The Olive Branch

OMS Families,

On Friday, we reflected on the growth of our students and formulated additional ways to support and enrich their development, particularly during our Target Time. Don't forget to join us for National Walk to School Day this Tuesday, 10/9. Click HERE to see where and when you can meet up with OMS staff to walk to school together. As you can see from this picture of last year's event, we had many families participate.

We hope you are enjoying the long weekend!

Becky & Erin


Halloween Parade & Parties Our Halloween celebrations will be held on Wednesday, October 31st. The parade will begin at 1:30 pm with classroom parties immediately following. Please use the following links to indicate your child's lunch plans and ability to participate in the parade and parties. A Halloween permission form must be completed for each of your OMS students by WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24TH. Classroom teachers and PTA room reps. will be sharing additional details about the day in the coming weeks. Halloween Permission Slip 2018 (AM Kindergarten) Halloween Permission Slip 2018 (PM Kindergarten) Halloween Permission Slip 2018 (1st - 5th grade)	Parent-Teacher Conference Registration Fall parent-teacher conferences will take place during the day and evening on Thursday, 10/18/18, and during the morning on Friday, 10/19/18. Registration for parent-teacher conferences will open this TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9TH AT 10 am. Directions and links to register for a conference will be sent to all families at this time.	We Give a HOOT! We had so much fun with our September HOOT winners! So proud of all of the wonderful ways they gave a HOOT by being kind and helping others! #owlsforothers Check out a video clip of some of our fun below.

Halloween Parade & Parties

Our Halloween celebrations will be held on Wednesday, October 31st. The parade will begin at 1:30 pm with classroom parties immediately following. Please use the following links to indicate your child's lunch plans and ability to participate in the parade and parties. A Halloween permission form must be completed for each of your OMS students by WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24TH. Classroom teachers and PTA room reps. will be sharing additional details about the day in the coming weeks.

Halloween Permission Slip 2018 (AM Kindergarten)

Halloween Permission Slip 2018 (PM Kindergarten)

Halloween Permission Slip 2018 (1st - 5th grade)

Parent-Teacher Conference Registration

Fall parent-teacher conferences will take place during the day and evening on Thursday, 10/18/18, and during the morning on Friday, 10/19/18. Registration for parent-teacher conferences will open this TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9TH AT 10 am. Directions and links to register for a conference will be sent to all families at this time.

We Give a HOOT!

We had so much fun with our September HOOT winners! So proud of all of the wonderful ways they gave a HOOT by being kind and helping others! #owlsforothers

Check out a video clip of some of our fun below.

The Importance of Struggle

As parents, we often want to rush in to help when our children are struggling. For example, a novel math problem might be presented that draws on previously taught skills but requires students to use the skills in a new way. Did you know that a bit of struggling is actually a valuable part of the learning process? Click HERE to listen to Jo Boaler, Professor of Mathematics Education at Stanford University, remind us that even when our children are struggling a bit, this is the very best time for their brain.

New Standards Based Report Card District Presentation

The District 25 report card is one piece of communication amongst the many ways we communicate with families. It is a descriptive tool designed to enhance teaching and learning. The report card was designed to meet the unique needs of District 25 with input of various stakeholder groups as well as current research. It is consistent and uses clearly defined terminology from kindergarten through fifth grade.

The below video was made for those who were not able to attend the parent nights held to inform parents about the new elementary report card.