Thank you to everyone who came out to last Thursday’s evening meeting. For those who couldn’t make it, here’s your handy recap:
Special Guest: Girls on the Run
Casey White, head coach of the O’Hara Elementary Girls on the Run team, joined us to share information on the upcoming GOTR session. The O’Hara team is open to girls in grades 3 – 5 and will meet Tuesday and Thursdays from 6:00 – 7:30pm from March 12 – May 30. Registration closes March 8th.
Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
February is a busy month with many great events:
- Friday’s Family Movie Night brought 300 people to the O’Hara “movie theater” for a free family event benefiting the Sharpsburg Community Library. O’Hara’s fundraiser recently received a shout out from the Mayor of Sharpsburg! Thank you to everyone who donated and attended!
- The Scholastic Book Fair benefiting O’Hara’s library kicks off 2/25 and runs through 3/1. Evening hours of the book fair will coincide with a Read Across America Celebration on 2/26 from 6pm – 8pm.
- Volunteers will be helping with two art projects on 2/26 and 3/1 from 10:15 – 11:45. There are still spots open to help! Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0d4daba623a1f49-artproject
O’Hara Foxes Club
The OFC continues to add programs and plan for future after school activities. Registration is currently open for K-2 students to participate in Lab Ratz. Planned programs include a second session of Spanish Globetrotters, more yoga and a Spring session of Chess Club.
We will also be introducing “Story Explorers” in April. Story Explorers is a new OFC program being facilitated by O’Hara parent and Spark Books owner, Adriene Rister, and a Fairview parent/engineer, Melinda Guinn. This five-week program is designed for children in ages K-1 and will combine literacy and STEAM activities. The pilot session will focus on the classic children’s story, The Three Little Pigs. Each week, students will begin class by gathering together to read children’s literature based on the Three Little Pigs story, such as The Three Little Pigs: An Architectural Tale by Steven Guarnaccia, The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas, and the True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scisezka. After reading the book, children will use their imaginations and problem-solving skills to explore the story in greater depth–acting out different characters to create alternative endings, building houses that can withstand a wolf, learning about perspective (did the wolf just have a cold?), and becoming the story’s illustrator, author, or using only music to tell the story. Registration will open in March – stay tuned for more details!
Have an idea for a future OFC program? Email Meghann at ofc@oharapto.org
District Forum Report
The next public meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb 26th at 9:00 a.m. Tim Mahoney, Director of Special Education and Pupil Services will be sharing information on Ability Awareness and Special Education Services.
Principal’s Update: RTII and Safety
Mrs. Batis provided an update on school safety. O’Hara staff have completed another round of A.L.I.C.E. training. Additionally, Officer Lynch will be coordinating reverse evacuation drills (what to do if we are outside and need to get in quickly). Families will receive more information before the drills, which will be conducted starting with our oldest students first. Reverse evacuation can be used for a variety of situations, including severe weather or in response to events occurring within the vicinity of the school.
Mrs. Batis also shared an update on the instructional decision making process. A copy of the presentation will be posted here when available. Key takeaway: you can request a meeting at any point in time if you have concerns about reading, math, social/behavior issues, etc. and to explore appropriate interventions or enrichment opportunities.
New Ideas!
Several new ideas were discussed, including the possibility of a student store, a family dance night and ways to show our appreciation for teachers. Stay tuned for a survey from the PTO to gather more ideas for next year and to provide feedback on your experiences to date. The PTO board will be meeting soon to kick off our planning for the next school year and we value your feedback!
O'Hara Elementary PTO 