In "Otter" News - Week #1 (A Week)
For the Week of 8/30 - 9/3
Message from the Principal
Welcome back! It seems we are off on the adventure of another school year!
As we begin school this week, please know how incredibly hard our OES staff has been working to prepare for your child's arrival. Countless hours inside and outside of school have been given to make the start of the school year a positive and enriching experience. Your children are in amazing hands and I am already so impressed with not just how much professional expertise our OES staff has towards instruction, but just how big their hearts are. They LOVE this school and they LOVE you!
This first week of school we are focused on getting students back in the building and learning how to "school" again! Teacher's top priorities are getting to know your children both academically and personally and making sure everyone feels safe and welcomed. Teachers will be spending time teaching and practicing routines to help with this effort as well as using specific tools to establish a baseline for learning toward standards and inform their instruction moving forward.
My top priority this week is to make sure everyone is safe and supported (parents, too!) when they are in the building and that everyone also gets home safely through the correct mode of transportation!
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me any time with any questions or concerns you may have!
I am so excited to get this year started! Get plenty of rest this weekend and I will see everyone on MONDAY!
Otterly Yours,
Ms. Dietz
----------------------------------------
Office hours during the regular school year will be Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Top Level Info - Need-To-See for the Week Ahead
Masks at School
SMCPS protocols for masking are linked below. We are currently in HIGH transmission and masks are REQUIRED of all students and adults who enter an SMCPS building.
Students who are riding a bus will already be wearing a mask as they enter the building. Students who will be dropped off at school by a parent/guardian should put their masks on as they exit the car in preparation for entry into the building.
First Day Arrivals and Beyond
We are very excited to welcome all of our Otters into the building on the first day of school, Monday, August 30th! Your assistance with a smooth start to the day is appreciated. Parents are asked to say their goodbyes to their children prior to them entering the school building. There will be plenty of OES staff on hand to assist students with their transition into the building, carrying their supplies, and finding their classrooms. If you would like to get out of the car to say your goodbyes, please do so from the parking lot (escort your child to the front of the building) and not the car drop-off loop.
If your child is experiencing anxiety about entering the building from the car loop, please don't worry! It can be an overwhelming experience for some children. Simply drive through the car loop and find a parking spot. Once all other students have entered the building, pull back into the car loop and OES staff will be there to assist!
Students will be allowed to enter the building beginning at 9:00 am daily.
First Day Dismissals and Beyond
Getting students home safely and through the correct mode of transportation is one of our main priorities every day at dismissal. Students who arrive on a bus will be given a sticker with their bus number. This will help us to make sure they are riding the correct bus to and from school. If a student arrives on a bus and we do not hear from you before dismissal, your child will be placed on their assigned bus to go home.
Students who are dropped on by a parent/guardian will not be receiving a sticker. It is EXTREMELY important that you communicate with the school regarding how your child will be getting home if they are dropped off in the morning. There are two ways to do this.
- Register for a student to be an Everyday Car Rider with our KISS N RIDE program. Families who register for this program are communicating with the school that their child will be picked up from school every day. See below for more detailed information about the program and how to sign up. If you are interested in this program and did not get the chance to sign up during the Open House event, please reach out to our school counselor, Kristan Curtis (kvcurtis@smcps.org).
- Contact the school prior to 3:00 pm to place your child on the pickup list. You will need to park your car and come into the building to sign them out if you choose this option every time you will pick them up from school and not have them ride the bus home.
On the first day of school, OES staff will be working in the morning to ensure we know how every student will be getting home. We may be in contact with you to confirm their transportation method home if necessary.
The dismissal process will begin at 3:45 pm daily.
Transportation Information
Please click the link below for information regarding your child's bus number, bus stop location, and pick-up and drop-off times. If you have specific questions regarding bus transportation, please call the Department of Transportation at (301)-475-4256.
For all parents of PreKindergarten and Kindergarten students: An adult must be present at the bus stop when students are being picked up or dropped off. If an adult associated with a PreKindergarten or Kindergarten student is not present at the bus stop at the end of the school day, the bus driver will return the student to the school and the parents will be contacted to come to the school to pick up the student.
Student Schedule for the Week Ahead
A Week
Monday: 9:00 am - 3:45 pm
- First day of school for students in Grades K-5
- AM PreK Parent and Student Orientation @ 10:00 am - No Bus Service
- PM PreK Parent and Student Orientation @ 2:00 pm - No Bus Service
Tuesday : 9:00 am - 3:45 pm
- First day of school for PreK students in both sessions. They will ride the bus to and from school this day.
Wednesday: 9:00 am - 3:45 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am - 3:45 pm
Friday: 9:00 am - 3:45 pm
If there are ever any special events for the week, they will be placed in this section of the SMORE.
Lunch Menus August and September 2021
------------------------------------------
Next Level Info - Upcoming Events
Save the Dates!
Grandparent's Day Luncheon
September 17th
Meet the Principal and New PTA Board Spirit Event at Bruster's
September 27th
Fall School Yearbook Pictures
October 5th
Retakes will be scheduled for November 19th
More information will be provided as the dates draw closer.
Click below for the SMCPS Calendar for the 2021-2022 school year.
--------------------------------------------
Update from the Front Office
Important! - Information about School Meals
Please find below information regarding student meals for the 2021-2022 school year. While meals are free for all students, many programs use your students' free or reduced status, so please fill out your applications! See below for necessary information. A hard copy of the application and instructions will also be sent home with all students during the first week of school.
A link to the Food and Nutrition Services website is below. It has information regarding school meals, including a link to school meal menus.
New Opportunity - Student Accident Insurance
Registration Documentation
Click the buttons below for a list of needed documentation and downloadable forms that can be completed at home prior to coming to the school to complete the registration process.
----------------------------------------
School Photos
The OES Otter Staff is so excited to be back in the building and to welcome all of our student otters on Monday! Here is to an "OTTERLY" amazing 2021-2022 school year!
--------------------------------------------
Update from the PTA
Welcome to the New School Year!
Theme
"Fill our Kids' and Teachers' Buckets"
We want to support our kids and teachers by letting them know that they are important to our community and matter! We will be "filling their buckets" with treats throughout the year to keep their morale high so they can be at their best for learning and teaching!
Special Event
Meet the Principal and New PTA Board
September 27th at Bruster's Ice Cream in Hollywood, MD.
More information to come!
New PTA Website
We are currently working on getting our website, oakvillepta.com, uploaded with this year's calendar and ways you, the Otter Community, can support our student Otters.
Simple Ways to Contribute
- *New this Year *- Amazon Smile - https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7077075
- Harris Teeter VIC Card - As of August 1st, your VIC card can be linked to Oakville Elementary School
- Spirit Nights at local businesses - More information will be shared as they are scheduled.
We are looking forward to a great school year!
President: Stephanie Wines, oakville.pta@gmail.com
Secretary: April Sage
Treasurer: Evelyn Dye, oakville.pta.treasurer@gmail.com
---------------------------------------
Update from the Nurse
Welcome Back!
Nurse Frangenberg
FAQ for the start of the year:
When should I keep my child home from school?
- Fever >100.0, vomiting, diarrhea, or pink and crusty eyes
- Symptoms of COVID-19 like illness OR symptoms or an illness that do not resolve after home interventions
- Your child has been directed to quarantine by the local health department
What are COVID-19 like illness symptoms?
- New-onset of cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
- New loss of taste or smell,
- Fever of 100.4 or higher
- Chills or shaking chills
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Congestion or runny nose
---------------------------------------
Employment Opportunities with SMCPS - Apply Today - www.smcps.org
About Us
Email: lpdietz@smcps.org
Website: https://schools.smcps.org/oes/
Location: 26410 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville, MD, USA
Phone: (301) 373-4365
Facebook: facebook.com/smcps.org
Twitter: @OES_smcps