Ocean Avenue Friday Notes

• 10/7: Grade 4 Field Trip to Mackworth Island, 11 AM-1:55 PM
  
• 10/8: PTO Meeting at 6:30 PM, OAES Library
  
• 10/9: NEW DATE ~ School Picture Day! 📸 (more info below)
• 10/11-10/14: Indigenous Peoples' Day (NO SCHOOL)
• 10/17: Learn About Our Learning at Ocean Avenue School, 5-6 PM
• 10/22: PPS Parent University ~ Attention Hijacked: Mindful Approaches to Tech Use Workshop, 6-7:30 PM at King Middle School (Designed for parents who want to understand the effects of screen time on their children's physical and mental health and learn strategies for managing it.)
  
• 10/25: Flu Shot Clinic at OAES
• LOOKING AHEAD - 12/3 & 12/4 and 03/24 & 3/25 - 11:10 AM Dismissal for Conferences
• LOOKING AHEAD - 12/14 - Designing Women Craft Show at Ocean Avenue School
  
  

✅ Here is the link to OCTOBER BREAKFAST/LUNCH MENU.

✅ Here is the link to the DISTRICT CALENDAR for the 2024/2025 school year.

✅ To look ahead to future meetings, school events, etc, please click on the link below ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

During the school day, students that bring cell phones to school need to have them turned off and in their locker for the whole school day. They cannot be turned on until dismissal at 2:10 PM each day.

Please Note: This also includes smart watches and other smart devices.

To read the PPS policy in its entirety, please click on the link below. ⬇️

Ocean Avenue School Picture Day is Wednesday, October 9th with Strawbridge Studios! Your student(s) should have all come home by now with their picture form. If you did not receive your form or need a new one sent home, please contact the Main Office. You can also order a picture package online without the form. Please see information below on how to do this.

Please Note: Every student will receive a School ID Card and Class Composite Picture, even if a picture package is not ordered for your student(s).

HOW TO PLACE YOUR SCHOOL PICTURE ORDER ONLINE:

To order a picture package and pay online, go to www.strawbridge.net. Click Order Pictures and enter the following code: FM452508.

Ocean Avenue School has a dedicated attendance email that you can use for reporting absences, late arrivals and early pick-ups. It is oaesattendance@portlandschools.org.

We encourage you to use this email, as it goes into a shared group that can be opened by both administrative assistants in the office. If one is out, the other will see the email, and nothing will be missed! Thanks for trying it out! :)

Now that we are a full month into the school year, I feel that it is important to address the issue of dogs on school grounds. We have had a few parents reach out regarding this issue, as many of our students are walkers and walk to school with their beloved family pets each day. Most of our families know that once they reach the entrance of the school property, to give their pet a hug, while the student(s) continues onto the school grounds to get ready for their school day. I have noticed a few pets on the school grounds recently though. So the question has come up again: "Are dogs allowed on school grounds?"

Below, I am re-sharing an article I ran in October 2023 regarding this very issue/question.

We used to enforce no dogs on school grounds for many years, until I had a parent/community member push back a few years ago. The city signage used to have information about no dogs on school property. Those signs were replaced with new ones that do not mention dogs. We had thought the City Code had changed.

Once I had a few parent concerns shared with me about the dogs, we found this information from Richard Bianculli. Richard works at the Portland Police Department as the Neighborhood Prosecutor. Here is what he had to say:

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• “I have reviewed the issue concerning dogs on school grounds. Dogs (with the exception of service animals) are prohibited on any portion of school grounds as the entirety of the outdoor portion of the school property would be considered as part of the school yard.
• In addition to the waste/elimination issues, it makes sense to prohibit dogs from school grounds entirely because of allergies, sensitivities, past trauma, notions of equity, the potential for dog bites, and the importance of avoiding distractions. Many children know that it's important to ask before petting a dog while others do not. Kids and dogs can both get excitable when a crowd surrounds them and that is not usually the best recipe for either party.
• Portland City Code of Ordinances Sec. 5-15.1. Definitions. The following words when used in this article shall have the meaning given herein: At large shall mean and include any of the following: … (g) Within any playfields, school yards and playgrounds whether leashed or not;
  Dog Owner Responsibilities | Portland, ME - Official Website (portlandmaine.gov)
  
• The official code is here: Portland City Code Chapter 5 (civicplus.com)
  "No dog shall be permitted to be at large within the city." The definition of "at large" includes "Within any playfields, school yards and playgrounds whether leashed or not."

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I understand that a family can walk their child to school, and get exercise for their pet dogs. This can be a fun event with good memories attached. However, some school children have strong reactions, including feelings of terror, due to past experiences with dogs.

Here is a solution we used in the past with success. It allows dogs to join the walk to and from school, while not being on school grounds. Families can walk their dogs up to the perimeter of the school property and know that their child has safely arrived at school without the dog entering the school yard. When getting to school grounds, families share their goodbyes, and students will walk up the sidewalk into school.

Thank you for helping all of your students feel safe at our school. When we take part, it builds a stronger school community.

While we do not celebrate birthdays at school, parents/guardians are welcome to send a healthy snack for their child's class in honor of a birthday. Examples of a healthy snack include a fruit platter, popcorn, pretzels. Please do NOT send in cake, cupcakes or other sugary sweets. It is appreciated if you let your child's teacher know of your plans in advance.

Please do NOT bring in balloons, or other items that could trigger allergies and can disrupt learning. Please let your child’s teacher know of your plans in advance. This allows for appropriate planning and to ensure any allergies, etc. are accounted for.

**PLEASE NOTE: STUDENTS MAY ONLY HAND OUT BIRTHDAY PARTY INVITATIONS AT SCHOOL, IF ALL STUDENTS IN THE CLASS ARE BEING INVITED TO THE STUDENT'S CELEBRATION.

Ready to roll?!? Next week, students will come home with these great bookmarks from Happy Wheels in Portland. If they read five books and get it signed by a teacher or a librarian (Ms. Eva or a public librarian), they can exchange this bookmark for free admission at Happy Wheels! (Rentals are included if they are needed.)

Happy Skating!

Enjoy these photos from across OAES classrooms.

Check out the amazing ways teachers are bringing these curricula to life with visual supports in their classrooms!!! WOOT WOOT! Grade K is learning about lines!

Grade 1 posting Tricky Words!

Grade 2 using Sound Walls as visual supports!

Grade 3 creating beautiful anchor charts prompting students to think about being Ethical People and identifying the learning goals of the module!

Grade 4 supporting Collaborative Talk - BOOM!!

Grade 5 Is learning to write clear and concise summaries. WOWZA!

Ocean Avenue Elementary's Flu Shot Clinic will be held on Friday, October 25th from 7:30-10 AM at OAES. We are partnering with Northern Light Health to give annual flu shots to any student that would like to participate.

Pre-registration is required, please use this link to sign up or scan the QR code to the right: Ocean Ave Registration will close on Friday, October 18th and we will not be able to accomodate any same day sign ups.If you need a translated version, please let Nurse Carrie know.

We often greet kids with this question after events, sometimes before they even buckle up or walk through the door. Kids sense our relief when we get a positive response, which can lead them to associate fun with approval & safety. However, instilling the belief that every experience should be "fun" creates unrealistic expectations.

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If you really want insight into your child's experiences, try asking a S.O.C.K. question.

S.O.C.K. questions are:

• Specific
• Open-ended
• Creative
• Kid-friendly

If you want to know about your child's experiences:

• What was the most surprising part of your day?
• What was something challenging you faced?
• Can you tell me about how you felt when...?
• What would you change about today if you could?

Or, if you want to know about your child's playmates:

• Who did you spend the most time with today?
• Is there someone new you met or talked to?
• How do you feel when you're with (friend's name)?
• What is something special about one of your friends?

Or, if you want to know about your child's discoveries:

• What's one new thing you learned today?
• Did anything make you curious or wonder why?
• What was the coolest thing you saw or did?
• Was there something you didn't understand but want to?

S.O.C.K. questions are accessible, engaging, and get kids talking!

When doing your fall cleaning, and going through your winter gear, if you come across any "gently used" children's mittens or gloves, please donate them to our school! The weather is starting to change and as we get ready to supply many our our students with winter gear, the one item we are currently very low on are mittens and gloves. Thank you for your help and donations! 🧤🥊

Please join us on Tuesday, October 8th for the PTO meeting! We will cover the exciting things happening at school, upcoming PTO sponsored events, and hear a school update from our principal. Stay as long as you’d like!

Each Fall and Spring the PTO runs once-a-week enrichment classes after school. We are looking for interested teachers/instructors. In the past, we have offered yoga, dance, theater, Minecraft, art, running — to name a few. If you have ideas or know a possible instructor please contact board@oapto.org. Instructors are paid a stipend for their time.

The PTO is hosting a pizza night fundraiser at Flatbread Company on Tuesday, October 15th. A portion of every pizza sold (dine in, take out, or delivery) from 5-9pm that night will raise money for our students to participate in Side x Side this year!

Learn more about this wonderful non-profit here: https://sidexsideme.com

*Stay tuned for details of a raffle!

The PTO is trying to reach a goal of 100 monthly donors who are willing to give $1 - $10 each month. Can you help?

Now that the 2024-2025 school year has begun, we are more eager than ever to support our students and teachers. If a teacher wants to do a special project with their class, we want to be able to say YES! If the library wants to add to their collection, we want to be able to write the check. If a grade level wants to go on a field trip, we want to fund it. If there is an opportunity to bring a visiting artist to the school, we want to make it happen.

Here are some enriching projects, field trips, and important items previously funded thanks to our Dolphin's Cove donors:

• Provided funds to replace all lost library books throughout the school year.

• Supplied funds for school garden upgrades and maintenance including 200 new plants.

• Sent third graders to the Desert of Maine for an ecological learning experience.

• Covered the membership cost for our school nurse with the National Association of School Nurses. One benefit of membership is the VSP Eyes of Hope® gift certificate program which covers a comprehensive eye exam and, if prescribed, new glasses at a VSP network doctor's office for students in need.

• Brought a Portland Symphony Orchestra Kinderkonzert ensemble to perform for the K-2 students. The brass quintet performed The Circus Ship, the beloved children's book story by Chris Van Dusen, while introducing students to this family of instruments.

• Sent second and third graders to a vibrant production of Wabanaki Stories at Merrill Auditorium featuring five Wabanaki artists coming from several different nations and traditions.

• Organized monthly teacher appreciation events for OAES staff including an ice cream truck, treats for teachers in the staff room, a gift card raffle, and an espresso cart service.

• Paid membership fees for Ruth’s Reusable Resources, a free store for teachers connecting them with surplus furniture, paper, books, office supplies and computers.

• Funded a visit from award-winning children’s book author and poet, Samara Cole Doyon, who is both a second-generation Haitian American and a deeply rooted Mainer.

• Covered the cost of math team t-shirts for fifth graders.

• Organized and funded our school spring fair with an inflatable obstacles course, snow cones, face painting, photo booth, martial arts demos, and lawn games.

• Covered costs for books from Maine Student Book Awards and Chickadee Book Awards to be added to our library.
  
  

Thank you to each of our current donors for the consistent support.

Please consider joining Dolphin’s Cove if you can!

• https://donorbox.org/dolphinscove-2-3

Have you been wanting to get involved but not sure how? OAES PTO is looking for volunteers to help coordinate upcoming events and fundraisers. We welcome all to help in any way they can! Please contact us if interested: board@oapto.org. Attendance at meetings is not required.

Opt-in to text updates to stay up to date on community events, news, reminders, and more! Just text the phrase OAPTO to 844-795-0248. Text STOP to opt-out at any time.

Email: westme@portlandschools.org
Website: https://oceanavenue.portlandschools.org/
Location: 150 Ocean Avenue, Portland, ME, USA
Phone: 207-874-8180
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oaesportland