Otter Outlook
February 15, 2018
In this issue...
A Message from the Principal
Ocee Elementary School Governance Council Elections Open!!!
Ocee Elementary Strategic Plan Update
Need to Know!
Ryan's Resource
Complete the Georgia Parent Survey!
Ocee ES Business Partner and Volunteer Luncheon!
From Our PTA
Community News
Computer Science for Girls
AHS Jr. Raider Football
Bowls Chili Cook-off
Jr. Cougar Cheer
Sports, Arena & Entertainment Community Hack-a-thon
Reminders
Family Science Night Returns March 1
Fitnessgram Fitness Assessment
Six Flags Read to Succeed - Don't forget to turn in your logs before Feb. 24
Student Hardship Transfers - Deadline February 28
Snow Day Make-Up Differs From Fulton County
Dates to Remember
Feb. 16 - STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE CLASS
Feb. 19 - STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE CLASS - President's Day
Feb. 20 - 5th AR Period Begins
Feb. 20 - 2nd Grade Book Club - 6 p.m.
Feb. 21 - Deadline to Register for Family Science Night
Feb. 22 - Progress Skills Checklists go home
Feb. 23 - 1st Grade PTA sponsored ScienceX all day in-house field trip
Feb. 23 - 4th Grade Science Fair - parents welcome 10:30 - 11 a.m.
Feb. 23 - PTA Exec Mtg. 8 a.m.
Feb. 27 - Kindergarten Teaching Museum Field Trip
A Message from the Principal
Good Afternoon Ocee Families,
Yesterday, we received news about another horrific shooting in our public schools, this time at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Our hearts and our thoughts go out to the victims and their families, and we stand united with the Broward County Public Schools community.
Media coverage of this tragedy may prompt questions and concerns from your children, and we want to provide resources that may help during these difficult conversations. According to the National Association of School Psychologists, high-profile acts of violence in schools can confuse and frighten students who may feel they, their friends or their loved ones are in danger. They will look to adults for guidance about how to react, and adults can help by talking with them about their fears.
For help with these conversations, please visit this online resource: “Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers.” This printable handout is available in 10 languages. We also encourage you to talk with your school counselors if you need support or see any signs of distress or concerning behavior.
The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority. Fulton Schools trained, and professional Safety Team works directly with all schools and local agencies to ensure coordinated approaches to school safety, and all schools are required to have emergency action plans. We have additional security at all of our schools today and will continue to have a police presence.
Finally, it’s important to remind your children that if they “see something, say something.” Research shows warning signs occur in more than 80% of violent incidents. Fulton County Schools provides a system for students, parents, educators and community members to report concerns anonymously. The links to anonymously report a threat or tip: safety@fultonschools.org or https://asp.schoolmessenger.com/fultonschools/quicktip/
Keeping our kids, teachers, and schools safe is the responsibility of everyone in our community. Please keep the families affected by today’s school shooting in your thoughts and prayers.
Best Regards,
Ryan Moore
Principal & Ocee Parent
Ocee Elementary School Governance Council Elections Open!
This year, two of our elected member positions will be open for nominees! The candidate declaration period closes on February 23rd and elections begin on March 19th. Our two openings are parent positions and have the following requirements:
- Must have a child enrolled at the school for the duration of the term for which they declare candidacy
- May NOT be an employee of the school
We encourage all interested parents to visit the Fulton County Schools Governance website for additional information and/or to declare your candidacy: http://www.fultonschools.org/en/about/charter/Pages/electionresources.aspx
Our School Governance Council is a vital piece of our school governance structure, so I encourage all interested parties to declare their candidacy so we can continue our legacy of excellence at Ocee Elementary School!
Ocee Elementary Strategic Plan
We still want your feedback and encourage you to reach out to us at oceestrategicplan@fultonschools.org. Our school governance council will monitor this account, so if you would like more information or want to get involved, let us know!!!
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
Ryan's Resource
In light of the tragedy experienced in Florida yesterday and the growing concerns educators face with student anxiety and depression, I wanted to provide an article this week that addressed how we can cope and use strategies to grow even in our darkest moments. The article talks about these subjects through the lens of a few people, but I found it helpful, practical, and timely.
I hope the article helps you find hope, even during tough times: https://www.inc.com/leigh-buchanan/adam-grant-on-how-to-gain-strength-from-your-darkest-moments.html?cid=search
Sincerely,
Ryan Moore
Please Complete the Georgia Parent Survey
I want to remind all parents and families that the Georgia Parent Survey is open until Friday, March 2, 2018. This data helps drive our school climate rating, but we also analyze the results to make adjustments to school processes. We value your feedback and encourage you to take the survey today! I would love to say that Ocee Elementary School has 100% participation from the parent community, so click here to give us your feedback: http://gshs.gadoe.org/parents
Ocee Elementary Business Partner and Volunteer Luncheon
Our annual luncheon to celebrate our volunteer and business partners is quickly approaching! We will celebrate and eat together before we have some rich discussions about how we can continue to work as a team to support the Ocee ES strategic plan!
The flyer below has important information about how you can RSVP. This will also be coming home in Thursday Papers next week! Please join us as we celebrate you on March 20th!!!
From Our PTA
Community News
Sports, Arena & Entertainment Community Hackathon
Join The Farm and the BridgeCommunity commercialization program to dream up the next big breakthrough in sports and entertainment on Feb. 17th at SunTrust Stadium! Build something new with your family, hack on cutting-edge technology and win cool prizes. Atlanta high school and university students and their families are invited to attend this day-long, idea challenge. We are also encouraging students of all ages to participate. If the students are younger than High School age, an adult is required to stay at the event with them. Expect plenty of hardware to test with, coding kits for younger participants, delicious food, interesting judges and more! REGISTER: http://bit.ly/2CUj9Ql
Reminders
Family Science Night Returns March 1
We hope you join us for one of our favorite nights of the year! A registration form went home last week in Thursday papers, and is also attached here for your convenience. Family Science Night is free, but we ask families to register by February 21 so that we can plan appropriately. One form per family. Come enjoy some science and engineering fun!
SIX FLAGS READ TO SUCCEED – DON’T FORGET TO TURN IN YOUR READING LOG BEFORE FEBRUARY 24
Every student (K through 5th grade) who completed six hours of recreational reading by February 24th is eligible for a free admission ticket at participating Six Flag theme parks. Tickets will be distributed to students in May for admission on select dates during the 2018 summer break. Additional reading logs may be picked up from the front office.
FITNESSGRAM Fitness Assessment
During Physical Education class during the month of March, students will be participating in the FITNESSGRAM fitness assessment which measures health-related fitness for youth.
The FITNESSGRAM physical fitness assessment measures aerobic capacity, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition. The students at Ocee and in Fulton County have been participating in the FITNESSGRAM for years.
The students will participate in the following tests:
- PACER – aerobic capacity
- Curl –Ups –abdominal strength and endurance
- Push-Ups – upper body strength and endurance
- Body Composition – height and weight for body mass index
- Back-Saver Sit and Reach-flexibility
Each student will be tested by the Physical Education teachers who have been trained by the county to administer the FITNESSGRAM fitness assessment. The state requires that 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders participate in the assessment to familiarize them with the tests. We are required to test 4th and 5th grades and enter their scores in the FITNESSGRAM database. Each student in 4th and 5th grade will get an individualized printout including assessment scores and tips for improving health. These reports will be sent home in a sealed envelope to be opened at home with the student’s parents/guardians. The scores of each student will be kept confidential.
We are required to take each student’s body composition in 1st through 5th grade. In order to keep students’ weight and height confidential, we will call students over individually. There will be a private area where we will weigh and measure the students. Students will step on to the scale backwards, and the results of their weight or height will not be shared with them. Students’ height and weight will be entered into the FITNESSGRAM database. This process of taking each child’s height and weight will take place next week.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ms. Moreno at morenoal@fultonschools.org or visit the following websites.
Student Hardship Transfers - Deadline February 28
Beginning January 1, 2018, parents of Fulton County students can apply for a 2018-2019 hardship transfer to another Fulton County school or request renewal of an existing hardship transfer. Allowable reasons are FCBOE employee, medical, curriculum difference and child care (elementary and middle school only). for more information, contact: FCS Student Assignment Office at 470254-5550 or go to the FC website. Information regarding Open Enrollment transfers will be released on May 1.
SNOW DAY MAKE-UP DIFFERS FROM FULTON COUNTY
Because Ocee had an Ocee-only release day during the time period that FC has announced as a weather make-up day, Ocee's make-up days differ from what FC has announced.
FEB. 15 - YES CLASS (this was an Ocee Release Day and has been changed to make-up for weather).
FEB. 16 - NO CLASS (even though FC says this is a make-up day, it is an Ocee-only release day).
MAR. 9 - NO CLASS (this will be a Digital Learning Day from home - details to come).
MAR. 12 - YES CLASS (was a work day, now is a FC-wide make up day).
Outstanding Character Educational Excellence
Ryan Moore, Principal @oceeprincipal
Shannan LaPorte, AP @laporte_shannan
Jennifer Sweigart, CST
Anna Aronowitz, Counselor
Kaitlin Thompson, RTI/SST Coach
Tracey Murray, IST
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