Otter Families!

We are off to a wonderful start overall with our school's average daily attendance rate. We are actually one of two schools in all of SMCPS with the highest average daily attendance rate with a 95.61%. Let's keep up the excellent work!

This week will continue our Parent "Lunch Bunch" with the Principal. I am so excited to meet with parents in this informal setting to listen to your feedback about your child's educational experience at OES. Be sure to check the times below for specific grade-level lunch bunch times. Be sure to bring your lunch!

Please be aware that Monday, October 9th, will be an ASYNCHRONOUS learning day for students. An asynchronous learning day means that students will not come to school, but will have work that is expected to be completed. They will not have scheduled times they are expected to meet virtually with their teachers. Work will either be submitted online through Schoology or be returned to their teacher on Tuesday, October 10th, according to their teacher's direction. Parent/Teacher conferences will be held on this day. You should be receiving communication from your child's teacher about conference day.

"Otterly" Yours,

Mrs. Anderson

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

Please remember to communicate with your child's teacher, the main office, or the school nurse when your child is absent so that we can accurately label their absences as lawful or unlawful.

The Book Fair will start on Thursday, October 12th, and go through Friday, October 20th.

Oct 12 - Oct 19 - 9:30 - 3:30

Oct 20 - 9:30 - 12:30

After school opportunities to shop:

• October 17th - PTA meeting 4 - 5:30
• October 20th - Trunk or Treat 4:30 - 7:00

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Mrs. Cummins jmcummins@smcps.org

There are so many fantastic things happening in our efforts to support SMCPS students with disabilities. Please use this survey to share your praise, story, or news about successes in your school or department!

This survey is generated and reviewed by the SMCPS Department of Special Education.

Otters – let’s get c-r-e-a-t-i-v-e! The PTA invites you to enter your drawing in our Yearbook Cover Contest! The selected design will be featured on our 2023-2024 yearbook cover and the student with the selected design will receive a free, personalized hard-copy yearbook.

All entries must be:

1. Drawn on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of plain, white paper
2. Vertical (portrait orientation)

All entries must include:

1. The words “Oakville Elementary School”
2. The date “2023-2024”
3. A minimum border of 1⁄2” between text/graphic and the edge of the paper.
4. Background colors may go all the way to the edge of the paper.

Tips for a good entry:

1. Not a lot of white space – lots of color (including background)
2. Mix up your medium (play with one or more of the following: crayons,watercolors, markers, oil pastels, etc.)
3. Use up the whole sheet of paper (the bigger the better)
4. Incorporate our school theme this year – COLORFUL

Questions? Email oakvillepta.secretary@gmail.com

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.

B WEEK

Monday, 10/9

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

• Asynchronous Virtual Learning Day (No students should report to the school building)
• Parent/Teacher Conference Day

Tuesday, 10/10

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

• Kindergarten Readiness Assessment window closes
• 1st/2nd Parent Lunch Bunch with Mrs. Anderson @11:00 - 11:30 (Bring your own lunch)
• PTA Charleston Wrap Fundraiser
• PTA Chipotle Spirit Night

Wednesday, 10/11

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

• PTA Charleston Wrap Fundraiser

Thursday, 10/12

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

• PTA Charleston Wrap Fundraiser
• Book Fair Opens
• 3rd/4th Grade Parent Lunch Bunch with Mrs. Anderson @11:00 - 11:30 (Bring your own lunch)

Friday, 10/13

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

• PTA Charleston Wrap Fundraiser
• Book Fair
• 5th Grade Parent Lunch Bunch with Mrs. Anderson @11:00 - 11:30 (Bring your own lunch)
• Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Karimi, and Mrs. Peter get SLIMED!!!

Save the Date: This year’s SMCPS STEAM Festival will be held on Saturday, October 28th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds. Admission is free and open to the public. Wrap up the fall festival season with a day of learning, food trucks, and STEAM-related fun!

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!

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.