Dear OQS Families,

At OQS, students are reflecting on their learning so far this year, organizing portfolios and rehearsing the conversations they plan to have with you, their most important caregivers, during student-led conferences on November 4-5, 2024. Our goal as a school is for every child and family to participate. If you haven't already, please connect with your child's teacher to schedule your conference. For more information about student-led conferences, including questions to ask your child and their teacher, click here.

With the chilly weather returning, we are seeing a lot of forgotten sweatshirts and coats already! Please mark your child's name in all of their clothing and personal items, so we can return them to you. As our handbook states, "Clothing that has not been retrieved from lost and found will be periodically donated to a local charity."

Speaking of clothing, remember to send your student to school in clothing and footwear that are appropriate for physical activity. We have recess every day, P.E. twice a week, and forest time on a regular basis. Our handbook says, "High-heeled shoes and flip-flops are not allowed: shoes must be secure around the toes and ankles. For physical education class, children need sneakers and pants or shorts."

On October 31, we will be holding an all-school celebration: Pajama Day. In fairness to all students, we are not celebrating Halloween as a school, and we ask that costumes stay at home.

Congratulations to our OQS graduates who are spreading a sense of belonging at HMMS! Check out WCAX coverage of a new initiative at Hartford Memorial Middle School, spearheaded by some of our former Wolves: https://www.wcax.com/video/2024/10/25/upper-valley-middle-school-fosters-inclusion-with-belonging-group/ .

A happy weekend to all!

Sincerely,

Amelia Donahey

Principal

10/30: Community Science Night -- pizza & family "dens" 5-5:30; science 5:30-6:30

10/31: All School Celebration -- Pajama Day

11/1: First Day of American Indian Heritage Month

11/3: Daylight Savings Time ends (set clocks back 1 hour)

11/4: Early Release Day (12:45) for Student-Led Conferences (No school for Pre-K)

11/5: No School - Student Led Conferences (also Election Day)

11/7: Picture Retake day; PTO Meeting, 6pm in the library

11/11: Veterans Day -- No School

11/15: Community Conversation - Cookies with the Principal, 2-2:40pm

Stop by the lobby during student-led conferences for the fourth grade “market” where you can find baked goods, snacks, drinks, crafts and goodies for sale! All proceeds will go toward the annual field trip to the Boston Freedom Trail as a part of our unit of study on the American Revolution. We appreciate your support with this amazing learning opportunity for our fourth graders!

Cash only please.

Photo: Fourth Graders on the Freedom Trail, April 2024

12/7- SAVE THE DATE FOR WINTERFEST (FOOD, CRAFTS, PRIZES, SANTA!):

The PTO is hosting our annual Winterfest community event on Saturday, December 7th from 8:30-11 am. The event features breakfast, seasonal crafts, a raffle with amazing prizes from community businesses, and a special visit from Santa! Bring the whole family for loads of seasonal fun!

SEEKING RAFFLE ITEMS: Do you own a local business you would love to share with our broader community? Are you super crafty? Or do you LOVE putting together gift baskets? The PTO is seeking items to include in our Winterfest raffle and silent auction and would be so grateful for donations! Please email the PTO no later than November 1st if you are interested in donating: OQSPTO@gmail.com

VOLUNTEER & DONATION OPPORTUNITIES:

• NEW- Saturday, December 7th- WINTERFEST: Please consider signing up to volunteer your time at Winterfest OR donating breakfast items. Check out the sign up HERE and consider grabbing a slot!

• Thursday, October 31st - ALL SCHOOL PAJAMA DAY- Donations of gently used or new Pajamas needed. All sizes! Sign up HERE

JOIN OUR NEXT PTO MEETING: THURSDAY NOVEMBER 7TH 6-7pm in the school library or via Google Meet: meet.google.com/ehm-cqtn-xvh

The Curiosity Corner will return next week. Until then, feel free to catch up on the last 6 weeks!

Please join us early for free pizza, conversation and games, in the style of a family "den" meeting.

The Vermont Agency of Education announced the next phase of its 2024 Listen and Learn Tour, inviting educators and broader public to participate in discussions about Vermont’s education goals and to support development of the Agency’s strategic priorities. Following a series of data reporting and regional planning sessions with education leaders, the Agency is eager to expand these conversations to include the broader education community, inclusive of teacher, educators, and other school or district staff.

Every session will begin with introductory information and data to support more in-depth conversations, followed by breakout sessions on topics related to student achievement and support, career and college readiness, and school budgets, among other emerging priorities. These meetings are from 6:00-8:00pm.

Please note, every public engagement session will have the same agenda. Please check the Listen and Learn webpage to see the most up to date public engagement schedules, links for virtual sessions and information on language accessibility. While not required, pre-registration is encouraged using the online registration form, Listen and Learn Registration (cognitoforms.com). Please email aoe.publicinformation@vermont.gov with questions.

Schedule
October 28 Montpelier High School
October 28 West Rutland School
October 29 Lyndon Town School
October 30 Enosburg Falls High School
November 4 Virtual Meeting (ASL interpreter available)
November 6 Virtual Meeting (ASL interpreter available)