OCS Intermediate School Newsletter

We are having a great first week of school!

We have thoroughly enjoyed welcoming students back and getting to know our new Odyssey Owls. It's been wonderful seeing all the smiles, connections made, and children opening up the wonder of the new school year and the learning they will enjoy.

Tonight is our Back to School BBQ from 5-7PM. Activities will be largely centered around Building 20 as you come on to campus. Please watch closely for parking attendants to make sure we move vehicles safely and efficiently into parking spaces.

An extra special ευχαριστώ (THANK YOU) to our teachers and staff who have worked tirelessly to be sure we were ready for an amazing start to the school year!

Below are a couple photos from this week, including one of the new recess and playground space in our courtyard.

Please carefully review transportation document, map and details on our IS Carline Procedures below.

Car rider pickup begins at 3:25 PM.

*Please be patient during the first weeks of school. Carefully read the transportation document below for details.

For parents who have both Intermediate School students and Lower School students that you pick up in carline, your Intermediate School student will be considered a “Lower School walker” this year and will be transported by bus from the IS to the LS to be picked up in one location (Lower School). However, you must email to Courtney.Saxton@odyssey.k12.de.us & Julie.Tsakumis@odyssey.k12.de.us

if you would like your child will be a "Lower School Walker." Please also make sure your IS student knows they are a "Lower School Walker" so they listen for this on the dismissal announcements. Thank you!

Our first formal dress (Up) day will be on Friday, September 13th. On formal dress days, students must wear a navy blue blazer over their OCS-embroidered polo shirt (long or short sleeve).

We understand the time crunch of getting a navy blue blazer in time for our first formal dress day. As a result, we are incentivizing this day by offering THREE free dress down day passes for every student who comes in full formal dress with a blazer on Friday, September 13th. These free dress down passes can be used at anytime before the end of September.

We encourage all of our families to participate in our first formal dress day, and have attached a calendar of additional formal dress days that will be required throughout the year.

Navy Blue blazers embroidered with the school logo are available through our vendors, Tommy Hilfiger and Lands’ End. Students may also wear non-logoed navy blue blazers in a similar style. Blazers are not required to be embroidered, and can be purchased from major retailers such as Amazon ( 1, 2, 3), Target, H&M, Zara, Walmart, etc. Please click the links for examples of acceptable blazers.

• Parents with students in 4th Grade should attend on Tuesday, September 17th.
• Parents with students in Grades 3 and 5 should attend on Thursday, September 19th.

This event will run from 4:30pm - 6pm. A more detailed schedule will be sent as this event draws near.

For any 4th & 5th grade students interested in participating in band this year, please fill out the interest form here.

Girls on the Run is back at Odyssey! Please see the flyer for information on how to sign up your daughter for this great program.

For any interested students in our Field Hockey Clinic, please see flyer below and registration form here.

Intermediate School (ONLY) Yearbook Initial $25 offer.

• 9/5 - Back to School Bash - 5-7 PM - Ring in the school year with students & staff
  

• 9/6 - $2 PTO Dollar Dress Down Day

• 9/10 - Professional Development Day - SCHOOL CLOSED FOR STUDENTS!
  

• 9/13 - Optional (but highly encouraged) Formal Dress (Up)/Blazer Day! Students who wear a uniform and blazer will receive 3 FREE Dress Down Day passes!

• 9/17 - Back to School Night Grade 4. From 4:30-6PM

• 9/19 - Back to School Night Grades 3 & 5. From 4:30-6PM

• 9/20 - Intermediate School Picture Day

• 11/8 - Save the Date for the OCS Gala

Important Documents to Review Before the First Day of School

• OCS Community Calendar (one pager)

• Calendar Of Activities

• IS Specials Rotation Calendar

• Spirit Wear and Dress Down Calendar

• Uniform Policy

School Safety Drills: This is friendly reminder that our school and our students comply with safety drill protocols required by Delaware’s Comprehensive School Safety Program through the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, DEMA. These requirements include two (2) annual lockdown drills and monthly fire/evacuation drills during the school year to meet. We appreciate your ongoing support of these proactive safety measures.

• Last drop off without signing in: 8:40 AM

• Last early dismissal: 2:45 PM

• Last car rider pickup: 3:40 PM

• Students who are not picked up at school or bus stop are taken to aftercare (Bldg 22)

• All dismissal changes must be communicated to the front office in writing. Please reach out to Courtney Saxton with any questions.

• Please review the OCS Uniform Policy and Dress Code.

• Patches can be purchased at the main office.

*Please note: During dismissal times of 3:20 through 4:00, the Intermediate School Office may not be able answer all phone calls while working through dismissal details. Thank you for your patience and support.