The Orca Update
April 2024
Principal's Message
Hello Oakland Families,
Happy Spring! I hope that everyone had a relaxing spring break and are ready to finish this school year strong. The next few months will be very busy at Oakland. The calendar is filling up quickly with several family activities, state and district testing, field trips, and end of year celebrations. Make sure these dates are marked on your calendars as they are all important. We continue to be in awe of the support and love our families show us every day.
Elizabeth Kackley, Principal
Important Dates
Tuesday, April 9 - Students return to school after spring break
Monday, April 15 - 19 - Book Fair at Oakland Library
Tuesday, April 16 - PTO STEM night - Book Fair opens at 4pm, Food Trucks beginning at 4:30, STEM night activities begin at 6pm!
April 18, 19 - CD Stuffy Safari - Check your class Facebook or Wednesday folder!
Friday, April 19 – Kona Ice $3
Friday, April 26 –Fri-YAY Dress Down Day/PBIS Game Day
PTO STEM Night!
Book Fair!
the Spring Book Fair is HERE!
This spring we are trying a new book fair company, Literati! They offer great pricing, online shopping, digital gift cards (like an e-wallet) and an awesome selection of titles for you to choose from. I'm really excited to try this company out and see how well they work for us here at Oakland, and I'm excited to see all the students, parents, and families that come to shop the book fair throughout the week!
The book fair is one of our most important fundraisers for the library - all of your book fair purchases help us keep our library stocked with the best books and allow us to bring you exciting events, prizes for reading, new library experiences, and more!
The easiest way for students to shop is with a digital gift card. Visit our book fair page today and load up that gift card, or even pre-purchase books that will be delivered to students at the end of the fair.
https://literati.com/store/?school=oakland-elementary-school-charleston-sc#faqs
I can't wait to see you all at the book fair! - Ms. L in the Library.
Autism Awareness Month
April marks World Autism Awareness Month, a time to honor and recognize the diverse experiences and perspectives of individuals on the autism spectrum. Throughout this month, our school community joins millions around the globe in raising awareness about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a developmental difference that affects how individuals communicate, interact with others, and experience the world around them.
Autism Awareness Month is not only about raising awareness but also about fostering understanding, acceptance, and inclusion. It's an opportunity for us to celebrate the unique strengths and talents of individuals with autism, while also promoting the importance of creating a more inclusive and supportive environment.
At Oakland, we believe in celebrating neurodiversity and embracing the differences that make each of us unique. Through education, empathy, and advocacy, we can create a more inclusive society where individuals with autism are valued, respected, and given the support they need to thrive.
Check out our ONN broadcasts this month for special guests and segments on this very important topic!
Absences and Parent Notes
Parents and guardians! Please be aware of our Attendance policy here at Oakland!
- Parents and guardians have the responsibility to ensure that all school-age children in their care are in school and on time every day.
- When a student is absent, please send in a note. You may use the template linked here and please include any doctor's excuse notes.
- Only ten days may be excused by parent notes, and parents notes only excuse a medical or illness absence.
- Vacation and travel are not excused absences.
Please visit our Oakland Website or contact Karen Harker about attendance and truancy.
Math Mondays on Facebook!
Check out our Math Mondays series on Facebook. Each week we're highlighting strategies encouraged by the Bridges math program. A lot of us as adults use these methods without even realizing it, or knowing the methods have names! By learning these methods with explicit practice, students are able to access multiple problem-solving techniques when working on math!
Oakland News Network
Health Tips from Nurse Lisa
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies?
If your child develops "cold" symptoms at the same time every year, seasonal allergies might be to blame. Your pharmacist or health care provider can help recommend treatment options to reduce these symptoms. Allergy symptoms, which usually come on suddenly and last for as long as a person is exposed to the allergen, can include:
- sneezing
- itchy nose and/or throat
- nasal congestion
- clear, runny nose
- postnasal drip
*Fever is not a symptom of allergies, however, uncontrolled allergies put children at risk for sinus infection, ear infection, and poor concentration at school. Please keep your child home if they have a fever above 100.
Head Lice Information
There tends to be a surge in lice cases during summer and fall. Now that social distancing restrictions have been lifted; we may see an uptick in cases. Lice are passed among children when they are at camp, playdates, and school. Your pharmacist or health care provider can help recommend a special shampoo to treat them.
Signs of Head Lice
- Frequent head scratching
- Complaints of itchy scalp/head
- Redness behind ears or on back of neck
Library Update
New Book Spotlight - College Football!
We added over 100 books to the library last month, and four more just came in over Spring Break, but one of the most exciting new additions is a set of 12 college football books including lots of our kids' favorite teams. Michigan, LSU, The Ohio State, and Clemson all included in this brand new, 2023 published set of books. Of course with only 12 in the set, some teams are notably missing, but hopefully next year's set will include our beloved Gamecocks! These books are already circulating, and your favorite might already be checked out! -- Ms. Laskowski, Teacher Librarian