February & March 2021 Newsletter - Orion Community Unit ...

Orion Community Unit School District 223

February & March 2021 Newsletter

Volume 49, Issue 4 http://orionschools.us

Orion School District

Administration:

Joseph A. Blessman Superintendent (309) 526-3388

Nathan DeBaillie

Principal Orion High School

(309) 526-3361

Laura Nelson Principal

Orion Middle School (309) 526-3392

R. C. Lowe Principal

C. R. Hanna Elementary (309) 526-3386

Inside this Issue:

School Board Election……………..1 February 2021 Schedule ................. 2 Covid Questions…………………...3 Face Masks………………………...4 News from the Nurse’s Office ........ 5 News from the Nurse’s Office.……6 PTA News……………………….. .7 OEF Gala Information…………….7 February 2021 Calendar…………...8 March 2021 Calendar……………...9 C.R. Hanna February 2021 Menu..10 C.R. Hanna March 2021 Menu…..11 OMS February 2021 Menu………12 OMS March 2021 Menu………....13 OHS February 2021 Menu……….14 OHS March 2021 Menu………….15 C.R. Hanna News………………...16 Orion Middle School News………17 Orion Middle School News Cont...18 Orion High School News………...19 Orion High School Drama……….20 PL 94-142 Handicapped…………21

School Board Election The School Board Election for Orion Community Unit School District #223 will be held on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Three seats on the seven-member Board of Education will be filled at the April 6th election. All three seats will serve four-year terms expiring in April 2025. School board elections are nonpartisan and board candidates do not indicate a political party affiliation. Membership of the Board of Education is restricted to a maximum of three members from any congressional township. The three seats with terms expiring in April 2021 are from the townships of Andover (1) and Western (2). The four seats with terms expiring in April 2023 are from the townships of Colona (1), Rural (2), and Western (1). On the basis of the existing board membership, members may be elected in the following numbers from each congressional township: Not more than 3 may be elected from Lynn Township. Not more than 2 may be elected from Western Township. Not more than 3 may be elected from Andover Township. Not more than 3 may be elected from Osco Township. Not more than 2 may be elected from Colona Township. Not more than 3 may be elected from Edford Township. Not more than 1 may be elected from Rural Township. Not more than 3 may be elected from Coal Valley I Township.

Candidates running for the four-year terms (three seats open) are Heather Carlson-Hoftender (Western Township), Brandon Cooper (Western Township), and Aaron Kayser (Western Township).

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February 2021 School Schedule Listed below is the upcoming school schedule for February 2021: Beginning Monday, February 1st, students will begin in-person learning five days per week, Monday through Friday. Early dismissal times will continue to be the same as we have used this school year: C.R. Hanna Elementary School at 2:02 p.m., Orion High School at 2:06 p.m., and Orion Middle School at 2:12 p.m. This daily student early dismissal time (Monday through Friday) will allow our teachers the extra time to assist and plan for our all-remote learning students. After February 1, remote learners will have the choice to return to the in-person five days per week model of learning following the end of the third quarter (March 12, 2021). Monday, February 15, 2021: School will not be in session in observance of Presidents’ Day. (No students in attendance/no student assignments.) All persons on school grounds will continue to be required to wear masks at this time. As always, please feel free to call the school office if you have any questions.

Orion Middle School Earns Exemplary Summative Status

Orion Middle School received the Tier 1: Exemplary Summative Designation from the Illinois State Board of Education. This means that a school has no underperforming subgroups, a graduation rate of greater than 67 percent, and whose performance is in the top 10 percent of schools statewide.

Congratulations to our OMS Community - students, parents, and staff!

As A Reminder - Information Concerning School Cancellations And Delays:

If school is delayed or cancelled, staff and parents of our students will be notified via SchoolMessenger, the school

district’s automated notification system. Please take the time, if you have not already done so, to create a “contact

manager account” so we can be sure to send any voice, e-mail, or text message to the appropriate numbers and/or e-mail addresses. Directions to set up a SchoolMessenger “contact manager account” are listed on multiple pages on the School District website. School cancellations and delays will also be prominently listed on the main page of the

district’s website.

The list of TV stations will also be notified in case of school cancellations and delays. Each station is responsible for the manner in which and speed that they are able to relay the information on to their listeners and viewers. It is our intent to release accurate information as quickly as possible.

WHBF - TV Channel 4

KWQC - TV Channel 6

WQAD - TV Channel 8

KLJB - TV FOX 18 KGCW - TV “The Quad Cities CW”

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Henry and Stark County Health Departments

Contact Tracing Calls: If you receive a call from a local health department trying to conduct contact tracing, PLEASE BE HONEST when answering their questions. Whether you have tested positive for COVID-19 yourself or you’re the close contact of a confirmed case, it is essential that everyone be open and honest in helping contact tracers conduct their investigations. This is not a process meant to penalize or harm people. It is meant to help keep individuals and local businesses healthy and safe and allows us to track and contain the spread of COVID-19. We’re all on the same team. Let’s work together to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Show you care! Frequently Asked Questions for Schools: What actions should be taken by students/staff sent home with COVID-like symptoms? (Updated 10/27/2020) Students and staff returning to school after experiencing COVID-like symptoms but being diagnosed with a non-COVID illness must meet the criteria for returning to school for the illness with which they have been diagnosed. At a minimum, the individual must be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications and have had no diarrhea or vomiting in the previous 24 hours. Other diseases have specific criteria for when a student or staff member can return to school. Follow school health policies and communicable disease guidance for those illnesses. A healthcare provider’s note documenting the alternative diagnosis, or a negative COVID-19 test result should accompany a student or staff member returning to school with an alternative diagnosis after experiencing COVID-like symptoms. Schools and districts should assist families in locating free or reduced-cost medical clinics for assistance where needed. What is the role of the Local Health Department in a situation involving an athlete diagnosed with COVID-19? (Updated 1/4/2021) The Local Health Department will conduct contact tracing to identify close contacts (including household, social, and sport-related) to the case and place them in quarantine for the recommended period of time.

Addditional News from the Nurse’s Office

Due to COVID, we are unable to have the dental bus at this time.

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5

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Cough: A mild hacking cough often starts after the first few days of a common cold. A child with mild symptoms, no fever and otherwise feeling well may be fine at school.

When to Keep a Child Home from School: A child with deep or uncontrollable coughing belongs at home even without a fever. A child with cough and fever must stay home from school for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicine.

Diarrhea/Vomiting:

When to Keep a Child Home from School: Children who have vomited or had diarrhea should be kept at home and should return to school only after being symptom-free for 24 hours.

Earache: Consult a medical provider for earaches. Ear infections may require medical treatment.

When to Keep a Child Home from School: A child should stay at home until pain free.

Fever: Fevers are a common symptom of viral and bacterial infection. Children are likely to be contagious to others when they have a fever. If there is no thermometer, feel their skin with your hand - if it is much warmer than usual, they probably have a fever. Please do not give your child fever reducing medicine and then send them to school. The medicine will wear off, the fever will probably return, and you’d need to pick them up anyway.

When to Keep a Child Home from School: Any child with a fever of 100˚F or higher should not attend school and should not return until they have been fever-free for 24 hours. A child with flu-like illness (fever and a cough) must stay home from school for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicine.

Frequent Symptoms: Sometimes children pretend or exaggerate illness in order to stay home. However, frequent complaints of tummy aches, headaches and other symptoms may be a physical sign that a child is feeling emotionally stressed, a common experience even in children. Consult a medical provider to evaluate symptoms. Stress-based complaints cause some children to unnecessarily miss a great deal of school. It is important to check often with your children about how things are going. Share concerns with school staff so they can provide support for you and your child to help make attending school a positive experience.

Headaches: A child whose only complaint is a mild headache usually does not need to stay home from school. Complaints of frequent or more severe headaches should be evaluated by a medical provider, including vision exam if needed.

When to Keep a Child Home from School: A child with a significant headache belongs at home until feeling better.

Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis): is a common infectious disease of one or both eyes caused by several types of bacteria and viruses. The eye typically appears very red and feels irritated. There may be drainage of mucous and pus or clear liquid. Prescription medication may be needed to treat a bacterial infection. Virus-caused pink eye will not need antibiotic treatment.

When to Keep a Child Home from School: A child with the above symptoms should be kept at home until evaluated by a medical provider and return to school with or without treatment depending on the diagnosis.

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Sore Throat: A child with a mild sore throat, no fever and otherwise feeling well may be fine to attend school.

When to Keep a Child Home from School: Keep a child at home and contact a medical provider for a severe sore throat and if white spots are seen in the back of the throat, with or without a fever.

Strep Throat: A significantly sore throat could be strep throat, a contagious illness. Other symptoms may include fever, white spots in the back of the throat, headache and upset stomach. Untreated strep throat can lead to serious complications.

When to Keep a Child Home from School: Keep your child home from school with the above symptoms and contact a medical provider. A child diagnosed with strep throat is no longer infectious and can return to school 24 hours after antibiotic treatment has been started.

Stomach Pain:

When to Keep a Child Home from School: Consult a medical provider and do not send a child to school with a stomach ache that is persistent or severe enough to limit activity. If vomiting or diarrhea occurs, keep the child home until symptom free for 24 hours.

PTA News

Due to current restrictions still in place, the PTA Paint Night cannot be held in it’s normal capacity. However, the PTA is working hard to arrange an alternative at home project! Be on the lookout for more information on our PTA Facebook and also to be sent home from school. We also want to remind you to “like” our Facebook page to stay up to date on all things PTA!

Orion Education Foundation Gala

With everything going on in the world, you probably haven't even thought about the 2021 OEF Gala, which is perfectly understandable. The OEF Board has made the decision to postpone the Gala from it’s typical March timeframe to a later date, hopefully late summer.

Keep checking Facebook for updates as we move through the year.

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February 2021 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

3 4 6:00 Music Booster Meeting-MAC Methodist Church

5 6

7 8 5:30 MSVB Monmouth/Roseville-T

9

10 5:30 MSVB Knoxville-T

11 12

13

14 15 No School - Presidents’ Day

16 5:30 MSVB Rockridge-H

17 5:30 MSVB Mercer County-H

7:30 Board of Education Meeting

18 19 20

21

22 5:30 MSVB Sherrard-T

23 TBA OHS & OMS Band Concert

24 5:30 MSVB Monmouth/Roseville-H

25 5:30 MSVB Rockridge-T

26 27

28 29

30

31

Calendar Key MSVB - Middle School Volleyball

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 HSBS Practice Begins

OHS Scholarship Deadline

2 3 HSFB Practice Begins

4

6:00 Music Booster Meeting-MAC Methodist Church

5 6

7 8 No ACC Classes

HSVB Practice Begins

9 No ACC Classes

10 No ACC Classes

11 No ACC Classes

12 No ACC Classes

End of Third Grading Period

13

14

15 No ACC Classes

No School/Teacher Planning Day

16 No ACC Classes

17 No ACC Classes

5:00 Practice SAT Test-OHS

7:30 Board of Education Meeting

18 No ACC Classes

19 No ACC Classes

Report Card Distribution

20

21 22

23

24 8:30-12:00 and 3:30-6:00 Preschool Screenings-Methodist Church

2:30-6:00 OMS Blood Drive-Methodist Activity Center

25

26

27

28 29 No School - Spring Break

30 No School - Spring Break


Calendar Key HSFB - High School Football HSBS - High School Boys’ Soccer HSVB - High School Volleyball

March 2021

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1 Sloppy Joe with Bun

Sun Star Juice

Applesauce

Pickle Spear

2 Pepperoni Calzone

Peas

Peaches

3 Corn Dog

Baked Beans

Pears

Teddy Grahams

4 Macaroni & Cheese

Little Smokies

Green Beans

Fresh Fruit

5 Chicken Nuggets Mashed Potatoes with Gravy Dinner Roll Apple Juice

6

7

8 Blueberry Pancakes

Yogurt

Hash Browns

Rosy Applesauce

9 BBQ Rib with Bun

Cooked Carrots

Mixed Fruit

Fruit Snack

10 Crispitos

Mexican Rice

Fiesta Beans

Sidekick

11 Spaghetti

Garlic Toast

Lettuce with Ranch

Cinnamon Apple Slices

12 Hamburger with Bun

Corn

Pears

Rice Krispie Treat

13

14

15 No School - Presidents’ Day

16 Macho Nachos

Tortilla Rounds

Cheese Sauce

Mixed Veggies

Mixed Fruit

17 Cheesy French Bread

Green Beans

Peaches

18 Chicken & Waffle

Broccoli

Strawberries

19

Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich

Cheese Stick

Baby Carrots

Fresh Fruit

20

21

22 Chicken Patty with Bun

Corn

Pears

23 Cheese Quesadilla Cooked Carrots Applesauce Chocolate Ice Cream

24 Walking Tacos

Doritos

Mixed Veggies

Mixed Fruit

25 Maid-Rite with Bun

Tater Tots

Mandarin Oranges

26 Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Tomato Soup

Green Beans

Fresh Fruit

27

28 Milk included daily with a school lunch. Milk is $.50 each with a home lunch.

Strawberry milk available every Monday.

Fresh fruit offered daily when available.

Menu subject to change without prior notice.

Adult Lunch: $4.15 Ala Carte Milk: $.50

C. R. Hanna Elementary School February 2021 Menu

Per USDA, students will receive one free lunch through the end of the school year. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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Milk included daily with a school lunch. Milk is $.50 each with a home lunch.

Strawberry milk available every Monday.

1 Tenderloin

Peas

Sidekick

Goldfish Crackers

2 Cheesy French Bread

Broccoli & Cauliflower

Pears

3 Hot Dog with Bun

Baked Beans

Applesauce

Snack Mix

4 French Toast Sticks

Sausage Patty

Hash Browns

Orange Juice

5 Fish Sticks Baby Carrots Mandarin Oranges Giant Goldfish Graham

6

7 8 BBQ Rib with Bun

Cooked Carrots

Peaches

Sun Chips

9 Chicken Nuggets Mashed Potatoes with Gravy Dinner Roll Grape Juice

10 Mandarin Orange Chicken Broccoli Pineapple Fortune Cookie

11 Corn Dog

Baked Beans

Fresh Fruit

12 Tony’s Cheese Pizza

Celery with Peanut Butter

Rosy Applesauce

13

14 15 Mini Pancake/Sausage Wrap Hash Browns Mandarin Oranges


Cooked Carrots

Peaches

17 Macho Nachos

Tortilla Rounds

Cheese Sauce

Mixed Veggies

Mixed Fruit

18 Hamburger with Bun

Baked Beans

Pears

Rice Krispie Treat

19 Popcorn Shrimp

Lettuce with Ranch

Dinner Roll

Fresh Fruit

20

21 22 Macaroni & Cheese

Little Smokies

Green Beans

Sidekick

23 Pulled Pork with Bun Corn Cinnamon Apple Slices Vanilla Ice Cream

24 Turkey with Gravy Mashed Potatoes Strawberries Cinnamon Roll

25 Walking Tacos

Doritos

Mixed Veggies

Pears

26 Cheese Quesadilla

Cooked Carrots

Applesauce

Pudding

27

28 29 No School - Spring Break



Fresh fruit offered daily when available.


Adult Lunch: $4.15 Ala Carte Milk: $.50

C. R. Hanna Elementary School March 2021 Menu


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Alternate Entrée: Grilled Chicken Sandwich

1 Chicken Patty Sandwich

Carrots with Dip

Pears

2 Fish Shapes Mac & Cheese Peas Mixed Fruit

3 BBQ Rib Sandwich

Green Beans

Orange

4 Hardshell Tacos with Lettuce, Cheese, Tomato, Onion & Salsa Refried Beans Mixed Veggies Applesauce Cinnamon Goldfish

5 Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Garlic Toast Romaine Salad with Tomato Peaches

6

7 Alternate Entrée: Hot Dog with Bun

8 Crispitos with Lettuce, Tomato & Salsa Vegetable Blend Pineapple

9 Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich Sweet Potato Fries Melon

10 Cheese Pizza Broccoli & Cauliflower with Dip Applesauce

11 Cheeseburger with Bun

Baked Beans

Peaches

12 Early Dismissal - No Lunch Served

13

14 Alternate Entrée: Deli Sandwich


16 French Toast Sticks with Syrup Sausage Hashbrowns Strawberries

17 Spicy Chicken Patty Sandwich Carrots & Celery with Dip Apple

18 Walking Tacos with Lettuce, Cheese, Tomato, Onion & Salsa Refried Beans Mexicorn Pineapple Cookie

19 Popcorn Shrimp Garlic Toast Romaine Salad with Tomato

Pears

20

21 Alternate Entrée: Hamburger with Bun

22 Macho Nachos

Peas & Carrots

Mixed Fruit

23 Mandarin Orange Chicken over Rice

Stirfry Veggies

Pineapple

24 Cheese Quesadilla

Broccoli with Dip

Rosy Applesauce

25 Chicken Nuggets Mashed Potatoes with Gravy Corn Peaches Dinner Roll with Jelly

26 Mini Corn Dogs

Baked Beans

Mandarin Oranges

27

28 Alternate Entrée: Grilled Chicken Sandwich

29 Chicken Patty Sandwich

Carrots with Dip

Pears

Milk served daily with menu.

Fresh fruit & vegetables offered daily when available.


Student Lunch: $2.60 Reduced Price: $.40 Adult Lunch: $3.60 Ala Carte Milk: $.50

OMS February 2021 Menu



1 Stuffed Crust Cheese Pizza

Side Salad

Green Beans

Mandarin Oranges

2 Ham, Turkey & Cheese Deli Sandwich Tomato Soup Cheez-It Crackers Celery Pears

3 Breaded Chicken Sandwich Baked Potato Broccoli & Cheese Grape Juice


Baked Beans

Dragon Punch

Peaches

5 Walking Tacos Lettuce, Cheese & Salsa Refried Beans Baby Carrots Applesauce Graham Cookie

6

7

8 Mandarin Orange Chicken Rice Egg Roll Stir Fry Vegetables Pineapple

9 Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Garlic Toast Italian Blend Veggies Salad Mixed Fruit

10 Turkey & Gravy over Mashed Potatoes Peas & Carrots Strawberries Cinnamon Roll

11 Macho Nachos Salsa Ranchero Beans Celery & Baby Carrots Applesauce

12 Pulled Pork Sandwich

Corn

Coleslaw

Orange

13

14


16 Crispitos

Lettuce & Cheese

Fiesta Beans

Sidekick

17 Mini Blueberry Pancakes Yogurt Cup Mixed Berries Hash Browns

18 Hot Turkey & Cheese Pretzel Sandwich Baby Carrots Vegetable Pasta Salad Fruit Jello

19 Cheese Calzone with Marinara Green Beans Salad Apple

20

21


Baked Beans

Onion Rings

Pears

23 Ham & Au Gratin Potatoes Peas Mandarin Oranges Cookie

24 Chicken Nuggets Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Dinner Roll Coleslaw Peaches

25 BBQ Rib Sandwich Sweet Potato Fries Veggies & Dip Apple Juice

26 Bosco Sticks with Marinara

Broccoli

Mixed Fruit

27

28




Extra Student Lunch: $3.15 Reduced Price: $.40 Adult Lunch: $4.15 Ala Carte Milk: $.50

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1 Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Garlic Toast Italian Blend Vegetables Salad Mandarin Oranges

2 Breaded Chicken Sandwich Baked Potato Broccoli & Cheese Juice Cup


Baked Beans

Celery

Pears

4 Hot Dog with Bun

Tater Tots

Chili

Mixed Fruit

5 Quesadilla

Mixed Vegetables

Baby Carrots

Strawberries

6

7

8 Mandarin Orange Chicken Rice Egg Roll Stir Fry Vegetables Pineapple


10 Macho Nachos

Salsa

Ranchero Beans

Veggies & Dip

Tropical Fruit

11 Hamburger with Bun Lettuce & Tomato Corn Onion Rings Sidekick

12 Stuffed Crust Cheese Pizza

Side Salad

Green Beans

Applesauce

13

14

15 Crispitos Lettuce, Cheese & Salsa Fiesta Beans Broccoli & Dip Orange

16 Ham, Turkey & Cheese Deli Sandwich Tomato Soup Cheez-It Crackers

Celery & Baby Carrots Apple Slices

17 Turkey & Gravy over Mashed Potatoes Peas & Carrots Pears Cinnamon Roll

18 Corn Dog

Baked Beans

Cucumbers

Fruit

19

Mini Blueberry Pancakes Yogurt Cup Hash Browns Mixed Berries

20

21

22 Hot Turkey & Cheese Pretzel Sandwich Baby Carrots Vegetable Pasta Salad Fruit Jello

23 Burrito Lettuce & Cheese

Corn Baked Cinnamon Apples Vanilla Ice Cream


25 BBQ Rib Sandwich

Baked Beans

Celery

Mixed Fruit

26 Bosco Sticks with Marinara

Broccoli

Applesauce

27

28








OMS March 2021 Menu

14


1 Walking Tacos

Lettuce & Cheese

Refried Beans

Pears

2 Cooks’ Choice

3 Bacon Cheeseburger with Bun

French Fries

Peaches

4 Cooks’ Choice

5 Turkey & Gravy over Mashed Potatoes Peas Apple Slices Hawaiian Roll

6

7

8 Bosco Sticks

Green Beans

Applesauce

9 Cooks’ Choice


Spudsters

Mandarin Oranges

11 Cooks’ Choice

12 Chicken Nuggets with Roll Mashed Potatoes with Gravy Peaches

13

14 15 No School - Presidents’ Day

16 Cooks’ Choice

17 Fish Sticks Macaroni & Cheese Cooked Carrots Frozen Fruit Treat

18 Cooks’ Choice

19 Shrimp

String Cheese

Small Salad

Pineapple

20

21 22 Bosco Sticks

Peas

Peaches

23 Cooks’ Choice

24 Spicy Chicken with Bun

Baked Beans

Applesauce

25 Cooks’ Choice

26 Cheese Pizza

French Fries

Pears

27

28





OHS February 2021 Menu

At the high school level, an additional 1/2 cup serving of fruit and 1/2 cup vegetable will be offered daily and occasionally there may be an additional grain. The menu will be posted at the beginning of the serving line.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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1 Hardshell Tacos

Lettuce & Cheese

Refried Beans

Apricots

2 Cooks’ Choice

3 Hot Dog with Bun

Baked Beans

Applesauce

4 Chicken Nuggets with Roll Mashed Potatoes with Gravy Fresh Fruit

5 Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich

Carrots with Dip

Apple

6

7

8 Bosco Sticks

Green Beans

Peaches

9 Cooks’ Choice


French Fries

Pears

11 Crispitos

Lettuce & Cheese

Taco Fiesta Beans

Pineapple

12 Cheese Pizza

Small Salad

Applesauce

13

14

15 Chicken Fajita Lettuce & Cheese Mexican Rice Refried Beans Applesauce

16 Cooks’ Choice


French Fries

Peaches

18 Turkey & Gravy over Mashed Potatoes Peas Apple Slices Hawaiian Roll

19 Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Tomato Soup

Small Salad

Pears

20

21

22 Bosco Sticks

Potato Wedges

Mandarin Oranges

23 Cooks’ Choice

24 Spicy Chicken with Bun Celery with Peanut Butter Frozen Fruit Treat

25 Popcorn Chicken with Biscuit

Carrots with Dip

Applesauce

26 Shrimp

String Cheese

Potato Wedges

Peaches

27

28





Menu subject to change without prior notice


OHS March 2021 Menu

At the high school level, an additional 1/2 cup serving of fruit and 1/2 cup vegetable will be offered daily and occasionally there may be an additional grain. The menu will be posted at the beginning of the serving line.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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The 2021 Kindergarten Round-Up will be held at C. R. Hanna Elementary School, Orion, on:

Wednesday, April 14, 2021 - 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

During the event, parents/guardians will complete the necessary paperwork for students to enter kindergarten in the fall, distribution of important examination forms, collection of state birth certificates, proof of residency, and answering any questions that you may have concerning kindergarten. It is important that you attend Round-Up, as we use this information to compile our kindergarten class lists for the fall, which will not be available until after our school-wide registration in August. Although children are welcome to attend Round-Up, their attendance is not required. The Introduction to Kindergarten event is tentatively being planned for May 2021. We will announce the details for this event closer to the time of the event. The event will be contingent on the State’s Mitigations Level at that time. To be eligible to enter kindergarten in the fall, a child must be five years old on or before September 1, 2021. Proof of birth must be presented at the time of registration. A certified birth certificate from the state or county office that the child was born in will be accepted. A hospital certificate will not be accepted. State law requires that each child entering school for the first time have the following documentation: 1. Physical examination with up-to-date immunizations 2. Dental examination 3. Vision examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist ALL parents of incoming kindergarten students will need to provide Proof of Residency. Please note even if you have older children in the Orion School District, you will be required to provide this information as well. Here are a few examples of what the Proof of Residency form requires for new students: Examples from Category 1 on the form (MUST PROVIDE 1)

Lease Agreement Mortgage Papers

Tax Bill - most current Examples from Category 2 on the form (MUST PROVIDE 2)

Driver’s License Library Card Utility Bill with current address Vehicle Registration with current address

If you have any questions or have a unique living situation, please feel free to contact the C.R. Hanna School Office at (309) 526-3386. Shaping Pro-Social Behavior: Young people need social and emotional skills to succeed in school and in our communities. We shape students’ behavior to increase self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. These skills are shown to reduce emotional distress, prevent conduct problems, and contribute to higher academic achievement. Social and emotional skills are also critical in building trusting relationships with each other, and they encourage students to be engaged in school. We are constantly shaping behavior through our words and actions. Even subtle facial expressions, voice tone, and body language signal positive intentions. Here are a few ways that we at C.R. Hanna work endlessly to shape pro-social behaviors:

Intentionally build relationships with students

Directly and frequently teach positive expectations

Directly and frequently acknowledge pro-social behaviors

Conflicts are resolved by dialogue that gets at the root of the conflict and identifies the best ways to move forward Preschool Screenings We will be holding Preschool screenings on Wednesday, March 24, 2021, from 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity to have your child’s vision and hearing tested as well as speech and other developmental skills. This is a developmental check-up for children living in the District that are between 3 and 4 years old. Screening will be held at the Orion Methodist Church, 407 12th Avenue, Orion, Illinois 61273. Please use the south garden entrance. To schedule your appointment, please call the C.R. Hanna Elementary School Office at (309) 526-3386 during our school hours - 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

C. R. Hanna Elementary School News

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Orion Middle School News

OMS Students Recognize a Local WWII Veteran Mrs. Walker, OMS 6th Grade Social Studies teacher, arranged for a family member to drive Mr. Toby Stoudt, a local WWII veteran, to OMS on Friday, December 18. Students honored Mr. Stoudt by sending him Christmas cards and singing holiday carols. OMS Blood Drive The OMS Physical Education Department will be teaming up with Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center to host their annual blood drive. The blood drive will be Wednesday, March 24, 2021, from 2:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. It will be held at the MAC (Methodist Activity Center) at the Methodist Church in Orion. We are asking parents, relatives, and community members to please help support this event. It is a great way to give back, as all of the blood is used in local Quad City hospitals and centers. We also have the opportunity to earn a life savings grant for our school if we collect 20 or more units. Mississippi Valley will partner with Mrs. Weller in educating the students at Orion Middle School on what it means to be a blood donor, the impact giving blood can have on so many lives, and the importance of becoming a blood donor as an adult. Watch for further news as this event gets closer! OMS PE students will be given ten points extra credit if they bring in a donor. Spring Semester Student Teachers OMS welcomes two student teachers to the building for the 2021 spring semester. Mr. Mike Kerschieter is a Western Illinois University student who is working with Mrs. Jennifer Maertens, 6th grade ELA. Ms. Susan Monahan is also a Western Illinois University student who is working with Mrs. Beth Galliart, 8th grade Math. We are all looking forward to working with Mr. Kerschieter and Ms. Monahan as they work to earn their education degrees.

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Orion Middle School News, Continued

Testing Update It is that time of year again, the season of testing. The students get this opportunity every year to show off all that they have learned throughout the year. Even though school has not been typical this year, our students have learned and grown throughout the year. We are excited to see the progress they have made this year. The 8th graders are tentatively scheduled to take the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) in March. This is a one-hour test to see what students have learned over the last several years in Science. All grade levels are scheduled to take the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) in April. This is a three-part test over Math and Reading. We are tentatively planning on giving this test April 14-16. We will end our testing season with the Measure of Academic Performance (MAP) test during the first week of May. These tests will give us valuable information to help students continue into a lifetime of learning. Chargers Charging Ahead OMS has implemented a quarterly incentive program for our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students where they compete in their respective squads based on grade-level team criteria as established by their teachers. For example, students compete based on attendance and homework completion data. Good luck to our squads as they compete for the third quarter incentive party of Whitey’s Ice Cream.

Mindfulness Program We have completed the Inner Strength for Outer Stability curriculum with the 6th grade with great success. We were so happy with the results of this first round of introducing the program that we are going to offer it to the 7th graders beginning January 25. Mrs. Burgert and Mrs. Ferry will be introducing the program during Social Studies on Mindful Mondays. The program empowers students with easy-to-use tools that help them manage stress and anxiety. It gives students an opportunity to be curious about their reactions to current events and learn and grow in that experience. The goal is to support the whole-person and their well-being so students can learn to be resilient in this ever-changing world.

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Upcoming February and March Events for OHS:

February 15 - No School Presidents’ Day February 23 - OHS/OMS Band Concert March 29 - Spring Break Begins April 6 - School resumes after Spring Break

Return of Extracurriculars Below you will find the important dates for IHSA activities whose seasons were changed due to COVID. Schedules are being finalized by the area athletic directors, and you will find completed Orion High School schedules at: https://il.8to18.com/orion/calendar.

As details for the return to play are finalized, we will contact parents in regards to attendance at games, fan expectations, etc.

Sport IDPH Risk Practices Start Practice Dates Before Games

State Series End Date

Boys’/Girls’ Basketball

Higher ASAP 7 dates No State Series March 13

Cheerleading Lower ASAP 7 dates Virtual (3/6 & 3/12)

March 13

Boys’ Soccer Moderate March 1 7 dates No State Series April 17

Football Higher March 3 1st Game March 19

No State Series April 24

Girls’ Volleyball

Moderate March 8 7 dates No State Series April 24

Baseball Lower April 5 7 dates TBD June 19

Girls’ Soccer Moderate April 5 7 dates TBD June 19

Softball Lower April 5 7 dates TBD June 19

Boys’/Girls’ Track & Field

Lower April 5 7 dates TBD June 19

Wrestling Higher April 19 7 dates No State Series June 12

Orion High School News

https://il.8to18.com/orion/calendar

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Athletic Registration Each athlete must have the following information on file in the athletic office before they can start practices: ___1. Physical Examination (valid 365 days from signed date). Freshman physicals are valid forms for athletic physicals. Otherwise, all physicals must be recorded on IHSA-provided physical forms. ___2. Insurance Waiver ___3. Parental Permission ___4. Emergency Medical Form – to be kept on file with the coach. ___5. IHSA Drug Testing Consent Form (Unless signed on the IHSA Physical Form) ___6. Payment of Athletic Participation Fees To complete the athletic registration process go to: https://orion.8to18.com/accounts/login

Stream OHS Athletic Events With the return of extra-curriculars, Orion High School is proud to announce that we have partnered with the NFHS Network, and invested in new technology that will bring you every game from the Orion High School Main Gym and Charger Field LIVE. With limited in-person access to games, this will be the best way to ensure that family and friends can watch Charger games all year long. Join the NFHS Network for full access to:

All Orion High School live home and on-demand sports broadcasts: (Including Basketball, Football, Soccer, Volleyball, and Wrestling)

Additional sporting events from around the nation

Friends and family members who can’t make the game will never miss a play again! Here's how to watch: 1) Visit www.NFHSnetwork.com

2) Search for Orion High School and go to our page

3) Subscribe and Follow Please feel free to share this information with all of your family and friends. We can't thank you enough for your continued support of Charger athletics, and we look forward to bringing you live athletic events!

OHS Drama The 2021 Spring Theater Workshop Experience - Are you interested in acting, script-writing, photography, directing, costuming, makeup, set building/painting, prop design, singing, dancing, sound design, lighting design, and/or some other element of theater that’s not on this list? Would you like to attend virtual workshops with guest speakers who practice these skills professionally? If you are - or even just might be - interested in any of these activities, you should check out one of our in-person workshops on a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the library! In these workshops, students are working on big projects (like writing and producing their own one-act plays) and smaller projects (like designing costumes inspired by cool prompts). The goal of this semester is to allow students with any schedule and any skill/confidence level to explore theater at their own pace and produce projects that they’re proud of. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Miss Bizarri at [email protected].

http://www.nfhsnetwork.com/

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PL 94-142 Handicapped - Section 504 is an Act which prohibits discrimination against persons with a handicap in any program receiving Federal financial assistance. The ACT defines a person with a handicap as anyone who:

1. has a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities (major life activities include such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working).

2. has a record of such an impairment; or 3. is regarded as having such an impairment.

In order to fulfill its obligation under Section 504, the Orion School District recognizes a responsibility to avoid discrimination in policies and practices regarding its personnel and students. No discrimination against any person with a handicap will knowingly be permitted in any of the programs and practices in the school system. If there are questions, please feel free to contact R. C. Lowe, 504 Coordinator for the school district, at phone number 526-3386.

Scholarships for Orion Students The following scholarships are available to OHS students: Matthew H. Andrae Athletic Scholarship, Duain A. and Helen F. Johnson Scholarship, Stephanie Jones Memorial Award, Wendell H. Moore “Dream Big” Scholarships, Tom W. and Lindsey G. Nicholson Memorial Award, Gregory F. Nightingale Memorial Scholarships, Rock Island Optometric Scholarship, Myron M. Robinson Endowment Scholarship Fund for Medical Education, Orion Education Association Scholarship (OEA), and Deanne Zurcher Memorial Award. These scholarships can be turned into Mrs. Jackson in the OHS office with applications due on or before March 1. If you have any questions, you may call Mrs. Jackson at (309) 526-3361, Ext. 1400.

SAT Testing OHS junior students will be taking the SAT Exam offered through the Illinois State Board of Education. The official test date is April 13 with makeups to occur April 27. To prepare for the SAT exam, OHS junior students will have the opportunity to take a practice test on the evening of March 17. Junior students can sign up with their English teachers to take the practice test on this day. March 17 is a Wednesday, and the practice test will start at 5:00 p.m. Students taking the practice test will be provided supper, free of charge. Students have also been introduced to the Khan Academy website which has a number of SAT prep offerings. You can visit Khan Academy at www.khanacademy.org.

Food Service Non-Discrimination Complaint Procedures To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected] This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html

mailto:[email protected]

February & March 2021 Newsletter - Orion Community Unit ...

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