Viking News
January 2021
Principal's Greeting
Greetings Viking Family,
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Here at school we are ready to make 2021 a year filled with success through hard work and dedication. The hard work is the responsibility of us all – staff, students, and families.
Here are some tips to help our students start the New Year off on a positive note.
Review hand washing. According to the CDC, regular hand washing is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others. At first, your child will need regular reminders of how and when to wash hands. It is especially important to remind children to wash their hands after using the bathroom, before eating, after touching pets, after playing outside, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose.
Use masks to help slow the spread. The CDC, recommends that people wear masks in public settings and when around people who live outside of their household. Cloth face coverings are a critical tool in the fight against COVID-19 that could reduce the spread of the disease, particularly when used universally within communities. There is increasing evidence that cloth face coverings help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others.
Get plenty of sleep. Scientists have found that children who do not get enough sleep have difficulty paying attention in class and do not do as well in school. Recommended amounts of sleep range from about 8½ to 11 hours a night for elementary students.
Eat healthy. Eat more fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Drink at least 8 (8 oz) glasses of water every day. Limit the amount of sodas and sugar-based snack foods our children eat.
Follow the Golden Rule. It is important that we continue to remind our children to treat others (children and adults) the way they would like to be treated.
Time + Effort = Achievement. We ask that parents remind their children to take the time to carefully complete all assignments at school and home. They should ask questions when they do not understand a task and demonstrate perseverance.
- Read, read, read! Success in school depends, in large part, on a student’s ability to read and understand what they have read.
- Attend school regularly and on time!
In the month of January, we will focus on responsibility. In this unit we will explore how to make responsible decisions and investigate what influences our ability to make responsible choices. Making responsible choices positively impacts students and other members of our school and home family. During the month of January, our school family will build this practice of responsibility by:
- Defining responsibility and self-discipline
- Exploring the influences on decision making
- Determining how responsible decisions positively impact others
Below are sentence stems that can be used as discussions starters to help students practice the skills and concepts of compassion at home:
- “To me, responsibility is...”
- “I show responsibility at school by...”
- “I show responsibility at home by...”
- “Making responsible choices positively impacts others by...”
As we close the chapter on 2020, a year with unprecedented challenges, let us welcome this brand new year with new energies, a new frame, and new hopes. I believe we have all come to realize the power of communities that come together and we have found that it is the simple things like a warm smile or being in the presence of others that bring us great joy. May we remember this in the year ahead. We wish all Crestridge families a meaningful New Year full of hope and promise. Thank you in advance for your continued support.
#Crestridgeproud
#Vikingstrong
#Bettertogether
Go Vikings!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Valerie Varas
Principal
Crestridge Magnet
Omaha Public Schools
(531) 299-1280
Phased Return to School in January
Omaha Public Schools will begin the second semester of the 2020-21 school year with a phased return to in-person learning. Staff will teach from their classroom and students will start the semester using their district-provided device from home as scheduled on Tuesday, Jan. 5.
- Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021: All Crestridge students begin with remote instruction following the normal bell schedule (8:50 AM- 4:05 PM)
- Monday, Jan. 11, 2021: K-12 ACP, Transition, Elementary BSP, Early Childhood Special Education, Homebased/Homebound and Hearing Impaired classrooms return in-person five days a week.
- Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021: All Crestridge students return in-person following the Family 3/2 Model attendance calendar.
We realize that students will again need to build their stamina as we make this transition to remote instruction and then hybrid instruction. Teachers will do their best to embed brain breaks, as well as use varied instructional approaches to allow for whole group, small group, and independent work.
As we make this transition back to learning together, please note the following:
*We will be serving all students remotely during January 5th- January 14th.
*If you have not yet picked up learning materials to support your child during remote learning, please contact the office to arrange a time to pick up your child's items
*While fully remote school wide lunch is scheduled from 11:30-12:15 to align with our middle and high school partners
*There will be no school, Friday, January 15th and Monday, January 18th.
*Beginning on Tuesday, January 19th families will resume attending in person in the Family 3/2 model (Jan 19: A-K learners/ Jan 20-22: L-Z learners)
*Please note that if your child is participating in remote learning (where they attend only online) you do not need to reapply
*If you wish to change your child's attendance (in person or remote), please contact the office at 531-299-1280 on January 4th and we can assist
If you have questions, please feel free to email Mrs. Varas at valerie.varas@ops.org or send a message through Dojo.
School Wide Communication
Check Out We've Been Up To:
Spirit Days
Author Visit
Classroom Activities
Congratulations Mrs. Scott
Holidays Around the World
PTO Staff Luncheon
Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming Dates
Remote Learning
All students in the Omaha Public Schools will participate in Remote Learning from January 5- January 14th.
Return to In Person Instruction- Family 3/2 Model
No School Reminder
Progress Reports
Virtual Kindergarten Round Up
Picture Retakes
A Note from Miss Rowland
Hello Crestridge Families,
Happy New Year! I know for myself and many of you that the holidays looked and felt a little different this year, but I do hope that you were able to spend time with loved ones. As we usher in a new year, I wanted to let you know about some of the ways OPS counselors can support your student and family aside from teaching classroom Social/Emotion lessons.
OPS counselors support our students and families by providing responsive services. This means we may meet with students individually or in small groups to work on any skills that need improvement to increase school success. We may also meet with students to provide a listening ear to events happening in their lives that may be impacting them at home or school. Teachers, parents, and administrators, can request a meeting for students with the counselor. Students, themselves, can also request a meeting. Below is a link you can copy and paste to fill out a digital Request to Meet With the Counselor form, click the button below.
Another way the counseling department of OPS supports students and families is by having an active role in seeking outside of school agency help for families. If you someone you know is looking for help with anything including but not limited to food and clothing assistance, physical or mental health services, mentoring, legal assistance, rent assistance, and much more you can click on the attached Community Resource Directory or can contact me directly.
If you have any questions or would like to reach out to me, please feel free to give me a call or send me an email. My direct office phone number is (531) 299-1286 and heather.rowland@ops.org is my email.
I wish you and your family health and happiness for the new year.
Be well,
Miss Rowland
Crestridge Counselor
District Response to COVID-19 in Schools
Daily Health Assessment
As we move into a new week, we’d like to provide a kind reminder to families to please stay vigilant in daily life at school, work, and home. If you or someone you live with are experiencing the following symptom(s)
* Two or more of the following - fever, chills, cold/shivering, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
OR
* One of the following - new cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and new loss of taste/smell
* You or someone you live with is waiting for test results for Covid-19
* You or someone you live with have been diagnosed with Covid-19
* You have been in close contact (6 feet or closer for 15 minutes or more) with someone diagnosed with Covid-19 without masks.
We want to take this opportunity to remind all of you the importance of completing the daily screener and monitoring your child and household closely for symptoms. Daily temperature checks are a part of the daily screening process. Together we will make sure our students and staff stay safe and healthy.
Cold Weather Information
As the winter months inch closer, please remember that breakfast does not begin until 8:35. Students should not be dropped off prior to 8:35 am. This can become a safety issue once the temperature begins to drop.
An additional reminder that we make every effort to get students outside weather permitting. Recess will be outside unless the temperature with wind-chill falls below 25 degrees. We welcome snow exploration, however for the safety of students snow gear is necessary if children wish to play in the snow.
If you are in need of coats, hats, gloves, or boots please contact us at Crestridge. We have worked diligently with our partners to assembly a clothes closet to support with students needs and we are happy to help!
Academic Information
Interpreting Your Student's MAP Results
Children learn better—and faster—when teachers have a clear picture of what each student knows and is ready to learn next.
How it Works
Recently, your child took the MAP Growth assessment. This is a computer-adaptive test. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. This type of assessment challenges top performers without overwhelming students whose skills are below grade level.
What it Measures
MAP Growth uses a RIT scale to accurately measure what students know, regardless of their grade level. It also measures growth over time, allowing you to track your child’s progress throughout the school year and across multiple years. Once your child completes a MAP Growth test, they receive a RIT score. The RIT scale precisely measures student performance, regardless of whether they’re performing on, above, or below grade level.
The Results
Your Child’s RIT scores have the same meaning across grade levels. If a fourth-grade student and an eighth-grade student have the same RIT score in reading, then they are testing at the same level in that subject. You can use your child’s RIT score to help them meet their goals. You can also check out online resources that use RIT scores to provide students with book recommendations and web-based exercises, such as yourreadingpath.com and khanacademy.org.
How Do Results Support My Learner
Teachers view of all their students’ RIT scores so they can plan scaffolding and differentiated instruction. It helps teachers identify which skills students are ready to learn today, so that students can be appropriately challenged—and so that they can all be working toward meeting grade-level expectations.
Food Distribution Sites
OPS Meals 2 Go
As we return from the holiday break, the Omaha Public Schools Meals2Go schedule is as shown below:
Week of Jan. 4, 2021: Most students learn remotely
- We will distribute Meals2Go on Jan. 4 and Jan. 6 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Week of Jan. 11, 2021: OPS phases some students into in-person learning.
- Meals2Go on Mondays and Wednesdays will return to the previous times:
- Elementary: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
- Secondary: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Week of Jan. 18, 2021: OPS resumes the Family 3/2 model on Tuesday, Jan. 19.
- Due to the holiday on Monday, Jan. 18, Meals2Go will be distributed on Tuesday, Jan. 19 and Wednesday, Jan. 20 at the original times.
- Elementary: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
- Secondary: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
If you have questions about the Meals2Go program, please contact the Nutrition Services Office at (531) 299-0230 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Food Bank of the Heartland
A Map of Food Distribution by Address
Social Resources
Cox Connect2Compete Internet Access for Families
If you find yourself in need of assistance in attaining a home WiFi connection, Cox Cable offers their Cox Connect2Compete program for families in need. The program offers WiFi for $9.95 per month. Cox is offering special discounts for families due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Please see the link below:
211
People across our area face challenges every day and may not know how to find or access local programs that address them. That’s what 211 is all about: connecting our neighbors with nearby services that can help. If you are looking for assistance in finding a food pantry, paying for a utility bill, accessing safe housing or shelter, receiving counseling services and more, speak with one of our helpline specialists today. 211 is available 24/7 by phone or text. Your call is free and confidential.
Call 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211 to get in touch with a helpline specialist today.
Please see the link below for more information or to visit their website.
Latino Center of the Midlands
Affected by COVID?
Through the CARES ACT, the Latino Center of the Midlands is able to assist individuals and families whose lives have been directly or indirectly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Latino Center of Midlands is dispersing emergency COVID relief. You may be eligible for assistance with:
- Rent/ Mortgage
- Utilities
- Food Assistance
Ready to apply?
Please visit the below website or call us at 402-733-2720 to make an appointment.
Want to Support the PTO?
The below are opportunities for you to give through your purchasing:
TAGG
Direct Donation
Amazon Smile
Other Resources for Families
District Level Support
If you have additional questions, please consider which of the following department below may best meet your needs.
Contact Student Information Services at SIS@ops.org for:
- Current or past student proof of education
- Pre-K and K registration or physicals
- Questions about summer school
Contact the Student Placement Office at StudentPlacement@ops.org for:
- Transfer requests
- Questions regarding home attendance areas