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October Orca Soundings

Posted Date: 10/02/24 (12:30 PM)

ORCA SOUNDINGS

ORCA SOUNDINGS October 2024 | Olympic View Elementary School ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 
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ORCA SOUNDINGS

From the Desk of our Principal

Welcome Fall! We have had a wonderful start to the school year. It has been incredible to have kids back on campus and to watch them settle into a new year. During the month of September we focused on the character trait Respect across campus. Teachers taught lessons about respect and staff looked for students showing respect across campus and gave students Pride of the Pods. It is incredible to see our students’ examples of respect as they move around campus and interact with their friends. We will be honoring the students monthly who are incredible examples of our character traits with an award. We love celebrating our students!

As we step into October, cooler weather is upon us! Please make sure your children are dressed appropriately for the changing temperatures. Layers work well to keep them warm during the morning chill but comfortable when the day warms up. Be sure to label jackets, hats, and gloves with your child’s name to avoid any mix-ups!

We are looking forward to our upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences on November 7th and 8th. This is an excellent opportunity for you to connect with your child’s teacher, discuss their progress, and collaborate on strategies for their continued success. Keep an eye out for sign-up information and reminders coming home soon. Your involvement is crucial, and we look forward to working together!

A strong home-school connection is one of the key factors in a child's academic success. By staying involved in your child’s learning, both in and out of the classroom, you help build a bridge that supports their education. Simple things like reading together and communicating with teachers can make a big difference. 

Please reach out if you have any or need support, 

Sara Lucero, Principal


General Office Contact Information

Office contact number: 360-279-5150

Office contact email: oveinfo@ohsd.net


Attendance: 360-279-5159

Attendance email: oveattendance@ohsd.net


Important Upcoming Dates:

  • Custodian Day | 2 Oct.
  • Impact Aid Cards Due | 4 Oct.
  • Early Release Monday | 7 Oct. @ 2:20 pm
  • PTA Meeting | 7 Oct. @4 pm room C-101
  • PTA Book Fair | 7 Oct. @ 2:30 - 4 pm
  • Playground Communication Boards Ribbon-Cutting | 8 Oct. @ 4:30 pm
  • OVE Book Fair | 11 Oct. 3:30 - 6pm
  • PTA Movie Night | 11 Oct. @ 6 pm
  • Early Release Monday | 14 Oct. @ 2:20 pm
  • Early Release Monday | 21 Oct. @ 2:20 pm
  • Spook Harbor Trunk or Treat | 26 Oct. @ 4pm OHHS parking lot
  • Early Release Monday | 28 Oct. @ 2:20 pm
  • Picture Retakes | 30 Oct.

Learning to make Apple Cider

Mr. Duhrkopf, Mrs. Lofgren's father, brought in his cider press to teach our students how apple cider is made. The students were able to help make a batch and taste the cider. In the pictures are some of our 1st-grade classes, with teachers Mrs. Lofgren, Mrs. Purkey, Mrs. McCarroll, and Ms. Tate.






Communication Boards Ribbon-Cutting

On Tuesday, October 8 at 4:30 p.m. at Hillcrest Elementary, Oak Harbor Public Schools will

celebrate inclusion and belonging on school playgrounds with the installation of communication

boards. The communication boards will be placed at each elementary school and Hand-in-Hand

Early Learning Center and will allow students to communicate with each other and with staff in

the same way they do with assistive devices provided in the classroom.


"Providing communication tools for our students increases their ability to interact with their peers. They are able to express their thoughts and feelings to their friends." - Sara Lucero


The ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 8 will include remarks from Superintendent Dr.

Michelle Kuss-Cybula, a demonstration of the use of the boards with our students and staff, and

fall refreshments. Everyone is welcome and we hope to see you there!


● What: Ribbon Cutting Celebration for New Communication Boards

● When: Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 4:30 p.m.

● Where: Hillcrest Elementary School Playground, 1500 NW 2nd Street, Oak Harbor


NOTES FROM THE OFFICE

  • Student's outerwear: The Fall season is upon us, make sure that your student is dressed appropriately for the weather. If you need assistance with coats, hats, gloves please let our Office staff know.


  • 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.

Surprise Homecoming

Last week we had a surprise homecoming by a kindergarten parent. Welcome home VP-4!






The Dean's Den

Dear Parents,

At Olympic View Elementary, we are always looking for ways to help our students grow, not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well. We understand that managing impulses is a key part of this growth, and we want to share a simple but powerful tool that you can practice with your child at home: the S.T.A.R. Power Tool.

Objective:

The goal of S.T.A.R. is to help students notice their impulses and become skilled at controlling them, so they don't control what they say or do. You can assist your child in developing this important skill by encouraging them to use the S.T.A.R. Power Tool in everyday situations:
S.T.A.R. (Stop, Think, Act, Review) helps students stop and think before they act, giving them the power to make responsible choices.

Here's how S.T.A.R. works:

  • STOP: Take a breath.

  • THINK: Is the impulse responsible?

  • ACT: Choose a responsible behavior.

  • REVIEW: Did my action help me and others?

What is an Impulse?

An impulse or urge is a feeling or inner voice that tells you to do something right away, like when you see a cookie and feel like you just have to eat it right now! Impulses are natural, but if they control us, we might say or do things that prevent us from completing tasks or disrupt others.

It's okay to have impulses! What’s important is that we notice them and get better at stopping so we are in control of our actions, instead of our impulses controlling us.


S.T.A.R. Lesson Plan

1. STOP:

Teach your child to pause when they feel an impulse and take a deep breath—breathe in slowly through the nose and out through the mouth.
Discuss with your child why stopping is helpful, especially when they are frustrated or facing a problem.

2. THINK:

Help your child think about whether their impulse is a responsible action or not.
Use real-life examples: What should they do if they want to play with a toy that another child is using? How should they respond if they feel upset because they can’t be first in line? Encourage them to consider how their actions affect others.

3. ACT:

Guide your child to act responsibly. In the scenarios you discussed earlier, ask them to choose a behavior that is respectful and considerate.
Talk about what responsible actions look like, and explain what isn’t responsible (e.g., yelling, hitting, or refusing to follow directions).

4. REVIEW:

After your child acts, ask them to review their behavior: Did their choice help them? Did it help others?
Reflecting on their actions will help them make even better choices next time.


Conclusion:

By practicing the S.T.A.R. Power Tool at home, you can help your child make thoughtful choices and solve problems calmly and kindly. Remind them that they can "Be a STAR" every day by stopping, thinking, acting responsibly, and reviewing their choices.

Using phrases like "Make a STAR choice" or "Thank you for being a STAR" will encourage your child when they overcome challenges or manage their impulses well.

Together, we can support our children in becoming thoughtful, responsible leaders both at school and at home. Thank you for partnering with us in this important mission!


Respectfully,

Michael D. Howard 

Olympic View Elementary School

1-360-969-2652

Student Support Specialist / Dean of Students


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NEWS FROM OUR NURSE

Click on this link to order free Covid tests sent to your home

Kids Thrive on Structure and Routines


https://www.seattlechildrens.org/health-safety/good-growing/past-issues/summer-2023/


Routines and rituals help kids feel safe and secure. From the day they're born until they leave home, children benefit from structure and stability.

For babies, routines teach them to trust that their caregivers will respond to their needs. We soothe them when they're upset and feed them when they're hungry. We ensure they're always clean and comfortable. We stick to a regular sleep schedule so they're well rested. We provide lots of affection, one-on-one play, and fresh air so their brains and bodies develop properly.

For young children, structure and routines help them gain self-confidence. Plus, families run more smoothly with a morning breakfast ritual, a getting-to-school routine, age-appropriate chores, shared family dinners and regular bedtimes. Research confirms that when children have strong routines at home, they have an easier time in school with both learning and friendships. Kids who feel grounded in their home life can better regulate their emotions and cope with transitions. Growing up with structure also leads to greater resilience, which helps kids bounce back from sad or tough events and become even stronger.

For tweens and teens, solid routines make it easier for them to adjust to the major transition from childhood to adulthood. Sudden changes in hormones along with rapid growth can make things feel rocky. A stable home life can help everything feel smoother and steadier. And while limits on screen time are a must for kids of all ages, tweens and teens are extra vulnerable to the negative effects of social media. Though they may complain about screen-time limits (such as no phones during family meals and sleeping hours) they'll benefit from these and other rules. Ultimately, a stable foundation equips tweens and teens with more responsibilities and greater independence. While our job is to provide a safe 'nest' for our kids, at the same time we're preparing them to fly!

It's also important to note that while routines benefit everyone, they're especially helpful for kids with autism, ADHD, and anxiety. These children often need consistent daily schedules and comforting rituals to feel their best.

Parents also benefit from solid routines. Healthy patterns reduce stress levels and ease power struggles among family members.

Of course, family routines evolve as children get older. Schedules get busier, kids develop their own social lives and life is often full of twists. But rather than giving up the structure and routines you've created, adjust them to meet your family's needs. They're too valuable to lose!

Learn more about positive parenting.


Counselor's Corner

OVE Families, did you know that Washington State now has three easy numbers you can call or text for help?

  • 911 is for emergencies.
  • 988 is for suicide intervention and crisis support for you or someone you know.
  • 211 connects you to information or community resources.

Each call center can direct you to the appropriate service based on your needs. The people answering the phones are trained to be kind and compassionate, and they are ready to assist you in any situation. Don’t hesitate to use these valuable resources!


Stacey Mahoney
School Counselor, OVE


Veterans Tribute Wall

For Veterans Day, we would like to recognize Veterans of students and staff past and present, by hanging a Veterans Photo Tribute in the galleria for the month of November. Flyers will be sent you to parents on Monday, October 7th.


PTA UPDATES

October Meeting

Family Movie Night

October Volunteer Dates


PTA Contact Info

Click to Volunteer

School Yearbook


Olympic View PTA Facebook Page

Please join our Olympic View PTA

For more information please contact them at:

Email: pta4ove@gmail.com

Website: https://pta4ove.givebacks.com/

or use the button below for Facebook



Staff Showcase

We are thrilled to feature the exceptional staff at OVE. Each month, we will showcase a selected group, including their photos and brief bios.

Taylor Berthiaume & Chad Boyer

Ms. Berthiaume

  • 9th year as OVE Music Teacher.
  • Favorite color is blue.
  • Her favorite thing about OVE is our staff cares very much about all students learning and being well, and cared for. It's a privilege to be part of a school team that cares so much for our students and about each other.

Mr. Boyer

  • 15th year as an Orca, he is our PE Teacher.
  • Favorite color is green.
  • His favorite thing about OVE is the students and staff.
Greg Knoll & Rusty Santarin

Mr. Knoll

  • 7 years as an Orca, Day Custodian.
  • His favorite color is blue.
  • His favorite thing about OVE is the great staff.

Mr. Santarin

  • 2 years as an Orca, Night Custodian.
  • His favorite color is blue.
  • His favorite thing about OVE is the staff.
Christina Brady & Brigit White

Mrs. Brady

  • She is our Art Teacher and this is her 12th year as an Orca.
  • Her favorite color is green.
  • Her favorite thing about OVE is all the positive, supportive relationships. She also loves all the beautiful artwork.

Mrs. White


  • It is her 4th year as an Orca.
  • Her favorite color is blue.
  • Her favorite thing is the staff and the library.


Free Meals for 2024 - 25 School Year


Please fill out Free & Reduced Lunch Form (click here)


About Olympic View Elementary
Our office hours are 8:30 am - 4:00 pm. Please feel free to contact us for any questions or information that you might need.

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


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