Otter Families!

I have seen a spike in the number of students who have personal electronics (cell phones, tablets) out during school hours over the past two weeks. This is a reminder that students are permitted to have personal electronic devices in their backpacks and turned off during school hours. Students are not permitted to use personal electronic devices during school hours. If they are found to be using their personal electronic devices during school hours, they will be confiscated and placed in the school safe. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will be contacted to come and pick up the device. Thank you for taking time to review these expectations with your child.

Also, as the weather is beginning to warm up, this is a reminder that students should not be wearing shirts to school that do not cover their midriff. I know crop tops are all the fashion now and are quite cute, but are not appropriate for school. Don't forget to check their shorts, too! If they are from last season, they may be too short by this point in the school year. If any family is ever in need of assistance in securing appropriate clothing for their children, please reach out Mrs. Curtis, our School Counselor. She is more than happy to assist!

Don't forget that Joe Corbi's/Claire's Gourmet orders need to be picked up on MONDAY, March 11th! See visual below for specific information.

Finally, don't forget to set your clock ahead one hour Saturday night when you go to bed! It's time "spring forward" and enjoy some daylight in the evening!

"Otterly" Yours,

Mrs. Anderson

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

Mrs. Henderson was recently promoted from OES Assistant Building Service Manager to OES Building Service Manager! We are so proud of her and so happy she will be with us during the school day now!

SMCPS and SMC R&P have partnered to offer the new Summer Sports Academies. Campers will be instructed by area high school coaches. Camps are held Monday -Thursday. Click below for more information. Registration begins March 1st. Don't miss this opportunity.

• https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/recreate/camps

• https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/docs/thescoop.pdf

Parents or guardians of children receiving special education and related services were mailed the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services during the week of February 12, 2024. Parents are asked to complete the survey and return it in the postage-paid envelope by May 24, 2024. The Survey may also be completed online. Your feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in your local school system. Your voice can make a real difference for your child and many other children across the state of Maryland. To learn more, please visit https://www.mdparentsurvey.com.

Our school's overall attendance rate, as reported to MSDE, for the school year so far is 94.05%. The goal is 94%.

This is the time of year where I switch to sharing data about attendance on a weekly basis and how it changes from week to week. Below are the attendance rates for each grade level for the week of

March 4th - March 8th.

PreK: 93.51%

Kindergarten: 91.43%

1st Grade: 96.67%

2nd Grade: 95.21%

3rd Grade: 95.2%

4th Grade: 93.55%

5th Grade: 94.86%

Yearbook orders are due April 24th!

Evening Counseling: SMCPS is once again offering School-Based Counseling Support in the evening for SMCPS students. Counseling support focuses on the following areas: Healthy Relationships, Social Skills, Self-Esteem, Stress Management, Worry, Sadness, and Emotional Regulation. Services will be located at Margaret Brent Middle School and Greenview Knolls Elementary School on Tuesday evenings from 4-7:30 p.m. Please complete the Parent Contact Form for Evening Counseling to request services.

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.

All parent(s)/guardian(s) must complete an Acceptable Use Policy each school year. Click HERE to complete the Google form. School staff will be in touch with all families to complete the form throughout the month of August and September.

WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING WINTER EVENTS FOR EDUCATING AND CELEBRATING. You can email Mrs. Curtis directly, kvcurtis@smcps.org, or use the link below to submit events.

B WEEK

Monday, 3/11

8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

• 5th Grade MISA Testing (MD State Science Assessment)
• Joe Corbis/Claire's Gourmet Fundraiser pick up - 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm - School Cafeteria

Tuesday, 3/12

8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

• 5th Grade MISA Testing (MD State Science Assessment)
• Color Wars - Wear Class Colors
• Bus Evacuation Drill - Front End
• Blueprint Town Hall Meeting @6:00 pm at the Tech Center

Wednesday, 3/13

8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

• 5th Grade MISA Testing (MD State Science Assessment)
• American Legion Flag Presentation for First Grade Students

Thursday, 3/14

8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

• 5th Grade MISA Testing (MD State Science Assessment)

Friday, 3/15

8:45 - 3:45 p.m.

• Community Gathering
• PTA Movie Night @5:30 in the cafeteria

Our 5th grade students will perform their music program at 10:00 am and 2:30 pm. We hope to see you there!

This event is not sponsored by or affiliated directly with OES. However, because it has to do with all things Otters, we like to make you aware!!

Hello OES Otter Families,

I hope everyone is keeping safe and healthy. Be sure to eat right, get plenty of sleep and rest, exercise, cover your cough with your elbow, and wash your hands frequently. Don't forget to get vaccinated against the Flu and COVID.

We are looking forward to a great school year!

President: Beth Johnson Hill

Vice President: Stefanie Wines

Treasurer: Kim Burroughs

Secretary: Megan Russell

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: lpdietz@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
Twitter: @OES_smcps