The Ottomon Times
#HelloFromTheOtterSide
September 23rd, 2022
Getting Them Talking
How many of us have had a conversation like this with our child?
Grown Up: How was school today?
Student: Fine.
Grown Up: What did you learn?
Student: Nothing.
Grown Up: What was the best part of your day?
Student: I dunno.
Part of the issue is that student are asked questions with such broad categories or time frames ("today" is too long of a time frame for many young students to process). I recently came across a great article online of how to get your child to talk. By asking SPECIFIC questions that narrow down the category or time frame, you should see your child more easily be able to open up and communicate. Questions that are PERSONAL to them like...
- Who is your best friend and why do you like them?
- If you were to describe yourself (or me) in three words, which words would you choose and why?
- If we allowed you to make up your own holiday, what would you celebrate and how?
You can read the other 112 conversation starters here:
https://www.developgoodhabits.com/conversation-starters-kids/
Please Mark Your Calendar!
October 3 - NO SCHOOL
October 5 - Fall Picture Day
October 19 - Chick-fil-A Spirit Night 4:00-7:00 - Granite Bay Location
October 24-28 - Red Ribbon Week & Scholastic Book Fair
October 24 - Sami's Circuit LIVE at Ottomon!
October 27 - Trunk or Treat Event
October 28 - Character Parade
November 10 - Teacher Work Day - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
November 11 - NO SCHOOL - Veterans Day
November 14 - 18 - SUPER minimum days for parent-teacher conferences. Dismissal at 10:55.
November 21-25 - Thanksgiving Break
December 23 - January 9 - Winter Break
January 16 - No School - MLK Holiday
February 20-24 - February Break
March 7-10 (Tuesday - Friday only, NOT Monday) - SUPER minimum days for parent-teacher conferences. Dismissal at 10:55.
March 30 - Open House (Exact time TBD). This is a 12:55 early release Thursday.
March 31 - Minimum Day. Release at 11:55. Enjoy your Spring Break!
April 3-7 - Spring Break
May 29 - NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
June 6 - Last Day of School - Release at 11:55 - Off to the next grade!
Hispanic Heritage Month - Famous Latinos Who Inspire All Kids
Book Recommendations
Nosotros Means Us by Paloma Valdivia
In this beautiful bilingual story, a mother and her toddler imagine that they are a variety of animals. “If I were a bear, you would be a cub. If I were a sheep, you would be a lamb.” But no matter where their imagination takes them, what always stays the same is the love that they share. This fantastic bedtime read lovingly showcases the unconditional bond between a parent and their child.
(Ages 3 – 5)
Video Read Aloud with the Author: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDzu8VLQ5Dw
My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero, illustrated by Zeke Peña
This story about the love between a father and daughter centers on Daisy Ramona as she zooms around her ever-changing neighborhood on the back of her papi's motorcycle. Though her community is constantly changing, she knows that one thing will never change: the love between Daisy and her papi. Zeke Peña provides brilliant images to complement this story.
This title is also available in Spanish: Mi papi tiene una moto
(Ages 4 - 8)
Video Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEhh8UaAjDM
Imagine by Juan Felipe Herrera, illustrated by Lauren Castillo
Poet Juan Felipe Herrera encourages little ones to imagine what they can be — citing that if he taught himself to read and write and ended up as the United States Poet Laureate, anything is possible. This uplifting — and at times, magical — poem is accompanied by stunning illustrations from Caldecott Honoree Lauren Castillo.
This title is also available in Spanish: Imagina
(Ages 5 - 9)
Video Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wwo-k1aOi9Y
1) Students who arrive on time feel INCLUDED - When a student arrives on time, they get to eat breakfast with their friends, go to recess with their friends, and walk to class with their friends. This creates a feeling of inclusivity. When a student arrives late and has not eased into the day alongside their peers, they automatically feel like they are not part of the group. This can be a stressful feeling for them.
2) Students Who Arrive on Time Feel Socially Comfortable - When a student arrives on time, they are one of many who enter the classroom together as a crew. When the classroom door opens late, it's natural to have people turn around and look at you. For many students, this creates a feeling of "stage fright" that makes them uncomfortable.
3) Students Who Arrive on Time are Academically Prepared - When a student arrives on time, they have all the materials, all the directions, and are prepared to succeed academically. Students who arrive late do not know what the directions were, do not have the materials, and already begin to feel stressed out about an academic task (even if it is a task they are fully capable of completing).
4) Students Who Arrive on Time Show Respect to Others - When a student arrives on time, they do not create any harm to those around them. When a student arrives late, there are multiple people that have more work to do. Office staff needs to complete the tardy process, cafeteria staff need to revise the original lunch count. Teachers need to repeat directions. Other students have to wait. Being on time is a way to show respect to those members of our school community.
5) Students Who Arrive on Time Show Others They are a Reliable Person - Students who arrive on time often have peers who are waiting for them in the morning to play a special imaginative game or eat breakfast together. Students who arrive late are often not asked to join in these activities, as others may perceive them as unreliable.
6) Students Who Arrive on Time are Receiving Social-Emotional Learning - Students who arrive on time are getting into community circles where they get valuable time to interact with peers. They are also getting lessons via our Second Step curriculum that will help increase their social-emotional toolkit. Students who arrive late are missing out on these important lessons and experiences that happen the first 30 minutes of each day.
7) Students Who Arrive on Time Experience Self-Respect - Students who arrive on time have feelings like, "I'm here! I'm on time! I'm ready to tackle this day! I've got this! I'm amazing! I'm responsible! Let's go!" Despite being greeted warmly each day by our staff, students who arrive late often experience feelings of frustration and self-disappointment, sometimes visibly evidenced by their body language when they walk in.
Many of us are parents here too, so we understand the occasional experience of waking up late, a pet making a sudden mess, or not being able to find the car keys! I hope this list just puts into perspective how our students feel. If you need to improve in this area, we hope you will talk with your student and make a plan for success that works for your family. If you need my help in talking with your student, I'm happy to do that as well!
Perfect Attendance
Mrs. Palermo's Class
- Tucker
- Presley
- Everett
- Nora
Mrs. Feblowitz's Class:
- Alexa
- Grant
- Anastasia
- Rylee
- Easton
- Presley
Mrs. McLeod's Class:
- Enrique
- Haven
- Jakob
Mrs. Javier's Class:
- Zoe
- Lillian
- Abigail
- Owen
- Ethan
Mrs. Jungles' Class:
- Kai
- Samuel
- Atreyu
- James
Mrs. Hoerner's Class:
- Victoria
- Addison
- Sean
- Jack
- Benny
Mrs. Schottky's Class:
- Lucia
- Katarina
- Leo
- Sophia
Mrs. Gould's Class:
- Bradie
Ms. Sedillo's Class:
- Jessica
- Nolan
- Camron
- Calvin
- Elijah
- Kylee
- Jaxson
Mrs. Nichols' Class:
- Neta
- Alaiza
- Riley
Mr. Carlson's Class:
- Maddi
- Xavion
- AshtynMichael
- Gia
I apologize if I missed anyone! Please let me know so I can check our records. Thank you!
Thank you!
Upcoming Events That Need Your Support
PTA is also forming a committee to work on the Santa Breakfast in December. If you are interested in helping, please send an email to ottomonptaov@gmail.com .
Weather Changes
Picture Day! Say Cheese!
Wednesday, Oct 5, 2022, 08:00 AM
Ottomon Elementary, Ottomon Way, Orangevale, CA, USA
Important Attendance Information
Sami's Circuit is Coming *LIVE* at Ottomon on October 24th!
SPAC Representative Needed!
Superintendent's Parent Advisory Committee (SPAC)
The superintendent and senior district staff meet with a parent advisory committee at least four times per year to discuss current topics, issues and collect feedback. Please contact me at carrie.manriquez@sanjuan.edu if this interests you!
Who are SPAC members?
Each school principal selects a member of their parent community to represent the school at SPAC meetings. The only requirement is that you are a current parent at the school you represent. Selections are made in the first few weeks of school. If you have an interest in serving on the SPAC, please speak with your school principal as soon as possible.
What do SPAC members commit to?
Members of SPAC should attend each scheduled meeting. Depending on the members' preferences, meetings may be held three to four times a year. Members are also responsible for taking the information shared at SPAC meetings back to their school site to share with staff and other parents.
2022-2023 Meeting Dates
September 29, 2022 (9:00 -11:00 a.m.)
September 29, 2022 (5:30-7:30 p.m.)
January 19, 2023 (9:00 -11:00 a.m.)
January 19, 2023 (5:30-7:30 p.m.)
April 27, 2023 (9:00 -11:00 a.m.)
April 27, 2023 (5:30-7:30 p.m.)
All meetings will be held in the district office board room. Participants have the option to attend an evening or daytime meeting
Current Second Step Focus Area
Kinder: Lesson 4 - Self-Talk for Staying on Task
1st: Lesson 4 - Self-Talk for Learning
2nd: Lesson 4 - Being Assertive
3rd: Lesson 4 - Planning to Learn
4th: Lesson 4 - Respecting Similarities and Differences
5th: Lesson 4 - Predicting Feelings
Please complete any lessons your child's teacher sends home in order to strengthen your child's skills. Thank you for supporting this research-based program!
Still Looking for Guest Contributors for Our Next Newsletter!
Are You Wanting to Volunteer?
- Check with your child's teacher to see if they are accepting volunteers for the classroom
- Check with our office to see what supports are still needed
- Begin the sign up process by visiting the following link: https://www.sanjuan.edu/volunteer
- Check your email for next steps (check your junk email as well)
- Start volunteering!
How do I get into Parent Portal?
- Please verify all phone numbers and addresses are correct. This is really important so you receive our communication and we can contact you if your child is ill or has an emergency.
- View your child's teacher. You can also find this out at the Welcome BBQ on Wednesday or the first day of school!
- Fill out the school funding form. Even if you do not eat school breakfast or lunch, this funding really helps our school! Thank you!
English Directions:
https://www.sanjuan.edu/cms/lib/CA01902727/Centricity/Domain/721/ParentPortalTutorial.pdf
Direcciones en Espanol:
https://www.sanjuan.edu/cms/lib/CA01902727/Centricity/Domain/721/parentportaltutorial%20spanish.pdf
Free Meals for All Students
We have some great helpers at lunchtime, but here are some helpful tips to prepare younger students for school meal times:
- practice opening/closing containers/packaging at home - especially milk cartons
- talk to students about raising their hand to ask for assistance from staff
- if bringing lunch from home, talk to students about what goes in the trash and what goes back in the lunch box
- talk to students about staying seated and raising their hand to line up, use the restroom, etc.
- talk to students about collecting their trash and cleaning up their space after eating
Please communicate as appropriate to teachers, office staff, nurtition services staff and Rec Aids about:
- food allergies/restrictions
- specific feeding needs/supports or accommodations
Please be aware that students do not have access to a microwave and are expected to be relatively independent in the cafeteria. Assistance is available, but limited. If you have concerns, please communicate directly with our office so we can discuss options for support.
About Ottomon Elementary
Email: ottomones@sanjuan.edu
Website: www.sanjuan.edu/ottomon
Phone: 916-979-8228