Olander School for Project Based Learning

Thankful Thursday: Celebrating the Heart of Olander 💙🦅

What a wonderful year in the nest! As we wrap things up, we want to send a massive THANK YOU to our incredible Olander families. From joining us for PBL showcases and Spirit Nights, to volunteering, attending Wellness Nights, and showering our staff with so much love—you are the wind beneath our wings! We could not do it without the support of our amazing community.

We are also incredibly grateful for the upcoming summer break! It is a well-deserved chance for all of us to rest our feathers, refresh, and spend quality time with friends and family. ☀️

Speaking of amazing Ospreys, we celebrated our final two Osprey Way certificate winners for April (Courage) and May (Creativity). Way to soar, Ospreys!

The Bird's Eye View: Looking ahead! 🔭

Keep those literacy skills flying high! Join us for our Summer Reading Challenge! 📚☀️

Students are encouraged to keep their reading skills strong all summer long through engaging reading and literacy activities. Track your progress using the Summer Reading Challenge Log. Here is the best part: Ospreys who participate will earn a ticket to our Giant End-of-Summer Foam Party filled with music, bubbles, and fun! 🫧🎶

Parents, grab the details and download the log from the links in the comments!

Flying high into summer,
The Olander Ospreys Team 🪶

Thankful Thursday: Celebrating the Heart of Olander 💙🦅

Today, we are celebrating someone who keeps our wings moving and our hearts pumping—our amazing PE teacher, Ms. S! 👟✨

At Olander, inclusion is at the core of everything we do, and Ms. S reflects this in all her work. Whether she’s adapting a game so that every student feels like an MVP or organizing our annual Field Day, she ensures no Osprey is left out of the flock.

We are especially grateful for her dedication to some of our favorite traditions! From supporting our students at running club and Eco Week, to training our 5th graders to safely belay on the rock climbing wall, and coordinating our 4th & 5th grade Track and Field events, she helps our Ospreys find their strength and confidence. 🏔️🧗‍♀️

What the community is saying:
"It has been so great to work with Ms. S over the past four years. Not only is she an expert in physical education, but she also pushes our physical education program forward by incorporating new and innovative ways to ensure all students are able to participate - supporting Olander's overarching mission of creating inclusive environments for all students."- Mr. Brown, Counselor

"When other schools come to visit our ILS program, their favorite part is always learning about Makenzie’s inclusive PE classes. She works so hard to make sure everyone can participate and have fun in PE. Makenzie has presented at state conferences to teach other PE teachers how to include students with disabilities in their classes. I'm so proud to work with Miss S.!"- Ms. Peacock, ILS Teacher

"I love Ms. S because she does really fun things with us in PE."- 1st grader

"We love Ms. S because of the ultimate tag, banana tag, and frisbee toss." -1st grader

"I love that she always helps us clean up." -Kindergartner

"She is a really good PE teacher." -4th grader

"Ms. S always has great activities for us to do." -4th grader

Thank you, Ms. S, for helping us soar to new heights! 🏔️

Get those wings ready—OLAPALOOZA IS TOMORROW! 🦅🎡✨

Mark your calendars! The celebration begins tomorrow, Thursday, May 14th, from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM right here at Olander. We can’t wait to see the whole flock back at the nest for our biggest event of the year!

🎟️ REMINDER: Entry is FREE! (Food trucks and Book Fair items will be available for purchase).

🎶 Kick off the Night!
Join us in the gym at 4:00 PM to catch a special music performance by our talented 2nd and 3rd-grade Ospreys!

🎡 What’s Happening at the Nest?
🎷 Art Show & Music: Explore student masterpieces and visit the Instrument Zoo in the Music Room!
🏓 Get Active: Join in on some Pickleball fun thanks to The Picklr! Join the pizza themed obstacle course outside!
🍔📚Food & Books: Grab dinner at the Food Trucks and shop the World-Class Book Fair, which will be open throughout the entire event!

🖼️ Grade-Level PBL Showcases:
🕰️Kindergarten: Take a walk through time with their "Then and Now" books and school year timelines.
🐝🌸2nd Grade: Learn how to protect our pollinators and pick up a FREE packet of wildflower seeds!
💧 3rd Grade: Catch student Water PSA videos running from 4:40–6:20 PM.
🍋🐎4th Grade: Support philanthropy! Play a game for NOCO Humane and buy lemonade or bracelets to benefit Hearts & Horses.

📢 Don’t Forget the Silent Auction!
Be sure to stop by our Silent Auction to browse and bid on some incredible items! It’s a fantastic way to snag something special while showing your support for Olander. Our nest is stronger because of you! 🏆💙

See you TOMORROW AT 4:00 PM! 💙