Ortega Elementary

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5-9. We have amazing teachers at Ortega Elementary so we want to encourage all of our families to show appreciation to our teachers. PTA is planning a few special things for our teachers and we could use your help. * There will be a taco bar on Monday, May 5. If you can help provide items for this please use this link to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0548AAAE22A0FA7-56316666-cinco#/ * There will be a snack day on Thursday, May 8. If you can help provide items for this, please use this link to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080948AFA722A4FE3-56513200-snack If you are donating items, please drop them off in the main office or in car line on the day of the event. We need all items by 10 AM. Thank you!

Pre-Order your Ortega Elementary yearbook. The cost is only $20. The easiest way to purchase is to do so online by visiting www.buytheyearbook.com and using school ID 387388. Quantities are limited so order yours today.

Just a reminder that Exhibit Night is Thursday, May 1 at 6 PM. This will be your chance to tour our museum and watch musical performances. Student docents will be on hand to explain their work and answer any questions. A lot of appreciation goes out to Ms. Edwards and Ms. Kanji for working so hard to make this night a success. We look forward to seeing all of our families that evening.

PTA is doing one last shirt/hoodie sale before the end of the school year. Please use the link to place your order. Orders must be placed by May 2. Thanks! https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/ortega-elementary-pta-spirit-shop-2024--2025

The Edulog bus monitoring app allows families of registered bus riders to monitor their child's bus in real time. Additionally, families will be notified through the app if their child's bus is delayed. Note: Only families of registered bus riders with a linked parent account will be able to access this app.

If you were unable to come to last week's Title 1 Developmental Meeting, we would still like your input. Fill out the form at the following link to give us your thoughts: https://forms.office.com/r/JAHMWMLVf3

PTA is looking for a few extra people to serve on the PTA board for next year. The board meets once a month but if you aren't able to attend every meeting that is fine. If you think you may be interested, please email Mrs. Tibbits (tibbitsm@duvalschools.org) or come to the next PTA meeting on Monday, April 14 at 4:30 PM in the media center. This is a great way to get more involved in your child's education. Thanks!

Good morning Ortega Families! See the attached flyers about Florida prepaid open enrollment! Thank you!

Just a reminder that we have lots going on Friday morning (4/11/25): 8:40 - Flag Raising in the front courtyard 9:00 - Coffee Chat and SAC in the media center 9:30 - Title 1 Developmental Meeting in the media center If you plan on attending the coffee chat, please return the RSVP by tomorrow. If you have misplaced the RSVP, please send me an email (tibbitsm@duvalschools.org) if you are coming. We need an accurate headcount to place our coffee order.

Ortega Elementary School Families, Last Chance, Heart Heroes! Kids Heart Challenge ends this week! If you have already signed up on the app and made a lifesaving donation, please complete Finn’s Mission! If you haven’t signed up yet, there is still time! Download the AHA Schools app to search for our school or visit our school’s page to sign your student up: http://www2.heart.org/site/TR?fr_id=11255&pg=company&company_id=486729 Then you can customize and share a video to send to family and friends where they can learn Hands-Only CPR and warning signs of a stroke and ask for donations! Now, let’s party!

As we are moving closer to the end of the year, it is time to think about yearbooks. Yearbooks will be arriving in late May. We have a very limited supply so if you are interested in receiving one, please make sure to pre-order. The cost is only $20. The easiest way to purchase is to do so online by visiting www.buytheyearbook.com and using school ID 387388. We will also be sending order forms home soon if you'd prefer not to order online.

The flag raising that was originally scheduled for tomorrow (4/4/25) has been postponed to 4/11/25. That means that 4/11/25 will be a big day. We will have: 8:40 - Flag Raising 9:00 - Coffee Chat and SAC 9:30 - Title 1 Developmental Meeting We hope everyone can join us for these meetings. If you are attending the Coffee Chat, please return the RSVP by Monday so we can have an accurate headcount for coffee/juice/water. Thanks!

The Kids Heart Challenge is officially underway, and we invite you to join us in shaping the next generation of lifesavers while continuing the fight against heart disease and stroke! Here is how you can participate and make a difference. Join the FUN! Help our classroom earn Amazon Gift Cards by participating in the Kids Heart Challenge. Download the AHA Schools APP for Apple or Android or Click Here, next click register, then scroll down to join your school’s team. Spread the Word: Text or Email 10 friends and family, asking for their support in making donations. Complete Finn’s Mission: Learn the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR and how to spot a stroke F.A.S.T. If at least 50% of my students sign up and three students complete the mission, we’ll earn two Amazon gift cards for classroom needs! We are anxious to see which class has the most students signed up and completing Finn’s Mission. Teacher Name Grade Number of Students Laning 1st 2 Miss m 2nd 1 Ragland 3rd 1 Young 3rd 1 Watson 4th 3 Cary 5th 1 Baker Kindergarten 1 Other Other 1

Girls on the run is cancelled today. Students will need to be picked up.

If your student rides bus 329 to get home in the afternoon, please come to school to pick up your student in the front office. There is no bus driver available for bus 329 today. For questions call the front office at 904-381-7460.

If your child has not turned in the NASA Speaker/Heart Association permission slip that was sent out this week, please sign it TONIGHT and send it back with you child TOMORROW. Those who do not turn in a slip will not be allowed to attend. If the slip is misplaced, give your child's teacher permission via email.

Ortega will be represented at the elementary art exhibition at the Murray Hill library. Artwork by pur 5th graders Grace, Rosemary, Martha-Alice, and Olive will be displayed. Their work will be on display March 27-April 29 and the reception at the Murray Hill library is Tuesday, April 1 from 5:30-6:30. https://jaxpubliclibrary.org/blog/elementary-art-show

The Kids Heart Challenge is in full swing, and we’re having a blast! But we need your help to reach 50% of our students registered online. Here’s how you can make a difference: Download the AHA Schools app for iPhone or Android to search for our school or Click Here to sign your student up. Then you can customize and share a video to send to family and friends where they can learn Hands-Only CPR and warning signs of a stroke and ask for donations! Already signed up? Thank you! Now, take it further: Make a personal donation to support the cause. Send a quick message to friends and family to rally their support! Not Signed up yet? There’s still time to join the excitement! Simply: Click Here to sign up online and be part of the action. Complete Finn’s Mission together with your family to learn life-saving skills and become a lifesaver.

Spring Break is from March 17th to March 24th. School will resume Tuesday, March 25th.

Reminder, there will be no school Monday, March 17- Friday, March 21st. School will resume Tuesday, March 25th. Everyone have a happy and safe Spring Break!