PARCC Assessment Update

Dear Parents and Guardians:

As a reminder, the Illinois State Board of Education has adopted a new assessment of student achievement developed by the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). This will replace the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) that has been used for the past decade. PARCC will require more testing time than ISAT as the PARCC assessment will have two testing windows compared to one for ISAT. The two sessions for PARCC include the Performance Based Assessment (PBA) and the End of Year Assessment (EOY). During each window students will be assessed in reading and math although the test will have different question types and methods. 

As a district we continually review our assessments to help provide meaningful instructional information for our staff and parents as well as for the amount of time required for student participation. We will continue to communicate developments regarding PARCC over the next several months.

Additional resources can be found here:

http://www.isbe.net/assessment/parcc.htm

http://www.parcconline.org

Bookmobile visits OMS

The Arlington Heights Memorial Library's bookmobile made some special stops at OMS this week.  Second graders eagerly toured the bookmobile, checked out books, and listened to a story.  

Twig 9.12.2014

Twig

Directory Spot is here!! It's our amazing directory app for your smartphone. You also can access it from your home computer.  We are so excited, please click here for the letter and more information.

Recycling Day is this Saturday, Sept. 13 from 9:00 am to Noon at Rec Park, 500 E. Miner Street.  Bring your old, but recyclable items on Saturday. Click here for the flyer.

Progressive Dinner: Please Join us for a fun-filled evening with fellow OMS parents at the 3rd annual Progressive Dinner October 18, 2014. Please fill out and return this sign-up sheet with a check made payable to OMS PTA by 10/3/2014.

Science Club is back with all new activities for Olive students to enjoy, including orienteering, problem solving with measuring tools, and electricity. Science Club meets after school and students must return the Fall 2014 Sessions Sign Up Sheet to participate. See the Science Club Fall 2014 announcement for more details about the Science Club and the Fall 2014 topics. For more information, contact Cynthia House at chouse@sd25.org

Yearbook Club  is looking for all interested 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students for this years club. Permission slips will be handed out at today's informational lunch meeting. If needed, additional copies are available here. Space is limited to 24 students per recess session on a first come first serve basis.

The Art Awareness program needs YOU! Sections 1-5 (Orlando) and 4-2 (Yarbrough) are empty and many other sections need a second volunteer.
The program presents 3-5 art pieces during the school year in 30-45 min sessions.  Email or msg Kristin Meek with questions (zcurly1@hotmail.com).

Spirit Wear Sale:  Olive's Spirit Wear Sale has started and runs through September 22nd!  Be sure to visit our on-line store at www.cr-promotions.com.  Click “online stores” on the left, find the Olive-Mary Stitt school 2014 store and enter access code OLIVE14 (case sensitive). For shipping method, pick your child's teacher! We are offering everything from wicking shirts, to skorts, to sweatshirts to umbrellas! We will display samples at the PTA Fair September 10th!

True Value Mum Sale:  True Value stores in Arlington Heights and Palatine will be hosting a mum sale to benefit the OMS PTA on September 13th and 14th. Please Click here for additional information.

PTA Membership:  If you have already joined the PTA, THANK YOU!! If you haven't joined and would like to.   Click here to join.  Membership in the PTA not only supports tons of wonderful activities that benefit our children, you also get an online and paper school directory...coming soon!

District 25 E-Flyer:  Here you will find information published weekly about community educational and recreational opportunities for children and families in our district.  Click here for the E-Flyer
Click on the appropriate date to view this week's events.

Twig Submissions:  If you would like to submit something for the Twig or website please use this form.  All submissions must be filled out and sent by Thursday morning in order to appear in that week's Twig.  The form also gives an option for an email blast and attaching a form.  Any questions please contact olivepta@gmail.com

Enterovirus Notice

Please click HERE to view a health notice regarding Enterovirus

Emergency Drill Schedule

Each year, as mandated by the State of Illinois, the OMS students participate in a variety of emergency drills.  Teachers will share information with our students regarding what to do in the case of a drill or real emergency.  If you have any questions or concerns about your child's participation in these drills, please do not hesitate to contact their teacher or an administrator.

Below is a list of the drill dates with a brief description of each.  Please note that for practice purposes, the state requires that some of our drills be unannounced to either our students or teachers.  Additionally, some dates may change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.


Evacuation
This drill is necessary when it is determined that conditions outside of the building are safer than those inside the building.
(drill dates - 9/3/14 & 5/8/15)


Shelter-in-place
This drill provides refuge for students and staff inside the school building during a weather, hazardous materials, or other similar emergency.  Staff and students move to designated shelter areas that maximize their safety.
(drill dates - 9/26/14 & 3/3/15)


Lockdown
This drill is used when conditions exist outside of the school building that could potentially present a threat to the safety of the students and staff, or a situation inside the building where the school or local emergency responders need to keep students and staff in their classrooms and away from an incident or activity.
(drill date - 10/22/14)

D25 Looking for Substitute Teachers, Teaching Assistants, & Nurses

The district is looking to hire more substitute teachers, teaching assistants, and nurses. 

Click HERE to learn how to apply to the district

New Family Mentor Night

Our new and "seasoned" OMS families gathered to celebrate the start of the school year.

Science Club

Science Club

Science Club is back with all new activities for Olive students to enjoy, including orienteering, problem solving with measuring tools, and electricity. Science Club meets after school and students must return the Fall 2014 Sessions Sign Up Sheet to participate. See the Science Club Fall 2014 announcement for more details about the Science Club and the Fall 2014 topics. For more information, contact Cynthia House at chouse@sd25.org

Twig 9.5.2014

Welcome to our second week of school.  We had curriculum night on Wednesday, thank you to all of the teachers, administrators and volunteers for a great and informative evening.

The Art Awareness program needs YOU! Sections 1-5 (Orlando) and 4-2 (Yarbrough) are empty and many other sections need a second volunteer.
The program presents 3-5 art pieces during the school year in 30-45 min sessions.  Email or msg Kristin Meek with questions (zcurly1@hotmail.com).

Yearbook Club  is looking for all interested 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students for this years club. Our  informational meeting will be held in the LMC on Friday, September 12th during lunch recess. Permission slips will be handed out then and avalible on the website. Space is limited to 24 students per recess session on a first come first serve basis.

9/10/14 PTA Fair and Meeting: The PTA is hosting our annual PTA Fair in the Commons on Wednesday, September 10th from 6:30-7:15pm. Many of our committees will be there to talk about the activities, clubs and events we offer. Officer Veenstra from the AH Police Department will also be there. A quick PTA meeting will follow from 7:15pm-8pm. Click here to view the agenda.

Electronic Calendar:  Our school calendar is online this year.  Please go to the www.sd25.org website and select Olive- Mary Stitt school from the 'Schools' tab.  Then select the 'For Families' tab. The first item is the 2014/2015 calendar.  From here you can print or export the calendar.  Click here to access the calendar

Spirit Wear Sale:  Olive's Spirit Wear Sale has started and runs through September 22nd!  Be sure to visit our on-line store at www.cr-promotions.com.  Click “online stores” on the left, find the Olive-Mary Stitt school 2014 store and enter access code OLIVE14 (case sensitive). For shipping method, pick your child's teacher! We are offering everything from wicking shirts, to skorts, to sweatshirts to umbrellas! We will display samples at the PTA Fair September 10th!

Bike Rodeo:  The Bike Rodeo is this Tuesday, September 9 from 3:35-4:45.  It will consist of a short bike safety presentation from the A.H. police department followed by skill stations.  Participation in the Bike Rodeo is a requirement for all 3rd graders (and 4th and 5th grade students who have not participated in the past) to be allowed to ride their bike to school without adult supervision.  Click here for the Bike Rodeo permission slip and helmet fitting guide.  The permission slip is due by Monday, September 8 in the children’s classrooms.  Please ensure that your child’s helmet is properly fitted prior to the Bike Rodeo.

Camp Fit:  Camp Fit starts this Thursday, 9/11 and runs for 4 consecutive weeks.  Come join in on all the fun.  Camp Fit is open to all 1st thru 5th graders.  We will not be using paper registration forms this year.  Click here to register online.

True Value Mum Sale:  True Value stores in Arlington Heights and Palatine will be hosting a mum sale to benefit the OMS PTA on September 13th and 14th. Please Click here for additional information.

PTA Membership:  If you have already joined the PTA, THANK YOU!! If you haven't joined and would like to.   Click here to join.  Membership in the PTA not only supports tons of wonderful activities that benefit our children, you also get an online and paper school directory...coming soon!

2014/2015 Preliminary PTA Budget:  The preliminary PTA budget for 2014/2015 is now available for your review. This budget will be voted on at the first PTA meeting on Wednesday September 10 at 6:30 pm.  If you would like to view the budget, click here

District 25 E-Flyer:  Here you will find information published weekly about community educational and recreational opportunities for children and families in our district.  Click here for the E-Flyer
Click on the appropriate date to view this week's events.

Twig Submissions:  If you would like to submit something for the Twig or website please use this form.  All submissions must be filled out and sent by Thursday morning in order to appear in that week's Twig.  The form also gives an option for an email blast and attaching a form.  Any questions please contact olivepta@gmail.com

Coffee & Conversation With the Principals

This year our Coffee & Conversation With the Principals will include discussions focused around the following selected books.  We hope that many of you will have an opportunity to read these books with us and engage in some meaningful conversations about the growth and development of our children!

October 17th, 2014 - 9:30 - 10:30 am

November 7th, 2014 - 9:30 - 10:30 am 

January 30th, 2015 - 9:30 - 10:30 am 

March 6th, 2015 - 9:30 - 10:30 am

Assessment Overview 14-15

Please take a moment to read this letter from our Department of Student Learning which outlines the district's assessment program. The assessments indicated in the letter are administered to either all students during the given dated testing windows or to large identified groups of students. These assessments assist the district and OMS in making placement and instructional decisions, as well as monitoring growth of students and programs. Links to this letter and the 2014-2015 District #25 Assessment Calendar are located to the right, under important information.

Click HERE for Assessment Overview Letter 14-15

Students in grades 2-5 will soon be participating in MAP testing (Measure of Academic Progress).  The assessment window at Olive will begin on Thursday, September 11th.  You child's classroom teacher can provide you with specific testing dates.

No Pooch Policy

Olive has a "NO Pooch" policy.  We wish to remind parents that dogs are not allowed on school property during the school day.  Because not all children are comfortable near dogs and some are allergic, we ask that you leave Fido at home. 

Language Stars

Dear AHSD25 Families, 

Mark Your Calendars!

Registration for Language Stars Classes in AHSD25 for the 2014-2015 school year will begin September 8th at 10 AM and end September 12^th at 11 PM.

Language Stars will provide Mandarin and Spanish classes for grades K-5 at District 25 schools during the 2014-2015 school year.  Classes in AHSD25 will be offered before school, during lunch, and after school. The cost for the year (25 classes) per student is $180. All fees are due upon registration and are NON--REFUNDABLE.  

For registration and more information on the Language Stars program, please visit   http://www.sd25.org/pages/sd25/forfamilies/Menu/Language_Stars_Class_Schedule

If you have any additional questions, please contact Doris Downing at ddowning@sd25.org.

Student Enrichment Opportunities at OMS

Is your child "Up for a Challenge?"  Visit the " Up for a Challenge?" bulletin board outside of room 126 and pick up information on the following academic and creative contests for elementary students. Or, visit the links below. 

Opportunities will change every 4-6 weeks. 

Please submit all entries to Mrs. Nelson or Mrs. Watanuki by posted due dates and we will take care of mailing all submissions. 

Questions: swatanuki@sd25.org

Current offerings:

SAVE THE FROGS! poster contest: (Due: 10/7)

http://savethefrogs.com/art/

Become a Scholastic News Kids Press Corps Reporter: ( must be 10 by 11/1/14) (Due: 9/19)

http://magazines.scholastic.com/kids-press/2014-Application

National Young Game Inventors Contest: (Due: 10/2)

http://universitygames.com/NYGIC/

Partnership with the Arlington Heights Memorial Library!

Parents, if your child does not have a library card, now's the time to drop by the Memorial Library and get one!  Students can now use their library cards at school to access the Memorial Library's online resources.  Stay tuned for the next steps in putting these library cards to use!

5th Grade Egg Drop

A record-setting 4 groups designed egg carriers that survived the drop from the school roof.

TWIG 8.29.2014

Welcome to the Olive TWIG!!!

The TWIG is a communication that is published weekly on Fridays by our PTA in partnership with the Olive-Mary Stitt Administration.

This year we made changes to the TWIG format.  Hopefully it will be easier to access on mobile devices and to print forms.  This Friday post will include a brief description of upcoming PTA and school events, as well as links to more in depth information or forms.  In the spirit of efficient communication, we will also be rolling out a new PTA website in the near future.

Your PTA gives a HOOT about communication!!!

Electronic Calendar:  Our school calendar is online this year.  Please go to the www.sd25.org website and select Olive- Mary Stitt school from the 'Schools' tab.  Then select the 'For Families' tab. The first item is the 2014/2015 calendar.  From here you can print or export the calendar.  Click here to access the calendar 

Spirit Wear Sale:  Olive's Spirit Wear Sale begins today and runs through September 22nd!  Be sure to visit our on-line store at www.cr-promotions.com.  Click “online stores” on the left, find the Olive-Mary Stitt school 2014 store and enter access code OLIVE14 (case sensitive). For shipping method, pick your child's teacher! We are offering everything from wicking shirts, to skorts, to sweatshirts to umbrellas! We will display samples at Curriculum night September 3rd as well as the PTA Fair September 10th!

Bike Rodeo:  This event, on Tuesday, September 9 from 3:35-4:45, will consist of a short bike safety presentation from the A.H. police department followed by skill stations.  Participation in the Bike Rodeo is a requirement for all 3rd graders (and 4th and 5th grade students who have not participated in the past) to be allowed to ride their bike to school without adult supervision.  Click here for the Bike Rodeo permission slip and helmet fitting guide.  The permission slip is due by Monday, September 8 in the children’s classrooms.  Please ensure that your child’s helmet is properly fitted prior to the Bike Rodeo.

Camp Fit:  Camp Fit starts on Thursday, 9/11 and runs for 4 consecutive weeks.  Come join in on all the fun.  Camp Fit is open to all 1st thru 5th graders.  We will not be using paper registration forms this year.  Click here to register online.

True Value Mum Sale:  True Value stores in Arlington Heights and Palatine will be hosting a mum sale to benefit the OMS PTA on September 13th and 14th. Please click Click here for additional information.

Curriculum Night:  Curriculum night is Wednesday, September 3rd from 6:30-8:30 pm.  Please plan to attend this parent only event where your child(ren)'s teacher will be sharing class specific information.  You will also have the opportunity to view the new PTA video which will be playing in the commons.

PTA Membership:  If you have already joined the PTA, THANK YOU!! If you haven't joined and would like to.   Click here to join.  Membership in the PTA not only supports tons of wonderful activities that benefit our children, you also get an online and paper school directory...coming soon!

2014/2015 Preliminary PTA Budget:  The preliminary PTA budget for 2014/2015 is now available for your review. This budget will be voted on at the first PTA meeting on Wednesday September 10 at 6:30 pm.  If you would like to view the budget, click here  

District 25 E-Flyer:  Here you will find information published weekly about community educational and recreational opportunities for children and families in our district.  Click here for the E-Flyer

Have You Seen Pete the Cat?

Our 1st grade friends are on a hunt to find Pete the Cat. Pete left clues all over the school. He was last seen in the LMC!

First Day the Olive Way!

We were very excited to have our new superintendent, Dr. Lori Bein join us in greeting familes on the first day of school.  Additionally, our new school resource officer, Officer Rick Veenstra, was here to oversee the safe arrival of all of our little owls.  We also want to thank the many PTA volunteers and staff who helped in making the hot and sticky first day arrival a great success! HOOT HOOT HOORAY!

Welcome Back Owls!!!!

We want to welcome back each and every owl to the nest.  We hope that you had a wonderful summer, and we look forward to seeing all that you can accomplish this school year!  Remember..at OMS we all give a HOOT!

Hooray for good choices

Our job is learning

Only kindness

Take time to do your best

Click HERE to view the OMS HOOT Video!