Hello Ottawa Family,

We had a GREAT first week back to school and our staff has enjoyed every minute with our otters! Thank you for your patience as we worked through our breakfast and arrival routines. Our student population has grown over the last few years and we continue to make tweaks and adjustments to our morning and afternoon routines. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility.

Speaking of breakfast, we have fine-tuned our routine for the second week of school and beyond. Every child that would like breakfast will receive it. 😊 Breakfast will now be delivered to each classroom, except for third grade, who will eat in the cafeteria. This will allow our otters to enter the building at a couple different locations and make our main hallways easier to navigate. Please read on below to learn about which door your child should enter through in the morning.

NEW STAFF MEMBERS AT OTTAWA

The 2024-25 school year brings about a new chapter at Ottawa. As former Ottawa Staff have moved on to new adventures, we have new Ottawa team members in new positions.

CURRICULUM NIGHTS

Ottawa will be holding curriculum nights on two evenings this week, allowing our families with more than one otter to attend their child's teacher's presentation.

K - 2 Curriculum Night is on Monday, September 9th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• Session 1 is 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Session 2 is 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Parents only attend ONE session. This is a parents ONLY event. No students, please.

3 - 5 Curriculum Night is on Tuesday, September 10th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• Session 1 is 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Session 2 is 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Parents only attend ONE session. This is a parents ONLY event. No students, please.

ATTENDANCE

Hi Ottawa Families!

My name is Brandon Altadonna, and I am so excited to spend this school year with you as an Administrative Intern! I wanted to give you a little background on myself. This is my 15th year in education. I have taught fourth grade for 7 years at Huron Elementary. Before coming to Chippewa Valley, I taught fifth grade in Eastpointe Community Schools and experienced teaching various grades at Global Prep Academy in Roseville. While in college, I spent five years as a middle school football coach in Fraser.

I have my Bachelor’s and Master’s from Oakland University and am certified to teach K-5 in all subjects, grades 6-8 for Math and Social Studies, and have my School Administration certificate.

I have two daughters that attend Huron Elementary: one in third grade and one in fourth grade. I love all kinds of sports, especially Lions, Tigers, and Wolverines. In my free time, I like hanging out with my kiddos, movie nights, trying my hand at cooking/baking, staying active, hiking, photography, and road trips.

I’m looking forward to a great school year. I’m excited to get to know all of you, learn the administrative position, and form strong bonds with all Ottawa Families.

You can find me at Ottawa on Thursdays and Fridays. I will rotate my Wednesdays between Fox and Ottawa.

If you see me around, don’t hesitate to say hi!

Educationally yours,

Mr. Brandon Altadonna

Administrative Intern

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.

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.