Updates from OR...

 Just a few important OR updates:

1 - Science Fair...Any student in grade 3 or 4 who may want to participate in the March OR Science Fair, please stop by the school tonight (Wednesday, 2/16) between 5:30 and 6:00 to pick up information and a poster board!  Then remember to log in from home tomorrow, Thursday, 2/17, for a Q&A Zoom session from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Here is a link for our OR Science Fair website chock full of information!

2 - COVID Test Kits - We will distribute to any family who wants/needs a home test kit tomorrow and/or Friday.  If you are picking your child up from school either day, just ask as you pull up and we'll deliver to your car.  Otherwise, stop by the main door/office during regular school hours Thursday or Friday and we will give you a test kit. If neither of those pick-up options work for you, just give us a call and we will work out another arrangement for you.
Additionally, I will let you know if we still have test kits available after the break, and you are welcome to them at that time.

3 - Winter Recess - Remember that school is closed next week, 2/21-2/25, for our annual winter break, and this includes our OR school office.  Enjoy the time with family and friends, and if you are traveling, I hope you are safe and stay healthy!

Sincerely,
Jeannette Clark

Greetings from OR

 

#PositivityInAction
💕Fittingly, next week we will learn more about love as a positive character strength.  Those who have this strength appreciate close relationships with people and like to be close with others.

Grades 3 & 4 Science Fair
We are happy to announce that our PTA is once again hosting a science fair for third and fourth grade students who choose to participate!  Students will bring home a flyer full of information and an application, and you can find the science fair flyer here, too.  Mark your calendar:  students who think they'd like to participate can stop by the school next Wednesday, February 16, between 5:30-6:00 p.m. to pick up an information packet and a poster board to use for their science project.  There is an information session being held via Zoom on Thursday evening, February 17, at 6:30-7:30 p.m. so you can ask questions and begin to plan for the big event.  The fair will be held on Thursday, March 24, at 6:00-7:00 p.m. 

MoST STEM Competition
Calling all scientists (students) who like to design, build and compete!  The Museum of Science and Technology annually hosts a Student STEM Competition at OCC.  This is separate from school, but it's a great opportunity for students to become involved in the greater community.  If you would like information about the MoST STEM Competition, take a look at this link now because there are dates and deadlines to meet for this event.  

Zoo Run Run!
Here's another oppotunity for our kids and families to become involved in a community service effort which looks to be a lot of fun and encourages healthy activity!  In fact, I am going to create an Onondaga Road School team and hope that we have lots of people join to support our Rosamond Gifford Zoo.  On Saturday, April 23, the first Zoo Run Run 5K (walk or run) is being held at our zoo.  Check out the link to see more detailed information, and as the event gets closer, I will post a link for you to join our OR School team if you would like to participate. 

"Rolling" Superintendent's Conference Days
West Genesee K-8 staff will take part in professional development opportunities in March, but this will happen in each school on a different day.  Onondaga Road students will NOT be in school on Wednesday, March 23, so that our staff can engage in professional learning.  Be sure to plan ahead for daycare on that date.  Here are the dates for the other schools, too, for your information:

• March 9: West Genesee Middle School
• March 21: Camillus Middle School
• March 22: East Hill Elementary School
• March 23: Onondaga Road Elementary School
• March 24: Split Rock Elementary School
• March 25: Stonehenge Elementary School

COVID Test Kits
...are being made available for all students and families prior to our February winter break week.  If you would like a test kit for your child and/or family, we will distribute these next week on Thursday, February 17, and Friday, February 18.  Here's how you can get yours:

• If you pick up your child at the end of the day, simply ask for one when we bring your child to your car.
• Stop by the school during regular school hours Thursday or Friday and get it from the main office.
• Call us if you need to request a different option for getting a COVID test kit (315) 487-4653.

Looking Ahead...
Remember that the week of February 21-25 is our winter break, and schools are closed for that week!

Enjoy the weekend ahead, and I look forward to seeing our little Valentines return on Monday!

Sincerely, 
Jeannette Clark

Updates from OR

 February Greetings form Onondaga Road

Happy snow day!
The groundhog saw his shadow on February 2nd, and we're collecting several inches of snow as proof of six more weeks of winter in our forecast!  I hope our kids get outside to play in the snow today and then settle in with a good book. That sounds like a perfect snow day to me!

Mark Your Calendar
At the recent meeting of the Board of Education, a proposal was accepted which will slightly alter the March school calendar in order to provide professional developement opportunities for our teachers and staff.  Here you can see the presentation from the Board meeting highlighting our professional endeavors.  Be sure to mark your calendar accordingly, and prepare for daycare if needed; on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, Onondaga Road staff will participate in professional learning, and there is NO SCHOOL for students on this date.  Dates for other schools can be found in the presentation (linked above). 

CODE Lessons
Officer Brand came to OR on Thursday for the third of four safety lessons.  The theme this week was about how to be an "upstander" and keep one another safe from bullying, both in person and online.  Students engaged in conversations about treating other with kindness, the difference between "tattling" and "telling," and supporting others when they struggle.  These traits and actions are also directly taught through the Positivity Project.

#PositivityInAction
This week we reviewed the "other people matter" mindset by supporting one another through struggles, and we also reviewed lessons about various character strengths and what makes us unique.  Next week we will learn a little more about what it means to be humble.  You can learn more about humility with this link to the Positivity Project character card. 

Science Fair
We plan to hold a modified version of our annual science fair this year in March (date TBD), and we are still in the planning stages.  If you would like to know more, feel free to attend the PTA meeting here at OR next Wednesday, February 9 at 6:30 p.m. as we complete the planning for the science fair.  Third and fourth graders who choose to participate can pick up their materials for the science fair after school on Wednesday, February 16, so watch for more details after next week's PTA meeting.

Dates to Remember
2/9/22 - PTA meeting at OR, 6:30
2/14/22 - Happy Valentine's Day!
2/16/22 - Science Fair packet pick-up, 4:00-5:30
2/21 through 2/25 - Winter Recess (Schools are closed!)
3/23/22 - Professional Development day for OR (No school for students)

Stay warm!
Sincerely,  
Jeannette Clark