April 16, 2021
Dear LOCS Families:
Now that we have entered the fourth quarter of the school year with eight weeks remaining, the LOCS students and staff are able dive into lessons and celebrate learning.
A sampling of this week’s engagement:
- At Oakview Middle School, the WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) eighth-grade leadership team continues to connect with the sixth graders, providing opportunities and activities allowing everyone to feel comfortable, creating one school community.
- At Carpenter Elementary, the youngest students in Developmental Kindergarten have thrived with the in-person instruction, and this week worked on their social-emotional learning, talking about emotions by tying them to real-world events, like weather changes.
- The Dragon Virtual elementary students continue to embrace the Wednesday after-school library opportunity at Stadium Drive Elementary, where the LOCS instructional coaches give them a taste of the school environment in a safe and socially distanced setting.
- Scripps Middle School students enjoyed the bits of sunshine and improving weather for Ms. McCool’s bike program and take physical education beyond the school grounds.
- Pine Tree Center students spent March reading and April has become a celebration, receiving medals for their effort.
- At Lake Orion High School, the robotics Team 302 continues to shine despite a change in format this year, receiving the Chairman’s Award as one of the state’s top programs with their robot’s success.
- The LOHS athletics teams have begun their spring sports seasons and, despite the added layers of testing and protocols, remain committed to shining as they represent all Dragons.
In a time of uncertainty throughout our state and country, LOCS students and staff continue to adapt and enjoy the district’s core mission: learning. Hundreds of staff members and thousands of students are embracing a unique school year and spinning it positive, seeing how the adjustments can creatively work for them.
That is the Dragon spirit.
At this week’s Board of Education meeting, LOCS Superintendent Ben Kirby explained why the district has remained committed to in-person learning. Each day throughout the district, that pledge is on display as our students grow in their classes.
As our staff remains passionate about creating a safe and appropriate in-person environment, we encourage the community and our families to keep the same attention outside of the school buildings as well.
Have a wonderful weekend,
LOCS Administration
IN-PERSON/REMOTE LEARNING UPDATES
CLEAR TO GO
With the students back for in-person learning, LOCS asks students/families to complete the Clear To Go app every morning prior to the school day.
The same procedure exists as in November:
- Students taking the bus will have to show the green badge with their own name from that date prior to boarding.
- Students without cell phones being dropped off in the car loop at each school will be expected to show it as they are exiting the car.
- Students with their own cell phone (or parents walking up their students) can show it at the front door of the school prior to entering.
A few updates:
Staff and/or students who have an open case in Clear to Go do not need to continue to screen until after the case is closed. While your case is open, you will no longer receive notifications to screen.
Please note that if you have traveled outside of the country you will need to quarantine for 7 days. Please make sure you answer yes to that question on the screening. You will then be alerted that you failed and will need to quarantine for 7 days from when you returned from your trip.
The Clear To Go app is an essential component for LOCS to create a safe, healthy environment in our schools each day. By keeping COVID-19 positive cases out of the building, we can prevent spread and keep our schools in person continuously moving forward.
DRAGON VIRTUAL UPDATE
Grade 3-5 M-Step Testing
The U.S. Department of Education did not waive the MDE’s state summative assessment requirement for the 2020-2021 school year. LOCS will continue to offer the assessment, in person, however families may opt out of the M-Step assessment if they so choose. Any family that has already opted out by email has been recorded. Any family interested in opting their child out of the assessment, that have not yet opted out, can complete the following form Elementary Dragon Virtual State Testing Opt Out Form. An alternative testing site or testing dates will not be provided.
The elementary DV testing procedures can be viewed here: Dragon Virtual M-Step Procedures.
As always, please email dragonvirtual@lok12.org with any questions.
WEEKLY UPDATES
KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION
Kindergarten and New Student Enrollment for 2021-22 is open for all interested resident families.
We encourage you to upload all support documents during the online registration.
Please visit our New Student Enrollment page to complete your online enrollment for the 2021-22 school year. All requirements can be found under Enrollment Requirements, and forms can be found under General Forms.
To start the online registration, click on New Student Enrollment. Step-by-step instructions are provided. Please complete all fields and pay close attention to formatting. Once all the fields are complete, please click on Submit. You will then receive an automated email from the online system confirming your enrollment submission.
Below is a video to assist with the online registration process and a hand-out with written instructions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVvv0MmNq0g
Online Student Enrollment Registration Hand Out with Instructions
All Kindergarten information can be found at LakeOrionSchools.org/Kindergarten.
SUPPORT STAFF PERSON OF THE YEAR
This week LOCS recognized Blanche Sims secretary Tina Zach as the 2020-21 LOCS Support Person of the Year. Ms. Zach's immense impact has been critical to supporting Blanche Sims students for many years.
Check out her ceremony and the announcements of each school's Support Person of the Year.
INSIDE THE DRAGONS
The Lake Orion Community Schools' television show, "Inside the Dragons" has a number of features in the February and March episode.
March Is Reading Month is highlighted from all levels, the LOCS Teachers of the Year are introduced, information about Kindergarten registration was shared and the progress of the new Early Childhood Center is shown as the Board of Education took a tour.
Check it out: https://youtu.be/gMmbPJ7Uvtc
2021-22 LOCS CALENDARS
The LOCS 2021-22 calendars for all levels and programs are now available.
They are posted on the district calendar page and individually below:
Calendars:
Please visit the links and save those calendars for planning purposes. LOCS shared a summary sheet of important dates across the district for the 2021-22 school year.
BOOK RETURN
The LOCS elementary schools are asking for students to return classroom books and the checked-out library books that may still be floating around their homes.
Restocking the classroom and library books is an important aspect to enhancing the in-person learning within our buildings. If there are any questions about what your student may have checked out, please reach out to the classroom teacher and/or the school media specialist.
SUMMER ELEMENTARY BOOK CLUB
Join Dragon Tales: A Weekly Summer Enrichment Book Club for LOCS Readers
This summer, elementary book clubs for Grades 1-5 meet Tuesday mornings via Zoom with a certified Lake Orion Community Schools teacher. Clubs run for approximately 30 minutes between 9-11 a.m. Exact club times will be shared by the teacher after registration. Virtual Zoom dates are July 13, July 20, July 27 and August 3. If you can’t make every session, that’s not a problem. Students can come when they can.
More information is available on each elementary school's website.
TECHNOLOGY/DEVICES
There are a few Technology updates.
- Please remember that students are required to bring their device to school every day fully charged. Students should bring charging cables if they need them. LOCS only has a very limited number of devices for student use in the case they do not have their personal device.
- When transporting the device, students should make sure the device is fully closed and nothing is connected (charging cables, headphones, etc.) prior to placing in backpacks.
- It is recommended that students shut down devices at night (not sleep mode), so when they log on at school it is a new connection and the device is not looking for connections to the home network.
- As devices return to school, there may be patches and updates that are applied. The LOCS Technology Department makes every attempt to minimize the impact, however some updates may require the device to be restarted when at school to complete the installation.
- It is strongly encouraged that students have a set of headphones/earbuds that they can use at school, as directed by the teacher.
For families needing assistance with their devices, please reach out via the methods listed below.
Ways to Enter Service Tickets
- Customer Portal/LiveChat: servicedesk.oakland.k12.mi.us
- Phone: 248-209-2060 (also listed on district device labels)
- Email: servicedesk@oakland.k12.mi.us
- Curbside tech support is available by appointment which is set up through the ticketing system. Curbside support is located at the CERC building, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. On Wednesday, the support is available from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
High School students are permitted to contact the Service Desk for technology support requests.
One new method of providing additional remote wi-fi access is increased range at the LOCS buildings. Each building now has an extended access point accessible from outside the school building that families can utilize within that range. The locations are listed on the Technology Services page.
FOOD SERVICE
In-Person meals
Elementary and middle school students are able to enjoy a free hot lunch every day in a socially distanced setting at school. As a result, the grab-and-go lunches are no longer distributed in the buildings.
Elementary in-person students who registered for the free grab-and-go meals will receive grab and go breakfasts in their class at the end of the school day. Elementary students who wish to take “hot lunch” will order every morning in their classroom as has been past practice.
Middle school in-person students are able to choose a grab-and-go breakfast before school in the cafeteria.
For high school in-person students, they are able to take grab-and-go meals at the end of each school day in the building. A la carte items are available at the snack bar for high school students throughout the day.
Dragon Virtual/Weekend Meals distribution
The LOCS pick-up meals distribution continues. The meals pick-ups (on Wednesdays in the CERC bus loop from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.) are for the Dragon Virtual students and all families who would like the weekend meal distribution.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
The most recent LOCS Board of Education meeting was held April 14 at the LOCS Administration Building.
After a recent state health order, the LOCS Board and Administration are able to meet in person by following the prescribed guidelines.
LOCS allows only in-person public participation at the board meetings, by state parameters.
The next meeting will be held April 28 at 6:30 p.m.
COVID TESTING RESOURCES
Oakland County has adjusted its drive-through COVID-19 testing locations to provide shelter from the winter weather.
The testing locations will be open by appointment only:
- Wednesdays (9 a.m.-5 p.m.), Pontiac Fire Station, 348 South Blvd. West, Pontiac, MI
- Thursdays (9 a.m.-5 p.m.), Southfield Pavilion Parking Deck, 26000 Evergreen Rd., Southfield, MI
According to the Oakland County Health Division, COVID-19 tests are available for anyone age 4 years and over. Children age 17 years and under must have COVID-19 symptoms and be a resident of or attend school in Oakland County to be tested. There is no charge for tests and no prescription is needed; however, appointments are required. Please call Nurse on Call at 1-800-848-5533 to make an appointment.
COVID-19 POSITIVE CASE REPORTING
LOCS is meeting the state requirements for COVID-19 positive case reporting with the chart link off the district website’s front page. As required by the state, the chart lists the school-associated cases – the individuals who were on school property at the time of a potential exposure to others. Each column can be re-ordered by clicking on the column’s title.
COVID-19 OCHD NEWSLETTER
To receive the Oakland County COVID-19 Vaccination Newsletter, register your email address at www.oaklandcountyvaccine.com or text OAKGOV COVID to 468311.
Note: OCHD has updated the exposure quarantine guidelines. Those interested can view the LOCS COVID-19 protocols and procedures.
BOND INFORMATION
The LOCS Bond projects, initiated with the 10-year, $160 million November 2018 community Bond passage, continue to move forward. Two Series 1 projects continue to be scheduled for the Fall 2021 opening: the Webber Elementary addition and the new Early Childhood Center.
Improved secure entrances and main offices are scheduled for Paint Creek Elementary and Stadium Drive Elementary for Summer 2021 and the construction work has already commenced at Stadium Drive.
More information about the Bond projects is available at LOCSBond.org.
COMMUNICATIONS
Lake Orion Community Schools continues to communicate with families via School Messenger. If you believe your family is not receiving messages from the district or from your student’s school administration, please check your family’s email settings to make sure you are subscribed to all messages and, if there is still a problem, please reach out to the building secretary for assistance.
If your family would like to receive text messages when they are sent by the schools or district, please opt in by texting: Y to 67587.
CALENDAR
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Wednesday, April 21
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LOCS Meals Distribution, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., CERC Building
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