What's New

From the Desk of Mrs. Warman

I am thrilled to share that we’ve had another great week here at Amity! Our students are continuing to thrive in their learning environments, and it’s wonderful to see their enthusiasm.

This week, I had the pleasure of visiting our first-grade classrooms, where I witnessed some incredible hands-on learning in action. The students were deeply engaged in an experiment that harnesses the power of the sun. They built solar ovens out of pizza boxes and then used them to cook s'mores! Not only was this a fun experiment, but it was also a fantastic way for our young scientists to learn about the Scientific Method and how to test hypotheses. What do you think happened when they placed their graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows in their ovens and angled them toward the sun? Something tasty for sure!

At Amity, we love providing opportunities for our students to explore the world through hands-on experiments, and this was a perfect example of learning in action.

As we move further into the school year, I also want to bring your attention to some exciting opportunities we have planned for the fall. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to review our Fall After School Enrichment programs. These activities offer a fantastic way for students to explore new interests, develop skills, and engage with their peers in a fun and educational setting.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Together, we’re making this school year a successful and enriching experience for all our students.

Warm regards,

Laura Warman

Amity Weekly Photo Gallery

This is the Amity Weekly Photo Gallery! Each week, you'll find a collection of photos from the week, captured by our dedicated teachers and staff. These snapshots highlight the wonderful moments and activities happening throughout our school. Be sure to check it out and see all the amazing things our students are up to!

Full Gallery

Wildcat Packs Program

Joshua's Place is excited to offer the Wildcat Packs program, providing weekend food for students. To qualify, students must be signed up for free and reduced lunches and registered for the program. Packs will be sent home every Thursday, with the first distribution on October 10th. To sign up, scan the QR code or return the registration form to school. For any questions, please contact John Mathias at john@joshuasplace.cc.

Registration Form

Amity After School Fall Enrichments

Amity Fall Pictures

Amity will have its Fall picture day on Thursday, September 19th.   Please see the flier below from Schoolhouse Photos for details regarding how to order pictures.

View the Flier 

REGISTRATION EXTENDED: Amity Elementary hosts Girls on the Run!

Girls on the Run is open to girls in grades 4-5 at Amity. GOTR encourages girls of all abilities to recognize their individual strengths and celebrate connections with others. The curriculum blends physical activity with skill development that enables girls to adapt to whatever comes their way. Girls registered for GOTR will have practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15-4:30 p.m., and will train for a 5K on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Yeatman’s Cove in downtown Cincinnati. Please contact Callen Fowler or Amy McKnight for further questions at 513-891-5995.

Girls registered will have practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15-4:30 p.m. at Amity and will also be training for the 5K on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Yeatman’s Cove in downtown Cincinnati. Practices begin on Monday, September 10. Don’t wait—register today!

Exciting Update! Registration has been extended until Sunday, September 8, so there’s still time to sign up and be part of this incredible program! Practices begin on Tuesday, September 10. Don't miss this opportunity—register now to ensure your spot and start your journey with Girls on the Run. Follow the link below to register:

Girls on the Run Registration

NEW THIS YEAR

Amity will also be hosting the FIRST Heart and Sole team, coached by Rachel James! Heart and Sole is the 6th-8th grade “Girls on the Run” option with a curriculum tailored for our older girls. If you have a 6th grade girl who is interested in being part of the Heart and Sole team, please register at the link below. Registration has also been extended until Sunday, September 8.

Heart and Sole Registration

Please contact Callen Fowler or Amy McKnight for further questions at 513-891-5995.

Stay in the Game

IReady Testing

IReady testing in reading and math will start occurring over the next couple of weeks.  We take these tests in the fall as a baseline and will take them in the spring to check progress along the way.  This will encompass all of our grades at Amity.   This is not a high stakes test, like the Ohio State Tests, but we do always want our students to do their best.   These online tests allow us to understand where students are currently in the tested subject area, so that we are better able to tailor how we teach them.   I just wanted to keep you informed that this will be occurring in our classes.

Ohio State Test Resources

If your child will be taking an Ohio End of Course assessment this spring (grades 3-8 and some high school courses for graduation), you can access practice tests at home. We are pleased to share a valuable resource to support your child’s education: the Ohio State Test (OST) Portal. This site offers a range of tools and information that you can use to help your child prepare for state assessments.

Here’s how you can utilize the OST Portal:

1. Practice Tests: Access practice tests to familiarize your child with the types of questions they will encounter. These tests simulate the actual assessment experience, allowing students to practice navigating the test interface and understand the format of questions.
2. Family Resources: The portal provides a variety of resources, including test-taking tips, FAQs, and information specific to each grade level and subject area. These materials are designed to help you understand the testing process and how to best support your child.
3. Released Test Items and Scoring Guides: Review released test items from previous assessments along with their scoring guides. These guides include answer keys, scoring rubrics, and explanations of why certain answers are correct or incorrect. Understanding these can give insight into your child's progress and areas for improvement.

To start using these resources, please visit the OST Portal at oh-ost.portal.cambiumast.com/families.html.

We encourage you to explore the site and make the most of the available tools to support your child’s learning and preparation.

Thank you for your continued partnership in your child’s education.

Free & Reduced Lunch Applications and Instructional Fee Waiver Due Sept. 14

The deadline to submit the Free & Reduced Lunch Application and School Fee Waivers for the 2024-25 school year is approaching. Please note that any benefits from the previous year will expire on September 14, 2024. Parents must apply for new benefits each year. To ensure continued assistance, make sure to complete your application by this date.

Fill out the form by clicking the link below! If it is your first time filling out the online form, select 'Register' and follow the prompts to gain access to the portal.

CLICK HERE

You can also access the Free & Reduced Lunch Application by using FinalForms. 

Visit Final Forms

Free Health Care

Families with children eligible for school meals may be eligible for free health care coverage through Medicaid and/or Ohio's Healthy Start & Healthy Families Programs.

These programs include coverage for doctor visits, immunizations, physicals, prescriptions, dental, vision, mental health, substance abuse and more. Please call 1-800-324-8680 for more  information or to request an application. Information can also be found on the web at http://jfs.ohio.gov/ohp/consumers/familychild.stm.

Anyone who has an Ohio Medicaid card is already receiving these services.

PTO/Booster Organizations

Join the Wildcat community and make a difference! We invite you to get involved with the Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School PTO and our Booster organizations. You can visit Deer Park PTO to join the PTO, Deer Park Athletic Boosters to join the Athletic Boosters, and Deer Park Band Sponsors to support our band program. Your participation helps enhance the student experience at Deer Park!

September Lunch Menu

Due to supply issues, lunch menu options change frequently based on availability. The most up-to-date menu is below, however, please continue to check the Deer Park Food Services website for the latest information.

Visit the Website

Looking Ahead

Please mark these important dates on your calendar:

• Amity Fall Picture Day: Thursday, September 19
• Conference Day (No School): Thursday, September 26
• Conference Day (No School): Friday, September 27

District Event Calendar

In Case You Missed It

Amity Fall Conferences

Amity Fall Conferences are held on Thursday, September 26th from 1:00-8:00 p.m. and Friday, September 27th from 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. This is a great time to check your child's progress and learn about their strengths and areas for growth. There will be no school for students on these days. Sign-ups for conferences will be published in the Amity Minute on Sunday, September 16th.

Safety First: Watch for Students During Construction

As construction projects continue around Deer Park, we kindly remind everyone to be extra cautious of students walking to and from school. Your vigilance ensures their safety during this busy time. Thank you for helping keep our community safe!

Cell Phone Policy

We understand that students are starting to get cell phones in the later grades within Amity. Please help us in talking to your student about the following expectations prior to the start of school. This year Amity Elementary students will be expected to turn their cell phones off when they get to Amity in the morning and keep them off until the end of the day. This is a change from last year. We believe this will help eliminate distractions throughout the academic day. Because all students are issued a chrome book at the beginning of the school year there is not a need for students to access their cell phones during the school day for academic purposes. If students need to connect with you during the school day, they are welcome to use the phone in the front office to call you.

Attendance, Arrival, and Dismissal Information

2024-25 PDF District Calendar

Each year, the Deer Park Board of Education approves the district's yearly calendar, which can be found on the Deer Park Schools website. This calendar includes official school dates, holidays, and breaks. Additionally, a printed event calendar will be sent home with your student during the first week of school. For your convenience, you can access the PDF calendar using the link provided below.

View the Calendar

Staying Connected

There are multiple ways to stay connected to Amity Elementary School.

• Email Newsletter: All parents who have completed FinalForms should receive Amity Weekly Newsletters. If you are not currently receiving them, please register for the email communication. To register, simply go to www.deerparkcityschools.org and click on the button on the bottom of the page that says “Subscribe to District News”. From there, you will send an email requesting that you be added to future email communication from the district.
• X: Follow Deer Park Schools for the most up-to-date news and happenings at @DeerParkSchools or @DeerParkAmity
• Facebook: follow us at Deer Park Community City Schools.

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Inspiring & Empowering Lifelong Success

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