The Dragon Dispatch

Dear Oakdale Families,

What an incredible first week of school! Our halls are once again filled with smiles, excitement, learning, and joy. As we settle into routines and expectations, I am grateful for the patience, flexibility, and partnership of our families.

This week was only the beginning! We look forward to continuing to build strong relationships, create meaningful learning experiences, and help every student grow and thrive.

Thank you for trusting us with your children and for being an important part of our school community. We are rooted, we are rising, and we are just getting started!

ODES Admin Team

Rooted in Purpose. Rising in Excellence.
One Team. One Roar. 💚💛🐉

Drills- This week, students and staff will participate in a series of required safety drills, including fire, lockdown, and earthquake drills. These practice drills help everyone learn and review the procedures needed to keep our school safe. Thank you for your support as we prioritize the safety and well-being of all students.

Rooted in Purpose, Rising in Excellence is our theme for the 2026-2027 school year. This is more than a theme, this mantra is embedded within Oakdale's culture and a mindset that staff are owning. We are firm believers that our Dragons are "seeds" planted in the right environment: Oakdale STEAM! Our scholars will be watered, nurtured, and poured into in various capacities. Their curiousity will be celebrated, their victories applauded and their personalities embraced. Our students (and staff) are going to rise to excellence, to grow, to thrive and walk into their purpose. There is no doubt that our Dragons will soar above all and we are here to serve as their "gardeners."

From left to right:

• Ms. Jasmyne Spain, Principal
• Mrs. Alexis Moore-Lewis, Math Coach
• Ms. Camryn Kidd, Literacy Coach
• Mr. Terrance Wilson, Assistant Principal

• Families are welcome to begin joining their child for lunch after Labor Day. This allows students time to establish classroom routines and become comfortable with daily expectations.If you choose to eat lunch with your child, we ask that the visit be reserved for you and your child only, providing an opportunity to enjoy quality time together during the school day. Your child's teacher will provide classroom schedules and lunch times during the first weeks of school so you can plan your visit.

• We encourage each student to have a reusable water bottle they can use during lunch and/or at recess.
• Label your child's bookbag and lunch box.
• Ice Cream sales will not begin for another 2 weeks. We will be in contact when that starts.

• Dress Code Reminder: Please help students come to school dressed for success each day. Clothing should be school-appropriate, provide adequate coverage, and allow students to participate safely and comfortably in learning and physical activities. Shoes should also be appropriate for school activities. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe, positive, and distraction-free learning environment.

Prescription medications should be administered by a parent or guardian before or after school hours, when possible. Initial doses of a medication that a child has never taken before should not be given at school. Medication to be given at school should be accompanied by a prescription form, complete with the prescribing physician’s signature and provided to the school in the original labeled container provided by the pharmacist who filled the prescription.

“Sample” medications must be provided in a container that appropriately identifies the medication and must be accompanied by a note signed and dated by the prescribing health care provider that includes the student’s name, directions for proper administration, and the name, address, and phone number of the prescribing health care provider.

When possible, non-prescription medications should be given to students before or after school by the parent or guardian. Over the counter medications may only be given within the limits and according to the instructions printed on the container or the package insert. Medications must be provided to the school by the parent or guardian in the original container. Please note that the school district may reject requests for certain medications to be given at school.

• August 12- GT Parent Meeting 5:30 Media Center
• August 18 & 19- Fall MAP Testing
• August 28- Early Dismissal
• August 28 - Color Run

]What: A Fun morning where the kids run laps around a track and get toxic free color powder tossed at them.

Donations help pay for:

• Beautification projects throughout Oakdale
• Student Events throughout the year
• Teacher Appreciation
• Teacher Requests to benefit each classroom and school

Reserve The Dragon Stone for one magical week (Saturday–Friday) and let your creativity shine! A $25 reservation fee is required and payment is due at the time of sign-up. Reservations without payment will be released so another dragon keeper can claim the stone. The reservation is rain or shine and is nonrefundable.

Money can be sent via PayPal to "Oakdale PTO". PayPal is the requested payment method as it limits cash interactions with the school. If you would like to reserve the stone and cannot pay via PayPal please reach out to the PTO at oakdalepto1@gmail.com.

Rock Hill District Honors Choir and Oakdale Singing Dragons Chorus auditions are coming up SOON! Please see the attached letter for more information regarding auditions and to sign your child up for an audition time. Thank you!
Musically, Ms. Ashby (Music Teacher)

Did you know that The Foundation for Rock Hill Schools helps support students and educators across our district? From providing weekend meals for students through Back the Pack 360, to funding innovative classroom projects, supporting educators, and creating opportunities that help students thrive, we're proud to partner with Rock Hill Schools to make a difference every day.

We'd love for you to join us for our signature event, The Neon Rodeo, on Friday, September 11! Enjoy an evening of food, music, dancing, auctions, and fun, all while helping invest in local students and teachers.

🎟️ The early bird discounts end this Sunday, August 9th! Get your tickets and learn more here: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/theneonrodeo/

Together, we can make an even greater impact for Rock Hill Schools!

Help Us Earn a Bench for Our School Garden!

Our school is participating in the NexTrex Plastic Recycling Challenge. By collecting eligible plastic film materials, we can earn a recycled plastic bench for our school garden!

Families can help by sending in clean, dry items such as grocery bags, bread bags, produce bags, newspaper sleeves, bubble wrap, and plastic shipping envelopes. Collection bins will be available at school throughout the challenge.

Thank you for helping us recycle, reduce waste, and support our outdoor learning space!

Principal's Email: jspain@rhmail.org

Assistant Principal's Email: tkwilson@rhmail.org
Website: https://odes.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/
School Address: 1129 Oakdale Road Rock Hill, SC 29730
Phone: (803) 981-1585
Follow us on Facebook: Oakdale STEAM Elementary: A Leader in Me Lighthouse School