Orion Gazette
Oct 24-Oct 28
Orion Alternative Calendar of Events
October
10/26 4:00pm School Site Council Virtual
10/28 10am Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the New Orion/MI Building
10/31 8:30am Halloween Parade around the school campus (no fake weapons or blood)
November
11/01 11:45 Dismissal at 11:45am for grades TK-5 District Wide PD
No lunch on Nov 1 except for students that attend on site after school programs
11/01 Read a Thon Begins
11/04 Picture Make up Day
11/05 Author Illustrator Fair Live on campus
11/11 Veteran's Day No School
11/18 Early Release grades k-5 at 1:30 or 1:40 Day before Thanksgiving Holiday week
11/21 & 11/22 Parent Teacher Conferences No school for students
11/23-11/25 Thanksgiving Holiday - NO School
Message from Principal Katherine Rivera
The leaves are turning colors and beginning to fall which means that autumn is in the air and we are well into an exciting school year. These past two weeks have been a whirlwind of professional learning for Orion's teaching and administrative staff.
In addition to Science FOSS professional development across our campus, teachers have been planning and designing STEAM lessons in collaboration with STEAM instructor Bryan Howell every week.
This past week our partner, Stephanie Rome from National Urban Alliance modeled lessons in classrooms while leading teachers through reflection in professional practices. The NUA Professional Development model is framed upon The Pedagogy of Confidence, an approach to learning and teaching that is based on the fearless expectation that all students are capable of high intellectual performances when provided High Operational Practices that motivate self-directed learning and self-actualization.
In addition, our Mandarin Immersion teachers participated in a week-long coaching cycle with Pearl You.
Orion staff are dedicated to continuous reflection and growth to improve outcomes for all students in our community.
The month of October also highlights the importance of our school and family partnership. At Orion, we know that our success as a school community is directly linked to the support we receive from our parents/guardians and community partners. Parent/Teacher conferences honor this partnership by allotting time for each family to meet with their child's teacher to discuss their academic and social-emotional progress next month in November. It is a great privilege to be able to work with and see your child’s progress on a daily basis, we look forward to opportunities to share all that has been accomplished. Please know it is always our desire to keep you informed of all events happening at Orion and share the many celebrations that we see in our classrooms each week through regular communication from teachers and the school.
Annual Read A Thon Begins November 1
We will be holding our 3rd annual Read-A-Thon during the month of November. In conjunction with our Author Illustrator Fair, we want to encourage our students at Orion Alternative- Mandarin Immersion to celebrate reading. It is a school-wide event that provides family and friends with an opportunity to give directly to our school while promoting literacy and education. Our goal is that through the encouragement and supports each of our students receives from family, friends, teachers, and classmates, they will develop and foster a love of reading for many years to come. Bonus — the money helps fund their STEAM education and other school activities as well! It will start on November 1st, 2022! Hopefully, we will have everyone reading and helping fundraise for the entire campus! Last year we raised nearly $25,000 and this year, we hope to reach $30,000! Reach for the stars!
Please see the attached flyer or go to https://go.dojiggy.io/orionreadathon2022 for more information."
Author Illustrator Fair Saturday November 5 11am-3pm
We’re two weeks away from the big day! This year’s fair will include a book sale with Linden Tree Books, wonderful author presentations and book signings, activities, and delicious bbq hosted by our Dad’s Club, Brorion. Community is welcome.
Presentation Schedule (Author Assignments Below)
11:05-11:25
Jodie Antypas
Charlotte Cheng
11:30-12:15pm
Eliza Klevin (Art Workshop)
Ko Kim
12:20-12:50
Elizabeth Gomez/Holly Ayala
12:55-1:45
LunchBreak/Inkling Workshop
2:00-2:30
Lisa More Ramee
Helen Wu
2:30-3:00
Oliver Chin
Jane Ko
Student Docents and Announcers are Needed! Second graders and above have the opportunity to sit with the author/illustrators while they are signing books for Fair patrons. They are responsible for helping the author/illustrator manage the line at the book signing, fetch supplies or snacks, or perform other special tasks. This is a unique opportunity for students to work alongside professional authors and illustrators! A quick training will be provided to all docents the week before the Fair.
Complete this form by October 24th!
Volunteer Signups: Lots of Volunteers will be needed to make this day a success, especially short shifts in book sales and presentation support. See the signup links below.
Green Room potluck (bring delicious food for authors to enjoy)
Check out the website and Facebook for more info! Author Bios Included
Inclusive Schools Week Zoom Event Oct 25
Inclusive Schools Week celebrates our diverse student population, including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, language preference, and other factors. The Special Education Parent Teacher Association of Redwood City (SEPTAR) is taking the lead on creating a wonderful Inclusive Schools Week celebration at each of our school sites this year.. Show your support by joining our upcoming planning meeting. All are welcome!
La Semana de las Escuelas Inclusivas celebra nuestra población estudiantil diversa, incluidos los estudiantes que están marginados debido a una discapacidad, género, estatus socioeconómico, herencia cultural, preferencia de idioma y otros factores. La Asociación de Padres y Maestros de Educación Especial de Redwood City (SEPTAR) está tomando la iniciativa en la creación de una maravillosa celebración de la Semana de Escuelas Inclusivas en cada una de nuestras escuelas este año. Muestre su apoyo uniéndose a nuestra próxima reunión de planificación. ¡Todos son bienvenidos!
Inclusive Schools Week Planning Meeting
Reunión de Planificación de la Semana de las Escuelas Inclusivas
Time/Hora: Oct 25, 2022 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM Pacific Time
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88439795251?pwd=djI5OEluOWRmVnBTZVFtbnFWcndUZz09
Meeting ID: 884 3979 5251
Passcode: 083453
Substitute for Our Students at Orion or Work as a Classroom aide
We need substitute teachers and we find that parents and community members make the best subs!
You must love working with children and you must have a Bachelor's Degree and pass a background check.
You will love substitute teaching for these reasons:
Flexibility: teach when, where, and how often you want.
Money: you earn a fair salary doing something you love.
Recognition: you get honored for a job well done.
Professionalism: you work with other teaching pros.
Students: you can make a positive difference in the life of a child.
Great hours: an ideal job while your kids are in school.
If interested, please call our Personnel Specialist, Gricelda Santamaria gsantamaria@rcsdk8.net or via phone at 650-423-2220.
If you are interested in working in a Parent Cooperative classroom as an aide, follow this link:
School Site Council Part 2 SPSA
All are welcome to attend and listen to the discussion of SSC members.
Join Zoom Meeting https://rcsdk8-net.zoom.us/j/5683805514?pwd=Mi83OW9Cb0VLNml6M1pjOUxoY0JBQT09 Meeting ID: 568 380 5514 Passcode: orion1 One tap mobile +16694449171,,5683805514#,,,,*440073# US +16699006833,,5683805514#,,,,*440073# US (San Jose)
Wednesday, Oct 26, 2022, 04:00 PM
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Starship Parent Teacher Organization Corner
Employer Matching Drive
Have you donated to Starship? Check if your employer will match your donation. It is worth the time and paperwork to continue our pipeline of amazing programming for our children. We are only 18% of the way towards our company matching goal.
Does your company match? Learn if they do here.
Our Direct Drive ends on December 31rst. Would you consider making a monthly donation instead of one lump sum of $700?
Donation tiers
$100+ - Starship recognition
$700+ - School T-shirt
$1500+ - Silk Lantern installation on campus and name on a family plaque
$5000 - 10 year dedication on a tree in the school orchard
Trick or Treat at Orion
Sat Oct 29 from 2-4 PM
Spooky season is around the corner! The picnic tables at Orion will be transformed into an enchanting landscape of tricks and treats. Each table will be hosted by a family or team of families, with a special trick-or-treat theme at each table. Starship PTO will also have a table with treat bags, school t-shirts for purchase, and other surprises. Please consider a voluntary $10 donation to the PTO for each participating student. Sign up to host or better yet, team up with another family to create a table with an experience or display. Get in on the fun of decorating, passing out treats, and/or setting up small games or activities to the theme of your choice. Sign up HERE for an already listed idea, or enter a new theme of your own choice. Examples of themed tables include Hocus Pocus, Pokemon, Minecraft, Star Wars, Dia de los Muertos, Harry Potter, and many more!
Pumpkin Carving Contest on Monday, October 31 & Halloween Parade at 8:30am
We are thrilled to bring back our school tradition of the Halloween Pumpkin Decorating contest. Students can bring their pumpkin "entries" to school on Monday, Oct. 31 and line them up on the stage where pumpkins will await judging!
Prizes will be awarded in categories such as (1) Most Creative, (2) Most Spirited, (3) Best Carved Pumpkin, (4) Best Painted Pumpkin (5) Funniest Pumpkin, (6) Spookiest Pumpkin, and (7) Best All-Around. All entries will receive a certificate.
Please have your student bring home his/her/their pumpkin(s) at the end of the day.
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Nov 14
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Orion Alternative School
Website: https://orion.rcsdk8.net/
Location: 555 Ave Del Ora, Redwood City, CA, USA
Phone: 650-482-2406