Dear Otter Community,

I hope this letter finds you well. As we wrap up the first week of the new school year, I wanted to take a moment to share some exciting news with you and reflect on the wonderful start we've had.

First and foremost, I am thrilled to report that our first week has been a tremendous success! The energy and enthusiasm your children have brought to school have truly set a positive tone for the year ahead. From the moment they walked through the doors, ready to learn and grow, they have shown us just how bright and capable they are.

Our teachers have been working hard to create engaging and supportive learning environments, and it's clear that their efforts have paid off. We’ve seen students eagerly participating in classroom activities, building new friendships, and adjusting well to their new routines. It’s been especially heartwarming to witness the older students stepping up to help the younger ones, fostering a true sense of community within our school.

This week, we also focused on reinforcing important values such as Personal Best, Act Responsibly, Work Hard, and Safety First. These expectations are at the heart of everything we do, and it has been wonderful to see our students embodying them in their interactions with peers and staff alike.

Of course, this successful start would not have been possible without your support. Thank you for ensuring your children were prepared and ready for this new adventure. Your involvement, whether through attending back-to-school events, assisting with homework, or simply encouraging a positive attitude, plays a crucial role in your child’s success.

As we move forward, we are excited to continue building on this momentum. There will be many more opportunities for learning, growth, and fun, and we look forward to sharing these experiences with you and your children.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. We are here to work together with you to ensure this school year is one of the best yet.

Thank you once again for your continued support and partnership. Let’s make this year amazing!

Otterly Yours,

Mrs. Anderson

The office will be open Monday - Friday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Please click on the links below to access public calendars.

📣Calling all Oakville Elementary families! 📣Have you signed up your student for our fundraiser? You don’t want to miss out, our Oakville Otter Fun Run is going to be epic! 🥳 It only takes a minute! Head to MyBooster.com to get started. ✅

✍️ Sign up your student.

🏫 Help us raise $20,000 for Educational Experiences, PAWS Incentives, Resources to Support Community Events, Classroom Updates, and Classroom Resources.

🙌 Having an AMAZING experience on event day!

The Student Handbook and Code of Conduct presentation was reviewed with students over the first week of school. Please take some time to review it with your children at home, too. It is linked below.

The online application process to apply for free and reduced meals for the 2024-2025 school year is open. Click HERE to access information about the process and the application.

Monday, August 26th

9:00 am - 3:45 pm

• PTA Mobile Spirit Night - Chick-Fll-A (5:00 pm - 7:00 pm)

Tuesday, August 27th

9:00 am - 3:45 pm

Wednesday, August 28th

9:00 am - 3:45 pm

• Board of Education Meeting (6:00 pm - 9:00 pm)

Thursday, August 29th

9:00 am - 3:45 pm

• Fire Drill #1

Friday, August 30th

9:00 am - 3:45 pm

• Bus Evacuation Drill (Fall)

Check out the link below for all the information you need to know about and to register your child for Band, Chorus, or Strings!

Tentatively scheduled for September 16th.

Retakes are tentatively scheduled for November 15th.

More information will be provided as the dates draw closer.

St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) students use the Internet and other instructional computer resources in school. It is important that you and your student review this information each year. Within this policy is the Google Workspace for Education Additional Services Agreement. Students in grades PreK - 5th grade do not need to complete an AUP this school year. They will not be accessing additional services within Google Workspace for Education beyond the core features.

Now is a great time to find your laptop and charger. Please run all of the updates and make sure that it is working order. Chargers are to remain at home.

All SMCPS laptops come with the same responsibility of care and upkeep as any other loaned resources. Textbooks, novels, laptops and chargers can incur a debt if lost or damaged. Please refer to the student accountability newsletter that has been added to our weekly school newsletters.

Hello OES Otter Families,

I am Hannah Pratz, and I am so excited to be returning to the OES family this school year! I have been a school nurse for 25 years and have loved every minute! I love what I do and my door is always open! Don't hesitate to pop in the health suite or cut through!

All medications must be accompanied by an order before they can be given at school. We CANNOT give any medication without the medical order. Please contact me beginning on August 14th with any questions.

See you all soon!

FAQ for the start of the year:

When should I keep my child home from school?

• Fever >100.0, vomiting, diarrhea, or pink and crusty eyes
• Symptoms of COVID-19 like illness OR symptoms or an illness that do not resolve after home interventions
• Your child has been directed to quarantine by the local health department

One community committed to the learning and safety of all children.

Community is important to us. We strive to have the words "goal-oriented", "fun", "inclusive", and "thriving" used to describe our community. We believe that children learn and adults work best in an environment where they feel respected and safe. We are focused on four areas in our development of community: 1) Cultivating respectful, supportive relationships among students, teachers, and parents, 2) Emphasizing common purposes and ideals, 3) Providing opportunities for service and cooperation, and 4) Providing opportunities for independence and influence.

Email: lpanderson@smcps.org
Website: https://schools.smcps.org/oes/
Location: 26410 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville, MD, USA
Phone: (301) 373-4365
Facebook: facebook.com/smcps.org