Otter Families!

Our Fun Run was held on Friday! It was a beautiful day for some school community fun and celebration! We made our goal of $15,000! Last-minute donations will be accepted until Friday, September 22nd. As of this morning, our total was about $15,600! I will announce the classroom that raised the most money and the student who raised the most money on Friday. Be on the lookout for a date when I and our top producing classroom's teacher will get SLIMED!

The SMCPS Board of Education approved an amended calendar at last week's BOE meeting. The change impacts PreKindergarten students. PreKindergarten students will now ATTEND school on early dismissal days. This is different than in years past. This Thursday, September 21st, is an early dismissal day. PreKindergarten students are expected to attend school with all other students.

There will be no school for any students on Friday, September 22nd. It's fair weekend! Make sure you go to the fair and check out our OES students' artwork in the Education Building! I know I will!

Otterly Yours,

Mrs. Anderson

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

Historically, this is the point in the school year where we begin to see patterns of non-attendance among students. Mrs. Curtis, Mrs. Towne, Nurse Pratz, and I will be monitoring attendance closely and reaching out to families whose child's attendance is becoming a concern.

Our School Improvement Plan calls for a 15% reduction in the number of students classified as chronically absent (18 or more absences in a school year). The type of absence, lawful or unlawful, does not factor into labeling a student as chronically absent. During the 2022-2023 school year, 49 students were identified as chronically absent.

Your child's teacher; Mrs. Curtis, School Counselor; Mrs. Towne, School Pupil Personnel Worker; and Nurse Pratz are all available to assist with attendance concerns. You are encouraged to reach out to them with any requests for assistance you may need based on your family's specific situation.

Mrs. Curtis: kvcurtis@smcps.org

Mrs. Towne: cltowne@smcps.org

Nurse Pratz: hjpratz@smcps.org

Students learn best when they are present at school regularly. Elementary education is filled with hands-on experiences and conversations about learning that cannot be replicated any other way than being present at school. Elementary-aged students require the socialization skills provided by regular attendance as well.

What is the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) and why is it important?

It is a snapshot of a child's development, and the results can help families and educators know how to best support each child's continued learning. A kindergarten readiness assessment (KRA) is a test of skills that are important for kindergarten.

The KRA is a kindergarten readiness tool that allows teachers to measure each child's school readiness across four domains: Social Foundations, Mathematics, Language and Literacy, and Physical Well-being and Motor Development. Teachers administer the KRA to children in kindergarten between the beginning of school and October 10. More information about the Ready for Kindergarten system and the KRA is available at http://pd.kready.org/r4kmaryland.

The KRA does not look like a test. Instead, it includes a variety of items, including teacher’s observations of daily activities and age-appropriate performance tasks in which the teacher asks a child to respond to a question or complete an activity. The KRA is administered in English and some items can be given via a tablet or computer. Most children enjoy working on these tasks, and appropriate supports are provided, when possible, to allow any child, including a child with disabilities or a child learning English, to demonstrate his/her skills and knowledge.

Any questions about the KRA can be directed to Dr. Reineke at kmreineke@smcps.org.

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.

Please find below information regarding student meals for the 2023-2043 school year.

A link to the Food and Nutrition Services website is below. It has information regarding school meals, including a link to school meal menus.

A WEEK

Monday, 9/18

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

• Kindergarten Readiness Assessment window open
• Still accepting last-minute Boosterthon donations

Tuesday, 9/19

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

• Kindergarten Readiness Assessment window open
• Still accepting last-minute Boosterthon donations
• PTA CRUMBL Cookie Spirit Night

Wednesday, 9/20

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

• Kindergarten Readiness Assessment window open
• Still accepting last-minute Boosterthon donations

Thursday, 9/21

8:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.

• Kindergarten Readiness Assessment window open
• Still accepting last-minute Boosterthon donations
• Early Dismissal Day - STUDENTS DISMISSED AT 1:45 p.m.

Friday, 9/22

NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

• Still accepting last-minute Boosterthon donations

Oakville Elementary School
9/26/2023

Skip the Order Form!

Click Here to PreOrder

Online Code: oakville23

Questions?/Preguntas?
(800)869-9515 x112

Click below for the SMCPS Calendar for the 2023-2024 school year.

Hello OES Otter Family,

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 24 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!

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

What are COVID-19 like illness symptoms?

• New-onset of cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
• New loss of taste or smell,
• Fever of 100.0 or higher
• Chills or shaking chills
• Muscle aches
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Congestion or runny nose

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

Fall School Yearbook Pictures

Tentatively scheduled for September 26th

Retakes are tentatively scheduled for November 8th

More information will be provided as the dates draw closer.