Welcome Back to Oak Tree!

Hello Oak Tree Families!

It is so good to welcome everyone back from our summer break! If you have been back on campus you have noticed that a lot of things have changed since last May around here. In addition to some new faces on our staff, we saw a lot of refreshing/construction on campus. Some of the construction work is ongoing and should be wrapped up by the end of next week. Our students have been amazing at taking it all in stride and they are super examples of being patient and flexible.

We welcome the following new teachers to Oak Tree:

• Alex Kolkhorst - Art

• Bella Cleveland - ESAP K-2

• Annie “Anissa” Vincent - Band

• Rebecca Jean Anzur (Ms. Jean) - 3rd

• Jennifer Leckey - Intermediate Resource

• Stephanie Low - 6th Math

• John Karoly - PE (Returning)

• Lora Medina - ESAP 5-6

• Jenn Laserna - Half-time Dean of Students

• Kaitlyn Long - ESAP Counselor (Returning)

I feel fortunate to have found such strong educators to join our staff. Additionally, we are happy to welcome Mrs. Miwa Hayama to our administrative office team as our Administrative Assistant.

We look forward to a fantastic school year and hope to make this our best one ever! Thank you for helping our students to Stand Tall and SOAR High!

Mr. Lunt

I am excited to be an Eagle this year and be part of this wonderful community here at Oak Tree. I look forward to getting to know every one of you. This is my twentieth year in education and my eighth year with Gilbert Public Schools. I started my teaching career in Maryland, as a special educator, working with children in grades kindergarten through fifth grade. Then became a classroom teacher a few years later, teaching first grade, third grade, and fourth grade.

For the last four years, I was a math specialist, working with students from kindergarten through sixth grade with math. As an educator, I believe that we must work together to support the emotional, social, and academic well-being of each child. Parental and community involvement is key when it comes to engaging our students in the learning process and supporting them in becoming productive, caring citizens. As part of the Oak Tree team, I will work alongside Mr. Lunt and this staff to always do what is best for students.

Tuesday, July 25th - First Day of School!

Wednesday, July 26th - Early Release at 1:55 pm

Wednesday, August 2nd - Early Release at 1:55 pm

Monday, August 7th - Night of Expectations (Pre-K, 1, 3, 5) at 6:00 pm

Wednesday, August 9th - Night of Expectations (K, 2, 4, 6) at 6:00 pm

Wednesday, August 9th - Early Release at 1:55 pm

Welcome back Oak Tree families! It has been so wonderful to see such happy and smiling faces at school this week!

A few reminders and updates:

5th or 6th graders that are 11 years of age may now receive their TDaP booster and Meningococcal vaccine. There have been some changes that the health services were just made aware of today. Previously 6th graders that were 11 were required to have their TDaP and Meningococcal immunizations when starting 6th grade. Now children are required to receive these immunizations anywhere between the age of 11 and 12 regardless of grade. It does not have to be completed anymore right when they turn 11 but I highly recommend getting it completed so that way it is not forgotten! If your child is not up to date 2 weeks after their 12th birthday they will be marked non-compliant and will not be allowed to attend school until completed.

I would have contacted families regarding their child this week via email or phone if they are still showing non-compliant in our system regarding any immunizations.

Just a reminder of immunizations that are required for Kindergarten:

Arizona Law requires that students entering Kindergarten have

had the following vaccines:

5 doses of DTap, DTP, or DT

4 doses of Polio (IPV)

3 doses Hepatitis B

2 doses MMR

1 dose Varicella*

*2 doses recommended by the CDC for full protection

Where to get vaccinated:

If your insurance covers immunizations:

Your healthcare provider

Maricopa County Immunization clinic.

Free walk-in clinic, M-F 9:00-4:30pm, closed for lunch. (602)506-2660

If you don’t have insurance, your insurance doesn’t cover vaccines, are on AHCCCS, are

Native American or Alaska Native:

Maricopa County Immunization clinic

Free walk-in clinic, M-F 9:00-4:30pm, closed for lunch (602)506-2660.

Dignity Health Community Wellness

Free walk-in clinics held weekly on Wednesdays 2-4pm in Gilbert and

Thursdays 2:30-5:00pm in Chandler. Occasional Tuesday evenings and

Saturday clinics offered as well. Call 480-728-2004 for hours and locations.

Mesa Fire Department

Walk in Clinic held the 2nd Wednesday of each month at Superstition Springs

Mall, 5-7pm. 480-644-3459

Please remember to send your child with a water bottle to school every day! It is very hot outside and little bodies can get dehydrated very quickly!

Have a wonderful and safe weekend! Don’t forget your sunscreen!

Nurse Lindsay

Welcome back Oak Tree families! We are so happy to be starting another year here at Oak Tree. We have a great community of teachers, parents, and families and we're excited to strengthen that community this year.

T Shirt order forms will be going out soon so be on the lookout for those.

Our first PTO meeting will be Tuesday, August 15 from 3:15-4:15 in the library. Childcare and snacks will be provided. We would love to see you there!

Have a great weekend!

PTO

Families,

Gilbert Public Schools uses the heat index chart to make sure all students are safe in the Arizona heat. Below is the chart to ensure students are indoors when the heat is unsafe.

Gifted Testing Procedures:

The Cognitive Abilities Test will be administered at Oak Tree Elementary School in August (specific date/s to be determined). For additional information, please click on "Testing Information/Request Gifted Testing Form." After reading the given information, scroll to the gold box, and click for the request form. Request form availability closes August 11.

Gifted Testing Information/Request Gifted Testing Form

If there are questions/concerns, please contact:

jenn.laserna@gilbertschools.net

janice.moser@gilbertschools.net

Home of the Eagles

505 West Houston Ave

Gilbert, AZ 85233

Phone (480).632.4785

Fax (480) 632.4794