Message from Carol Stephens-Klipp, Principal

5630 Illinois Avenue, Fair Oaks 95628April 7, 2015(916) 867-2067

Message from Carol Stephens-Klipp, Principal

The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, or CAASPP, which has replaced the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR), is the new state academic testing program. CAASPP is a system intended to provide information that can be used to monitor student progress and ensure that all students leave high school ready for college and career. This year, CAASPP includes computer adaptive tests in English–language arts and mathematics as well as paper-based tests for science.

Last year, students in the district participated in a computer-based field test. This “practice run” of the computer-based test allowed students to experience computer-based testing and the new types of questions. No scores were provided on the field test. The field test simply helped evaluate how well our district’s technology systems could meet the demands of computer-based tests, and determine what resources teachers and schools would need to better prepare students for future assessments.

This year a full launch of the CAASPP system will take place. Students will take an English-language arts (ELA) and mathematics test in grades 3 – 8 and a science test in grades 5 and 8.

Orangevale Openwill test studentsfrom April 6 – June 4, 2015.

To learn about the types of questions on the computer-based test, you and your child can try the practice test online at (click on the practice test link). This site also provides you with more information about CAASPP.

Following the spring 2015 testing, students will receive individual score reports. Student score reports will be sent home to parents and will include an overall score, a description of the student’s achievement level for English–language arts and mathematics, and other information. It is important to note that these scores cannot be compared to scores that your child previously received on the STAR tests because this test is based on the new Common Core State Standards.

If you would like more information about CAASPP, please visit the Parent/Student tab of the CDE CAASPP Web page at If you have any questions regarding your child’s participation, please contact Carolat 867-2067 or .

Learning by doing, together,

Carol Stephens-Klipp, Principal

Important Dates

Tuesday 4/7

• 5th grade parent meeting, 5:30pm
• 6th grade parent meeting, 6:30pm

Wednesday 4/8

• 1st grade parent meeting, 6:00pm

Thursday 4/9

• 4th grade parent meeting, 6:00pm

Tuesday 4/14

• Spring pictures, 8:30am

For a complete calendar of events, visit our online calendar at

District News

Fifth Annual Preschool & Kindergarten Enrollment & Health Fair

Families who need to enroll students into kindergarten for the upcoming 2015-2016 school year are invited to the district’s annual Kinder Enrollment Fair on Saturday, April 11, 2015, from 10am to 1pm at San Juan Central Admission and Family Services 3700 Garfield Ace, Carmichael, CA 95608.

This event offers a variety of services to more than 300 parents and children each year. Families will find information about school readiness, immunizations, healthy child development and ideas for early literacy development.

We will also offer vision and hearing screening, blood pressure testing for children, and height and weight measurements. Families will be able to enroll in kindergarten and obtain information about enrolling in preschool programs.

In addition to these resources, a variety of fun family activities will take place including family Zumba, raffles, children’s games and much more.

The first 300 participants also will receive a free lunch and free summer learning packs for preschool and kindergarten age students.

Flier in English

Flier in Spanish

Academic News

Accelerated Reader (AR) Information for 2014-15

To check goals and books read, go to and have your child log in with their user name/ password they use at school. The user name and passwords have been updated this year. User is last name and first initial plus 4 digits of their student iD. The password is their entire birth day: mmddyyyy. To see a book's level/points, visit End dates for AR reading periods are 9/26, 11/7, 1/16, 3/6, 4/17, and 5/22 which correspond to reporting periods for grades/progress reports. For info about AR, please ask your child's teacher

Other News

Please help us welcome our new Head Custodian

OVO Families, please join our staff in welcoming our new Head Custodian, Jude Mastin. He had been the Head Custodian at Citrus Heights Elementary and has been in SJUSD for 10 years.

Jude’s wife is a Kindergarten teacher at Coyle and they have 3 children, the newest, Noah, was born in March and his two girls are Annaliegh, 2 years old, and Willow, 9 years old. We are delighted to have him on our team.

PTSO Elections

It's that time again! We are closing in on the end of another fantastic school year and it is time to begin the process of filling officer positions for the 2015-16 Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO).

PTSO is an excellent opportunity to make a difference in our school community. No experience is required!

Elections will be held at the General Meeting on Wednesday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m. in the MP Room. Everyone is strongly encouraged to attend and participate in the election process.

Officer positions are listed below and descriptions are attached. Positions are for one academic year.

Chair

Vice Chair

Secretary

Treasurer of the General Fund

Room Fund Treasurer

Parliamentarian

The purpose of the OVO K-8 PTSO is to provide assistance to the school including support for:

• academics
• art and music
• outdoor education
• physical education
• technology
• philanthropic endeavors

Goals focus on:

• community building
• parent education
• fundraising

To learn more about the OVO K-8 PTSO, visit our link on the school website.

Please don't hesitate to contact Marcy Wacker at with questions.

Looking forward to seeing you all on April 29!

Spring Book Fair

Our Spring Scholastic Book fair arrives this week 4/8/15 for set up and ends 4/17/15.

We need lots of help! This fundraiser provides new books for all the classrooms.

If you can help, please see the sign up genius at

We have expanded our fair to online as well. If your not able to attend to pick out a book with your child and would like too, please visit this link. The books will be shipped to the school and delivered to the classroom approximately a week after our fair ends.

Thank you for your support!

The Book Fair Team

Lost and Found

Lost and Found is once again overflowing. Please take a few minutes to look through the cart in the MP room to claim any lost items. We will be donating any leftover items to the San Juan Clothes Closet on Friday, April 24th.

Running Club

Running Club is starting! This is a non competitive club that focuses on fitness, long distance, and sprinting. Participants will learn about proper form, play games focusing on fitness and form, and run long and short distances. This is a free club with parent volunteer "coaches." Participants need to complete this form, wear proper clothing and shoes and bring their own water. Running Club will meet every Thursday starting April 9th and ending May 28th from 2-3 pm. If you would like your child to participate please fill out the attached form and send it to First meeting will take place outside the fifth grade classrooms (rm 14 and 15).

After School Clubs, Activities and Fun!

• Art: Firefly Art for grades K-8. Meets Thursdays 1:50-2:50pm, room 12. Visit or call 916-419-7644 for more information.
• Band: Begins on Monday 9/15 for grades 4-8 from 7:25-8:15am Monday- Friday (days depend on which level of band). Sign-up paper work is available in the office. For info, email Angelina Mejia. ()
• Girls Basketball: Registration is now open for girl’s basketball through the Orangevale Parks and Recreation department. Visit their website at Brian at
• Chess Club: Grades K-8. Thursdays 1:50-2:50pm, room 20. Visit or 510-648-2147 for more information.
• Choir:OVO CHOIR SPRING SEMESTER (grades 2-8) STARTS JAN. 20th: Any new choir member can pick up a registration form from the office beginning Tuesday, Jan. 6th. Choir is held from 3-4PM in room 17. The Spring concert will be held Tuesday, May 12th at 7pm.
• Coders Club: A great place to learn and explore programming fundamentals. We welcome all students, but members should be able to read and write, have basic math skills, be able to focus on coding projects and, above all, have fun! We will be meeting every Tuesday from 3p to 4p in room 19. The Club has a full roster at this time and we will add new members if seats open up. Contact Tony Marshall and ask to have your student placed on the waiting
• Homework Club: Grades 2-4 meet Mondayin Tina's room (room 7) and Wednesdayin Barb's room (room 8) and will be from 3-4pm. Grades 5-6 meet Monday and Wednesday in room 20 from 3-4pm, through the month of April.. No registration is required. Students must stay for at least 45 minutes and be picked up at the classroom.
• Lego Club: Lego Club is full for the spring session. Thanks for the great year!
• Music IQ: Please register at:

Enroll your student in this affordable Quality Music Program.

Your student will learn to read music and play the piano.

All ages welcome. The Instructor brings a mobile music lab and interactive

Software. The 1 hour class makes learning fun and engaging.

Session #3 starts next month: Thursdays: Science Room #16 Time: 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Dates: Session # 3: March 5, 12, 19, 26 April (2 off) 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14 end.

Cost: $150.00 for the session. $15.00 each class.

Questions about the program please contact: Laura Johnson Director: 916-759-8444

• Running Club: April 9- May 28, Thursday's 2-3pm. Please fill out the form here and bring it to your first session

Resources

Be sure and look through these documents and webpages for important information about our school!

• OVO Website
• There's information about bell schedules, parent organizations, our own Strategic Planning, Discovery Club, and breakfast/lunch menus. Come here for info about Accountability and Evaluation reports, parent survey results, Student Achievement Plans (SPSA), and Carpool Rules. Peruse current and old Connections, Site-Based Guidelines, the OVO Parent Handbook, the Nature Area Plan, and so much more! You can answer a lot of your own questions with information on this website!
• OVO Parent Handbook
• This is the single most valuable resource for parents, especially new families!
• Contact information for the staff, Guiding Principles, Dress Code, Volunteer Opportunities, Car Pool Procedures, and more.
• Site-Based Management Guidelines
• Includes our Governing Structure, how Booster Groups work, and our Strategic Plan, and much more.
• OVO Communication
• Much of our success at OVO results from outstanding communication. Update or Sign Up for the weekly OVO Newsletter: The Connection, and other informative emails regarding OVO here. Or send your email address with your child's name, teacher's name, and your name to our School Clerk, Stephanie Lathe. It takes a village!
• OVO on Facebook
• OVO on Twitter
• District Communications
• SJ Scene e-Newsletter
• SJUSD on Facebook
• SJUSD on Twitter

Orangevale Open K-8 (San Juan Unified School District)Page 1