In "Otter" News - Week #34

Dear Oakville Families,

MCAP Testing: 3rd - 5th Grade:

The Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) will continued to be administered to all 3rd - 5th grade students this week. Grade levels will be testing on and off over the next several weeks with whole group testing scheduled to end on May 14th. Please consider your child's attendance over the next several weeks. Our otters perform better when they maintain a regular schedule and can test with their classmates.

End-of-year events on the horizon:

• Field Day and 5th Grade vs. Staff Kickball Game: Schedule for May 15th! Always a favorite day full of fun, teamwork, and school spirit!
• End-of-Year Picnics (PreK - 4th Grade): Scheduled for June 2nd (times will be shared soon)
• 5th Grade End-of-Year Picnic: Tentatively scheduled for June 8th as we begin to celebrate our 5th graders and their transition to middle school.

We look forward to making these final weeks meaningful, engaging, and celebratory for all of our students.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support!

Otterly Yours,

Mrs. Anderson

MSDE parent survey is now open!

Please consider sharing your thoughts with MSDE about your IEP experiences this school year.

Use the link below to take the MSDE survey. Thanks!

We appreciate you taking the time to respond to our Title II and Title IV Stakeholder Consultation Survey. Your input is very important because it informs our application submissions. Please share your feedback regarding current grant activities and possible needs that could be addressed in future grant application submissions.

• Title II & Title IV Stakeholder Consultation: Stakeholder input is requested as we reflect on SY2025-2026 Title II and Title IV grant activities and prepare for the SY 2026-2027 Title II and Title IV grant application submissions.

• This Title II and Title IV Summary Document provides additional information about the grants and currently approved grant activities. It is embedded at the top of the form linked above.

• All feedback must be submitted by May 31, 2026.

2026-2027 Pre-K Application is now live! Visit smcps.org for guidance and how to apply.

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% (+7%)

Kindergarten: 95% (+3%)

1st Grade: 93% (+1%)

2nd Grade: 93% (-3%)

3rd Grade: 94% (-1%)

4th Grade: 90% (-4%)

5th Grade: 91% (-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

Classroom Placement

At Oakville Elementary, we work thoughtfully to create positive and balanced learning environments for all students. The school administrative team carefully reviews each student’s academic progress, social-emotional development, attendance, and other relevant factors to place students in heterogeneous (mixed-ability) classrooms.

To ensure equity in the placement process, we do not accept requests for specific teachers.

If you have a concern about your child’s placement and wish to share information about the type of learning environment they may need, please submit that information in writing to the principal before the close of the prior school year. Examples of acceptable considerations may include:

• Placement of twin siblings

• Ongoing peer conflicts

• Specific student needs (social, academic, or behavioral)

Please note that the principal is solely responsible for classroom assignments. No other staff member is able to process or act on placement-related requests.

Homeroom assignments will be available at the Open House event, held on the Monday before students return to school each year.

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

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 links below:

The redistricting website and Smore have been updated with new information.

B Week

Monday, April 27th

9:00 am - 3: 45 pm

• 4th Grade ELA MCAP testing
• Book Fair Open

Tuesday, April 28th

9:00 am - 3: 45 pm

• 5th Grade ELA MCAP testing
• 5th Grade Math MCAP testing
• Book Fair Open

Wednesday, April 29th

9:00 am - 3:45 pm

• Fire Drill #8
• 4th Grade ELA MCAP testing
• Book Fair Open

Thursday, April 30th

9:00 am - 3:45 pm

• 4th Grade ELA MCAP testing
• Book Fair Open

Friday, May 1st

9:00 am - 3:45 pm

• Book Fair Open
• Book Fair Open to families from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
• Spring Night of the Arts @6:30 pm

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

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