Principal’s Notes

11-17-2020

This is the last Tuesday before the holiday season really starts. Be safe, everyone and remember to read, read, read.

• Supply Fees: We continue to collect supply fees for students. Thank you to the many families that donate to those that couldn’t. Your generosity is appreciated. If you have not yet paid your fees and can do so, please log into your account to submit payment. Fees are for both Traditional and Online students.  https://www.studentquickpay.com/pasco/    
• Looking Ahead:  Thanksgiving Break is November 23rd-27th.

11-10-2020

November is a time to reflect on everything we are thankful for. We want you to know how grateful we are for each of you and your wonderful children.  

• Supply Fee: Our school relies on funds collected from supplies fees and other fundraising activities that were canceled due to Covid.  Without a traditional registration day this year, we could only collect fees for less than 50% of our Oakstead students. These funds are used for general expenses, art, music, and PE supplies, special project fees, and student technology fees. If you have not yet paid your fees and can do so, please log into your account to submit payment. Fees are for both Traditional and Online students.  https://www.studentquickpay.com/pasco/  

• Free and Reduced Lunch Information:  Currently, all students are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch, regardless of their eligibility status. Even so, we strongly encourage you to complete a new meal application if your household qualifies. In addition to meal benefits, students eligible for free or reduced-price meals can receive free or discounted testing fees, camp registrations, high-speed internet, and other benefits. Schools also receive a portion of their funding based off the percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals based off their household meal application, regardless of whether that student is attending mySchoolOnline or in person. To review the eligibility guidelines and complete an application, please visit www.pascoschoolmeals.com.

• Looking Ahead:  Thanksgiving Break is November 23rd-27th.

10-27-2020

• Pasco Pathways Expo: The Pasco Pathways Expo event will highlight the choices and innovative programs available in our county for the 21-22 school year. Pasco County Schools will host our 3rd annual Expo style events on November 16th for Westside schools and November 19th for Eastside schools from 5–8 pm. These events will take place virtually this year. All secondary schools in the designated area will be represented at the virtual Expo as well as select elementary schools. For registration information, please visit http://pasco.k12.fl.us/expo. The Pathways Catalog is available to showcase many of the options in our county. We have updated the district website to have all information in one place regarding the options available and information about the 21-22 application window.

9-9-2020

Changes to School Options: Over the last few weeks, we have had several changes to the options families want their children to attend school. To provide learning continuity for students, we are asking families to stick with your current learning model. Requests to change learning models can only be approved by Ms. Ramirez or me and will be considered on case-by-case bases. At this time, a change to your child’s current learning model will only be made at the end of the first quarter or the end of the semester. 

Asbestos Letter: Click here to read the school’s annual asbestos notice shared with families.

Grade-Specific Information

11-17-2020

• MSOL Families:  All MSOL families have responded and committed to either the Traditional classroom setting or the MSOL classroom setting for the remainder of the 20-21 school year. For those returning to the building, teacher assignments will be shared at the end of December.
• MAPS Testing:  Our 2nd MAPS testing window is 12/1-12/16. MSOL families will be sent a link to sign up for a time to come to the school and test. This 2nd assessment will allow us to see student growth and use the data to predict success on state assessments.

11-10-2020

• Student Supplies: At the beginning of the year, we asked that families send enough supplies for their child to keep in a pencil box on their desk. There is no sharing of supplies this year. Please replenish these supplies regularly. I know that pencil boxes are running low, and glue sticks are running dry. 
• MSOL Families: Please complete this return survey before Friday the 13th. We are beginning to set up classes for the 2nd semester.  https://oes.pasco.k12.fl.us/mform/view.php?id=25114
• Progress Reports: Progress Reports will be posted on Friday the 13th. Please check the portal to view your child’s progress report. 

11-3-2020

• November’s Reading Incentive: We will be starting a monthly reading challenge  across our school this month! For the month of November, we will be tracking our students’ minutes read as a school. Our reading goals for each student are: 

  • Primary Grades K-2: Our goal for our primary students will be to read 20 minutes each night. As they log their minutes, they will color in their turkey feather with each feather totaling 100 minutes. When they fill up a feather, they will turn in the feather to their teacher. The classroom teacher adds feathers to the class turkey and records total minutes on the class turkey!
  • Intermediate Grades 3-5: Our goal for our intermediate students will be to read 30 minutes each night. As they log their minutes, they will color in their turkey feather with each feather totaling 100 minutes. When they fill up a feather, they will turn in the feather to their teacher. The classroom teacher adds feathers to the class turkey and records total minutes on the class turkey!

10-27-2020

• Resources and Tips for parents of 3rd graders: Pasco County Schools aims to ensure that all third-grade students have the necessary reading skills to succeed in grades four and beyond. To be promoted to fourth grade, a student must score a Level 2 or higher in reading on the FSA English Language Arts assessment. Please refer to the attached document for additional information.
• Report Cards: Report cards will be posted in myStudent today.

10-6-2020

• 2nd Grader taking CogAT: Every year, second-grade students participate in taking the CogAT, Cognitive Abilities Gifted Identification Screener. The screener will be administered the week of October 20, 2020. Additional information will be sent home to the families of our second-graders. 2nd Grade MSOL FAMILIES, the CogAT can only be administered here at school. Please use the link below to sign your child up to take the CogAT. We are always available to answer any questions.   2nd Grade MSOL CogAT Sign-up

• NWEA MAP Assessments: The beginning of the year MAPs testing window has closed. Parent reports on how your child did on this assessment will be sent home or shared with you during a conference. To assist parents with understanding the report, we have created a video. The link below will take you to the video. We hope you find the video helpful.  MAP Report Parent Video

9-29-2020

• Out-Of-Field Teachers: According to the Florida Department of Education, parents must be notified when their child’s teacher is considered to be Out-Of-Field (OOF). This week we will be sending home letters to families of the following teachers who are OOF; Mr. Baldwin, Mrs. Diogenes, Mrs. Gartland, Mrs. Gault, Mrs. Poll, Mrs. Reamer, Mrs. Sanchez, and Mr. Tyson. Individuals who are teaching out-of-field are certified in at least one area and are qualified to teach but must take additional course work or testing to add a coverage/endorsement to their certificate. The state also requires a teacher to take coursework/inservice towards an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) endorsement when the teacher is the primary language arts provider and/or reading teacher for an ESOL student.

Upcoming Events

11-17-2020

• Great American Teach-In: Our GATI is Tuesday. Thank you families that are zooming in or that have sent in recordings. We are excited to learn about all the exciting career opportunities available.

• It’s time for the OAKSTEAD HOLIDAY SHOP!  The PTA has worked very hard this year to bring you this program (not a fundraiser!!) which allows the students the opportunity to shop for their families for the holidays. We have teamed up with Wonderland Gift Shoppe to create both an online experience for MSOL families as well as in In-person shop for traditional students. ***NOTE: Traditional students can also preview and buy with the online shop but PARENTS WE URGE YOU TO LET YOUR CHILD DO THE SHOPPING!!! This is THEIR shop and they LOVE to surprise their family members and friends with their kind hearts and giving spirits!! There are gifts for every budget ranging from $.25 items up to $15.00 with tons of variety in between. 

  The link to the shop is: https://wonderlandgiftshoppes.store/, no password needed. Students may need mom or dad’s help on the final page only – NO PEEKING! There’s a video on the website to guide you in helping your child shop if you need to.

  Our online shop is OPEN NOW through December 7th so you can shop over the break next week! 

  In-person shop will be on campus, scheduled by cohort and will be a TOUCHLESS shop. A helper elf will assist the shoppers from behind a clear barrier and touch items only with masked hands. In person shop schedule is as follows: 

  Friday, December 4th will be a touchless preview day for all classes

  Monday, December 7th – Thursday, December 10th classes will shop at their scheduled time ONLY. PLEASE do your best to send money with your student at this time! Gift cards are also available on the website which link directly to the in-school shop.

  Friday, December 11th- This will be a makeup day for students who forgot something during their first scheduled time. We will have one student shop at a time and by scheduled appointment only so we can clean and disinfect the room in between each shopper.

  *** Please note that in our efforts to comply with CDC Guidelines, minimal volunteer participation is allowed at this event and there will be NO CONTACT with the students at any time ***

11-10-2020

• November 18: Great American Teach-In: Plans are in the works for a unique virtual GATI this year on Wednesday, November 18.  If you are interested in being a speaker for the day please contact your child’s teacher.  This year, our event will look a little different. Presenters will be able to Zoom in to classes or send in a prerecorded presentation to the classroom teacher. If you are interested in participating, please contact your child’s classroom teacher directly to schedule a time. I know our students look forward to learning about all the various career options available to them. 

11-3-2020

• Veteran’s Day: Do you know a Veteran? Oakstead would love to honor them. Please fill out this form, letting us know their name and branch by Friday, November 6th. If you have more Veterans than what is on the form, please feel free to fill out another form .

10-27-2020

• Due December 4th:  5th Grade Yearbook Cover Contest: Design a cover for our 2020-2021 Yearbook. We will have one winner whose design will be on the cover of the book & 1 or more winner(s) whose design(s) will be on the book’s back cover. All designs will be in color! You must follow ALL of the rules and guidelines to be considered for the contest. Hand in your design to Mrs. Stevic or Ms. Grob no later than Friday, December 4th.

  Rules and Guidelines:

    1) Contest is for our 5th-grade students ONLY.

    2) Must be drawn VERTICAL on a white 8 ½ x11 paper

         (unlined or copy paper)

    3) Must haves in the design

  • School Name – Oakstead Elementary
  • School Mascot – A picture of an Otter
  • School Year – 2020-2021
  • No name on the front (we will add your name if you win!)

    4) Design must be in color– NEATLY

     5) Design must be LARGE and must FILL THE PAGE and WORDS must be SPELLED CORRECTLY.

    6) Must be handed in by the deadline Friday, December 4th.

  

10-14-2020

• Cafeteria- has begun to sell ice cream to students in grades 1st – 5th.  As kindergarteners become more efficient with opening their lunch products and finishing their lunch within 30 minutes, we will start to allow them to buy ice cream also.

School Pride

11-17-2020

• November’s Reading Incentive: Our November reading challenge is in full swing. We will continue to post pictures of our turkeys on Facebook as they fill up with feathers.  

  This Week’s Lead Turkeys.

  Kindergarten: Mrs. Bilancione’s, Mrs. Mantzaris’s and Mrs. Sprague’s Classes

  1st Grade: Mr. Tyson’s, Mrs. Sanchez’s Mrs. Soto’s, and Mrs. Poll’s Classes

  2nd Grade: Mrs. Hudak’s and Mrs. Pollard’s Classes

  3rd Grade: Mrs. Boufarrd’s and Mr. Kilmer’s Classes

  4th Grade: Mrs. Cook’s, Mrs. Thompson’s and Mrs. Hollcomb’s Classes

  5th Grade: Mrs. Ramsey and Mrs. Campbell’s Classes. 

11-10-2020

• November’s Reading Incentive: Our November reading challenge is in full swing. We will continue to post pictures of our turkeys on Facebook as they fill up with feathers.  

  Lead Turkeys.

  Kindergarten: Mrs. Bilancione’s Class, Ms. Britton’s Class, and Mrs. Neeley’s Class

  1st Grade: Mr. Tyson’s Class and Mrs. Poll’s Class

  2nd Grade: Mrs. Brown’s Class, Mrs. Hudak’s Class, Mrs. Pollard’s Class, Mrs. Rock’s Class, Mrs. Saenz’s Class

  3rd Grade: Mrs. Hulling’s Class and Mr. Kilmer’s Class

  4th Grade: Mrs. Cook’s Class and Mrs. Herd’s Class

  5th Grade: Mr. Baldwin’s Class and Mrs. Lantzy’s Class. 

10-27-2020

• Monday Shirts: Our first official Monday Shirt Day is October 26th! If you didn’t get one, they are in stock and available now. Send $12 cash or check to your child’s teacher with the size needed, or you can pick up in the front office between 10 am & 3 pm. Sizes available: Youth Small to Youth Extra Large, Adult Small & Medium.

10-14-2020

• Our PTA is selling some Oakstead Otter Masks. There is a limited number, and they will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.  Be on the lookout next week for our first fundraiser.   https://oaksteadpta.new.memberhub.store/store