Oakland Owls News

Happy September, Oakland families! Welcome to another exciting school year. We can’t wait to celebrate the exciting events and the amount of growth we expect to see out of all of our students. This success will only come with a genuine two-way partnership between school and home. I recently talked with a parent about how hard it was to raise children. As I agreed, I said, we are all works in progress in this category. How do we parent, teach, and work together to raise responsible adults? Let’s look at the ways.

In a world that keeps us going at a whiplash pace, we must be intentional in the time we spend. Now I know, easier said than done. Our work schedule, practice, other kids, family, finances, health. The list goes on and on about what can keep us busy that doesn’t include meaningful moments. Moments of learning new things, celebrating successes, recognizing failures, and having meaningful conversations. At dinner last night, I was intentional in holding a conversation. Ask about likes, dislikes, what they are proud of, and what they want to be.

A recent study showed that families spend an average of 37 minutes a day together. Really?! We have got to make the most of these times. Make the most of the minutes we already have. You can do that by thinking quality over quantity and setting aside your phone and other distractions. (me too)

1. Play an old-school card game together? Add math and reading skills whenever possible.

2. Take a quick walk together. Talk, observe, and ask questions.

3. Be fully present when having time together. Set aside the distractions.

I truly believe our time with our children can increase in quality over quantity when we are working with our busy schedules.

As I connect this all back to Oakland Elementary School, I encourage you to help support our efforts as much as possible. Be at school daily, and take advantage of resources sent home that help your students academically. Ask your teachers what you can

See you at Oakland,

Dr. LaFrance

Attention Fifth Grade Families! All fifth graders will receive Student Council applications and calendars in early September. If your child would like to join Student Council, he/she will need to complete the application and return it by the deadline.

Volunteers

The LMC is looking for a few volunteers this year. Please let us know if you are interested in joining our team by emailing Mrs. Martin at martins@district87.org

Book Checkout

Students will check out books each week beginning in September. Students need to return their library book on or before their class day in order to check out a new book. If a book is lost or damaged please email Mrs. Martin for replacement cost information.

Overdue notices will be sent home periodically throughout the quarter. See the class schedule below.

Kindergarten

Nord- Monday

Kalitzky- Wednesday

Schrift- Thursday

Kirk-Friday

First Grade

Merna- Monday

Heinonen- Thursday

Hornbacker-Tuesday

Meadors-Wednesday

Second Grade

Malisia- Monday

Mariani- Friday

Wolfe- Wednesday

Prahl- Tuesday

Third Grade

Dossett- Thursday

Gray- Tuesday

Alfeo- Friday

Fourth Grade

Cook- Tuesday

Michaels- Monday

Conroy- Thursday

Fifth Grade

Stanek- Monday

Oberts- Friday

Hiles- Wednesday

My name is Colleen Spaniol, and the kids at school know me as Nurse Colleen. I am starting my 17th year, as the school nurse here at Oakland. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call or email me: 309-662-4302 or Spaniolc@district87.org

New Medication Authorization forms and Diet Modification forms need to be completed by parent/guardian and doctor every year. They can be found on the D87 website, under useful forms or send me an email and I can send a form home with your child.

• If your child has Asthma, please make sure to bring your students inhalers.

• If your student has a food allergy make sure to complete a food allergy form.

Kindergarteners or students entering an Illinois school for the first time need to turn in an Eye exam completed by an eye doctor, by October 15th.

I will start vision and hearing screening on students this month.

Sick Child:Students who have a fever of 100 degrees or above, diarrhea, vomiting, a contagious rash, or illness, should not attend school that day. Your child should be free of the condition for 24 hours before returning to school.

• All student absences should be reported to the office by 9:30am on the day of the student's absence. The phone number for the school is (309)662-4302. State law requires schools and parents to attempt to contact each other when a child is absent. Please assist us by calling first. You can also report a student absence by sending an email to oaklandattendance@district87.org
  
• For students that are tardy or leaving early, the student sign-in/sign-out slips are now located in the office- See Mrs. Immke.
• If it is after 9:00, DO NOT let your child out of the car at side circle. Pull around to the front of the school to sign your child in.

The Oakland School Staff has developed an efficient system for arrival and dismissal of students for parents in the side circle.

Please read through these procedures. We strongly believe that students are safer, and arrival/dismissal will run smoothly if parents are respectful of the guidelines for this area.

• The front circle is for buses and daycare vans only during arrival and dismissal times.

• There is NO parking in the side circle line during arrival and dismissal times.If you need to come into the building, use a visitor space or street parking.

• The speed limit for the parking lot and front circle is 7 miles per hour.

• The use of cell phones in a school zone is illegal. While in the parking lot, for the safety of all children and adults alike, please do not use your phone while your car is in motion.

• Students may not leave the vehicle in the morning until a teacher is present.

• At dismissal, students are not allowed to approach the loading area until their names are called.

• Students must wait until the car has stopped in the loading area before approaching the door.

• Students must load on the curbside of the car.

• Parents should only leave their vehicle if they need to secure a child in a safety seat.

• After your child is secure in your vehicle, please cautiously pull away from the pick-up zone to make room for the next family.

• When exiting the parking lot, left turns are not permitted. Please be respectful of this procedure; cars attempting to turn left impede the efficiency of this process.

4- No School!

12- Dine to Donate Portillo's 🌭

22- No School- Teacher Institute

29- Picture Day 😁