Ed Hatzenbeler, Orting School District Superintendent |
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Hello, Orting School District (OSD) Families.
I hope your Winter Break is off to a great start!
As we near the halfway mark of the 2021-22 school year, I want to thank you all for your partnership, support, encouragement, and understanding. Between COVID-19 and the limitations on visiting your children during school hours, it has been hard to feel the sense of community we enjoyed pre-pandemic. Clubs, sports, performing arts, and activities have been a welcome relief for our students, as they enjoy some return to normalcy. The support you have shown our students has been phenomenal. I have my two college boys at home now, and I know you will enjoy time with your families over the next two weeks.
Along with ensuring that our students learn in a safe, inclusive environment, we wanted to bridge the relationship between the community and the district. We work to increase and improve our communication with engaging content, such as email updates and pictures and videos in our classrooms. We never want you to feel left out and will continue to look for new, innovative ways to increase our communication channels for you and our students. You will see us capture more student voices on key topics, so you can hear and see experiences through their eyes. Not only will this keep you in the loop, but we hope to empower our students and ensure we are building a learning community.
At the end of the day, that's what we are here for.
Enjoy your break, relax, and focus on your self-care.
Thank you all, and we will see you next year.
With regards,
Ed...
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Superintendent Cabinet Monthly Update |
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Executive Director for Human Resources |
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We now offer Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services to employees through First Choice Health.
Program offerings provide employees:
- Their spouse or domestic partner
- Their children up to age 26
- Free services with a licensed behavioral health provider
Services are designed to support individuals who are experiencing issues or concerns in areas such as relationship, emotional, behavioral, mental health and/or substance abuse.
The plan allows those regularly employed at OSD up to five sessions per unique issue, per year. More information is available on the district website under Departments > Human Resources > Employee Assistance Program.
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Executive Director for Equity & Student Outcomes |
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All schools are seeking to ensure that every student is connected, heard, seen and loved. There are many opportunities inside and outside of the classroom for your student to belong and connect with others. Please contact your child's school to find out more.
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Interested in sharing and celebrating your culture with students and our larger community? We are currently planning cultural recognition and celebration events as well as documenting Orting's diversity and would very much like to include your cultural heritage. For more info, please email me below!
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Executive Director for Teaching, Learning and Technology |
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Hello, everyone!
Check back in next month for an update!
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Executive Director for Student Support Services |
Orting School District partners with MorningSide Employment Services and the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation to provide pre-employment transition services to students with disabilities between the ages of 14 and 21. Since it began on Sept. 27, 10 Orting High School (OHS) students have enrolled in the program.
Each week, they engage in instruction regarding self advocacy, communication, goal setting, and employee skills. After our Winter Break, the students will explore career interests, take field trips to businesses and job shadow different occupations.
Finally, each student will engage in an internship in an area of interest before the end of the 2021-22 school year. OHS teacher Julie Bannan coordinates student activities with community-based organizations.
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What's Happening in our Classrooms |
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During December at Ptarmigan Ridge (PTR) Elementary School, their monthly CharacterStrong trait was gratitude.
Check out how PTR 3rd grader Kaitlyn demonstrated this trait towards one of our bus drivers by clicking on the picture above!
To learn more about the CharacterStrong curriculum, click here.
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Giving Back to the Community |
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Orting High School's Empowerment and Equality Club held its first menstrual hygiene drive. Even though the drive was two weeks long, OHS teachers and students donated 23 products, equaling over 600 individual sanitary products, which will go to women in our community in need.
Awesome work, everyone!
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This section allows you to ask a Superintendent Cabinet Member a question.
Topics include:
- Updates on their goals
- What they're doing for our students,
- What to expect in the upcoming months
Also, it's an opportunity for you to learn more about what they do for Orting School District and our students.
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Want to ask a Cabinet Member a Question? |
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Orting Kudos!!
Students Recognizing Students
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Dragon Watkins and Logan Orsborn - Orting High School Sophomore Students
"I would like to thank Logan for always being there for me when I needed help the most. He was there when I needed help in math with my homework, classwork, coding, and history papers. Logan is one of the most helpful friends I've ever known."
-From Dragon, to Logan
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What the holidays mean to me
Adam AlMousawi, Orting High School Senior
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To me, the holiday season is a time for all of us to take time off from our busy lives to spend with loved ones. As a student, I cannot help but feel excited about taking a break from school.
One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is bake and decorate cookies. When I think of the holidays, I can immediately picture coming inside to the smell of fresh-baked cookies and hot chocolate after playing out in the snow all morning. It is simple yet meaningful when I look back on my holiday memories.
The last year has been difficult for many people because of COVID-19, so taking time to relax with family will be extra important for a lot of people this year.
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Social Media throughout December |
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Monday, Jan. 3 - All OSD schools and offices reopen
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Thursday, Jan. 6, 6 p.m. - Orting School District Board of Directors Work Session
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Monday, Jan. 17 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; No School
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Thursday, Jan. 20, 6 p.m. - Orting School District Board of Directors Regular Meeting
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Want to read more stories across the district?
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