Otter Families!

Our first Community Gathering was a huge success! Check out the picture below of all our Otters who wore their uniforms representing their extra-curricular activities!

Thank you to the PTA and all of you and your families who attended our "Donuts with Grownups" event on Friday morning. The turnout was wonderful!

This week will begin our Parent "Lunch Bunch" with the Principal. I am so excited to meet with parents in this informal setting to listen to your feedback about your child's educational experience at OES. Be sure to check the times below for specific grade-level lunch bunch times. Be sure to bring your lunch!

Please be aware that Monday, October 9th, will be an ASYNCHRONOUS learning day for students. An asynchronous learning day means that students will not come to school, but will have work that is expected to be completed. They will not have scheduled times they are expected to meet virtually with their teachers. Work will either be submitted online through Schoology or be returned to their teacher on Tuesday, October 10th, according to their teacher's direction. Parent/Teacher conferences will be held on this day. You should be receiving communication from your child's teacher about conference day.

"Otterly" Yours,

Mrs. Anderson

The office will be open Monday - Friday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Otters – let’s get c-r-e-a-t-i-v-e! The PTA invites you to enter your drawing in our Yearbook Cover Contest! The selected design will be featured on our 2023-2024 yearbook cover and the student with the selected design will receive a free, personalized hard-copy yearbook.

All entries must be:

1. Drawn on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of plain, white paper
2. Vertical (portrait orientation)

All entries must include:

1. The words “Oakville Elementary School”
2. The date “2023-2024”
3. A minimum border of 1⁄2” between text/graphic and the edge of the paper.
4. Background colors may go all the way to the edge of the paper.

Tips for a good entry:

1. Not a lot of white space – lots of color (including background)
2. Mix up your medium (play with one or more of the following: crayons,watercolors, markers, oil pastels, etc.)
3. Use up the whole sheet of paper (the bigger the better)
4. Incorporate our school theme this year – COLORFUL

Questions? Email oakvillepta.secretary@gmail.com

Joint Press Release:
WellCheck
St. Mary’s County Health Department

LEONARDTOWN, MD (September 26, 2023) - The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) has partnered with Maryland-based technology firm WellCheck to launch the St. Mary’s Health & Wellness Portal for community services. Community members can now be easily connected to local services that address health, wellness, and social factors affecting a person’s ability to achieve better health. The cloud-based, HIPAA-compliant WellCheck portal is accessible from any digital device and does not require downloading applications. It includes a directory of free or reduced-cost community programs and services supporting better health care access, personal finance skills, conflict mediation, mental health, substance use recovery, and many other needs.

Free or reduced-cost local services offered by the health department and other community service providers are linked in the portal, allowing providers to browse and cross-refer clients/patients to these services electronically in a time-efficient and user-friendly process. Community members also have direct access to the portal to refer themselves. Community service providers registered in the system can also manage incoming referrals, appointments, and check-ins through it. These community providers would also get notification when referrals they make to other services have been completed.

“This is an incredible resource for our community members, healthcare workers, and community service organizations," said Dr. Meena Brewster, St. Mary’s County Health Officer. “Finally we have an efficient and user-friendly way to get our community members connected to local services supporting their health and overall well-being.”

"This comprehensive Health & Wellness Portal provides easy access to the community while increasing utilization for the localized programs and services that are available,” said Chris Nickerson, CEO of WellCheck. "Building and leveraging technology for the incredible community service providers of St. Mary’s County has been a prodigious experience."

The directory of local programs/services will continue to grow as more community service providers enroll in the free system. Community service providers who would like to enroll in the WellCheck digital referral system and have their eligible services included may click here.

To access the St. Mary’s Health & Wellness Portal and get connected to local community services, please click here.

For more information about WellCheck please go to wellcheck.us.

For more information about St. Mary's County Health Department please go to smchd.org .

There are so many fantastic things happening in our efforts to support SMCPS students with disabilities. Please use this survey to share your praise, story, or news about successes in your school or department!

This survey is generated and reviewed by the SMCPS Department of Special Education.

All SMCPS laptops come with the same responsibility of care and upkeep as any other loaned resources. Textbooks, novels, laptops and chargers can incur a debt if lost or damaged. Please refer to the student accountability newsletter that has been added to our weekly school newsletters.

All parent(s)/guardian(s) must complete an Acceptable Use Policy each school year. Click HERE to complete the Google form. School staff will be in touch with all families to complete the form throughout the month of August and September.

Please find below information regarding student meals for the 2023-2043 school year.

A link to the Food and Nutrition Services website is below. It has information regarding school meals, including a link to school meal menus.

A WEEK

Monday, 10/2

8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

• Kindergarten Readiness Assessment window open
• First-Grade Environmental Field Trip
• Building Service Worker Appreciation Day
• PTA Charleston Wrap Fundraiser

Tuesday, 10/3

8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

• Kindergarten Readiness Assessment window open
• PreK/K Parent Lunch Bunch @11:00 - 11:30 (Bring your own lunch)
• PTA Charleston Wrap Fundraiser

Wednesday, 10/4

8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

• Kindergarten Readiness Assessment window open
• PTA Charleston Wrap Fundraiser

Thursday, 10/5

8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

• Kindergarten Readiness Assessment window open
• PTA Charleston Wrap Fundraiser

Friday, 10/6

8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

• Kindergarten Readiness Assessment window open
• 4th Grade Environmental Field Trip
• PreK Field Trip
• PTA Charleston Wrap Fundraiser

Monday, 10/9

Students do not come to the school building

• ASYNCHRONOUS Learning Day
• Parent Teacher Conference Day

Save the Date: This year’s SMCPS STEAM Festival will be held on Saturday, October 28th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds. Admission is free and open to the public. Wrap up the fall festival season with a day of learning, food trucks, and STEAM-related fun!

Click below for the SMCPS Calendar for the 2023-2024 school year.

Hello OES Otter Family,

I am Hannah Pratz, and I am so excited to be returning to the OES family this school year! I have been a school nurse for 24 years and have loved every minute! I love what I do and my door is always open! Don't hesitate to pop in the health suite or cut through!

See you all soon!

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

We are looking forward to a great school year!

President: Beth Johnson Hill

Vice President: Stefanie Wines

Treasurer: Kim Burroughs

Secretary: Megan Russell

One community committed to the learning and safety of all children.

Community is important to us. We strive to have the words "goal-oriented", "fun", "inclusive", and "thriving" used to describe our community. We believe that children learn and adults work best in an environment where they feel respected and safe. We are focused on four areas in our development of community: 1) Cultivating respectful, supportive relationships among students, teachers, and parents, 2) Emphasizing common purposes and ideals, 3) Providing opportunities for service and cooperation, and 4) Providing opportunities for independence and influence.

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

Fall School Yearbook Pictures

Tentatively scheduled for September 26th

Retakes are tentatively scheduled for November 8th

More information will be provided as the dates draw closer.