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TECHNOLOGY CAMPUS CHRONICLE
VOL 6 ISSUE 15
PRINCIPAL CORNER
Dear OSES Families,
Orlando Science Elementary school has one of the largest gifted student populations in the county. This past week was designated by the Florida Department of Education as Gifted Education Week. This was a time to recognize and celebrate OSES’ commitment to providing outstanding educational experiences for students who are identified as gifted across the state.
Gifted students are those who have high achievement capability in one or more domains, such as intellectuality (IQ), creativity, the arts, or in a specific field (math). Our staffing specialist, along with classroom teachers, and OCPS, work together to identify gifted students, and ensure their needs are met. Many of our staff have a Gifted Endorsement or are working on the certification by taking professional development.
Gifted teaching strategies align with those of STEM. Many students benefit from these gifted teaching strategies, regardless of being officially labeled as gifted. If you feel your student may qualify for the gifted program, please reach out to the school and we will point you in the right direction.
“A person who is gifted sees the essential point and leaves the rest as surplus.” – Thomas Carlyle
Michael Singleton
Principal, Orlando Science Elementary
SAVE THE DATE
DECEMBER CALENDAR
To those families who celebrate: Wishing your family peace, joy, and light this Hanukkah season.
DECEMBER LUNCH MENU
Due to supply issues at the OCPS level, we do not know if hot or cold lunch will be served. Please be prepared to have either lunch until further notice.
Breakfast and Lunch will be FREE for the 2023-2024 school year
If your child has food allergies and will require a special meal from OCPS please click on the link below to fill out the special diet order form
Special Diets for Food Allergies - Orange County Public Schools (ocps.net)
Are you frustrated by the length of our carline? We understand! Here are three tips to help reduce the wait time during morning and afternoon carlines.
#1 – Please move your car forward. We constantly remind you to do this because many cars leave unnecessary gaps between themselves and the vehicle in front of them. By eliminating these spaces, we can fit more cars into the carline and make it move faster. It's a simple concept, really. Unfortunately, we've encountered situations where parents refuse to move because their child is still working on homework or eating breakfast, or they simply don't want their child to walk a few extra feet. Others are distracted by their phones or electronic devices and only start paying attention after we've shouted multiple times. These are just a few examples of the challenges we face on a daily basis.
#2 – Especially in the mornings, please ensure your child is prepared to exit the car. They should have their belongings ready and be able to leave the car as soon as they reach the back of the building. Instead of having to open the trunk and gather their things, they could have their bags and lunch on their laps beforehand. Carpooling parents should wait until they reach the very front of the line before stopping to load up, making it easier for other cars to move around them.
#3 – Arriving too early to pick up your children from the club does not expedite the line. In fact, it has the opposite effect. Some parents claim their children do not have club activities, when in fact they do, which holds up the line for parents whose children are ready to be picked up. As parents with children in club wait, the line either moves very slowly or not at all. We have asked parents to enter the line at 3:40, the designated end time for clubs. Coming before this time blocks the entrance for parents picking up early. Additionally, parking and waiting in a line too early does not help move the line along. We understand that time can be tricky, but the slight inconvenience of looping back around is much better than bringing the line to a complete halt.
Curriculum and Testing Updates
Spelling Bee Winners!
SECME Regionals
Only 15 spots are available for the SECME regionals at UCF on February 10th! K-5 (elementary) students can choose 1 competition from any category like the glider, math, water bottle rocket, art, mousetrap car, and more. The sign-up genius form linked here has both Osceola and Orlando on it, so please pay attention to what you are signing up for: Please complete this form to save your spots on the teams.
After winter break, a SchoolPay account will be created to cover the registration fee of $20. If you have any questions, please email natacha.galindo@orlandoscience.org.
THIS WEEK IN GRADES K-6
KINDERGARTEN
Volden
In kindergarten we have been getting ready for Winter! In the next few weeks, we will have a lot of Winter themed activities, such as the STEM day, Snowball day, and our Polar Express day! Teachers have shared a sign-up link to help bring in supplies for these fun days. Please help and donate some supplies or time to help these activities run smoothly!
In Ms. Volden's class this week we have been finishing up our topic 7 on extending the counting sequence to 120. Students have practiced skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s too. Students have also been learning about patterns in nature such as day and night and seasons in reading. Next week students will begin working on their holidays around the world. Each day we will learn about a different country and how they celebrate their winter holidays. It'll be so much fun!
FIRST
DiNuzzo
In Ms. DiNuzzo’s class, we are continuing to learn our 1st grade science and social studies standards and 2nd grade math and reading standards. In reading, we are learning about text features while reading about Wilma Rudolph in Module 5 Week 2. In math, we are working on subtraction with regrouping (Topics 5 and 6) and using math manipulatives when needed. In science, we are learning about Earth Structures and completing STEM activities. In social studies, we are working on our Economics Unit and we have started learning about Holidays around the World.
We had a special guest this week, Mrs. Bermudez our school reading coach, joined our class to help teach about Hanukkah. We lit our class menorah (electronically), learned how to play the dreidel using gelt (small chocolate coins), and sampled some Challah bread.
If you're wondering what Hanukkah is, Hanukkah is a Jewish festival of lights that is celebrated for 8 nights. A menorah is a special lamp with 9 candles representing each night of Hanukkah (along with its helper candle). Hanukkah started on Thursday night and will continue until Friday, December 15th. Just like Diwali, it is a festival of lights and the exact dates for it change every year. Happy Hanukkah to all those that celebrate!
Congratulations to Nuah and Nathan for getting 1st and 2nd place in running mileage in 1st grade during PE.
Upcoming 1st grade events:
Gatorland Field Trip 12/15
December STEM Day 12/20
Pajama Day 12/22
***Please donate any cylinder containers with lids for example empty Pringle cans and similar like items to Ms. DiNuzzo. Thank you in advance!***
Students making posters to later present water safety tips and
Soil lab to explore different types of soil on earth pictured below:
SECOND
Yeaman
This week, Mrs. Yeaman’s second graders enjoyed finishing up our unit on Energy by exploring wind energy by making pinwheels and electrical energy by making circuits. The class talked about the different pros and cons of solar energy verse wind energy and ways that we can use more renewable energy sources in the future.
THIRD
Martin
Mr. Martin’s class has done a lot of good work. This week. In addition to working our way through the mid year FAST test we worked on a math project to use their skills calculating area and perimeter to design a dream bedroom and budget for it. We also finished our 2nd quarter novel study of Hatchet.
FOURTH
Polejes
This week, fourth grade showed how much amazing growth we’ve had this year on FAST! With our testing schedule, we were able to take the time to review what we had learned about adding and subtracting fractions. Students got to collaborate and improve on their fraction skills, while having fun with it!
They are also preparing for their last lesson in Science of Quarter 2. After this, we will begin preparing for their STEM Fair projects! Excited to see what they choose to work on.
FIFTH
Aramayo
This week in Mrs. Aramayo’s class students practiced their science terms after FAST testing by playing a game called Fishbowl. In Fishbowl, there are 3 rounds. The first round is Taboo, the next Charades, and finally Password. The students were very enthusiastic about playing the game! In other news, the current science unit for 5th grade is Energy Forms and Transformations. Ask your student about different types of energy and examples of them. As a reminder, your student should be working on STEM Fair. Reach out to your student’s teacher for specifics on how their teacher is organizing the parts of STEM Fair.
SPECIALS
Bagnati - Character Ed
This week in character education, we discussed the negative effects of bullying, and in order to combat it third grade Mr. Martin, Ms. Gerstung, and Mrs. Astacio's classes are working on a mural where they picked two different students and wrote them compliments. This mural will be put together and hung on one of our hallway walls!
SIXTH
Jersey- Science
Sixth grade Life Science has been super sweet lately as we navigate with the phases of Mitosis during a cookie lab. Students also made DNA sequence bracelets this week from various organisms, along with the complementary
strand. They are preparing to extract DNA & observe it under a microscope. They will end this week by looking at DNA evidence as part of Forensics and a crime scene.
STEM Earth & Space students have been hard at work designing and building a Futuristic Sustainable City. The entire city is built with recycled materials and must be sustainable.
Little Einsteins club has been finding the "matter" in slime. STEM clubbers are building marble runs from recycled materials.
Ukelele Club Concert
Spain Trip!
.
Thanks to all the families enrolled to go on our Spain (Madrid/Barcelona) trip! It will be AMAZING! We just have 4 spots left! You can still enroll. 😊
For easy enrollment, go to passports.com and copy/paste the following
TOUR ID: IBRAVO-RIVERA2024-3
The link will take you to the enrollment page where you can fill out your/your student’s info and set up your payment plan with passports. The trip is open for all our OSS families. However, this is not a school sponsored trip and neither me nor the school will collect any money for it. Every payment plan will be through Passports!
Please fill out the google form below when you are enrolled with Passports -our travel partner- to send you more info about the trip! 😊
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/18iiaeGN1veIWsMX-EnKA5FBVUGnkKHbs3QOjN8_omFk/edit
Thanks.
Tennis Clinics
Weekly tennis clinics are now available to ALL students at Orlando Tennis Centre. There are two time slots to choose from: 3:00p-4:00p and 5:00-6:00p. The 4:00-5:00p is currently FULL. Don't worry about your child's experience level. They will be divided by skill level by coaches. Coach Raul requires us to sign up by the month. The cost is $60 for 4 consecutive weekly sessions.
Please RSVP to Julie.Hemphill@yahoo.com with your child’s full name, grade level, and your choice of the 3PM or 5PM time slot. To confirm your child’s spot please send $60 to Coach Raul via Zelle at rrodriguez@allcourttennisinc.com.
The goal is to eventually form a USTA team (or teams) in collaboration with Coach Raul Rodriguez at Orlando Tennis Centre.
Orlando Tennis Centre
2055 W New Hampshire Street
Orlando, FL 32804
Don't Forget to Order This Year's School Pictures
ENJOY 10% OFF
your order!
CODE: F202310OFF
EXPIRES: May 1, 2024
December is a busy month for everyone. As we close out the year, it is the perfect time to reflect and set goals for the coming year.
Researchers from the American Society for Engineering Education define empathy as “perspective taking”. In our elementary-level Sanford Harmony lessons, students learn that empathy is feeling or understanding what someone else is feeling, resulting in many important and vulnerable discussions with peers. Still, employing empathy in daily interactions and decisions is a challenging endeavor that takes intentionality and practice.
The good news is that OSES students have many opportunities to practice empathy and put it to use. Examples of empathy in a classroom include letting a friend know you understand how they might be feeling if they are frustrated about an assignment or talking about how characters might be feeling when reading a passage in ELA. One of the best ways to show empathy to others is to listen actively.
I have, and hope to continue to see many examples of empathy on campus. This character trait goes with our ORCA core value appreciating differences.
Have a great weekend!
CLUBS AND TUTORING
CLUBS
Hello families!
Please read carefully for all club reminders:
PICK UP: Please remember that you should not arrive on campus before clubs dismiss. Even coming 5 minutes early causes backups in our dismissal process.
- Building 1 (grades K-3) - clubs dismiss at 3:40 during the week and 2:40 on Wednesday
- Building 2 (grades 4-6)- clubs dismiss at 3:40 during the week and 2:40 on Wednesday
ABSENCES: Remember that 3 or more consecutive absences will result in a removal from the club. If you are missing club because of tutoring or sickness, email the club teacher so it can be excused.
If you want to withdraw from a club, please email alicia.greene@orlandoscience.org.
CLUB PAYMENT LINKS
Competition Math
ear Orlando Science Elementary School Community,
We are thrilled to share the remarkable success of our 4th and 5th-grade mathletes who recently participated in the Mathleague.org December Qualifying math competition held at Lake Whitney Elementary School on Saturday, December 2nd.
We are proud to announce that Orlando Science Elementary School (OSES) emerged as the overall winner, securing the prestigious 1st place sweepstakes award. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and mathematical prowess of our talented students.
In addition to the collective success, we would like to extend special congratulations to two outstanding 5th-grade mathletes, Daksh Patni and Om Mahajan, who earned individual accolades. Daksh Patni claimed the 3rd place individually, showcasing his exceptional mathematical skills, while Om Mahajan secured the 4th place, demonstrating another stellar performance.
We want to express our gratitude to all the students who participated in the competition, as well as extend a heartfelt thank you to the parents and sponsor teachers for their unwavering support. Your encouragement and guidance played a crucial role in our students' success, and we truly appreciate your commitment to their academic growth.
As we celebrate this triumph, we eagerly look forward to the upcoming math competitions, where we will once again strive for excellence and showcase the exceptional talents of our mathletes. We are confident that with continued dedication and hard work, Orlando Science Elementary School will continue to shine brightly in the world of mathematics.
Congratulations to everyone involved, and best wishes for the exciting challenges that lie ahead!
Sincerely,
Kerim Akyalcin, M.Ed.
Math Counts Competition
Dear All,
I would like to share the following news with you. Please congratulate the students who will be representing OSS at MathCounts Chapter competition.
Thank you.
Orlando Science School Mathletes Excels at MathCounts School Competition
On Saturday, December 2nd, the MathCounts School Competition at Orlando Science Schools witnessed the impressive prowess of over 50 students from 6th through 8th grade. The event showcased a remarkable display of mathematical talent, enthusiasm, and dedication from the participating students.
Standing out among the exceptional competitors, Keerthi Karri (8th grade) secured an impressive 3rd place, while Aarit Dixit (8th grade) claimed the 2nd place spot. However, it was Brayden Choi (8th grade) who stole the spotlight by clinching the coveted overall first place. Brayden's remarkable feat included acing all the questions in the contest, resulting in a perfect score of 46.
The competition not only tested the students' mathematical skills but also provided an exhilarating and challenging experience for all participants. The atmosphere was filled with energy as students engaged in problem-solving, critical thinking, and mathematical creativity.
In recognition of their outstanding performance in this school competition and several other practice events, a select group of students has been chosen to represent Orlando Science School at the upcoming MathCounts Central Florida Chapter competition in February. The school proudly congratulates the following students for earning a spot on the OSS MathCounts Team: Brayden Choi (team captain), Aarit Dixit, Keerthi Karri, and Andrew Chai.
Additionally, several students will be participating in the Chapter Round as individuals, showcasing their individual brilliance in the field of mathematics. The list of individual participants includes Nikhil Dereddy (6th grade), Parnika Purimetla (6th grade), Evan Chen (6th grade), Michael Lin (6th grade), Nikhil Kar (6th grade), Stella Chen (8th grade), Atharv Tiwary (7th grade), Zihan Liu (8th grade), and Anay Sonawane (UP, 6th grade).
The Orlando Science School extends heartfelt congratulations to all participants and wishes the best of luck to the Mathletes who will be representing the school at the MathCounts Central Florida Chapter competition in February. These students have not only demonstrated their mathematical prowess but also exemplified the spirit of teamwork, dedication, and a passion for problem-solving that makes Orlando Science Schools proud.
What is MathCounts?
MathCounts is a national middle school mathematics competition that builds problem-solving skills and fosters achievement through four levels of fun, in-person "bee" style contests. Recognized as the most prestigious and challenging middle school math competition in the nation, MathCounts provides a platform for students to showcase their mathematical prowess in a fun and competitive environment.
Kerim Akyalcin, M.Ed.
Pick up and Drop off Carline Procedures
PikMyKid Questions? See Below!
Elementary Competition Math Calendars
TUTORING
BRAINFUSE ONLINE TUTORING
Brainfuse offers free online tutoring through the Orange County Library System to ALL students in Orange County Public Schools.
FREE live tutors are available every day from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Using Brainfuse, students can connect with a qualified tutor for expert help in a variety of subjects.
Building 1: K-3 407-299-6595 option 1 Ms. Nicole
Attendance Emails and Notes K-3 - Nicole.Wallace@orlandoscience.org.
Any doctor's notes can be dropped off at the front desk, or sent via email.
Building 2: 4-6 407-299-6595 option 2 Ms. Molina
Attendance Emails and Notes 4-6 Keily.Molina@orlandoscience.org
Any doctor's notes can be dropped off at the front desk, or via email
Volunteering
If you want to volunteer in your student's classroom, eat lunch with your student, or chaperone a field trip. You must be additions approved. If you have volunteered in past, you must update your account each school year. For any questions, please reach out to Nicole.Wallace@orlandoscience.org.
How to add a student to school pay
Staff Commendations 2023-2024
PARENTS' RIGHTS INFORMATION
Your Resource for Legislative Updates
In order to help keep our families informed of the latest legislative updates regarding their student's education, a Parent Rights Resources page has been added to the school website.
Recent updates include:
- Internet Safety
- District Health Care Services
- Special Magistrate
ADDITIONAL PARENT INFORMATION
Mission Statement
The mission of Orlando Science Elementary School (OSES) is to provide a well-rounded education with special emphasis in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), while using research-based and innovative instructional methods in a stimulating learning environment. OSES is committed to the social-emotional learning and character development of all students.