The Olive Branch 3.15.24

What's Up At The Nest...

IN THIS BRANCH

Principal Message

April 1st - Student Attendance Day

April 8th - Total Solar Eclipse

Summer U Registration

Important Dates

Principal Message

Dear Families,

Thank you for attending STEAM night! We could not make this night possible without the support of our staff, the PTA, and our community! We hope that your family enjoyed the many activities that were offered, it seems to get bigger and better every year. We are working on a highlight video of the evening to share with you soon.

As a reminder, there is NO SCHOOL on Tuesday, March 19th.

Have a great weekend,

Erin, Julia, and the OMS Staff

Monday, April 1st is NOW a Student Attendance Day.

It was a Staff Only, School Improvement Day, but the weather emergency day used on Friday, January 12, 2024 changed Monday, April 1, 2024 into a Student Attendance Day.

To read the full letter that was sent out to our community regarding this calendar update, click here.

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE - Monday, April 8th

On April 8, a total eclipse will be visible in the Chicagoland area. The following is the timeline for the total solar eclipse in the Chicagoland area:

12:51 pm --- Total Eclipse Begins
2:08 pm --- Max Point of the Total Eclipse
3:22 pm --- Total Eclipse Ends

It can be damaging to our eyes to stare directly into the sun and during a total eclipse. Because of this, I wanted to reach out to you to let you know our plan for that day to ensure the safety of our students and staff:

No recess during the timeframe of the total eclipse (unless the weather and cloud coverage permits)
It will be a teacher's decision on whether they wish to take their class outside to experience the total eclipse.
We will supply each student with the proper protective eyewear should their class decide to go outside during the total eclipse timeframe.
Students MUST wear the protective eyewear in order to go outside during the total eclipse timeframe.
Your teacher will reach out to you to let you know if their classroom anticipates going outside to view the total eclipse.
You will have an opportunity to opt your child out of that experience. Should you decide to opt your child out of that experience, they will be provided with an alternate activity.

The following are some resources should you want to learn more about the Total Solar Eclipse | 2024:

National Science Teaching Association

Parent Handout

We will speak to our students about how to responsibly experience the total eclipse and about the necessary safety precautions when going outside during a total eclipse. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

SUMMER U 2024

June 6 - June 27, 2024 at Thomas Middle School *Dates subject to change pending review of winter weather emergency days. Registration is open now and will end on April 26, 2024, at 3 pm. Please visit www.sd25.org/summeru for a full list of courses and times. Spots are available in some great classes including:

- Spanish Enrichment with an Encanto Theme (Grades K-2)

- Music Composition (Grades 3-5)

- Basket Weaving (Grades 3-5 AND 6-7)

- Baseball Insider (Grades 3-5)

- Middle School Math Review

- Middle School Literacy Review

- Kindergarten Review

- Keyboarding and Basic Tech (Grade 3-5 AND 6-7)

If you have any questions about Summer U, please email summeru@sd25.org for assistance.