September Newsletter
September 2020
A Note from the Principal
Greetings Orion Families!
While this year is starting off like no other, we remain excited to welcome all of our students and families to Orion Elementary School and are dedicated to providing the best learning experience possible.
We have several changes this year, designed with our students in mind, to best support their academic success and social and emotional growth.
We have always believed that the Orion Lions culture and our traditions extend well beyond our school campus, and this year we are truly putting that into practice with virtual learning. Here is a glimpse of a typical virtual school day.
The following information details the structure of the digital learning schedule for Orion Elementary School.
Morning Meeting
- 9:15 am Teachers and staff will begin each day with a morning meeting. Morning meeting is a daily live check in with students. During this time, the teachers will meet with the whole class to build relationships, develop a classroom community, provide connection opportunities for peers, and prepare students for the learning ahead. The morning meeting will take place at the same time on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Balance of Synchronous and Asynchronous Teaching and Learning Opportunities
- Synchronous (live) lessons will focus on content and students needing more support.
- Small group and individual synchronous instruction will take place for students daily M, T, TH, F to differentiate learning based on the iready assessment and classwork results.
- Asynchronous Canvas lessons and (recorded) mini-lessons will provide students with independent practice on content and skills. Lessons can also be found asynchronously for PE, Health, Music, and Art
- Assessments and/or interventions may be given.
- Zoom links and class meeting times are posted on Canvas
Content Areas
- Students will receive instruction in ELA (English/Language Arts) and Math M, T, TH, F following the district instructional framework.
- SC (Science) and SS (Social Studies) instruction will be taught through cross curriculum content weekly.
Specials (Library, Music and PE meet on Tuesdays 11:15 – 12:00 Grades K- 2 and Thursdays 11:15 – 12:00 Grades 3 – 6!
Wednesdays
- Wednesdays will be a day of asynchronous learning.
- All content and assignments will be posted in Canvas . However, students may watch recorded lessons and complete assigned tasks.
- Teachers will communicate their schedule in Canvas.
Teacher Office Hours
- Teachers will have office hours for individual questions from students and parents embedded throughout their weekly schedules.
Special Areas (IGNITE, Resource, Band/Orchestra)
- Students will work within grade level bands, small or individualized groups
- Students should complete lessons/projects as assigned
- Special Areas teachers will post live, recorded lessons and assignments.
- Special Area teachers will meet with each group on designed days.
- Special Area teachers will communicate the meeting times for each student.
Virtual Student Tutoring and Clubs
Zoom Zoom Running Club
Assignment Help and Tutoring
Leadership Club
Please feel free to call us at 742-0250 for any questions you have!
Sincerely,
Principal Cheathon
Notes from Nurse Wurm
Hello Orion students and families!
I hope you are all well and adjusting to the changes we are going through.
Please read the attached article on Stopping the Spread of Covid-19 in Children.
Many viruses are circulating, common colds, influenza as well as Covid-19.
These steps to protect children from Covid are also helping to limit all the other viruses that we are exposed to.
Frequent and thorough handwashing is the #1step for prevention.
I am looking forward to seeing you all in person, stay healthy and keep washing hands!
Mrs. Wurm, RN
907 742-0266
Counselor’s Corner Update
Hello Students and Families,
As I previously announced in the August newsletter we have the “Green Light” for Lunch Bunch (remember to bring your lunch), this will be a fun time to socialize with your classmates. Also, Boy’s & Girl’s Clubs will be a great way to grow your SEL Powers while interacting with friends. See the below schedule, which may change depending on the number of students we have attending.
Lunch Bunch: Grades 3rd - 4th - Tuesday's - 12:00-12:45 starting (Same Zoom Link)
Grades 5th - 6th - Thursday's - 12:00-12:45 starting 4 Sep Zoom Link: https://asdk12.zoom.us/j/91994259382?pwd=N3pYdHZHeTFTWXlYTnNXQnlKNUFtUT09
Password: LunchBunch Meeting ID: 919 9425 9382
Boy's Life Enrichment Club: Grades 4th - 6th - Monday's 3:30 - 4:15 starting 7 Sep Zoom Link: https://asdk12.zoom.us/j/97260918838?pwd=U3VIa2x3RUJGOWsyVDRqL3Y0NlpWUT09
Passcode: Boy's Rock Meeting ID: 972 6091 8838
Girl's Power Club: Grades 4th – 6th - Wednesday's 3:30 - 4:00 starting 3 Sep Zoom Link: https://asdk12.zoom.us/j/91995753227?pwd=SjNQOS9KL3dra0xjcTRjSjd2Zm9HQT09
Passcode: Girl Power Meeting ID: 919 9575 3227
Please remember, I'm available for you. If you have any challenges and would like my help, you may reach me via my email, bise_kim@asdk12.org. My "office hours" are tentatively M-F, 9-3, if you need to talk to me, you may email me and we can set up a meeting (Zoom or phone).
Books to Explore
These are just a few children’s books addressing issues involving different types of families:
The Family Book by Todd Parr
In Our Mothers’ House by Patricia Polacco
Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson
Uncle Bobby’s Wedding by Sarah S. Brannen
ABC: A Family Alphabet Book by Bobbie Combs.
For elementary school children, talking about families is an important part of making sense of the world and their relationship to it. Many students in primary grades are realizing for the first time that their family might look different from someone else’s. Start the talk with these ?’s.
- What is a Family? family [ fam-uh-lee, fam-lee ] a group of people going through the world together, often adults and the children they care for.
- Are all Families the same? No. There are different family structures, for example:
single parent: an adult raising a child by themselves.
blended family: two or more households that have joined together and work together to raise a family.
Activity: Make A Family Tree
Start with a piece of paper, at the top put a picture of you, you may draw it. Below your picture put 1,2, 3, or 4 blocks to represent your parents/guardians. Under each parent put 2 blocks and add their parents; these are your grandparents. You may add brothers/sisters (siblings) to this drawing too. Make this a family fun project!
Mrs. Kim Bise, M.Ed
School Counselor
Orion E.S.
Email: Bise_kim@asdk12.org
Orion Library Notes
I hope everyone is doing well and staying dry. If you are interested in doing Battle of the Books, please start reading the books. The 2020/2021 Battle of the book list can be found by clicking Here. The battle books arrived last week and will be ready for students to checkout after the holiday weekend. Digital copies can be found on SORA.
We are planning on starting Curbside Pick-up and drop off on Wednesday September 9th. Please have all holds submitted by 12:00 p.m. the day before pickup. Curbside will be on Wednesday and Friday from 1:00-3:00. More information can be found about Curbside pickup by clicking HERE. Curbside pickup is a completely new process. Please be patient.
Everyone should receive an email from me before September 9th. If not, please check you spam box and email me if needed. My email is waters_marty@asdk12.org or by phone at 742-0250.
Mr. Waters
Join us virtually on September 09, 2020 for our PTA Planning Meeting to review our Goals and Plans for the Upcoming School Year, and Elect officers. All stakeholders share in the decision making process for the development of the Budget and Family and Community Engagement Activities
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Date: Friday, September 9, 2020
Time: 4:30 AM
Location: Virtual - Zoom Meeting
https://asdk12.zoom.us/j/93854823936?pwd=dXQvQmtLVU1YalBRekh3dHBwTEdRUT09
Meeting ID: 938 5482 3936
Passcode: Orion PTA
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,93854823936# US
Student Nutrition
Welcome families, it is the free and reduced renewal season for 2020-2021 school year. Families with new to district students at non community eligible schools should fill out an application as soon as possible after registration to find out if they qualify for free and reduced meals.