We empower each child to grow and become a well-rounded citizen,

because every child's future counts.

OES Families,

This week we begin the SBA testing journey with our 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders. Our students will be engaged in these assessments throughout the next few weeks and we encourage you to support your child as well as the school by doing the following things:

1. Attendance
2. Encourage Consistent Sleep: Ensure your child gets enough sleep the night before the assessment to help them stay focused and alert.
3. Provide Nutritious Meals: Offer a healthy breakfast and snacks to fuel their brain throughout the day.
4. Establish a Positive Attitude: Encourage a positive mindset, emphasizing that assessments are a chance to show what they know and can do.
5. Review Test-Taking Strategies: Discuss strategies like reading directions carefully, pacing themselves, and reviewing answers.
6. Celebrate Effort and Progress: Recognize their hard work and progress, regardless of the outcome, to build confidence.
7. Stay Informed: Keep updated with school communications about assessments, schedules, and any preparation tips provided.
8. Emphasize Balance: After a long day of testing, ensure they also have time for hobbies, relaxation, and social activities.

For more information about our school, please visit our website at: https://oes.cvsd.org/ and follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OpportunityElementaryCVSD/ and Instagram at @opp.es

Best regards,

Mrs. Spence & Mr. Howard

Each spring our students in grades 3,4,and 5 are assessed on their grade level knowledge with the Smarter Balanced Assessment. Testing at Opportunity begins May 6. Please read the attached letter and we ask that you insure that your students are at school on all testing days.

Opportunity Elementary will be hosting a Variety Show on Friday, June 13th at 9:30 am. We would love to have many different acts such as martial arts, musical instruments, magic, comedy, juggling, dancing, cultural demonstrations, skits, poetry, athletics, and more! Auditions will be held on May 19th and 21st from 8:00 am to 8:45 am. The deadline to sign up for an audition slot is May 17th. Students will be informed of committee decisions by the end of May. There will be 12 auditions each day, for a total of 24 auditions. Students will watch other auditions while they wait for their turn. The audition should be "Performance Ready", meaning they have practiced and refined their act before audition day. The Variety Show Committee will evaluate all auditions and choose 10 acts to perform on June 13th.

Please click on the link below to sign up.

Calming Sibling Rivalry: Four Quick Tips

Recently, a desperate dad called us about his two sons who are embroiled in sibling conflicts that never seem to end. Based on the number of calls that we have received over the past year about battles among kids, sibling rivalry seems to have increased in frequency and intensity, possibly due to increased stress. Like the dad who called us recently, the conflict between kids can also trigger stress and conflict between parents on how to resolve the problem, further contributing to family chaos. This week we will give four tips on how to address sibling rivalry.

Is it possible that some degree of sibling rivalry is normal, that it can actually provide opportunities for our kids to learn essential life-long relational skills? Absolutely! But only if we have common-sense skills for ensuring that these conflicts don’t grow into chronic resentment, feelings of victimization, and perpetual family chaos. Although the subject can be complex, here are four tips that can help keep the family atmosphere healthy.

Nurture each of your children’s unique strengths and gifts.

When children are noticed and appreciated for their unique interests and aptitudes, they are less likely to perceive that their parents have “favorite” children. Of course, favoritism is the kiss of death when it comes to sibling relationships.

Provide strong and loving leadership.

Love and Logic is all about helping parents become, and remain, loving and strong authority figures. Much of this is achieved by providing consistent and enforceable limits. When kids feel a lack of such leadership, they experience anxiety and subconsciously wonder, “Well, if our parents aren’t running this home, I better.” Chaos among siblings ensues as they compete for this leadership position.

Stay out of the middle, while guiding them toward solutions.

Most of us struggle with the temptation to rescue our kids from each other by placing ourselves in the middle of their conflicts. When we succumb to doing so, we send a very unhealthy message: “If you want some attention, all you have to do is start a fight with your brother or sister. Then I’ll swoop in to rescue.” In my audio, Sibling Rivalry: Strategies for Teaching Your Kids How to Get Along, I describe how parents can avoid making this mistake while guiding their children toward learning how to resolve their own conflicts.

Of course, it is very important to remember that we do rescue when life and limb are in obvious danger.

Use the “Energy Drain” technique to keep it their problem rather than yours.

We’ve received story after story of how parents have informed their children that bickering and arguing drains their parental energy. When this happens with parents who use Love and Logic, kids are expected to replace this energy by completing extra chores, staying home from an activity so that their parents can restore their energy instead of driving their kids around, etc.

Although we can’t ensure that our kids always love and appreciate each other, we can create a home where it’s always in their best interest to work hard at doing so. If you are struggling with how to hand battles between your kids, you can benefit from listening to our audio, Sibling Rivalry: Strategies for Teaching Your Kids How to Get Along.

Thanks for reading!

Dr. Charles Fay

Kindergarten Enrollment March 3: Enrollment begins Register at www.cvsd.org/enroll

or check out our school website for information https://oes.cvsd.org/

Support our PTO's fundraising efforts by purchasing some Opportunity Gear. Lots of tshirts, sweatshirts, and hats for the whole family. Purchase on-line. Contact opportunitypto@gmail.com with questions.

Purchase your tickets in advance! Tickets purchased within 48 hours of the game will still be available at the group rate but may be seated separately from your group.

Groups of 30+ will receive a public address announcement during the game from the Spokane Indians P.A. announcer.

Gates to the ballpark open one hour prior to first pitch and, as always, parking is FREE at Avista Stadium!

Click here for ticket information:

https://www.gofevo.com/group/Opportunityelementary6

We need volunteers to help with POPCORN FRIDAYS - if we cannot recruit help, POPCORN FRIDAYS WILL ONLY BE HELP ONCE A MONTH! Please email our PTO if you are available to help!OpportunityPTO@gmail.com

• Tuesdays/Fridays - Dynamic PANDAmonium Choir Practice @ 8:10
• March 28-April 4 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - 12:30 Dismissal
• Mondays/Tuesdays/Fridays - March 31-May 2 - FIT FOR BLOOMSDAY @ 8:10 ON PLAYGROUND
• April 7-11 - SPRING BREAK - NO SCHOOL
• April 14-May 6 - ASB SPELL-A-THON
• 4/14 -parent packet goes home with students
• 4/25 - pledge sheets are returned - no $$$, only pledges
• 4/28 - spelling test returned with pledge sheet
• 4/28-5/6 - collect pledge $$$ and return to school
• 5/6 - all pledge $$$ MUST be returned
• April 22 - Class Picture Day
• April 22 - 4th Grade Music Concert @ 6:30 pm - Gym
• April 29,30 - 5th Grade Environmental Ed Field Trips

Click the link below to access our PARENT HANDBOOK. This hand book will be linked in our newsletter each week for you to reference important information.

Email: lspence@cvsd.org
Website: oes.cvsd.org/
Location: 1109 South Wilbur Road, Spokane Valley, WA, USA
Phone: 509-558-3550
Facebook: facebook.com/OpportunityElementaryCVSD/