Oakhurst Elementary
September 3, 2020
From the Principal
Hello Owl Families,
I hope it has been a great week for your family. One of my highlights this week was reading and responding to the "Ask Ms. Sanders" questions. I can't wait to get more questions! We'll have this feature when we begin our Virtual Community Circle. Virtual Community Circle will take place every other Friday beginning September 11th . This will be a short video featured during crew meetings on Fridays. We'll include some of our traditions such as shout outs, our school song, and so much more. See below for more information regarding how you can submit short video clips to be featured in CC.
Since we celebrate with a day off on Monday for Labor Day, there will be no Wellness Wednesday next week. Therefore, students will have a full day of regular instruction on Wednesday. They will attend Monday's Special on Wednesday instead. Ask your child's teacher if you have any questions regarding next week's schedule.
STAR Testing
Ask Ms. Sanders
Would Your Child Like to Checkout Books from the Flybrary?
Oakhurst Elementary is offering contact-free media center check-out (Flybrary). It is simple:
- Sign Up for the Flybary
- If you signed up for books to be delivered by the bus, enroll in the Predictable Ryde bus tracking app to view the buses location on delivery day. More information on how to set up the app is in the Oakhurst Flybrary Document.
- Reserve books
- If you signed up for bus delivery, books will be delivered on Tuesday.
- If you signed up for pick up, you can drive or walk through the car rider drive on Wednesday from 11:00-12:00 to pick up your books.
- Books will be delivered in plastic bags. Please return your books (to the bus or the drive through) in the same bags.
- Check your checkouts on Tuesday morning for bus delivery and Wednesday morning for curbside pickup.
- For more information and FAQ, please go here: Oakhurst Flybrary Parent Information
Because of the large volume of books that will be checked out one day per week, all student holds must be placed by 12:00 pm every Monday. If a hold is placed after this time, the books will be checked out the following week.
If you have any questions, please email Suzanne Hawkins at suhawkins@csdecatur.net.
Virtual Community Circle
During distance learning, Oakhurst would like to continue student participation in our Virtual Community Circles. If your child would like to participate, please record your child saying the Pledge of Allegiance (in English or Spanish) or telling a joke (loudly and clearly) and drop the recording in the appropriate folder. Please record your child in landscape view.
Nurse Notes
Flu Shots this Season:
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends annual seasonal influenza immunization for all people 6 months and older, including all children and adolescents. Some local pediatricians and health departments already have flu vaccines available. According to the CDC, September and October are good times to get vaccinated. For more information, click here for Frequently Asked Questions Flu Questions, provided by the CDC.
Videos on COVID-19 and Mask Wearing
As adults, we are quickly learning the challenges of maintaining proper mask wearing and social distancing. I can only imagine how difficult these tasks must be for young children to comprehend and manage. Here are some brief, animated videos from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital that may be helpful in discussing these topics with your child:
What is Social Distancing?
Why Are People Wearing Masks?
Are you Worried or Scared Right Now?
How You Can Stop the Spread of Germs
News from City Schools of Decatur
Annual Data Update:
We have moved the typical beginning of the school year household data update, medical forms, opt-out forms, and handbook sign-offs to the parent portal.
It is important for parents or guardians to complete these forms and sign-offs by September 15. Please note, only parents and guardians in the primary household will have access to fill out the information for the annual data update. Please review the 2020-2021 K-12 District Handbook and Code of Conduct and Restorative Practices Handbook prior to completing the update.
Directions for accessing the data update can be found in the graphic below (attached).
For more detailed information, please watch this video.
From the PTA
Spirit Wear is here! All kindergarteners will be receiving their very own "Oakhurst Elementary CREW" t-shirts, complimentary of the school. But we need parents, siblings and those long 2nd graders (who have outgrown their CREW shirts) to join in on the action! All shirts will be the classic green with "Oakhurst" in yellow across the front. Click on the link to order:
News from The Decatur Education Foundation
DEF is pleased to announce that we are sponsoring two of Decatur Book Festival’s Virtual Kid events on September 5th and September 15th!
Sept 5th at 10 am: The Kidnote Presentation with Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James, authors of I Am Every Good Thing, an uplifting picture book that celebrates Black boys. As part of this presentation, DEF has purchased a copy of the book for every classroom teacher in our five K-2 City Schools of Decatur! To sign up for the presentation, click here.
Sept 15 at 7 pm: Raise Your Voice - a Young Adult Panel brings together five YA authors to discuss how to make yourself heard and to find your place in the world. Panelists include Elizabeth Acevedo, Becky Albertalli, Aisha Saeed, Renee Watson, Brendan Kiely. To register for this presentation, click here.
You can find books from all of these authors at Little Shop of Stories and Brave + Kind Books.
The Madison Avenue Soapbox Derby’s Ramp to Success Fundraiser benefitting DEF continues through September! If you would like to help students and families face the virtual learning challenges ahead, consider donating at http://madisonavesoapboxderby.org/donate/ -- there’s a gift from Oakhurst Market for every donation level!
About us
Email: suhawkins@csdecatur.net
Website: https://www.oakhurst.csdecatur.net
Location: 175 Mead Road, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404 -370-4470
Twitter: @OakhurstOwls