East Orient Elementary School
Home of the Soaring Eagles February 22, 2024
Dates To Remember
Wednesday, February 21: Immunization Exclusion Day
Thursday, February 22: 3rd Grade Music Concert, 6:30pm
Tuesday , February 27th: 3-5 Family Art Night, 6:00pm - 7:00 pm
Thursday, February 29: 4th Grade Music Concert, 6:30pm
Monday, March 4: School Spirit Day, "Mismatch & Fun Hair Day"
Tuesday, March 5: School Spirit Day, "Anything But A BackPack Day"
Wednesday, March 6: School Spirit Day, "Dress As Your Favorite Book Character Day"
Thursday, March 7: No School- C & I Day
Friday, March 8: No School, Grading Day
Tuesday, March 12: PTC Meeting @ EOES, 6:30pm
Each Wednesday is a late start day, with the school day beginning at 9:35 am.
DOORS OPEN AT 9:20 on Wednesdays.
East Orient's Areas Of Focus for 2023-24
Inclusive Culture:
Our priority this year is cultivating an inclusive environment where all students feel they have a rightful presence. We are dedicated to celebrating the uniqueness of every individual and fostering a sense of belonging for everyone at East Orient Elementary. Through various initiatives and activities, we aim to create a school culture that embraces differences and promotes understanding.
Instructional Alignment:
To ensure a cohesive and effective learning experience, we are enhancing our instructional alignment across grade levels and subjects. Our educators will collaborate to develop consistent learning objectives, teaching strategies, and assessment methods. This alignment will empower students to build a strong foundation of knowledge and skills that will serve them well as they progress through their education.
Equity-Driven Systems of Support:
We are committed to providing equitable opportunities for all students to succeed. Our school is implementing targeted support systems that address the diverse needs of our student body. Whether through additional resources, personalized learning plans, or focused interventions, we aim to eliminate barriers to learning and provide every student with the tools they need to thrive.
Principal's Message
Dear East Orient Elementary Families,
I hope this newsletter finds you well and keeping cozy as we make our way through February.
First up, the most crucial area of our school, the playground:), is buzzing with excitement, thanks to the new recess equipment! The joy and energy out on the playground is awesome, all made possible by the funds raised through our Jogathon earlier in the school year. A huge thank you to everyone who supported and participated in this event. Watching the students play and make the most of these new additions is a daily highlight!
Concert Season is Here!
Our Kinder concert kicked off the East Orient Concert season last Thursday. It was a delight to see our students shine on stage. We have Mr. Alsop to thank for his dedication and effort in making each grade-level concert a memorable experience for all that attend. We're so grateful for the support from all our families in making these concerts a success. Your encouragement and attendance means the world to our budding performers.
Important Reminder: No School on Presidents Day
Please mark your calendars that there will be no school on February 19th as we observe Presidents Day. It's a good time to relax and enjoy a long weekend with your family.
Right Brain Artist Residency: Mask Making
Our 3rd to 5th graders are in for a treat with the start of our mask-making residency this Monday. These 5 hands-on sessions not only nurture creativity but also connect students with diverse artistic traditions. It's always a joy to see what they create! We will be ending residency with a Family Art Night on February 27th from 6pm to 7pm.
The Importance of Being Present
As we continue through the school year, I want to touch on the importance of regular school attendance. Being present at school significantly impacts students' academic outcomes and their sense of belonging and connectedness. Chronic absenteeism can hinder these aspects, and so we encourage all our families to support and prioritize attendance. Together, we can ensure our students make the most of every learning opportunity.
Lastly, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for your ongoing support. It's the collective efforts of our wonderful community that make East Orient Elementary a great place to be.
James Milliken
Winter Concerts
I'm thrilled to share that our Orient Concert, a much-anticipated event in our school's calendar is off to a great start. Mr. Alsop, our dedicated music teacher, will be working closely with our students to prepare for this memorable performance. The Orient Concert is an opportunity for our grade level families to come together and celebrate their student's hard work and dedication in music class. We look forward to welcoming our students' families and friends to this special event, which promises to be an evening filled with great music and wonderful memories.
Save the Dates:
- 3rd Grade: February 22nd, 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM
- 4th Grade: February 29th, 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM
- 5th Grade: March 5th, 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM
All concerts will be held in the school gym. We can't wait to see you all there to support our talented young performers!
From the Counselor's Corner
Dear Parent(s)/Caregivers,
Business is as usual with the counseling program at East Orient. “Lunch bunch” is still happening on Mondays. It’s my time to connect with students that may be struggling socially or just simply want a quieter space to eat their lunches. Our lessons on personal safety continue this month and for the next two months. I have been teaching a series of lessons around personal safety, also known as Erin’s law. Please contact me directly if you have any questions about the lessons. Also, another anxiety group for the upper grades just began. Please let me know if this is something you are interested in for your student in the future.
I also want to take time to talk about the importance of developing a sleep routine for your student(s). We all know and some have read studies about the importance of sleep. Getting enough sleep is critical for your student(s) to be successful in learning and concentrating in school. So, set a consistent bedtime for your student(s) and stick with it every night. Having a bedtime routine that is consistent will help your child settle down and fall asleep. The bedtime routine could include a bath/shower, reading with them, tucking them in and saying good-night to them. Turning off electronic devices well before bedtime is important for calming their brains. If possible, electronics should be placed outside of their bedrooms. Try to have the home as quiet and calm as possible when younger children are trying to fall asleep.
Warmly,
Nelia Collins
School Counselor
Thank You, Community!
We are excited to express appreciation to the East Orient community for making this year's Jogathon a tremendous success! Your support made a difference. We are delighted to share that students are loving their new equipment.
We are grateful for your generosity.
Thank you!
East Orient Staff
The Annual Spelling Showdown!
Big Cheers for Our Spelling Bees!
This past Friday, our school buzzed with excitement as we hosted our two annual Spelling Bees!
A heartfelt thank you goes out to our judges, Mrs. Webster, Mrs. Clark, and Ms. Bair, whose participation made the competitions both seamless and enjoyable.
Congratulations to all our participants for their outstanding performances. Their hard work and preparation were evident, and we all should be proud of their achievements. We look forward to seeing what next year's Spelling Bees will bring!
The winners are:
3rd through 5th Grade Winner, from Mr. Bice's 4th grade class, Daniel S!
1st and 2nd Grade Winner, from Mrs. Bhear's 1st grade class, James S!
Here are a few pictures of our Bees.
Daniel takes the championship and celebrates with his class!
Mrs. Bhear's 1st grade class enjoying the success of their # 1 speller, James!
School Health Room News
Student Medication Protocol:
All prescription and nonprescription medicines need to be checked into the health office. Both prescription and non-prescription medication cannot be in a student's backpack for the student to use as needed, this does include cough drops.
An adult needs to be the one who checks the medicine in the office. It has happened where parents/ guardians have sent medication to school with a child with a note. While this may be super helpful in some ways, it's not the correct school protocol for sending medicine to school.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Your Health Room Staff
Every Day Matters For Your Student - Focus on School Attendance
When to Keep Your Child Home with Illness
Orient PTC Upcoming Information
Our next Parent Club meeting is Tuesday, February 13th at 6:30. This month we will be meeting at West Orient in the school library. We are excited to get together and share about our schools and all that's happening in our school communities.
February's Life Skill is Kindness and Caring
We will be celebrating this lifeskill at our assembly on February 23 at 8:35
Get Ready for Fancy Week: A Celebration of Excellence!
Excitement is in the air as we gear up for our much-anticipated Fancy Week, a special celebration honoring our students' outstanding achievements in being safe, respectful, and responsible. Thanks to their collective efforts in earning tokens for positive behavior, we are dedicating a whole day to celebrate our school's culture of being Safe, Respectful, and Responsible.
Fancy Day promises a few activities designed to reward our students for their hard work and dedication. From dressing up in their fanciest outfits to participating in fine dining during lunch.
This is a fantastic opportunity for our school community to come together and celebrate the positive environment that our students have helped create. It's also a testament to the importance of our core values: safety, respect, and responsibility.
Stay tuned for more details on the specific date planned for Fancy Day. Let's make this celebration a memorable one for our deserving students!
Join Our Cereal Box Food Drive & Domino Celebration!
Subject: Join Our Cereal Box Food Drive & Domino Celebration! Dear Parents, Mark your calendars! Our school is hosting a Cereal Box Food Drive from February 26th to March 1st. We're collecting cereal boxes to donate to a local food bank, combining community service with a fun twist.
The grand finale? On Friday, March 1st, we'll arrange all the donated boxes into a massive domino chain throughout the school. It's a unique way to celebrate our collective effort and support for the community.
How to Help: Donate:Bring cereal boxes to school between Feb 26th and March 1st.
Let's come together for a great cause. Your contributions make a difference!
Volunteers and Visitors
I wanted to ensure that our parents understand they are VERY welcome to be a part of the learning experience at East Orient. If you would like to be a volunteer for East Orient, please take a look at the links below.
Click here to complete the volunteer application form.
Volunteer Webpage: information on how to be a volunteer for East Orient.
Upcoming Spirit Week Starting March 4th
Introducing the SEED Survey: Elevating Student Voices
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is launching the Student Educational Equity Development (SEED) Survey, an important initiative aimed at understanding and enhancing the educational experiences of students across Oregon. This survey will allow students to share their perspectives on their learning environment, sense of belonging, and access to resources.
Key Points about the SEED Survey:
- Direct Student Feedback: Students get to voice their experiences and insights.
- Comprehensive Coverage: The survey explores students’ sense of belonging, learning resources, opportunities, self-efficacy, and for older students, career-technical education and post-graduation plans.
- An Equity Tool: It provides essential data to tailor more equitable learning experiences.
- Accessibility for All: Accommodations are available for all students, including an alternate version for those with significant cognitive disabilities.
- Efficient Participation: Taking 10-20 minutes to complete, the survey is concise and student-friendly.
Participation Rights
- Oregon law ensures the survey's availability to students in grades 3-11.
- Parents/guardians can opt their child out verbally or in writing.
- Schools will notify parents about the survey and opt-out procedures 5 days before administration.
- Students also have the right to opt-out or skip questions at any time.
The window for the SEED survey is March 5th- June 14th
More information can be found here
Rights & Responsibilities Handbook for Parents
East Orient Elementary School
Website: https://www.gresham.k12.or.us/Page/3959
Location: East Orient Elementary School, Southeast 302nd Avenue, Gresham, OR, USA
Phone: 503 663 4818
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004247266226
Twitter: @EOESEagles