Principal's Corner
Greetings Orcas,
As we close out our second week of the 2021-2022 school year I would like to share with you some procedures updates we have made to ensure our students remain as healthy and safe as possible while we navigate the ongoing situation of COVID-19.
At this time, our administrative team is focused on developing a system which will allow our instructors to offer live instruction for quarantined students. This is a priority item and we hope to have details ready to share with you very soon. In the meantime, our instructors will continue to offer access to daily assignments through Microsoft Teams and OSS Connect.
Additionally, the school has implemented several measures to reduce/prevent transmission of COVID-19. These include:
- Lunch Period Modifications: Schedules were modified at the high school to include three lunch rotations instead of the original two to reduce the number of students in the cafeteria. The indoor seating arrangements at both campuses have been modified to increase social distancing and contact tracing.
Additional seating is being added outside to allow for increased distancing during these lunch periods. Donations are currently being accepted to assist in the purchase of 25 outside lunch tables for our Lynx campus and 25 for our high school campus.
- Class Dismissal: Classes are being dismissed from the cafeteria earlier in the morning to reduce the amount of students congregating in that area prior to the start of the school day. Students are also being dismissed from classrooms during both dismissal periods to reduce any overcrowding which may occur in the hallways.
- Transmission Reduction: Hand Sanitizer is available all throughout the school and students are encouraged to use it. Even though our HVAC systems have been upgraded, as an additional layer, air purifiers are being placed in classrooms as donations are received. The goal is to obtain roughly 40 purifiers for our Lynx campus and an additional 40 for our high school campus.
- Seating Charts: Students are being asked to sit in the same location in class as well as during lunch in order to simplify our contact tracing procedure.
We will continue to make adjustments to our processes as necessary to adhere to local, state, and federal guidance as well as requests from our families, wherever feasible.
While we may not be able to satisfy all requests, we welcome all feedback and suggestions. They are appreciated and valued as they give us insight into the preferences of our school community. Please reach out if you would like to donate as we work toward purchasing additional outdoor lunch tables and air purifiers.
I cannot begin to thank you all enough for your ongoing patience, support, and understanding as we do our best to serve our students, staff, and families. We couldn’t do this without you and will continue to work toward making this a wonderful school year.
Dr. Yalcin Akin
Executive Director/Principal
Orlando Science School – Middle/High
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Virtual Curriculum Night 2021
Thank you parents who submitted responses to our Curriculum Night Survey. A vast majority of our families prefer a virtual Curriculum Night therefore, the 2021 Curriculum Night will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. We hope to be able to offer an in person, on campus Curriculum Night on a future date.
important student drop off and pick up reminders
drop off
pick up
sideline spirit store
Exciting news ORCAs!
OSS now has its own Spirit Wear store!
**Please note the following:**
- Some Sideline polos and shirts on the site are only being printed with a round OSS logo. Our official school uniform polo, sold by Risse Brothers, is the official school uniform.
- Sideline polos and shirts may only be worn on Fridays as a spirit shirt, during gym class, or on other dress-down days designated by administration. Sideline polos and shirts cannot be worn as a replacement of the Risse Brothers official polo uniform shirts.
- Any sports shorts or pants are to be worn in gym class only.
- Sideline hoodies, jackets, and sweatshirts may only be worn over the official Risse Brothers school uniform polo.
- If students do not act responsibly with the new spirit wear we reserve the right to ask them to discontinue the use of the school spirit wear. No refunds will be provided by OSS.
- All Dress Code requirements apply to Spirit items sold by Sideline. No refunds will be provided by OSS for items that are in violation of the School Dress Code or otherwise.
- For information on Sideline's return and exchange policy please visit Orlando Science Schools Orcas Apparel - Orlando, Florida - Sideline Store - BSN Sports
moment of silence
Dear Parent/Guardian,
In accordance with Section 1003.45, Florida Statutes, Orlando Science School will observe a moment of silence each school day this year. This moment of silence will occur during first period or at the beginning of the day.
In accordance with the statute, the school will not make suggestions as to the nature of any reflection in which a student may engage during the moment of silence. Families are encouraged to discuss the moment of silence with their child(ren) and to make suggestions as to the best use of this time.
Please contact your child’s school with any questions about the moment of silence. We thank you for being our partner in education.
mask mandate and opt-out option
To opt-out of the mask mandate for your student, simply send a note with your student on the first day of school such as: "I am opting out of the face mask requirement for (Child's Name)" and sign the note. Please send a separate note for each student if you have more than one attending Orlando Science School. The student may give the note to their homeroom teacher. Parents may opt back in at any time by sending their student to school with a mask.
We will continue to keep you updated as we and OCPS monitor the situation over the next 30 days.
Thank you for your cooperation!
Sources:
Superintendent Barbara Jenkins Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/SuptJenkins/status/1423764799524163590
OCPS Back-to-School FAQs (COVID-19 Safety): https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSKu1N1jICuAqu9aly38tS1uSeUhZgXkw0WUlraNBE1vRa6o-CRGkPKQ0tzanqR-qsnKvOvYHp5GGQq/pub
Department of Health Notice of Emergency Rule: https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/8.6.21-DOH-Rule.pdf
free and reduced lunch application
- The names and incomes of every member of your household
- The school, grade, birthdate of every student in your household
- Your social security number and electronic signature
- (Optional) A valid email address or phone number for district communication about the status of the application.
august lunch menu
high school picture day: August 25th
Mark your calendars and look your best for the upcoming picture day on Wednesday, August 25th. Ordering information and flyers will come home with students soon. Online ordering will also be available using the picture day ID code below.
On campus dual enrolled students will need to wear an OSS uniform shirt for their pictures.
important message from Lifetouch
A Note from Lifetouch,
In addition to providing quality school photography and world class yearbook products, Lifetouch is one of the largest providers of student identification cards in the state of Florida and across the United States. This letter is to alert you to a change in Florida law, State Bill 590, affecting student identification cards, effective July 1, 2021. The new law states beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, any student identification card issued by a public school to students in grades 6 through 12 must include the telephone numbers for national or statewide crisis and suicide hotlines and text lines.
Lifetouch has taken the steps necessary to assist our Florida schools to create student identification cards that include required identification card information. However, it is the school’s responsibility to ensure the accuracy of the information and to verify it follows state and local regulations. For more information on the specific requirements brought about by this new law, please contact your school’s district office. To understand the capabilities now available with Lifetouch student identification products, to meet the requirements of the new legislation in Florida, please contact your local Lifetouch representative.
robotics informational meeting
There has been a change in the format of the 2021 Robotics Informational Meeting. It will no longer take place in person at the high school campus. The Zoom link for the virtual meeting will be shared in the Friday, August 27th newsletter.
FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC)
Teams of about 10 students build small 18-inch robots to play heads on sports-like games against other teams. Volunteers & parents are needed to form teams and run meetings (at least 2 volunteers per team). Teams meet afterschool or on Saturdays from 4 to 10 hours a week (schedule TBD).
FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)
A team of about 10 to 30 students build a 120 lb. robot in about 6 weeks to play a competitive sports-style game. The team meets from 10 to 20 hours a week after school and on Saturdays (schedule TBD).
High School Open House Information
If you were unable to attend Open House, or if you would like the information shared at Open House, you can now view the recorded message below. This recording includes more details and updates from OCPS as well.
orca accolades
published author: Sheel T.
We are excited to share that Sheel T., an OSS high school senior, is a published author! He has written and illustrated a children’s book, “Neuroscience and Mental Health: The Basics,” for grades 4 and up. He has a passion for educating the leaders of tomorrow about important topics like spreading kindness and mental well-being. Through his book, he aims to inspire students to prioritize their mental health and also expose them to aspects of neuroscience. We are proud of his work and dedication to the future of STEM education. Go Orcas!
Counseling Corner
8/20/2021
Hello and Welcome to Counseling Corner!
My name is Ms. Perez and I am the School Mental Health Counselor for Orlando Science Middle/High School. I serve all students in grades 6-12 and this is the start of my 4th year with Orlando Science in this role. I wanted to take the time to introduce myself and share all the things you’d need to know about how I support our students and your families.
My first and main priority is our students’ mental health. I meet with students to help them with issues ranging from anxiety, depression, anger management, and interpersonal conflicts, to time management, mindfulness practice, coping skills, and stress management.
I meet with students during the school day and a meeting can last anywhere from 30-50 minutes depending on the presenting issue that is brought to me. Students can request meetings with me from my OSS Connect page which they all have access to on their dashboard, although it is under construction as we speak and will be up soon. Parents/Guardians can request meetings with me via email.
My schedule is as follows:
Mondays & Wednesdays – Lynx Campus (Middle School)
Tuesdays & Thursdays – Tech Campus (High School)
Fridays – Alternating Campuses (for example, Aug. 13th – Lynx, Aug. 20th- Tech, etc.)
Because I serve both campuses throughout the week, the best way for a parent/guardian to schedule time with me is via email (Felicia.Perez@orlandoscience.org).
Some fun facts about me:
I’ve met 5 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates! Don’t be shy, ask me how…
I’ve read 44 books so far in 2021 and will be sponsoring the Good Book Club this year.
I attended Schools for the Performing Arts for both middle and high school. My major was dance!
My birthday is this Sunday 😊
Thanks for taking your time to read this introduction. If there’s anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m always happy to help!
Wishing You All The Best,
Ms. Perez
Ms. Perez' quote of the day
Exceptional Student Education and Assessments
Does your child have an IEP or 504 and receive extra time on tests?
Students who receive accommodations on statewide standardized assessments, such as the FSA, may be eligible to receive accommodations on college entrance assessments. These tests include Advanced Placement, SAT, and ACT exams. There is a separate application process where eligibility is determined by the testing company (not OSS or OCPS).
If your child already receives accommodations on statewide assessments, it is highly recommended that you give permission for OSS to submit an accommodation request for these competitive tests. This is not an automatic process. You must notify the school if you would like an application for accommodations to be submitted on behalf of the student.
To make a request, please email the ESE Coordinator, Mrs. Cervantes at Teresa.Cervantes@orlandoscience.org with the following information:
· Full name of the student
· Assessments the student will be taking (AP Exams, SAT, and/or ACT)
More information about accommodations and eligibility can be found at the following links:
orbit's character corner
moral
"Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing wonder and awe: the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me." - Immanuel Kant
college and career corner
Community Service forms
11th and 12th graders only
Exploring Educational Excellence Coming to a Zoom Near You!
Join Brown, UChicago, Columbia, Cornell and Rice for a virtual information session for prospective students and their families. Sessions include a brief overview of each institution, information on admissions and financial aid, and a chance to ask questions of admissions representatives. You must register to attend. We look forward to meeting you this fall!
In addition to the programming provided for students and their families, the EEE partner schools also host counselor events. In these sessions, local school and community-based organization counselors learn about the individual institutions and have an opportunity to ask questions of the admissions representatives.
Please register for the virtual event that best suits your schedule.
parent resources
Parent skyward access
oss connect parent access
All OSS Middle High parents can create an OSS Connect account to view their students' academic progress, attendance, discipline, upcoming events and more. Multiple students can be added under one parent account for an easy access. Each student has a unique "Parent Access Code". Please use this code to add each of your students.
- Go to the following URL https://ossconnect.orlandoscience.org/radix/portal/signup/index.php
- Enter the parent access code, birth date of the student this code belongs to, Student ID (if asked) and your relationship to the student.
- If the information is correct, you will be redirected to a page where you can see your student's name. If this is your student, click continue, if not, click cancel and contact the school.
- After the verification is completed, you will be redirected to registration page. On this page, you will create a new parent account by providing the information requested and selecting a password for your account. Click on "Create my new account" when done.
- You will receive a confirmation email that contains a link to click to complete account creation. Once you click on the link in confirmation email, you will be directed to the site and your account will be ready to use.
- Once you logged in to the site, you can add another student by clicking on the "Add new student" link located on your dashboard.
OSS APP available for download
Orlando Science Middle/High has a new mobile app! It is currently available in the App Store® and in Google Play®. You can download the app for free, for access to our school's news, calendars, volunteer opportunities, push notifications and much more!
Download for Free - visit your tablet or smartphone's storefront and search for "Orlando Science Schools"
- For Android, visit Google Play
- For Apple iOS, visit the and App Store or iTunes
If you have any questions or feedback please email info@orlandoscience.org.
PVO and Volunteering
MIDDLE HIGH PARENT VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION (PVO) REGISTRATION
Membership is $25 per family for returning families and $30 for new families. Your membership dues go directly back into the school to provide items and supplies for our teachers. Please use the School Pay link to pay dues upon registration.
We are also asking that PVO members work with specific committees (School Improvement, Fundraising, Volunteer Work, Teacher Appreciation, Events, Etc.) See below for opportunities to get involved.
If you have questions, comments, or requests, you may email Orlando Science PVO at PVO.HSCampus@orlandoscience.org (for the High School) or PVO.LynxCampus@orlandoscience.org (for the Lynx Campus).
The PVO will hold meetings once a month that will inform parents of progress, agendas, and upcoming events. Meetings will be held on campus or Via Zoom and will be done in mornings and/or evenings to accommodate everyone.
We are so excited to connect with our families and create a wonderful environment on and off campus!
OSS High School 2021-2022 Handbook
SEE THE IMPORTANT MESSAGE BELOW REGARDING FORTIFY FLORIDA:
Any student, educator, parent or member of the public can report school safety concerns directly to law enforcement and school administrators anonymously and easily through the FortifyFL app or www.getfortifyfl.com. The Florida Legislature directed this tool’s development in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.
The app, which is available for download on Apple and Android mobile devices, is critical to ensuring all Florida schools are safe environments where students and educators can experience and share the joy of learning without fear.
We hope that you will become familiar with this tool and help us spread the word about it with your students and their families. Please note that the official app’s logo will look exactly as it does in the graphic above.
2021-2022 tutoring schedule
become familiar with the 30/30 Rule for bad weather dismissal procedures
What is the 30/30 Rule?
The “30/30 Rule" is a Delayed Dismissal Weather procedure that the nationally recognized. It is required that the “30/30 Rule” be enacted by the school if thunder is heard within 30 seconds of a lightning strike. Orlando Science Middle/High follows this rule.
When 30/30 Rule is implemented, students will not be dismissed until 30 minutes has passed from the last sound of thunder. However, parents/guardians who wish to pick up their child/children during delayed dismissal, will be allowed to sign out their child/children at the cafeteria or front office.
In order to pick up your student(s) from the cafeteria or front office during this procedure, parents/guardians must bring their dismissal sign to the front door of the school to sign their child/children out. If you do not have a dismissal sign, you will need to provide a picture ID and be on the school pick-up list to pick-up the child/children. Bus riders will be delivered home when conditions are all safe for dismissal.
An automated telephone and/or email message will be used to notify parents/guardians about delayed dismissals. Always be sure to update the school when your phone or email information changes. Thank you for your cooperation on our students’ safety.
easy ways to give back to oss middle high
Box Tops 2021
Amazon Smile
AmazonSmile donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Orlando Science Schools via Discovery Education Services, Inc. whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.
Office Depot
Office Depot provides the school with 5% back in credits for FREE supplies when you make a purchase of qualifying school supplies. Simply provide the school ID at checkout.
OSES School Code: 70228302
OSS School Code: 70218341
OSHS Bell Schedule 2021-2022
OSS report card and Parent TEacher Conference (PTC) schedule
Orange County 2020-2021 School Calendar
all OSS campus Newsletters
ORLANDO SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS
Website: http://orlandoscience.org/highschool/
Location: 2600 Technology Drive, Orlando, FL, USA
Phone: (407)299-6595
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orlandoscience/
Twitter: @OrlandoSciMH