Dayton Oaks Elementary School
Weekly Wave ~ 10/5/20
Dates To Remember:
October 7 MAP Reading Test (9am & 1pm) - More Info. to come
October 14 MAP Math Test (9am & 1pm) - More info to come
On Deck with Administrators
Dear Dayton Oaks Families,
The weather is getting cooler and the leaves are slowly changing color. Fall is here. We hope you are able to get out and enjoy time together with family and friends. Please take a moment to review the information provided. We know you are receiving many communications from the HCPSS, school and teachers. While we seek to streamline communications, we also want to ensure you are fully informed with the most current information. Enjoy your week!
Sincerely,
Nigel La Roche
Principal
Adrienne Williams-McKinney
Assistant Principal
Important MAP Testing Information
Important MAP Testing Information: On Wednesday October 7 and 14, students in grades 2-8 will take the Measured Academic Progress (MAP) assessment. The data from the MAP assessment will help schools and teachers measure where your child is starting the year academically. The HCPSS intends to also give the assessment in winter and spring to measure how your child’s learning is progressing throughout the year. The MAP test does not affect grades and the difficulty adjusts depending on how your child responds. It is normal for students to only answer about half the questions correctly. To learn more about the MAP assessment, please visit: https://www.nwea.org/the-map-suite/common-questions-families/
The Reading test will be offered on October 7 at 9 am and 1 pm. The Math test will be offered on October 14 at 9am and 1pm. Students may choose to attend either the morning or afternoon session. If your child is unable to attend, makeup testing will be offered during asynchronous learning times. Teachers will share Google Meet information and your student’s testing group.
NEWS from the Howard County Library System - HCLS
The Howard County Library System or HCLS offers numerous “Learning From Home” resources for students and parents. Below are some highlights for elementary school students and parents.
● Learning From Home Elementary School Students Resources Page. Includes resources for On Demand Classes, Learning Languages, Literacy, Learning Activities, Research, Science, Videos, and more! Some highlights, and additional resources below.
○ Gale in Context: Elementary is a great research site for grades K-5. It includes articles, biographies, photos, magazines, and news on a variety of topics. The site can also be accessed from the HCLS student resource page above, and from the MackinVia databases on our school’s student launch page hcpss.me.
○ Tumble Books can be accessed from HCLS student resource page above, and the MackinVia databases on hcpss.me. Kids can read/listen to books; quiz themselves after they’re done reading; from the Common Core section, filter searches by grade and reading level; access playlists which can be chosen by length of time and category; and create and print book reports.
○ STEAM Train Stories link to YouTube “stories” that are STEAM based and lots of fun, such as Balloon Powered Car, and Building Bridges.
○ Book Clubs for Kids Calendar link to book club calendar events which can be filtered by age range.
○ Writing Prompt Tutorial for middle school students and some 4th and 5th grade students.
○ HCLS Class Calendar link to daily calendar of classes.
○ On Demand YouTube Classes link to the playlist of a variety of YouTube classes.
● Parents Learning From Home link to Resources Page. Includes links to resources to empower and support parents in the home learning environment. Additional parent resources below.
○ Power Up with Online Safety (for elementary school students): Denise DeRosa, Founder and CEO of Cyber Sensible, discusses what makes a strong password, how to know what games are appropriate and what to do if someone you don't know tries to make a connection online. Register for this October 7 session.
○ Family Resources Covid-19 link to helpful information, updates, and community resources and services.
Reminder: Howard County Public School System students can use their A+ Student Accounts, via hcpss.me, to access books, other materials, and eContent.
Counselor’s Corner
Dear Families,
I am noticing the increase in rigor across Dayton Oaks and continue to be impressed with the tools and strategies the students attempt when problem solving. Emotional regulation is a skill that requires awareness and practice! I wanted to take a moment this week to share my favorite books related to identifying feelings, which is especially important for the primary-aged children, and strategies for emotional regulation.
The Color Monster Goes to School by Anna Llenas
Even Superheroes Have Bad Days by Shelly Becker
I Can Do That! By Kayla J. W. Marnach
Listening to My Body by Gabi Garcia
Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak
Additionally, I want to add on to the last Counseling Corner on fidgets to discuss creating a Calm Down Spot at home. Creating this space invites your child to practice using tools when things are good and have a space to go with visual reminders when they really need it.
1. Find a safe and quiet spot and make it cozy
2. Add calming fidgets. Help your child pick 1 tool for each of his/her 5 senses to keep in this calm spot. Examples might include playdoh, lotion, a stress ball, music, a book, or a toy they like
3. Depending on your child’s age, you can add a feelings chart or positive affirmations
4. Explain the purpose and practice using it often
5. Calmly remind them it is OK to take a break when they are experiencing big emotions and encourage them to use the calm spot
Please reach out to me if you would like to discuss additional ideas!
Stephanie Dix
School Counselor
Click here for the School Counselor Connection newsletter for additional resources.
Helpful Hints from the Health Room
This Season a Flu Vaccine is More Important than Ever!
According to the CDC, getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during 2020-2021 to protect yourself, your family and your community from flu. A flu vaccine this season can also help reduce the burden on our healthcare systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and save medical resources for care of COVID-19 patients. September and October are good times to get a flu vaccine.
Seasonal Flu Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick? Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick.
* If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from getting sick. People with the flu should stay away from others for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone. The fever should be gone without the use of a fever-lowering medicine.
* Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze. Make sure to put used tissues in the trash after one use.
* Wash your hands often with warm water and soap. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also work.
* Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose. Germs spread this way.
* Get plenty of sleep, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.
What is the difference between the Flu and COVID-19
Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2) and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses. Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone, and testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis. Flu and COVID-19 share many characteristics, but there are some key differences between the two.
Will there be flu along with COVID-19 in the fall and winter?
While it’s not possible to say with certainty what will happen in the fall and winter, CDC believes it’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both be spreading. In this context, getting a flu vaccine will be more important than ever. CDC recommends that all people 6 months and older get a yearly flu vaccine.
Can I have the flu and COVID-19 at the same time?
Yes. It is possible have the flu, as well as other respiratory illnesses, and COVID-19 at the same time. Health experts are still studying how common this can be.
Some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, making it hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Diagnostic testing can help determine if you are sick with flu or COVID-19.
Technology Resources and Attendance Information
Please click the link below for Attendance information and Technology troubleshooting, information, and resources.
Technology and Attendance Resources/Information
Parent Workshop Series
The Council of Elders and the Howard County Public School System have partnered to sponsor a parent workshop series. There will be a total of four workshops offered and each session will be held virtually. The flyer is attached - Save the Date-Council of Elders
HCPSS Partnerships Annual Report
“Together” is the theme of the just released HCPSS Educational Partnerships 2019-2020 Annual Report. Each school’s partners are listed, as well as system wide (at-large) and curricular and program office partnerships. In the report, you will see examples of how partners help care for students and staff.
HC DrugFree Updates for Parents/Guardians
Free Online Parenting Classes for Parents/Guardians: HC DrugFree and the Howard County State's Attorney's Office, partnering with HCPSS and the Health Department, will once again provide an evidence-based classes for families to gain skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs. This 4-week series will be held online from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, October 20, 27 and November 10, 17. See the Guiding Good Choices Flier for more information. If you have questions, email Joan Webb Scornaienchi, HC DrugFree’s Executive Director at Admin@hcdrugfree.org or call 443-325-0040.
Drive-thru EpiPen, Medication and More Collection: Howard County's next convenient drive-thru collection for over-the-counter and prescription medication and “sharps” (needles, syringes and EpiPens) will be held on Saturday, October 24 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in the Wilde Lake Village Center parking lot near the Swim Center and The UPS Store. HC DrugFree and the Howard County Police urge you to clean out your medicine cabinets. Please visit HC DrugFree’s homepage at www.hcdrugfree.org for more information about the event or email Joan Webb Scornaienchi, HC DrugFree’s Executive Director at Admin@hcdrugfree.org or call 443-325-0040.
Staying Connected to DOES
Facebook - Dayton Oaks is partnering with our wonderful PTA to share the PTA Facebook page. Please follow, like and post pictures to Dayton Oaks ES PTA.
Twitter - Continue to stay connected by following Dayton Oaks on Twitter @hcpss_does. You can also post pictures on twitter using the handle @hcpss_does and adding #SchoolofFISH
Dayton Oaks PTA
DOES PTA Family DolFUN Event Kickoff
Have you been missing us as much as we’ve been missing you?
Dayton Oaks PTA has been hard at work planning Family DolFUN Events that we can still safely enjoy together (at a distance).
We’re kicking things off THIS SATURDAY, October 10 with our annual Ice Cream Social, although it will look a little different this year. Between 10am and 12pm, Saturday, October 10, drive through the DOES car loop to see Dani the Dolphin, receive a coupon for a free "Kids Dream (Ice Cream) Cone" at Clarksville Chik-Fil-A and receive your “Frequent DolFUN Punch Card”!
Hang on to this FUN card and bring it to future PTA Family DolFUN Events! Can you fill your card?! We hope so, because DOES PTA has a lot of fun events to share with you over the next few months .. so stay tuned!
We hope to see you ALL this Saturday!!
**CDC guidelines will be followed during our Drive-Through ONLY event. All volunteers will be wearing masks and have plenty of hand sanitizer!
Direct questions to president@daytonoakspta.org
Follow us on Twitter @DOESpta
Like us on Facebook @DaytonOaksPTA
Website: daytonoakspta.org
Box Tops:
Box Tops Collection will continue during virtual learning!
Submit your Box Tops individually to help promote social distancing and to give everyone the option to submit in the event they can't get to the school regularly to turn in unexpired traditional clips. Please see this link for simple instructions on submitting your box tops. https://www.boxtops4education.com/Consumer%20Submit%20Box%20Tops
Box Tops may also be dropped off in the labeled box inside the school vestibule & collected weekly.
This year, all Box Tops fall submissions MUST be postmarked by November 2.
Please also don’t forget to connect your Harris Teeter, and amazonsmile accounts to Dayton Oaks for the year!!!!
Please email cashback@daytonoakspta.org if there are any questions!