Dear Orca Families,

It's hard to believe that 2023 is coming to an end. I hope this busy season allows you to spend quality time with your loved ones.

As we enter 2024, my goal is to foster more connection within our Orca Community. In January, you will receive a survey to help us determine some of the ways we can build connection between school and home, and the types of activities that you would like to see at family nights. This information will help us plan and provide activities at school that meet the needs of our families.

Our incredible PTA is planning Winter Wonderland on December 12 from 4:30-7:00 at the Blue Fox Drive-in. I hope to see you all there!

I am grateful to be part of the Orca Community and appreciate each and every one of you.

Warmest regards,

Mrs. Lucero

Please remember the value of unplugging from technology and spending time together. Even just 20 minutes of reading with your child daily can make a big difference in their lives.

By: Alissa Talamo, PhD
Pediatric Neuropsychologist

Reading 20 minutes per day has been shown to have many positive benefits. Did you know…?

• Children who read 20 minutes a day/5 days a week are exposed to 1.8 million words in one school year. Compare this to students who read 5 minutes per day – they will be exposed to 282,000 words per school year.

• Reading helps foster empathy – a child experiences “walking in someone else’s shoes.”

• Children are exposed to different ideas and cultures.

• Reading also improves critical thinking.

• Reading increases knowledge of correct syntax and grammar, along with robust vocabulary knowledge, resulting in improved writing skills.

• Students who read 20 minutes per day score significantly higher on standardized tests of reading.

• Reading with your child, or having them read independently before bed, can help them to relax and wind down from their day.

It is important to recognize that despite all our good intentions, sometimes students are reluctant to read on their own. This reluctance can come from different reasons, such as difficulty reading, not yet knowing the types of books they would enjoy, or even that they would simply rather be playing video games or be on social media. To help make reading more attractive to your child, there are several things you can try:

• Let the child choose what they are reading – help them find books that are about an area of high interest to them (anything from sports to fashion to history – all is fair game!).

• If the book they are interested in is above their reading level, you can read to them (model the page) and then have them read it back to you.

• Allow them access to audio books, and they can follow along with the text.

• Encourage different types of reading material (comics, graphic novels, magazines, traditional books, etc.).

• Look for book series – once they enjoy one, they will often want to read the rest!

Getting your child to read is not always easy. However, allowing them to read high interest material, asking them questions to help them interact with the text, and modeling that reading can be fun is a great start!

If your child demonstrates difficulties improving their reading skills, reach out to their teacher and discuss if there are any underlying concerns (visual issues, such as difficulty tracking; reading challenges, such as reduced phonemic awareness, etc.). If you continue to have concerns, consider having your child evaluated by a reading specialist or pediatric neuropsychologist to ensure that such an important skill is supported and developed as your child continues through school and beyond.

Sara Lucero

General Office Contact Information

Office contact number: 360-279-5150

Attendance: 360-279-5159

Office contact email: oveinfo@ohsd.net

• Early Release Monday | 4 Dec.
• Teacher Work Day (No School) | 7 & 8 Dec.
• Early Release Monday | 11 Dec.
• PTA Winter Wonderland | 12 Dec.
• Winter Break (No School) | 18 Dec. - 1 Jan.
• School Resumes | 2 Jan.

• ATTENDANCE: If your child is absent from school, Washington State requires that you follow up with a note to the office within 2 school days. We can no longer accept late school notes. You can send a handwritten note with your child or you can send the office staff an email. oveinfo@ohsd.net For more information regarding your student's attendance please refer to Oak Harbor School District Policy https://app.eduportal.com/documents/view/420215

• Names on Jackets: Please put your student's name on the inside of their outer layers. When we go through the lost and found we look for names on every jacket, sweatshirt, hat, etc. Without names, we cannot return items to your students. If your student is missing a coat or any clothing please come search through our lost and found. It fills up quickly. Watch our Facebook page because we donate unclaimed clothes several times a year.

• Change to end-of-the-day transportation. Please remember to call the office before 2:45 p.m. if you are changing your student's mode of transportation home. On Monday please call before 1:45 p.m. This ensures that we are able to inform the students and their teachers in a timely manner.

Attention all students and parents, please check the lost and found for any misplaced items. We kindly request you to collect your belongings before the Winter Break as we will be donating all unclaimed items. The lost and found is overflowing with winter coats and sweaters, and we make every effort to return items with names on them to their rightful owners. Thank you for your cooperation.

Stress Less: Eat, Play, Sleep

Eat healthy foods. Be active every day. Get the right amount of sleep. These 3 daily habits are good for your health - and they're good for your mental health too.

They help you be in a happier mood. And they help you cope better with stress.

When you give your body good food, a good workout, and good sleep every day, you'll feel alert, rested, strong, and full of energy.

These 3 habits work best together. Click on the link below to learn how to make them part of your day.

https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/eat-play-sleep.html?ref=search

Dear Parents and Guardians,

In classes K-3 we have been learning about how to problem solve - skills and strategies that can help us in the classroom, playground or even working things out at home. In Kelso’s Choice curriculum, a frog named Kelso acts as a guide to help students solve different problems they might encounter - issues around sharing, using unkind words, taking turns, etc.

They learn that if we ever have a “BIG” problem (one that is scary or frightening), we need to tell a trusted adult like Mom or Dad or school staff immediately because someone can get hurt. Students learn that if we have a “small” problem, we can use Kelso the Frog’s ideas to solve it. Kelso’s small problem strategies are: go to another game, talk it out, share and take turns, ignore it, walk away, tell them to stop, apologize, make a deal, and wait and cool off. If you would like any of the visuals to use at home, we are happy to provide them to you.

During the holidays, several community organizations are available to help families in need.

Food Support - We have several community partnerships to assist families at OVE with food support. If you or someone you know needs assistance, please contact Stacey Mahoney at the information below. We are so grateful for the donations from Rotary Club of Oak Harbor, Family Bible Church, and North Whidbey Help House.

Holiday Gift Support - Holiday House North, sponsored by the Oak Harbor Lions in partnership with Toys for Tots and other community organizations, is offering families with financial need a place to come and select donated new unwrapped items for their children in a store-like setting. Parents can sign up directly on their website at www.holidayhousenorth.com

Clothing support - Olympic View Elementary also has access to shoes, winter clothes like jackets and boots, backpacks, etc. please contact Ms. Mahoney.

Contact Stacey Mahoney, OVE School Counselor, for more information smahoney@ohsd.net or 360-279-5160.

Support OVE PTA's fundraiser! Deck the halls with our delightful ornaments, earrings, and pins. Check out prices in the photo and our order form & link in the comments below. Your support means the world to us! Thank you!

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¡Apoye la recaudación de fondos de OVE PTA! Decora los pasillos con nuestros encantadores adornos, aretes y alfileres. Consulte los precios en la foto y nuestro formulario de pedido y enlace en los comentarios a continuación. ¡Su apoyo significa mucho para nosotros! ¡Gracias!

We hope everyone is staying cozy this season! Our PTA has some exciting updates to share with you. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates on as well will be selling custom Olympic View Elementary ornaments, stunning Orca earrings, and beautiful pins.

Save the Date for Winter Wonderland!

Get ready for a magical evening at our Winter Wonderland, happening at the Blue Fox Drive-In on Tuesday, December 12th, from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM!

Come indulge in our delightful hot cocoa bar, meet Santa himself, and explore the enchanting Christmas village set up by the Blue Fox Drive-In. Plus, enjoy FREE entry to the movies we'll be screening!

We appreciate your support and can't wait to see you there, making unforgettable memories with us!

Email: pta4ove@gmail.com

Website: https://olympicview.memberplanet.com/Membership.html

or use the button below for Facebook

Beginning the 2023-2024 school year, Oak Harbor Public Schools will use ParentSquare to communicate with you at the school, and in your classrooms and groups. ParentSquare provides a simple and safe way for everyone at school to connect. With ParentSquare you’ll be able to:

• Receive all school and classroom communication via email, text, or app
• Communicate in your preferred home language with automatic translation
• Direct message teachers and staff
• Have access to your school's documents and pictures/videos that come in your ParentSquare messages
• Easily sign up to volunteer and/or bring items

At the beginning of the school year, you will receive an invitation in your email to join ParentSquare. This invitation will go to the email address or phone number you provided at the time of registration. Please click on the link in the message to activate your account. You can also use your email or phone number to set up your account without an invitation. You can use ParentSquare on any device. In the links on the right navigation, you can download the free mobile app for Android or iOS.

You can also use it from a computer at: www.parentsquare.com.

Our goal is for every family to join ParentSquare. Please contact the Communications Department if you have questions or need information.

Email: oveinfo@ohsd.net
Website: www.ohsd.net/oves
Location: 380 Northeast Regatta Drive, Oak Harbor, WA, USA
Phone: 360.279.5150
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Olympicviewelementaryschool