Otter Families!

Our Fun Run is this Friday! We are still in need of volunteers to assist in tracking student laps. Please reach out to Mrs. Davies at jldavies@smcps.org if you are interested in volunteering. The more volunteers we have, the faster students can get through their laps and earn their pledges! The schedule for the Fun Run is as follows for Friday.

9:30 - 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th

10:30 - PreK, K, and 3rd

As of this morning, we are at a total of $6,600 raised! That is AMAZING! If we meet our $15,000 goal, the student who earns the most money and the class that raises the most money will get to SLIME me and their classroom teacher! The kids are very excited about this opportunity! Currently, Mrs. Lay's class is in first place with Ms. Larsen's and Mrs. Woodard's classes close behind.

Finally, please click HERE for information about Band, Strings, and Chorus instruction this school year.

Otterly Yours,

Mrs. Anderson

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

🚨 FREE GIFT ALERT 🚨

Our students are having a blast during our Oakville Elementary Fun Run fundraiser, and we’re on our way to reaching our goal of $15,000!

Did you know in our Oakville Elementary Fun Run fundraiser we have EXCLUSIVE Dude Perfect collectible keychains?! When you register your student at MYBOOSTER.COM, they’ll get their keychain the very next day!

The best part? It’s a mystery which one you’ll get!

What are you waiting for! Register TODAY at MYBOOSTER.COM to get yours and learn how you could earn the entire collection along with other exclusive Dude Perfect prizes!

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.

Thank you to Mrs. Morris and Mrs. Boomer for coordinating our school spirit day calendar again this year! Please click the link below for a list of ALL school spirit days for the 2023-2024 school year.

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.

B WEEK

Monday, 9/11

• Program Day 2 for our Boosterthon Fun Run Fundraiser!
• School Spirit Day: Football Jersey Day!

Tuesday, 9/5

• Program Day 3 for our Boosterthon Fun Run Fundraiser!

Wednesday, 9/6

• Program Day 4 for our Boosterthon Fun Run Fundraiser!

Thursday, 9/7

• Program Day 5 for our Boosterthon Fun Run Fundraiser

Friday, 9/8

• Boosterthon Fun Run Day! 9:30 am: 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th; 10:30 am: PreK, K, and 3rd (All are welcome to attend)
• PTA BINGO Night @ 5:30 pm

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.