A Parent’s Guide to Helping their Child(ren) 

Answer Text-Dependent Questions

During November, teachers at Overland have been examining their use of text-dependent questions in the classroom. According to the International Literacy Association (ILA), text-dependent questions are the questions posed after reading fiction and non-fiction text, “...which cause the reader to delve into the text to find the answers and [to find] evidence” (ILA). 

This strategy helps students:

• Develop critical thinking skills
• Deepen comprehension
• Develop their ability to analyze, synthesize, infer, and generally use higher-order thinking skills

Since your child will be reading complex texts in their classes that range from graphs and charts to articles and primary sources, to novels and poetry, here is a list of ways you can support your child’s development of answering text-dependent questions.

1. Ask about the various texts your child is reading in class. Do they have them at home so you can read them together?
2. Review vocabulary in the text to help fill in any gaps in their understanding.
3. Ask your child questions to help them further analyze the text. Ask questions about specific details in the text, such as the deeper meaning, the author’s motivations, what the data means, etc.
4. Ask your child to provide evidence from the text to support their answer. 
5. Ask higher-order questions related to the text, or utilize a question grid with your child when looking at the text. 

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 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.

• Family Resources Request (Community members use this to request food, clothes, hygiene products, etc.)
• Student Supply Request (Students only, use this to request school supplies)

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

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.

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