The OIS Tribune
November2023
Dear OIS Students and Families,
Happy November!
As the leaves continue to fall, and the air grows much cooler, we find ourselves entering a season of change and reflection. Together as a team, let’s embrace the arrival of November and ensure all students receive the best education possible, both academically and socially.
While continuing to lead the intermediate school, my leadership has been expanded to PreK-5 principal for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year. These shifts in positions have come with an extreme amount of conversation, thinking, and planning. We realize timing is not ideal however, it is what is best for the system, students, staff, and community.
To ensure a smooth transition and maintain excellent communication, additional support will be teaming with me. Ruth Rautio, a licensed administrator and behavior specialist, will be joining the elementary school community as assistant principal. Ruth comes to us with over 17 years of experience working directly with students and teachers as they mold their behavior, engage with their learning environment, and support their direct needs. Together as a team, we will prioritize the well-being and success of all students and the OES school community as a whole.
We are committed and dedicated to ensuring both buildings have supportive and thriving environments for all students, staff, and families. This expansion of responsibilities is an honor, as the district trusts our leadership abilities to positively impact our youngest learners. Please be assured that this decision has been made with careful consideration and the best interests of our students at heart.
You will find us to be an enthusiastic administrative team with the common goals of nurturing responsible, caring students and promoting high levels of learning. Monday will be filled with fresh beginnings, new opportunities, and the commitment to growth and learning. We are dedicated to ensuring that your child has a safe, supportive, and enriching educational experience every day!
With the utmost respect,
Julie
Each month, teachers at OIS nominate one student as 'Student of the Month." To be nominated, students must display a combination of academic effort, leadership qualities, positive character traits, and be involved in continually demonstrating the OIS expectations: Be Safe - Be Responsible - Be Respectful. Once all nominees are submitted, the entire Intermediate School staff vote for one winner per grade level. We announce each month's winner on the last Friday of the month.
3rd Grade- Clayton Gadach
Nominated by: Ms. Nelson & Ms. Krumm
Clayton is very sweet and kind to all of his friends and teachers. He is always finding new ways on how he can be a helper in the classroom. Clayton is always coming to school ready to learn and with a smile on his face. He is always participating in class and making sure he is doing his best work. Clayton is a great role model for his peers as well making sure he is always following OIS expectations.
Clayton is an exceptional student with a hardworking attitude to always do his best. Not only is he a dedicated student, but he is a caring, empathetic person as well. Clayton loves good competition and is always truthful and honest when it comes to playing games. I am so proud of his hard work and determination. Claytons actions, work, and attitude deserves to be recognized!
4th Grade- Everett Schultz
Nominated by Mrs. Landahl
Everett Schultz is my Student of the Month Nominee for October. Everett is such a sweet, kind and helpful person. He is always there for his friends and cares about everyone. Everett goes above and beyond for others. He follows the school rules. Everett is such a great role model. Way to go Everett!
5th Grade- Malaki O'Regan
Nominated by Mrs. Teig
Malaki has been nominated for his positive attitude, work-ethic, and strong character. He daily puts great effort into his schoolwork. Most importantly, he displays kindness and respect towards others in our school making him a great leader and example for others. Congratulations, Malaki!
3rd Grade
ELA: We are starting Unit 2 which discusses topics regarding voting, immigrating to new places, and different cultural traditions. We will read nonfiction and fiction texts, along with different kinds of poems. This is a fun, interactive unit that encourages participation in the voting process and more. Students will become a voter for a day, and see why their vote matters!
Math: 3rd Graders will be finishing our second unit working with the Order of Operations and Word Problems. After the Unit 2 assessment students will begin Unit 3 working with rounding, place value, adding, and subtracting. Throughout November students will also continue to build multiplication and division fact fluency!
4th Grade
ELA: 4th graders just began Unit 2. In this unit, we will focus on content including animals. We will discuss animal adaptations, animals as characters in stories, and how animals inspire people to write stories. We will learn about these topics through expository non fiction texts, poetry, and drama. This unit is a chance for our 4th graders to read different kinds of texts all on the same topic. We will also begin to start our second writing assignment continuing to write expository essays.
Math: 4th graders are working on Unit 2-Multiplication. They have been learning how to multiply 2-digit by 1-digit and 3-digit by 1-digit. They will continue this unit for the rest of the month. 4th graders will learn how to estimate products and 1-digit by 4-digit. They will compare different strategies to find the products. The kids will practice word problems with multiplication and also work on 2-digit by 2-digit problems. Please keep working on multiplication facts at home.
5th Grade
ELA: 5th graders will be continuing Wonders Unit 2 and will be reading folktales and expository texts. Students will practice finding text evidence to respond to questions and also learn how a plan can help you accomplish a task. In writing, students will synthesize information from three sources to write an expository essay. Later this month, we will head to the Children’s Theater and see a story come to life!
Math: 5th grade students will be completing their unit on multiplying with multi-digit whole and decimal numbers. We will then be moving on to a unit on division with whole numbers and decimals. Students will learn a few different strategies to divide, including the standard long-division algorithm.
Art Class
October has been a busy month in the Art department! Here is a snapshot of what we have been working on and what is coming up next:
3rd Grade
During October, students in third grade learned about collage and contemporary artist Clover Robin. Afterwards, they used painted paper to create a camping collage of their own. They will continue their study of landscapes during the month of November as they create 3D castle sculptures.
4th Grade
Fourth grade finished up a fiber arts unit and created some beautiful woven owls. Students learned important skills like tying knots, following weaving patterns, and persevering through challenges! Up next, students will be learning about American artist Denitza Skorcheva and watercolor techniques.
5th Grade
Fifth grade had an eventful month! They learned about using form and value to make 3D shapes and used oil pastels to create ice cream cones based on the work of artist Wayne Thiebaud. They also learned a variety of painting techniques before painting pumpkins that will be delivered to area nursing homes. In November, they will be starting a unit on hand-building techniques with clay.
Team Building
Throughout the month of October, students have been focusing on why the character trait Responsibility is important for team work. Students have participated in activities and had discussions about how they can practice responsibility within the teams they are a part of in their lives such as their classroom, the student body, and their families. To continue this conversation at home, you can ask your student(s):
1. When completing _______ project/task, what would the responsible thing to do be?
2. How can you build trust with your team in this situation?
3. What might happen if you don't complete your part of the task?
As we move into November and reflect on things to be thankful for, we will be discussing how we can practice gratitude to continue to build strong relationships within the teams we are a part of in our daily lives!
Physical Education
During physical education we are focusing on teamwork and collaboration. Teamwork is an essential aspect of PE at OIS, as it encourages cooperation, collaboration, and the development of social skills. Engaging in team sports and activities teachers our students how to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, respect each other, and work towards common goals. Learning to work as part of a team fosters: cooperation, empathy, leadership, and sportsmanship!
Music
"No matter what your holiday, it's a time to celebrate!"
What a perfect statement for the 2023 Holiday Concert! We are hard at work learning the songs we will be performing for our families and friends on December 21st. Not only will we be singing but we will also be incorporating instruments and dancing. OIS always goes BIG for our concerts and this holiday season will be no different. We can't wait to see everyone and share our gift of music! Get ready for all the fun!
In addition to practicing for the holiday concert, we are continuing to learn about important figures in the world of music. We have already learned about modern composers Lin Manuel Miranda and Alan Menken, classical composers Beethoven, Mozart and Bach, singers Judy Garland and Bing Crosby, lyricist and cultural icon Irving Berlin and acapella group Pentatonix. We will continue building our "squad" all year while learning about careers in music, songwriting, music history and so much more!
3rd Grade
Afton Apple Orchard
All 3rd graders had the opportunity to visit the Afton Apple Orchard on October 31st! A family owned and operated orchard of over 250 acres in the heart of the St. Croix Valley, our 3rd graders had a great experience (even though there was snow on the ground!).
Student Council
Spreading Kindness on Halloween!
A HUGE thank you to Art Teacher, Roxy Neumann for donating over 100 cannon pumpkins to the graduating class of 2031!! Last week, all 5th grade students had the opportunity to paint a pumpkin during art class and student council members delivered them to the following community homes.
- Christian Community Home of Osceola
- Eagle Ridge Senior Living
- Royal Oaks Senior Citizen Center
- Osceola Medical Center
Together, we created positive experiences and memories for everyone by nurturing a school and community connection! Students were given an opportunity to spread kindness on Halloween!
The Intermediate School is thrilled to announce we will be hosting a Veterans Day Tribute Program this year on Friday, November 10th at 9:00 am. We will come together to honor and express our deepest gratitude to the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our great nation. As we begin this new tradition within our community, the program will no longer be held at the middle school, but instead passed along to continue the amazing traditions and honoring of our veterans on this important day.
We have planned an array of activities to commemorate this day. The program will include featured speakers who will share their personal experiences, allowing us to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by our veterans. We will also display exhibits that showcase the history and significance of Veterans Day, creating an atmosphere of appreciation and reverence.
Join us as we come together to honor, remember and express our deepest gratitude to our veterans. We encourage you to invite your friends, family and neighbors to join us as well. We will stand united in honoring those who have served, recognizing their bravery, and expressing our heartfelt appreciation for their sacrifices.
Furthermore, we encourage veterans to consider speaking at our program, sharing personal experiences, or simply participating in the audience as we recognize you on this special day. We invite you to honor a veteran in your life by filling out this form so that their name, picture, and years of service can be recognized at our program and serve as an inspiration for others.
Together, we can ensure that the spirit of Veterans Day lives on throughout the entire year as we inspire future generations to carry out the legacy of our veterans.
From all of us here at OIS, we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming Veterans Day Tribute Program.
Elementary School Planning Information Meetings
Osceola Elementary School Cafeteria
Tuesday, November 7, 2023, 2023
6:30 P.M.
Committee Meeting
Osceola District Office Conference Room
Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 2023
5:00 P.M.
Regular School Board of Education Meeting
Osceola District Office Conference Room
Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 2023
6:30 P.M.
Regular School Board of Education Meeting
Osceola District Office Conference Room
Wednesday, November 29, 2023, 2023
6:30 P.M.
The School District of Osceola has been working for many years to determine a plan to address needs at the aging Osceola Elementary School. In addition to elementary needs, the District has recently been exploring how we can potentially support the growing demands for daycare services in our community.
Results from our Community Survey last fall indicated that the majority of respondents would support a plan to address our aging elementary school. We are at a crossroads to determine if we should update the elementary school, build a new one, or add/remodel our schools to accommodate the learning needs of our current and future students.
As we continue this conversation, we encourage residents to attend and learn more about the three proposed options to address our aging elementary school as well as considerations for how we could provide daycare services to the community.