Ocean Avenue Friday Notes
June 7, 2024
School's (ALMOST) Out for Summer! Last Day - Friday, June 14, 11:10 AM Dismissal
Mark Your Calendar!
- 6/7: Portland Sea Dogs Ocean Avenue Night, 6 PM game start, but arrive by 5 PM to join the pre-game parade around the field starting at 5:15 PM!
- 6/10: Step Up Event for Grades K-4
- 6/11: PTO Meeting in the Library, 5:30 PM
- 6/12: Early Release Wednesday, 1:10 PM Dismissal
- 6/13: Fifth Grade Celebration, 1 PM
- 6/14: Last Day of School, 11:10 AM Dismissal (Egg Drop: 8:30 AM Start for Grades K-2, 9 AM Start for Grades 3-5)
CLICK HERE for the complete Calendar of Events through June.
Afterschool Programming End Dates
- JEWISH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE: Last Day - June 7th
- BOYS & GIRLS CLUB: Last Day - June 7th (Open for summer programming starting June 24th)
- CENTERPOINT MARTIAL ARTS: Last Day - June 12th
- MAINE OUTDOOR KIDS: Last Day - June 13th
- BREAKWATER: Last Day - June 13th (Enrichment ends June 10th)
- PORTLAND RECREATION: Last Day - June 13th
Principal's Notes
Portland Public Schools Summer Meals Program for Kids and Teens 18 or Younger
The Portland Public schools will be operating various summer meal sites across the city of Portland this summer.
Meals are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), age, or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.
All children and teens 18 years and younger may receive a nutritious meal free of charge to be enjoyed on site.
Meals will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis, at any of the following meal site locations.
There is no meal service on Thursday, July 4th and Friday, July 5th.
Assistant Principal's Notes
End of Year Lost and Found REMINDER!
As we enter into the final days of the school year, our Lost and Found continues to have many unclaimed items. If your student is missing any items, I encourage you to come and look through our lost and found.
During the summer months, any unclaimed lost and found items are either donated to our Clothing Closet at school or to an outside agency. Before this occurs though, we would love to get as many of these items back to their original owners as we can. Please feel free to come in now through next Friday, June 14th to look. We ask that you sign in at the Main Office first before heading down to the Lost and Found. Thank you!
Library Notes
It's Time for Summer Reading!
Here are some wonderful ways for students to stay engaged with books this summer!
Check out the document below for information on how to access FREE eBooks, audiobooks and library resources.
Ms. Eva will be coming around to classrooms with details, but as always, feel free to get in touch with questions.
Library Book Return Reminder!
We're down to 151 books still out from the library. Please ask your student if they still have library books to bring back so they can return them by next Thursday, June 13th!
If you have questions or have lost a book, please let Ms. Eva know. While reimbursement or replacement is appreciated, we can always find a solution that works for your family ~ platte@portlandschools.org
Places to look:
- Under couches/furniture
- In beds
- On bookshelves
- In bags
- At other houses
- At another library
Maine Mariners' Summer Reading Program
The Maine Mariners’ Summer Reading Program, Read with ME, is back for the summer! This is a free reading program for kids 12 and under to participate in. Upon completion, the participants of the Read with ME program will receive 1 ticket to the Mariners Reading Day game (date TBD), 1 child ticket voucher to be used at any home game during the 24-25 season, a Read with ME bookmark, and 1 drink coupon from Aroma Joes. The registration form is live now for parents to sign their children up and the tracking form went live on May 27. Registration link.
Nurse Notes
Parents of Rising 6th Graders ~ End of Year Reminder!
All students in middle school need documentation of a doctor’s physical exam to participate in ANY school sport. Please make an appointment for your child to have a well child physical exam before September 1st.
Talk to your doctor about vaccines for your child. Ask for copies of any shots received and a “sports clearance” note. Provide copies to your middle school nurse.
Your child will need a physical exam every 2 years to participate in sports in middle and high school. Feel free to contact me if you need help finding a doctor or making an appointment.
Laurie Hesselink, RN
School Nurse, OAES
Third Grade Notes
Maine Maritime Museum Visit to OAES Third Graders!
Katie from Maine Maritime Museum came to visit the third grade classes and have them inquire about the journey of Maine tree. Students used photos of mills and lumberyards to piece together the puzzle of what happens to a tree when it is forested and used for products such as pulp to make paper, cedar shingles, and masts for ships. The student embodied 1 of 3 types of trees: White Spruce, White Pine or Cedar and traveled along the steps as if they were that type of tree.
Other Notes
Summer Garden Care 2024 ~ Volunteers Needed!
The garden is blooming at OAES and we are looking for volunteers to help over the summer. The garden needs weekly care and watering and we are looking for OAES families to join in this summer to enjoy and help the garden grow!
The Ask - Sign up for a week of garden care. During your assigned week, we ask that you visit the garden for two days - weed/water/observe/update the log and alert the garden caretaker Sarah sarahkatemarshall@gmail.com if anything looks like it needs additional attention or care. This is a great volunteer activity to do with your kids!
The Reward - You and your family get to watch our school garden grow and change over the summer. Learn about what pollinators come to visit our Native Gardens throughout the growing season. Help tend the vegetables that will be offered to the teachers working throughout the summer in the building.
Thanks for your support!
Community Notes
📚 Book Bash in Back Cove ~ Saturday, June 15th!
On Saturday, June 15th, at 11 AM, Back Cove Books at 651 Forest Avenue in Portland, will be hosting a book launch with local art teacher Dorson Plourde, author of Garbage Gulls. A portion of sales from the event will support the Locker Project summer programs.
June is Pride Month ~ Join PPS in the Pride Portland! Parade on Saturday, June 15th at 1 PM
Mark Your Calendars! The Pride Portland! Parade is on Saturday, June 15, starting at 1 PM from Monument Square in Portland. Come out and celebrate with the Portland Public Schools as we join the parade to march for acceptance, equality, and inclusivity. Look for the PPS yellow school bus on Brown Street (off Congress Street near Monument Square) starting at noon to help decorate. Students, staff and families are encouraged to participate by either riding in the bus or walking with it in the parade to reiterate that PPS supports people for all of the awesome aspects of their identity. Everyone is welcome. Come represent your school and the district in the parade! Learn more at the Pride Portland! website.
PTO Spring Fair Photo Booth Pictures!
Thank you to all who attended the 2024 OAES Spring Fair last weekend! Please visit this link to download your Photo Booth pictures/gifs: https://gifgo.co/g/T8W4DHLsEg5ZqkMBC
Portland Sea Dogs Ocean Ave Night! Friday, June 7
Experience an evening of excitement with the Ocean Avenue Elementary School on Friday, June 7th at Hadlock Field! Cheer on the home team as the Portland Sea Dogs transform into the Maine Whoopie Pies and battle against the Akron RubberDucks. The game kicks off at 6:00 PM, but make sure to arrive by 5:00 PM to join the special pre-game parade around the field starting at 5:15 PM. It's the perfect outing for families, friends, and baseball enthusiasts alike. Don't miss out on this thrilling community event. Get your tickets today!
Buy tickets here by May 31: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Oceanave7
PTO Monthly Meeting: Tuesday, June 11 at 5:30 PM
You're invited to join other parents, guardians, teachers and staff for the next monthly meeting of Ocean Avenue's Parent Teacher Organization! Each meeting takes place in the school library on the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 PM. Come for an update from our principal and stay for as long as you'd like.
We are looking for parents who are interested in filling a vacant role on our PTO board for the next school year so please attend or email board@oapto.org if you are interested!