Dear Oakville Families,

On behalf of the entire Oakville Elementary staff, welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! We are excited to begin a new year of learning, growth, and opportunity alongside our students and families.

Every Otter Is a Star

At Oakville Elementary, we are one community committed to the learning and safety of all children. We believe every Otter has a place, a purpose, and the potential to shine. Our theme this year, Every Otter Is a Star: Together We Launch Into Learning, reminds us that every child belongs and has something valuable to contribute to our school community.

As part of our preparation for the new school year, Oakville staff members made five shared commitments that will guide our work:

Every Otter belongs.

Every Otter can grow.

Every Otter has something valuable to contribute.

Consistency supports access and trust.

Course corrections are part of learning.

These commitments reflect the experiences we want every student to have at Oakville. We want each Otter to be able to say:

I belong.

I know where I am headed.

My thinking matters.

I can grow.

My crew supports me.

These are more than beginning-of-the-year statements. They are promises that will shape how we welcome students, design learning experiences, respond to challenges, and recognize growth throughout the year.

Partnering for a Successful School Year

Families are essential members of our Oakville crew. You can help us build a successful year by reading school communications, reviewing upcoming dates and reminders, attending school events when possible, and reaching out early with questions, concerns, or information that may help us support your child.

We also invite you to reinforce the messages students will hear at school: that they belong, their thinking matters, they can grow, and course corrections are a natural part of learning. When school and home communicate openly, maintain consistent expectations, and work together through challenges, students develop the confidence and support they need to thrive.

We value your perspective and are committed to open, respectful communication throughout the year. Together, we can create a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where every Otter is known, valued, challenged, and encouraged to shine.

We look forward to an outstanding school year. Our crew is ready, our course is set, and we are excited to launch into learning together!

With Otter pride,
Laurel Anderson

Office Hours

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Contact Number

(301) 373-4365

Student Arrival

9:00 am

Student Dismissal

3:45 pm

Report An Absence

Click HERE

Please contact the office no later than 3:30 pm with any changes to a student's typical pick up routine.

Attendance

Mrs. Wimmer

Attendance

Mrs. Wimmer or Mrs. Thompson

Transportation

Mrs. Wimmer or Mrs. Thompson

Health Room

Mrs. Hall

Records and Registration

Mrs. Wimmer

Family Support

Mrs. Curtis

Student Debt

Mrs. Thompson

General Assistance

Mrs. Thompson

The bus loop is unavailable to the public during the following times:

8:30 am - 9:30 am

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Unauthorized vehicles entering the bus loop during these times will be directed to park in the parking lot.  We appreciate your assistance in this matter.  This is a safety measure to keep all of our Otters and Otter Squad safe throughout the school day.

Student Arrival

Student arrival begins at 9:00 a.m.

Parents and guardians may walk students to the front awning at the main entrance.

Parents and guardians may not walk students to their classrooms.

Staff members will be available to welcome students and ensure they arrive safely at the correct classroom.

If you know your child may have difficulty separating from you or will need an extended goodbye, please park in the parking lot and walk your child to the front awning rather than using the drop-off lane.

Student Dismissal

Student dismissal begins at 3:45 p.m.

Students are expected to follow their established dismissal plan each day.

One of the best ways families can help us start the school year smoothly is by establishing a consistent dismissal routine.

Bus Riders

If you indicated that your child is a bus rider, your child is expected to ride the bus home beginning on the first day of school.

Everyday Car Riders

If you indicated that your child will be an everyday car rider, have completed the required agreement, and have received your car rider placard, your child is expected to participate in car rider dismissal beginning on the first day of school.

Start Strong, Stay Strong

Establishing positive attendance habits from the beginning of the school year is one of the most important factors in student success. We encourage families to prioritize daily attendance and on-time arrival as we launch into learning together.

Our "Otterly" Out-of-This-Word Otter Squad is ready for you!  "Are you ready?"

Your One-Stop Guide for the School Year!

The Oakville Elementary Parent Handbook is your go-to resource for everything you need to know to start the year strong.  It covers school routines, academic supports, behavior expectations, and more.  Whether you're a new family or a returning one, this guide will help you stay informed, connected, and confident

All students can receive breakfast free of charge through the Maryland Meals for Achievement (MMFA) Program.

Breakfast and lunch are available daily for all students. Families may review menus, meal account information, and additional cafeteria resources through the links below.

We encourage families to discuss cafeteria routines with their children before school starts so they feel confident, prepared, and ready for a successful launch of the school year.

School Meals Benefits Do Not Roll Over

Did your children receive free or reduced-price school meals last school year? Please remember that a new FARMs application must be submitted every school year to maintain eligibility. Benefits do not automatically carry over from year to year. To prevent any gap in your child's meal services when school starts, please take a moment to fill out the annual online form. Click the application link below to get started.

SCHOOL PAYMENTS MADE EASY!

From the cafeteria to the classroom, pay anytime, anywhere from your computer or smartphone.

Please click the link below for information regarding your child's bus number, bus stop location, and pick-up and drop-off times. If you have specific questions regarding bus transportation, please call the Department of Transportation at (301)-475-4256.

For all parents of Prekindergarten and Kindergarten students: An adult must be present at the bus stop when students are being picked up or dropped off. If an adult associated with a Prekindergarten or Kindergarten student is not present at the bus stop at the end of the school day, the bus driver will return the student to the school and the parents will be contacted to come to the school to pick up the student.

As we plan our return to school for the 2026-2027 school year, now is a great time to find your laptop charger.  Please run all of the updates and make sure that it is in working order.  Chargers are to remain at home.

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 this Student Accountability Newsletter below.

Students need permission to use Google's Additional Services. The Google Permission must be completed each school year. Only a parent or guardian can complete the Google Permission form.

Direct Link to Google Additional Services Permission Form (If a student fills out the permission form,  the submission is invalid; We do not notify students that the form needs to be resubmitted. If a student fills it out, the form IS NOT PROCESSED. A parent/guardian must complete the form,

Google Permission (English)

Google Permission (Spanish)

Acceptable Use Policy (English)

Acceptable Use Policy (Spanish)

The SMCPS website has information for parents regarding Back to School. Included in the link below is information related to:

Open House

Registrations and Vaccinations

Buses and Transportation

Student Handbooks

Food and Nutrition

Supply Lists

Back to School Photos

Classroom assignments will be available at the Open House event. Please be aware that no classroom changes will be made on the day of the Open House.

K - 5th Grade: Wednesday, August 26th

PreK: Thursday, August 27th

Our Boosterthon Fun Run event is scheduled to kick off on Tuesday, September 1st.  The Fun Run event will be held on Friday, September 11th.

Fall yearbook pictures are scheduled for September 21st.  Retakes are scheduled for November 9th.  

More information will be provided as the dates draw closer.

Our PAWS expectations serve as the foundation for a successful school year:

Personal Best – I can set goals and work to achieve them.

Act Responsibly – I can take responsibility for my actions.

Work Hard – I can make choices that make me a successful learner.

Safety First – I can follow routines and procedures.

Throughout the first several weeks of school, our primary focus will be teaching, practicing, and reinforcing routines and expectations. Just as astronauts prepare before launch, students need opportunities to learn the procedures that help our school run smoothly and safely.

Families can support this important work by asking a simple question each evening:

"What PAWS expectation did you learn about or practice at school today?"

You might also ask:

How did you do your Personal Best today?

How did you Act Responsibly?

How did you Work Hard?

How did you put Safety First into action?

These conversations help reinforce our shared commitment to helping every Otter shine.

A great place to start for the upcoming school year is to review the Bus Safety Video and the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct presentation with your child regularly during the first few weeks of school.

One community committed to the learning and safety of all children.

Every Otter is a Star

At Oakville Elementary, we are one community committed to the learning and safety of all children.  We believe every Otter has a place in our constellation, something valuable to contribute, and a destination worth reaching.  As a crew, we build a shared understanding of where we are headed, align our actions to support one another, and create consistent experiences that help every student feel they belong, grow, and succeed.  Through PAWS, goal-setting, and high-quality, research-based learning experiences, we help students understand where they are headed, recognize their progress, and reach for their next star.  When challenges arise, we make course corrections, support one another, and keep moving forward together.  Our mission is not perfection, but continuous growth as we launch every learner toward new possibilities.

Every Otter is a Star.  Together we launch into learning.

Email: lpanderson@smcps.org 

Website: https://oes.smcps.org/ 

Location: 26410 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville, MD 20659

Phone: (301) 373-4365

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