The Owl Newsletter
OTTO PETERSEN ELEMENTARY
OPE Families,
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” — John F. Kennedy
This month, our students are learning about Gratitude and its transformative power. Did you know that incorporating a practice of gratitude into your daily routine can actually change your brain on a neural level? It's true! I have so much gratitude in my heart for the parents, students, and staff at Otto Petersen. I appreciate all the parent volunteers, the academic work at home, and the way our students take pride in our school. This is truly the best school community I have ever had the opportunity to be a part of.
-Principal Ticer
Cold Weather Reminder
We are starting to see very cold temperatures during the day. Please remember to send your students to school with appropriate outdoor wear so that they can stay warm outside. We recommend that students wear jackets, hats, and gloves when they are outside. I know that kiddos also love to still wear shorts to school (how do they stand it??). If your student has this preference, please make sure they also have a warm jacket. It is cold and flu season, so it is important that students wear clothing that will keep them warm and healthy. At Otto Petersen, this is often a challenging expense for families. Please get in touch with either myself or Ms. McKedy if your family needs support in this way.
Toys at School
This is a friendly reminder that all toys, including stuffed animals and blankets, must stay home. We supply students with fidgets to use during instruction time if required. However, those fun little toys starting to pop up this time of year must wait patiently at home to be played with.
6th Band Concert - SHS Auditorium, 6:30 PM - Thurs, Dec 7th.
OPPO Meeting - OPE Library, Tuesday, Dec 12th -4:00pm - at the School - Santa's Workshop!
Spirit Week - OPE - Dec 18th -22nd
OPPO Santa’s Workshop - OPE Library - Tues- Fri, Dec 19th-22nd
Holiday Parties - OPE Classroom, Friday, Dec 22nd -OPE Classroom, 2:00 pm -2:45 pm
Winter Break - NO School - Dec 25th - Jan 5th
School Resumes - Monday, Jan 8th
Attention OPE Families,
Thank you to everyone who helped with our Scholastic Book Fair this week and for helping with the 4th grade Fall Themed reward recess! Way to go 4th graders...thank you for selling the most chowder!! If you still have chowder to pick up, please come during school hours and our wonderful Ms. Sue can grab it for you!
Santa's Workshop is coming!!! We will be having our annual Santa's Workshop December 19-22nd! This gives students an opportunity to purchase gifts for their families! If you are interested in volunteering, click here Santa's Workshop!
Our next meeting is Tuesday, December 12th, 4:00 pm at the school.
Contact Chelsea ottopetersenpresident@gmail.com
OPE Famlies,
Thank you again for your support in lowering our total building tardy rate over the past two weeks. We know that mornings can be tricky! We hope your students feel a sense of routine and connection by being here each morning for our announcements and Character Strong lessons.
If you have difficulty getting your students out the door in the morning, please feel free to reach out. Classroom teachers, our counselor, Ms. McKedy, and our Dean of Students, Ms. Kinsman, are happy to work with you and your learner to build strategies to make mornings go more smoothly. You can click the flyer below to read about the suggested guidelines.
Attendance Reminders & After School Change of Plans
Also, if you have to change your students' after-school plans, please try to do this one hour before students are released so that we have enough time to communicate with teachers and staff.
- Sue MacLachlan: smaclachlan@scappoose.k12.or.us
- Mary McNabb: mmcnabb@scappoose.k12.or.us
- Your child's teacher
We appreciate your support in making sure we know where your students are during the school day. Thank you!
Book Fair FUN!!
IN THE LIBRARY THIS WEEK: It was Book Fair this week and it was so great to see all the new book joy filling the library! Thank you to all the volunteers who made this a possibility and thank you to all the families who supported us–because of you, new books will hit the shelves shortly and we really can’t thank you enough!
If you missed the Book Fair, you can still support our school by shopping online at Scholastic! Here is the link to our Scholastic Homepage and you can scroll down to our online shopping link and shop until 12/10!
LOOKING FOR A FEW THINGS FOR OUR LIBRARY: I would like to add some things to make our library more interactive and to make that happen, we are in search of a few things: Legos and Lego plates, Puzzles 25-100 pieces, brain teaser games and a volunteer to help us develop our book writing center. We are happy to receive slightly used items and here is our Amazon Wish List to fill in the gaps. Thank you for your help in making our library a true source of learning and joy!
Happy Reading!! ~ Mrs. Nudo
Hello, my reading friends!
Oregon Battle of the Books permission forms were due on Wednesday, November 1st. If your students are still interested and want to participate, please have them turn in their permission form before the 1st of December.
I will be contacting coaches with helpful tips for your team and also scheduling a Zoom “Introduction to OBOB” for coaches and families to attend in December.
If your child has turned in their form without a coach, I will also contact you to figure out a team for your students. If you can coach, please make sure that you fill out the district’s background check form by clicking here.
If you have any questions about OBOB, if your student submitted their paperwork, or about the books, please feel free to contact me!
Your friend in reading,
Allyson Richard
4th Grade Teacher
Otto Petersen Elementary
Scappoose, OR
971-200-8003
arichard@scappoose.k12.or.us
YMCA
After School Enrichment Program
OPE is excited to welcome the YMCA to campus this year. Through a partnership with the City of Scappoose, the YMCA is establishing an after-school program at OPE designed to serve K-6 students from all of the schools. This is a first-come-first-serve program so if you are interested apply right away!Personal Electronic Device Policy
(Cell phones, Smart watches, Earbuds)
As an upper elementary school, O.P.E. will align with the Middle School policy concerning electronic devices. A personal electronic device is defined by the district as any “device capable of electronically communicating, sending, receiving, storing, recording, reproducing and/or displaying information and data.” The new policy will ask that students have their devices “off and away” while on campus. A private warning will be given if a student uses the device while at school. A second infraction will lead to the device being turned into the office for pick-up at the end of the day. Parents will be asked to pick up the device after a third infraction. The school is asking for parent support with this policy as we focus on building a positive learning environment.Here is the testing schedule for the rest of May.