Dear Oakville Families,

We had a wonderful first week of school! Our Otters did an outstanding job learning new routines, building relationships, and settling into their classrooms. Thank you to our families and staff for helping us begin the 2026-2027 school year so successfully.

As we continue building strong routines, please keep talking with your child about our PAWS expectations:

Personal Best

Act Responsibly

Work Hard

Safety First

Ask your child what PAWS looks and sounds like in the classroom, cafeteria, hallways, playground, and other areas of our school. These conversations help students understand that positive choices and strong habits contribute to success both at school and at home.

On Tuesday, we will kick off our annual Boosterthon Otter Fun Run Fundraiser with an in-school assembly for students. Our fundraising goal is $19,000, the same goal we set and met last year. Funds raised will help us continue providing:

PAWS rewards and celebrations for students

Free or reduced-cost field trips for every grade level

A visit from the Maryland Agricultural Mobile Lab in March

A mobile planetarium experience in February, in partnership with the PTA

Continued support for school and classroom resources

More information about the Otter Fun Run and how families can participate is included in this newsletter. We appreciate every family’s support, whether through fundraising, sharing the event with others, or encouraging our students.

I am looking forward to the coming week as we continue transitioning smoothly into the new school year. Thank you for being an essential part of our Oakville crew and for helping every Otter learn, grow, and shine.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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