August / September 2024

Renea Fowler, Principal - James Kratzer, Assistant Principal

Another exciting year has begun at ODE and our students are once again settling into their daily routines and their learning environment. We've had a great start! Thank you for following HCS guidelines on metal detectors and the use of clear back packs for those who carry one.

We look forward to a great school year and are eager to make this year the best ever for all of our students. Please let me know if I can assist you in any way. We are glad to have you as a part of the ODE family! Renea Fowler, Principal

Thursday, August 29

First General PTO Meeting - 5:30 in the Cafeteria

Monday, September 2

NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

Tuesday, September 3

Last day to turn in READCamp logs!

Monday, September 9

Fall PTO Fundraiser begins!

Watch for details.

September 8 - 14

National Arts in Education Week

September 15 - October 15

National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 17 - 23

Constitution Week

Tuesday, September 17

Constitution and Citizenship Day

Thursday, September 19

PTO Spirit Night - Location TBD

Friday, September 20

Interim Reports

Morning Procedures:

• ODE's instructional day begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 2:35 p.m.

• Walkers must be exactly that - Walkers. They should walk or ride a bike from home. Parents cannot park across the street and allow students to walk up with, or without, a parent. Students arriving in a car or golf cart are expected to get in the car rider line. Golf carts are to go through the car rider line.

• Car Drop Off - Make sure your child is ready to get out of the car: good-byes done, book bag ready, shoes on, etc!

• CD, K, 1, & 2 will exit their car to the right; 3, 4, & 5 will exit to the left.

• Car riders arriving after the gate is closed are considered tardy and must be signed in at the office by a parent or guardian.

• Remember to park in the Visitor Parking Lot.

Afternoon Procedures:

• ODE's dismissal is 2:35 p.m. for bus and car riders.

• Car rider pick up, please do not arrive before 2:00 p.m. We are also asking that you not arrive too early, which causes issues on 8th and 11th Avenue.

• There will be no dismissal of students between 2:00 p.m. & 2:35 p.m. There are many closing day procedures as the students finish their learning, pack their bags, and get final instruction from teachers. It becomes difficult to pull students to the office during this time.

• If your child has a medical appointment and needs to be signed out early, please make arrangements in writing before 2:00 p.m. that day and arrange to sign him/her out before 2:00 p.m. Send the Dr's note when your child returns to school.

• Students will be excused from class for medical appointments or emergencies only.

• Please drive through car pick up lines to pick up your child. Have your child's car tag prominently displayed in the front car window. Students are not permitted to walk across moving traffic.

• Parents must remain in cars for p.m. pickup.

Thank you for helping us make sure every minute of instruction counts!

1. We must have a signed written permission form from parents before we can administer medicine at school.

2. Medicines must be in the original labeled bottle.

3. We cannot accept medicines in an envelope, Ziploc bag, etc.

4. Bottles of medicines will NOT be sent back and forth between school and home. Please do not ask! The pharmacy will label 2 bottles if you request it.

5. Medicines must be delivered to the nurse by a parent/guardian. It is against District policy to send medicines on the bus. Students should not have medication in their possession at any time while at school.

If you have questions, please call Lisa Pate, School Nurse, at 390-6900.

Parents/Guardians, please be sure to update us with any email or phone contact changes so that we may contact you in an emergency, and so that you will receive any school communications sent out.

Be sure to log all of your reading! The deadline for READCamp forms or online entries is Tuesday, September 3rd.

Let’s always remember our safe bus riding procedures! While on the bus students should always sit quietly with their hands and feet to themselves, and their belongings in their lap. We want to be sure our drivers get each of our school children home safely!

Our guidance counselor, Ms. Foley, will be reviewing correct bus procedures along with the do's and don'ts of what comes to school in bookbags.

Thank you for your support in helping our children be Respectful, Responsible, and Ready on the bus and at school each day.

Anyone wanting to volunteer must complete the online volunteer process in order to assist in our school.

Go to www.horrycountyschools.net

Click on the "Families" drop down menu

Click on "Volunteer at HCS"

Click on the underlined link volunteer application

Register or log in to start a background check with Sterling Volunteers

Once your information has been submitted - What's Next?

After review of and approval by Horry County Schools, your background check will be submitted. If you are not approved to be screened, you will receive an email notification. If approved to move forward, the background check will be performed, and if you are approved as a volunteer, you will receive an email notification within five to seven business days.

Your ID card should be delivered within 10 business days of your application's approval. ALL volunteers at ODE must attend a volunteer orientation. These will be announced soon.

Returning volunteers will not need to go through the orientation unless they did not do so last year.

We look forward to having you back in our school!

Earning money for our school has never been easier!

Did you know that Publix Partners has contributed over $42.92 million to more than 5,333 schools across the Southeast?

Click to find out how you can help ODE! Giving back is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

The safety and welfare of our students and staff are our highest priority at Ocean Drive Elementary. In addition to the HCS use of metal detectors for all students and parent visitors, we practice safety drills throughout the year to help our students know what to do in an emergency. Throughout the school year we conduct safety drills such as fire, severe weather, lock down, earthquake, and bus. Prior to these drills, your child’s classroom teacher will thoroughly review procedures with the students.

We believe that having appropriate procedures in place and being prepared for the unexpected are critical in promoting school safety. Thank you for your support in promoting safety at Ocean Drive Elementary.

Sincerely, James Kratzer, Ocean Drive Assistant Principal

Horry County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, immigrant status, English-speaking status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal or S.C. law in its programs or activities.

For questions regarding the nondiscrimination policies call 843-488-6933, Horry County Schools, 1605 Horry Street, Conway, SC 29527.