Ocean Avenue Friday Notes

• 9/10: PTO Meeting in the Library, 6:30-8 PM
• 9/12: Kindergarten "Learn About Our Learning" Night for Parent(s)/Guardian(s), 5-5:45 PM
• SAVE THE DATE - 10/3 - School Picture Day!
  
• LOOKING AHEAD - 12/3 & 12/4 and 03/24 & 3/25 - 11:10 AM Dismissal for Conferences

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 ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

We are excited to have the Mobile Makerspace come back to Ocean Avenue Elementary School during the weeks of September 16th and 23rd! This is the third year we have had this opportunity.

• The week of September 16, our kindergarteners and 1st graders each participate in one class session; 2nd graders participate in 4 sessions. Students in grades 2-5 in our ASD program will participate in one class session this week.
• The week after, September 23, 3rd and 4th graders each participate in one class session; 5th graders participate in 4 sessions. Students in grades K-1 in our ASD program will participate in one class session this week.

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. This also includes smart watches and other smart devices.

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

Fourth Graders in Mr. Rounds’ class collaborated in groups of three to try to create the longest paper chain using only one piece of paper. The team with the longest chain won 90 classroom dollars to split.

Hello Families!

This is Ms. Nogar, the Math Specialist here at Ocean Avenue School. I am pleased to announce that our school’s Mathematics curriculum has a new Family Resource Hub that you can access on your home computer or your mobile device. In this online resource, you will find unit support videos and family letters translated into 10 different languages. Unit family letters will also be sent home by your child’s classroom teacher via Reach My Teach.

Once you click on the link, be sure to scroll down to your student’s grade level located beneath the K-5 Courses, select that grade level, and find the Unit 1 Launch Family Support Video and Family Suport Materials (PDF). These resources are meant to inform you of the learning that will happen in each unit, as well as provide joyful ways that you can explore Math together at home. Please reach out to me at nogark@portlandschools.org if you have any questions about accessing this fantastic family resource!

Have you had difficulty finding dental care for your child? We are fortunate to partner with Greater Portland Health in providing routine dental care to our students. The dental hygienist who is assigned to our school is Elizabeth Sullivan.

Elizabeth received her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from the University of New England. She volunteered with Head Start prior to joining Greater Portland Health and has experience in providing exceptional preventative and therapeutic care. Elizabeth loves connecting with community members while working as a Dental Hygienist at Greater Portland Health.

If you are interested in having your children receive preventive dental care at OAES, please fill out and return the dental enrollment form that will be coming home in your students' backpacks next week. There is no cost for this service and they will accept any child that is not already established with a dentist in the community.

EARLY RELEASE WEDNESDAY REMINDER: The first Early Release Day started this week on Wednesday, September 4th. Every Wednesday during the school year, students are released 1 hour earlier. For Ocean Avenue, Wednesday dismissal is at 1:10 PM. (The staff stays an hour late, giving us a full two-hours for professional development and collaborative meetings.)

If you would like to see what is being served for breakfast and lunch each day at school, you can find the daily menus ONLINE.

*All meals are free for all students. Milk is $0.50 each

*All meals served with a choice of Skim or 1% Maine Milk

*Alternate Sunbutter and Jelly Bundle is available daily at all schools

*Menu subject to change without notice

It is very important that all parents & guardians fill out your family’s Household Income Data Form. The information from the form helps us maximize the state revenue our school district receives.

The information you provide enables the Portland Public Schools to have a correct count of the number of our families that qualify as economically disadvantaged. That data helps us receive accurate state education aid for our community.

We ask that all families complete the Household Income Data Form by downloading the print-version of the form located at this link. You may also complete the form in your Campus Parent Portal. Alternatively, on Sunday, September 8th, you will receive a personalized link in mid September so that you can complete the form electronically.

Your information is confidential and will be used solely to determine the Portland Public Schools’ eligibility for state funding programs. Your participation is essential to ensure our district receives the correct amount of state education dollars!

Please complete your form as soon as possible before the September 27 deadline!

Just a friendly reminder from Transportation Services to please arrive at your bus stop 10 minutes before the scheduled arrival time. Portland construction and traffic is always unpredictable, so this 10 minute buffer will ensure that your child does not miss the bus and that all students get to school on time each day. Thank you for your cooperation. Our bus drivers greatly appreciate it!

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! Help your child(ren) to be at school on time every day!

Please join the PTO for our monthly meetings. We begin at 6:30 PM and the length of time you stay is up to you - come for the updates from Principal Dr. Beverly Stevens, or for the entire meeting. All are welcome!

*September 10 will include a brief presentation by Side x Side about programming at OAES.

PTO has an opening for Restaurant Fundraiser Coordinator that we are looking to fill. The position will be trained by the previous coordinator. Please email fundraising@oapto.org if you’d like to hear more about the position!

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.