In "Otter" News - August Update
The Start of School is Right Around the Corner!
Message from the Principal
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Top Level Info - Need-To-See for the Month Ahead
Masks at School
UPDATE - Please see the link directly below for updated information regarding masking in SMCPS for the start of the school year.
As of the date of this SMORE, no official guidance regarding masking in schools at the start of the 2021-2022 school year has been provided. As soon as official guidance is shared, I will communicate it to families.
Currently, the school system is working under the following protocols during Summer School instruction as of August 2, 2021.
- All students in grades PreK-8 attending in-person will be required to wear masks while inside a school building.
- All students will continue to be required to wear masks while on school buses.
- Consistent with state and local guidance, adults and high school students who have been fully vaccinated will not be required to wear face coverings indoors.
- All SMCPS employees and eligible students who have not been vaccinated are expected to wear masks when indoors and are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated by the beginning of school, August 30, 2021.
Office hours for the month of August will be Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Open House will be held on Thursday, August 26th.
Kindergarten: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
- Kindergarten families should plan to attend at any point throughout the 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm time frame. Our Kindergarten teachers will be available to greet students, show them the classroom, and accept school supplies prior to the first day of school.
- Families of students in grades 1 - 5 should plan to attend at any point throughout the 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm time frame. Our teachers will be available to greet students, show them the classroom, and accept school supplies prior to the first day of school.
The first day of school for students in grades K-5 is Monday, August 30th. PreKindergarten students will attend an orientation on Monday, August 30th with their parents and it will not be a full day of school for them. Times will be communicated directly to PreKindergarten families prior to the orientation. The first full half-day for PreKindergarten students will be Tuesday, August 31st.
Classroom assignments will be available at the Open House event. Please be aware that no classroom changes will be made on Open House day.
- Open House
- Registrations and Vaccinations
- Buses and Transportation
- Student Handbooks
- Food and Nutrition
- Supply Lists
- Back to School Photos
Transportation Information to Start the School Year
Please click the link below for information regarding your child's bus number, bus stop location, and pick-up and drop-off times. The transportation department has reported that the information will be available to the public on August 16th. 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.
The Home Access Center (HAC) will open for families on August 25th at 8:00 am.
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Next Level Info - Upcoming Events
Save the Dates!
Grandparent's Day Luncheon
September 17th
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.
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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.
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School Photos
Summer School Fun!
In addition to all the learning taking place this summer, we have also found time for fun! Thank you to our Summer School staff for keeping learning engaging and fresh!
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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.
- Donate K-Cups for the newly acquired Keurig in the staff lounge - A great way to "fill our teachers' buckets"! Bring K-Cups to donate to the OPEN HOUSE on August 26th. We will have a place for you to drop them off!
- Purchase an extra item from your child's supply list to donate to the school for another child in need. A great way to "fill our students' buckets"! Bring the extra supplies to the OPEN HOUSE on August 26th. We will have a place for you to drop them off.
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
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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 100.0 or higher
- Chills or shaking chills
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Congestion or runny nose
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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