Welcome to Our Newest Staff Members!
We have had a couple of changes this summer to our staff. Here is some information about our newest teachers:
- Brendan Boss is our Physical Education (PE) Teacher. Brendan comes to us from the Freeport school district.
- Julia Gordon is our Art Teacher. Julia comes to us from the Saco elementary schools.
- Judi Riley will be back, joining us one day a week to support our multilingual students.
- Seth Guiod is a new dedicated building substitute teacher.
- Lydia Bowers is our new ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder, formally known as Beach) Program Teacher. She has an extensive background working with autistic individuals from preschool age through adulthood.
School Hours, Morning Drop Off, and Early Release Wednesday Reminder!
Ocean Avenue's school hours remain the same this year ~ 7:40 AM to 2:10 PM. Staff begin supervising students starting at 7:25 AM. Many students are excited and wanted to be at school earlier, but they may not be at school until 7:25 AM at the earliest. There is no before school care at Ocean Avenue. You may see staff out at 7:20 AM to welcome early bus students.
EARLY RELEASE WEDNESDAY REMINDER: The first Early Release Day starts the first week of school on Wednesday, September 4th. Every Wednesday during the school year, students are released 1 hour earlier. For Ocean Avenue, Wednesday dismissal is at 1:10 PM.
Your Child's Dismissal Plans
We started to use this form a few years ago, and found it to be extremely helpful for both our teachers and office staff. Thank you for taking the time to do this. Your child's safety is of our utmost importance!
Practice Bus Ride for Incoming K Students -- Friday, August 30th at 9 AM
The bus will meet families at the bus circle at Ocean Avenue. Students will board the bus and meet one of our drivers, who will answer questions and talk about safety. Then, students will be treated to a short bus ride.
FIRST DAY PACKET PAPERWORK ONLINE ~ Please complete by September 20th!
The District’s First Day Packet Paperwork is online only, and can be completed and updated through the same portal for Infinite Campus that allows you to see your child’s grades, attendance, school calendar, and more.
If you already have an activated parent portal Infinite Campus account, please go there to complete the paperwork. You will see further instructions once you sign on.
If you have forgotten your login or can't remember your password, please email Janice Caminiti. Please include your full name, home address, student's name(s), and your email for verification purposes. You will receive an email with your username and a temporary password, along with instructions on how to change that password to something more secure.
If you are new to Portland Public Schools or do not yet have an activated parent Infinite Campus account, please fill out the Parent/Guardian Portal Form and read through the PPS Parent Portal Agreement. Once we receive this form, Ms. Caminiti will send you a Portal Activation Key for you to create your own username and password.
Please read the attached PPS Parent Portal Agreement prior to filling out the Parent/Guardian Portal Form. Instructions will be sent to you on how to create your username/password and update your child(ren's) information once your activation key has been assigned.
Dear OAES Families, I'm writing to ask for your help
During the last two presidential elections, we noticed that students have been very vocal about their opinions. It’s natural for children to repeat what they hear at home or on TV. The rhetoric in our country can be strong and even frightening for young children who don’t yet fully understand it. This understanding develops later in childhood.
Please know that I’m not writing from a partisan perspective. I recognize that emotions are running high as we approach this election. I’m asking for your support in preserving the values we, as a community, cherish and wish to instill in our children—values like caring and kindness, being open-minded, empathy, and cooperation. These values go beyond politics and popular culture, and we are committed to upholding them in our school. You can help by encouraging your child to focus on what they can control: being kind and helpful to others. As adults—whether we work at OAES or send our kids to the school—we have a responsibility to protect both the physical and emotional safety of our students, to promote these positive values, and to intervene when behaviors threaten this safety.
You can help us by talking with your child about three things:
The importance of embodying and modeling positive values, even when they see others doing the opposite.
Remind them that school is a safe place with adults who are here to help.
Discuss the importance of standing up for what is right by supporting their classmates when something hurtful is said. This can be as simple as asking a classmate if they’re okay, or literally standing by their side.
I’m proud to be part of our community. I believe our diversity makes us stronger, and our shared values make us even more resilient. We must ensure that our children support one another and grow into the amazing people they have the potential to be. This completely aligns with our school’s vision: Ocean Avenue’s Elementary School students will achieve their highest potential by being knowledgeable, principled, and courageous young people who promote a healthy and more peaceful world.
Thank you for your support in creating a school environment where every child is treated with dignity and respect. Please feel free to reach out to me, Emily Parr, AP, or your child’s teacher if you have any questions.
- Beverly Stevens, Principal
Save the Date ~ Flu Clinic at Ocean Avenue School
School Supplies
The answer is that no school supplies are necessary! Ocean Avenue supplies all of our students with the necessary tools and supplies to have a successful school year.
If you are interested in donating classroom supplies to support your child's classroom, please reach out to your child's teacher directly. They will provide you with suggestions of items to donate this school year.
Change of Clothes for Cubby/Locker
We do have a clothing closet, but sizes are often limited, and many students are more comfortable in their own cloths. If you are able to send in a spare set of clothes, this would be very helpful.
PLEASE NOTE: To start the school year, we are in good shape for donations, but we continue to have needs throughout the year.
When we get low on certain items in our Clothing Closet, we will reach out by email asking for your help. Thank you!
School Meals Free of Charge
Breakfast and lunch is free for all Portland Public School students. Maine is fortunate that legislatures passed LD 1679, An Act to Address Student Hunger through Expanding Access to Free School Meals. LD 1679 was signed into law by Governor Janet Mills on May 3, 2022. This law resulted in breakfast and lunch being available at NO CHARGE to all students enrolled in a Maine public school. The State funds the parent portion of reimbursable meals.
Although school meals for all students are free regardless of family income, the information from the Household Income Data Form helps us maximize the state revenue our school district receives. We ask that all families complete the Household Income Data Form by downloading the print-version of the form located at this link. Alternatively, you will receive a personalized link in mid September so that you can complete the form electronically. Please know that the information you provide is protected and won’t be shared.
PLEASE NOTE: Students can continue to purchase milk only for $0.50 each.
Bus Route Information Sent through ReachMyTeach
Instead of postcards in the mail, all bus eligible PPS families received their child’s bus route information electronically through ReachMyTeach, the easy-to-use messaging platform that the district will be using for all communications this year. The bus route information was emailed out to all families this week.
Please check your email for this important busing information. Don't forget to fill out the dismissal form, so we know your child's dismissal plans every day. Thank you!
