Orion Gazette
August 31-September 4
A Message from Principal Katherine Rivera
Dear Families,
We have made a lot of progress in our first full week and a half of school. Most students are now participating in their synchronous classrooms. More families have been able to access wifi either through district hot spots or community based services. Our goal is 100% access for all students.
The start of the year has been bumpy, but each day is a little better. Please reach out to us if you or your student needs support or help, we are here in partnership together.
For me personally, I wish we were beginning the school year with students on campus. I truly miss seeing our students and sometimes find it difficult to find purpose in my work when I am not working directly with students. While I am proud of the work we have done, and do believe that we can still make a difference in children’s lives, it remains difficult for me not to engage in person. Yet, I have to acknowledge the fact that the world has significantly changed, in more ways than one. This article helped me put things in perspective giving me permission to be vulnerable and sometimes even incomplete. We are all going to get depleted, but we are also resilient, and can get through this. Who knows, we may ever return better than before, taking what we have learned during this pandemic and applying it to new situations.
Your ‘Surge Capacity’ is Depleted
https://elemental.medium.com/your-surge-capacity-is-depleted-it-s-why-you-feel-awful-de285d542f4c
Your classroom teacher is the best person to answer questions, concerns and challenges. If the teacher has not be able to solve the problem or answer a question, please reach out to me or the new assistant principal or office manger.
On another note, our district just purchased licenses for Zoom accounts. Staff will be learning Zoom and all the tools over the next few weeks before students begin using Zoom. We look forward to these better features it will provide the students in Distance Learning.
We will continue to monitor the daily schedules and adjust as needed to improve the experience for your children.
Principal: Katherine Rivera krivera@rcsdk8.net
Assistant Principal: Nichole Crawford ncrawford@rcsdk8.net on M, T, W only
Office Manger: Elizabeth Araiza earaiza@rcsdk8.net
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday. 8:45-3:45
Coffee with Principal Katherine Rivera
https://rcsdk8-net.zoom.us/j/81654547359?pwd=ZitRRFZhcXFvcUN1TXhxakxYTTNrdz09
Meeting ID: 816 5454 7359
Passcode: H.4^nE
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+13462487799,,81654547359#,,,,,,0#,,740988# US (Houston)
Dial by your location
Meeting ID: 816 5454 7359
Passcode: 740988
Find your local number: https://rcsdk8-net.zoom.us/u/kcYe8qrgi6
Wednesday, Sep 9, 2020, 08:15 AM
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REACH Childcare for Orion Students
Orion Reach program will be having an in-person Distance Learning Support Program. In this program, students will be assigned to a learning pod by age/grade where they will be supported by staff in an environment conducive of learning. Program days and hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8am-3pm with monthly fees set at $325. For more information about the program, including FAQ’s, please visit Distance Learning Support Hubs.
Scholarships available for Orion students in grades TK-5.
If you are interested in the program, click on the link to register, Orion - 53.500
As always, if you have any questions, please contact Onika Tarver at otarver@redwoodcity.org or 650-444-6560.
Adilah Haqq Smith
Recreation Manager
Redwood City Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Phone:650-780-7315
Parent's Guide to Distance Learning and Resources
At the time of our Back to School Orientations on August 17 and 18 teachers shared their schedules, curriculum and distance learning schedules. In the following guides you can find even more detailed information and resources for families during this time.
Short Videos for Parent to view for support with student tech tools
Startship PTO Corner
First Starship Meeting: Wednesday Sep 2nd, 7:30-9:00pm:
Please join us for our first meeting for the 2020-2021 school year! This year, more than ever, we need everyone's support to make sure our children have what they need to succeed. Meet your PTO committee members, learn about what we do, and connect with other parents. We will be voting in this year's executive officers and approving the PTO budget. Please join us! PTO Agenda 9.2.20
2020-2021 Nominated Executive Team
Co Presidents: Meghan O'Reilly Green & Lilli Milton
Co Vice Presidents: Christina Hsu & Vacant
Treasurer: Lexie Schmitt
Secretary: Jess Bryski
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3596442118
Meeting ID: 359 644 2118
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Join Konstella! This summer we moved to a new parent communication platform that we hope will provide greater support and flexibility for our campus needs. You should have received an email invitation inviting you to join. You can also join using this link here https://www.konstella.com/cd/KU7S9V.
Class Coordinators: We are still looking for a few more parents to join as class coordinators to support school communication and connection during this next year. We hope to have bilingual teams supporting each grade. Please sign up on Konstella if you are interested.
Every parent, teacher and staff member is a part of Starship and it is essential that Starship represent both programs and the entire community. There are lots of places for parents to get involved and it is exciting to explore the opportunities to come together in these uncertain times to support the campus. Our first Starship's are generally the 1st Monday of the month.
Questions or ideas: email starship@orionschool.org.
Wednesday Assembly and Book Read Aloud from Librarian Christina
Google Meet times and Links:
Wednesday Schedule:
Grades k-1:
9:00-9:15 Principal Katherine Link: meet.google.com/ynd-jmkj-khc
10:00-10:15Librarian Christina Library meet.google.com/hho-vmtn-xxr
Grades 2-3
10:00-10:15 Principal Katherine Link: meet.google.com/ynd-jmkj-khc
11:00-11:15 Librarian Christina Library meet.google.com/hho-vmtn-xxr
Grades 4-5
4-5 9:00-9:15 Librarian Christina Library Link meet.google.com/hho-vmtn-xxr
4-5 11:00-11:15 Principal Katherine Link: meet.google.com/ynd-jmkj-khc
Starting September 16: Live PE classes each Wednesday via Zoom
Grades 3-5 9:00-9:20
Grades k-2 9:40-10
We will also begin Soul Shoppe lessons on Wednesdays starting mid-September.
Parent Collaboration and Leadership Opportunities
Parent Leadership Roles
The Orion school community recognizes the importance of parent leadership at all levels of our school in both the Mandarin Immersion and Parent Participation programs. To this end, we encourage parents to participate in one or more of the following committees or teams. Check the school website and newsletters for specific meeting times and dates.
Starting in September we will begin officially holding meetings, information sessions, and elections for different councils and teams. Some teams require an election process per California Education Code, such as School Site Council and English Language Advisory. Some teams are made up interested parents who commit to consistently attend meetings. Noted below are the current council and teams. School Site Council (SSC), English Language Advisory (ELAC) will start the year with the leadership from last year and begin the election process next month.
School Site Council
Purpose: Develop, implement and monitor the school improvement plan based upon the assessed needs. The State of California mandates goals and targets for public schools.
Meetings: Meet at least one time per month via Zoom
Parent Role: The council is to consist of 10 members, up to 5 representing the parents and community and up to 5 of staff members. The officers shall be elected annually by a ballot at the second meeting of each year. Council members must attend each meeting.
ELAC English Language Advisory Committee
Purpose: The primary purpose of ELAC is to advise the school principal and school staff regarding the instructional programs and support services for English Learners. ELAC is also responsible for advising the School Site Council (SSC) and reviewing the Site Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA).
Meetings: At least 5 meetings per year. One meeting to meet with the principal to plan the agenda and one meeting every other month.
Parent Role: At least 2 parents serve on the ELAC committee. Parents/ guardians of English learners elect parent members of the school committee or subcommittee. All parents shall be provided the opportunity to vote.
Orion Alternative Parent Participation Advisory Council
Purpose: The purpose of the Orion Alternative PP Advisory Council is to work in partnership with Principal Katherine and teachers from the PP program to bring forward the three main program goals:
- Create a culture that prioritizes, expresses, and develops excellent social-emotional skills
- Shape curriculum to include thematic learning aligned to global citizenship, both in classrooms and through school wide activities
- Engage families to participate in the Orion Parent Participation to model the civic engagement behind global citizenship
Meetings: At least one time per month via Zoom
Mandarin Advisory Council
Purpose: The purpose of the Mandarin Advisory Council is to provide the school input into strengthening the Mandarin Immersion program by helping develop and guide the program vision and mission, Chinese cultural events, academic enrichment and student recruitment.
Meetings: At least one time per month via Zoom
Parent Role: Volunteer parent committee leads meet one timer per month to with the principal to report out committee work, share upcoming events and solicit support.