Ocean Avenue Friday Notes

• 11/26: Report Cards Emailed to Families
  
• 11/25 & 11/26: NO Afterschool Learning Works on November 25 and 26
• 11/27, 11/28 & 11/29: Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL
• 12/3 & 12/4 and 03/24 & 3/25 - 11:10 AM Dismissal for Conferences
  ~ Afterschool Programs Opening at 11:10 AM on Conference Days: Portland Recreation, Breakwater, Jewish Community Alliance, Rippleffect, Maine Outdoor Kids, Centerpoint Martial Arts
  ~ Afterschool Programs Opening at their normal times on Conference Days (Please Note: Parents will need to transport to these afterschool programs): Boys and Girls Club, A Company of Girls
  ~ Afterschool Program CLOSED on Conference Days: Learning Works
  
• 12/10: PTO Meeting at 6:30 PM, OAES Library
  
• 12/14 - Designing Women Craft Show at Ocean Avenue School, 9 AM-4 PM
• 12/23-01/01 - Winter Break - NO SCHOOL
  
  

✅ Here is the link to BREAKFAST/LUNCH MENU.

✅ 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 ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

Members of the Portland Board of Public Education want to hear from you. They’ve scheduled a series of conversations with the community this fall. The conversations will be in person at schools around the city and one will be a virtual event. We hope you can join and share your perspectives about the Portland Public Schools with Board members!

What is Student Agency?

Student agency is all about giving students control over their own learning. It’s about encouraging students to use their voice (speak up and share ideas), make choices (decide how they want to learn), and take ownership (be responsible) for their learning journey. When students feel empowered to make choices and believe in their own abilities, they are more motivated, engaged, and prepared to succeed. Student agency is a strong value we have at OAES, and is baked into our International Baccalaureate (IB) learning model.

The Three Key Parts of Student Agency:

1. Voice - Students can express what they think and feel, share their ideas, and communicate openly with their teachers and peers.
2. Choice - Students get options in how and what they learn, which lets them connect to the learning in ways that feel most meaningful and exciting.
3. Ownership - Students take charge of their learning. This includes everything from setting goals to taking responsibility for tasks, big and small.
   
   

Why is Self-Efficacy Important?

Self-efficacy means believing in your ability to accomplish a goal or task. When students have a strong sense of self-efficacy, they’re more likely to make choices, take risks, and work hard, because they believe they can succeed. Teachers help build this by listening to students, respecting their ideas, and making decisions that include their input. This also means that we embrace mistakes in our learning, since we know our brain is growing.

How Can Families Support Student Agency at Home?

Families can talk openly about each person’s needs and responsibilities, giving everyone a chance to share their voice. Families can also encourage choice by allowing each member to help make decisions and ownership by assigning responsibilities to each person. This helps everyone feel respected and valued.

Student agency shapes our students into curious, confident, and empowered learners.

Please visit this direct link to an International Baccalaureate play list for parents to learn more about the strategies.

Kindergarteners out enjoying their movement break, building community across the grade level and building relationship with the natural world around them.

Students may use the classroom or office telephone with the permission of their teacher or office staff for forgotten items, lunches, and musical instruments. Parents and students are asked to make after-school and social plans outside the school day. Students are not permitted to carry or use cell phones at school during school hours, per school board policy.

If a student requires a cell phone for after-school use, it must be turned off and put securely away during the school day. This also applies to all smart-technology, including Smart Watches, Ear Pods, etc. Thank you for your cooperation.

We're continuing our library work on reliable resources and how to cite our sources. This week, second graders checked out the non-fiction and went on a book scavenger hunt, trying to find the title, author and even the copyright date on some popular non-fiction books in the library. We talked about the importance of finding reliable, current information and the difference between facts and opinions. We had some great discussions and learned a lot!

With the holiday season fast approaching, let's all help each other to stay healthy! Please stay home if you are sick, have a fever or are coughing enough to disrupt learning. Please also remember to cover your cough/sneeze and wash your hands frequently!

DONATIONS NEEDED: The nurses office and front desk could use more disinfecting wipes. Thank you!

Carrie Haber, RN, BSN

School Nurse

When doing your fall cleaning, and going through your winter gear, if you come across any "gently used" children's mittens or gloves, please donate them to our school! The weather is starting to change and as we get ready to supply many our our students with winter gear, the one item we are currently very low on are mittens and gloves. Thank you for your help and donations! 🧤🥊

The Designing Women Craft Fair will be at OAES School on Saturday, December 14th! This is an annual PTO fundraiser that is successful each year thanks to our amazing OAES Community! Have you been wanting to get involved but not sure how? This is the perfect low commitment opportunity!

We will need several volunteers for shifts at the welcome table and food table. We also have a large need for various donated food items that we can sell to increase our fundraising efforts.

Please signup here: Designing Women Craft Fair Volunteers

We will be hosting a PTO Fundraiser at the Maine Mariners game on Saturday, January 25th at 6pm. The OAES Community had a blast at this event last school year so we are heading back to cheer on the Mariners and enjoy a fun night with family and friends!

$1 from every ticket sold from our link will benefit students and staff of Ocean Ave School. Additionally, we will need 12 volunteers (must be 18+) to work a concession stand for the duration of the game. Please note that volunteers will need to be there at 4pm and will work through approx. the end of the 3rd period. More details and a link to signup will be coming soon! This is a really fun event and a great way to get involved!

Get your tickets here: Hockey Night with OAES

Concession stand signup: Concession Stand Volunteers

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.

Email: westme@portlandschools.org
Website: https://oceanavenue.portlandschools.org/
Location: 150 Ocean Avenue, Portland, ME, USA
Phone: 207-874-8180
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oaesportland