Orlando Science Middle/High School

Greetings Orcas,

Please see the information below for updates regarding:

• A message from the Dean Of Students
• PikMyKid App (new dismissal procedure)
• Bell Schedules
• Orlando Science Middle/High Parent Volunteer Organization
• Annual Student Fee
• Orientation Sign Up Information
• After School Care Program Registration
• Food Allergies and Dietary Restrictions Order Form
• Medication and Medical Supplies Forms/Procedures
• Free & Reduced Lunch Application (we recommend all families complete this application)
• Dress Code
• Report Cards and Test Scores Available via the Skyward Family Portal
• Middle School Supply Pack Information via Yubbler
  (high school students will receive supply information during Orientation from their teachers)
• Spirit Store Sale
• Senior Portraits
• Rising 7th Grader Immunization Requirements
• Carpool Sign Up
• Summer Reading Assignments

You can expect information on the following in a future issue

• Electives/Club Lists
• Student Schedule Information

Have a wonderful weekend!

Ms. Jess will be taking over as the new Front Desk Administrative Assistant for Orlando Science High School.

Greetings, Orca family!

My name is James Lebron, and I am honored to be the new Dean of Students of a school with such a diverse student body, an extremely dedicated staff, and a supportive school community. I look forward to meeting you all during the orientations and wanted to update you on a few disciplinary changes for the upcoming year.

• Black pants are now allowed as part of the dress code policy. So students can wear bottoms that are either khaki, navy blue, or black.
• Cell phones and other electronic mobile devices will not be permitted at any time during school, including during lunch and clubs, to limit distractions and ensure that the focus is on academic performance.

1. Cell phones should be off and placed away in the student's locker. If a student is observed with a visible cell phone, staff members are instructed to ask the student to hand it over politely.
2. If a cell phone is confiscated, it will be turned over to the Dean of Students, and the parent must come to the school to retrieve it. The Dean will not return cell phones to the student.

Parents and students feel free to contact me at my email address if you have any questions regarding discipline, dress code, etc. james.lebron@orlandoscience.org

Dear parents,

Orlando Science Schools will be utilizing a new system for the school dismissal process this school year. The Pikmykid parent app is a one-stop shop for parents to instantly make dismissal changes, receive notifications, and announce themselves in the car line.

Please visit www.pikmykid.com/features/for-parents for more information. Parent registration details will be provided here soon.

Also, you will soon receive a message from Pikmykid with an invitation to register. Please sign up so you can have access to the system in preparation for the use of Pikmykid during the dismissal process.

It’s that time. Classes start in just a few weeks. LET’S GO! Your new Parent Volunteer Organization is putting together a year full of fresh, fun, and exciting events. Want to be involved? You know you do! We have several committees, including:

-Fundraising

-Volunteer Wrangling

-Campus Beautification

-Hospitality

All efforts, no matter how small, are welcome! Let us know which committee(s) you’d like to join. Your PVO has an open-door policy and loves hearing new ideas that bring our school together and lifts up our students and teachers. Email us at OSS.PVOPRESIDENT@ORLANDOSCIENCE.ORG.

This is a friendly reminder that the required annual OSS Student Fee of $20 is required for orientation attendance and participation in school activities such as clubs, aftercare, tutoring, field trips, events, and more. Please ensure the student fee has been paid before signing up for an in-person orientation appointment time.

This fee goes toward the Student Agenda and Student ID.

The Student Agenda contains the school Code of Conduct, a calendar for keeping track of assignments and activities, and is utilized as a hall pass throughout the school year.

The Student ID is verification of student identity, is utilized for Media Center checkouts, and can serve as student status verification for discounts at various venues in the community.

Please use the SchoolPay link below to submit payment. If you are new to Orlando Science School and do not yet have a SchoolPay account, simply click “Thanks, just want to pay” from the link.

Thank you!

Lynx campus parents/guardians please save the dates for our 2022-2023 Lynx Campus Orientation. For health and safety reasons we will offer a virtual orientation for all, and an optional in-person campus visit at 2427 Lynx Ln, Orlando, FL 32804.

Virtual Orientation – Friday, August 5, 2022: Parents/guardians are invited and encouraged to attend the general session webinar or view the recorded webinar (available after 8/5) before the first day of school. You may attend the virtual orientation using the link below.

· 5:30 pm – 6:15 pm: General Session and Q&A (Virtual)

· 6:15 pm – 7:00 pm: Teacher Sessions (Virtual)

On-campus Orientation – Saturday, August 6, 2022: Parents/guardians are invited to make a SignUpGenius appointment to visit the campus, view classrooms, pick-up the student handbook, access lockers, and other items. We ask that each student only attend with a maximum of 2 adults and masks are required. Handbook and documents will also be available on the first day of class for students who are not able to attend the optional on-campus orientation.

Please note that the OSS Student Fee of $20 is required for orientation attendance and participation in school activities such as clubs, aftercare, tutoring, field trips, events, and more. Please ensure the student fee has been paid before signing up for an in-person orientation appointment time. You can pay this fee by accessing the button above.

Orientation sessions are grade specific. For health and safety reasons, please ensure you sign up for the correct grade level session and arrive in a timely manner. Teachers will only be available during their grade's session.

For questions please email: Lynx_Academics@orlandoscience.org

Orlando Science High School campus parents/guardians please save the dates for our 2022-2023 High School Orientation. For health and safety reasons we will offer a virtual orientation for all, and an optional in-person campus visit at 2600 Technology Drive, Orlando, FL 32804.

Virtual Orientation – Friday, August 5, 2022: Parents/guardians are invited and encouraged to attend the general session webinar or view the recorded webinar (available after 8/5) before the first day of school. You may attend the virtual orientation using the link below.

· 5:30 pm – 6:15 pm: General Session and Q&A (Virtual)

· 6:15 pm – 7:00 pm: Teacher Sessions (Virtual)

On-campus Orientation – Saturday, August 6, 2022: Parents/guardians are invited to make a SignUpGenius appointment to visit the campus, view classrooms, pick-up the student handbook, access lockers, and other items. We ask that each student only attend with a maximum of 2 adults and masks are required. Handbook and documents will also be available on the first day of class for students who are not able to attend the optional on-campus orientation.

Please note that the OSS Student Fee of $20 is required for orientation attendance and participation in school activities such as clubs, aftercare, tutoring, field trips, events, and more. Please ensure the student fee has been paid before signing up for an in-person orientation appointment time. You can pay this fee by accessing the button above.

Orientation sessions are grade specific. For health and safety reasons, please ensure you sign up for the correct grade level session and arrive in a timely manner. Teachers will only be available during their grade's session.

For questions please email: OSS_HS_Academics@orlandoscience.org

If you are needing after care for the 2022-2023 School year, please fill out the forms below and turn them in to the front desk or email them to Ms. Rosario at jessica.rosario@orlandoscience.org

As we begin preparing for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year, we’d like to remind you to submit a Diet Order Form if your student has any life-threatening food allergies or doctor-ordered dietary restrictions.

To complete the form, please follow the steps below:

1. Access the OCPS Food and Nutrition Services Diet Order Form here: https://fsdocs.ocps.net/lfserver/DietOrder_Process

2. DO NOT begin completing the form. Instead, review the form in its entirety and click the grey button near the bottom of the form labeled, “Section 2 form (completed by Doctor)”

3. Print the form and arrange for it to be completed by your student’s doctor.

4. Once the form has been completed, save a copy to the computer or device where you will be completing the Diet Order Form.

5. Return to the Diet Order Form.

6. Complete all required fields and attach the completed doctor form.

7. Submit.

Once this form is completed and submitted, OCPS Food and Nutrition Services will receive the information and take the necessary next steps. If you have any questions, you may reach out to them at 407-858-3110, option 0, or visit their website - https://www.ocps.net/departments/food_and_nutrition_services

Thank you!

If your student will need medication at school or will need an action plan, there are certain steps you will need to take. All medication must be checked in to the front desk and stored at the front desk unless the self-carry form is completed by the student’s parent/authorized guardian and physician. Self-carry forms are for students with asthma, epipen, and/or diabetes. If you have indicated that your child has the need for self-carry medication, we have already contacted you by email. If you have not received this email, please reach out to your respective campus.

Middle School – Ms. Lavoy Estella.Lavoy@OrlandoScience.Org

High School – Ms. Jess Jessica.McCoy@OrlandoScience.Org

Please do your best to have students take any medication they need before they come to school or after they get home to lessen the time they are out of class. Students are required to remember to come to the clinic and take their medication. Reminders will be sent but not daily.

All over the counter medicine needs to be in a new, unopened bottle with an expiration date that is at least 90 days out.

For prescription medication, it needs to be the most recent prescription and verified pills match the bottle amount. The name must match the students. The instructions will be followed for dispensing to student.

All medications must be signed in and out by a parent or authorized guardian.

Please reach out if you have any questions. Thank you!

Important: School lunches will no longer be free to all students beginning the 2022-2023 school year.

We recommend all families complete the OCPS Free and Reduced Lunch application to determine if your student qualifies for one of the programs. To complete the form, please click the button below.

For additional information regarding OCPS Meal Prices, and other Food and Nutrition Services information, please visit their website: https://www.ocps.net/departments/food_and_nutrition_services/breakfast_and_lunch_prices

Parents/Guardians please carefully review the Dress Code for your respective campuses as you prepare for back to school.

* Additional information on how to navigate Skyward Family Access is available in Parent Resources (See link at bottom of newsletter)

Dear Parents,

We are excited to offer Yubbler’s school supplies program which will help the school and make it a breeze for parents to get school supplies for next year. Yubbler.com is making our supply lists available for online purchasing at discounted prices. The best part is that Yubbler will donate 50% of the profits back to the school.

· One click ordering makes back-to-school shopping simple!

· All lists are teacher approved

· Parents can customize orders (buy only what you need)

· Quality, name-brand products you trust

· Low prices and next-day shipping to your home

· The school gets half the profits!

Register for a coupon code by clicking the button bellow.

Coupons are valid for 30 days only starting 07/01/2022 to 07/31/2022

Visit

https://www.yubbler.com/school/orlando-science-middle-high-charter

OSS now has its own Spirit Wear store!

**Please note the following:**

• Some Sideline polos and shirts on the site are only being printed with a round OSS logo. Our official school uniform polo, sold by Risse Brothers, is the official school uniform.

• Sideline polos and shirts may only be worn on Fridays as a spirit shirt, during gym class, or on other dress-down days designated by administration. Sideline polos and shirts cannot be worn as a replacement of the Risse Brothers official polo uniform shirts.

• Any sports shorts or pants are to be worn in gym class only.

• Sideline hoodies, jackets, and sweatshirts may only be worn over the official Risse Brothers school uniform polo.

• If students do not act responsibly with the new spirit wear we reserve the right to ask them to discontinue the use of the school spirit wear. No refunds will be provided by OSS.

• All Dress Code requirements apply to Spirit items sold by Sideline. No refunds will be provided by OSS for items that are in violation of the School Dress Code or otherwise.

• For information on Sideline's return and exchange policy please visit Orlando Science Schools Orcas Apparel - Orlando, Florida - Sideline Store - BSN Sports

Class of 2023: It's time to think about Senior Portraits!

Every year, OSS works with the Orlando location of Prestige Portraits to ensure our graduating class as photos for the yearbook and all graduation related activities. You should be receiving a postcard with info on how to set up a session as soon as the month of May! If you did not receive a postcard, you can follow this link to schedule your session today!

As a reminder, students entering the 7th grade must be up-to-date with all Florida Department of Health vaccine requirements. If unsure whether your child's immunizations are current, please consult with your physician.

Each year a database of families interested in carpooling is compiled. This list is shared only with interested parties and is filtered by zip code.

Please note that Orlando Science School does NOT coordinate carpooling. Families are responsible for reaching out to others in their area to determine if carpooling is an option.

Interested families can submit their information at the Car Pool List Sign-Up link below. A final list will be sent out in early July to those who sign up.

We’re excited to share our Summer Reading list for the 2022-2023 school year. We continue to adjust the program to give students the best possible experience while also upholding the desire to turn them into life-long readers. We know that people who read are more successful in all spheres of life, and we want to give your child her/his best opportunity to be successful both here at OSS and beyond. On the other side of this sheet, you’ll find the summer reading lists. Please note that you do not need to purchase copies of these books and the only summertime requirement is that all books are read prior to the first day of school. All additional work regarding the novel will be assigned after school has begun.

This year, all middle school students are required to pick 1 novel from the 2022-2023 Sunshine State Reading List. Students will read one book from that list as their choice novel and we will complete a project once we return to school. It is important that the novel is read prior to the start of school so that students would have ample time to complete the project. Project requirements will be given out during the first 2 weeks of school and will be counted as the first major grade in the English Language Arts classes.

We hope that, at the end of their time at OSS, all our students leave with a deep love of the English language and for the stories that connect us. We hope that the summer reading will give students insight as to what to expect from their English Language Arts classes this year. We hope that they are more compassionate, thoughtful, and intelligent people. We hope that they will develop wisdom and the ability to look beyond the surface of a thing to see its deeper truths, whether that “thing” is a book, a political situation, or another person. We hope that they are wise and just and true in their dealings with the world, and we know that great literature can help them to become all those things. We thank you for entrusting them to us, and we thank you for your support as we guide them through these literary encounters, even those that may not make immediate sense to you. We also welcome your feedback and conversation. If you have any questions regarding the middle school summer reading, please contact Katrina Frunker (frunker@orlandoscience.org).

Sincerely,

The OSS Middle School ELA Department

RISING 9th-10th GRADES ONLY: New York Times Summer Reading Contest

o The contest opens on JUNE 10.

o OSHS Requirements:

▪ Students should submit a minimum of four (4) reflections throughout the summer in order to receive credit.

▪ In addition to your entries, you need to keep a digital file with each entry. You will turn this in at the beginning of the school year. Your file should include:

• The title, byline (writer) and date of the article

• A brief summary of the article (a couple sentences is fine)

• Your entry/reflection

▪ Students who enter MORE than 4 times over the summer will receive extra credit.

▪ Remember, you may read articles about any topic that interests you!

▪ NOTE: Exceptions will be made for reflections that are not entered into the contest but are from other published sources. (Meaning if you want to read something other than the NYT, you may. However, articles must be related to current events – even if those are sporting events or the like. Articles about the coolest color of the summer will not be counted.)

RISING 11th-12th GRADES ONLY: Summer to Change Your Mind Project

o Choose a topic. It can be any topic, really, but it should be one that a) you would like to learn more about, and b) that you think you might need/want to change your mind about. This doesn’t need to be a moral issue – maybe you think the Space Force is a little strange but if you learned more about it, you’d change your mind. Maybe you think golf isn’t a real sport but, after some research, maybe you’d discover you no longer think that way. The world is your oyster.

o Read a minimum of 7 sources about your topic. They should come from varied sources and present all sides of the issue.

▪ Possible topics: ProCon.org is a great starting place if you’re stuck. Otherwise, anything that you are really passionate about will work.

o Complete an annotated bibliography using MLA formatting. Here is a link to see how to do that and what to include.

o Be prepared to present your findings when classes start.

AP English and Capstone Students:

This document below is for any student who is planning to take an AP English Language (rising 11th graders), AP English Literature (rising 12th graders), AP Capstone Seminar (rising 11th graders) or AP Capstone Research (rising 12th graders).

In addition to the regular Summer Reading (included above), you will be responsible for the Summer Reading you find here. Find the course you’re taking below, and follow the instructions you see.

Website: http://orlandoscience.org/highschool/
Location: 2600 Technology Drive, Orlando, FL, USA
Phone: (407)299-6595
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orlandoscience/
Twitter: @OrlandoSciMH