Trailblazer Weekly | December 2, 2024

Be sure to "Download Pictures" to view this message in its entirety.

For help translating this newsletter, scroll to the RESOURCE LINKS section.

Overland High School

BLAZER GREAT. BLAZER PROUD. BLAZER EXCELLENT.



overland.cherrycreekschools.org

OPTCO Website

Overland Parent Teacher Community Organization

OPTCO Email
Signup Genius

Parent Help Requested for Staff Soup Luncheon on Mon Dec 9

We are showing our appreciation to the teachers and staff of Overland on Monday, December 9. We want them to know they are SOUPer! We have over 250 deserving folks to feed, so we need as much help as possible.


Can you contribute soup, chili, desserts, toppings, side dishes, or donate money? Use the Signup Genius link for more information.


Please contact Jessica at 303-921-2211 or overlandptco@gmail.com with any questions. Thank you for all contributions. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Students — 3 Free Meals Per Day


Join us for FREE breakfast and lunch daily in the cafeteria!

Simply bring your student ID to enjoy your meals.

The more lines open, the quicker the service—less wait time for you!


Grab a FREE meal on your way home! Power Meals are available daily in the cafeteria from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

Good luck to performing arts students at ThesCon 2024!

Holiday Arts & Music


  • Art Show — December 2-13
  • Winter Instrumental Concerts — December 5 & 6 at 7:00pm in the auditorium
  • Guitar Club Concert — December 6 after school in the O-Zone Flex Space
  • Art Show ReceptionDecember 10 from 4:30-7:00pm in the 2nd floor gallery
  • AA Season's Greetings — December 10 at 7:00pm in the auditorium

All classwork for 2nd quarter is due on Monday, December 16.

Preparing for Finals


  • Submit missing work by Monday, December 16


  • Attend tutoring sessions for help


  • Do review assignments provided by your teachers


  • Attend Cram Fest
  • Tues Dec 10
  • Wed Dec 11


  • Study


  • Get a good night's sleep


  • Eat breakfast


LITERACY CORNER

ACTIVITIES/ATHLETICS

Winter sports began November 18.

Registration Information

Winter Sports

  • Basketball – Boys
  • Basketball – Girls
  • Basketball – Unified
  • Cheerleading
  • Ice Hockey
  • Poms
  • Swimming – Girls
  • Wrestling – Boys
  • Wrestling – Girls
Club Directory

Clubs & Activities


Want to join an Overland club? Check out the list of clubs, and attend one of the meetings. Be sure to check if the club has an audition or application process. Contact the club sponsor with any questions.

SENIOR SECTION

Senior Information

Class of 2025


Get ready for your senior year by looking through the information on our website.

  • Order cap & gown
  • Yearbook
  • Senior pictures
  • Senior sunrise
  • and more

HEALTH + SAFETY

Call Nurse Brian at 720-747-3789

Report Positive COVID Result

Fax 720-747-3588

Staying Healthy as the School Year Hits Full Speed

 

As October rolls in, our students are now fully immersed in the school routine. The excitement of a new school year may be wearing off, and the crisp fall air is a reminder that the colder months are approaching. This time of year brings its own set of challenges for both students and staff, but it's also an opportunity to reinforce healthy habits that will help everyone thrive.


1. Fighting Off Fall Illnesses

With fall comes cooler temperatures and the inevitable rise in seasonal illnesses like colds and the flu. Schools are a prime environment for germs to spread, but you can help stop them in their tracks.

  • Flu/COVID Shots: Now’s the time to get your flu and COVID vaccines. The flu and COVID shots can help prevent missed school days and keep students feeling strong and healthy.
  • Rest and Recovery: Missing school when sick is sometimes seen as "falling behind," but coming to school sick only risks spreading illness and prolonging recovery. Encourage students to listen to their bodies and stay home if they have a fever or if they are so sick they are emotionally and physically unavailable to learn.
  • Hydration and Nutrition: Students often overlook hydration, especially as the weather cools down. Remind athletes (and non-athletes!) to stay hydrated throughout the day. A balanced diet that includes lean proteins, whole grains, and plenty of fruits and vegetables will help fuel their activities and recovery.

2. Managing Stress

Mid-semester can be overwhelming for high school students balancing classes, sports, clubs, and maybe even part-time jobs. Here are a few ways to manage stress before it becomes too much:

  • Prioritize sleep: Aim for 8 hours to stay sharp and healthy.
  • Plan ahead: Manage deadlines and avoid last-minute stress.
  • Take breaks and give yourself permission to slow down. 
  • If you're feeling overwhelmed, reach out to school counselors and ask about mental health resources available to you.

By staying proactive and focusing on these health priorities, students can continue to thrive as we move through the school year. Remember, the Health Clinic is always here as a resource—whether you need health advice, a place to recharge, or someone to talk to.


Stay healthy, stay balanced, and keep up the great work this fall!


Kind Regards,

Brian Kornreich, BSBME, BSN, MS, RN

Student ID's


Overland students must have their OHS Student ID at all times. Need a replacement ID? Please go to the IST Main Office.

North Entrance


The Jewell Avenue (north) entrance to the Overland-Prairie campus and the STRIDE Health Clinic will be closed during school hours. Vehicles may enter from Pacific Drive.


The STRIDE Health Clinic parking lot is for patients only.

COMMUNITY

Email Ms. Hassan

Community Liaison


Meet Najma Hassan, our Community Liaison. She can help students and families with various needs such as

  • Food/clothing
  • Mental health support
  • Economic hardship/homelessness
  • Uninsured or medical difficulties
  • Free and reduced lunch
  • Transportation
  • School supplies

Blazin' the Trail: Requesting Resources


Hello Blazer Community! I hope you’ve all been hanging in there. The first few weeks of school were a whirlwind, but seeing the support we’ve already been able to provide makes me hopeful for the rest of the year! While we are always looking for ways to support our students, I want to take this moment to highlight how we can support YOU, our families.


Overland High School, in its collaboration with Prairie Middle School, helps to provide resources for our families who may benefit from them. In case you are not already familiar with our community space, let me give you a quick rundown of what we offer:


Community Closet: Our community closet provides clothes and hygiene products for families. We offer winter coats, hats/scarves, shoes/socks, t-shirts, pants, etc. In terms of hygiene products we offer vanity kits, toothbrush kits, deodorant sticks/wipes, face masks, menstrual products, diapers, training pants, etc. If you're ever wondering if we have a specific item in inventory, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me! Make sure to keep an eye on this space! We have big plans for the remainder of the year!


Community Pantry: Our community pantry is a means to provide snacks and meal kits from families who may benefit from them. While we try our best to accommodate dietary restrictions, we are currently limited in what we carry. If you would like more options for food resources, please don’t hesitate to reach out and I may be able to provide more pantry options/programs.


School Supplies: We do our best to offer school supplies to any of our students who need them. From notebooks, folders, binder, pens/pencils, to a backpack to keep them in, we try to maintain a good inventory of the products our students need to engage in class and succeed!


How can you access these resources?

Please use the following links to fill out a request for resources.

Donations?

We are currently only accepting donations of gently used winter coats, gloves, and clothing hangers for the community closer, as well as notebooks, binders, and paper for our school supply donations. If you have more donation suggestions please email me and I can better assist to see if it’s something our community would use!


Sincerely,

Najma Hassan

Community Liaison - Overland High School

nhassan3@cherrycreekschools.org

720.747.3439

Make an appointment today! 

(303) 7STRIDE 
(303-778-7433)
STRIDE Community Health Center
Services
  • Behavioral Health Services 
  • Chronic Disease Management 
  • Dental Screenings 
  • Developmental Screenings 
  • Immunizations 
  • Minor Injuries
  • Newborn Care & Well Child Checks 
  • Physicals 
  • Sick Visits 
  • Sports Physicals 
  • Sexual & Reproductive Health and Education

Insurance Information
While STRIDE is a non-profit healthcare organization that provides healthcare to the underserved, uninsured and working families who cannot afford these services, they are NOT a free-service clinic.  
 
STRIDE participates with following discount and insurance programs and also offers families financial screenings to determine sliding-scale discounts or help find health plans patients qualify for:  
  • Colorado Indigent Care Program (CICP)
  • Colorado Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)
  • Medicaid
  • Medicare
  • Colorado Access
  • Access Advantage
  • Self Pay
  • Some private insurances
STRIDE Health Care Coverage Information

When schools are on a delayed start High School bus pickup is delayed 90 minutes. School starts at 9:50 a.m.

Weather Delays and Snow Days


Winter weather can happen at any time. Ensure that you receive weather delay and closure notifications by making sure your phone numbers and email addresses are correct in myCherryCreek.


Just log in to myCherryCreek, click on the Oracle tile, then on Contact Info in the menu on the left. Make sure your Home Mobile Phone and/or Home Phone numbers and Work Email address are correct, so that you will receive weather delay and closure notifications.

More Information
OHS Weather Station

Overland Weather Station


Overland is now offering meteorology as a science elective, and students get to work with our very own professional weather station. Our station is one of over 250,000 professional and amateur weather stations connected to the Ambient Weather Network around the world. This network is free to use by all, no login or sign up required. You can also find the Ambient Weather Network on most app stores if you want access on your phone. 

Translation Help

Unexcused Present = missed more than 10 minutes of class

FUNDRAISERS

Six Ways to Support Overland Wrestling

Join King Soopers Community Rewards Program. 

If you are a King Soopers shopper and have a rewards login, please connect your account to the Overland High School Wrestling Team!

Just log in to your account, click My Profile, Scroll down to Community Rewards, then search Overland High School Wrestling, and enroll. Then every time you shop under your rewards, a percentage comes back to us.


Use Mile High Ducts for duct cleaning. 

We have an exciting opportunity to raise funds for our wrestling program. OHS Wrestling Alumni and Business Owner, Andy Fitzpatrick, owner of Mile High Duct, is offering an amazing opportunity to have a percentage of funds come back to our program if your household or business uses their service of duct cleaning! All you have to do is say that you were referred by the Overland High School Wrestling Program. 

Check them out online at 

https://www.milehighducts.com/ or call them at Phone: (720) 422-9953.


Become a Wrestling Sponsor. 

Each wrestler is required to pay a $100 wrestling fee, which helps to pay for their practice gear pack for the season. While money is necessary for our program, it is never a barrier. If there is a student-athlete who is unable to pay, then we find community sponsors to cover all or most of their fee. If interested, respond to this email. 


Use Jose Ramirez with Keller Williams Realty DTC for Real Estate Needs

Contact Jose through this email and a portion will go back to Overland Wrestling - JRam@kw.com 

Learn More - https://www.kwdtc.com/KW-DTC-Agent-Roster/Jose-Ramirez


Use Eva's House Cleaning for your Home or Business Cleaning

Just say you are referred by Overland High School Wrestling and a portion will go back to the program! 

Phone number - 720 229 7698

Email address is: Evahousecleaning03@hotmail.com 


Join Go Green Now to join a Community Solar Program 

Use the link below to read more about the program, and enroll at the bottom. All you need is to be an Xcel Energy user. Use referral code OHS for a $100 donation to come back to the OHS Wrestling Program. 

Go Green Link


Support OHS at King Soopers

If you do not already have a charity associated with your King Soopers card, please consider selecting one of the OHS groups below so some group earns that free money. 


Log in to your King Soopers account and select Community Rewards on the left-hand side and then select one of the groups below:



  • Overland PTCO - GA375
  • Overland High School Band Parents Association (Band and Orchestra) - HK700
  • Overland High School Choir and Theatre – BC026
  • Cherry Creek School District Overland Baseball – KT631
  • Overland High School (goes to Student Council) – TR572


Need an outfit for Homecoming, Prom, or other formal occasions? K&G Fashion Superstore will donate 10% of purchases made by Overland students back to Overland High School!


K&G Fashion Superstore

13940 E Mississippi Ave

Aurora, CO  80012

303-369-1015

website

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

Report an absence before 2:00pm on the day of the absence.


Attendance Google Form

click here


All-day absence or late arrival

720-747-3995


Early release

720-747-3996


Español

720-747-3997


In Cherry Creek School District and Overland School, our top priorities are your child’s safety, academics, and whole wellbeing. In order to maintain and excel in these areas, it’s critical that our kids come to school every day. 


Did you know that 1 in 3 students in CCSD in the 2023-24 school year were chronically absent? Chronic absenteeism is defined by the state as missing more than 10 days in the school year.


Chronic absenteeism has a significant impact on the academic performance of a child and their classroom. Over 4 out of 5 students who miss more than 10% of kindergarten and first grade are unable to read on-level by third grade. By 6th grade, chronic absenteeism is a critical warning sign that a student may not graduate high school. Missing just one lesson or period in class can have a serious impact on a student’s understanding of academic concepts. 


We also know that strong attendance improves our students’ Whole Wellbeing. Our students who experience anxiety about school often find care in our counseling staff and their support team in our school building. Missing school often exacerbates anxiety when our students then need to make up work that they missed, causing them to fall further behind. 


To improve this process and best support our families, this year CCSD is shifting the way that attendance is tracked and changing the notification process to guardians. 


If your child is chronically absent, or misses more than 10 days of school (or 40 class periods), parents or guardians will receive a letter from the district on behalf of our school notifying them of the issue. You will receive a second letter if your child misses more than 15 days of school. Our hope in automating this process at the district level is to provide our school staff with more time to meet with caregivers and problem-solve if your child or family needs extra support to attend school every day. We understand there can be challenges and barriers that we would like to work together to address. 


In order to accomplish our goals of student safety, literacy, and wellbeing, caregivers and staff will need to work together to support our students. If your family anticipates an issue with attendance this year, please reach out to our office and we will make a plan to ensure your student gets to class.

airplane-illustration.jpg

Travel Notice


Please be intentional in planning any travel you may have coming up. All students who travel out of the country for more than 10 school days will be required to withdraw from Overland/Cherry Creek School District. Students can re-enroll upon return but there is no guarantee you will be able to return to your current class schedule.  

 

All Cherry Creek School District Information Systems are unable to be accessed outside of the United States.

myCherryCreek

Check grades

Check attendance

Email teachers

Access classwork


LINK: myCherryCreek


VIDEO: How to use myCherryCreek

Check Your Student's Grades and Attendance


Just a reminder that CCSD allows parents/guardians to access their student's grades, attendance, email teachers, and access student classwork via myCherryCreek. This is a great way to help you monitor your student's academic success at Overland throughout the academic year.  


Questions? 

Yvette Rolison

yrolison@cherrycreekschools.org

720-747-3624

More Information

Cell Phone Expectations


For the 2024-2025 school year we will be partnering with Yondr to strengthen and better align with Cherry Creek School District's Policy on Student Use of Electronic Communication Devices Policy (JICJ), these expectations will promote and support the student learning experience by:

  1. Minimizing Distractions
  2. Enhancing Academic Performance
  3. Promoting Respectful Behavior
  4. Maintaining Classroom Integrity
  5. Encouraging Responsible Use

overland.cherrycreekschools.org

Facebook  Twitter