Avalon Eagles Newsletter

By driving slowly and carefully through the line

Dropping off no earlier than 8:30 am (unless student attends Latchkey in the mornings)

Having backpack on and student ready to exit the vehicle independently on the school side of the vehicle

Holding questions for staff to a minimum to keep the carline moving (calling the school or emailing specific teacher or staff member before or after drop-off instead)

Arriving to school before 9:00 a.m. to avoid being tardy. If a student arrives after 9:00 a.m., he or she will be considered tardy and will need to push the call button (can be out of reach for small children) to the left of the door on the outside wall to be let inside. Students who are tardy will need to stop at the window to give their name and get a slip to take to class.

One of the ways that Avalon teachers and staff communicate with parents & caregivers is through the use of your child's green folder.

Please remember to check your child's green folder every night for:

• Homework
  
• Permission slips
  
• Forms & announcements

Thank you!

• Friday, October 11: Parent Advisory Council Meeting (Hybrid Format)
  
• Friday, October 11: October Eagle Zoom Room (Virtual Office Hours)
  
• Wednesday, October 16: School Picture Day
• Friday, October 18: No School (Professional Development Day)
• Wednesday, October 23: No School (Records Day)
• Thursday, October 24: 3rd Grade ELA OST (English & Language Arts Testing)
• Friday, October 25: 3rd Grade ELA OST (English & Language Arts Testing)
• Monday, October 28: 1st Quarter Grades Available in Parent Portal
• Wednesday, October 30: Avalon's K-1st Grade Community Circle
• October 28 - November 1: Red Ribbon Week (See details below for participation)

The next Parent Advisory Council Meeting will be held on Friday, October 11, from 9:30 am - 10:30 am.

**It will be a hybrid meeting, taking place both in person at the School Library, and on Zoom.

If attending on Zoom, here are the details to join the meeting:

https://ccsoh-us.zoom.us/j/83389555318?pwd=JPbIXAQg3czvfARrIPRoUAX0AY9OFA.1

Meeting ID: 833 8955 5318

Passcode: 563445

The Avalon Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of caring and committed parents, school staff, and community volunteers collaborating and working together on parent-centered goals and activities to benefit Avalon students.

Since Avalon Elementary is a Title 1 funded school, PAC is also a great way for parents and caregivers to share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement, and to build a partnership that will help children achieve the state's high standards.

PAC is also a great way to:

• be connected with other Avalon parents
  
• support your child's education
  
• get involved with the school
  

PAC meets once a month in a hybrid format (the meeting takes place both in person at the school library and virtually on Zoom). Additional time commitments would be to help volunteer with any school & social events that we plan.

If you are interested in joining PAC or have questions, please contact Family Ambassador, Candace Walker at: cwalker9@columbus.k12.oh.us.

View photos of last year's PAC events and activities here: https://www.ccsoh.us/Page/12547

If you have questions about anything, we are here to help! Stop by online and speak to one of our Family Ambassadors. There's no question too big or too small. We can also show you how to get connected with district and community resources. We know you may have lots of questions about school starting this year and we're here to answer them!

Friday, October 11

12:00 pm -1:00 pm

Join Zoom Meeting

https://ccsoh-us.zoom.us/j/81352445965?pwd=VwyR0tdHkotsWJIVqbHWveKMklalEh.1

Meeting ID: 813 5244 5965

Passcode: 062191

Students will have their pictures taken on Wednesday, October 16 at Avalon. Students have the option of wearing a school uniform, or dressing out of uniform.

Teachers will send home more information soon, such as ordering information.

ELA OST Testing

The Ohio State Test (OST) in English/Language Arts will be administered to 3rd Graders from October 24 - October 25. This test is an important part of the Third Grade Reading Guarantee (3GRG).

It is imperative that students attend school during their testing days and bring their District Issued Chromebooks and personal earbuds and/or headphones for testing.

The results of state test scores are extremely important to the students, Avalon Elementary and Columbus City Schools. In order to do their best, students need to be rested and ready.

Parents can help by doing the following:

• Make sure your child is in school and on time during testing days
• Set an early bedtime!
• Make sure that your child's District Issued Chromebook is fully charged the night before!
• Remind your child to do their very best and bring their District Issued Chromebooks!
• Positive talk about the importance of listening, staying focused, following directions and effort will motivate your child, and create an ideal testing environment. It will also decrease testing anxiety.
• Provide a healthy breakfast the morning of the test. Remember, we do serve free breakfast here at school!

See below for more information about OST, visit below:

https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Testing/Ohios-State-Test-in-ELA-Math-Science-SocialStudies

For more information about 3GRG, visit below:

https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Learning-in-Ohio/Literacy/Third-Grade-Reading-Guarantee

Calling all parents, caregivers, and guardians of Kindergarten & 1st grade scholars!

Come join us at Karl Road Library as we partner together to learn ways to better support our little scholars. Meet with Avalon's Principal, Dr. Taylor, as well as Family Ambassadors and other community partners.

Date: Wednesday, October 30th

Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Location: Karl Road Library, 5590 Karl Rd, Columbus, OH 43229

Avalon Red Ribbon Week 2024

October 28th - Nov. 1st 2024 Students and staff will participate in a Spirit Week in support of Red Ribbon Week and making safe and healthy choices.

• Monday, Oct. 28th “Making Safe and Healthy Choices is NO Sweat!” Wear sweats or yoga pants. All Avalon students will sign the drug-free pledge.

• Tuesday, October 29th “Wear Red Day, I support Red Ribbon Week!” Students and staff will wear red to show they will be healthy and drug free.

• Wednesday, October 30th “Put A Cap On Drugs!” (Hat Day). All students and staff will wear a hat to show their commitment to being drug free.

• Thursday, October 31st 'Mix Match Sock Day" All students and staff will wear mix match socks.
  

• Friday, November 1st “We Can Say NO to Drugs” All students and staff are asked to bring one canned good, that will be donated to local food pantry.

On Wednesday, September 25, Avalon held an animal-themed Open House Night.

A large crowd attended, as families were able to visit their student's classrooms and speak with teachers and staff.

There were many stations located in the cafeteria such as: arts & crafts, a school uniform giveaway table, school supply giveaway and a refreshments station.

There was also a petting zoo station, hosted by our friends from Leaping Lizards Adventures! They showcased several reptiles and insects that students could see up close.

Outside, Mr. & Mrs. Conley were stationed with animals from their farm! Students could pet them and take photos.

Special Thanks to all of our community partners for their support!:

• Columbus Metropolitan Library - Karl Road Branch
• Cub Scouts
• ACE - Adult & Community Education
• Ohio Department of Public Health
• Columbus City School's Parent Portal
• Columbus City Schools Dept. of Early Childhood Education
• Columbus City Schools Dept. of Literacy
• Ohio Department of Job & Family Services
• Nationwide Children's Behavioral Health
• Triple P Positive Parenting
• Ohio Hispanic Coalition

Take a moment to enjoy photos from our Open House, below!

Above photo: Welcome, come on in!

Above photo: Say "Hello" to Mrs. Edwards, Family Ambassador at Avalon!

Above photo: Resources for parents from Columbus City School's Early Childhood Education Department and Columbus City School's Literacy Department.

Above photo: Resources for parents from Columbus City School's "Stay In The Game!" program.

Above photo: Mrs. H showcasing her Music class, one of Avalon's "Specials" courses.

Above photo: Ms. Kling, showcasing her Art class, one of Avalon's "Specials" courses.

Above photo: Nationwide Children's Hospital station, with information about their School Health Services that are in partnership with Columbus City Schools. Visit this link for more information: https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/specialties/school-health-services

Above photo: Cub Scouts table. Local Cub Scouts Pack #613 is near Avalon. Visit this link for more information: https://www.ascension-columbus.org/scouting.html

Above Photo: Ms. Anne, from Columbus City School's Parent Portal Department was on-site to help parents access their accounts, reset passwords, and more.

Above photo: Our friends from Franklin County Department of Jobs & Family Services and ACE Adult Education.

Above Photo: Columbus's Department of Public Health sent us resources and information to pass along to families.

Above photo: Karl Road Library Station with resources, books, and activities.

Above photo: Table showcasing Avalon's Parent Advisory Council. Find out more here: https://www.ccsoh.us/domain/4436

Above photo: Mrs. Kathy led students in creating their own animal, during this arts & crafts project.

Above photo: Mrs. Kirk oversaw the School Uniform Giveaway Table.

Above photos: Our friends from Leaping Lizards Adventures brought in small animals such as reptiles and insects.

Above photo: Photobooth in the gym.

Above & below photos: Mrs. Flores, Ms. Callahan, and Mrs. Monden handed out food and drink refreshment bags.

Above & below photos: Mr. & Mrs. Conley showcased animals from their farm! Students could learn more about them, pet them, and get their photo taken with them.

Above photo: The end! Families enjoyed time outside on the playground.

Say "Hello" to Avalon's Kindergarten Teaching Team!

Above Photo (Left to Right): Ms. Reeder, Mrs. Huey, Ms. Branham, Ms. Allen, Ms. Whiteside.

In Kindergarten, Avalon scholars are learning to work together as a classroom community.

In Reading, we are focusing on learning letters and sounds and writing letters.

We are learning to identify characters, setting and events in fiction stories and the central idea and details in a nonfiction text.

In Math, we are working with numbers 0-10. We are counting, writing numbers, comparing and decomposing numbers within 5.

In the picture below, Kenley J. is being the teacher in Ms. Reeder's class. Kenley is using "Baby Echo" naming the letter, picture to help us remember the letter and sound. He then points baby echo to his friends and they repeat!

In the photo below from Mrs. Huey's class, Mateo and Koby are playing a math game to practice counting.

In the photo below from Ms. Allen's class, Avalon scholars are learning about informational text & writing what they researched from the topic.

This month is Hispanic Heritage Month in Library. Mrs. Kathy has read the books "Areli is a Dreamer" and "Dreamers" to Avalon scholars.

Both of these books are true stories are about young Hispanic women and their journeys coming to the United States from Mexico.

These books feature beautiful artwork and illustrations, which the scholars enjoyed.

October is World Bullying Prevention Month

What is Bullying? According to the U.S. Department of Justice, bullying behavior might include assault, tripping, intimidation, rumor spreading and isolation, demands for money, destruction of property, theft of valued possessions, destruction of another’s work, and name-calling. Bullying involves an individual or a group repeatedly harming another person—physically (e.g. tripping, punching or pushing), verbally (e.g. teasing or name-calling), or socially (e.g. ostracizing or spreading hurtful rumors in person or online).

Avalon scholars are Upstanders who stop bullying!

1. Be a buddy Respect others’ differences and help others to respect differences. It’s cool for people to be different – that’s what makes all of us unique.

2. Interrupt Help others who are being bullied. Be a friend, even if this person is not yet your friend. Go over to him. Let him know how you think he is feeling.

3. Speak Out and Refuse to be a “bystander”. If you see friends or classmates laughed at by the bully, tell them to stop. Stop untrue or harmful messages from spreading. Think about how you would feel if someone spread an untrue rumor about you.

4. Be an Upstander! Tell an adult at school: teacher, school counselor, principal so that the bullying can stop. It’s not tattling, it’s helping to keep everyone

Stacy M. Callahan, MA

Licensed Professional School Counselor

Avalon Elementary School

Columbus City Schools

614-365-5361

The District calendar is available at: https://www.ccsoh.us/calendars.aspx

It is helpful for planing ahead for time off work, childcare needs, and more!

For further questions, please contact our School Nurse,

Stephanie Dillon at (614) 365-5361 or sdillon@columbus.k12.oh.us

See below for information about immunizations that are required for 2024- 2025 school attendance.

Click on the link below to get your Avalon Spiritwear AND help raise money for our school! Staff, students, and families can purchase customized school apparel on our personalized online store. Please visit https://avalonspiritwear.com/ and check it out!

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Otterbein University (America Reads & Sports Pals)

Junior Achievement

Vineyard Community Center

Avalon Eagles Newsletters

Acronyms

Faculty & Staff Directory

Family Resources

Feeder Pathways

PBIS Parent Handbook

Tutoring Resources

Uniforms

Check out our Youtube Channel! Make sure to Like and Subscribe!

https://www.youtube.com/@avalonelementary5511

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https://www.instagram.com/avalonk3/

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/134270649947642/