Otter Outlook
December 7, 2017
In this issue...
A Message from the Principal
Ocee Elementary Strategic Plan Update
Need to Know!
Night of the Arts - Tonight!
Parent Seminar
Ocee Classroom Spelling Bee Results
What's Happening in the Learning Commons?
Ocee Tech Fair Register Now!
Ryan's Resource
From Our PTA
Volunteer for Ocee's Young Author Program
Basket Raffle and Silent Auction
Community News
Soccer Tournament
Jr. Cougar Spring Boys Lacrosse
Reminders
Please Don't Bring in Edible Birthday Treats
Dates to Remember
Dec. 7 - PTA Ocee Spirit Night at Panera, North Point Mall
Dec. 7 - Ocee Night of the Arts 5 p.m. (Chorus performs at 6 p.m.)
Dec. 12 - Ocee Spelling Bee 8 a.m.
Dec. 14 - College Spirit Day
Dec. 14 - Parent Workshop - Problem-Based Learning w/Ann Scott Hanks 7:15 a.m.
Dec. 15 - PTA Executive Committee Meeting
Dec. 19 & 20 - Class Parties
Dec. 21 - Read In/Pajama Day
Dec. 22 - Jan. 7 WINTER HOLIDAYS - NO SCHOOL
A Message from the Principal
Good Afternoon Ocee Families!
We have had another amazing week at Ocee Elementary School, and as the holidays quickly approach, we have been lucky to attend performances by our 4th and 5th grade chorus and will celebrate our Ocee ES Night of the Arts this evening. I am so proud of the progress that our students and teachers have made this year, and events like these provide an opportunity for us to celebrate the year's accomplishments!
I want to remind everyone to keep an eye on the weather in the next few weeks as we are expecting to receive colder temperatures and potential winter precipitation. The FCS Emergency Response Team is keeping us up-to-date, so please monitor the @fultoncoschools, @oceeotters, and @oceeprincipal for updates about any inclement weather. Additionally, please make sure that you are sending our scholars to school in appropriate winter clothing. A few extra layers can make a huge difference during this time of year, so help us keep our Otters healthy by keeping them warm!
I hope everyone has a restful and enjoyable weekend!
Best Regards,
Ryan Moore
Principal & Ocee Parent
Ocee Elementary Strategic Plan Update
The graphic below displays our draft outcomes and initiatives for each of these pillars. In the coming weeks, we will be providing additional information about each of these initiatives and outcomes so you can be better informed about the why behind this strategic plan.
As a way to gather your input, we have created a new email address for you to pose questions and comments about the strategic plan, oceestrategicplan@fultonschools.org. Our school governance council will monitor the input from this account in the coming months to help guide our finalized draft.
We appreciate your support and input on this important process that will provide a clear focus on instruction and supporting all of our stakeholders.
Need to Know
Ocee Night of the Arts - Tonight!
Tonight, Ocee will hold its fifth annual Night of the Arts giving you the chance to see Ocee Chorus’ winter performance as well as a framed art show featuring a piece of art from every student in the school. During this art show, you have the option to purchase your child’s framed artwork and reproductions of his/ her work for $25 each. In addition, there will be 4 free art activities for students to participate in. We look forward to seeing you there!
*Please Note: We are able to take check or cash only in person if you plan to buy your child’s framed work. If you do not wish to buy your child’s artwork framed, artwork will be returned to students after the art show.
Parent Seminar
What does “Problem-Based Learning” mean? How is Ocee implementing ProBL? What does it “feel like” in the classroom? How is it different from what I experienced in school as a child? How does it help my child grow as a scholar?
Come to our next Parent Seminar on December 14 at 7:15 a.m. in room B104 with Miss Hanks to find out answers to these questions. We will discuss what Problem-Based Learning is and isn’t, and you will have a chance to work through several problems using hands-on materials and primary sources.
Ocee Classroom Spelling Bee Results
Ocee is proud to announce the winners and alternates from our classroom spelling bees! Both the winner and alternate from each 4th and 5th grade class will compete next week in our school spelling bee. We congratulate these talented students on their accomplishment, and wish next week’s participants best of luck!
What's Happening in the Learning Commons?
There’s always something going on in the Ocee learning Commons! This week scholars are studying forces and drawing diagrams of roller coasters using Pixie, solving brain based puzzles, and creating and innovating! Come on in!
Ryan's Resource
This week's article dives into three common mistakes that we be making as parents. Although the article focuses on parenting, I believe the three common mistakes have applicability to educators as well. We are all working to provide the best possible education and experience for our children, either as parent, teacher, or both. How we interact and converse with our children is important, and I think this article was a real wake-up call for me about how to avoid some common traps. I hope you find it it as enlightening and helpful!
https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/3-bad-mistakes-even-good-parents-make.html
Sincerely,
Ryan Moore
From Our PTA
VOLUNTEER FOR OCEE'S YOUNG AUTHORS PROGRAM!!
Ocee Elementary PTA sponsors an annual book writing program called YOUNG AUTHORS. This program was developed to promote creative writing by students in all grades. The end product is a hardbound, hand illustrated book written by your child. It provides a wonderful keepsake of the student's writings. Higher level grades, 3rd through 5th, will almost entirely hand write their books. The younger grades, Kindergarten through 2nd, have parent volunteers to help type the children's writings onto labels and place them into the book. This is a fun volunteer activity that really lets you learn about students and their favorite activities both in and out of school. These books become a cherished memento from year to year, and they are a great way to watch your child's writing improve over the years.
Teachers edit the children's writing, so the parent volunteers can type up the entries and place them in the book. Volunteers will receive the book materials and will work on typing the books in the early springtime. Volunteers can work at their own pace and on their own schedule, which makes it a great volunteer opportunity for those who need a project they help with from home. When volunteers split the class's entries up, typing is much faster. Volunteers must have a good working knowledge of the English language as well as proper grammar. A more formal meeting for parent volunteers will take place in February with more specific instructions.
Please let us or your teachers know if you would like to volunteer for this activity.
If you have any questions please contact Marcy Morantz at mdmorantz@comcast.net
or Rose Hussey at rose.hussey@gmail.com
For more information... www.oceepta.com/young-authors
BASKET RAFFLE & SILENT AUCTION DONATIONS ITEMS NEEDED!
We have begun working on our next BIG FAMILY EVENT and FUNDRAISER for January...BINGO NIGHT & RAFFLE BASKETS! We are adding a silent auction this year as well. If you have or know of an organization that would like to donate something, please reach out to Derek Scheidt at 404-593 4754 or derek.scheidt@coldwellbankeratlanta.com
For more information, please visit http://oceepta.com/basket-raffle.
For a donation form, click HERE.
All donated items need to be received by December 31 to prepare them for the baskets and silent auction. Questions? Give Derek Scheidt, VP of Family Events a call! 404-593-4754.
Community News
Soccer Tournament
Johns Creek High School soccer is hosting a 3v3 tournament on Saturday, Jan. 13th at 9am. This soccer tournament is for kids 8U - 14U of all skill levels. Max of 5 players per team (boys, girls or co-ed). Coaches/Parents can register their team at creeksoccer.org. by January 9th.
2018 Jr. Cougar Spring Boys Lacrosse Registration is NOW Open! (2nd-8th Grade)
Registration for the 2018 Spring Season is open now through December 16th. All skill levels are encouraged to join us. Whether you have never held a lacrosse stick or are a seasoned player, come join this exciting sport with us! The season begins mid-late January with the first game at the end of February. Please contact us with any questions or if we can help guide you with information about the league or sport. Contact Don at dehavenlax@gmail.com. REGISTER at www.jrcougarlax.com. Looking forward to your son playing with us!
Reminders
Please Don't Bring in Edible Birthday Treats
Recently, several parents have brought in cupcakes in to celebrate their child's birthday. Please remember that due to concerns about allergic reactions, the School Governance Council and the School Leadership team decided to restrict celebratory birthday treats to either non-food items or non-allergenic treats ordered from our school cafeteria beginning in this school year. Please remember when you are planning for your child’s birthday at school to send in simple non-food items (i.e., decorated pencils or stickers) or order one of the treats that our cafeteria can provide which do not contain nuts and are not made on shared-equipment. Thank you for your support as we do all we can to ensure the safety of our children.
If parents or students bring birthday treats into the school, we will send them back home for your child to enjoy with friends and family outside of school hours.
Outstanding Character Educational Excellence
Ryan Moore, Principal @oceeprincipal
Jennifer Rosenthall, AP
Shannan LaPorte, CST
Anna Aronowitz, Counselor
Email: fowlerjj@fultonschools.org
Website: www.oceeotters.com
Location: 4375 Kimball Bridge Road, Alpharetta, GA, United States
Phone: 470-254-2960
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OceeElementary
Twitter: @oceeotters