March 8
In this March 8th Update:
- Upcoming Events & Dates
- Parent Pick Up Procedure Reminder
- Read Across America Week Photos
- Literacy Corner
- Author Visit Rescheduled
- Yearbook Orders
- Spring Picture Day!
- Book Bingo Reminder
- Lunch Menu & Choice Menu
- Photo Storage
Upcoming Events & Dates
- March 11 PTO Meeting 5:30
- March 11 Book Bingo 6:00-7:00
- March 13 Spring Picture Day
- March 18 NO SCHOOL for students
- March 19 Report Cards go home!
Reminder on Parent Pick Up Procedures
We need your cooperation in reinstating a safe environment for our car rider students. Parents of PreK students are the ONLY vehicles permitted into the parking lot at 3:00. Recently, we have had vehicles create a hazardous environment by moving around the PreK line, which cannot occur. All parent vehicles will drop off their student(s) by accessing Duke Street (by the water tower). As a reminder, the front entrance is reserved for busses only from 8:00-8:45 & 3:00-3:45.
K-2 Morning Drop-off is from 8:20-8:40*
K-2 Afternoon Pick-Up is from 3:20-3:40*
Arrive no earlier than 8:15 & 3:15 for K-2 students. (*Pre K times are 9-9:10 & 3-3:10)
Drive slowly in the parking lot and comply with all posted signs and directives of school staff.
Have your car tag in your mirror or dash prior to entering the school lot.
Remain in your vehicle until a staff member can assist your child to/from the vehicle.
Ensure your child is ready to exit the vehicle when a staff member is ready.
Adults who arrive without a school-issued tag will be asked to show a photo ID.
Read Across America Week Declared a Success!
We wore hats, pajamas, dressed for success and as teammates. We also got imaginative and dressed like Disney! The entire week was full of adventures in reading (and outfits). Thank you to our school community for making the week such a memorable one. Photos of students are available at: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCMjw6
Literacy Corner
At Opequon Elementary we have chosen "vocabulary" as a major focus this semester. We want to partner with you to increase our students' vocabulary and create environments that are rich in vocabulary and support student learning. Each week we will include a fun fact, help at home, and online resource in this section. If students report back to their teacher that they did a "help at home activity" and tell about it, they will get CARES bucks.
Fun Fact:
Even when kids can read themselves, reading aloud allows them to focus on understanding complex words and stories rather than the hard work of decoding.
Help at Home:
Read the same book aloud to your child. Repetition helps children build fluency and confidence. When reading, stop to define new, interesting, or unfamiliar words in simple terms. This will help your child comprehend the meaning of the text. Relate books to your child's own experiences to make vocabulary stick.
Online Resource of the Week: https://storylineonline.net (Featured actors read aloud children's books)
Opequon's 2026 Author Visit rescheduled for March 10th
We are excited to announce that on Tuesday, March 10th, 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.
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
Spring Picture Day is this Friday!
Students will have their Spring picture taken this Friday (March 13). We look forward to seeing students dressed in their best attire with beautiful smiles. No money is required at this time. Parents will receive a proof to review before purchasing.
Book Bingo Coming to Opequon, March 19th @ 6:00 (new date!)
Join us for a fun night of BINGO where students and family members can win books! This is such a fun event for families to attend. RSVP is required so that we can ensure enough books, snacks, and seating, but the event itself is free! We look forward to hosting you, March 19th from 6-7 PM.
*We'd love to you have attend our PTO meeting at 5:30 prior to BINGO night!
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.
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
Read Across America Week: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCMjw6
Opequon Elementary School
395 East Road
Martinsburg, WV 25404
304-267-3550
Rebekah Eyler, Principal
Kelly Comer, Assistant Principal