Orca Families,

Happy New Year! It is hard to believe that it is already 2021. I am hopeful that this year will be full of love, laughter, and adventure. While 2020 was unexpected and sometimes difficult, I learned many lessons. The most valuable lesson is the importance of the people in my life. I am so thankful to be surrounded by an incredible Orca School Family. Thank you for supporting our school!

As we transition back to school, please be mindful of setting routines for home-based learning and bedtimes. I know that my family does not follow our “regular” school schedule over breaks and it can be a hard adjustment. Additionally, please continue to be vigilant with health screenings as we transition back to in-person learning in our hybrid programs.

Please reach out to me with any questions or concerns. We appreciate your support and partnership!

Warm regards,

Sara Lucero

Orcas are Respectful, Responsible, Safe, and Kind.

Orcas are Character Strong!

• School Resumes | Jan. 4
• Distance-only week | Jan. 4- Jan. 8
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Jan. 18
• Presidents Day | Feb. 15

This month we’re talking about the beautiful character trait of Kindness. The dictionary defines it as: “the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.” But it is so much more than that! The definition we are using in class is:

Kindness: the choice to act with words, gifts, or actions to bring appreciation, positivity, and encouragement to others and yourself.

The key part of this definition? Kindness is a choice that we get to make every day to bring good things into our lives and the world. Those good things can look like more than just some kind words; Kindness is given through our actions and our encouragement and our attitude and our gifts. We will spend time thinking about how to be kind to ourselves, to our environment, to animals, and to one another. We will get to experience meaningful words through compliments and feel the joy that comes from showing appreciation to others. We will think about how people like Jackie Chan and Booker T. Washington and Maya Angelou teach us Kindness. It will be a powerful and positive time!

To view the complete Family Newsletter that contains “Conversation Starters” and other meaningful family activities click one of the links below:

Kindness K-2 Family Letter (English) | Spanish Version

Kindness 3-5 Family Letter (English) | Spanish Version

Please remember to have your Orcas dress warmly. They spend a good deal of time outside for recess, mask breaks, and fresh air. Some classes even have lessons outside and our Orca friends need to be bundled up!