Bobcat Beat
Happy Sunday, Bobcats!
First week of school in the books. Thank you for making the first few days a memorable one for our students. It was so great to see all the returning smiling faces and welcoming our new students onto campus. Hope everyone had a chance to reconnect with families and maybe meet some new ones. Students and teachers are excited to be back in class and learning. We love our routines!
This newsletter is full of new information. Please read through to keep you updated for the week. My goal is to keep the community informed and help you answer any questions you have.
Here's to a great week!
Go Bobcats!
Mr. Higgins
Students in grades 1-6 will be taking their iReady Diagnostic test over the course of the next 3 weeks. This test (taken 3 times throughout the year), will not only help guide our teachers in supporting your child in areas of need and areas of growth, but it will give your child a "Personalized Lesson" path that the system will provide Language Arts and Math lessons at their level. It is really important for your child to take the Diagnostic seriously and do the best they can. The Diagnostic is designed to have easier questions and more difficult questions to calibrate the appropriate level for your child. Please tell your child to just do their best. We thank you for your support in this.
We are also allowing for students to place their unwanted, untouched, UNOPENED food into a shared cart for anyone else to grab if they are still hungry. This program is only for food from OUSD cafeteria, not food from home. I'm very excited for this program because last year I saw way too much untouched food being thrown away.
I have been in talks with some families on how we can turn this food into compostable material to recycle into our garden. More details to come later.
It used to be called the Bobcat Buyout, the No Fuss Fundraiser is one of our largest fundraisers of the year next to the Jog-A-Thon. This No Fuss Fundraiser not only helps support the many programs at our school: assemblies, Meet the Masters Art program, Red Ribbon Week activities, supplementing field trip costs and school supplies, but it was also a way to remove families feeling obligated to participate in the different fundraisers throughout the year such as wrapping paper sales, popcorn and/or cookie sales, etc. Your donation will help support the programs that will enrich our students' school experience.
Yes, there are other fundraisers that do happen throughout the year, but these are specific to help support 5th grade to offset the cost of Outdoor Ed when they attend once they're in 6th grade.
Are you, or someone you know, a first responder or a member of the military (active, reserved, or retired)? If so, we would love to honor your service to our country during our annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony. If you are able to join us on the morning of Wednesday, September 11 at 8:10-8:45, please fill out the form linked HERE and below. We would like to recognize your service to our school community. Additionally, you are welcomed to wear your uniform too. Thank you for your service.
It's every kid's favorite time - Scholastic Book Fair! Your child will get to visit the Book Fair during their library time this week and it will be open during lunch and after school for purchases. If you are interested in volunteering, please head over to the PTA Website or click the link below for more information.
If you are interested in volunteering in our school at any capacity, you must go through the Volunteer Application process each year (even if you've done it before). Click on the link below to start the process. You will have to upload proof of the certificates as well as your driver's license. There is no need to send any documents to our office - it will be done all through the Raptor system.
You cannot volunteer unless this process is complete. Because the process can take some time to go through the proper channels, I suggest to work on it now. If you need assistance, please call our front office, 714-532-8043
Families may begin their data confirmation right now. Please go to the link below to complete the necessary process for your child. My goal is to have 100% of our families complete the Data Confirmation by August 30th. We are currently at 89.06%. Congratulations to the 4th grade families, you have hit the 100% mark with 1st and 6th grade in a close 2nd place at 97%.
