The Otter Overview

Thank you to everyone who joined us over the last week for fall conferences! We met with almost 100% of our families! If you haven't met with us yet, please reach out to your homeroom teacher so we can schedule a time to meet. We know that close collaboration between school and home help support our otters. Please always let us know if you have any questions or ideas about how we can better serve your student. We appreciate your partnership so much!

Our current daily attendance rates for October 1-30th are:

Kindergarten: 94.75%

1st Grade: 94.19%

2nd Grade: 94.72%

3rd Grade: 93.97%

4th Grade: 93.23%

Kindergarten is still leading the way, just like last month! 2nd grade and 1st grade are neck in neck for 2nd place.

Daily attendance is vital in helping students stay on track academically, building strong relationships, practicing social and communication skills, and increasing connection and a sense of belonging. Studies show that increased absenteeism, even one day per month, can lead to lower achievement and increased emotional concerns.

If your student is struggling with a situation and hesitant to come to school, please reach out to their homeroom teacher, one of our counselors, or one of our administrators. We are all here to help!

If your student will be absent, please let our attendance clerk know by emailing ocesattendanceclerk@bentonvillek12.org or calling 479-286-9500.

We have seen an increase lately in students arriving tardy. Please remember that our students enter their classroom at 7:45 to begin their day and instruction begins promptly at 7:50. Ensuring students arrive prior to 7:45 is integral to their success.

Sincerely,

Jessie Lisenbee, OCE Principal

Matt Allen, OCE Assistant Principal

Mrs. Calderon and our 3rd grade otters put on an amazing musical performance! 2nd is up next and performing on November 7th at 6:00 pm.

Thank you to everyone who participated in Celebrate Culture Night! It was a beautiful evening for our school family!

Our library is covered with fantastic book character pumpkins! Thank you to everyone who participated and Mrs. Jennings and Mrs. Ashley for leading!

Cove reveal day occurred on October 18th! Students learned which cove they are a member of and met with their cove-mates!

OtterPalooza was October 25th and an amazing success! Thank you PTO for this fun event!

Know a Bentonville Schools' employee who goes the extra mile? Nominate them HERE.

Our November core value is Generosity. Here is information from our counselors Ms. Nulty and Ms. Finer.

As colder weather comes it can be a burden to outfit your family with warm clothes and shoes. Please contact Ms. Nulty or Ms. Finer if you would like help with coats or winter clothing.

Also remember to reach out if you need anything at all and we'll do our best to help!

Ms. Nulty - cnulty@bentonvillek12.org

Ms. Finer - sfiner@bentonvillek12.org

Fall parties are Friday, November 1st! Costumes are allowed on campus on November 1st as long as OCES guidelines are followed. They are also shown below for easy reference.

Fall party times:

Kindergarten: 11:20-12:00

1st Grade: 1:45-2:25

2nd Grade: 12:50-1:30

3rd Grade: 12:20-1:00

4th Grade: 1:20-2:00

Please remember that all adults must check in through the front office before attending a party. Non school age siblings may attend as long as they do not cause a disruption and do not partake of the snacks and crafts since supplies are purchased for the designated number of Osage Creek students. Thanks for your help!

Join us on Friday, November 8th from 5:30-6:30 at Ruth Barker Middle School for Tailgate Together!

Tailgate Together is a family event to celebrate community before the Bentonville High versus Bentonville West High football game. Families can stop by to play games, hop in our photo booth and enjoy the high school drum lines and a mascot dance-off. The Bentonville Schools’ PTO will award a spirit tailgate trophy to the school with the most participation.

This event is free and the Bentonville High School Orchestra will sell light food and drinks, so bring cash for a pre-game snack. All children should remain with a parent or family member during the tailgate.

If you’re willing, bring toothpaste, deodorant or laundry detergent to support the Keep It Clean campaign. This personal care drive benefits Bentonville students in need. NJROTC members will collect your gift as you enter the tailgate.

If you're unable to attend Tailgate Together and still want to participate in the Keep in Clean campaign, you can bring shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, deodorant, or laundry detergent to Osage Creek November 1-8.

Fall picture retakes are Thursday, November 14th.

To order pictures, either of pictures already taken or those you plan to take on retake day, go to https://www.strawbridge.net/ and click the red "Order Pictures & Yearbooks" button.

For fall pictures taken in October, enter code FM461664. To order pictures for the upcoming retake day, enter code FM461665. You will enter your name and email address, then your student's last name and student ID number.

If you need any help ordering pictures, please contract Strawbridge Studios at 866-624-6229 or customerservice@strawbrdige.net.

Due to a scheduling conflict, our 1st grade musical is moving to December 5th at 7:00 pm. This is directly following Otter Wonderland so families can enjoy both events that evening!

November is here and that often means unpredictable weather. Please check the weather and ensure your child has a jacket and appropriate footwear. Please write your child's name in their jacket so we can return it to them if they forget it outside. Layering is especially helpful this time of year as mornings can be chilly and afternoons tend to warm up. Students will go outside for recess unless it is raining, sleeting, or the wind chill is dangerously low. We could shorten time outside as necessary due to weather. Further guidelines and clarification can also be found in our Elementary Student Handbook: www.bentonvillek12.org/documents/parents/student-handbooks/338971 The health and safety of students and staff will be primary considerations when making decisions regarding outdoor recess. Our source for temperature and wind chill information is www.weather.com

Osage Creek follows the Bentonville Schools academic calendar. You can find the calendar HERE.

11/1 - Fall Parties and Costume Day - Costume Guidelines

11/1 - Ollie Trolley

11/1 - Otter Romp

11/3 - Daylight Savings Time Ends

11/4 - Flu Vaccine Clinic

11/5 - 1st Grade Field Trip

11/7 - 2nd Grade Musical

11/8 - 4th Grade Field Trip

11/8 - 2nd Grade Field Trip

11/8 - Tailgate Together at Barker Middle School

11/11 - Veterans Day

11/14 - Picture Retake Day

11/15 - November PTO Meeting

11/25-29 - No School - Thanksgiving Break

12/5 - Otter Wonderland

12/5 - 1st Grade Musical

12/6 - Ollie Trolley

12/6 - Otter Romp

All students are welcome to bring their lunch from home or eat in our fantastic cafeteria.

To add money to your child's account, visit bentonville.familyportal.cloud and log into your account. Need help? Feel free to call us at 479-286-9500.

Breakfast and lunch menus for the district can be found here:

https://bentonville.nutrislice.com/menu

We are fortunate to have an amazing PTO that does so much for our students and staff at Osage Creek! Please consider joining the Osage Creek PTO!!

The PTO newsletter is HERE!

Our PTO website is: https://osage-creek-elementary-pto.square.site/

PTO contact email is: OsageCreekElementaryPTO@gmail.com

We're happy to help! Please call us at 479-286-9500.

You can also follow us on social media or use our linktree to stay up to date:

linktr.ee/osagecreek

Prior Otter Overview Newsletters can be found here:

October 2024

September 2024

August 2024