Dear Oakville Families,

Reminder: Schools Closed Tuesday

Schools will be closed for students and staff on Tuesday, November 3, for Election Day. We look forward to welcoming our Otters back on Wednesday.

Understanding Your Child’s Report Card

First-quarter report cards will be available in the Home Access Center (HAC) on Thursday, November 12. Please take time to log in and review your child’s progress.

SMCPS's standards-based report card provides a detailed picture of your child’s learning by reporting progress on specific grade-level skills and standards. Ratings from 1 to 4 reflect how independently your child demonstrates each skill and the level of support needed as your child works toward end-of-year expectations.

Because students are still learning and developing these skills, a rating below a 4 does not necessarily mean your child is performing below grade level. Instead, the rating shows where your child is in the learning process at this point in the school year. Students may also receive different ratings across standards because learning develops at different rates and some skills require more time and practice than others.

Before reviewing your child’s report card, we encourage you to visit the Elementary Standards-Based Report Card webpage. There, you will find helpful videos, frequently asked questions, sample report cards, and quarterly grade-level criteria to help you better understand the information you receive.

As you review the report card, consider talking with your child about:

What learning are you most proud of?

What has helped you make progress?

What is something you are still working to learn?

What is one goal you would like to set for the next quarter?

Please contact your child’s teacher if you have questions about your child’s progress or would like suggestions for supporting continued learning at home.

Yearbook Picture Retake Day

Yearbook Picture Retake Day is Monday, November 9th

Parents of the students participating on Retake Day should be aware of the following:

If a student was absent on the initial picture day, their name will appear on the unphotographed list so that their teachers are aware that they need to have their picture taken for the yearbook.

If a parent has expressed interest in having their child’s picture retaken, this can also be done on retake day. The student should bring the original photo package, including the original envelope and all picture products, to turn in to the photographer when they come to sit for a new picture. They do not need to fill out a new order form.

We value the partnership between school and home and appreciate your continued support as every Otter learns, grows, and shines.

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 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.

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.

The School Store will be open on these dates during students' lunch and recess times.  Students redeem PAWS tickets to "purchase" items from the store.  No cash is needed.  Thank you to Mr. Curtis for volunteering to open the store on these days!

SMCPS will hold a systemwide Lockdown Drill on November 12th. Staff and students will be notified when the drill begins through an overhead announcement by the office staff. Staff will guide students through SMCPS procedures for a Lockdown Drill. Law requires parents be notified when this drill will take place. SMCPS procedures for a Lockdown Drill align with Maryland State law. You can find information by clicking HERE. We will share a voluntary survey with the school community after the drill. The survey is managed outside of SMCPS.

St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) is currently collecting Federal Impact Aid and Emergency Information Update forms.  Your cooperation in completing these forms no later than Friday, November 20, 2026, is greatly appreciated.

The federal government provides funding to the public school system in lieu of paying taxes on federal property.  This funding is based on the number of students whose parent(s) or guardian(s) are federally connected. This includes active-duty military personnel and federal employees who work/telework or live on federal property. It is very important that SMCPS provides an accurate count to ensure we gain the maximum funds for your child’s education. All information is strictly confidential.

Online Federal Impact Aid Forms

Online Federal Impact Aid Forms are now available through the Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, please follow the directions to access the online Impact Aid form. Additionally, you can follow the video instructions. The form can now be accessed in Spanish by clicking on the Globe in the top right-hand corner once the form has been started.  The deadline for the online submission of 2026-2027 Federal Impact Aid Survey forms is Friday, November 20, 2026. The SMCPS website has more guidance on how to access the Federal Impact Aid Survey.

Online Emergency Update Forms

Effective communication is critical to the success of St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS). This will be crucial not only for emergencies but for our ability to communicate with families in general. Online Emergency Information Update Forms are now available through the parents’ Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, please follow the directions on how to access the online Emergency Information.  Additionally, you can follow the video instructions. It is vital that all information is updated in eSchool. The deadline for the online submission of Emergency Information Update forms is Friday, November 20, 2026. 

For questions or assistance, contact your child’s school. Thank you for helping us secure funding, strengthen communication, and keep every student safe.

MSDE is inviting stakeholders to provide public comment on the proposed Revised Fine Arts Standards and Frameworks. An overview of the revisions was presented to the Education Policy Committee on October 13, 2026. The public comment period will remain open from October 20 through November 4, 2026. Stakeholders can review the proposed revisions and access the Public Comment Form through MSDE’s Comprehensive Arts Branch webpage. Please share this opportunity with interested stakeholders, encouraging them to review the proposed revisions and provide feedback. If you have any questions, please contact Todd Burroughs.

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

Please note:  Students may bring in cash at the point of sale.  However, the cafeteria will not be able to provide change back to the student. For example:  if your child brings in $5 and hands it to the cashier in the cafeteria on snack day, that TOTAL AMOUNT will be added to their MySchool Bucks account

 *Please note:  Gluten-Free menus do require a doctor’s approval 

SCHOOL PAYMENTS MADE EASY!

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

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.

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.

Multilingual Families:

Join us for an exciting and informative Multilingual Family Night on November 16, 2026  at Great Mills High School from 5 - 7 pm! (21130 Great Mills Rd., Great Mills, MD 20634) 

Meet your students’ ESOL teachers and get information about:

Schoology

Graduation requirements

Sports and other extra curricular activities

How to help your child plan for their college/career after high school

Community partnerships (YMCA, local adult English classes, public library services, etc.)

There will also be a time for you to participate in open discussions with each other and with teachers. We cannot wait to see you there. Let’s work together to give your child an amazing school year!

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.

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

Oakville Elementary School

26410 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville, MD 20659

ACCESSIBILITY | OES.SMCPS.ORG | EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The St. Mary’s County Public School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, age, national origin, marital status or sexual orientation, religion, or disability in matters affecting employment or providing access to programs.