OSKY PRIDE NEWS- OCTOBER, 2010
REMINDER: PLEASE DRESS YOUR CHILD FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER. COLD WEATHER HAS ARRIVED!
UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER:
Wednesday, November 3 Early Dismissal- 1:15 PM
Professional Development
Tuesday, November 9 Blood Drive 11:00 AM-6:00 PM
Thursday, November 11 End 1st Trimester
Elem. Orchestra Concert 7:30 PM
Friday, November 12 No School
Tuesday, November 16 5th Grade Vocal Concert 2:00 PM
Mrs. Archer, Mrs. Behning,
Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Pederson
Wednesday, November 17 Report Cards sent home
Thursday & Friday,
November 25 & 26 No School-Thanksgiving Break
BLOOD DRIVE:
The Mississippi Regional Blood Center is coordinating a blood drive at Oskaloosa Elementary on November 9 from 11:00 AM-6:00 PM. They are donating $250 to the PTO for our students. Please contact Dana Sereg at 673-8092 or seregd@oskaloosa.k12.ia.us, to sign up.
HALLOWEEN HIKE:
There will be a Halloween Hike at Russell Wildlife on October 30, from 7:00-9:00. This is fun for the whole family. Dress up in spooky costumes and hit the trails, or wander through the Prairie Maze. Enjoy hot cider and popcorn, or go hedgeball bowling. There is no charge for this. If you have questions or would like to volunteer to help with the event, please contact Laura DeCook, MCCB Naturalist, at 673-3927.
PUMPKINS, POETRY AND PHOTOGRAPHY:
Fifth grade students participated in the annual PP & P contest on Tuesday, October 26. This was sponsored by our PTO and coordinated by Michele Rieckhoff. Many wonderful and creative entries were on display in the afternoon for all OES students to enjoy. The judges had the difficult task of selecting the winning entries. There were 57 pumpkins, 157 poems, and 25 photos. Great job, students! Thanks go to all the PTO volunteers and teachers who helped make the event a success.
RED RIBBON WEEK:
Students celebrated Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 22- 29. Themes included “Follow Your Dreams- Don’t Do Drugs”, “Being Drug Free is No Sweat!”, and “Team Up Against Drugs”. Students wore pajamas, sweats, and their favorite team shirts to show their support. 5th grade students will also have the DARE program this year with Officer Craig Alexander. The DARE curriculum teaches students how to make good choices in difficult situations.
AFTERSCHOOL MATH PROGRAM:
The afterschool math program will begin Tuesday, November 16. Sessions will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45- 4:45. Bus transportation is available. The focus of the program is developing proficiency in math skills in small group settings. Instructors are all certified teachers. The program will run until February 10.
SCHOOL HOURS:
School begins at 8:20 and ends at 3:15. Students can enter the building at 7:50 and go to their classrooms or go to breakfast. Breakfast is served from 7:50-8:15. Students must be in their classroom by 8:20 or they will be counted tardy. All doors will be secured during the day except the west entrance doors. We ask that all parents/guardians/visitors stop by the office and sign in. Parents and visitors will be asked to wear identification tags while in the building.
CONFLICT MANAGERS/PEER HELPERS PROGRAM:
The Oskaloosa Conflict Management Program enters it’s 20th year this fall. Our fourth and fifth grade Conflict Managers will work with the younger students this year. They will help kindergarten and first grade students with non-physical conflicts and will serve as role models to the younger students. A first for this school year will be the addition of fourth and fifth grade Peer Helpers on the K-1 playground. Peer Helpers will work with younger students by reinforcing PBIS expectations, encouraging fair play, and working with students on good friendship skills. We came up with the idea of having fourth and fifth grade Peer Helpers earlier this fall when we noticed how helpful they were whenever they were around the younger students. Hats off to this great group of leaders!
POWER A BRIGHT FUTURE GRANT CONTEST:
OES is competing for a chance to win a $50,000 grant or one of three $20,000 grants. Other prizes are also awarded. Our PBIS program was nominated as the program that will make a difference in our school. You can vote for OES at www.powerabrightfuture.com through November 1, 2010. Vote and recruit your family and friends to do the same. We appreciate your support!
PBIS CELEBRATION ASSEMBLY:
The PBIS celebration assembly was held on Thursday, Oct. 28. The safety patrol demonstrated Halloween safety tips for students. Then some lively competitions took place. Students had lots of fun in the Scarecrow/Farmer Dress Up and Win It in a Minute contests. Thanks go to all who contributed to the costumes and prizes, and a good job, safety patrol, in showing leadership. Re-teaching responsibility, respect, safety and caring are an integral part of all PBIS assemblies as well as celebrating students’ successes in demonstrating those characteristics.
UNITED WAY COAT DRIVE:
The United Way Coat Drive is underway. “Gently used” donated items can include coats, hats, mittens, scarves, boots and snow pants. There are a number of donation boxes at local businesses including eleven in Oskaloosa, two in New Sharon, one in Fremont and one in Eddyville. There is no application process to receive winter clothing, just that people should take only one item per family. The drive ends December 1. The United Way office is located at 500 High Avenue West, Oskaloosa.
DAILY YOUTH THEATRE- STAGE ACADEMY:
The second elementary session of Stage Academy will begin November 2. It will last six weeks during which a script is written for the group, students learn about theatre and acting, and get to put on their own show. Students meet twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the George Daily Auditorium. Students can sign up to ride the buses over from school. The cost is $65. Details can be found on the website www.dailyyouththeatre.com. The first session’s performance will be held Friday, October 29, at 7:00 p.m. at George Daily Auditorium.
