Howdy Trailblazers
January 31 - February 4, 2022
Greetings from Principal Bueno
We are almost half way through the third quarter and progress reports for 1st - 5th grade students will go live on HAC on Friday, Feb. 4 at 4:00 p.m. Pre-K and Kinder progress reports were printed and sent home on Friday. We are closely monitoring student performance data for our students who are experiencing significant academic and engagement challenges. Additionally, teachers are currently scheduling parent conferences to discuss accelerated intervention plans for additional student support. As a reminder the last day of the third quarter is March 11.
We are excited to welcome our new Associate Principal, Mrs. Alyssa Delagarza to Ott Elementary! Mrs. Delagarza comes to us from Powell Elementary where she is currently teaching 2nd grade. She is a very active campus leader and has previously taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. Mrs. Delagarza visited our campus last week, but will not transition into her new position for a few more weeks. Ms. Olvera will continue to support Ott for a couple more weeks and her final day on campus will be Feb. 11.
This week is full of celebrations including recognizing Mrs. Q- Rodriguez as our Ott Educator of the Year, Mrs. Harmel as our New Educator of the Year, and Ms. Rosa as our Instructional Assistant of the Year. I couldn’t be more proud of these three individuals. They deserve these accolades for their continuous commitment to our students, staff, and community. Congratulations again to our honorees, well-deserved!
We will not be hosting Valentine's Day parties on campus this year. However, students will have an opportunity to exchange Valentine cards at the end of the day. Please refrain from sending goodie bags and candy to school on this day. Thank you in advance for your support. Our next campus celebration day is scheduled during Fiesta on April 7.
Lastly, please don't forget our next Ott PTA meeting is scheduled for Feb. 8 at 6:00 p.m. in our school cafeteria followed by an Idiom Emporium hosted by our fantastic 4th grade students and teachers in the school gym. We hope to see you there!
Make it a great week Trailblazers!
Principal Bueno
Welcome New Ott Associate Principal - Mrs. Delagarza
Congratulations Mrs. Q- Rodriguez, Mrs. Harmel and Ms. Rosa
National School Counseling Week - February 7 - 11, 2022
Ott January 2022 Highlights
Ott 100th Day Celebration Rescheduled: 2-10-22
COVID-19 - Updated Information
Important New Guideline for Masks in NISD
NISD COVID-19 Information for Parents/Guardians
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Fever or chills
Diarrhea
Cough
Headache
Shortness of breath/difficulty
New loss of taste or smell breathing
Sore throat
Fatigue
Congestion or runny nose
Muscle or body aches
Nausea or vomiting
Additional COVID-19 Information:
- The use of facemasks is still strongly encouraged for all students, staff, and visitors while indoors at all District facilities.
- If you or your child is symptomatic or ill, stay home and/or consult with your medical provider. Individuals who have confirmed cases of COVID-19 will be asked to isolate for a minimum of 5 days or until symptom-free. We will continue to ask that individuals living in the same home as a COVID-positive individual also remain isolated for 5 days depending on vaccination status. Review the Cityof San Antonio Metro Health District’s Health Advisory issued Dec. 28 for more information.
- As a reminder, free COVID-19 testing is available from Metro Health at Farris Stadium (8400 North Loop 1604 W, San Antonio, TX 78249) and Inselmann Field (kiosk near ticket booth) at the Hardin Athletic Complex (7001 Culebra Rd, San Antonio, TX 78238). Appointments must be scheduled.
- Strongly consider getting the COVID-19 vaccine for you and all eligible individuals in your home. Everyone ages 5 and up are now eligible for a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. You may also call 311 for vaccine information and resources related to COVID-19.
In addition, District staff will continue to follow our cleaning and sanitizing protocols at all facilities and on all school buses.
Please contact Nurse Irma Rosas-Tijerina at (210) 397-5550 or irma.rosas-tijerina@nisd.net for additional questions or concerns.
Sleeves up! NISD hosts COVID vaccine clinics
Looking for a Vaccine Clinic or Testing Site?
NISD has launched a website that lists all vaccine clinics and testing sites within the District.
Request for Student COVID -19 Vaccination Documentation
Thank you in advance for your support. Please contact Nurse Irma Rosas-Tijerina at (210) 397-5550 or irma.rosas-tijerina@nisd.net for additional questions or concerns.
Student Devices to be Sent Home Daily
District officials are watching the COVID metrics daily. Given the high number of student absences, it is important to be proactive and prepared in the event that your child is unable to attend school. Therefore, Ott teachers will be sending home student devices daily for the time being. Please ensure that it travels back to campus each day and that you have knowledge of how to log into either your child's Seesaw (PK-1) or Schoology (2-5) account.
Please contact your child's teacher if you need your child's login credentials. If you do not have access to the internet at home you can contact the NISD Student Hotline at (210) 397-0020 to request a wireless hotspot.
First Early Dismissal Day Scheduled for Feb. 16
Elementary schools will dismiss at 11:45 a.m., middle schools at 12:40 p.m., and high schools at 1:00 p.m. For families who need it, adult supervision will be available at all elementary schools, so students can remain on campus until the end of the normal school day. Learning Tree will also be available at traditional times.
For staffing and planning purposes we are requesting for parents to complete the Ott Student Early Dismissal Form. Students who remain at school will attend Ott Student Study Time until 3:10 p.m. The form must be completed by Feb. 15.
Attendance Matters
Northside continues to ask you to make your child's attendance a priority. Research shows that school attendance leads to future success and brings numerous benefits to students, including higher academic achievements.
Texas Education Code states that the students must be present in class 90% of the time in order to earn course credit or be promoted to the next grade level.
When students are tardy to school, they are missing valuable morning time with their class. Morning meetings begin promptly at 7:45 and this time allows for students to get ready for a successful day. We will begin recording tardies to school (arriving after 7:45 am).
As a reminder, not only do absences lead to learning loss, they can also lead to social-emotional deficiencies. We encourage all parents and students to make school attendance a top priority except for time when the student is sill. Be sure to send a note upon your student's return to school.
From the Superintendent Dr. Woods
School Bond 2022
The NISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously (7-0) Tuesday night to place a $992 million bond issue on the May 7 ballot.
The proposed bond, despite being the District’s largest, would have no associated tax rate increase.
Almost 95% of the proposed School Bond 2022 is slated for existing campuses with more than half of the Northside schools being 30 years and older. Check here for the proposed projects list. Campus-specific lists will be coming soon.
Your Input Matters
On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plans (ARP) Act was signed into law. In it, the U.S. Department of Education provided an additional $121.9 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER III Fund).
Through this legislation, NISD received a final ESSER III allocation of $173,011,162 for the three-year period through September 2024 to address issues caused by COVID-19. At least 20% of these funds must be used to address learning loss. ESSER III can fund academic supports, social-emotional supports, health/safety, and continuity of services. NISD’s ARP ESSER III Grant: Program Plan and Narrative (Use of Funds Plan) can be reviewed here.
In July 2021, NISD developed a Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services (RIPICS) Plan, linked here, for all schools in consultation with stakeholder groups. Districts are required to review their RIPICS Plan and Use of Funds Plan every six months to determine if changes are necessary and to seek community input.
We request that you complete a brief survey by clicking here. This survey will be open from Friday, Jan. 7 through Monday, Jan. 24.
New Student Registration for 2022-2023
All new student registrations for K-12 will begin on Tuesday, January 18. As in the past, registration will be done online.
Ott Kinder Round-Up is scheduled for Jan. 26 from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Pre-K registration will run from April 4- April 29.
Ott Attendance Touchdowns - Weekly Incentive
(COVID absences do not count against grade level percentage. Only unexcused absences count towards total grade level percentage).
Ott Hosting Future Lego Robotics NISD Qualifier, Volunteers Needed - March 26, 2022
Northside Threads Shelves Need Filling
The holidays are over but the giving spirit is still needed to stock the shelves and racks at the Northside Threads, our District clothes closet.
Many thanks to everyone who donated over the holiday season or adopted a student off the clothesline. Due to the generosity of many, the needs of 50 students were met. Threads has served a record number of students this school year. “Anyone can be part of the solution to support students in need with clothing to ensure they can be present more days in school,” said Yolanda Chapman, Family Engagement Coordinator.
Ways to help:
- Donate: Clean out closets and bring any gently used items to Threads to benefit a NISD student. All clothing is free to NISD enrolled students.
- Donation Drives: Schedule a donation drive to help Threads get some of their most needed items like new underwear and jeans. For more information on organizing a drive call 210-397-8930.
- Volunteer: Feel free to call Threads and schedule some time to volunteer and assist in getting items sorted, washed, tagged, and ready so students can have fresh clean clothes to select. For more information, call 210-397-8930.
In honor of National "Thank You" month, here's a little appreciation from #OttStuCo
Show the Love - Support #OttStuCo
Ott Student Council Store Back in Business
Support the Spurs, Go Public, & NEF
The San Antonio Spurs are helping us shine a light on the great things happening in San Antonio-area Independent School Districts with Go Public Night with the Spurs on Friday, Feb 4 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket purchases made through the Go Public special link found here are eligible to receive exciting fan experiences and prizes. The night also serves as a fundraiser for Go Public, the campaign comprised of the 19 ISDs in the San Antonio area.
In addition, a portion of ticket sales will go to the Northside Education Foundation.
Child Nutrition Workers Needed
Reminder- this Tuesday, Feb. 1, our Child Nutrition Department is hosting a job fair at the Northside Activity Center. Details & how to apply- https://www.nisd.net/.../northside-isd-hiring-cafeteria...
Food Bank - Mega Food Distribution 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐃
SeaWorld SA Free Preschool, Teacher Pass
Registration is now open for the SeaWorld San Antonio free preschool card (season pass).
Kids (five and under) can enjoy free admission to SeaWorld throughout 2022, including the Sesame Street Party Parade in May, Halloween Spooktacular, and SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration. Add Aquatica to the pass for $30.
Theme Park Tickets on Sale
The Northside Education Foundation sells Six Flags Fiesta Texas tickets ($34) and SeaWorld San Antonio tickets ($55). Details are at nisd.net/community/nef or call the Partnerships office at (210) 397-8599.
NISD School Health Advisory Council
The NISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC), in partnership with the American Heart Association, has created a February Smore for families. This month's Smore highlights adopting heart healthy behaviors, together!
Helpful Resources
Stay Connected with NISD
While one-on-one communication is the best, in a district as large as Northside ISD it is sometimes difficult. Because we want our parents to stay informed, NISD has several ways that parents and other interested citizens can stay informed about the successes and challenges of San Antonio’s premier school district of choice, as well as find out news about their children’s schools.
Follow Ott on Social Media
Please don’t forget to stay connected by following and "Liking” Ott Elementary and Ott PTA on:
- Facebook @ottelementary and @OttElemPTA
- Twitter @NISDott and @ott_pta
- Instagram @nisd_ott and @ottelementarypta
Thank you to those who have joined us this year, we appreciate your support. We encourage everyone to follow us on these social media arenas.#RootedAtOtt
Free Meals!
Ott Counselors Care
Kindness Challenge from the NISD Whole Child Department
As we get ready for the second half of this school year, we are encouraging all NISD campuses to participate in our Kindness Challenge for the month of February. We have provided the calendar to help encourage students, families, and staff to perform one act of kindness every day. We are excited to see and hear about the ripple effect of these acts of kindness being completed. We encourage staff and parents to tag us on Twitter @NISDWholeChild if they would like to share the acts of kindness they are completing!
Library News
Ott OASIS Tutoring Program
Who: Caring adults over 50 years old who want to make a difference with our Ott students.
What : Oasis Tutors are active older adults who love reading and making a meaningful contribution to the Ott Community.
Why: NISD supports the Oasis national non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of mature adults and engaging them in community service. The Oasis Tutoring Program supports Reading Achievement, builds interest and motivation, models language and oral expression, and encourages response to text.
How: Just fill out the bottom of the form that was sent home with your child and return it to your child's teacher.
When: Oasis Training will take place soon for preparation and supplies. As soon as Volunteers have their training with the district, a student will be paired up with an Oasis Mentor. Weekly 1 hour tutoring sessions and the partnership will begin.
Important Dates
- Student Council Store open from 7:15 - 7:40
- Progress Reports Posted to HAC
- National School Counselor Week
- PTA Meeting followed by 4th Grade Idiom Emporium
- Random Acts of Kindness Week
- Student Council Carnation Sales
- Student Early Dismissal @ 11:50
- NISD Rodeo Day
- National Public Schools Week
- Student Holiday/Staff Development Day
- 100th Day of School
- OCCB Day (wear your college shirt)