Oakland Owl News

Dear Oakland Owl Families,

Welcome back to another exciting school year at Oakland Elementary School! We hope your summer was filled with special memories with loved ones. As we prepare to soar into a new year of learning, growth, and connection, we are thrilled to welcome both our returning families and those joining the Oakland community for the first time.

I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new Principal of Oakland Elementary School. I have worked in D87 in several different capacities- Social Worker, Behavior Specialist, and Coordinator of Social Emotional Learning and Engagement. However, serving as the principal of Oakland Elementary is truly the greatest privilege of my career. At this stage, students are developing not only academically, but socially and emotionally — and schools have a unique opportunity to build strong foundations that last a lifetime. I’m passionate about creating a school environment where every student feels safe, supported, and inspired to learn. I also value and look forward to the opportunity to work alongside our incredible staff and families to build a shared vision for student success. As a principal, I want to lead with compassion, efficiency, and high expectations — ensuring that all students have access to meaningful learning experiences and feel a strong sense of belonging at our school.

We encourage you to be an active part of your child’s learning journey by volunteering at school, joining our PTO, staying connected through school communications for upcoming events and opportunities, and reaching out to our office anytime with questions or concerns. Together, we will continue to nurture curious minds, kind hearts, and a strong sense of community where every child feels seen, valued, and inspired to thrive.

With excitement,

Leslie Blockman, Principal

Additionally, we continue to evaluate the needs of our building as we grow and change. This year, we are excited to welcome Katie Thomas as the Assistant Principal.

Hey Owls!

I am excited to join Oakland this year as the assistant principal. Oakland feels like home in so many ways -- from the building and staff to the students and families, I feel called to be here and am proud to be in this role. This year is sure to bring excitement, challenges, and growth. My goal is to connect with students, staff, and caregivers by being present in classrooms, hallways, and events. I have to admit, I am also excited to share my passion for mathematics with students and staff.

What a gift to lead at Oakland and be part of something so great! I am looking forward to this school year and seeing all the students!

Hoot! Hoot! (see you soon),

Katie Thomas, Assistant Principal

Please read through these procedures. We strongly believe that students are safer, and arrival/dismissal will run smoothly if parents are respectful of the guidelines for this area. Please plan accordingly when dropping off and picking up.

1. The front circle is for buses and daycare vans only during arrival and dismissal times.
2. There is NO parking in the side circle line during arrival and dismissal times. If you need to come into the building, use a visitor space or street parking.
3. The use of cell phones in a school zone is illegal. While in the parking lot, for the safety of all children and adults alike, please do not use your phone while your car is in motion.
4. Students may not leave the vehicle in the morning until a teacher is present.
5. Students must wait until the car has stopped in the loading area before approaching the door.
6. Students must load on the curbside of the car.
7. Parents should only leave their vehicle if they need to secure a child in a safety seat.
8. After your child is secure in your vehicle, please cautiously pull away from the pick-up zone to make room for the next family.
9. When exiting the parking lot, left turns are not permitted. Please be respectful of this procedure; cars attempting to turn left impede the efficiency of this process.

School Hours: 9:00am - 3:15pm

Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Attendance is SO important! We strive for everyone to be here every day. If you are sick or out of town or running late, it is your responsibility and the state law to let the office know before 10am the day of the absence/tardy.

You can call the office anytime before 10am at 309.662-4302 and talk to one of our office staff.

Update on D87 Communications:

Reminder: Using Rooms for 2-Way Communication
This is a reminder that Rooms, a feature in the D87 app, will be our primary platform for two-way communication between families and teachers starting this year. With Rooms, you can easily send and receive messages, view classroom announcements, and access translation features—all within the D87 app. If you haven’t already, please download the D87 app. You can download the app using the links below:

• Download for Android

• Download for iPhone

✅Friday, August 15th- First Day of School!

✅Thursday, August 28th-Back to School Bash

✅Monday, August 28th-Dine to Donate Culvers

✅Monday, September 1- NO SCHOOL-Labor Day Weekend