Welcome to Week 6

We have many exciting things happening on campus this week! We will be celebrating Freedom Week as well as Start with Hello week. A poster with Start with Hello activities is included at the bottom of this newsletter.

On Wednesday, selected classrooms will start a 6 weeks long program “Too Good for Violence” as part of our physical education classes.

Students who will not participate in the first round will get to do so during upcoming grading periods.

Celebrate Freedom Week

The Florida Department of Education proudly observes September as American Founders’ Month and the last full week of classes as Celebrate Freedom Week, per section (s.) 683.1455, Florida Statutes (F.S.), and s. 1003.421, F.S., respectively.

All social studies classes dedicate time to discussing the intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence. At the beginning of each school day we conduct an oral recitation of the following Preamble of the Declaration of Independence excerpt: 

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

Start with Hello Week

This week, we will focus on promoting a positive and socially inclusive school environment. Below is a list of activities that will take place throughout the week: 

• MONDAY - "Hey Day": Say hello to everyone you see! Learn how to say Hello in a different language!
• TUESDAY “Positivity Branch Tuesday”: Students create positivity trees in their grade level hallways.
• WEDNESDAY “Wear Green Wednesday”: Wear green as a way to show our commitment to creating an inclusive community.
• THURSDAY “Kindness Bracelets Day”: Students who are spotted being kind will receive a green bracelet to wear. 
• FRIDAY “Multicultural Day”: Dress in cultural clothing to promote awareness of your culture. Learn about someone else's culture today!

Week 6 Important Documents

We do not have any school-wide documents to send home this week!

Other important documents that have been shared with families so far include:

• 8-15-20 Back to School Update 

• NES Student Handbook 2020  

• NES Reopening Plan 2020 - Family Guide  

• OCSB Student Code of Conduct English (sign and return the last page)

• OCSB Student Code of Conduct Spanish (sign and return the last page)

• Over The Counter Medication Form (return to school)

• Emergency Contact Information Sheet (return to school)

• Mid quarter progress reports

• Tiger Times with OOF notification

• Revised Student-Parent-Teacher-Principal Compact (please sign and return). Option 2 parents - you may complete the form instead:  https://forms.gle/eVdNFBWT5x67ydos9

• Long Term Substitute Notification letters and Out of Field Teacher Notification letters (if applicable to your child)

Important Updates this Year

Self-screening continues to be required prior to entering campus (student home screener is provided on page 5 of the NES Reopening Plan 2020 - Family Guide). Please call the school office to report a sick child as outlined in the Self Screening Guide below. Students exhibiting these symptoms at school will be sent home:

• Temperature 100.4 degrees F or higher 

• Sore throat

• New uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing (for students with chronic allergic/asthmatic cough, a change in their cough from baseline)

• Diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain

• New onset of severe headache, especially with a fever

And/or,

• Had close contact with a person with confirmed COVID-19

• Traveled to or lived in an areas where the local, Tribal, territorial, or state health department is reporting large numbers of COVID-19 cases

• Live in areas of high community transmission

 

Additionally,

• Temperature checks are conducted for students and staff

• Walk in visitors are not allowed - always call ahead for an appointment

• Parent meetings are held virtually when at all possible

• Drop off of non-instructional items is not allowed

Important Dates

9/24

SAC Meeting to approve School Improvement Plan 5 PM

Title I Annual Meeting/Parents Information Session 5:30 PM 

9/25

Kindergarten celebrates Johnny Appleseed Day

FTE 11 Day Count starts today. In order for our school to receive funding, it is important that students are at school during this time.

School Lunch Menu This Week

 

 

Lunch and breakfast are free to all students! For easy access, breakfast is provided in pre-packaged bags at both student entrances. School meals for Option 2 students are distributed Monday through Friday from the Public Library parking lot from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Only the parent/guardian or person listed as an emergency contact may pick up meals for their child(ren).

Additional Learning Activities and Resources

• Logins to district programs is accessed at https://launchpad.classlink.com/okeechobee

• Math facts practice is available at https://www.reflexmath.com/

• Tutorials on Florida Standards are available at http://www.floridastudents.org/

• Video tutorials and practice for core subject areas on each grade level are available at https://www.khanacademy.org/

• Students are encouraged  to read at least 20 minutes each day.

School Safety

Reports concerning unsafe, potentially harmful, dangerous, violent, or criminal activities, or the threat of these activities, can be made to appropriate public safety agencies and school officials using the following link: https://getfortifyfl.com/Tip.html. All students have access to this reporting tool on their Chromebooks at school.

Sincerely,

Dr. Tuuli Robinson

Principal of North Elementary School

robinsont@okee.k12.fl.us