Dear OQS Families,

October is here, and our learning is well underway. Check out the photos below of a special guest lesson in first grade all about Tools and Work, which culminated in use of the best campfire cooking tool: a smore!

There are some great community programs starting up this fall. Check out the "Community Announcements" section below for a flyer announcing a launch event for the Dartmouth Musical Empowerment program, and information about UVAC and Hartford Rec's 2nd-3rd grade learn-to-swim program.

We have a fire drill coming up in the first half of next week. The key points for kids to remember are listen quietly to your teacher, walk with purpose, and stay with the group.

The character strength we are focusing on next week is Kindness: "I can say and do nice things. I am helpful to others and do good deeds."

Have a great weekend,

Amelia Donahey

Principal

10/10: All School Celebration -- Glow Dance Party

10/11: Teacher Inservice -- No School

10/14: Indigenous People's Day -- No School

10/15: Early Release Day, release at 12:45pm (No school for Pre-K)

10/30: Community Science Night 5-6:30

10/31: All School Celebration -- Pajama Day

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: PTO Meeting, 6pm in the library

Thanks to all the family members who attended our first community conversation of the year! We met immediately after Walk to School Day. One of our special educators, Erica Bazilchuk, joined principal Amelia Donahey in sharing about our school's new Wolf Way. If you would like to see the slides from our presentation, click here.

We will hold our next Community Conversation on Friday, November 15 at 2:00pm in the library. We hope to see you there!

If you are looking for contact information, for example for playdates or birthday parties, please consult the OQS Family Directory here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ay5YSLHSdEKwgUtfM_ECbdOqbcaDpXel/view?usp=sharing

OQS is so excited to have a clinical social work intern this year, AJ Chabot. He will be checking in with kids and providing additional support to students throughout the building.

"My name is AJ Chabot, and I am currently a Master's student at Smith College School for Social Work. My internship this year is with Hartford School District, where I will be working with students across the elementary, middle, and high schools. I have a background in both classroom and outdoor education, and am looking forward to joining your community for the school year."

Our PTO is looking for a few large-volume coffee makers to use at this year's Winter Fest, on Saturday December 7. Please email oqspto@gmail.com if you have one you could lend!

Week 5: Why is it important to use people’s identified pronouns? What if they/them is hard for me and I make mistakes?

Check out this compelling 5-minute Getty Images video on pronouns.

Pronouns are important for everyone not only because they are used for daily communication, but also because they are used to signal mutual respect and convey and affirm your gender identity. You don’t have to understand someone else’s identity to show them respect as a fellow human. Being misgendered (i.e., being referred to with incorrect pronouns) can be an extremely hurtful, invalidating, and demoralizing experience. Over time, it leads to mental illness and distress.

You may see or hear people say “preferred pronouns,” but gender isn’t a preference — it’s just who we are! For example, you could ask, “What are your pronouns?” or “Could everyone share their identified pronouns before we begin?” The only way to know a person’s pronouns: Ask (and then use them). And share yours, so people can ensure they’re respecting you too!

It’s okay to make a mistake—and you will, because that is part of learning—so when you do accidentally misgender someone:

1. Correct yourself as quickly as possible

2. Apologize briefly and succinctly ”I’m sorry; I meant (insert pronoun)”—remember this may be one of many instances of misgendering this person deals with daily.

3. Commit to/practice more so you can do better next time.

As a reminder, Vermont's Department of Public Safety and the Agency of Education operate an anonymous school safety tip line for students, school staff and the community, available by calling 1-844-SAFE4VT; texting SAFE4VT to 274637; or online at safe4vt.org

Click below for links to previous weeks' school news.