Weekly Flash

August 26, 2024

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

Updates from Principal Smyth
- Student Visits today, car pick-up numbers, School Dismissal Manager
Help us Chalk the Walk
Visit our spiritwear table at class visits Monday
Join us for our Tears and Cheers get-together after student arrivals on Tuesday
Go green on our first Spirit Day this Friday
Join the PTA! Membership is now open
Sign up to be a Room Parent
Harvest Faire raffle items needed
Our mentor/mentee program can help new families navigate OHS
Get your name labels for water bottles, lunchboxes and jackets
Check out our website! ohspta.com
Cub Scout open house for boys and girls Sept. 6

August

Monday - Kindergarten Orientation 8:30am-9:30am; New Student orientation 10am-10:30am; Returning student class visits 10:30am-11am; Chalk the Walk 12-6; OHS staff luncheon
Tuesday - FIRST DAY! Tears & Cheers at 9am in the APR
Friday - Spirit Day

September

September 2 -NO SCHOOL
September 9 - Picture Day
September 11 - Open House for parents, 6:30pm-7:30pm
September 13 - PTA Meeting @9:15am
September 17 - Early Dismissal @1:40pm

**Follow us on OHS Families Facebook & OHS_Families Instagram to stay in the know, and check out our OHS PTA website!**

Dear OHS Families,

Thank you to the many families who came out for the Meet and Greet on Thursday afternoon! It was wonderful to meet all of you, and I look forward to getting to know you better. I am very grateful for the warm welcome I have received here at OHS. It is very clear to me that the sense of community and family at Osborn is a treasure: I am thankful to be part of it, and I am thankful to help lead its growth.

This is an exciting week! School visits today and our big first day on Tuesday! Below is some important information and reminders to get us off to a successful start:

Student Visits today, Monday 8/26

Here is the schedule for today:

It is terrific that children and parents have this time dedicated to transition into a new school year. I hear it is a busy morning, and we would love to spend the whole morning chatting with families, but please understand we need to hold to the schedule above so that staff can continue preparing for our start on Tuesday.

Car Pick-Up Signs and Numbers

You will get your car pick-up sign and your number for dismissal from your classroom teacher at Monday’s visit. Please write the number large and clear in marker on your sign to keep in your car for dismissal pick-ups.

Arrival on the First Day

I am sure there is a lot of excitement and activity the first morning at OHS, as there should be. Please be sure to follow the arrival procedures, but also give yourself extra time in the morning, and practice extra patience, as there will be many new families starting on Tuesday, and some parents will be attending the Tears and Cheers gathering in our APR. It takes a conscious effort from all of us to make sure the children have a safe and positive experience on the first day.

Dismissal

We will be following the same dismissal procedures as last year. You should have received an email from School Dismissal Manager (SDM) this past week with instructions to set up your dismissal plan. Please be sure that is done before the first day so everyone’s dismissal plan is clear.

I am looking forward to a terrific start, and seeing all of our students in their classrooms! I hope you all have a wonderful first week of school! Take care.

- Sean F. Smyth, Principal

Monday

Brighten the paths to OHS with Chalk the Walk

Have some time this afternoon? Grab some chalk and help us Chalk the Walk! It is a fun way to brighten up the front of the school and welcome the kids and staff back as they start the school year.

We will be drawing inspiring messages and doodles on the paths in front of the school and the kindergarten playground. We will have chalk available, or you can bring your own. Join us anytime between 12-6pm. Thank you! Note -this is a parent only event.

Questions? Contact Lisa Ludwiczak, Teresa Goldstein or Brittany Holzhauer

Shop for OHS gear at Class Visits

We are otter-ly excited to see you at our spiritwear table today (Monday) from 9:30-10:30am! Come shop our latest spiritwear items, including keychains, bracelets, water bottles and more! *Cash or check preferred*

OHS spiritwear clothing items can be found online anytime through our PuddleBear shop - stay tuned for some new styles coming soon.

Questions? Contact Christine Pinto or Cammie Liberty

Tuesday

Join us for Tears and Cheers on the first day of school

On the first day of school, please join us in the APR (Cafeteria, for those new to OHS!) as soon as the students have entered the school for some coffee and treats. From 9am-9:45am, together we can shed “tears” or shout a few “cheers” as you send your kiddos off to school at OHS! It’s a great way to connect with other parents at Osborn Hill, and we will have sign-up sheets available for some of our upcoming PTA events and committees.

Friday

Get your green ready for Spirit Day

Get your otter gear ready! This Friday (8/30) is our first Spirit Day of the year. We encourage students to show their OHS pride by wearing green or their favorite Osborn Hill spiritwear. Spirit Day is held the last Friday of each month.

Room Parents Needed!

We are collecting submissions for room parent positions. If interested, please fill out this Google form today. Submissions will be considered on a first come/first serve basis.

Please choose all the classes for which you are interested in becoming a room parent. We especially are searching for volunteers in 4th and 5th grades, and for 1O. There is a space to indicate what class you would like to prioritize.

Room Parent Duties/Qualifications:

● Work with teacher to identify and coordinate classroom needs

● Execute ongoing email communications to other parents in your class

● Ensure that ALL parents have an opportunity to participate in activities

● Be a paid member of the PTA

Important Dates for Room Parents:

● Room Parent Meeting to go over duties on Friday, September 6 at 9:30am

● Open House on Wednesday, September 11 at 6:30pm (an opportunity to introduce yourself to parents, gather info for contact lists, and let parents know how they can get involved)

Questions? Contact Rachel Thomas or Teresa Goldstein

Join the PTA! Registration is open

PTA Registration is now open! Joining our Parent Teacher Association provides instant financial support for our students, and it’s also a great way to stay informed about what’s happening at school, and connect in meaningful ways with other parents.

The strength of the PTA comes from YOU! Our goal is for ALL families to join.

Benefits of PTA Membership:
• Access to OHS PTA Directory
• Participate in After School Activities, Run Club and Variety Show (membership mandatory for participation)
• Volunteer on committees
• Vote at PTA meetings
• Elect board members

How to Join

In order to join the PTA you must complete THREE registration steps:

First, register for the PTA

Second, update your family information, adding this year's teachers

Third, complete one PTA waiver per child.

Go to www.ohspta.com and click “Register/Login.” Sign in with your information, or, if you haven’t yet signed up for a Membership Toolkit account, create a new account.
Click "Join PTA" on the OHS PTA homepage and follow the three steps listed:
- Add a PTA membership to your cart, click "Save and continue"
- Update your family's directory information and **change your child(ren)'s teacher for the new school year**
- Fill out a waiver for each child
Proceed to checkout!

Note: Membership must be renewed each school year. Only 1 membership is necessary per family!

Questions? Please contact Ali Galperin

Harvest Faire: Raffle items wanted

Mark your calendars for this for a day of fall fun at year's OHS Harvest Faire on Saturday, October 26th!

Raffle items wanted

We are now collecting for our annual Harvest Faire raffle. If you or anyone you know have sports / show tickets, a fun experience or any other idea or prize for donation please reach out to Ali Galperin or Eileen Ainsworth. The deadline for prize ideas is September 25, with the physical items needed by October 18.

We will also need baskets to hold the prizes. Have a basket to donate? Drop it off in the office.

OHS Mentor/Mentee Program is Back

Our OHS Mentor/Mentee program is back again this year! Our goal is to pair incoming Kindergarten or new OHS families with veteran families who can help answer any questions and support your family through the school year.

Mentee: New to OHS and have a million questions? Let us pair you with a seasoned OHS family to guide you through the year! Please email Eva Elinskas including the grades of your children and any other info that will help us find you a good match.

Mentor: Please email Eva Elinskas if you would like to be a mentor a family.

Deadline to sign up for either is Tuesday.

Get your washable name labels

Did you know our wonderful school secretary, Terry Budlowski, will help return lost items to students if their name is clearly labeled on the item? Buy waterproof and laundry safe labels from our Name Bubbles link and a percentage of every purchase will go to the OHS PTA.

Click Here to Purchase Name Bubbles labels

Our website team has been hard at work updating ohspta.com with all the info you need for the school year. You'll be able to view and subscribe to our updated calendar, find contact info for your kids' new classmates in our membership directory, browse lunch menus, learn your new teacher's favorite things, and much more! Check it out!

Have news to share? Email Jen Braun by 10am Friday
to include in the following Monday's OHS Weekly Flash.

SUBJECT: OHS Weekly Flash | School Starts on Tuesday!