Notes from Onondaga Road

Dear Onondaga Road Families,

As I reflect each week on the happenings at our school, I continue to be amazed by the wonderful progress and positive experiences taking place. It’s truly exciting to witness how well our students are embracing our new "Wildcat Wows!" initiative. When I visit classrooms or see students in the hallways, they eagerly share their achievements with me, and it’s clear this program is motivating them. Additionally, our morning announcements from the classrooms of our Wildcat Wow winners have provided a fantastic way to celebrate their hard work.

Our teacher teams have been collaborating closely to review the Fall Universal Screening data and develop tailored plans to support our students as we continue working through the curriculum. For families with students in Grades 1-4, please keep an eye out for an informational letter regarding our Universal Screening procedures and your child’s FAST reports, which will be sent home next week.

In addition, we are progressing through Unit 1 of Second Step, our social-emotional learning curriculum. Students are focusing on developing a growth mindset and setting personal goals. They are learning the value of practice and understanding how mistakes play a crucial role in strengthening their skills and abilities.

A gentle reminder: if your child needs to be picked up early from school, please send a written note in advance. We understand that plans can change unexpectedly, but having prior notice helps both the teachers and the main office manage dismissal smoothly.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your students' learning and preparation each day. Your efforts are truly appreciated!

Respectfully,

Michelle Collier

See our Onondaga Road students in action!

Kindergarteners are working on writing vertical and horizontal lines.

Grade 4 students are getting started with their instrument lessons.

Our students earn Wildcat Wows when they are being responsible, being respectful, and being safe. All of these things help to ensure that we are all ready to learn.

I wanted to let families know that we will continue to practice our safety drills next week. We are required to hold 8 drills by January and 4 more drills by June. Thank you for discussing the importance of these drills with your children at home.

Picture Day is coming on Wednesday, October 16!
You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVTKWGX7H. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping!
Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day.

Join us for Otto’s Fall Reading Kickoff 2024!

Reading just a few minutes a day can make a world of difference in a child’s education. The School of Education has partnered with Syracuse Athletics, and Visions Federal Credit Union to encourage reading in all forms and thank the schools, teachers, and staff who work hard for their students with Otto’s Fall Reading Kickoff!

Fall 2024 Kickoff

We’re encouraging a passion for reading (and the Syracuse Orange) by rewarding staff and students for reading with FREE tickets to see Syracuse Orange football on November 23.

Teachers, administrators, and other educators and staff can sign up your classroom, a grade level, or your whole school to participate. You can set goals, or just encourage students to read as much as they can.

When your students participate in Otto’s Fall Reading Kickoff, your school/classroom will receive:

• One complimentary ticket for participating students and educators to the Syracuse Orange v. UConn football game on November 23, 2024, and the chance to purchase discounted tickets for other guests. (while supplies last; ordering information will be sent to participants).
• Special recognition for participants at the game.
• Otto’s Reading Kickoff bookmarks mailed to your school.

How to Participate:

1. Sign up for Otto’s Fall Reading Kickoff!
2. Use this video message from Otto and “Voice of the Orange” Matt Park to tell your students about the program.
3. Download and print football reading logs to help you and your students track progress.
4. Share your classroom’s progress by posting photos and updates on social media using #OttoReads and tagging @SUSchoolofEd, or email to suschoolofed@syr.edu. Otto loves to see them!

The PTA is looking forward to a year of activities! The next PTA meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 3 at 6:00 in the Onondaga Road Library. Please consider becoming a PTA member to help support all of the great PTA-sponsored activities. We would love to see you at the next meeting. Here is a list of upcoming PTA events that your membership supports:

• Pumpkin Walk
• Scholastic Book Fairs
• BINGO Night & Ice Cream Social
• Enrichment Day
• Learning Fair
• Family Picnic

The Special Education PTSA will be having our first meeting this Tuesday, Oct 1 at Split Rock Elementary School Playground at 6pm. We will have kickball, chalk art and ice cream available. It will be a great chance for kids and parents to come together to meet, play and talk about this year's events. New members are welcome. Come find out more about us!

ParentSquare Attendance Absence Submission Started September 16!

As of Monday, September 16, 2024, you can submit your child’s absence reason through ParentSquare. You must wait for a notification from ParentSquare (via text, app notification or email) confirming your child’s absence before providing the reason.

You have until the end of the school day to submit the reason via ParentSquare. If you miss this deadline, please contact the school directly or send a note with your child.

From the Website:

• Click “Send Note to School”

• Enter the reason for the absence

• Click submit to send it directly to your school’s attendance office

• October 4 - School Store
• October 9 - Jack Gramlich visits Grade 1 & 4
• October 11 - First Responders Day
• October 14 - No School
• October 16 - School Picture Day
• October 29 - Pumpkin Walk (6:30 - 8:00)