Ocean Avenue Friday Notes

September is National Attendance Awareness month. Students who miss two or more days during this crucial first month of school are significantly more likely to be chronically absent for the entire year! Being on time every day is just as important! When a student misses as little as 10 minutes in the morning, they are missing morning meeting time in their classroom which helps to center students for the day and set them up for success. Please help your child(ren) to be at school on time every day! Thank you for your support!

• 9/14: Back to School Fair for Multilingual Families at East End School, 1-4 PM
  
• 9/16: Grade 3 District Field Trip to Shaw Park, 11 AM-1:55 PM
• 9/23-9/30: Grade 3-5 State Assessments (2 Hours)
• 9/30: First Day of Learning Works (TENTATIVE)
• 10/3 - School Picture Day! 📸
• 10/7: Grade 4 Field Trip to Mackworth Island, 11 AM-1:55 PM
• 10/8: PTO Meeting at 6:30 PM, OAES Library
  
• 10/11-10/14: Indigenous Peoples' Day (NO SCHOOL)
• 10/17: Learn About Our Learning at Ocean Avenue School, 5-6 PM
• SAVE THE DATE - 10/25 - Flu Shot Clinic at OAES (More info to come)
• LOOKING AHEAD - 12/3 & 12/4 and 03/24 & 3/25 - 11:10 AM Dismissal for Conferences

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

Families of 3rd, 4th and 5th Graders, your child will take the Maine State Test, given every year for grades 3-8, and grade 10. This is the NWEA Assessment, also called Maine Through the Year (METY). This information helps teachers check student performance by measuring achievement and growth. Teachers use results to tailor classroom lessons and set goals for students. Here are the dates:

• 5th Grade on September 30 (Math) and October 3 (Reading)

• 4th Grade on October 1 (Math) and October 4 (Reading)

• 3rd Grade on October 2 (Math) and October 3 (Reading)

MAP Growth tests are unique, and it adapts to your child’s responses to measure your child’s skill level. In the second half of the test, if your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. These results will provide a more complete picture of what your child knows and is ready to learn—whether it is on, above, or below grade level. This assessment is designed to be untimed. Students will be provided as much time as they need to answer all assessment questions. For the average student, the assessment will take about 90 minutes for each subject (Reading and Math).

The Through-year Assessment is used by the State of Maine to look at student proficiency (Are students meeting grade level standards?) and student growth (Are students growing in their academic abilities across the school year?). Each school year, students in grades 3, 4, and 5 take the tests in October and May. Following each testing period, you will receive a Family Report showing a summary of how your child is performing academically. We, at OAES, also give this assessment as a mid-year check in for both students to see their progress, and for teachers to make any adjustments needed for the second part of the year.

We are truly excited to focus on your child’s individual growth and achievement. For more information about MAP Growth, visit NWEA.org/familytoolkit.

Last year, we worked with Playworks to refresh our approach to recess and play as a school. If you are unfamiliar with Playworks, you can read about what they do here.

This academic year, we will continue implementing the routines and games we learned from our partnership with Playworks. We encourage students to engage in active play and develop problem-solving skills. Options for students at recess, in addition to the swings and structure, include basketball, four square, soccer, jump rope, hula hooping, and relay races. Students can also access the school garden during recess, which is a quiet area for relaxation and enjoying the beautiful plants and flowers. In addition, for younger students, we have sidewalk chalk and bubbles.

Please remember to remind your child(ren) that toys and sports equipment should be left at home. We have everything they need for a fun-packed recess!

Students have been busy in the library this week making library cards and checking out books for the first time.

Ask your student what day they have library as a Special. Please help them remember to bring their books back to school on library day!

Kindergarten Parents: Don’t worry if you haven’t seen a book yet. They have checked out books to their classrooms to practice. Books are coming home soon!

Wondering how to tell if a book belongs in the Ocean Avenue Library? Look for these stickers. They won’t always say Ocean Ave (some say Nathan Clifford), but the barcode always starts with an 8!

SAVE THE DATE for the Flu Shot clinic on Friday, October 25 from 7:30-11 AM. All students are welcome to receive their yearly flu shot during this time. More information and paperwork coming soon!

As a reminder, please send in any updated immunization records. You can have your doctor's office fax them directly to 207-874-1021.

Hello, awesome families and students!

We know there’s lots of excitement in the air with getting back to school. New classes, friends, and activities are starting for you! But did you know that one of the best ways to have a great school year is to get into a good routine? Yup, especially when it comes to sleep.

Here’s Why:

1. Sleep Helps You Learn Better!

When you get enough sleep, your brain has time to recharge. This means you’ll remember more of what you learn in class and be ready to take on new challenges!

2. You’ll Have More Energy!

Ever felt super tired at school and just wanted to nap? That’s what happens when you don’t get enough sleep. With a good night’s rest, you’ll have lots of energy to play with friends and focus on your lessons.

3. Mood Boost!

When you're well-rested, you’re more likely to feel happy and less cranky. Plus, being in a good mood helps you have more fun with friends and handle challenges more easily.

4. Helps Your Body Grow Strong!

Sleep is when your body does a lot of its growing and healing. That means if you want to grow big and strong, good sleep is super important.

Tips for a Super Sleep Routine:

• Go to bed at the same time every night (even on weekends!). This helps your body know when it’s time to rest.
• Turn off screens (like tablets and TVs) at least 30 minutes before bed. This helps your brain relax and get ready for sleep.
• Create a calming bedtime routine, like reading a book or listening to soft music. This helps you wind down and get cozy.

With a solid routine, especially a good sleep schedule, you’ll be ready to conquer the school year like a champ! So, let’s get those Zzz’s in and start the year strong.

Sweet dreams and happy learning! 💤

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.

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

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