September 2026

Principal: Rich Reyes

Assistant Principal: Simon Keays

Another exciting year has begun at ODE! We are proud of how our students are settling into their daily routines and their learning environment. We've had a great start! We look forward to a great school year and are eager to make this year the best ever for all of our students. We are glad to have you as a part of the ODE family!

Wednesday, September 2

Registration opens for our Boosterthon!

Thursday, September 3

Spirit Night at Sweet Frog

3 - 8pm

Saturday, September 5

Fun Gym Spirit Night at Gymnastics and More

6 - 10pm

Monday, September 7

NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

Tuesday, September 8

First General PTO Meeting - 8:00 AM in the Cafeteria

Tuesday, September 8

International Literacy Day

Friday, September 11

Patriot Day

September 13 - 19

National Arts in Education Week

September 15 - October 15

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Wednesday, September 16

Boosterthon Kick Off!

Thursday, September 17

Constitution Day

Friday, September 18

Interim Reports Issued

Monday, September 21

Literacy Under the Lights!

Thursday, September 24

ODE Chiefs Fun Run

Friday, September 25

Fall Picture Day

Morning Procedures:

• ODE's instructional day begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 2:35 p.m.

• Walkers must be exactly that - Walkers. They should walk or ride a bike from home. Parents cannot park across the street and allow students to walk up with, or without, a parent. Students arriving in a car or golf cart are expected to get in the car rider line. Golf carts are to go through the car rider line.

• Car Drop Off - Make sure your child is ready to get out of the car: good-byes done, book bag ready, shoes on, etc!

• CD, K, 1, & 2 will exit their car to the right; 3, 4, & 5 will exit to the left.

• Car riders arriving after the gate is closed at 7:25 are considered tardy and must be signed in at the office by a parent or guardian.

• Remember to park in the Visitor Parking Lot.

Afternoon Procedures:

• ODE's dismissal is 2:35 p.m. for bus and car riders.

• Car rider pick up, please do not arrive before 2:00 p.m. We are also asking that you not arrive too early, which causes issues on 8th and 11th Avenue.

• If your child has a medical appointment and needs to be signed out early, please make arrangements in writing before 2:00 p.m. that day and arrange to sign him/her out before 2:00 p.m. Send the Dr's note when your child returns to school.

• Students will be excused from class for medical appointments or emergencies only.

• Please drive through car pick up lines to pick up your child. Have your child's car tag prominently displayed in the front car window. Students are not permitted to walk across moving traffic.

• Parents must remain in cars for p.m. pickup.

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Toys are not to be brought to school. Students should keep ALL Pokemon, Squishies, NeeDoh, and other toys at home.

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Thank you for helping us make sure every minute of instruction counts!

1. We must have a signed written permission form from parents before we can administer medicine at school.

2. Medicines must be in the original labeled bottle.

3. We cannot accept medicines in an envelope, Ziploc bag, etc.

4. Bottles of medicines will NOT be sent back and forth between school and home. Please do not ask! The pharmacy will label 2 bottles if you request it.

5. Medicines must be delivered to the nurse by a parent/guardian. It is against District policy to send medicines on the bus. Students should not have medication in their possession at any time while at school.

If you have questions, please call Lisa Pate, School Nurse, at 390-6900.

Parents/Guardians, please be sure to update us with any email or phone contact changes so that we may contact you in an emergency, and so that you will receive any school communications sent out.

3 - 8pm

It's ODE Spirit Night at Sweet Frog!

Mention our school and a portion of your purchase will come back to our PTO.

It’s time! You can sign up your student for our ODE Chiefs Fun Run! Our goal is to raise $30,000 for an outdoor classroom in the courtyard and operation expenses. Signing up is easy and comes with a fun prize for your student!

⭐️ Sign Up On MyBooster.com ⭐️

Our school is working toward a BIG goal and Great Wolf Lodge wants to celebrate with us! Registered families will have the chance to earn some awesome rewards. Log in to mybooster.com today and share your student’s donation page with your whole pack. Just for receiving their first donation, students can earn their very own Wolf Ears!

Key Dates to Remember:

🎉 Fundraiser Kickoff in school – 09/16/2026

👟 Event Day – 09/24/2026

*Need help signing up? View video instructions.

Thank you for being a part of our Ocean Drive Elementary community and helping us make a difference for our students. We are grateful for your support! Follow our social pages for fun progress updates in the coming weeks.

8:00am

Join us in the cafeteria on the 8th to hear about how we support our school, and how YOU can make a difference at ODE!

In recognition of International Literacy Day ODE will have 2 times during the school day when we will Drop Everything and Read. We will have guest readers from the NMB Fire & NMB Police departments, as well as student athletes from NMB High School reading to our students. If you have time, pick up a book and read!

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This year, International Literacy Day marks its 60th anniversary.

“Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity"

5 - 6pm

Join us for a fun, family-friendly night that celebrates reading, builds community, and inspires a lifelong love of books! There will be book trucks, coffee trucks, food, and lemonade to enjoy while you read under the lights.

Together we read. Together we succeed.

The school with the highest participation will earn the Literacy Under the Lights Trophy to display at their school. We can do it, ODE!

Picture day is coming! Remember to choose colors that compliment your child. Solid colors and small patterns work best.

Send no money! A proof or portrait package will be sent home with information on how to order.

Let’s always remember our safe bus riding procedures! While on the bus students should always sit quietly with their hands and feet to themselves, and their belongings in their lap. We want to be sure our drivers get each of our school children home safely!

Our guidance counselors will be reviewing correct bus procedures along with the do's and don'ts of what comes to school in bookbags.

Thank you for your support in helping our children be Respectful, Responsible, and Ready on the bus and at school each day.

The safety and welfare of our students and staff are our highest priority at Ocean Drive Elementary. In addition to the HCS use of metal detectors for all students and parent visitors, we practice safety drills throughout the year to help our students know what to do in an emergency. Throughout the school year we conduct safety drills such as fire, severe weather, lock down, earthquake, and bus. Prior to these drills, your child’s classroom teacher will thoroughly review procedures with the students.

We believe that having appropriate procedures in place and being prepared for the unexpected are critical in promoting school safety. Thank you for your support in promoting safety at Ocean Drive Elementary.

Horry County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, immigrant status, English-speaking status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal or S.C. law in its programs or activities.

For questions regarding the nondiscrimination policies call 843-488-6933, Horry County Schools, 1605 Horry Street, Conway, SC 29527.