OES Family Newsletter

When visiting the school, we ask that families bring only the essentials and leave purses and bags in the car whenever possible. If you need to bring items inside, please use a clear bag. Visits are typically brief, so this makes check-in simple and smooth. Please remember to always bring a photo ID, which is always required. Thank you for helping us keep our school safe and welcoming for everyone!

October 20-24, 2025 - Spirit Week: Planet Kindness (Details Below)

Friday, October 24, 2025 - Picture Day

Tuesday, November 4, 2024 - No School for Students (Clerical Day for Staff)

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. What is bullying? Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among children, teens, or even adults that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.

Key Elements of Bullying:

Intentional Harm: The behavior is meant to hurt someone emotionally or physically.

Repetition: It happens more than once or has the potential to recur.

Power Imbalance: The person bullying uses strength, popularity, or knowledge to control or harm others.

Types of Bullying:

Physical Bullying: Hitting, kicking, pushing, or damaging someone’s belongings.

Verbal Bullying: Name-calling, teasing, inappropriate sexual comments, taunting.

Social/Relational Bullying: Spreading rumors, excluding someone on purpose, embarrassing someone in public.

Cyberbullying: Bullying that happens online through texts, social media, or digital devices.

Why It Matters During National Bullying Prevention Month:

Unity Day is a day to stand together against bullying and promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. It’s recognized nationwide and supported by schools, communities, organizations, and individuals who want to take a visible stand against bullying.October is a time to raise awareness, educate communities, and promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. The goal is to prevent bullying before it starts and support those who have been affected by it. Orange is the color of unity and kindness. Wearing it shows support for students who have been bullied and promotes a culture of inclusion. Please "Wear and Share" orange on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Please send your pictures to kandacetaylor-tysinger@spsk12.net.

Bravely,

Kandace Taylor-Tysinger, Ed. S.

OES School Counselor

Dear OES Parent/Guardian,

This school year parents can reach out to me directly to check-in on students using this Google form. Unless it's an emergency, I will pull the student during their resource time and talk to them. If you should have any concerns for your child, please feel free to complete this form. I will be in contact with you. Please give me 24-48 hours from receipt of the request to follow-up with you.

If you have any questions or concerns about referring students please contact Kandace Taylor-Tysinger, Professional School Counselor at kandacetaylor-tysinger@spsk12.net.

LINK TO FORM

Bravely,

Kandace Taylor-Tysinger, Ed. S.

Counselor Experience/Focus Areas: Adverse Childhood Trauma, Developmental Disorders, Case Management, Outpatient Therapy, Assessment, Education, Advocacy, Mental Health Disorders, Crisis Counseling and Community Outreach, CAMS

This year, we are using a new district-wide Student Handbook. This means all schools in the district will follow the same guidelines and expectations. Please take time to review it carefully, as there are a few important changes.

One change to note: Students must bring plastic water bottles (they may be BPA-free) that are spill-proof. Bottles should not be metal. Additional details about this update can be found in the handbook.

LINK TO SPS HANDBOOK

Just a few safety reminders:

• Morning drop off is from 9:00 - 9:25 a.m. Parents should remain in his/her vehicle and join the car rider drop off line to drop students off at door number 4.
• If students arrive anytime after 9:25 a.m. parents must park and escort his/her student into the building and sign the student in as tardy. Be sure to have a government issued photo ID.
• Please always have a government issued photo ID available when coming to Oakland Elementary.
• When entering the building you may only enter through the main entrance (door 1) and must ring the buzzer. (Please do not allow others into the building, everyone must be buzzed in by office staff.)

Please make sure that the school keeps updated contact information on file for you. We should have an updated phone number, email address, and mailing address. This information is used to keep you informed of upcoming events and important school topics.

Also, please check Home Access Center (HAC) frequently to ensure that you are updated on your students' academic progress. LINK TO ACCESS HAC

Regular school attendance is a key part of your child’s academic success. Both excused and unexcused absences impact learning and affect our state reporting and accreditation status. Please help us keep students in school as much as possible so they can thrive — and so our school can remain Fully Accredited!

If your child must be absent, please notify the front office using one of the following methods:

• Submit the online absence form: [Link Here]

• Email our attendance clerk: robinmoore@spsk12.net

Thank you for partnering with us to support student success!

Approved Snack List

Below is a list of suggested snacks that parents may bring for classroom celebrations and school parties:

Fresh Fruit
Special K Red Berry Bars
Frozen Yogurt
Quaker Rice Crisps
Baked Cheetos
Oven Baked Potato Chips (Frito Lay)
Raisins
Wheat Thin (Nabisco)

See the Amazon Healthier Generation Smart Snacks online store for additional items such as:

Pepperidge Farm, 100 calories Whole Grain Cheddar Goldfish
Doritos, Reduced Fat
Nutri-grain Cereal Bars- Mixed Berry
Honey Maid, Teddy Grahams
Cheetos, Cheese Puffs Reduced Fat
Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats Whole Grain
General Mills, Simply Chex Snack Mix
Cheetos, Fantastix Flamin Hot

More details on SPS policy linked here.

If you wish to volunteer at any Suffolk Public School please complete the Volunteer Connect form linked here. Teachers and school staff will reach out to you with volunteer opportunities.

Website: oes.spsk12.net
Location: 5505 Godwin Boulevard, Suffolk, VA, USA
Phone: 757-923-5248
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheOaklandElementary
Twitter: @OES_Braves