October 18

• Upcoming Dates
• Read Aloud Volunteers
• Thank you to our NSL week readers
• Second Grade Field Trip Details
• Kindergarten Bring Your Parent to School Day
• Red Ribbon Theme Days Announced
• Veteran's Day Program Announced
• Link to Breakfast & Lunch Menu

• Oct. 19 House on Wheels
• Oct. 20 Report Cards go home
• Oct. 26-30 Red Ribbon Week
• Oct. 28 2nd Grade Field Trip $$ due
• Nov. 2 2nd Grade Field Trip

It was a treat to have so many family members join us for National School Lunch Week last week. Students enjoyed spending time with each of you. We appreciate the time you spent with us. A few are pictures will be shared soon!

Berkeley County Schools is taking a closer look at how digital devices are being used in our schools, and we want to hear from you. Technology can play an important role in learning, but we also recognize the importance of finding the right balance. Through our Digital Device Use Survey, we're asking families to share their experiences and perspectives on screen time, how technology supports learning, and any concerns they may have.

Your feedback, along with input from students and staff, will help us better understand what's working, where improvements may be needed, and what to consider as we make future decisions about technology use in our schools.

Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts. We value your perspective and appreciate your partnership in helping us create the best possible learning experiences for our students.

Second grade is excited to be traveling to Blandy’s Experimental Farm on November 2nd. Our program for that day is called, It’s For the Birds. This includes field investigation stations that will teach us about bird beak adaptations, using binoculars to observe birds, a migration game, and a bird feeder activity. Students will need to wear appropriate clothing and shoes for this activity. The total fee for this trip is $10.00 per student. This fee is non-refundable. ALL chaperones must ride the bus to and from the location. We will be leaving the school at approximately at 8:50 and returning around 1:15pm.

$10.00 is due with permission form by Wednesday, October 28th.

Opequon Elementary would like to invite one guardian of each student to come to school with them on Thursday, November 12th from 9:15-10:30. Due to limited space, no siblings can attend this event. You will observe your child’s 30-minute phonics lesson. Then, you will go to the cafeteria for a brief overview of UFLI, iReady and important dates to remember for this school year. We'll be serving light refreshments, courtesy of our Opequon PTO.

RSVP by Friday, October 30th.

Next week, we will be hosting theme days for Red Ribbon Week! Students will be entered into competitions for prizes throughout the week. The more you attend and participate, the better your chances! We look forward to seeing all students dressed up NEXT week. Additional details will come home with your student in their take-home folder/binder this week!

Monday Oct. 26

RED-y to Be Drug-Free! - Wear Red

“I’m RED-y to make healthy choices and stay drug-free!”

Tuesday Oct. 27

Make a Difference, Be a Hero, Stay Drug Free! - Dress as a Superhero

“Heroes make healthy choices, help others, and stay drug-free!”

Wednesday Oct. 28

Choose a Bright Future! - Wear Bright Colors and/ or Crazy Hair

“My healthy choices today help make my future bright!”

Thursday Oct. 29

Fly Away from Drugs! - Wear School Colors or Dress as a Butterfly

“Monarchs make healthy choices and fly away from unsafe choices!”

Friday Oct. 30

Scare Drugs Away! - Wear Your Halloween Costume

“BOO! Monarchs scare drugs away by making healthy choices!”

On Friday, November 6th at 9:15am, Opequon Elementary School will host a school-wide Veterans’ Day program to honor Veteran family members. Please let us know if your Veteran family members can attend by filling out the form sent home in your child's backpack Friday and returning it to your child’s classroom teacher. A light breakfast will be served in the Library before the program at 8:00am. Your child is welcome to attend the breakfast with your family Veteran. If you’d like to share a picture of your Veteran at our program, please send it to Mrs. E.Freeman via email: Efreeman@k12.wv.us by Friday, October 30th.

We look forward to honoring our Opequon family Veterans on this special day.

Vehicles MUST be parked in a lined, unassigned spot. This applies to drop off and pick up. There is ample parking and we have Mr. Gibbs assisting with the flow of traffic once things get moving. Please remain in your vehicles with your child until at least 8:15, and until 3:10 in the afternoon. We want teachers and staff to be able to enter the building without a crowd around the door in the mornings especially. Thank you for helping with this.

*Entering in the morning and afternoon is via Duke Street, not the front entrance. Thanks!

As of October 5, 2026, Pre-K students need to be dropped off and picked up at the front of the school.

Please follow these important drop-off procedures:

• Do not arrive before 8:48 a.m. We need to keep the front area clear for our buses.
• Please do not create a line in the driveway while waiting. This area is needed for our staff & buses.
• Please do not park and wait. The parking spaces are reserved for our K–2 students who are being dropped off between 8:20 and 8:40 a.m.

Thank you for helping us keep our arrival and dismissal procedures safe and running smoothly for all of our students. We appreciate your cooperation and support!

395 East Road

Martinsburg, WV 25404

304-267-3550

Karen Weigle, Principal

Kelly Comer, Assistant Principal