“Learning Through Leadership” Spreading Our Wings & Learning New Things

Respectful & Responsible Owls Learn Here……..

OES

Volume 16

Issue 98

May 18 2018

Dear Okie Parents and Owlets,

T his summer, students are expected to participate in the Beaufort County School District Reading Challenge. The Reading Challenge starts June 11th and ends August 3rd. Students

should enroll online by June 1: https://tinyurl.com/vsrc2018

Students will log their weekly minutes online. Students in grades pre-k through fourth grade should read a minimum of 800 minutes (20 minutes each day), and fifth graders 1200 minutes (30 minutes each day). Those are minimum expectations. Of course you can read more! All OWLS who participate and meet the Challenge criteria will participate in a Reading Celebration when we return in August! Owls know, “the more we read, the better we read!” Reading daily will reduce summer learning loss, improve fluency, comprehension, accuracy, increase your vocabulary and it is exciting, entertaining, humorous and educational. Be sure to share your favorite story from summer when you return to school Monday, August 20th!

P lease join me in wishing farewell to our most ‘owlsome’ fifth graders! Some have been with us for 7 years (since pre-k), and some just joined us this year. Fifth graders: You have earned your forever Elementary WINGS and are ready to fly from the nest. As an Owl, you should always make wise decisions, take the initiative to improve yourself and the world around you and always be willing to help others who need you. Be noble, which means you are honest and trustworthy in actions and words. Be generous with your time, continue to

volunteer, show kindness and make a difference daily. Success is yours if you try daily to achieve your dreams. Wherever you go to middle school next year, remember, once an owl, always an owl! We will miss each of you. Hugs and much Okie love!

I f you are not returning to the nest next year, best wishes, safe travels and no matter where you go to school, read daily, do your personal best and strive to earn your WINGS wherever you land.

F or owls returning next year, Open House is scheduled for Friday, August 17th at 2:00 and the first day of school is the 20th.

W e live in a resort area with so much to do that costs very little to nothing. Go to the beach to fly a kite, search for shark teeth and swim. Oatland Island has wonderful walking paths and animals in natural habitats close to Tybee Beach. Bee City is nearby in Cottageville and Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center is right here in Okatie. There’s the Kazoobie Kazoo Factory in Beaufort, lighthouses abound and Hilton Head Mermaid Tours. Hope you’re able to create some special memories with family and friends this summer! Have a great one!

F riendly reminder Thursday, May 31st is a full day, Kindergarten graduation will be held at 1:00.

Yours in Education,

Jamie Pinckney, Principal

http://oes.beaufort.k12.sc.us/ * www.Remind101.com (text message reminders) * oes.school.office@beaufort.k12.sc.us

Straight from the Beak Responsibility is being in control of your own behavior. Page 2

I t is hard to believe that it is May! Where has the time gone? Please

help us have a strong finish to the school year by having your child present at school everyday.

A nother successful school year is coming to an end. We are looking

forward to the final days of school as we continue our focus on teaching and learn-ing.

A s the school year comes to an end, I would like to acknowledge and thank

our talented teaching staff. It is evident on a daily basis that our students are surrounded by people who genuinely care about them. They keep the expectations high for themselves and our students. Our students understand the message that education is important and they need to work hard in order to be successful. They know they will be supported and challenged by their teachers. We have dedicated teachers, staff, students, parent volunteers and community members that strive to make the learning environment for all students interactive, positive and challenging.

T hank you so much for being a part of the Okatie Elementary School

community. Together we have created a place “where it is fun to learn and grow.” Thank you for all your hard work and collaboration in order to create success for all.

T o our fifth graders, we say good-bye and look forward to hearing from

you as you move on to middle school. We want to wish you the best of luck in your educational journey.

A s we close the year, keep in mind that summer can be a great time for

enrichment activities, academic challenges and social growth. Please consider activities that will help your child to develop socially, academically and physically.

H ave a safe and relaxing summer, enjoy your time off and we will see

you in August.

T hank you for all that you have done to make this a special school year.

We’ve had an “owlsome” school year.

Sincerely,

Marva Neal,

Assistant Principal

Straight from the Beak Responsibility is thinking before you act. page 3

Literacy and Math News

T he school year is almost complete and summer is just around the corner. Students

won’t have to see the inside of a classroom for two months. Unfortunately, 8 weeks without practice is a long time, especially for young or struggling readers. Did you know that “summer slide” refers to the loss of academic progress, not just reading? Over 100 years of research continually shows that students can lose up to three months of academic progress over the summer. Here are ten tips to help your child avoid the summer slide.

1. Read EVERY day! Read fiction, non-fiction, e-books, poetry, newspapers, magazines, and read out loud! Just twenty minutes a day will help your student stay on track.

2. Cook with your children. This integrates reading, math and following directions.

3. Plant a garden. Taking care of a garden will help your child gain a sense of responsibility, as well as pride.

4. Take day trips to a local park with walking trails, museum, or zoo. Use a journal to collect your thoughts about your adventures and the differ-ent things you see.

5. Learn a new word each week.

6. Enroll in a summer reading challenge. BCSD is promoting a virtual summer reading challenge. Look for additional information on our website or visit https://tinyurl.com/vsrc2018.

7. Play board games.

8. Listen to Audio Books during your road trips.

9. Visit the public library, get a library card, and enroll in the library’s summer reading challenge.

10. Did I mention READ? If your child does nothing else this summer, make sure he/she is reading!

I t is important to keep your child’s mind en-gaged over the summer so they do not fall

victim to the “summer slide.”

Literacy Coach, laura.phillips@beaufort.k12.sc.us or 843-322-7768.

I t has been another good year of learning at OES! It is hard to believe the year is almost over. Just as Ms. Phillips has mentioned—we want our students to avoid the “summer slide,” both in reading and math.

Here are a few suggestions to keep math relevant over the summer:

1. Play games—board games especially require some level of math.

2. Create an exercise plan—students can be active and keep track of the minutes each day in which they exercise. They can record their start/stop times and then determine how long the activity lasted.

3. Cooking— as already stated—this will reinforce both math and reading skills.

4. Build or create something with your children that would involve measuring and problem-solving.

5. Give your children an allowance—incorporate counting money, budgeting, and understanding basic economy and banking.

These are just a few ideas to incorporate math into summer fun. Let’s keep the “summer slide” away this year!

Math Coach’s Corner

Susan Tucker, Numeracy Coach

susan.tucker@beaufort.k12.sc.us

Straight from the Beak Responsibility is doing what you are supposed to do. Page 4

Birthday Procedures are outlined in the agenda book—

We recognize birthdays on the last Fri-day of the month in grades 2-5 with a light snack.

Balloons and flowers are not allowed to be sent to school.

Please do not send home birthday invita-tions through the classroom teacher.

Pre-K, K & 1st grades, please plan for the last 20 minutes of school day or dur-ing lunch.

Use www.Paypams.com to prepay student lunch

online.

Trevor Fludd 1

Jehu Sanchez Ibarguen 1

Aleecia Millar 1

Landon Ballowe 2

Lillian Blomgren 3

Olivia LeGrande 3

Kyleigh Andersen 4

Janaya Willis 6

Firasa Rodabaugh 7

Cooper Pope 8

Erik Clark 8

Tessa Robinson 9

Litzy Bello Tinoco 9

Isabella Bliss 10

Sebastian Mendez-Sierra 12

Allison Rapalo Rivera 12

Gabriel Canez 12

Carter Lawson 13

Keagan Claffy 16

Quentin Simmons 16

Harrison Barricks 16

Kaleb Ross 17

Logan Shuler 19

Braylon Lauffer 19

Robert Vargas 20

Ellis Rose 21

Thomas Meissen 21

Phillip Pfuhl 22

Nathan Bradford 23

Campbell Burbage 23

Kaylie Roller 23

Kylie Roller 23

Samia Bennett 23

Enrique Arellano 24

Emory Cooler 24

William Allbee 25

Karolyna Huddleston 26

Lukas McKenzie 26

Jazleen Cruz 27

Isabella McCullough 28

Kacy McCullough 28

Katie Snyder 29

Hudson Lawson 29

Jake Holland 31

Lindsay Fermin 31

Emily Melton 31

Straight from the Beak Responsibility is being accountable for your words and actions. Page 5

Quinn Regan 1

Damien Partridge 1

Jenson Goodwin 1

Kaley Claffy 2

Keri Claffy 2

Kaelyn Hayes 3

Logan LeMaster 3

Max Leroux 4

Moss Leroux 4

Cole Holmsten 4

Darhon Major 5

Aubrey Davis 6

Logan McKenzie 6

Jaxson Hess 8

Sharionna Newell 9

Amelia Schweyer 9

Zara Schweyer 9

Janelle Bryan-Smalls 10

Russell Cooler 10

Dallas Major 12

Evony Dawkins 12

Jose Natal Reyes 12

Aaron Canela 12

Lilly Passaloukas 15

Edmond Patterson 16

Lucille Kulas 19

Felix Arroyo 20

Emma Leiti 20

Aiyana Partridge 21

Lillian Farland 21

Crosby Paul 21

Ella Livingston 22

Micaiah Mosher 22

Gabriel Dewey 22

Dylan Maroney 25

Taylor Okupski 26

Kaleb McManus 26

Joannie Fernandez Gomez 27

Riley David 2

Anna Rossillo 2

Emma Hull 2

Nicolas Luc 3

Sophia Hemmann 4

Haylee Hayes 5

Avner Espinoza 6

Seven Franco 7

Hudson Kuehn 7

Sofia Kayser 9

Ja'quez Edmonson 9

Isabella Meissen 9

Olivia Downey 9

Sofia Ortino 9

Carter Ahmann 9

Mason White 10

Morgan Walker 10

Clevion Chaneyfield 10

Delaney Brown 12

Jake Minetti 13

Jeannette Jones 13

Matthew Maria 13

Brooke Sweigart 14

Jaden Matthews 15

Phillip Parrott 15

Liam Mellott 15

Elijah Gaynor 16

Brooks Bazemore 16

Tyler Miller 16

Joanna Eaton 17

Albert Kleckley 17

Nailynn Acosta 17

Griffin Kleckley 18

Peyton Portal 18

Saylor Zatalokin 18

Maddison Rosshirt 19

Magnolia Banks 20

Mariana Lopez 20

Summerlyn Bentz 20

Diana Lemus Ceron 20

Nicholas Andreoletti 21

Sailor Powell 21

Imani Gamble 21

Juan Molina Leyba 22

Amaiya Castellano 22

Destini Anderson 23

Finn Boyles 25

Cameron Reynolds 26

Isabella Walker 26

Emmanuelle Tierney 27

Brianna Picasso 30

Addison Darlak 31

Isabella Rippey 31

Fabio Alvarenga 31

Jesus Bello Tinoco 31

Straight from the Beak Responsibility is being in control of your own behavior. Page 6

PTO Board Members Ellen Andreoletti, President ekandreoletti@hotmail.com Karen Davidson, Treasurer ksd205@gmail.com Quinn Saleeby, Secretary quinnsaleeby@hotmail.com Jennifer Parrott, Volunteer Coordinator jenniferkoser@hotmail.com Lisa Church, Room Parent Coordinator lisamg81@yahoo.com Brenda Bibee, Sponsorship Coordinator brendabibee@hotmail.com

WE OUR VOLUNTEERS

I want to thank all of the OES families, PTO members, school sponsors and volunteers for a very successful 2017/18 school year! We have raised enough money for a new life-sized chess board, playground upgrades, new rugs and alternative seating for the classrooms, and new WHOOS Reading books.

I am excited to be PTO president again next year! I have had parent interest in the Vice President position for next year, as well as several new volunteer faces from the Kindergarten Orientation. Please contact me or Jennifer Parrott for more information on available positions and volunteer needs.

The PTO cannot do it without the help of our school sponsors. We have several different levels of sponsorships available for the 2018/19 school year. Please contact me directly to get a sponsorship form. We appreciate all the family and business sponsorships. Let’s make this next school year at Okatie Elementary one of the best for our students and teachers!

Please email me, Ellen Andreoletti, PTO President at: EkAndreoletti@hotmail.com or Jennifer Parrott, volunteer coordinator at: jenniferkoser@hotmail.com, if you can help out at any of the upcoming end of year events.

Platinum Sponsors

* Mathnasium

* Coastal Pediatric Dentistry

* Walmart

Gold Sponsors

* Palmetto Pediatrics * SVG Financial

* Sea Smiles * Camp Green Dog

* Bloom * CrossFit Port Royal Sound

* Peter Rippey, M.D.

Silver Sponsors

* Abbi Keen—State Farm * TICO

* Heritage Dental Spa * Derek Holland-Charter One

Blue Sponsors

* Centerpoint Cabinets * Riverwalk Animal Hospital

* Berkeley Flowers and Gifts * Okatie Youth Ballet

* Elite Lowcountry Painting * May River Custom Homes

* Jack Frost Ice Cream * Winning Smiles

Upcoming Events:

May 22nd

/23rd

– Taste of The Garden – we will need help with cutting veggies on

May 22nd

and help with serving on May 23rd

May 25th

– End of Year Picnic – come help us close out the school year and set up, help serve, and/or cleanup while your kids are meeting their teachers for the 2018/19 school year

Straight from the Beak Responsibility is doing your part when working together. Page 7

C ongratulations Okatie families on an

‘Owlstanding’ year! I am very proud of all that we have accomplished together and look forward to serving you next year. Thank you to all of

our volunteers, staff and community members for their time and service to our school. I would be remiss if I did not specifically thank Kira Swiger and Ellen Andreoletti for all of their hard work and support this past year. Your Okatie School Improvement Council would not function without their persistence and dedication.

T o all our rising 6th graders and their families

moving on to middle school next year, we will miss you; but you will always be Owls in our hearts. We wish you all the best in your new school! For those returning to Okatie next year we look forward to hearing all about your wonderful summer when we return in August.

A t our last meeting we voted to retain our current officers. The SIC Officers for 2018-2019 are:

Kiley Wynne, Chairman, Kira Swiger, Vice Chairman, and Ellen Andreoletti, Secretary. We are in need of both parent and community representa-tives. Please show your support by participating in the School Improvement Council next year and help us shape the future of Okatie and our school dis-trict.

O ur Goals for next year will include the health and safety of our students, student growth

and mentoring, increasing parent and community awareness, and addressing School District issues related to the growth in Beaufort County. We will

continue to work with the District and Board of Education throughout the summer on their plans for addressing the overcrowding in Bluffton schools and ensuring that the interest of our students is top priority.

W e are very fortunate to live in an area with amazing schools and we hope you will help

us achieve our goals by staying informed and getting involved in the many volunteer opportunities available at Okatie. If you are interested in any of our volunteer opportunities, please let us know.

F or more information on your School Improve-ment Council, please contact Kiley Wynne at

kjwynne@hargray.com.

Have a great summer!

Kiley Wynne

Board—Committee of the Whole June 19, 2018

DESC

Board Meeting June 7, 2018

Bluffton Library

G’ma Ice Friday 5/18

$3.00 / 5 flavors

Straight from the Beak Responsibility is being accountable for your actions. page 7

Counseling in the Nest

Mrs. Bauer, MA, CDF

School Counselor

Straight from the Beak Responsibility is being trusted with important jobs. page 8

Happy May!! Another great year in the books! If you are going to have school uniforms that your students will no longer fit into please think of us in your donation run. We can always use gently used uniform tops and bottoms. Also, we still have a lot of lost and found items. Please make sure you go through it before the school year ends. Have a wonderful summer!

Laura Waddell,

Social Worker

Turner Johnson is a role model student. He is respectful and responsible and goes above and beyond to help the teacher and other students. He is a great friend to all. He works hard and perseveres in all that he does, whether it is a triathlon or his classwork.

Turner always tries his best and wants to do well. He asks for assurance of doing the right thing, and strives to be a responsible student. He listens, follows directions, takes on any responsibilities and has a great attitude!

Straight from the Beak Responsibility is making good choices. page 9

Straight from the Beak Responsibility is earning your WINGS and learning new things. page 10