In "Otter" News - Week #21

Dear Oakville Families,

This is the last week for the PTA sponsored Penny Way! Check out the stats right below this message! Proceeds from the Penny War will go toward the PTA hosted winter all school assembly. As of Friday, Mrs. Larson's class was in 1st place, Mrs. Karimi's class was in 2nd place, Mrs. Lay's class was in 3rd place, and Mrs. Woodard's class was in 4th place.

PAWS Parent Tip

Revisit expectations at home.

A simple reminder about Personal Best, Acting Responsibly, Working Hard, and Safety First helps students reconnect school expectations to home routines. Talking through “what PAWS looks like” in everyday moments sets students up for a smooth transition back.

Zones of Regulation Parent Tip

All zones are okay.

Students may return feeling excited, tired, or a little anxious. That’s completely normal. We encourage students to recognize the zone they are in and use strategies that help them do their job as learners, rather than trying to change how they feel.

PAWS + Zones Tip

Feelings + responsibility go hand in hand.

You might say: “It’s okay to feel tired or excited today. What can you do to help yourself act responsibly and do your best at school?” This reinforces that emotions are valid, and expectations remain steady.

Otterly Yours,

Mrs. Anderson

Seeking Public Comment: Health Education Regulation and Framework - On November 4, 2025, the Maryland State Board of Education unanimously approved the draft revised Comprehensive Health Education Regulation and Framework for publication. The Maryland State Department of Education is now accepting public comment through February 9, 2026, and has encouraged all school systems to share the survey with their community partners.

Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test, 3rd Edition Home Reports Coming Soon!

In the fall, third-grade students completed the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test, 3rd Edition (NNAT3). The NNAT3 is a norm-referenced nonverbal assessment of a student's reasoning and general problem-solving abilities. A Home Report that includes an explanation of the assessment and student results will be mailed home this week.

Feel free to contact Jessica Cotugno at 301 475 5511 x32115 if you have any questions.

Click the link below to access the 2025-2026 PTA Family Directory. If you would like your information added to the directory, please contact the PTA by email: oakville.pta@gmail.com

The office will be open Monday - Friday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Please click on the links below to access public calendars.

See below for our grade levels weekly rates of attendance in addition top our current school attendance rate. We strive for a 94% or better attendance rate. Our whole school attendance rate for SY25-26 is currently: 94%

PreK: 93% (+1%)

Kindergarten: 90% (-9%)

1st Grade: 94% (-2%)

2nd Grade: 96% (-2%)

3rd Grade: 94% (-5%)

4th Grade: 93% (-2%)

5th Grade: 94% (-4%)

St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) is asking all parents/guardians who do not already have a MySchoolBucks account to create an online account. The MySchoolBucks platform is a convenient, secure, and efficient school payment solution for all stakeholders.

• The enrollment process is easy and getting started is simple. Parents can visit the MySchoolBucks website or download the free "MSB Parent" application from their device's app store.
• Please click the link for more information and create an account today

MySchoolBucks App

The MySchoolBucks app provides on-the-go access to your child's meal balances, purchases, and lets you make payments directly from your phone. You can manage lunch accounts by adding funds, setting up account automatic replenishment, and tracking purchases - all in one place. You can also pay for field trips, and a variety of school fees using your credit/debit card online or through the app.

Benefit of MySchoolBucks

• Convenience - Available 24/7 on the web

• Efficiency - Eliminate the need to write checks and for students to bring money to school

• Flexibility - Make payments using credit/debit cards and electronic checks

• Security - MySchoolBucks adheres to the highest security standards, including PCI and CISP

Enrollment is easy!

To get started with MySchoolBucks for your school's communications and payments, visit the MySchoolBucks website or download the mobile app to create an account and sign up for free.

1. Go to the MySchoolBucks website or download the "MSB Parent" app from your device's app store.

2. Click "Sign Up for Free" and create a new account
   Add your child using the name of the school they are attending, and either their student ID or birthdate.

3. You will receive a confirmation email that your account has been established.

4. Once your account is set up, you can add funds, view balances, and make payments for various school items and fees

Customer Service

• Email: parentsupport@myschoolbucks.com

• 1-855-832-5226

• Visit www.MySchoolBucks.com and click on Help/FAQ’s

Report Cards/HAC

Oakville Elementary uses a standards-based report card for students in Grades Pre-K through 5. This format provides clear, consistent information about how students are progressing toward grade-level expectations.

• Report cards are issued four times per year, at the end of each marking period.

• Special area teachers (Art, Music, PE, Media) report progress twice per year—at the end of the second and fourth quarters.

• Narrative Reports are written by classroom teachers each quarter to share insights not captured on the standards-based report card. These personalized updates are emailed to parents on the day of report card distribution.

• Students receiving special education services will receive a quarterly IEP progress report via email on the same day report cards are distributed.

• Report cards are posted in the Home Access Center (HAC) for digital access.

• Contact the Records Secretary if you need assistance accessing HAC.

Report Card Distribution Dates (2025–2026 School Year):

• Quarter 1: November 4th

• Quarter 2: January 27th

• Quarter 3: April 15th

• Quarter 4: TBD (based on the adjusted end-of-year calendar)

Check out a message from our School Counselor, Mrs. Curtis!

SMCPS is gearing up to start evening counseling. Counseling services are 9 weeks in length, free, short-term, and open to SMCPS students. Parents can sign up to be contacted about these services by filling out this form or scanning the QR code on the flyer below. Once slots are filled, a waitlist will be generated.

St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) students use the Internet and other instructional computer resources in school. It is important that you and your student review this information each year. Within this policy is the Google Workspace for Education Additional Services Agreement. Students in grades PreK - 5th grade do not need to complete an AUP this school year. They will not be accessing additional services within Google Workspace for Education beyond the core features.

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 the student accountability newsletter that has been added to our weekly school newsletters. Chargers are to remain at home.

Students are expected to:

• Stay seated in their assigned seats

• Use a calm, indoor voice

• Follow the driver’s directions at all times

• Follow all relevant school rules while on the bus

Parents are encouraged to review these expectations with their child and watch the Bus Safety Video available on the SMCPS Transportation website.

Special Notes for Pre-K & Kindergarten

• Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students will exit the bus first and must be met at the bus door by a responsible person at least 13 years old.

• If no adult is present, the student will be returned to the school.

• Repeated failure to meet this requirement may also result in a loss of bus-riding privileges, as outlined in the SMCPS Handbook.

Bus Passes

SMCPS will only transport students who are assigned to a bus route. Temporary bus passes are approved only in cases of emergency.

• All requests for temporary bus passes must be directed to the main office and will be reviewed by the principal or their designee.

• Approval is not guaranteed and will be based on the nature of the request and the availability of seating.

We appreciate your understanding as we work to ensure safety and consistency in daily transportation routines.

The Student Handbook and Code of Conduct presentation will be reviewed with students over the first week of school. Please take some time to review it with your children at home, too. It is linked below.

St. Mary’s County Public Schools is launching a comprehensive Facility Utilization and School Boundary Study initiative to guide how our schools serve students and families in the years ahead. Your input matters. Whether you join a meeting, offer feedback, or follow along with updates, your voice will help shape the future of education in St. Mary’s County.

For more information please click on the link below.

• Link to Redistricting Smore
• December 10, 2025

Board of Education Work Session - Slide Deck
Board of Education Work Session - Video

Our school has a parent representative and staff representative on the district-wide Community Engagement Redistricting Team. The representatives will help ensure communication of the work, timeline, and community engagement opportunities by sharing information on surveys and community engagement events through school, community, and social media resources. You can reach out to them for additional information or to share your perspective.

OES Community Engagement POCs:

• Staff Representative: Laurel Anderson (lpanderson@smcps.org)
• Parent Representative: Kimberly Sterbenz (oakville.pta.treasurer@gmail.com)

A Week

Monday, January 19th

All SMCPS Schools and Office Closed

Tuesday, January 20th

9:00 am - 3:45 pm

• PTA Penny War
• 2nd, 4th, and 5th Grade visit School Store during lunch/recess

Wednesday, January 21st

9:00 am - 3:45 pm

• PTA Penny War
• Extra Recess and Popsicles - Intermediate Students

Thursday, January 22nd

9:00 am - 3:45 pm

• PTA Penny War
• Kindergarten students visit School Store during lunch/recess

Friday, January 23rd

9:00 am - 3:45 pm

• Last Day - PTA Penny War
• PreK, 1st, and 3rd Grade visit School Store during lunch/recess
• Band/Strings Concert @6:30 pm in the Cafeteria

Check out the upcoming dates of student performance for this fall!

The PTA will host a spirit week in December to get us pumped up for Winter Break! Finally, we will host a spirit week in March to coincide with Read Across America Week and the PTA Read-A-Fun.

Every Friday is Otter Spirit Day and students are encouraged to wear their Otter spirit wear! On Community Gathering days, students are encouraged to show their grade level spirit and wear their grade level colors. See the image below for grade level colors.

Hello Oakville Families!

My name is Tonya Hall, and I’m thrilled to be joining the Oakville community as your new school nurse. I have been a nurse for 17 years, this being my 7th year as a school nurse. I’m truly looking forward to getting to know every student and their family. I am committed to supporting your child’s medical needs.

You can expect to hear from me in situations that may require follow-up, such as head injuries (whether minor or more concerning), illnesses that meet the criteria for going home, or when a student’s concern is beyond what I can manage in the health room. After every visit to the health room, your child will receive a pass detailing the reason for their visit. These passes will be placed in their take-home folder for your review. If you ever have any questions or concerns about what’s listed, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

I welcome communication in whatever way is easiest for you—feel free to send an email, call the office, or stop by the school to chat in person.

As a gentle reminder, if your child has any specific medical needs—chronic or acute—please reach out to me directly. This includes new diagnoses, required medications or treatments while at school, or any communicable illnesses such as flu, COVID-19, pneumonia, or others.

I’m so excited to begin this journey with you and to be a part of your child’s support team here at Oakville!

Warmly,

Mrs. Hall

FAQ for the start of the year:

When should I keep my child home from school?

• Fever >100.0, vomiting, diarrhea, or pink and crusty eyes
• Symptoms of COVID-19 like illness OR symptoms or an illness that do not resolve after home interventions
• Your child has been directed to quarantine by the local health department

Save the Dates!

OES PTA Meetings | 2025–2026 School Year

Mark your calendars:

• October 22, 2025

• December 17, 2025

• March 12, 2026

• May 20, 2026

Join the OES Otters for a year of connection, collaboration & community!

Meetings will include updates, events, and ways to get involved!

Stay tuned for times and locations.

One community committed to the learning and safety of all children.

Community is important to us. We strive to have the words "goal-oriented", "fun", "inclusive", and "thriving" used to describe our community. We believe that children learn and adults work best in an environment where they feel respected and safe. We are focused on four areas in our development of community: 1) Cultivating respectful, supportive relationships among students, teachers, and parents, 2) Emphasizing common purposes and ideals, 3) Providing opportunities for service and cooperation, and 4) Providing opportunities for independence and influence.

Email: lpanderson@smcps.org
Website: https://schools.smcps.org/oes/
Location: 26410 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville, MD, USA
Phone: (301) 373-4365
Facebook: facebook.com/smcps.org