In "Otter" News - Week #39
June 1st - June 5th - A Week
Message from the Principal
Dear Oakville Families,
LOST AND FOUND!
The OES Lost and Found is overflowing. All items have been laid out on the stage in the cafeteria. Students are able to look through the Lost and Found during their lunches. However, parents are encouraged to come and look through it as well. Any items left after Friday, June 13th, will be donated to local shelters.
End-of-year events this week and next:
- End-of-Year Picnics (PreK - 4th Grade): Scheduled for June 2nd
- PreK and K - 10:00 am - 11:15 am
- 1st and 2nd - 11:45 am - 12:45 pm
- 3rd and 4th - 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
- 5th Grade End-of-Year Picnic: June 8th
Yearbooks will distributed to all students on June 2nd. For those families attending the end-of-year picnics, yearbooks will be included with end-of-year certificates to be picked up after the picnic. All others will be sent home with students.
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
EOY Media Procedures
Library Books
All library books are due back to the Media Center by June 5, 2026. If you can not locate the book(s), a replacement cost will be provided. This cost can be paid using the MySchool Bucks account.
Laptops
All students grades 2 through 5 should take their laptops home over the summer. Chargers were already sent home when students received their laptop.
Should a student leave SMCPS, they should return their laptop and charger to OES.
Textbooks
All textbooks checked out to students will be returned and checked back in.
Attendance Data
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: 91% (+/- 0%)
Kindergarten: 96% (+2%)
1st Grade: 95% (+2%)
2nd Grade: 95% (+2%)
3rd Grade: 90% ( -2%)
4th Grade: 92% (+3%)
5th Grade: 96% (+6%)
MySchoolBucks
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.
Go to the MySchoolBucks website or download the "MSB Parent" app from your device's app store.
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.You will receive a confirmation email that your account has been established.
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
Parent Handbook Weekly Tidbit
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.
Counselor Corner with Mrs. Curtis
Check out a message from our School Counselor, Mrs. Curtis!
Technology
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.
Transportation
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.
Student Handbook and Code of Conduct
School System Redistricting Process
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.
June 1st - June 5th
A Week
Monday, June 1st
9:00 am - 3: 45 pm
- PTA Spirit Night at Texas Roadhouse
Tuesday, June 2nd
9:00 am - 3: 45 pm
- PreK - 4th Grade End-Of-Year Picnics (See above for exact times)
- Yearbooks distributed to all students
Wednesday, June 3rd
9:00 am - 3:45 pm
Thursday, June 4th
9:00 am - 3:45 pm
Friday, June 5th
9:00 am - 3:45 pm
- Final Community Gathering
- PreK Field Trip
School Supply Kits - 2026-2027 SY
School supply kits for the upcoming school year are currently available for pre-order.
Skip the shopping stress this year! Order your 2026-2027 supply kit be selecting your child's grade level.
Make back-to-school prep simple so you can focus on what matters most!
Click HERE to access the site. Our school's zip code is 20659.
About Us
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