Dear OES Families,

The Holiday Season should be joyful, but it is typically packed with much to do and the societal pressure to make this the best season yet. This can be stressful and overwhelming for both children and adults. When life hands us additional challenges, it can be even more difficult to find the joy in the season. Sometimes, we need to slow down and recognize the gifts we have in one another.

One of the best gifts you can give your children is your presence and not focus so much on the presents. Academically, socially, and emotionally, we see children thrive when parents and caregivers give them the gift of their time. So this season, I encourage you to focus not on the monetary pressure to give the best gifts, but rather on giving the gift of your time to your children. It doesn't cost a thing and is one of the best investments you can make in your child's future.

I wish you all a healthy and joyous Holiday Season and New Year. Remember, my door is always open to you.

Sincerely,

Dr. Elena Tachau

Conversations for Comprehension

Vocabulary development is key for reading comprehension. If a student has heard a word, they are much more likely to be able to map out its sounds to read it when they see it in text. The Science of Reading research informs us that students’ background knowledge and vocabulary accounts for 50-60% of their reading comprehension, so the larger a students’ vocabulary is, the greater their comprehension will be.

Did you know that one of the most effective ways for parents and caregivers to influence their children’s language and brain development is by simply engaging them in conversation? A 2018 MIT study found that children whose parents talked with them, not just to them, had greater vocabulary skills. Don’t worry about amping up the syllable count of your family conversations - the more you talk to one another, the richer the vocabulary naturally becomes.

If you’re stuck about what to talk with your children about, here are some quick ideas:

• Ask questions about your student’s day, make comments, and invite them to think and share their ideas

• Share a book together and talk about the illustrations or the characters or the plot

• Use these conversation starters from thefamilydinnerproject.org to get you started

Cider, our facility dog, has been diligently working with students in Miss Whitelock’s classroom. The benefits of his working time within the building are extraordinary. Miss Whitelock has observed the following:

1. Social Skills Development: Interacting with Cider has encouraged my students to practice taking turns during Cider time, which has helped improve social interaction.

2. Sensory Regulation: Cider provides calming sensory experiences, such as petting or pressure, which helps students regulate their emotions from the busy start to the day. This has contributed to improved moods and overall emotional well-being.

Positive Reinforcement: Cider serves as positive reinforcement of desired behaviors, encouraging students to engage in appropriate actions.

Students of the Month is a program designed to recognize any student at OES who demonstrates consistent effort and growth in academics and follows our school rules of Taking Care of Self, Taking Care of Others, and Taking Care of Our School. In addition, these students are selected for the kindness that they show to their fellow students and OES staff.

At the end of each month, students of the month are selected for the next month. Throughout the month these students are expected to be role models for their peers. They get to choose a friend and sit at a special table during lunch. Each month Dr. Tachau treats the students of the month to a pizza lunch. During that time, they share ideas on how to make our school a better place. Students also get to decorate a ceiling tile to brighten up the building. Students of the month are asked to help with schoolwide projects and provide student leadership.

Congratulations to our November/December Students of the Month:

Grade 3:

Wyatt Meck

Charlie Hery

Iker Castaneda Flores

Clara Bush

Trinity Cannon

Gracie Ayers

Sean Johnson

Grade 4:

Kaeden Crockett

Leah Gonzalez-Cintron

Harper Sullivan

Evan Lazos

Sakari Diarra

Cooper Kowalchik

Seamus Ralston

Every Monday morning, our staff is treated to the opportunity to purchase coffee and bagels or donuts from the OES Coffee Cart. The Coffee Cart is run by Mrs. Norris' students. This provides students with the experience of managing and running a business. They are learning skills such as planning, organization, making change, customer service, and teamwork. What a great way this is for us to start each week!

Mrs. Iron's classes voted on Election Day in Social Studies. Students made voter registration cards, and received their I Voted Today pin. Students voted on what food would be best for the cafeteria to serve on a daily basis. French Fries won 13 to 4! Sadly, the cafeteria is still not serving French Fries on a daily basis 😔

On Thursday, November 14th, a group of engineers led by Tyler Hartman did an interactive presentation to all 4th-grade classes with a focus on Intersection Safety. The students learned about various traffic control devices and why they are critical for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. Students placed various signs such as yield, no U-Turn, pedestrian crossing, traffic lights, and one way on the appropriate places on the maps that included the local community. A question and answer session was held after the learning activity.

Fourth grade students were excitedly watching to see if Slope and Flood conditions affect erosion and deposition. They learned that they do result in more erosion; broader, deeper, straighter canyons, and more extensive deposition that reached further down our stream-table model.

When we return from the holiday break, the second round of student screening assessments will occur. They include:

NWEA MAP Growth Assessment in Reading and Math-: this is a norm-referenced assessment which measures your students achievement in relation to students of the same grade level who take the assessment during the same time of the year. It also measures your student's growth from the first assessment taken in the fall. The information sent home will include students' achievement percentile and growth percentile. This data is also used as a criteria to determine if students are in need of Tier 2 or Tier 3 intervention in Math or Reading.

ACADIENCE: this is a screening assessment that is given to students 3 times per year. It measures students achievement in Math Computation as well as Math Concepts and Applications. The assessment is aligned to the Common Core Standards in Math. At OASD we use this as a screening tool to determine if students are in need of Tier 2 or Tier 3 intervention supports in Math.

DIBELS mClass: this is a screening assessment that measures fluency, accuracy and comprehension in reading. Fluency is how well students are able to read smoothly and using correct phrasing without having to stop and decode, or sound out words frequently. It is not a measure of how fast a student can read, although students who are able to read grade level text fluently are able to read more quickly than students who struggle. Accuracy measures the accuracy of each word read--if the student adds an ending that isn't there or substitutes another work, this can impact their accuracy. This data is also used as a criteria to determine if students are in need of Tier 2 or Tier 3 intervention in Reading.

HOW CAN PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS HELP?

You can support your child's progress in math by practicing their basic math facts in addition, subtraction and multiplication with them-make a game of it.

You can support your child's progress in reading by reading with them and have them read to you or another family member--even the family pet!

Encourage your student to always do their best on these assessments so that we know how to best meet their needs.

If you have questions, feel free to reach out to your child's teacher or Dr. Tachau.

Many thanks to the Chester County Food Cupboard for providing food for a weekend food backpack program for students in need. If you feel your student would benefit from this, please complete the google form below.

Also, we have winter coats available to students in need. Simply complete the google form below.

The Octorara K-6 PTO makes so much possible for our students. Through fundraisers and family events, the PTO supports our students and families in so many ways. Please be on the lookout for upcoming events. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Sandi Wrigley, PTO President at octorarak-6pto@octorara.org

If you are interested in this year's flu vaccination clinics, the Chester County Health Department is pleased to announce that registration for the 2024 Fall Vaccination Campaign is now LIVE. You may register here.

Lost and Found

We are growing quite the collection of coate, hoodies, and sweatshirts in our lost and found. If your child is missing a coat, please encourage them to check the lost and found which is in the back of the cafeteria. It would be extremely helpful if all parents and caregivers would put their students' names in their coats. Thank you for your assistance!

Absences

Please remember to send a note in when your child is absent. You may send it in with your child, or simply email it to dmattis@octorara.org. Please do not send absence notes to the school nurse. Remember that we must have a note within three days of each absence in order to excuse it.The more days your child misses, the less successful they will be academically.

If your family is going on a trip, you must complete an Educational Trip Request Form. Up to 5 days per year may be excused for an educational trip. Please avoid state testing dates in April and May when planning any trips.

Parent Drop Off and Pick Up

Please remember to use the parent drop off and pick up circle and do not drop students off in the bus lane in the morning. You can access the parent drop off and pick up circle by using the OES entrance closest to the PLC.

If you need to pick your child up and they are not on the permanent parent pick up list, you may do one of two things:

1. Complete the google form before 2:30 pm.

2. Call the school to have your child put on the parent pick up list.

Dates to Remember

PSSA Testing Window: April 21-May 2, 2025

Dec. 20-Early Dismissal for Students

Dec. 21-Jan. 1-No School for Students, Holiday Break

Jan. 2--Return to School

Jan. 17-Early Dismissal for Students

Jan. 20-No School for Students, MLK Day

Jan. 24-No School for Students K-12

OES Contact Information:

Dr. Elena Tachau, Principal

Mrs. Tami Cooper, School Nurse

Ms. Ashley Eaches, School Counselor

Mr. Josh Irons, Intervention Specialist

Mrs. Amy Steinmetz, Reading Specialist

Mrs. Debbie Mattis, Attendance Secretary