Greetings from Onondaga Road!

Follow Me! You have likely noticed that I am not very active on social media.  Lots of great things happen in school every day, but honestly, I am not in the habit of carrying my phone around to capture the moments in pictures.  I’m going to try to send some pictures more frequently!  So far I have a handful of school-followers on Twitter, but maybe if I make more frequent attempts at “tweeting” I can pick up a few more of you to follow along!  Follow me on Twitter at @jclarkOnonRd (but forgive me if a few days get away from me between tweets!).

Positivity Project
Next week we learn about “perspective.”  Having perspective means that you appreciate when people see things in different ways. You have the ability to understand the world from multiple points of view.  

Picture Day for Remote Students

As you know, remote students are invited to come to school on November 17 for picture day.  Please adhere closely to the safety/entry directions and time schedule which was mailed to you.  If you would like to order your child’s picture package online, the code is different from the one on the envelope you previously received.  To place an order online, go to mylifetouch.com and use this Picture Day ID:  EVTDV9KS4

It’s Already November!
Here are a few dates to remember:

November 3 - Election Day
November 6 - School spirit day (Wear blue and gold!)
November 11 - Veterans’ Day
November 17 - Picture make-up day, and remote student picture day
November 19 - PTA meeting, 6:30 via Zoom
November 23 - Remote students grades 2-4 pick up learning materials,
November 23-24 - Half-days for students, parent/teacher conferences
November 25-27 - Thanksgiving break

Please remember that we are not wearing Halloween costumes to school, but Friday concludes our Fall Frenzy week with PJ Day!  Have a Happy Halloween with your children at home, and don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour… As I wrote that, I thought it might be an outdated statement since most clocks and devices these days will reset themselves! 
Have a great weekend!

Sincerely, Jeannette Clark

Greetings from Onondaga Road!

Spooky, Not Scary! With Halloween lurking right around the corner and many families questioning whether or not to go trick-or-treating, we thought this document from the NYS Department of Health might give you some new and creative ideas for celebrating the spooky season!

Remote Kindergarten
The date for remote Kindergarten students to pick up their next set of learning materials has changed from October 30 to Thursday, October 29 at 3:00-4:00 p.m.  This is the time for remote Kindergarten families only; please come to the main door and we will get the materials to you.  Grades 2-4 are still scheduled for November 23, and I will send another reminder as that time gets closer. 

Home Health Screening Sheets
Another purple-colored Home Health Screening pad has been sent home with your child this week.  Parents are responsible for filling out a screening sheet for each child every day, and children hand in this sheet when they get to school each morning.  Please be sure to do your part in monitoring this from home, and just let me know if you need more sheets.

Masks

I am proud of our children for doing their best each day to wear their masks appropriately. Sometimes, however, some students have difficulty or need reminders about keeping their mask on and keeping both their mouth and nose covered. In order for us to keep each other safe, slow the spread of germs, keep our building open, and keep your child(ren) in school, it is imperative that students wear their mask correctly. Your support in this is greatly appreciated.  You can continue to help teach them and model the correct way to wear a mask!  In addition, while West Genesee does allow students to wear gaiter masks (some districts do not), I encourage you, if possible, to have your child wear a regular mask. We notice that most of the gaiters are too big for the students. Because of their large size, they either fall down, or students pull them up over their ears making it difficult for them to hear, or some children chew on the mask. If you have the choice of sending your child to school with a regular mask, and even a second one in a baggie in their backpack, it would be helpful and appreciated. We do have disposable masks available, and you may have seen your child come home with one of those rather than the one they wore to school. Finally, masks should be washed after every day’s use to keep them clean and free of germs (and unpleasant odors). Again, I thank you!

 

Parent Survey Coming Soon
Please be on the lookout for a new letter and survey coming out next week from the Superintendent’s office regarding the second semester for this school year. 

 

Positivity Project
Next week we will highlight creativity as the character trait of the week.  I know a lot of creative people, and I am excited to see their creativity shine during our Fun Fall Frenzy Spirit Week!

Fun Fall Frenzy

Click here to access the note that was sent home about our Fun Fall Frenzy!  OR spirit week looks like this:
Monday - School Spirit Blue and Gold
Tuesday - Beach Day
Wednesday - Hat Day
Thursday - Favorite Sports Team Day

Friday - PJ or Comfy Clothes Day

Thank you for your continued support from home! 
Jeannette Clark

Greetings from Onondaga Road!

Half-day Teacher Workshop Day Tomorrow, Friday, October 16, is a half-day. Buses will be dismissed at 11:00-11:15, and parent pick-up is at 11:15-11:30.

Walk for Peace

The Central New York Social Justice League will be holding a Walk for Peace on Saturday, October 17, from 12:30 - 3:30. Anyone interested in promoting and learning about how to advocate for social justice and building peace in our communities is welcome to attend. Please note: The location has changed to the Camillus Municipal Building. For more information, and to register for the event, click here!

 

Questions About Remote Learning

The question has come up about whether or not a child can switch to remote learning when they are absent from school, out sick, on vacation, or when they return from a state that requires quarantine upon return. Unfortunately, the answer is no. Our in-school teachers (K-4) are not teaching remotely, and our remote teachers (K-4) have a full class of students. As you know, our grades K-4 students are either in school or remote learners.  In our district, the hybrid model is for grade 5 and beyond. For a variety of reasons, absences do happen.  Some requests for work during a child's absence can be accommodated, and some such requests cannot.  Each child is unique, so the teacher will know which lessons and activities need to be made up upon the child's return.  Also, please note that if a family knowingly goes to a state that is on "the list" (for quarantine upon return), the child's absences would be considered unexcused. Thank you for your understanding and for your continued support.

 

Unity Day

A note from the National Bullying Prevention Center and our school counselors:  Show that you care about safe and supportive schools and communities, and make your color orange on Unity Day, Wednesday, October 21! That’s the day everyone can come together in schools, neighborhoods, communities and online to send an orange message of support, hope and unity, and show that we are united for kindness, acceptance and inclusion.

 

Positivity Project
Forgiveness is next week's character trait!  

 

Dates for Remote OR Students to Remember

• October 30, 10:00-1:00 - Onondaga Road Kindergarten families only, pick up the next unit materials and readers at the main door of Onondaga Road.

• November 17, 10:30-1:30 - All Onondaga Road remote learners are invited to have school pictures taken here at Onondaga Road.  Watch for your information flyer and picture order form in the mail.

• November 23, 12:00-3:30 - Onondaga Road 2nd, 3rd, 4th grade remote learners only, come to the main door of Onondaga Road School to pick up the materials and books for your next units.

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely, Jeannette Clark

Greetings from Onondaga Road

 

#PositivityInAction I hope you will join us in encouraging your child to explore their own positive character strengths and strengths of others.  You can encourage family conversations and foster positive relationships using some suggestions from this Positivity Project for Families link! Next week we will talk about how other people matter and what it means to be “present” and give others your attention.

PTA
Please join us tonight, Thursday, October 8, at 6:30 for our PTA meeting.  Here is the link for the Zoom meeting, so you can join us right from your own home!  Thank you to all who have opted to return the official PTA Membership form and become involved.

Health and Safety Notes
Please take a few minutes to read the recently updated notes from our school nurses.  I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for all of our West Genesee nurses, and specifically for Mrs. Nason, our Onondaga Road nurse extraordinaire!  These amazing people are literally on our front lines; they have worked countless hours to stay current with health information and share it with families and staff, care for our children here at school, and care for their own families during this pandemic.  I am humbled by their dedication to helping others. 

Next Week’s Schedule
Remember that Monday, October 12 is Columbus Day, and schools are closed.  On Friday, October 16, we have a half-day dismissal for students.  Buses will load and leave at 11:00-11:15.  Students being picked up will be dismissed at 11:15-11:30.  

Walk For Peace

The Central New York Social Justice League will be holding a Walk for Peace on Saturday, October 17, at 12:30-3:30. Everyone interested in promoting and learning about how to advocate for social justice and building peace in our communities is welcome.

Fun Fall Frenzy

We will be holding a Fall Frenzy spirit week the week of October 26-30!  We will have some fall-themed activities, but we will not be wearing Halloween costumes or having parties and parades. Watch for an information flyer coming home next week.

Enjoy the long weekend!

Sincerely, Jeannette Clark

October Greetings from Onondaga Road!

Arriving at School

Thank you for sending the children to school in masks and with their purple Home Health Screening sheets in hand.  It helps us to expedite the arrival process, and students come ready to get the school day started!

Yearbook Update

Our 2019-20 yearbooks are en route!  It’s been a long wait, but these books are sure to bring back some great memories.  We will get these sorted and distributed as soon as possible.  Thank you for your patience!

School Pictures
Our school picture day is on Wednesday, October 7.  Students will wear their masks walking to and from the photographer, who will be set up in the gym, and take their masks off to smile for the camera!  Picture make-up day, for those absent on Wednesday or needing a re-take, will be held on November 17.  This November date is also the time that all of our remote learners are invited to have their school picture taken.  Remote students will receive a picture order form in the mail along with specific safety directions about that picture day as the date gets closer.

Join Us for PTA

Our monthly PTA meeting takes place next week on Thursday, October 8 at 6:30 via Zoom.  Here is the link if you would like to join us!

Update From Our Nurses

If you haven’t yet, please take a minute to read this note from the WG nurses which outlines the protocol that the school must follow when students show signs and symptoms of illness. We will continue to inform you of changes or revisions.  Again, we thank you for your continued support from home as we make every effort to keep one another safe and healthy.

 

#PositivityInAction!

Next week we will take a look at what it means to be open-minded.  Open-mindedness means you like to consider new ideas and try new things. You examine things from all sides and don’t jump to conclusions.

 

Mark Your Calendar for Half-Day Dismissal

October 16 is a half-day for students and a professional development afternoon for staff. Students will be dismissed at 11:00-11:15 for buses, and 11:15-11:30 for students being picked up by parents. Don’t forget to make your child care arrangements if needed!

 

Have a great weekend, and see you next week!

Sincerely, Jeannette Clark