ORCHARD HILL HAWK TALK
Be Safe - Be Respectful - Be Responsible - Be a Hawk!
SEPTEMBER 2023
90% Attendance is our Goal!
“The more you’re here, the more you learn.” This is the message that all of our Hawks hear everyday when I announce the day’s attendance. One of our goals this year at Orchard Hill is to increase daily attendance. The State of Oregon expects 90% of our students to attend 90% of the school days. Last year, only 68% of our students met that goal. However, we were slightly above the entire State of Oregon average at 62%. Yet, I’m sure we all agree, we need to improve.
So far, it’s looking good! We’ve only had one day below 90% attendance. We’re working hard to ensure our Hawks have a powerful sense of BELONGING and that they want to come to school because they’re known and cared for. Like Starbucks’ business is coffee, our business is knowledge, growth, social awareness and achievement. Let’s all focus on these factors when considering school attendance and why regular attendance matters:
Education and Knowledge: Attending school allows individuals to gain knowledge and acquire essential skills. It provides a structured and organized environment for learning, where students can access a wide range of subjects and topics that are critical for personal and intellectual development.
Academic Achievement: Regular attendance in school is closely linked to academic success. Last year, 36% of our 3rd-5th grade students met standard in reading, while only 27% met in math. I think we can do better. We have great teachers, great kids and wonderful families. If we increase daily attendance, I’m sure more kids will achieve at higher levels.
Socialization and Relationships: School is not just about academics; it's also a place for social interaction. Attending school allows students to build friendships, develop social skills, and learn how to work and collaborate with others. These interpersonal skills are invaluable in both personal and professional life.
Preparation for the Future: School attendance prepares individuals for the challenges they will face in the future. It equips them with the skills and knowledge needed to make informed decisions, pursue higher education, and enter the workforce competently.
Thank you in advance for your partnership with us here at school. Working together, I’m sure we can bolster our daily attendance and give our students the best possible education here at Orchard Hill. I look forward to meeting you next Wednesday, September 27th at our Open House.
Best,
Kent Vallier, Principal
Orchard Hill Elementary School
FALL FAMILY NIGHT - SEPT 27TH
SCHEDULE
5:00 p.m. FREE Family Dinner in the cafeteria
6 - 7 p.m. Parents Meet with Teacher
6 - 7 p.m. Supervised Student Activities (playground or movie)
After dinner, students will engage in supervised activities on the playground or in a classroom watching a movie. Our staff will only supervise students that attend Orchard Hill Elementary. We will not provide childcare for younger children or older students so please make arrangements for them.
While the kids are off having fun with our amazing support staff, we will invite parents into our classrooms. Teachers will dive deeper into our most important learning targets for the year and share strategies to help support students’ upward academic progression. In addition, we will share classroom specific data so families can set targeted goals for each student.
September 27th - Open House & Family Night
October 4th - PTA Meeting in the library, 6 - 7 p.m.
October 7th - Talent Harvest Festival in Talent, 10 - 4 pm
October 13th - Teacher Inservice Day, NO SCHOOL
October 14th - FREE Lacrosse Day (info flyer at the end of newsletter)
October 25th - Pirate Country Parade in Phoenix
October 26th - School Pictures
October 31st - Halloween (activities TBD)
November 3rd- No school, teacher inservice
November 7th - Vision Screening, All students
PTA Meeting - WE NEED YOU!
Wednesday, Oct 4, 2023, 06:00 PM
ORCHARD HILL LIBRARY
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
ATTENDANCE & STUDENT ABSENCES
Please remember to call the school office every day that your student is absent. This includes if they will arrive late due to an appointment. Oregon law requires that when the school doesn't receive notification of an absence, we are to notify families that their student is not in class within an hour and a half of the beginning of school. This is for the safety of your child.
Oregon law (ORS 339.065) also defines reasons why an absence can be considered an excused absence. Essentially absences are considered excused if they are
- Due to illness
- Appointments and/or
- Family emergency
Vacations and other fun events will not be excused but can be an important part of childhood so, while they are not excused, students will not be penalized.
Please remember that while you may have one or two children, we have over 300 students that we are required to account for each and every day. If you do your part, our attendance will be more accurate and timely. Attendance calls can be made at any time of the day or night and we will receive your message. 541-779-1766
WHEN SHOULD I KEEP MY CHILD HOME FROM SCHOOL?
“Mom, I don’t feel good.”
When this is how kids start their day, it can throw a kink into the morning routine—not to mention sending parents into a panic. How serious are those sniffles? Is that cough contagious? Is this stomachache a ploy to play hooky, or should your little one stay home and get some rest? Here’s how to know when it’s time to keep your kid home from school. At the end of the day, you know your child best. If they aren't acting like themselves, or it doesn’t seem like they could participate in school activities, trust your instincts and keep your child at home.
FEVERS
Keep your child home if they:
- Have a temperature higher than 100.4°F. Students must be fever-free without the use of medicine for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
- Are vomiting or have diarrhea. Students must stay home for 48 hours with these symptoms.
- Have other flu-like symptoms, such as chills or body aches.
SORE THROAT
A sore throat is a common symptom of many different types of illness and can be contagious if it is due to strep throat or a virus. If your child has a persistent sore throat, you should see a pediatrician to determine if they need treatment for strep throat
STOMACHACHE
Stomachaches and abdominal pain can have many causes, and if your child’s pain or discomfort is persistent or crippling, it’s best to contact a pediatrician
Keep your child home if:
- The pain is accompanied by fever, vomiting, diarrhea or a painful sore throat.
- The stomach pain limits their ability to participate in regular daily activities.
EAR PAIN
Even though they aren’t always contagious, earaches can be very uncomfortable for a child and may require a trip to the pediatrician.
Keep your child home if:
- They have a fever of 100.4°F or higher.
- Acts lethargic, fussy or uncomfortable or in a way that’s unusual
- There's discharge coming from the ear or they are experiencing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
WATERY, ITCHY, OR RED EYES
Red, itchy eyes are common symptoms of allergies, which shouldn’t keep a child home from school. These can also be symptoms of pink eye, a contagious infection that requires treatment from a doctor.
Keep your child home if:
- You see drainage or mucous coming from one or both eyes.
- One or both of his eyes are crusty.
- They are complaining of discomfort in the eye—many kids say it feels like they have sand in their eye.
- One or both eyelids are swollen.
HEAD LICE
Lice are an unfortunate, but common, problem for many kids. Lice are also contagious and spread through direct contact with other children. Notify the school if you suspect that your child has lice. Your students can return to school as soon as they have been treated.
Keep your child home if:
- You notice visible signs of live lice, including yellow, tan, brown spots called nits, which can also resemble dandruff and would appear close to the scalp or on strands of hair.
TRY LACROSSE DAY - FREE OPPORTUNITY
Who: Boys and Girls Ages 6-16
Where: US Cellular Field #14
When: Free Day is October 14th 9am-10am
Clinics are October 21st -November 18th 9am-10am.
October 21st clinic will be held at SOU Raider Stadium from Noon-1:30 prior to the annual SOU Alumni Game 2- 4pm. No experience necessary. Equipment will be provided. Learn more at rvyla.org or at playmedford.com
