Dear Otter Elementary School Families,

It seems the illnesses going around all over are also impacting our otters. Our building service crew is working each day and after school to disinfect classroom and shared spaces and our staff are working hard throughout the day to keep up with the germs.

Nurse Pratz spoke with students at our Community Gathering and is popping into lunches to remind them to cough into their elbows and wash their hands frequently. Any support you can provide at home in reinforcing these practices would be appreciated. I have also included the guidance below about "When is sick too sick for school?".

Finally, the SMCPS Central Office has requested the following verbiage be shared with families regarding our practices that are in accordance with the law when it comes to records requests and requests to interview students.

• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Many citizens are concerned about reports in the media relative to ICE Raids and want to know how their local school systems plan to handle the issue. SMCPS will adhere to the guidance provided by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Please read A Guide for Students, Families, and Local Education Agencies on the MSDE website. Our actions are bound by law, and our administrative staff consistently ensures compliance.

Otterly Yours,

Mrs. Anderson

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

Please click on the links below to access public calendars.

Our school's overall attendance rate, as reported to MSDE, for the school year so far is 93.4% (-0.3%). The goal is 94%.

Here are the weekly attendance rates for the week of January 20th - January 24th.

PreK: 76% (-9.7%)

Kindergarten: 76% (-13.6%)

1st Grade: 89% (-4.8%)

2nd Grade: 87% (-6.5%)

3rd Grade: 87% (-6.2%)

4th Grade: 86% (-5.0%)

5th Grade: 91% (-2.2%)

Mrs. Curtis and I will be reviewing 2nd quarter and school year attendance. Attendance letters will be sent out over the next two weeks. Any needs for in person attendance meetings will be communicated directly with those families impacted.

The PTA has compiled a directory of contact information for families to use. Please click on the button below to access the directory. Only families who returned to request for information and provided consent to share their information have been included. If you wish to be included, please reach out to the PTA.

Congratulations to Nora Keever, this year's yearbook cover contest winner!

The St. Mary’s County Citizens’ Advisory Committee for Special Education (CACSE) Rise Up Awards: The Rise Up Award recognizes a teacher, administrator, therapist, assistant to an educator, or anyone in the Special Education system who has truly gone to extraordinary efforts to contribute, in a compassionate and caring way, to the growth, happiness, and general well-being of our children with disabilities. If you are a parent or caregiver who would like to nominate a person who has positively impacted your child’s life, please consider nominating them for the Rise Up Award. When educators go above and beyond to help our children “Rise Up” and exceed in life, it is our pleasure to recognize and thank them for the amazing jobs that they do. (The nomination deadline is March 7, 2025)

SMCPS will host a spirit week district-wide the week of February 10th - February 14th. See below for more details. This does not conflict with any of our already scheduled spirit days.

Keep this list somewhere handy!

Monday, February 3rd

9:00 am - 3:45 pm

• School Counselor Week

Tuesday, February 4th

9:00 am - 3:45 pm

• School Counselor Week

Wednesday, February 5th

9:00 am - 3:45 pm

• School Counselor Week
• Extra Recess and Popsicles

Thursday, February 6th

9:00 am - 3:45 pm

• School Counselor Week

Friday, February 7th

9:00 am - 3:45 pm

• School Counselor Week

St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) students use the Internet and other instructional computer resources in school. It is important that you and your student review this information each year. Within this policy is the Google Workspace for Education Additional Services Agreement. Students in grades PreK - 5th grade do not need to complete an AUP this school year. They will not be accessing additional services within Google Workspace for Education beyond the core features.

Now is a great time to find your laptop and charger. Please run all of the updates and make sure that it is working order. Chargers are to remain at home.

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.

Hello OES Otter Families,

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 25 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!

All medications must be accompanied by an order before they can be given at school. We CANNOT give any medication without the medical order.

See you all soon!

FAQ:

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

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: lpanderson@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