Ottawa News

Hello Ottawa families,

Happy Fall! 🍁We are looking forward to an eventful October at Ottawa! Please be sure to read the information below regarding our upcoming Parent/Teacher Conferences, Halloween activities and PTO events.

As a friendly reminder, for the safety of our entire school community, all visitors to our building must report to the main office through door #1 before going anywhere in the school. This includes during arrival and dismissal times. In the morning, our doors open at 8:50 a.m. for students to come into the building. Only students who are on our morning service squad team may enter the building earlier. All other students are to remain outside until the doors open. We appreciate your help and support to keep our students and staff safe.

Please be sure to read through all of the information in our newsletter as it is our main form of communication with our families. We don't want you to miss out on any important details or happenings. We appreciate your continued cooperation and support.

Sincerely,

Mr. Johnson

Principal

Fall Parent / Teacher Conferences are scheduled for the following dates:

• Wednesday, October 23rd (5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
• Thursday, October 24th (1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. & 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)

• Each classroom will hold their own unique party the morning of Thursday, October 31st. This party is only for students and staff.

• Following the party, students will participate in the trick-or-treat parade beginning at 10:45 a.m. We will be parading outside the school (as long as the weather cooperates) for all to see. Families are welcome to line the parade route to see our otters, take pictures, and wave.

• Please remember, Halloween costumes should be of a non-violent, friendly theme. Please no Scream masks, knives, weapons, blood, heavy make-up, etc. A great deal of effort is put forth at Ottawa and at home to teach children to deal with problems in a non-violent way and to always remember our Otter Expectations. We do not want to see the students dressed as perpetrators or victims of violence. Please help your child plan a costume appropriate for our school.

• We are looking forward to a fa-boo-lous day!

When our otters arrive for school in the morning, they should line-up outside their designated arrival door. Please note there will be an Ottawa Staff member at ALL entry doors. Once they arrive to their classroom, breakfast will be delivered after the second bell. Please see below for arrival and dismissal doors by teacher:

Our first bell rings at 8:50 a.m. Students enter the building at this time, and make their way to their classroom. *Third grade students will go directly to the cafeteria as soon as they enter DOOR #11.

The second bell rings at 8:55 a.m. Outside doors will be closed at this time and all students should be in their classrooms. If your child is late, please walk your child to the main office through DOOR #1 and sign them in.

We will begin dismissal procedures at 3:35 p.m., with an end-of-day announcement followed by the dismissal of our SACC and Safety Squad students. At 3:37 p.m., walkers and parent pick-up will be dismissed through their designated doors. (please talk with your child about a meeting spot if you are picking them up from school). Bussers will be dismissed at 3:39 p.m., or when specific busses arrive, whichever comes first.

Please remember there is no parking in the bus lane, which is located along the curb in the front of the building. This lane is designated for buses only to allow students to safely exit and enter the bus.

As a friendly reminder, please drive with caution as you enter and exit our school parking lots. The traffic flow at all schools is slow and that is the safest for our kids. Please do not park in our designated staff lot on the west side of the building. This lot is reserved for Ottawa staff members only. Families cannot drop off students in this parking lot. It is unsafe as staff member's cars are constantly entering the lot in the morning.

Additionally, please be cautious and also respectful to each other, our students and staff. We ask that you refrain from confronting each other with issues. If you have any questions or concerns you may reach out to our administrative team.

• October 2nd - Students receive Otter Pops at School
• October 23rd - Half Day for Students & Fall Conferences
• October 24th - Half Day for Students & Fall Conferences
• October 25th - Half Day for Students
• October 31st - Halloween Parade & Half Day for Students
• November 5th - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
• November 22nd - End of First Trimester
• November 27th to 29th - Thanksgiving Break

Full School Day Schedule:

• The first bell rings at 8:50 a.m. At this time buses will release students to enter school. Students who walk to school or get dropped off can also enter the building.
• The second bell rings at 8:55 a.m. Students should be in their classroom at this time, as the school day begins. If your child arrives to school after 8:55 a.m., please enter though our main office doors.
• Our end of school day bell rings at 3:39 p.m. However, students who walk to school or get picked up will be dismissed at 3:37 p.m. Students who ride a bus home will be dismissed at 3:39 p.m. or when their bus arrives.

Half School Day Schedule:

• Our school day begins at 8:55 a.m. and ends at 11:50 a.m.

Half School Days for 2024-25:

• September 3 (1st day of school)
• October 23, 24, 25, and 31
• December 20
• February 14
• March 14 and 21
• June 11 (last day of school)

Throughout our school year, we will practice evacuation, inclement weather and lockdown drills. Unfortunately, our changing world requires us to prepare for emergencies differently than we have in the past. We need to prepare our students without causing fear. For lockdown drills, we utilize a children's book to help us approach this subject with our young otters.

The ALiCE training and activity book, I’m Not Scared, I’m Prepared by Julia Cook, is a way for students to learn about staying safe. The purpose of this book is to enhance the concepts taught by the ALICE Training Institute and make them applicable to children of all ages in a non-fearful way. By using this book, children can develop a better understanding of what needs to be done if they ever encounter a “dangerous someone.”

The story uses the experiences of “ant” students attending school. The students know that their teacher is always trying to keep them safe and has already taught them about fire drills and bad weather drills.

The ant teacher shows the students a drill called the Sheep (the students), the Shepherd (teacher) and the Wolf (someone dangerous). The teacher shows the students how to stay safe if someone dangerous is inside the building. Below is a link to the PDF version of the book.

Our drills are based on the concepts that the “ant” teacher shows her students. The drills will include BOTH a lesson from the book, I’m NOT Scared, I’m Prepared, and an opportunity to practice. Keeping your child safe is our top priority.

If you have any concerns, please contact our main office or your child’s teacher.

At Ottawa we are ALL IN on improving reading/literacy instruction for ALL of our students. We are looking at every aspect of our teaching, our schedule, and how kids learn to read. In our classrooms, all of our teachers and grade levels use strategies and practices supported by the Science of Reading.

When you hear a school talk about the Science of Reading, what does it even mean? Well, first, it is important to know that kids don’t just learn to read by being given books. Kids don’t learn to read by guessing or looking at the pictures on a page. In fact, guessing and relying on photos on a page are not good habits at all because they don’t put any emphasis on sounding out or other research based strategies.

Although some children catch on quicker than others with reading, ALL children need specific instruction each day focusing on the five components of reading:

1. Phonemic Awareness
2. Phonics
3. Fluency
4. Vocabulary
5. Comprehension

Click Here to read an article on the Science of Reading and some things you can do at home to support your child with reading and learning to read.