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Home Connections

Home Connections: Books to Read for Black History Month

O’Hara Librarian Karen Fornari shares her picks to read at home for Black History Month (or throughout the year). All of these books are available in the O’Hara library!

Kindergarten and First Grade

  • Alice Coachman, Olympic High Jumper by Anna Malaspina
  • Dave the Potter Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill
  • Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport
  • Tea cakes for Tosh by Kelly Starling Lyons (former Pittsburgher)

Second Grade and Third Grade:

  • Henry’s Freedom Box A True Story of the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine Ticktock
  • Banneker’s Clock by Shana Keller (O’Hara parent)
  • Unspoken: A Story From the Underground Railroad by Henry Cole
  • Take a Picture of Me, James Vanderzee by Andrea J. Loney
  • Wilma Unlimited by Kathleen Krull
  • Between the lines : how Ernie Barnes went from the football field to the art gallery by Sandra Neil Wallace
  • Philip Reid Saves the Statue of Freedom by Steven Sellers Lapham
  • Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford

Fourth Grade and Fifth Grade

  • Stella by Starlight by Sharon Draper (Mrs. Fornari: I really like how sensitive issues are handled in this book)
  • The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis (Newbery Honor)
  • Bud, Not Buddy (Newbery Award)  by Christopher Paul Curtis
  • The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond by Brenda Woods
  • A Spy Called James The True Story of James Lafayette Revolutionary War Double Agent by Anne Rockwell
  • Bad News for Outlaws The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy US Marshall by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson (former Pittsburgher)
  • Fifty Cents and a Dream Young Booker T. Washington by Jabari Asim

What books would you add to the list?  Share in the comments!

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PTO Meetings

Next PTO Meeting: Feb. 6 (Evening)

The next PTO meeting will be held on February 6th from 7:00pm – 7:30pm, immediately following the New Kindergarten Parent Orientation Meeting (6pm – 7pm).

The PTO board invites new O’Hara parents to learn more about the PTO, what we do, and how to become more involved.  “Veteran” PTO members and volunteers are also encouraged to attend –  Please come share your support of the PTO and meet the families of the incoming Kindergarten class!

Missed the January meeting? Read the meeting minutes here.

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Wellness

Extras, Extras – Read All About Them!

If you’re like many O’Hara parents, the first time you learned of “extras” was through a rapid depletion of your student’s lunch funds or your student’s excited chatter about ice cream with their lunch.  Extras are the additional, “a la carte” snack items available for purchase at the cafeteria. While the purchase of extras was previously restricted to 3rd  – 5th graders, the option has recently become available to ALL students, including those in kindergarten.  Available options include:

  • Ice Cream
  • Rice Krispies
  • Fruit Roll Ups
  • Fruit Snacks
  • Whole Grain Cookies and Cupcakes
  • Potato Chips
  • Dorito’s
  • Yogurt Cups
  • Baked Lays
  • Other Snack Items

As a group dedicated to promoting the welfare of our students, the PTO feels it is important for families to be aware of the food choices available and how they may be impacting what your student is eating at school — perhaps without your knowledge. PTO lunchtime volunteers have reported long lines for the purchase of extras, as well as students skipping their regular lunch items in favor of sweet treats and chips.

While all of the items available for purchase are required to comply with federal “Smart Snacks” guidelines per the District’s Wellness Policy, the options may not align with your family’s own nutrition standards.  If that is the case, we suggest the following:

  1. Log in to your School Cafe account and review your student’s purchase history. Decide how you’d like to handle extras going forward. For some, a conversation with your child may be sufficient to curb unwanted purchases.
  2. If needed, contact Julie Geary, Nutrition Center Manager, to restrict the purchase of extras by your student.
  3. Attend the January 30th District Forum meeting, where the Nutrition Center Manager will be part of a “Meet and Greet” with various district administration representatives.  Come prepared with your questions about the school’s nutrition policy, and how extras fit in to that.
  4. Consider joining the District’s Wellness Committee.

The PTO would like to know your thoughts on the a la carte options available to our students. Should we advocate for different choices? We welcome your comments and questions.

Ice Cream

 

 

Events, Fundraisers

Panera Dine & Donate is Wednesday!

Join the PTO at Panera on Wednesday, January 17th from 4 – 8pm and 20% of your purchase will go straight to the PTO!  Skip the line and order online for Rapid Pick Up or Delivery using code FUND at check out.  If you’re ordering in store, be sure to show your flyer (hard copy or on your phone) so that the PTO receives credit for your purchase.  Thank you for your support! Panera fundraiser

PTO Meetings

Agenda for Friday’s PTO Meeting

We hope you can join us for our first meeting of the calendar year!

O’Hara Administration Update (Mrs. Batis and Mr. Edwards)

PTO Board Update

  • Open Leadership Positions for 2018-2019 School Year
  • Evening Meeting Dates
  • Treasurer’s Report
  • By Laws Vote – just 11 more needed; Members: email sshaffer@rhodes-group.com if you did not receive the electronic ballot.

Committee Updates

Upcoming Events

  • January 15 – NO SCHOOL
  • January 17 – Panera Dine and Donate (Waterworks – online ordering available!)
  • January 19 – NO SCHOOL
  • February 6 – O’Hara New Kindergarten Parent Orientation Mtg, 6pm – 7pm
  • February 15 – Early Dismissal (noon)
  • February 16 – NO SCHOOL
  • February 19 – NO SCHOOL
  • February 20 – O’Hara Pre-Kindergarten Story Time (Last Names A-L) – 2:15 – 3:15pm
  • February 21 – O’Hara Pre-Kindergarten Story Time (Last Names M-Z)