The Otter Overview

We had amazing turnout for Parent Teacher Conferences the week before Spring Break! Thank you for partnering with us! Strong collaboration between school and home is critical for student success. We only have eight weeks left of this school year and three weeks before state testing begins. It's hard to believe! Please ensure your student is at school on time daily. We are working hard to make the most of each minute together!

Attendance Matters

Our daily attendance rates for March are:

Kindergarten: 93.99%

1st Grade: 94.33%

2nd Grade: 95.33% 🏅

3rd Grade: 95.09%

4th Grade: 93.49%

2nd grade is back in the lead again! This group has won the attendance medal for November, January, and now March! Way to go, 2nd grade families!!!

Daily attendance is vital in helping students stay on track academically, building strong relationships, practicing social and communication skills, and increasing connection and a sense of belonging. Studies show that increased absenteeism, even one day per month, can lead to lower achievement and increased emotional concerns.

If your student is struggling with a situation and hesitant to come to school, please reach out to their homeroom teacher, one of our counselors, or one of our administrators. We are all here to help!

If your student will be absent, please let our attendance clerk know by emailing ocesattendanceclerk@bentonvillek12.org or calling 479-286-9500.

Remember that instruction in the classroom begins at 7:50 am each morning. Please ensure your student(s) is inside no later than 7:45 so they can get to their classroom, put their belongings away, and get started on a successful day.

Sincerely,

Jessie Lisenbee, OCE Principal

Molly Johnson, OCE Assistant Principal

Hi Osage Creek families,

My name is Molly Johnson, and I’m excited to step into the assistant principal role for the remainder of this school year. I’ve had the privilege of serving students in Bentonville Schools for the past 17 years, and I feel incredibly grateful to continue supporting our school community in this new way.

I am truly honored to be trusted to help fill the shoes of Mr. Allen. Osage Creek is a special place, and I have a deep love for our students, staff, and the strong partnerships we share with families.

I look forward to working alongside all of you as we finish the year strong together!

Join us in celebrating our Teacher of the Year, 3rd grade teacher Sarah Bradshaw! 🍎✨ Mrs. Bradshaw’s passion for teaching, dedication to her students, and commitment to creating an engaging and supportive classroom truly set her apart.

She inspires a love of learning, builds strong relationships, and helps every student grow both academically and socially. We are so proud to have Mrs. Bradshaw as part of our Otter family—congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! 💙

We are proud to celebrate Osage Creek Elementary’s Classified Staff of the Year, Mrs. Beth Koliber! 🌟 Her dedication, kindness, and commitment to supporting our students make a difference each and every day.

Mrs. Koliber works tirelessly to create an inclusive and supportive environment where all students can succeed. We are so grateful for the impact she has on our school community—congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! 💙

Osage Creek Elementary is where Academic Excellence lives! 🦦📚 Our students are engaged, motivated, and working hard every day to grow as learners.

Through collaboration, perseverance, and meaningful learning experiences, our Otters are building strong skills and a love for learning that will last a lifetime. We are so proud of the incredible things happening in our classrooms! 💙

Our 3rd and 4th graders have been HARD at work this year with reading trading cards. Students read, book talk, and share their love of reading with their fellow Otters through arts integrated trading cards.

Know a Bentonville Schools' employee who goes the extra mile? Nominate them HERE.

Our April core value is Honor: Letting others know you see how valuable they really are. Here is information from our counselors Ms. Nulty and Ms. Niebruegge:

Ms. Nulty and Ms. Niebruegge are also sharing this resource on test anxiety tips. As always, please reach out if you need anything at all and we'll do our best to help!

Ms. Nulty - cnulty@bentonvillek12.org

Ms. Niebruegge - mniebruegge@bentonvillek12.org

It's an exciting time of year when our Otters get to show off what they know!!

ATLAS state testing dates are below. Please mark your calendar and help ensure your student is at school on time, well rested, and with a nutricious breakfast. We can't wait to see how well our Otters do this year!!!

More details can be found here: Arkansas ATLAS and here: Bentonville ATLAS Parent Resources.

Spring Book Fair is here! Students will be visiting book fair Monday, April 6 - Friday, April 10 during designated activity classes and Rock Time. You can send money with them on those days, or if you'd prefer to use an eWallet, those are open and ready to go:

We will also be having our family night book fair on Thursday, April 9 from 3:00-6:30.

It's time for the annual Gold Rush run and our own Carrie Beasley is leading an OCE Run Club to help get students ready!

OCE Run Club started Monday, March 30th but there's still time for students to join!

Students will meet at the front entrance every Monday and Wednesday from 7:05-7:30 am.

Please make sure your child wears appropriate running apparel and shoes, and has water with them.

To partcipate, complete the Health History and Release of Liability Form.

Registration for the Gold Rush is here: https://app.regwiz.io/register/goldrush/1170

All elementary students are required to have an adult running buddy for the race.

Questions? Email Mrs. Beasley at cbeasley@bentonvillek12.org.

It's time to order your 2025-2026 yearbook! Mrs. DeRossitt does an amazing job putting our yearbook together and this year we had some student volunteer helpers! It is printed in full color and a great way to keep memories for a lifetime!

To order, go to treering.com/validate and use code 1016310287542965 to access Osage Creek.

If you already have an account, log in. If you do not, create an account.

Once logged in, you can create your two custom pages and order your student's yearbook.

4th graders have an incredible opportunity to demonstrate our OCE Core Values, read, and earn some prizes along the way!

A copy of the parent letter and challenge calendar are here for your reference. Ask your student or their teacher if you have any questions!

Our 2026-2027 PTO Board is currently accepting applications for all positions!

Come join the fun and help supports the students, staff, and community of Osage Creek!

Email OsageCreekElementaryPTO@gmail.com if you are interested or have any questions.

Osage Creek follows the Bentonville Schools academic calendar. You can find the calendar HERE.

4/1 - Paraprofessional Appreciation Day!

4/2 - 2nd grade field trip

4/3 - Ollie Trolley

4/3 - Otter Romp

4/4 - School Librarian Appreciation Day!

4/6-4/10 - National Assistant Principal Week!

4/6-4/10 - Spring Book Fair

4/6 - Kindergarten Cap & Gown Pictures

4/6 - 1st grade field trip

4/9 - Kindergarten field trip

4/9 - Book Fair Family Night

4/9 - Celebrate Culture Night

4/9 - One West Art Show at BWHS

4/14 - Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast

4/16 - ATLAS Testing - Kindergarten

4/16 - PTO April Meeting

4/20 - ATLAS Testing - Kindergarten

4/21 - ATLAS Testing - Kindergarten

4/22 - ATLAS Testing - 1st Grade

4/22 - Administrative Professionals Day!

4/23 - ATLAS Testing - 1st Grade

4/23 - 2nd grade field trip

4/24 - ATLAS Testing - 1st Grade

4/27 - No School for Students - Teacher Professional Development Day

4/28 - ATLAS Testing - 3rd and 4th Grade

4/29 - ATLAS Testing - 3rd and 4th Grade

4/30- ATLAS Testing - 3rd and 4th Grade

5/1 - ATLAS Testing - 3rd and 4th Grade

5/1 - Gold Rush Race

5/1 - National Principals Day!

5/1 - School Lunch Hero Day!

5/4-5/8 - Teacher Appreciation Week!

5/4 - ATLAS Testing - 2nd Grade

5/5 - ATLAS Testing - 2nd Grade

5/6 - ATLAS Testing - 2nd Grade

All students are welcome to bring their lunch from home or eat in our fantastic cafeteria.

To add money to your child's account, visit bentonville.familyportal.cloud and log into your account. Need help? Feel free to call us at 479-286-9500.

Breakfast and lunch menus for the district can be found here:

https://bentonville.nutrislice.com/menu

We are fortunate to have an amazing PTO that does so much for our students and staff at Osage Creek! Please consider joining the Osage Creek PTO!!

Our PTO website (and newsletter) are: https://osage-creek-elementary-pto.square.site/

PTO contact email is: OsageCreekElementaryPTO@gmail.com

We're happy to help! Please call us at 479-286-9500.

You can also follow us on social media or use our linktree to stay up to date:

linktr.ee/osagecreek