Otter Families!

Welcome to 2024! We have had a great first week back in the new year reacclimating ourselves to being back in school. I hope you enjoyed the two week break!

Please mark your calendars for January 25th. We will be hosting a Parent Night. Information related to curriculum, behavior, and a mid-year School Improvement Plan check in will be on the agenda. More information will come out separately as the date approaches.

Also, the Spirit Day scheduled for January 26th will take place on January 25th. I made an error when scheduling and forgot that students are not in school on January 26th.

I'm wishing for snow on Saturday, but thinking we'll only get rain. But, cold and rainy still deserves some hot chocolate, too!

"Otterly" Yours,

Mrs. Anderson

Celebrate our "P.A.W.S.ome" Otters!

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

Evening Counseling: SMCPS is once again offering School-Based Counseling Support in the evening for SMCPS students. Counseling support focuses on the following areas: Healthy Relationships, Social Skills, Self-Esteem, Stress Management, Worry, Sadness, and Emotional Regulation. Services will be located at Margaret Brent Middle School and Greenview Knolls Elementary School on Tuesday evenings from 4-7:30 p.m. Please complete the Parent Contact Form for Evening Counseling to request services.

Our school's overall attendance rate, as reported to MSDE, for the school year so far is 94.48%. The goal is 94%.

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.

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.

WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING WINTER EVENTS FOR EDUCATING AND CELEBRATING. You can email Mrs. Curtis directly, kvcurtis@smcps.org, or use the link below to submit events.

A WEEK

Monday, 1/8

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

Tuesday, 1/9

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

• Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

Wednesday, 1/10

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

Thursday, 1/11

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

Friday, 1/12

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

• Greenwell Park to visit PreK Classrooms

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!

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