Dear OSES Families,

Orlando Science Schools is going through the process of being reaccredited by Cognia, a non-profit organization that accredits schools throughout the United States. The process involves many layers, and we have been preparing all needed information for over a year. The opportunity provided us with a chance to get feedback from all stakeholders, including you (the parents).

I like to remind families that we have been an accredited school for almost ten years. Cognia make sure we are who we say we are. They also provide feedback in areas of needed improvement (we are not perfect). I feel it’s a great school, a positive learning environment, and well calculated system; it's nice to have someone from the outside agree. This also goes for Character Education and STEM Education, both of which we are also accredited.

Great schools aren’t born overnight.

Michael Singleton

Principal

Notes:

Unfortunately, 6th graders that are over 11 years old are unable to participate.

The school will pick up your race packet and have them on race day. (You also have the option to pick up the packet at track shack)

OSES is excited to announce that our campus will once again be hosting a STEM summer camp! Families are allowed to register prior to submitting payment this year; however, all payments must be submitted no later than May 24, 2024 in order to finalize spots for camp. Please register your child as soon as possible to hold his/her spot for camp. Registration packets can be submitted digitally to Jasmin.Michaud@orlandoscience.org or dropped off at the front desk of either building.

Please see your email for camp descriptions (sent out on Monday!).

*only students who will be in grades 1-6 for the 2024-2025 school year are eligible to attend*

Registration link: https://east.orlandoscience.org/employment/oss-east-job-fair

Due to supply issues at the OCPS level, we do not know if hot or cold lunch will be served. Please be prepared to have either lunch until further notice.

Breakfast and Lunch will be FREE for the 2023-2024 school year

If your child has food allergies and will require a special meal from OCPS please click on the link below to fill out the special diet order form

Special Diets for Food Allergies - Orange County Public Schools (ocps.net)

Congratulations to all students that completed the Study Island Blue Ribbon Challenge! Dress down passes will be handed out to those who qualified next week. On Thursday, families were able to view recent student work during Black History Month Night; this year’s theme was "Women in Black History." Next week, OSES will participate in the annual Read Across America Week—see flyer for daily themes. Please reach out to Ms. Carter ([Cayce.Carter@orlandoscience.org]Cayce.Carter@orlandoscience.org) with any questions.

Hello Everyone!

The Chair of Space Florida's Board of Directors Jeanette Nunez is hosting the 2nd annual Florida's Space Art competition for K-5 students. "This is an exciting opportunity for students to showcase their creativity and artistic talent while highlighting Florida's iconic space coast, space travel, and exploration." The theme is Time Travel to 2123: Florida's Future as the Space Capital, and the winner's artwork will be flown to space!

For more information, please visit:

• Website: Florida Space Art | Youth Art Contest

• Guidelines: https://floridaspaceart.com/guidelines/

  Florida Space Art | Youth Art Contest

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  floridaspaceart.com

  
  

• Entry Form: https://floridaspaceart.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Space_2023_0101_LGGuidlines_SpaceArtContest-1.pdf

This week in Kindergarten we have learned a lot! We had some fun on Thursday learning about Leap Day while doing some fun froggy themed activities. In math students did amazing and finished up our topic 11 unit on measurement. Thursday we measured some leaping lizards and mastered using the centimeter and inch rulers. In phonics we learned about sneaky E and how it makes a vowel say it's name. We also read about fables such as the Grasshopper and the Ants and Tortoise and the Hare! Remember to sign up for the Smile Mile coming soon. It is a lot of fun!

This week in Ms. Quarterman’s class, we have been hard at work subtracting facts to 100. It’s been a challenge for some, but we met the challenge head on! In Reading, we have been focusing on identifying the text topic and an author’s opinion. Students are reading text independently to increase fluency and working on answering questions for comprehension. We also learned about Leap Year and made hats! In Science we are continuing the Scientific process to complete our project on plants and what they need to grow.

My Study Island February Challenge Winners➡️

AR Winners⤵️

Rayleigh

Ishaan (not pictured)

Enes

Roy

Second grade is learning about how to divide shapes into halves, thirds, and fourths. In reading, students are looking at character traits, figurative language, and making text to text connections. We had a fun time comparing and contrasting the two stories “Jack and the Beanstalk” and “Jackie and the Beanstalk.” In science, we are looking at different weather patterns and the water cycle. In social studies, we are learning about who provides services in a community.

This week in Ms. Patel's Class, we started a new math chapter focusing on graphic data and plotting. In reading, we continued exploring what the central idea of a story can be. Our new social studies unit introduced us to the southwest region and in science, we continue working on the transfer of energy and creating windmills. Overall, we had an amazing week this week!

Ms. Polejes’ class is working on Earth Structures! We are learning about different types of rocks and minerals and how to classify them. We did a gallery walk around the classroom, working together to find out what these minerals are based on the physical properties and descriptions given. Many have brought in their rocks and minerals to show to the rest of the class to help prepare for their upcoming test and learn more from one another! As we are preparing for Spring Break, we will be continuing to complete our STEM Fair Projects to present.

Ms. MacAllister’s classroom just wrapped up Unit 6 Hidden Truths in ELA, where students focused on folktales, folklore, poems, and the play, “The Prince and the Pauper.” Students answered the essential question, “What hidden truths about people and the world are revealed in stories?” We completed a thorough plot analysis of “The Prince and The Pauper” and played, “Plot Analysis Charades.” Students were given an element of the plot, such as Rising Action, and had to identify and then act out the rising action of the play. Students were given a chance to guess what plot element was being performed.

In Social Studies, students have been working on their Black History Month group projects. Their projects are focused on Women in Black History that have made significant contributions in the field of STEM. Their projects will include biographical essays, quizzes, puzzles, art, slideshows, and timelines.

Last week, students embarked on a magical journey where they played a game of Quidditch, inspired by the famous literary wizard hero. The students were sorted and began to master the art of throwing, catching, and strategic spacing.

In addition, students tackled a Superhero training course. They completed stations like Iron Man Super Jumps, Captain America disc throws, Hulk Yoga, and finally ending on a free throw to save the world from Thanos.

Smile Mile is a week away, March 9! With the promise of a commemorative t-shirt, a gleaming medal, and the opportunity to dress down every Friday, it's an event not to be missed! This experience is a great cumulative celebration of all the hard work and dedicated miles the students have been logging daily.

In Mr. Cardoso's class, we are working on solving Equations and learning what equations are. We used models, diagrams, and algebraic methods to help us understand how to solve them. We will have our Unit 12 Equations Test on March 1.

Honesty is the character trait or the month of March. Honesty, is taking responsibility for one’s conduct and obligations, and being loyal so people can trust you. People who are honest have integrity and the moral courage to do the right thing and to stand up for their beliefs even when it is difficult to do so.

I honestly love that students are working hard in their classes. It is vital that our teachers be able to teach without interruption. The Commendation Store is helping recognize these students who consistently meet our expectations. Students , depending on their grade level, “shop” for an item for the store when they earn at least 4 commendations in their calendar week.

Keep up the great work, Orcas!

Hello families!

Please read carefully for all club reminders:

PICK UP: Please remember that you should not arrive on campus before clubs dismiss. Even coming 5 minutes early causes backups in our dismissal process.

• Building 1 (grades K-3) - clubs dismiss at 3:40 during the week and 2:40 on Wednesday
• Building 2 (grades 4-6)- clubs dismiss at 3:40 during the week and 2:40 on Wednesday

ABSENCES: Remember that 3 or more consecutive absences will result in a removal from the club. If you are missing club because of tutoring or sickness, email the club teacher so it can be excused.

If you want to withdraw from a club, please email Marketa.Thomas@orlandoscience.org

Unfortunately, we must cancel our elementary school practice math competition for this weekend due to a major event taking place across all of our Technology campuses.

Our next Mathleague.org contest is at Lake Whitney Elementary School on Saturday March 16th . Please register your child via the following link. https://mathleague.org/escontest.php?event=11501

Below is the list of all remaining elementary school math competitions for the rest of this education year. Please review the list.

Dear Orlando Science School Community,

I am thrilled to share some exciting news with you all! Our incredible mathletes soared to victory at the 2024 MathCounts Central Florida Chapter round, held on Saturday, February 24th at Edgewater High School. I'm proud to announce the outstanding performance of all 12 official participants from our school, each securing a spot in the top 30.

With this remarkable achievement, our school team—comprised of Brayden Choi, Aarit Dixit, Kerthi Karri, and Andrew Chai—has earned the honor of representing the Central Florida region at the upcoming MathCounts Florida State Competition. This prestigious event will take place on March 29th at the Hilton DoubleTree Hotel at Universal Studios. Furthermore, I extend heartfelt congratulations to our 6th-grade prodigy, Michael Lin, for clinching 5th place and earning an invitation to compete individually at the State level.

A special round of applause is in order for Aarit Dixit, whose exceptional performance in the countdown round secured our victory. Aarit, finishing 8th in the individual round, displayed remarkable prowess by claiming victory in 8 consecutive rounds of the countdown, emerging as the champion of the 2024 MathCounts Central Florida Chapter. Aarit, your stellar performance is truly commendable!

I also want to acknowledge Brayden Choi, our runner-up in the final countdown round and the overall winner of the individual round. Brayden, your dedication and skill have brought great honor to our school.

Every member of our mathletes team exhibited outstanding talent and determination, resulting in numerous impressive placements. Here are the individual rankings following the countdown round:

1st place: Aarit Dixit

2nd place: Brayden Choi

5th place: Michael Lin

6th place: Andrew Chai

8th place: Kerthi Karri

11th place: Nikhil Kar

14th place: Evan Chen

18th place: Stella Chen

I extend my sincerest gratitude to our dedicated coaches, Mr. Karatas and Mr. Akyalcin, for their tireless efforts in preparing our students for this rigorous competition. To all the students who participated in the MathCounts Chapter round, your hard work and commitment have not gone unnoticed.

As we look forward to the MathCounts Florida State competition, let us continue to support and cheer on our OSS school team members and Michael Lin. I have every confidence that they will make us proud once again.

Warm regards,

Kerim Akyalcin, M.Ed.

Brainfuse offers free online tutoring through the Orange County Library System to ALL students in Orange County Public Schools.

FREE live tutors are available every day from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Using Brainfuse, students can connect with a qualified tutor for expert help in a variety of subjects.

Attendance Emails and Notes K-3 - Nicole.Wallace@orlandoscience.org.

Any doctor's notes can be dropped off at the front desk, or sent via email.

Attendance Emails and Notes 4-6 Keily.Molina@orlandoscience.org

Any doctor's notes can be dropped off at the front desk, or via email

If you want to volunteer in your student's classroom, eat lunch with your student, or chaperone a field trip. You must be additions approved. If you have volunteered in past, you must update your account each school year. For any questions, please reach out to Nicole.Wallace@orlandoscience.org.

In order to help keep our families informed of the latest legislative updates regarding their student's education, a Parent Rights Resources page has been added to the school website.

Recent updates include:

• Internet Safety
• District Health Care Services
• Special Magistrate

The mission of Orlando Science Elementary School (OSES) is to provide a well-rounded education with special emphasis in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), while using research-based and innovative instructional methods in a stimulating learning environment. OSES is committed to the social-emotional learning and character development of all students.