Paw Prints

Volume 26, No. 25 2-22-16

Osceola Elementary School

Students of the Week

Congratulations to the following students who were chosen as Student of the Week for their class during the week of February 17th through February 19th, 2016.

Pre-K Gavin Edwards

Kindergarten

Ava Tomlinson, Laney Morse, Rowan Somero, Br’Aziah Caldwell

First Grade

Traise Goodwin, Ja’Nyla Hicks, Ayden Buchanan, Ka’Mya Mitchell

Second Grade

Elijah D’Elena, Cameron Wood, Ke’Moni Washington, John Wilkin, Joe Jones, Mauriana Montgomery

Third Grade

Ava Stewart, Gabriel Noseworthy, Miles Jenkins, Samantha Lendin, Camille Cavazos-Kelly

Fourth Grade

Mia Kanaszka, Zander Martin, Roy Qualls

Fifth Grade

Dustin Corbin, Ethan Messer, Jazmin Wilson

Joy Reichenberg & Rebecca Keffer

Assistant Principals

Tina Waldrop

Principal

1605 Osceola Elementary School Road St. Augustine, Florida 32084 Ph. 547-3780, Fax 547-3795

Web Site: http://www-oes.stjohns.k12.fl.us

Family Fun Marathon Celebration, Saturday, Feb. 27th,

12:00 pm, Osceola Fields

Wildcat Words

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Not only has the New Year gotten off to a great start but we are already

at the end of the 2nd month, February. We have had a great deal of learning

and fun this month. The entire school has been learning more about our

Presidents, Famous Americans, and the contributions of African Americans

during Black History Month.

We began the month discussing the importance of the Pillar of Character,

Caring. The teachers and staff have been busy creating learning

opportunities that give everyone the change to show this character pillar.

This month has provided the opportunity for us to say “Thank You” for your

support through creative crafts especially for moms and mother figures

through Valentine’s Day activities. Not to mention, the celebration of dads

and father figures at the All Star Dad’s Breakfast. Thanks again goes out

to Mr. Lynch, from Flagler College, for his encouragement and support,

hard work, and desire to make our community a better place.

As we close out the month of February and prepare for the upcoming

testing season. It is important that we are diligent in making sure our

students are prepared for the academic challenges. You can help a great

deal by ensuring that your child gets enough rest at night, has a good

breakfast at home or school, and comes prepared with the school tools they

will need for the day. Students will be reviewing concepts and learning new

ones in preparation for upcoming testing. It is very important that your child

is here at school every school day. Thank you for your continued support of

our school.

Respectfully,

Faye R. Jenkins

Student Intervention Coordinator

News from PTO Yankee Candle Fundraiser, February 29th – March 14th Monday, Feb. 29th you should receive our Annual Spring Fundraiser Packets. The deadline to turn your orders in will be March 14th. PTO Spirit Night on Thursday March 17th Come join us for a fun filled night at Adventure Landing, 2780 SR 16 (near outlet mall and I-95) on March 17th from 6:00-9:00 pm (there is NO SCHOOL Friday the 18th). Pre-purchase a FUNPASS for $10.00 by Friday March 11th. The cost includes 3 hours of UNLIMITED go-karts and mini golf! Limited quantities are available so don’t delay!

The FUNPASS will cost $15.00 at the door. All Proceeds from this event will be donated to help offset the cost of the Annual End of the Year 5th Grade Field Trip! Please join us for our next PTO Meeting in the Media Center on March 7th at 6:00 pm. Children are welcome!

Yearbooks, Ads and Messages on Sale! Don’t let the memories pass you by! Purchase your child’s 2015-2016 yearbook today!!! Your child was given a payment envelope last week outlining payment options. Yearbooks may be purchased on-line or by mailing a check directly to Leonard’s in the envelope provided. Please DO NOT send payment into the school. We are not accepting payment for the yearbooks and your money will be returned to you, possibly causing you to miss the payment deadline. Yearbooks are $18.00 during our presale and after March 1st the price will increase to $20.00. By purchasing your yearbook now, you assure your child will have one before they’re all gone. After the pre-sale, sales will end until the yearbooks arrive in the spring. At that time they will be sold on a first-come, first served basis. In addition to purchasing a yearbook, parents of 5th grade students have the option to purchase a ¼ page ad and/or a two line message to be printed in the yearbook. This is a nice way to recognize your child’s accomplishments and to congratulate them on a job well done. A form was sent home with your child on the same day the yearbook forms went home. Payment for these are to be sent to your child’s teacher with the form provided and checks should be payable to Osceola, not Leonard’s. Parents of Pre-K through 4th grade students may purchase a two line message for their child. Your child should have already brought that form home. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Burney at 547-3782.

SAND ART CREATIONS

The 5th grade fundraiser deadline has been extended!

Attention Parents!

We will still take orders this week! For $10.00 your child can make a

custom creation that will last forever. These items make wonderful gifts

for loved ones, mementos, or a special keepsake for all time. We invite

all students to participate as a large portion of the money raised will

be given back to the 5th grade class to help offset the cost of the

annual Sea World trip. Please return your order form as soon as possible

if you would like to participate!! You don’t want to miss this exciting

opportunity to be your own Sand Artist!. The class with the most orders

will win a pizza party!!!!!!! See you at the sand box!

CHOCOLATE AND BEYOND

A SWEET WAY TO SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS

Chocolate and Beyond, a celebration of chocolate, desserts, and other culinary

sensations, will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2016, from 2 – 4 p.m. at First

Coast Technical College, Building C in St. Augustine. Guests will enjoy tasty samples from some of the area’s finest restaurants and specialty shops. A silent

auction, 50-50 drawing, and contests will also be part of this fun and exciting

afternoon.

Hosted by The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of St. Johns

County, proceeds from Chocolate and Beyond are utilized to recruit, train, and

recognize senior volunteers in our school district and other county locations. Tickets ($10 in person, $12 on-line) can be purchased on the RSVP website at

www.rsvpstjohns.com, or at Whetstone Chocolates (King Street and Anastasia Blvd

locations), Cold Cow Ice Cream, and TD Bank in St. Augustine. Call RSVP at (904) 547-3945 for more information.

Class Picture Order Forms: Recently your child’s class pictures were taken. There was a glitch in receiving the order forms prior to the pictures being taken so we will be sending the forms home with your child today. You may choose to pay for yours on-line or by returning your payment to the school in the envelope provided. If you choose to pay by cash or check, you will need to complete the envelope order form, include payment inside and return to your child’s teacher. If you are sending cash, you MUST send the exact amount as Leonard’s will not return your change. If you pay by check, the check must be payable to Leonard’s Studio. On-line and envelope payments will end on Monday, March 14th. After that, you must contact Leonard’s Studio. If you have any further questions, please contact Mrs. Burney at 547-3782

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GUIDANCE CORNER To parents of rising 6th graders: Applications for the R.J. Murray Middle School’s Cambridge Program and AVID Program are now available on line through the Murray website. The Cambridge Program will accept high achieving students who are zoned for R.J. Murray Middle School, or those who have been accepted to the Center for the Arts and live out of zone. Applications are accepted from February 19th to March 11th. Want to learn more? R.J. Murray will be hosting a Cambridge and AVID Parent Information Night on Thursday, March 3rd at 6:00 pm. Please visit the Murray school website to access the online application form. APEX Program: Applications have been sent home to select 5th graders who may benefit from the APEX alternative education program that is housed at the Tech Center. Please check out their website or call Ms. Harrison if you would like more information. COMPLETED applications need to be turned in by Friday, March 11th. PUBERTY PRESENTATION: Our annual 5th grade Puberty Presentation will be held on Thursday, March 17th prior to Spring Break. The program includes a video presentation and a short question and answer session regarding changes the body goes through during puberty. Boys and girls will be presented separately. Information will be sent home 2 weeks prior to the program.

What’s for Lunch?? Students have a choice of one entrée and two fruit and/or vegetable choices. Choice of milk is served with all complete meals. Tues. 2/23 Cheese or Pepperoni Calzonettes, Home-style Chicken Sandwich, Mini Corn Dogs, Cherry Tomato and Celery Dippers, Spinach and Romaine Salad, Baked Beans, Marinara Dipping Sauce, Assorted Fruit, Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo, Dipping Sauce Wed. 2/24 Chicken Nuggets, Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza, Cherry Tomato and Celery Dippers, Spinach and Romaine Salad, Corn Fresh Apple Slices, Assorted Fruit, White Wheat Roll, Dipping Sauce Thurs. 2/25 Chicken Marinara and Penne, Hot Dog, Chicken Nuggets, Cherry Tomato and Celery Dippers, Spinach and Romaine Salad, Sweet Potato Puffs, Assorted Fruit, Garlic Toast, Dipping Sauce, Ketchup, Mustard Fri. 2/26 BBQ Chicken, Cheeseburger, Mini Corn Dogs, Cherry Tomato and Celery Dippers, Spinach and Romaine Salad, Crispy Baked Potato Cuts, Choice of 100% Juice, Assorted Fruit, Garlic toast, Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo, Lettuce, Tomato and Pickle, Dipping Sauce Mon. 2/29 Home-style Mac and Cheese, BBQ Chicken Max Snax, Chicken Nuggets, Steamed Broccoli Florets, Green Beans, Baby Carrot Dippers, Assorted Fruit, Dipping Sauce Dunk Cup

What’s Happening? Every Wednesday is Early Release~

Students Dismissed at 1:50 Every Friday is School Spirit Day~

Thurs. 2/25 2nd Grade Performance, 6:00 pm, Cafeteria Fri. 2/26 Osceola Basketball Game, 6:00 pm, Solomon Calhoun Center Sat. 2/27 Family Fun Marathon Celebration, 12:00 pm, Osceola Fields Tues 3/1 FSA Writing Test for Grades 4 and 5 Mon. 3/7 SAC Meeting, 3:30 pm, PTO Meeting 6:00 pm Mon. 3/14 Last day to turn in Class Picture Order Forms Tues. 3/15 Kindergarten Performance, 6:00 pm, Cafeteria Thurs. 3/17 PTO Spirit Night, Adventure Landing, 6:00-9:00 pm Third Quarter Ends Fri. 3/18 Teacher Planning Day, Student Holiday Mon. 3/21-Mon. 3/28 Spring Break, Student/Teacher Holiday Tues. 3/29 Classes Resume for Students Wed. 3/30 FSA Testing Begins

Osceola SAC Team News

The Osceola SAC Team (School Advisory Committee) is made up

of our principal, Mrs. Waldrop along with a group of teachers,

parents, support staff and community members. The SAC is

responsible for decisions related to the implementation of

Osceola’s School Improvement Plan. SAC also discusses important

items related to student achievement.

If you are interested in becoming a part of the ongoing improvement

at Osceola, please join us at our SAC meeting to be held on

Monday, March 7th at 3:30 pm.

Free childcare is provided.

Upcoming Tests Reminder

Our 4th and 5th Grade Students will be taking the FSA Writing test

on March 1. Below are some reminders for students and parents: Electronic Devices Policy—if students are found with ANY electronic devices, including, but not limited to, cell phones and smartphones, during testing OR during breaks, their tests will be invalidated. The best practice would be for students to leave devices at home on the day of testing. Discussing Test Content after Testing—the last portion of the testing rules read to students before they affirm the Testing Rules Acknowledgment reads, “Because the content in all statewide assessments is secure, you may not discuss or reveal details about the writing prompt or passages after the test. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, or posting online, for example, on websites like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.” “Discussing” test content includes any kind of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, or posting to blogs or social media websites, etc. While students may not share information about secure test content after testing, this policy is not intended to prevent students from discussing their testing experiences with their parents/families. FSA Dates March 1 – FSA Writing, 4th and 5th graders

March 30 – Grade 3 English Language Arts (ELA) Session 1

March 31 – Grade 3 ELA Session 2

April 1 – Grades 3 & 4 Math Session 1

April 4 – Grades 3 & 4 Math Session 2 April 11 – Grade 4 ELA Computer testing Session 1 – Classes TBD

April 12 – Grade 4 ELA Computer testing Session 2 – Classes TBD

April 13 – Grade 4 ELA Computer testing Session 1 – Classes TBD

April 14 – Grade 4 ELA Computer testing Session 2 – Classes TBD

April 15 – Grade 5 Math Computer testing Session 1 – Classes TBD

April 18 – Grade 5 Math Computer testing Session 2 – Classes TBD

April 19 – Grade 5 Math Computer testing Session 1 – Classes TBD

April 20 – Grade 5 Math Computer testing Session 2 – Classes TBD

April 21 – Grade 5 ELA Computer testing Session 1 – Classes TBD

April 22 – Grade 5 ELA Computer testing Session 2 – Classes TBD April 25 – Grade 5 ELA Computer testing Session 1 – Classes TBD

April 26 – Grade 5 ELA Computer testing Session 2 – Classes TBD

No school April 29

May 3 – Grade 5 FCAT Science testing Session 1 – ALL CLASSES

May 4 – Grade 5 FCAT Science testing Session 2 – ALL CLASSES

*Specific 4th and 5th grade class dates will be sent home with student when

testing date is closer.

2016-2017 Kindergarten Pre-Registration Osceola Elementary will hold pre-registration for children entering Kindergarten on the following dates:

Thursday, March 10 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Friday, April 8 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Monday, May 9 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. To be eligible for public kindergarten in St. Johns County, children must be 5 years old on or before September 1st and must reside in St. Johns County. Parents must register children at the school where they are zoned for the 2016-2017 school year. Please provide the following documentation to complete the registration process:

Child’s certified birth certificate

Current Physical (dated within one year of the start of

school)

Florida Immunization Record (680 Form)

Proof of Residency. The required proof of residency

documentation has changed. Please visit

http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/student/residency/ for

more information.

Registering Parent’s Driver’s License or ID Card Parents are encouraged to register during the designated dates above so that schools can adequately prepare for the new school year.

VPK Registration Along with Kindergarten Pre-Registration, parents may also register students for VPK. Children must be 4 years old on or before September 1st to qualify. In order to register for VPK, you must have completed the VPK eligibility process through Episcopal Children’s Service (ECS), and have a Child Eligibility registration that are listed above. Please visit Osceola’s website for additional information and to schedule your registration appointment.

After-School Transportation Changes

Please make sure that your child’s teacher is aware of

afternoon transportation arrangements at all times. This

information is requested of parents at the beginning of the

school year. The teacher will abide by the information that was

given by the parents unless they receive a change in writing.

Teachers cannot accept a change in transportation from your

child. This information must be in writing from the parent only.

You may also fax or email the information to the school. Please

do not call the school with the change. The fax number is 547-

3795. The email address is sheila.lawshe@stjohns.k12.fl.us