Title 1 Newsletter DECEMBER 2016

Knightly News from the Castle

WELCOME TO THE CASTLE where TEAMWORK makes the big dream work!!

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEARADMINISTRATION MESSAGE

November is always a time to give thanks for everyone we know, as well as everything we have. We took time to thank and honor our Veterans on November 10th, by recognizing the men and women who served our Country, and now serve our community on our faculty and staff. The OPMS Veterans are listed below:

Ralph Coleman Greg Chavis Theresa Graham John Mason John Nunes Courtney Waite

Throughout this year we have really focused on raising student achievement, while increasing student attendance and decreasing discipline referrals. So as we journey towards becoming an “A” school, we want to reiterate some of the ways we are accomplishing this. First, our teachers are working hard on delivering standards-based instruction daily. They are utilizing complex text, providing frequent checks for understanding, making various adjustments to instruction, and engaging students in accountable talk focused on higher order thinking questions.

Second, we are providing a series of professional development opportunities, in the form of essential boot camps, spearheaded by our academic coaches Anthony V. Mack, Dr. Nina Willis-Frye, and Jamie Barnes, predicated on research-based high-effect yield strategies. Finally, students are being exposed to rigorous assessments and tasks, in the form of bell ringers, projects, LSA Baseline, and soon Midyear exams (January 4th – 20th). This all culminates into an array of student products that are posted in the classroom and teachers provide academic feedback on.

So as we near the midpoint of the school year, students will prepare for Semester and Midyear exams. It is paramount that students (1.) come to school to take these assessments, (2.) get here on time, and (3.) eat a good breakfast in the morning (Breakfast served daily here at the castle). The Midyear exams will take place January 5th – January 20th. Students will be tested on Math, ELA, 8th grade Science, and 7th grade Civics. The Semester exam schedule is below, as well as posted on our website:

Oak Park Middle SchoolFirst Semester Early Release Exam Schedule

2016-2017All Early Release Forms must be turned in to the student’s KU teacher by Friday, December 16, 2016.   As always, thanks for all you do in helping us on our journey to an “A”. Please enjoy the winter holidays December 22nd to January 3rd. Have a great new year, and we will get back to work on January 4th.

Self-Respect Willingness to learn Always positive Willing to give

Page 1 of 3

Important AnnouncementDecember 5 - December 9

December 8

SCIENCE KNIGHT6:00pm - 7:30pm

December 15Chorus and Band Winter Concerts 7:00pm

December 21End of Second Nine Weeks look for progress reportsDecember 22 - January 3

Winter Break December 25 ChristmasDecember 26 - January 1

Kwanzaa PrincipalMs. Barbara A. Longo

LongoB@lake.k12.fl.us

Assistant Principal

Dr. Charles WilliamsWilliamsC2@lake.k12.fl.us

Ms. Diane Reid-GoolsbyReid-GoolsbyD@lake.k12.fl.us

Office: 352-787-3232

Fax: 352-326-

Knights Going Full

Ahead!

DEPARTMENT UPDATESESEThe Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Department has continued to collaborate in order to ensure the provision of services and supports to our students. One notable focus this year is our inclusion plan: students who had previously been served primarily in special education classrooms are now attending general education classes, with support. This helps to ensure that they will have greater access to the least restrictive environment and strengthen the skills that all students need in order to reach their individual potential in school and beyond. The inclusion plan is off to a wonderful start, and there has been a tremendous amount of positive feedback from the students, staff, and parents alike.

Also, the new issue of Bright Feats is currently available in the staffing office. This valuable resource includes a directory of local specialized medical providers and community resources for families of students with disabilities. We, along with the guidance office, also have contact information for support for Families in Transition as well as students whose parents are migrant workers. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like additional information on these resources. As the holidays quickly approach, the ESE Department would like to wish everyone in our Oak Park Family a wonderful, safe holiday season. All the best to you and yours.

MATH/SCIENCEThe Annual Science Fair/STEAM Night will take place on December 8 th from 6 – 7:30 pm.  Everyone is invited to attend.  Student science fair projects will be on display. Hands-on activities such as robot manipulation, engineering buildings, making Gak, exploring clay art, and creating short movies will occur throughout the evening.  Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided.  Bring your whole family out to enjoy a night of fun centered on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math!

SOCIAL STUDIES6th grade World History will be exploring the Ancient civilization of India7th grade Civics will be covering the Landmark Supreme Court Cases in addition to analyzing Rule of Law.8th grade American History will be covering the History of American government, to include Articles of Confederation and US Presidents.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND ARTSLast month Lake Sumter State College held an essay contest in which Oak Park students participated.  OPMS sent over 200 essays to be judged.  The students who place will be notified and a ceremony will be held in January.  Our students are well on their way to enhancing writing skills in Language Arts this year.  Many students are improving and utilizing the strategies they are being taught.  In addition to writing essays, ELA teachers are also continuing to teach reading standards.  This nine weeks’ classroom reading will have a focus on argumentative texts in order to coincide with writing argumentatively.  Students will learn the difference between a thesis statement and a claim, as well as be able to write their own claim.  While reading, students should be able to determine the claim and find evidence in the text to support the author’s claim.  By the end of the quarter, students will be able to apply the skills they have learned about writing to argue from close reading in a culminating essay.   During the month ask your child about claims in argumentative text and the proper way to support a claim with textual evidence. As we move into winter break, remember it’s never too late to start reading!  The Superintendent’s Challenge is currently in effect.  ELA teachers are asking that all students read at home and turn in reading logs to his or her ELA teacher.  National Junior Honor Society has set a goal this year to track every minute of each and every student here at the Castle.  Please encourage your student to put away the electronics for a

Self-Respect Willingness to learn Always positive Willing to give

Page 2 of 3

Dates to Remember____________________________

Free the child’s potential, and you will transform him into the world. ~Maria Montessori

Monday, December 19, 2016

Exams: Periods 1 and 2

Breakfast                              8:50 -- 9:10First Bell                                9:15 – 9:191st period                               9:20 – 11:00Bell Change                          11:00 – 11:042nd period                              11:04 – 12:44Bell Change                         12:44 – 12:48 (Report to KU)Release Time                       12:50 – 1:05 (Dismiss Walkers, Bikers, Car Riders with signed permission slips) Lunch                                     1:05 – 1:45Bell Change                          1:45 – 1:49 3rd period         1:49 – 3:00 (Exam Review)

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Exams: Periods 3 and 4

Breakfast                               8:50 - 9:10First Bell                                9:15 – 9:193rd period                              9:20 – 11:00Bell Change                           11:00 – 11:044th period                              11:04 – 12:44Bell Change                          12:44 – 12:48 (Report to KU)Release Time                        12:50 – 1:05 (Dismiss Walkers, Bikers, Car Riders with signed permission slips)Lunch                                     1:05 – 1:45Bell Change                           1:45 – 1:495th period           1:49 – 3:00 (Exam Review

Wednesday, December 21,

Lake County Schools, FL does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, genetic information, age, disability or marital status in its educational programs, services or activities, or in its hiring or employment practices. The district also provides equal access to its facilities to the Boy Scouts and other patriotic youth groups, as required by the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act. Questions, complaints, or requests for additional information regarding discrimination or harassment may be sent to:Compensation and Employee Relations - Lake County Schools - Phone: 352-253-6519

few minutes and read in the evenings.  Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Title 1 Family Engagement Center – Parent Involvement We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Remember to utilize the resources offered at the Family Engagement CenterMrs. Sharon Reaves * Family School Liaison * 352-787-3232 Ext. 7466 * reavess1@lake.k12.fl.us

Self-Respect Willingness to learn Always positive Willing to give

Page 3 of 3