OHES Paw Prints
Principal's Update - December 2020/January 2021
Happy Holidays!
Dear Orchard Hill Families,
The time between Thanksgiving and the winter holidays always seems to fly by so quickly! We hope that your virtual parent-teacher conferences were productive and that together with your child's teacher you were able to set meaningful learning goals as we proceed with our school year. It goes without saying that we all recognize the challenges we are facing during these unprecedented times. The next formal progress report will be available in February and you will receive information on how to access your child's report card through the Genesis/Parent Portal system.
As the winter holiday season approaches, excitement naturally builds with young children.
Our remaining December days will be filled with learning experiences that include celebrating our diverse seasonal holidays. Our pillar of character for December is trustworthiness and our school counselors prepared lessons that include being honest, reliable and having the courage to do the right thing. .On December 23rd our students will engage in a Day of Play that supports social and emotional learning (SEL). More information is included in this newsletter.
In January we look forward to celebrating the Great Kindness Challenge with our students. Be on the look out for information from our school counselors.
Be sure to visit the OHES, MES PTA and MSEPTA websites to learn about upcoming events and ways to stay involved in support of our schools. Our PTA's have so much going on that you don't want to miss!
Along with our entire OHES team I want to wish you the very best for a safe, healthy holiday season and a Happy New Year! Enjoy this special time with your loved ones.
Warmest regards,
Mrs. Scotti
Thank You MES PTA!
On behalf of our teachers and staff, I would like to sincerely thank our PTA for all of their efforts in supplying our faculty with goody bags and treats. We truly appreciate that you continue to think of us during these difficult times!
From the School Nurse
MAKE FAMILY HEALTH YOUR RESOLUTION
Healthy Family Habits
Make healthy food choices for the family; limit sugary foods and drinks, increase fresh fruits and vegetables in meal planning, portion control. Keep nutritious snacks on hand. Plan to eat more meals together as a family.
Encourage and support physical activity; get outdoors in the fresh air for exercise each day.
Schedule yearly medical checkups for family members; stay up to date with vaccinations
Get enough sleep each night ( American Academy of Pediatrics 2016)
Ages 4-12 months: 12-16 hours (including naps)
Ages 1-2 years: 11-14 hours (including naps)
Ages 3-5 years: 10-13 hours (including naps)
Age 6-12 years: 9-12 hours
Age 13-18 years: 8-10 hours
Wash your hands often/wear your face mask when necessary
Healthy Home
Go green. Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Check/Install smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide alarms on every level
Keep cleaning products and medications away from children
Have a winter weather emergency plan; stock your home and car with necessary supplies
Never use generators, grills, camp stoves, or similar devices indoors to heat
Healthy Community
Volunteer at your church, school, or one of the many community centers needing help or an extra hand.
If you have received help from others, try to repeat the gesture
Extend a common courtesy wherever you are – they are always appreciated and hopefully duplicated.
OHES Day of Play
We are looking forward to our first school-wide Day of Play! OHES has been participating in "Days of Play" which gives students an opportunity to engage in self-directed play here at the school. This is inline and similar to the Global Day of Play that normally takes place every February.
During our virtual learning time, we have planned a school-wide virtual "Day of Play" on Wednesday, December 23rd, the day before winter break begins. In lieu of our normal academic responsibilities, students will spend the day engaging in activities centered on creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, and innovation that are led by various OHES staff. Students will also be given time to play independently at home in an effort to reduce screen-time. Teachers will still provide schedules for students and families that include built-in times for snack/lunch and are inline with our early dismissal schedule of 9:30am-1:30pm.
First Virtual School-wide Assembly and Charity Fundraiser!
We also participated in "Say Yay Pajama Day" to support Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Our school set a goal to raise $1,000 and we exceeded that by raising over $5,000! Many thanks to our students and families for their generosity during this season of giving.
New! Cubs Culture Corner!
Mark Your Calendars!
Upcoming December and January Events
December 15: MSEPTA Meeting 6:30pm
December 23: Schoolwide Day of Play
December 23: Early Dismissal Day - All teaching and learning activities will conclude at 1:30
December 24 - January 3: Winter Recess
January 1: Happy New Year!
January 4: School Resumes
January 13: PTA Meeting 6:30pm
January 18: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday - Schools Closed
January 19: Hybrid Model Restarts; MSEPTA Meeting 6:30