Dear Oakville Families,

Volunteers Needed for Our Fall Book Fair

Oakville Elementary’s Fall Book Fair will be held Wednesday, October 21, through Thursday, October 29, and we need volunteers to help make the fair a success!

Volunteer shifts are available during the school day:

Morning shift: 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Afternoon shift: 12:15 to 3:30 p.m.

The Book Fair will also be open during our Trunk or Treat event on Friday, October 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Volunteer support that evening would be especially appreciated.

If you are interested in helping with any shift, please contact Mrs. Cummins at jmcummins@smcps.org. Thank you for supporting this special opportunity for our students and families!

Fifth Grade Learning Beyond the Classroom

This week, our fifth-grade Otters will embark on their annual environmental field trip to Historic Sotterley. This experience will allow students to extend their learning beyond the classroom as they explore the environment, make real-world connections, and learn alongside their classmates.

Field trips are an important part of the educational experience we provide at Oakville. We are excited for our fifth graders to participate in a day filled with inquiry, discovery, and hands-on learning. We appreciate the teachers, staff members, and chaperones who help make meaningful experiences like this possible.

Important Health Reminder

A measles outbreak has been reported in St. Mary’s County. While the risk to individuals who have received the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine remains low, we ask families to remain alert for symptoms that may include fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and a rash.

Please make sure your child is up to date on all recommended vaccinations, including the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Staying current on vaccinations helps protect your child and our school community. Please contact our school nurse with questions about required school vaccinations.

If your child develops symptoms, please keep your child home and contact your healthcare provider before arriving at the provider’s office so appropriate precautions can be taken. We are working closely with local public health officials and will continue to share updates as needed.

For additional information, please visit the St. Mary’s County Health Department Measles Page.

Partnering Through Parent Conferences

As Parent Conference Day approaches, we want families to know that Oakville Elementary values partnering with families to support every student’s success.

Throughout the school year, teachers proactively contact families when there is a need to discuss a student’s academic progress, social-emotional development, behavior, attendance, or another concern. If your child is making expected progress, you may not receive a request for a conference on Parent Conference Day.

However, communication is always welcome. Families are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher at any time with questions or concerns or to request a conference. You do not need to wait for a formal conference day to connect with us.

Thank you for volunteering, staying informed, and continuing to partner with us in support of your child’s education. When families and school staff communicate openly and work together, we strengthen the crew supporting every Otter’s learning, growth, and success.

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.

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 cashier in the cafeteria on snack day, that TOTAL AMOUNT will be added to their MySchool Bucks account

School Meals Benefits Do Not Roll Over

This is a reminder for families that students who were receiving meal benefits through carryover status from last school year will have those benefits expire on October 9 unless a new Meal Benefit Application is submitted and approved.

Submitting meal applications doesn't just help families receive meal benefits. It also helps ensure our schools have accurate FARMS percentages, which can impact funding and support through programs like Compensatory Education.

Getting applications in on time also helps prevent students from building up meal debt. Once carryover benefits expire, students who have not been approved may begin charging meals, which can create financial stress for families and result in a significant amount of follow-up and collection efforts by both school staff and Food & Nutrition Services.

SCHOOL PAYMENTS MADE EASY!

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

As Parent Conference Day approaches, we want families to know that Oakville Elementary recognizes the importance of partnering with families to support student success.

Throughout the school year, teachers proactively reach out to families when there is a need to discuss a student's academic progress, social-emotional development, behavior, attendance, or other concerns. 

If your child is making expected progress, you may not receive a request for a conference. However, families are encouraged to contact their child's teacher with questions, concerns, or to request a conference at any time.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support of your child's education.

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.

We are pleased to offer a deep discount for students and their families to attend the Five Note Theory concert on October 10 at 7:00 PM at the Nancy R. & Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center.

This exciting new vocal ensemble brings a fresh approach to the a cappella and jazz vocal traditions established by groups such as the Ink Spots, Manhattan Transfer, Take 6, New York Voices, and Pentatonix. We would love for music students and their families to have the opportunity to experience what is possible at the highest level of musical artistry using the human voice.

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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