Ortega Elementary

Good morning Ortega! We just want to take a moment to congratulate Avianna H. on being a winning contestant for Angels for Allison! Her angel design will be used on cards to help raise funds for the Angels for Allison foundation that helps Northwest Florida families in need with financial assistance for funeral costs for their loved ones. It is a wonderful organization, and we are very proud of Avianna and her hard work.  Congratulations Avianna!!!

Good morning, Our wonderful PTA is doing a Holiday Plant Sale to benefit our school. Pre-orders are due by Monday December 9th. Pick up will be after Exhibit Night, December 12th or Friday December 13th. Please contact Ms. Stone for more information at eperky.stone@gmail.com. See attached flyer for more information! Thank you!

Good afternoon Ortega Parents and Community Members, We’re looking for a few parents/community members to volunteer as Girls on the Run Coaches. The season begins in February and ends at the end of April. Coaches will need to attend one training session and then hold two practices per week. Practice will be held here at Ortega right after school. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Traci Taylor at Taylort10@duvalschools.org or Michelle Tibbits at Tibbitsm@duvalschools.org. Thanks! More information about Girls on the Run: "Girls on the Run organization, designs programming that strengthens third- to eighth grade girls’ social, emotional, physical and behavioral skills to successfully navigate life experiences. The program’s intentional curriculum places an emphasis on developing competence, confidence, connection, character, caring, and contribution in young girls through lessons that incorporate running and other physical activities. The life skills curriculum is delivered by caring and competent coaches who are trained to teach lessons as intended."

Good afternoon Ortega Parents, Students, and Staff! This week our Safety Patrols will be selling scented gel crayons and stickers for $1.00 a piece to benefit their end of the year patrols trip. Our patrols work very hard in the mornings and afternoons to assist with busses and car riders as well as helping to monitor our auditorium and cafeteria. Please consider bringing your dollars in tomorrow to purchase some pens and stickers! Thanks so much for your support!

* If you received a permission slip for your child to participate in the vision van, please return those ASAP. If they are not returned by December 5, your child's spot will be offered to a child on the wait list. * We have an All Pro Dad breakfast on Friday at 7:45 AM in the media center. If you are attending, please make sure to return the RSVP by Wednesday. If you have misplaced your RSVP, please email Mrs. Tibbits (tibbitsm@duvalschools.org) by Wednesday to let her know you will be there. It is important we have an accurate headcount.

Did you know about the amazing support available at the Westside Family Resource Center? 🎉 Located behind Jacksonville Heights Elementary School adjacent to the playground. The center is dedicated to eliminating non-academic barriers for students and families. Please see attached flyer for more information!  

Here are just a few reminders for this short week: * Turkey Trot is tomorrow. We could use some water bottle donations. If you are able to drop a case or two off today or tomorrow morning, we would greatly appreciate it. Also, please make sure your child dresses appropriately for a "trot" around campus. And, don't forget to continue to bring in canned goods to donate. * If your child received a vision clinic permission slip, please return those by tomorrow, 11/26. * There is no school Wednesday-Friday in observance of Thanksgiving. We hope all of our families have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We will see everyone back on December 2.

Don't forget to send in your donations for our food drive. We are accepting any type of non-perishable food. The class that brings in the most cans will win a popsicle party. Currently Ms. Killgore's class is in the lead, followed by Ms. Cary and then Ms. Faciane. See the picture to see how your child's class is doing.

Vision Is Priceless will bring a mobile vision van to Ortega Elementary on January 10 and 13. They provide full, dilated eye exams and prescription glasses for our students.  All exams and glasses are free of charge for the school and the student’s family. We have a LIMITED number of spots open for eye exams. If you are interested in an exam for your child, please email Mrs. Tibbits at tibbitsm@duvalschools.org. She will send home a permission slip for you to complete. Again, space is LIMITED. We will take names on a first-come basis.

Parents, Do not firget today is early release! Students will be dismissed at 1:15pm. Thank you!

We've extended the Ortega Elementary Read-a-thon until 11/23. Donate now to encourage reading and support our PTA: https://www.read-a-thon.com/school/_59062.

Good afternoon, Ortega Parents and Families! We are still in need of volunteers for the Turkey Trot on Tuesday, November 26th. If you would like to volunteer, please email me at Taylort10@duvalschools.org or Ms. Tibbits at Tibbitsm@duvalschools.org. ALSO, our canned food drive is going on now through November 26th. Please have students bring in canned goods and other non-perishable food items into their classrooms. The class who brings in the most cans will win a popsicle party! Thank you for your help!

Ortega Elementary Picture Day is tomorrow! Don’t forget to order your Fall photos! You can place your order at www.leonards.com/photoprepay and the access code is C661015.

If your child is interested in sports, swimming, fishing, camping, and archery, all while having fun with friends, come to the school cafeteria at 6:00pm on Thursday, Nov. 21 to join Cub Scouts! The Cub Scout program is open to ALL boys and girls grades K-5 to participate!

Good morning parents! If you have not already, please make sure to turn in your child's student compact that was sent out a few weeks ago. This is a very important form. If you have not turned one in and need another one please let your child's teacher know and they will provide another one. Thank you so much!

Good Morning Ortega Families! Don't forget about our canned food drive happening now through November 22nd. The class who brings in the most cans (or other non-perishable food items) will win a popsicle party! Any donations help! Thanks so much!

Volunteer Opportunity: Join Us at MOCA’s Family Day to Represent Ortega Elementary! Saturday, November 16 Drop in any time 11:00–5:00 Museum of Contemporary Art 333 N. Laura Street Downtown Jacksonville Mrs. Kanji will be there to set up in the morning, and we’re looking for volunteers to help any time, ideally from 2 PM until closing (or until we’re out of materials). MOCA provides the table—we just need someone for the afternoon shift to: • Engage with families and share info about Ortega Elementary • Hand out brochures, activity sheets, and school swag • Assist with simple breakdown at the end by gathering the tablecloth and any extra materials Interested? Sign up by contacting Mrs. Kanji! Kanjij@duvalschools.org

We have a lot coming up at Ortega Elementary: *Picture day has been rescheduled for November 18. If you already purchased pictures for the initial day (which did not happen due to the hurricane), your order has been kept. However, if you have not yet made a purchase you may do so online at www.leonards.com/photoprepay using access code C661015. If you are an approved volunteer and can help on picture day, please let Mrs. Tibbits know (tibbitsm@duvalschools.org). We will need help from 8:30 until 12:30. *The Thanksgiving luncheon is on November 19. Parents who are approved volunteers may join their child for lunch on this day. Guest lunches are $4.50 and must be purchased using cash on the 19th. If you are attending you MUST fill out the RSVP form by Thursday, November 14. The link to the RSVP form is: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=TR3rjaTQBE2JrvcHbLqp-wyOpKmTK_9IgrLGF4KsaW1URUVIQ0Y5V0FEOFNNTEZWRVJFUU8xSkpMUy4u *There will be a coffee chat and SAC meeting on November 22 at 9:00 AM. If you are attending, please return the RSVP form or contact Mrs. Tibbits (tibbitsm@duvalschools.org). *PTA is sponsoring a movie night on November 22 at 6:00 PM. See Tuesday folders for the invite with all the details. Please RSVP by November 20 using the bottom of the invite.

We are entering our 2nd (and final) week of the Read-a-Thon. Remember to set up your reader page and record your minutes. Also, ask friends and family to donate to our PTA through our Read-a-Thon page. Congratulations to our top readers as of this morning: Valeria M. (140 minutes), Leonardo M (140 minutes), Braxton H (120 minutes), Farris H (120 minutes), Elena F (90 minutes), Melanie Z (90 minutes), and Camila F (77 minutes). If you'd like to donate you can do it directly to your child's page or using this link: https://www.read-a-thon.com/school/individual/59062

Good morning, Ortega Parents, Families, and Business Partners, MOCA Family Day is this Saturday, November 16th. Our wonderful Art Teacher, Ms. Kanji will have a table set up to represent Ortega. If you can volunteer to work at the table with her on Saturday, please send her an email at Kanjij@duvalschools.org. Your assistance is always appreciated. Thank you!