Feb. 22
In this February 22nd Update:
- Upcoming Events & Dates
- School Learning Environment Survey
- Young Writer's Contest Winners
- Remote Learning Days & School Schedule
- Yearbook Orders are OPEN!
- Author Visit Details
- Competitive Opportunities in Art and Writing!
- Lunch Menu & Choice Menu
- Photo Storage
Upcoming Events & Dates
- February 25th 2 hour delay for students
- March 2-6 Read Across America Week (see theme days below)
- March 3 Author Visit Event 5:00-6:00
To ensure we continue providing positive learning environments and limitless opportunities for our students, we are participating in the West Virginia School Learning Environment Survey for parents/caregivers of Opequon students and staff! Your insight is incredibly valuable to us!
These surveys are conducted online and provide critical information about the learning/teaching environment, the health and well-being of students and staff, and support for parents. We'd like to request that surveys are completed by February 27th. Please contact us with any questions.
Parent/Caregiver Survey Link:
*Students in grades 3-5 will complete this in school. Students in grades PreK-2 do not complete the survey in school, rather we ask that parents/caregivers complete it. Thank you!
Young Writer's Contest School Winners
Congratulations to the following students for advancing to the county-level Young Writer's competition. Each student submitted an original composition of up to 300 words (written and typed)! Well done, all!
1st Grade
Aliyah Trought
Locklyn Garton
Annabelle Grundy
2nd Grade
Kekeli Souka
Hazel Comer
Snow Day Reminders & Remote Learning Schedule
We have exhausted our built-in snow days, and are now prepared for online learning via iPads/Teams. Students will have ELA & Math instruction live as well as their Unified Arts/Specials time. Additionally, interventions and Special Education services will continue throughout the day.
Students brought their iPads home from Opequon on Friday. We ask that iPads remain in backpacks until a remote instructional day has been declared. They are NOT to be used during non-instructional days. This will save battery life and encourage students to play games, have fun, and go outside (we hope!). In the event of a remote/virtual learning day, students should continue to be monitored for appropriate technology use by a trusted adult. iPads will be used between the hours of 9-3 PM on remote/virtual learning days.
OES Schedule & Expectations
Students are expected to be online at least three different times throughout the day. We have designated 9:00-10:00 ELA, 2:00-3:00 Math, and whenever their designated Specials time is (see image). Many of our students will be invited to attend additional times for interventions or to provide Special Education minutes. Those times will be communicated by the individual teachers and appear either in Clever or SeeSaw messages. Students are expected to be ready for the school day with cameras turned on so we can see their beautiful faces! :)
This year we have partnered with Treering to create our yearbook! You can create 2 custom pages and add your own pictures to make your child's yearbook unique for free! Create custom pages before April 10th.
To purchase and customize your yearbook:
Copy and paste our school's passcode: 1017605316543566
Price: $20, not including sales tax
Read Across America Week! March 2-6
Monday: It’s time to celebrate, so don’t be late! Dress up as the iconic Cat in the Hat or any Dr. Seuss character that’s great.
Tuesday: It’s pajama day, hip hip hooray. Get comfy, get cozy and read away!
Wednesday: Read to succeed! Dress up as what you want to be.
Thursday: Wear your favorite team’s colors or workout gear. Exercise your brain and give reading a cheer!
Friday: Let your fairytale flair start! Step into magic, play your part! Capes or crowns, come out and play. It’s once upon a Disney Day!
Opequon's 2026 Author Visit set for March 3rd
We are excited to announce that on Tuesday, March 3rd, children’s author, Shawn Thomas will be presenting to Opequon students during the day about how she wrote her very first children’s book “Monday Moves In.” She will also be bringing the inspiration to her book: her chickens!
That evening, you and your child are invited to attend a free event from 5-6 pm. During the event, you and your child will get to meet the author and learn how to create digital illustrations for your own book using Canva- the same software Shawn Thomas used to create her illustrations! Opequon will provide the technology to do so!
This is a free event, however pre-registration is requested. Information with an RSVP was sent home last week. Please return it asap if your family plans to attend.
Competitive Art & Writing Opportunities!
2025-2026 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program and Art Contest
Students are invited to participate in the 2025-2026 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program and Art Contest! The program is a dynamic art- and science-based curriculum that teaches wetland and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school.
Each year, an art contest is conducted as an opportunity for students to share what they have learned about waterfowl and habitat conservation through the curriculum or through their own study and observation. Students from across the United States submit their artwork and conservation messages to their state, territory, or district competition.
Any K-12 student attending public, private, or homeschool may participate! Prizes and ribbons are awarded to winners of each age group, and all students receive a certificate of participation. Best-of-Show winners from each state advance to the national contest. The winning artwork from the national art contest serves as the design for the Junior Duck Stamp, which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service produces annually. One hundred percent of the revenue from the sale of Junior Duck Stamps goes to support recognition and environmental education activities for students who participate in the program.
All entries must be received by COB ET March 15, 2026, to the West Virginia State Coordinator.
Empowered HeArts: Safe Love Illustrations
The Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center (EPEC) has asked us to participate in an art contest, "Empowered Hearts," with our K-5 students. During the month of February, students may draw a picture that shows safe love—love that is kind, respectful, and caring, and that makes people feel happy and secure. Examples include how to show kindness, healthy friendships, respect, or ways people help and care for one another.
If your child would like to participate, please let their homeroom teacher know and they will send home the coloring sheet (below). Please return all completed entries to Mrs. Eyler or Mrs. Comer by Wednesday, February 26th to be sent to central office by Friday, February 28th. EPEC will award a prize to the winner in each grade at each school, as well as post the winning designs on their website! Let's get some Opequon artwork on display in the community!n
Parents! Students have had a great opportunity to try new foods over the past few weeks. As a reminder, the choice offered M-F remains the same from week to week:
Monday's Choice is Soft Pretzel with Cheddar Dip
Tuesday's Choice is Chef Salad with Breadstick
Wednesday's Choice is Cheesy Pull Apart Bread with Marinara
Thursday's Choice is Cheeseburger with Toppings
Friday's Choice is Whole Grain Chicken Nuggets with Dipping Sauce
These remain an option for students throughout the week on each day. We continue to see lots of salad eaters!
In Case You Missed It
Trunk or Treat, please visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCyB2v
Costume Parade, please visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCziWk
Veterans Day, please visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCzVeA
Haircuts for the Holidays, please visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCB1zi
Turkey Trot, please visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCCjcY
2nd 9 Weeks Awards Assemblies, please visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCGTWH
New Year, New You Event, please visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCH2a8
100th Day of School: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCKuNy
Valentine's Day & Sweetheart Dance: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCKD29
Opequon Elementary School
395 East Road
Martinsburg, WV 25404
304-267-3550
Rebekah Eyler, Principal
Kelly Comer, Assistant Principal