Oak Ridge Elementary School www.oakridge.leon.k12.fl.us March 3, 2006 Volume 8 Number 12 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 Positive Action Word of the Month - Determination Calendar • May 4: Viewing of Science Fair Projects • May 4: Leon County Schools Volunteer Appreciation and Award Ceremony • May 5: Science Projects Go Home • May 5: AR Awards • May 5: 5th Grade Banquet • May 5: AmeriCorps Girls’ Sleepover • May 8-12: Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week • May 8: 2006/07Kindergarten Registration Begins • May 8: SAC Meeting • May 9: Media Resources Due • May 11: WINGS Ends • May 11:Families Building Better Reading Workshop • May15 and 16: Musical “All Across the USA” • May 16: Mentor Farewell Ice CreamSocial • May 18: Business Partner Meeting • May 18: Carnival, Part II • May 18: Kids Talk WLCS Channel 23 • May 18: WINGS Showcase Musical - We Haz Jazz • May 19: AmeriCorps Boys’ Sleepover • May 22: Baskin’s Bash • May 23: Special Area Fun Day • May 23: Kindergarten Graduation • May 24: End of the Year Awards Ceremonies • May 24, 25, and 26: Early Release Days Students will be released at 11:30 AM • May 26: Last Day for Students • May 29: Memorial Day Holiday • May 30 & 31 Teacher Planning Days Judge Judith Hawkins Wins Education Award More than 500 people attended the Tallahassee Democrat Luncheon that honored more than 140 people and organizations in eight different categories. The awards were presented by Democrat Publisher Pat Dorsey and Sue Dick, President of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. Judge Judith Hawkins excitedly accepted the Volunteer of the Year Award in the Education Category. Judge Hawkins has volunteered at Oak Ridge for the past eight years and her influence upon Oak Ridge Eagles will resound for years to come. Though largely utilizing her time, talents and efforts in Ms. Baskin’s second grade classrooms, her impact has been experienced schoolwide as a result of her Parent “Pow Wows” and the presentations given during “Operation Occupation” Week, Honor Roll assemblies and other school events. She has truly inspired Oak Ridge Eagles, both parents and students, to set goals, dream dreams and work diligently to realize the success that is possible for all. As a result of this esteemed recognition, the Tallahassee community now knows what Oak Ridge Eagles have known all along...Judge Judith Hawkins is a valuable valiant volunteer! Also honored in the Education Category was Mr. Fred Hollis, known affectionately at Oak Ridge as Grandpa Hollis. Working in Mrs. Feehrer’s first grade classroom, he has been a positive role model for our students and brings a genuine love for children into each of his activities with them. He gives the students feedback on their homework, math, reading and writing skills. In the Nonprofit Organizations category, AmeriCorps was recognized for their efforts in working as reading tutors with students from Kindergarten through Third Grade. In addition to working with targeted students four days a week in 30 minute sessions, they volunteer and assist in a variety of school events such as the Late Night Library and the carnival. Mr. Stuart Cox was recognized for his work in mentoring students. Although he was nominated by Springwood Elementary, Oak Ridge claims him too! He first came to our school as he wanted to mentor a student he worked with at another school who had recently transferred to Oak Ridge. After she moved away, he stayed to continue mentoring students in Ms. Gaymon’s class. Oak Ridge salutes all of our volunteers, mentors, and business partners! We thank you for your support! PLAN NOW! May 24, 25, and 26 are Early Release Days. Students will be released at 11:30 AM. News From Our Media Center: Read Across America Read Across America was originally created as a one-day event to celebrate the joy of reading on March 2, Dr. Seuss's birthday. Today, in 2006, the program has grown into a nationwide initiative that promotes reading every day of the year. Oak Ridge celebrated this event by having all classes attend a special presentation in the media center. Local author, poet and playwright Brenda Scott, read the students some of her poems. She is known for writing plays such as Hey, There Neighbor, What a Picnic in L.A.? and As Men Talk. Later, the students watched presentations of some of their favorite Caldecott Medal Award books, such as Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak and Why the Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s ears by Verna Aardema. Students were given ‘Oak Ridge Elementary School - We Succeed When The Eagles Read bookmarks to highlight the occasion. Oak Ridge School Celebrates National Library Week April 2-8, 2006: National Library Week 2006: Change Your World at Your Library National Library Week was first sponsored by the American Library Association in 1958. Each year, in the month of April, school, public, academic, and special libraries throughout the United States participate in National Library Week celebrations. Oak Ridge School Community joined the rest of the Nation by participating in a number of activities. We celebrated the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and promoted library use and support. Classes participated in the following activities: Door Decorations The winners are: • First Place - Ms. Hartman’s Fourth Grade Class. Theme: Bet Ya Can’t Read Just One • Second Place - Ms. Johnson’s Second Grade Class. Theme: Readers are Leaders • Third Grade - Ms. Vaca’s Class. Theme: A-Maze-ing Books Storytelling with Paul Peavy: Public Library Card Sign Up: -Ms. Satchell, Media Specialist FCAT Resources for Parents We hope your class or your child did well on the FCAT! Thank you for choosing SP SnapShot’s Parents as Partners page as your FCAT resource For more information on how SP SnapShot turns student data into useful information, please go to www.spsnapshot.com Annual Title I Parental Involvement Conference On Friday, February 24th, two members of our Oak Ridge family attended the 11th Annual Title I Parental Involvement Conference in Orlando, Florida. Jessica Wallace, our WINGS 21st Century Site Coordinator and Parent Liaison, not only attended the conference, but was a presenter as well. Her topic was “How to Have a Meaningful Parent/Teacher Conference”, and parents, teachers, and other school personnel who attended her session commended Ms. Wallace for her excellent presentation skills and content. Congratulations to Ms. Wallace for being chosen to present at this annual state conference! Celeia Durant, a paraprofessional in our School Readiness program and Oak Ridge parent, also attended the conference. Mrs. Durant was able to attend sessions that support her efforts as an involved parent, and reports that she had “an excellent time”. A big “THANK YOU” to both of these Oak Ridge Eagles for being willing to invest their time and effort to expand their knowledge and share it with others. Special Area Fun Days - March 15th and 16th Students who earned their Special Area Stars had a terrific time during these Field Day events. For this 4th nine week period, Special Area Teachers will again be stamping stars for students with good attitudes and behaviors in classes. Students, be sure that you earn all of your stars so that you can participate in the activities May 23rd!