

Oscar Howe Elementary
Monthly Newsletter - February 2024
Vision Statement: Committed to the success and well-being of ALL through compassion, collaboration, and communication.
A Few Details About the School Day:
7:25am: Students can start entering the building and head down to their classrooms.
7:35am: First bell rings to let students know it is almost the start of school.
7:40am: School begins, if students arrive while the bell rings or after they will need to stop in the office for a tardy slip.
2:20pm: Students who ride the SFSD school bus start to load
2:25pm: Dismissal - all other student will follow their after-school plan
PTA
PTA is looking for a co-chair for the Fun run. It's a great way to great involved in Oscar Howe. If interested please reach out to oscarhowepta@gmail.com
February Important Dates
February 5: No School - Teacher in-service/conferences
February 8: Spring Parent Teacher Conferences
February 12: PTA Meeting
February 13: Here Comes Kindergarten Event at 5:45 PM at Susan B. Anthony Elementary
February 14: Classroom Valentine's Day Parties @ 1:15
February 19-20: No Classes - Holiday - Presidents’ Day Break
February 20: Health Fair @ Oscar Howe
FULL DAY ABSENCE REQUESTS
Kindergarten Open House
Please make sure to bring your child's
birth certificate and immunizations records.
Hope for the Future - By Dr. Jane Stavem
In a world marred by the stark realities of war, unrest, and relentless exposure to mean-spirited interactions, the need to safeguard and nurture the innocence of our children becomes an urgent call to action.
The words of the late actor Angela Lansbury, spoken just after 9/11, echo the collective responsibility we all share in creating a haven for the youngest members of our society. "All of us, grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles, we all have to try to do everything that we possibly can to show them that they are safe and loved and that good will triumph over evil and right will prevail."
As we witness the disheartening events unfolding around the globe in real-time, it becomes increasingly clear that the impact on our children is profound. Their tender minds absorb the images and narratives of conflict, shaping their perceptions of the world and influencing their understanding of right and wrong.
In this tumultuous landscape, it is crucial for each one of us to actively engage in the emotional and psychological well-being of our children. We are all custodians of their future, charged with the responsibility of instilling hope, resilience, and compassion in the face of adversity.
By fostering a sense of safety, we enable them to navigate the challenges that arise in their lives with greater confidence and emotional stability. Engage in open conversations, actively listen to their concerns, and reassure them that, no matter the circumstances, they are loved.
In a world where hatred can permeate even the most sacred spaces, we must teach children about empathy and the value of differences. Help them understand that, despite the darkness, there is always the potential for goodness to prevail.
Empower children by modeling the transformative power of kindness. Encourage them to engage in acts of compassion, no matter how small. Whether it's helping a friend in need, participating in community service, or simply spreading joy through kind words, these actions contribute to building a better world.
In a world where darkness tries to overshadow the light, let us unite in our commitment to nurture a generation that believes in the triumph of good over evil. May the joys of the holiday season strengthen our resolve to protect childhood innocence and sow seeds of hope for their bright futures.
Principal Message
Happy 2024 New Year and Welcome Back Oscar Howe Families:
Greetings Oscar Howe Families,
Third quarter has started, and we are excited to see the growth students will make this semester! We look forward to the opportunity to meet with our families for Parent Teacher Conferences on February 5th and February 8th . Conferences are a wonderful time for parents/guardians and teachers to discuss student progress, growth and concerns. The home to school connection is important and we want to partner with you. We hope to have 100% participation and attendance at conferences. Kindergarten registration will begin on February 1st through your parent portal app. To qualify for kindergarten, students must be 5 years old on or before September 1st . We will also be hosting our “Kinderg-aaar-ten Open House” on Thursday, March 7th from 4:00-6:00pm. We look forward to the opportunity to meet our incoming kindergarteners and families! As a reminder, we only do our fresh fruit and vegetable snack Monday through Thursday. On Friday’s students should bring a healthy snack from home. Please follow the teacher’s guidelines as they know what student allergies are in their rooms as well. Thank you for your continued support in helping to make sure your child is ready to learn every day!
~Mrs. DeVries, principal
SFSD Lunch Program
Reminder: When an account has any negative balance, breakfast cannot be charged. When an account hits a negative (-)$20 balance, a Smart Snack and milk will be served instead of a hot meal and the student will be charged $1.
Smart Snacks will be served until the account has a negative balance of (-)$75. At that time, no meal or Smart Snack can be offered to students.
If your family has not completed a Free/Reduced Meal Application form this year please do so! You can apply by accessing the following link:
https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
This message does not pertain to students who receive Free/Reduced Price Meals based on family income. Those students will continue to receive hot lunches.
Meal Viewer
The SFSD will be using Meal Viewer (MV) to post breakfast and lunch menus online. Please reference this menu online whenever possible because it will be updated in real time.
How to set you your account.
Go to: https://schools.mealviewer.com/
Find Your School - type in Oscar Howe and enter. Select OHE.
Click “Create A Profile” – enter birth date, must be 18 or older to create an account, otherwise only a student version of the menu will be available.
Follow the prompts:
Select parent
Enter child's name
Pick child's profile color
When asked Where does “Student” go to school? Type in Oscar Howe and it should pull up. Identify any allergens, if none then click next.
Complete Setup or Add another student at this time.
Once your profile is created you will be able to see both the breakfast menu and lunch menu.
Community Learning Center
Formerly Kids Inc.
Sioux Falls School District partners with community providers in a Community Learning Center (CLC) model for out-of-school time and summer enrichment programs. The collaborative program, located in elementary schools, provides a safe, licensed environment for students with embedded learning opportunities, enhancement activities, and a focus on developing skills that will last a lifetime.
School-based out-of-school time and summer enrichment programs are managed by a Community Partner and supported by a governing structure within the Sioux Falls School District. The programs follow a unified standard for operating to ensure consistency and continuity among locations.
The complementary learning environment provides exceptional quality care while enhancement activities and interest clubs offer students opportunities to engage in STEM, sports, dance, cooking, life-skill development, and more. Homework help and directed tutoring programs extend learning beyond the school day.
For more information visit their webpage at: https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/page/after-school
The PTA is an important community and one way to support students and teachers, and make our school a better place. Whether you have had kids at Oscar Howe for years or this is the first time walking the halls, we hope you will get involved, share your ideas, volunteer in classrooms and at events, and get to know other families.
Yours truly,
Oscar Howe PTA
Contact Information: oscarhowepta@gmail.com
Contact us
Dean of Students: Mrs. DeHaven
Website: http://www.sf.k12.sd.us/oscar-howe/home
Location: 2801 South Valley View Road, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Phone: 605-362-2752
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Oscar-Howe-Elementary-100506344643169/