Oak Ridge Elementary School www.oakridge.leon.k12.fl.us
The Eagle’s Eye
October 21, 2004      Volume  7                      Number 4
School Hours:    Office Hours  7:30 - 3:30  Student Hours  7:40-2:00

Administrative Staff:
Hodgetta A. Huckaby, Principal              Kimberly McFarland, Assistant Principal
4530 Shelfer Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32310
Telephone: (850) 488-3124  FAX: (850) 922-7145
Web Page: http://www.oakridge.leon.k12.fl.us
Listserv: http:/listserv.leon.k12.fl.us/archives/oes-parents.html
Mascot: Eagle - Colors:  Royal Blue and White

Dear Parents and Guardians,
Please join us as we share our educational program for the 2004-2005 school year.
We have entered this new year with a sense of adventure, challenge, and a school -
wide commitment that ensures that “No Child Will Be Left Behind” at Oak Ridge
Elementary.
 During the months of October and November, grade level curriculum nights will be
provided to share with all parents/guardians important information about the
following:
•Grade level standards and benchmarks for all subjects.
• Promotion Criteria.
•Assessment Programs and Schedules.
• Behavior Plans.
• Homework and Grading Policies.
• Remediation Opportunities.
• Report Card.
• Helpful hints and Home strategies.
• Expectations and Academic goals for students.
To date, our School Readiness, first and third grade informational sessions have
been held and we had GOOD participation!  Our goal however, is for us to have
100% of our families to attend these
important special events.  Please mark your calendars for the upcoming sessions.
 Second Grade  Thursday, October 21st
 Fourth Grade Monday, October 25th
 Fifth Grade Thursday, November 4th
 Kindergarten Tuesday, November 16th
   (Make and Take Session)
Support your child’s educational experience by supporting the special activities and
programs sponsored by the school!
Sincerely,
Hodgetta A. Huckaby, Principal

Special Happenings
• October 21: Late Night Library  4:00-8:00pm
• October 21: Second Grade Curriculum Night
• October 23: Saturday School 3rd-5th Graders
•  October 25-29 Red Ribbon Week
•  October 25-29 Jump Rope for Heart
•  October 25: Fourth Grade Curriculum Night
• October  27: Report Cards Go Home
• October 28: Late Night Library  4:00-8:00pm
• October 29:  5th Grade D.A.R.E. Graduation
• October 30: Saturday School 3rd-5th Graders
• October 31: Daylight Savings Time Ends
• November 2: Election Day/ Kid’s Voting
• November 4: Fifth Grade Curriculum Night
• November 11: Veterans Day Holiday No School
•  November 16:  Kindergarten Make and Take

PICTURE DAY IS COMING!  We love those beautiful EAGLE smiles!
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28TH

Important W.I.N.G.S. Announcements:
• The Late Night Library is open to the community every Thursday from 4 - 8 pm.
• Saturday School is open for third - fifth graders on the following dates:  October 23
& 30; November 6 & 13; December 4 & 11.  Mrs. Huckaby is offering a $15.00
incentive for all students who attend at least 6 of the 7 scheduled sessions.
Don’t miss out!
       MS. Wallace W.I.N.G.S Coordinator

What Makes Oak Ridge SO Unique?
Special Area News...
Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Herby Hancock proved to be music to our ears at
the first ‘Eagle Jazz Jam’, featuring Nathaniel Woods and musicians from Florida
State.  More than five hundred Oak Ridge students, parents, and members of the
Tallahassee community gathered to celebrate jazz music.  The basketball courts
were covered in blankets and towels as the Oak Ridge community lounged for sixty
uninterrupted minutes of finger snapping, foot stomping, soul stirring music.  It was
truly a wonderful occasion.  We want to thank all who were in attendance, and hope
to see you at our next musical event.
Mrs. Hanlon, Mr. Lamar, Mr, Penn, Mr. Tessel, Ms. Satchell and Mrs. Hall, Special
Area Teachers

Kindergarten...
 The kindergarten is preparing for a special field trip.  We have been studying the
farm and its animals.  On November 8th, we will be visiting the animal exhibits at the
fair.  After the tour of the petting zoo, pig barn, cow barns etc., we will go to Meyers
Park for a picnic lunch.  Kindergarten parents, we will be sending information home
to you shortly.  Please think about being a chaperone.     We are looking forward to
our special day.
 Mrs. B. Thomas, Mrs. Grace-Smith, Ms. Gewanter,  Mr. Pendleton,
Kindergarten Teachers

Attention Parents
PLEASE Remember to save your
•General Mills, Betty crocker, or Pillsbury Box TOPS 4 EDUCATION COUPONS!!
ALSO
YOUR USED PRINTER CARTRIDGES FROM HOME AND WORK.
Many thanks to you for sending theses items
to Oak Ridge as they will Be redeemed for the benefit of the school.


Positive Action Words of the Week
10/18/04  Wellness
10/25/04  Creative
11/1/04  Curious


 Second Graders
Get Into The “Bone Zone”
 On Friday, October 8, 2004, the second grade eagles
participated in an Osteoporosis Prevention and Education Program presented by the
Florida Department of Health.  The teachers and students learned that osteoporosis
is a disease that causes holes and weakness in the bones.  We listened attentively
as the presenters shared the importance of exercise and diets that include Vitamin D
and calcium in the fight against osteoporosis.  We also learned some fascinating
facts about our bones.  For example, there are 206 bones our bodies and the
smallest bones are found in our ears.  We really enjoyed singing a song entitled, “I
Broke My Bones in Louisiana”.  Perhaps the highlights of the program were our
opportunities to meet a skeletal model named “Mr. Bones” and to assemble a
skeleton, bone by bone.  There’s “no bones about it”, second grade eagles are in the
“Bone Zone!”
Ms. Baskin, Ms., Curtin, Ms. Johnson, Mrs. McCollum, Second Grade Teachers

5th Grade...
This upcoming week will be Red Ribbon Week, a week long celebration of “Saying
No To Drugs!”  Each day will have a different theme to signify our schools campaign
to “Say No To Drugs!”
•  Monday: “Red Day”  Wear your favorite red outfit.
•  Tuesday: “Sock It To Drugs Day!” Wear your craziest pair of socks to school.
•  Wednesday: “Don’t Let Drugs Turn your Day!”  Wear your clothing inside out to
school.
•  Thursday: “Give Drugs The Slip Day!”  Wear your funniest or coziest pair of
slippers to school.
 (Remember that if you have P.E. to bring the appropriate shoes to school with you.}
•  Friday:  “Band Against Drugs Day!”  Wear a bandana or head band to school.
 Our first field trip will be to the Challenger Learning Center.  Ms. Hamill’s and Ms.
Garver’s Classes will go on October 26th.  Mrs. Atkins’ class and Mrs. Giuliani’s
class will go on October 27th.  Additional information about the trip is forthcoming.
 This month will conclude our D.A.R.E. program.  We will  have the graduation on
Friday, October 29th at 9 am.  Please make plans to come and be with us for this
momentous event.
Mrs. Atkins, Ms. Garver, Mrs. Giuliani, Ms. Hamill, Ms. Terry, Fifth Grade Teachers

1st Grade...
Mrs. Feehrer’s first grade class celebrated their handwriting expertise with a Hot
Diggity Dog Handwriting Party!  Our families sent in a feast of hot dogs, chips, drinks
and desserts.  The children celebrated their handwriting successes and received a
Hot Diggity Dog Certificate.  Ms. Butler, Ms. King, Ms. Black, Ms. Hartsfield, and Mr.
and Mrs. Tyler were all in attendance and helped with the memorable feast.
 We had so many hot dogs that we froze the extras.  We will serve them up with our
fish fry that will follow our first grade fishing trip to Joe Budd Aquatic Education
Center in late October. Stay tuned for more exciting news.
Mrs. Feehrer, Mrs. Hamilton, Mrs. Kurowski, Ms. Powell, First Grade Teachers

3rd Grade...
The third grade team would like to send a very special thank you to all parents and
students who came out to our first curriculum night for the 2004-2005 school year!
There were several important issues discussed including grading policy and
standards, benchmarks, FCAT testing dates, discipline policy,
Wednesday folders, and much, more.  We are appealing to all parents that were not
in  attendance to contact your child’s teacher to recieve this vital information.  Again
we would like to express our appreciation to those parents that took time to stay
connected to third grade expectations and look forward to your continued support!
              Together Everybody Achieves More.
Ms. Gaymon, Mrs. Gilmore, Ms. Huffman, Mr. Sealey, Mrs. Ware, Third Grade
Teachers

The Media Center:  Connecting Students with information
   •  Oak Ridge Elementary School celebrates Children’s Book Week
    November 15-21, 2004.  A list of events will be forthcoming!!!
   •  The media center has several resources such as LeapFrog School House,
   GeoSafari, puzzles, games, stories on video and audio tapes, and Magic Board
  Printing Practice Cards.  Please stop by the media center anytime during the
normal school hours if you would like to browse or check out materials for your
child(ren).  Mrs. Satchell, Media Specialist

4th Grade...
Fourth graders are working hard on their writing skills.  FCAT includes a February
writing test in which our children will need to write from a prompt.  They  will need to
distinguish between a narrative and an expository essay.  Each day we will be going
through the steps in the writing process as well as the traits of good writing.  Below
are some helpful suggestions to help your child become a better writer and a more
successful student.
Homework Helpers:
 •  When your child has a writing assignment, encourage use of colorful language by
using     interesting descriptions.
 •  Have your child answer the “wh” questions (who, what, when, where, why, how)
 •  Remind your child to stay focused on an assigned topic.
 •  Have your child read for enjoyment every evening.  The best writers are avid
readers.
 •  Always check and sign your child’s planner daily and ask about his/her homework
assignments.
Mrs. Rodriguez, Mr. Hiatt, Mrs. Lawrence, Ms. Teague, Fourth Grade Teachers