The Orion/Mandarin Gazette
Weekly News for Dec 9-Dec 13
School Calendar
December
Dec 9 8:30-9:00am Grades 1/2 only Coffee with Principal Katherine inside the cafeteria
Dec 13 Board President Dennis McBride to Tour Orion/MI classrooms
Dec 13 Winter Holiday School Community Event co-hosted by Starship and Los Dichos
Dec 16 8:30-9:00am Kindergarten only - Coffee with the Principal in the cafeteria
Dec 20-Jan 7 N0 School Due to Winter Break
Jan 8 Classes Resume
A Message from Principal Katherine about the Power of Words
Dear Families,
As a staff, we are practicing our gratitude and noticing all the places where we can use the same Soul Shoppe tools we teach to children everyday. Little things can become the source of joy as well as heated conflict, especially around the holidays. At school we teach and practice "I messages."
“I Messages” are simple, but they take some practice. There are four steps. Each requires a small amount of risk, a small amount of vulnerability that will allow us to have a stronger connection both with another person and with oneself.
I feel… (use a feeling word like upset or frustrated or lonely or confused)
When people… (say what happened in a general way – notice that we don’t say “you”)
I need… (say what you would like instead)
Will you please…? (ask the other person for what you need)
It’s a good idea to practice with peers before attempting to share them from adult to child or child to adult or across other power dynamics. Also, if you find yourself feeling a little fired up, take a moment to Check In. Slow down and take a breath. Then deliver your “I Message”.
“I Messages” are powerful and effective because they bring the focus onto our feelings and needs instead of the particulars of what happened. They can be used at work when someone gets unintentionally hurt and they can be used at home and in families.
At Orion we have trained "Peacekeepers." They are students in grades 3-5 who have gone through 2 days of training. These students are helping students across the school to identify their feelings and help them work through conflict. If you see one working, give then a thumbs or smile of recognition.
RWC Holiday Parade Dec. 7
Student Peacekeepers
Students Play Jingle Bells with bells
Winter Holiday Celebration
Friday, Dec 13, 2019, 05:30 PM
Orion Cafeteria
School Site Council Partners with Second Harvest Food Bank
Dear Orion Families,
Student Council is partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank to bring a food drive to Orion School. This winter food drive will help support members of our community this holiday season. Please consider sending any unopened, non-perishable food items to school with your child from December 9th to December 17th. Donation bins are located at the library and the MUB. Second Harvest asks that these items not be made of glass or contain candy or sugary beverages.
Happy Holidays,
Student Council
Leadership Through Dance for Orion Girls in Grades 4-5
- We are excited to bring a new onsite after-school enrichment program for girls grades 4-5 to Orion & Mandarin Immersion! Introducing Leadership through Dance™, a program designed to help girls develop self-confidence, teamwork and leadership skills using dance as the framework. You will get to experience different styles of dance including hip hop, jazz, contemporary and more, with the unique opportunity to co-create choreography with a team and perform at a special end-of-session theatre performance for friends and families.
This program is brought to you by Mariposa Dance, a local dance company in Redwood City. Capacity is limited to the first 12 girls that sign-up. Learn more and sign-up today through https://www.mariposadance.com/leadership .
Teacher Pat's Grade 1 students in the Makery
Kinder Morning Song
Mandarin Poetry Competition
Coffee with Principal Katherine
We will meet in the staff room located in the main building after drop off.
Mon - Dec. 9 Grades 1 and 2
Mon - Dec. 16 Kindergarten
Stay posted in January for grades 3-5 coffee dates
Construction Updates
https://www.rcsdk8.net/Page/8206