Howdy Trailblazers
January 3 - 17, 2022
Greetings from Principal Bueno
Happy 2022 Trailblazers! I hope everyone stayed safe and healthy over the break and had a wonderful start to the year. I know it's not going to be easy for our students to get back into the swing of things, but hopefully the transition will be seamless for all.
In light of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Bexar county, NISD is strongly encouraging the use of facemasks for students, staff, and visitors while indoors at all District facilities. Our custodians will continue frequent cleaning and disinfecting to ensure the safety and well-being for all of us at Ott. If you haven't already, please reference Dr. Woods' recent message regarding COVID-19 protocols as we return to the building from the winter break.
As a reminder, the 2nd grading cycle ended on December 17 and report cards will post into HAC this Friday at 4:00 p.m. Please contact your child's teacher if you have questions or concerns regarding grades or current rate of academic progress.
I want to congratulate our Associate Principal Ms. Olvera for being appointed as the new AP of Cable Elementary. Ms. Olvera has an exciting opportunity to support Cable Elementary as they transition into a Full Year Redesign this July. Ms. Olvera's schedule will be split between both campuses for this month and our new AP will be introduced to our Ott community on Jan. 26. I wish Ms. Olvera all the best with her new endeavors, she will be missed!
We also bid farewell to our Math Support Development Teacher Tanya Aleman. Mrs. Aleman has been with our Ott family for 16 years! She recently accepted a position as a Math Instructional Support Teacher for the NISD Math Department. Her knowledge and experience will now make a greater impact and we couldn't be more proud of her. Congrats Mrs. Aleman! Please welcome Mrs. Uresti as Mrs. Aleman's replacement. She is coming to us from Evers Elementary where she served as a Fourth Grade Collaborative Teacher and campus leader.
As a reminder, please don't forget Jan. 26 is an Early Dismissal Day. Details including a link to the Ott Early Dismissal Form can be found below.
Please join us for this month's PTA meeting on January 18 at 6:00 p.m. followed by a very special and memorable tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. hosted by our 2nd grade teachers. You don't want to miss it and if you haven't already, please support our Ott-some PTA by becoming a member!
Lastly, our campus will be closed on Jan. 17 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Classes will resume on Jan. 18.
Make it an Ott-some week Trailblazers!
Principal Bueno
COVID-19 - Updated Information
Stay Vigilant, Be Proactive
District officials are watching the COVID metrics daily. Given the high number of student and staff absences, it is important to be proactive and prepared in the event one finds themselves unable to attend school. While there is no intention for any kind of large-scale closure, parents should be prepared if classes need to move to remote learning for a day or two.
For the next few weeks, teachers will remind students to take their NISD-issued devices home each day. Please help by ensuring that your child brings home and returns their device on a daily basis. If you have connectivity problems, please call 210-397-0020 for assistance.
“Our goal is to have staff and students in class as much as possible, but we need to be prepared in the event we must quarantine,” said Superintendent Dr. Brian Woods. “I ask that everyone keep vigilant about wearing masks, washing hands, and distancing as much as possible. We have made it through other surges in the virus and we will make it through this one as well.
Public Vaccine Clinics Held this Weekend
NISD will host several vaccine clinics at the Northside Activity Center, 7001 Culebra Road.
- Saturday, Jan. 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Jan. 9 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The vaccine is available for anyone 5 years and older.
- Ages 5-11 may receive the Pfizer vaccine either 1st or 2nd dose, 21 days or more apart
- Ages 12-15 may receive the Pfizer vaccine either 1st or 2nd dose, 21 days or more apart--boosters approved for this group
Ages 16 and older may receive the Pfizer vaccine either 1st or 2nd dose, 21 days or more apart--boosters are approved six months after the second dose.
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.
Student Devices to be Sent Home Daily - Effective Jan. 6
Request for Student COVID -19 Vaccination Documentation
Free COVID-19 Testing
Welcome New Ott Mathematics Staff Development Teacher - Mrs. Uresti
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
First Early Dismissal Day Scheduled for Jan. 26
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 Jan. 25.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Jan. 17
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.
Federal Forms
Our Words Matter Week - Jan. 18-21, 2022
Ott Attendance Touchdowns - Weekly Incentive
(COVID absences do not count against grade level percentage. Only unexcused absences count towards total grade level percentage).
Kinder Round Up - Save the Date!
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.
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.
STEM Magnet Schools
If you would like a closer look, both schools are hosting in-person open houses- Jones Magnet on Jan. 11 at 6:30 p.m. and Zachry Magnet on Jan. 12 at 6:30 p.m. Applications are open until Jan. 14. For more information and to apply- https://www.nisd.net/.../choose-your-future-nisd-magnet...
Apply Now for Magnet Schools
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 January Smore for families. This month's Smore highlights daily tips to keep families active!
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
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
Jan. 17
- School Holiday
- PTA Meeting @ 6:00 p.m. followed by 2nd Grade Performance
- Student Council store open from 7:15 a.m. - 7:40 a.m.
- Ott College and Career Bound Day (OCCB Day) - wear your college shirt
- Kinder Round Up from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.