Pinto Press
Friday, November 20, 2020
A Message from Your Principal
Hello, Pinto families!
As you know, the district has adjusted attendance groups for Tuesday, November 24. On that day the L-Z attendance group students will be at school. Additionally, our return in January will be in phases. You should have received communication from the district with the updated information. The newest OPS calendar and cycle day calendar are linked below for your convenience.
For the health and safety of everyone in our school communities, we ask that if families gather in large groups with others outside their home over the Thanksgiving holiday, or travel during the break, their student learn remotely for the two following weeks. Please call the office and let us know.
Please keep your child at home if they have a new cough, new onset of shortness of breath, new loss of taste or smell, or fever greater than 100.4. Please remember to call the office anytime your child will be attending school. This includes their at-home days. Thank you for your cooperation.
We are excited to offer new Picotte gear! This year you will order and pay on-line. Items can be shipped directly to your home (for a cost) or here to school. They'll be pre-packaged with your name on the bags. We can send them home with your child or you can stop by the school to pick them up. Orders will be taken through November 29 and items will be here in time for winter break. We can't wait to see everyone RoCKiNg the new Pinto gear. We are Picotte Strong and Picotte Proud! Order here: https://stores.inksoft.com/picotte_elementary/shop/home
If your child's photo was taken here at school, and you've now decided you'd like to order, please go to their website, https://scholasticphotography.com. There you can search for Picotte. You'll enter your child's name and student id number for the passcode.
Scholastic Photography is offering a school photo session at an off-site location for our remote learners on November 22 and December 6. Appointments are required. You'll find a document below with specifics.
Progress reports were sent home this week We are mailing them home for our all-remote learners. Please reach out to your child's teacher if you have any questions.
I wish you all the safest and happiest Thanksgiving holiday. I am grateful each day for the students, families, and Picotte staff that I am honored to serve. Thank you for being part of this amazing community! I am truly Picotte proud!
Take care and stay healthy and safe.
With Pinto Pride,
Mrs. Schovanec
Counselor's Corner
Social Emotional Learning
"One of the benefits of social emotional learning (SEL) is that it reminds us that no one is born with the ability to resolve conflict, manage emotions, or effectively problem-solve complex issues. The development of these skills takes place through daily practice and incremental progress."
Counseling lessons, one to one counseling, group counseling via TEAMS, or in person are just a few of the ways that your children are gaining SEL skills. Our teachers, administrators and paraprofessionals are infusing in to their day to day interactions and lessons as well. Have questions about SEL, or would like to see your child's skills improve. Just ask, or fill out a counselor request form.
Important Upcoming Dates
Mon, Nov 23: A-K group attends
Tue., Nov 24: L-Z group attends NEW!!!
November 25-27: No School (Thanksgiving Recess)
November 29: Last day to order Pinto Gear
November 30: PTA meeting, 7 p.m.
- Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/76757600736?pwd=S3BNRWFZTjNLdk9hYlovdjhDTHk3Zz09
Meeting ID: 767 5760 0736 Passcode: ME01vg
Wed., Dec. 2:
- L-Z group attends
- Spirit Day! Wear your Pinto gear and/or colors
Wed., Dec. 9:
- A-K group attends
- Spirit Day! Wear your Pinto gear and/or colors
December 14 - January 4: No School Winter Recess
January 5-8: School Resumes ALL STUDENTS REMOTE
January 11-14:
- ECSE and EC Special Education students return in person
- All other students remain all remote
January 15: No School
January 18: No School
January 19: School resumes with Family 3-2 model
Face covering information
Here's the scoop on Face Coverings in OPS.
- Multilayer cloth face coverings are required for all staff, students and visitors.
- Families are allowed to provide their own multilayer cloth face coverings. Please note: Gaiters are single layer and can only be used if doubled up and cover both the nose and the mouth.
- Plastic face shields are not a suitable replacement for multilayer cloth face coverings.
- Masks with a valve (as well as mesh masks or masks with openings, holes, visible gaps in the design or material or vents) are NOT sufficient face coverings because they allow exhaled droplets to be released into the air.
When to keep your child home
Below are the updated self-assessment questions for both staff and students:
Please ask these questions each day before sending your child to school
- Have you or anyone in your household tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 14 days?
- Are you awaiting a Covid-19 test result, following symptoms or a direct exposure to someone who tested positive?
- Have you had a fever of 100.4 or greater, a new cough, new onset of shortness of breath, new loss of taste or smell in the last 24 hours?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, your child should not come to school.
Please call the school anytime your child will be absent, even on at-home days. Attendance is taken every day.
Specials for All Remote Students
Daily Health Assessment (Updated 10-19-20)
Every day before they leave home, families must complete a self-health assessment, asking themselves three vital questions:
- Has the student or anyone in the household tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 14 days?
- Is the student awaiting a Covid-19 test result, following symptoms or a direct exposure to someone who tested positive?
- Has the student had a fever of 100.4 or greater, a new cough, new onset of shortness of breath, new loss of taste or smell in the last 24 hours?
If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, you will be expected to stay home.
Weather is changing!
As the weather changes, please keep in mind that we go outside for recess unless the temperature/wind chill is well below freezing. Please remember those coats and gloves!
Meals to Go
Omaha Public Schools is offering Meals2Go at no cost to any child ages 1 - 18 including remote learners.
Meals2Go bags will be distributed on Mondays (Monday and Tuesday) and Wednesdays (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) at all of the schools where meals are currently distributed.
- Elementary: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
- Middle and High Schools: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
- Program schools, Early Childhood Locations, TAC programs will not distribute the Meals2Go bags. Families may pick up meals at any of the other sites currently open.
PTA Links
Safety Links
Valerie Schovanec, Principal
Email: valerie.schovanec@ops.org
Website: https://picotte.ops.org/
Location: 14506 Ohio Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 531-299-1920
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PicottePintosOPS
Twitter: @OPS_PicotteFam