Home of the Lions
Our Mission:
To provide a high quality education for all students
Information Regarding Dropping Off Devices and Picking Up Belongings
All students will have an opportunity to pick up their belongings and return library books. Students in grades K-4 will be allowed to keep their digital device over the summer, if parents/guardians choose to, for summer learning. This is only for students returning to Philip O’Brien Elementary in the fall.
Students not returning to Philip O’Brien Elementary in the fall (including all fifth graders going to middle school) will need to return the digital device and charging cord. Please stay in your car at all times.
Distribution Days (drop off/pick up times are from 9 AM to 1 PM each day):
Tuesday, May 26 Grades PK, K, and 1
Wednesday, May 27 Grades 2, 3, and 4
Thursday, May 28 Grade 5 which will include a drive-thru clap out from POBE staff.
We look forward to seeing you next week. Please call the school at (863) 499-2950 with any questions.
Kindergarten Roundup
We are looking for new Kindergarten students for the 2020 – 2021 school year! Philip O’Brien Elementary School is now registering new Kindergarten students. Call the Philip O’Brien Elementary office at (863) 499-2950 if you have any questions and to set up an appointment to collect your registration paperwork.
2020-2021-Student-Entry-Form-ENGLISH-2.3.2020 (1)
2020-2021-Student-Entry-Form-SPANISH-2.3.2020
2020-2021-Student-Entry-Form-HC-2.3.2020
Paper Packet Distribution Update
Starting Monday, May 4, we will distribute the next set of paper based learning packets. We will continue to collect other sets of packets. Packet pick-up and drop-off will be done in the meal distribution line between 11 AM and 1 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Packet Pick-Up
Enter the line through the east gate next to the fire rescue building. Drive to the dining room and let a staff member know what grade level(s) packet(s) you need.
Packet Drop-Off
Pull to the next table and drop the packet(s) in the return box. Make sure your child’s first and last name as well as the teacher’s name are on the packet.
Please stay in your car.
Synced for Students
Polk County Public Schools and Polk Vision have teamed up to help improve internet access for our students through a new initiative: Synced for Students.
Beginning Monday, April 27, PCPS will deploy a specially equipped fleet of 50 buses that will serve as Wi-Fi hotspots in areas of need. Please see the list of locations at polkschoolsfl.com/buswifi.
The buses will operate from approximately 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays at the designated sites (please check the schedule for specifics at polkschoolsfl.com/buswifi). During that time, students and families in the area will be able to connect to the internet using the following login information:
WiFi signal name: PCPSBUS
Password: PCPS2020
With campuses closed through the remainder of the 2019-20 school year, PCPS students are engaging with their teachers and lessons online as part of a statewide transition to distance learning. However, the change has been difficult for many families who lack internet service at home, or have limited internet options in their community.
Through Synced for Students, PCPS and Polk Vision hope to expand online access and make sure as many children as possible have the tools they need to succeed at distance learning.
The bus sites will be patrolled by law enforcement for safety. When visiting the locations, we ask that you please maintain social distancing guidelines to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
For those who cannot access the bus schedule online, please call PCPS’ Transportation office at 863-534-7300.
Interim Report Distribution
Interim reports will be distributed on Friday, May 1, 2020, between 11 AM and 1 PM.
If you can’t stop by during that time, we will mail your child’s interim report to the mailing address we have on file.
Please call the school at (863) 499-2950 if you have any questions.
Paper Based Packet Distribution and Return
We will begin distributing the second round of paper based learning packets and accepting the first round of paper based packets today from 11 AM to 1 PM. Please see the attached picture. Please call the school at (863) 499-2950 if you have any questions.
Meal Distribution Update
Beginning Monday (April 13), we will transition to a new schedule to distribute food, which will be open three days per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) from 11 AM to 1 PM. Please call the school at (863) 499-2950 if you have any questions.
Accelerated Reader is Now Available
Great news! AR (Accelerated Reader) is now available for at-home use during school closures! AR is a computer program that encourages independent reading. Students may also access eBooks through Tumble Books.
To access AR:
Go to Student ClassLink
Click on the Renaissance icon
Happy Reading!
PCPS Technical Assistance
As students are beginning their online assignments, it is possible you may have need of technical support for the school-issued laptops, iPads or programs being utilized. With thousands of students now accessing the internet for their lessons, it’s possible the online programs may be slow to load or slow to run occasionally. Patience and understanding are needed if this happens. For other technical support, please follow this sequence:
- Check the PCPS “Tech Resources for Families” site at: https://sites.google.com/a/mypolkschools.net/parent-resources/online-classrooms?fbclid=IwAR37SiCddaoXFEiXjKY8zGs3FNQRc5QIwQKxN_csvzbaNi-Kw2xRCtONMZs
- Communicate with the classroom teacher.
- Call 863-614-1600 on weekdays between 8:30 AM to 7 PM.
We want to support you and be of assistance, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we all learn together.
Meal Distribution Update
Meals will be distributed Monday through Thursday (April 6 – 9) this week from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Please enter the campus through the east gate by the fire rescue building. Pull up to the dining room. To ensure the school continues to abide by social distancing restrictions, meals will be distributed on a drive-through basis.
Meals will not be distributed on Friday, April 10 (Good Friday holiday). If you have any questions, please call the school at (863) 499-2950 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 1:30 PM.
Internet Connectivity for Families During Coronavirus
As part of the Federal Communications Commission’s Keep Americans Connected pledge, internet service providers have agreed to: 1) not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic; 2) waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic; and 3) open its WiFi hotspots to any American who needs them.
In addition to the Keep Americans Connected pledge, here’s what Florida providers have agreed to:
Comcast is offering new, low-income Internet Essentials customers two months of free internet; unlimited data for free and opens Xfinity WiFi network nationally for free. If you are eligible for Internet Essentials, apply by April 30, 2020, and are approved, you will automatically receive the two-month free promotion. APPLY BY APRIL 30, 2020. After the promotion, regular rates apply. Internet Essentials current rate is $9.95 per month plus tax unless you disconnect your service.
Charter (Spectrum) is offering two FREE months of internet and WiFi service to new customers in households with Pre-K to grade 12 and/or college students who need remote access for their education. Installation or pre-payment fees will be waived. Call 855-243-8892 to sign up for this offer.
AT&T is providing unlimited data access to all AT&T consumer home internet wireline customers, as well as Fixed Wireless Internet. They will continue to offer internet access for qualifying limited income households at $10 per month through their Access from AT&T program with two months of free service. The company is expanding eligibility to Access from AT&T to households participating in the National School Lunch Program and Head Start. AT&T is also waiving all wireless voice and data overage fees retroactively to March 13, 2020. Customers must call AT&T to get these fees waived.
Verizon is waiving overage charges and offering two months of free internet and voice service for members of its “Lifeline” discount program. Between March 25 and April 30, the company is giving an extra 15 gigabytes of data to customers and small businesses free of charge. This applies to unlimited users, as well as those on shared plans. Verizon is also offering new affordable internet options for low-income households.
Sprint will provide unlimited data and an additional 20GB of mobile hotspot data per month for 60 days beginning March 18 at no extra cost. Beginning March 18 – April 1, customers with mobile hotspot-capable handsets who don’t have mobile hotspot now will get 20GB free for 60 days.
T-Mobile will provide unlimited data to existing customers and is adding 15GB of 4G data to current consumer and small business plans, in an effort to help customers use their handsets as mobile hotspots at no extra charge.
Meal and Internet-Accessible Device Distribution
Philip O’Brien Elementary will distribute internet-accessible devices beginning April 1 and ending April 8 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM during meal distribution time.
Meals will be distributed between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM daily. The number of meals distributed to each car will be determined by the number of students in the car through high school. Please enter through the east gate by the fire rescue building and drive to the dining room.
Students and Parents/Guardians must sign a mobile device agreement/acknowledgement. Students must be present at the time the internet-accessible device is distributed, and students must be enrolled at Philip O’Brien Elementary to check out a device. One device will be distributed per family. Families are asked to use personal devices if they are available. We anticipate the need for devices could be greater than the supply we have on hand.
To ensure the school district continues to abide by social distancing restrictions, devices will be distributed on a drive-through basis and only during specific times to limit the number of people coming to campus.
Please call the school at (863) 499-2950 between 8:30 AM and 1:30 PM if you have any questions. We are here to help.
La escuela primaria Philip O’Brien distribuirá dispositivos con acceso a Internet a partir del 1 de abril y hasta el 8 de abril de 11:00 a.m. a 1:00 p.m. durante el horario de distribución de comidas.
Las comidas se distribuirán diariamente entre las 11:00 a.m. y la 1:00 p.m. El número de comidas distribuidas a cada automóvil estará determinado por el número de estudiantes en el automóvil hasta la escuela secundaria. Ingrese por la puerta este del edificio de rescate de incendios y conduzca hasta el comedor.
Los estudiantes y los padres / tutores deben firmar un acuerdo / reconocimiento de dispositivo móvil. Los estudiantes deben estar presentes en el momento en que se distribuye el dispositivo con acceso a Internet, y los estudiantes deben estar inscritos en la Escuela Primaria Philip O’Brien para verificar un dispositivo. Se distribuirá un dispositivo por familia. Se les pide a las familias que usen dispositivos personales si están disponibles. Anticipamos que la necesidad de dispositivos podría ser mayor que el suministro que tenemos a mano.
Para garantizar que el distrito escolar continúe cumpliendo con las restricciones de distanciamiento social, los dispositivos se distribuirán en forma individual y solo durante horarios específicos para limitar la cantidad de personas que ingresan al campus.
Si tiene alguna pregunta, llame a la escuela al (863) 499-2950 entre las 8:30 a.m. y la 1:30 p.m. Estamos aquí para ayudar.
Lekòl Elemantè Philip O’Brien ap distribye aparèy ki aksesib sou entènèt apati 1 avril epi ki fini 8 avril apati 11:00 AM a 1:00 PM pandan tan distribisyon manje. Yon liy ap distribye manje sèlman. Dezyèm liy lan pral distribye manje ak aparèy ki aksesib sou entènèt.Manje yo pral distribiye ant 11:00 AM ak 1:00 PM chak jou. Nimewo a distribye bay chak machin ap detèmine pa kantite elèv ki nan machin nan nan lekòl segondè. Tanpri antre nan pòtay bò solèy leve a pa bilding lan sekou dife ak kondwi nan sal la kote moun.Elèv yo ak Paran / Gadyen legal dwe siyen yon akò aparèy mobil / rekonesans. Elèv yo dwe prezan nan moman sa a ki distribiye a aparèy ki aksesib sou Entènèt la, ak elèv yo dwe enskri nan Philip O’Brien Lekòl Elemantè yo tcheke deyò yon aparèy. Y ap distribye yon aparèy pou chak fanmi. Fanmi yo mande pou yo itilize aparèy pèsonèl yo si yo disponib. Nou prevwa bezwen an pou aparèy ta ka pi gran pase rezèv la nou gen nan men yo.Pou asire distri lekòl la kontinye respekte restriksyon distans sosyal, aparèy yo pral distribye sou yon baz kondwi-yo ak sèlman pandan tan espesifik nan limite kantite moun ki vini nan lakou lekòl la.Tanpri rele lekòl la nan (863) 499-2950 ant 8:30 AM ak 1:30 PM si ou gen nenpòt kesyon. Nou la pou ede.
Schools Closed
As recommended by the Florida Department of Education, Polk County Public Schools campuses will remain closed through the end of the school year. Please keep following the school district Facebook page and at www.polkschoolsfl.com for more updates.
2020 Census
The next census count is happening this year. Residents will begin receiving mailers for the 2020 census in March. Please read the card, participate and be counted!
Wednesday Folder
The Wednesday folder is provided to help strengthen and streamline home to school communication. Fliers, graded work, and other communication will come each Wednesday. Please check the folder, remove all documents, and return to school on Thursday.
We will continue to use the daily agenda, and teachers may continue to send a separate homework folder. Please call the school at (863) 499-2950 if you have any questions about the new Wednesday folder.
