parent handbook 2016-2017-2 -...

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1 Overpark Elementary School Parent Handbook 2016 – 2017 Excellence is a commitment! TEAM OES Together Everyone Achieves More DeSoto County School District

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The DeSoto County School District is dedicated to ensuring academic excellence through quality leadership and instructional efforts within a conducive learning environment. The DeSoto County School District provides competent instructional leaders at all levels with

ongoing evaluation of performance. All certified staff members have received their undergraduate degrees in the field of education or related areas. Over 25% of all certified staff members have advanced degrees encompassing masters, specialists, and/or doctoral

degrees.

Our Mission DeSoto County Schools are dedicated to ensuring world-class academic excellence within a safe learning environment, while providing a variety of exceptional extra-

curricular programs that foster the physical, social, and emotional growth of all students.

Our Vision DeSoto County Schools will be regionally and nationally recognized as a system of

superior-performing schools that ignite a passion for learning, while inspiring student success through instructional excellence and exemplary leadership.

The DeSoto County Public School System is governed by the County Superintendent of

Education, Mr. Cory Uselton, who is elected by qualified voters.

Overpark Elementary School

OES’ mission is to nurture the overall child as we provide excellent, safe learning opportunities that will build each child’s educational foundation, and enable each child to

be a successful, lifelong learner.

Overpark Elementary School 8530 Forest Hill Irene

Olive Branch, MS 38654 Phone: 662-890-8745

Fax: 662-890-3839

Lisa Love, Principal Sherry Anderson, Assistant Principal Stacey Conklin, Guidance Counselor

Diana Boatwright, Bookkeeper Chris Thomas, MSIS Clerk/Attendance Clerk

Tammy Bryant, Receptionist

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Overpark Elementary School 8530 Forest Hill Irene, Olive Branch, MS 38654

Phone: 662-890-8745 Fax: 662-890-3839 www.desotocountyschools.org/oes/

OES@TweetDCS_OES Principal’s email – [email protected]

Assistant Principal’s email – [email protected]

Dear Parents and Students, Welcome to Overpark Elementary School! The faculty and I would like to thank each of you for letting us be a part of your child's educational journey! We believe that our children are our most precious resources and gifts. Our goal is to nurture your child as we provide excellent, safe learning opportunities that will continue to build upon your child's educational experiences. Our students will have the chance to learn, explore, and achieve under the direction of highly qualified and dedicated teachers. These devoted educators have high expectations for all our students! We want to develop the whole child by offering physical education, music, computer, discipline, respect for self and others, and character development. School starts each morning with our announcements at 8:25, and students are considered tardy starting at 8:30. Our dismissal for car riders and day care vans is at 3:20. Our K – 2 bus riders load at 3:20 and 3 – 5 bus riders load at 3:25. In order for your child to get the best benefit from his/her education; he/she needs to be at school and on time each day. Check outs need to be at a minimum and of importance. We encourage you to join our PTO and become an active participant in our numerous activities/opportunities to volunteer toward contributing to your child's education. All of our classrooms will need a room mom or dad as well as parent volunteers throughout the year for various activities or projects. We welcome PARENTAL HELP and SUPPORT at OES! We are here to serve our students, parents, and community to the best of our abilities. Our doors are always open. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call for a conference, leave a message, or send an email to [email protected]. The faculty and I anticipate a successful, productive year, and look forward to working with you and your family! Sincerely, Lisa Love, Principal Sherry Anderson, Assistant Principal

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PROCEDURES FOR PARENTS: In order to provide a safe, SECURE learning environment for your child, the following procedures will be observed:

1. EVERYONE MUST check in through the office and receive a visitor’s badge before entering the building.

2. NO STUDENTS may arrive before 7:55 a.m. Staff will be on duty outside beginning at 7:55 a.m. For your child’s safety, please DO NOT DROP OFF IN THE PARKING LOT. Early duty personnel will be posted in the commons area from 7:55 a.m. - 8:05 a.m. Students will remain in the commons area until 8:05 a.m. At 8:05 a.m. they will report to their rooms for early daily morning review work. Students will be counted tardy after 8:30 a.m. and must sign in for a tardy slip in the office.

3. OUTSIDE DOORS ARE SECURED AT 8:30 a.m. After that time, all tardies must be checked in through the front office and receive a tardy slip to enter the classroom. After 8:30 a.m. all traffic will have to pull around to the front of the school to unload.

4. Birthday treats, etc. are to be dropped off in the front office and need to have been approved with the teacher. The teacher will be notified that the treats are in the office to be picked up by the teacher or teacher designee. Birthday treats can't be served in the cafeteria during lunch. Teachers will be required to receive prior permission for pizza parties and other “celebrations” from the principal. No birthday invitations may be passed out at school unless ALL students in the class receive one.

5. All grades may have a Christmas party. (Kindergarten and first grade will notify their parents of any additional parties or celebrations throughout the year.) The homeroom teacher and room mother will coordinate the party. Parents are invited to attend the Christmas party (NO SIBLINGS). This is to be a special time for the children in that room. Thank you for your cooperation with this matter.

6. Due to the limited time and space in the cafeteria, we ask that if you desire to have lunch with your child, you limit it to once or twice a week. Lunch purchased from fast food restaurants is not permitted unless you are eating with your child, and it needs to be a “healthy food,” due to our district wellness plan. When you are through eating lunch with your child, you need to sign-out in the office. Please do not follow the class back to the classroom.

7. Please do not visit with your child or your child’s teacher on the playground. For safety reasons, only school employees may be on the playground at the same time students are playing.

8. Car riders and daycare vans will dismiss at 3:20 p.m. Buses will load K – 2nd grade at 3:20 p.m. and 3rd – 5th grade at 3:25 p.m. If your child does not ride a bus, please make plans to be in the car rider line at 3:15 p.m. If an emergency arises, please inform the school of your estimated arrival time. If you are late, your child’s teacher will be required to stay with your child until you arrive. We do not have employees available to supervise children after 3:40 p.m.

9. Breakfast will be available in the cafeteria beginning Monday, August 8, 2016, from 7:55 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. The cost of breakfast is $1.25 for a full paid student, .30 (thirty cents) for a reduced fee student and $1.80 for adults and teachers.

10. Student lunches will cost $2.75 with reduced lunch at .40 (forty cents). Parent/teacher lunches cost $3.25. Lunches may be prepaid online at www.mypaymentsplus.com. (Your child’s MSIS number is the student ID number; this number will be sent home at the beginning of the year or may be obtained from the office/your child's teacher.)

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11. You are encouraged to be part of the volunteer group at Overpark Elementary School through the PTO. We have a wonderful PTO that is a tremendous source of help and encouragement. They will inform you of the various services they perform for our school, and how you may be able to help. Each family is encouraged to join our PTO for $5.00 per person. You will be receiving information about membership drives/contests as the year progresses.

12. Please assist us in helping your child develop a sense of personal responsibility by not bringing forgotten items on a regular basis. Calls home are not allowed for habitually forgotten items.

ATTENDANCE/EXCUSED ABSENCES: Students who have good attendance generally achieve higher grades, enjoy school more, and are more employable after leaving school. For the purpose of compliance with the Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law, absences will be determined to be excused or unexcused. Each of the following shall constitute an excused absence for the purpose of this law.

1. Illness or injury which prevents the student from being physically able to attend school.

2. When isolation is ordered by the county health officer, the State Board of Health, or an appropriate school official.

3. Death or serious illness of a member of the immediate family, which includes grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, stepbrothers, and stepsisters. The absences must be approved by the principal or his/her designee.

4. A medical or dental appointment documented with the proper excuse from the attending physician/dentist upon return to school.

5. Attendance at the proceedings of a court or an administrative tribunal if the student is a party to the action or under subpoena as a witness.

6. Observance of a religious event, with prior approval of the principal or his/her designee. (Approval should not be withheld unless, in the professional judgment of the principal or his/her designee, the extent of absence would adversely affect the students’ education.)

7. Attendance at an authorized school activity with the prior approval of the principal or his/her designee.

8. Participation in a valid educational opportunity, such as travel including vacations or other family travel, with prior approval of the principal or his/her designee.

ATTENDANCE/EXCUSED ABSENCES CONTINUED: 9. An absence may be excused when it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the

principal or his/her designee, that conditions are sufficient to warrant the child’s non-attendance. However, no absences shall be excused by the principal or his/her designee, when any student suspensions or expulsions circumvent the intent and spirit of the compulsory attendance law.

• Seven (7) absences may be excused by a note from a parent/guardian. • Any additional absence after the seven (7) excused by a parent/guardian

note must be excused with a note from a doctor or other documentation excusing said absence.

• A student must be in attendance 63% of the day to be counted as present. Attendance less than 63% of the day will be considered an absence. For example, students checked out before 1:15 p.m. will be counted absent for the day.

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• Any documentation being given for excuse of absence(s) must be submitted to the principal or his/her designee within (2) school days of returning to school, unless granted an exception by the principal for extenuating circumstances.

• When a student has exceeded five (5) unexcused absences, the DeSoto County Attendance Officer shall be notified in writing within two (2) days by the school principal or his/her designee.

COMMUNICATION: Parents will receive folders of students' work weekly. Please sign the folder and return it to school the next day. Daily folders will be utilized in K – 2 grades for homework assignments/behavior reports/communication with parents. Agendas will be given to students in grades 3 – 5 for homework assignments/communication with parents. It will be the student’s responsibility to copy assignments from the board. You are asked to DAILY check and sign this book. This book is a vital tool for communication between parent and teacher in regard to assignments and conduct of the student. Parent Portal will also be available for communication. See Mrs. Bryant in the office for your password. Teachers will also have Remind 101 accounts that will be used to communicate with parents via text or email. CONSEQUENCES FOR BREAKING BUS RULES: It is our goal to do our best in providing the safest means of transportation for your child. In order to do so, we need your help and cooperation with our bus drivers and staff. The policy for misconduct on the bus for Overpark Elementary School will be as follows when students have been written up by their bus drivers: (1) First offense will result in a warning. (2) Second offense will result in a one day suspension from the bus. Parent will be responsible for transportation during suspension. (3) Third offense will result in a three day suspension from the bus. Parent will be responsible for transportation during suspension. (4) Fourth offense will result in a five day suspension from the bus. Parent will be responsible for transportation during suspension. (5) Fifth offense will result in a suspension with a bus hearing before a school committee. At this time, a student may be suspended from the bus for the remaining school year. Parent will be responsible for transportation of the student at this time. This policy is to help ensure that all children arrive to and from the school safely each day. Please discuss this policy with your child. Please note that this policy is for Overpark Elementary School only. The other Olive Branch Schools will have their own policies for their bus students. Once more, thank you for your help and support! DRESS CODE: Please note the “Dress Code Policy” that can be found on the district’s website/student handbook. Any clothing deemed immodest or objectionable by the administration will not be allowed. If it becomes necessary to call the parent to bring appropriate clothing, the student will be placed in the clinic/office until the change can be made. NO tennis shoes with WHEELIES.

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EARLY CHECKOUTS: Please allow your children to remain in school until dismissal. Students are not to be checked out except for doctor or dental appointments or in the case of an emergency. Our teachers spend the last thirty minutes of school giving homework assignments, guided practice, general instructions, and/or completing readers’/writers’ workshop. For this reason, no checkouts will be allowed from the office after 2:45 p.m. If we call you to pick up a child due to illness, this is not counted against the student. EXCESSIVE TARDIES: In order for your child to get the best benefit from his/her education; he/she needs to be on time for school each day. A student that has accumulated fifteen (15) tardies will receive a notice for a student/parent/administrator mandatory conference. Every three tardies beyond the fifteen will result in another mandatory conference. Failure to show for a mandatory conference may result in your child receiving in school suspension (ALC). Please note: A student must be in attendance 63% of the day to be counted as present. Attendance less than 63% of the day will be considered an absence as opposed to a tardy. FIELD TRIPS: Field Trips are planned as a part of our instructional programming. Your child may be exempted from participating in any field trip with a prior written request, from the parent to the principal, explaining the reason why an exemption is needed. FOOD ALLERGIES: If your child has a food allergy, please inform the classroom teacher immediately and get a “food allergy form” from the cafeteria manager. This form will need to be completed by the parent and kept on file at school. If a student in a classroom has a peanut allergy, the teacher will be sending a note home to notify all parents that students in that particular class do not need to bring peanut products/things made with peanut products. GRADING POLICIES AND REPORTS: Report cards will be sent home every 9 weeks. Progress reports will be sent during the 5th week of the report period. (See the “Parent Calendar” for the dates for report cards and progress reports.) For grades 3 – 5, all A’s in each subject are required to be on the Principal’s List. All A’s and B’s in each subject are required to be on the Honor Roll. A student must make the Principal’s List or Honor Roll every grading period to be on the year-end Principal’s List or Honor Roll. HEALTH ISSUES/CONCERNS: It is our desire to preserve a healthy environment for all our students; therefore, it is imperative that the following procedures are followed:

1. If a student develops a fever over 99.8 or is vomiting while at school, the parent will be called. The student must be picked up as he/she will be unable to remain in the classroom. Please do not send your child to school if he/she has been vomiting or has had a fever of 99.8 or greater prior to the start of school. Students need to be clear of fever/vomiting for 24 hours.

2. If it is determined that a student has head lice or nits, he/she must be picked up from school, treatment administered, and cleared through the office before being admitted to class. DeSoto County Schools have a “no nit” policy. Students must

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be nit free before they will be allowed to return to their classroom. (One day of excused absence, not including the day of check out, will be granted.) Regular shampoo will not remedy the problem. Special products available at the pharmacy should be used. Recurring cases will be reported to the county nurse and/or the Mississippi Health Department.

3. A DeSoto County Schools Health Record must be filled out during on-line registration. If a student has a medical condition requiring treatment or medication at school, the appropriate care plan needs to be kept on file with the school nurse. Please ask the school for a care plan to take to your child’s doctor.

MAKE-UP WORK: Teachers will send work home, if you request it, only on the third day of absence. Students who miss less than three days will make up work when they return. The parent will need to call the school on the morning of the third day and request that the work is sent to the office. Work may be picked up at the end of the school day. The office staff will not interrupt a class to get work. Teachers will not be required to give make-up work/tests for frequent early checkouts. PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS FOR 2016-2017 Kindergarten, first grade, and second grade students -- standards based report cards will be used. Students must master 70% of the Mathematics standards and 70% of the Language Arts standards by the end of the year to be promoted to the next grade. In addition, kindergarten students must be able to read at level C according to the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment. First grade students must read at level I according to the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment. Second grade students must read at level M according to the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment. Students in grade 3 must pass the MKAS 3rd Grade Reading Test regardless of their final grade to be promoted to the 4th Grade. Students in grades 3 - 5 must have a 65 in Language Arts (includes Reading, English, Writing, Spelling, Speaking and Listening) and Math at the end of the year to be promoted to the next grade. Grades 4 and 5 must have a 65 in all subjects to be promoted to the next grade. TRANSPORTATION CALLS: Please inform your child and your child's teacher of any transportation changes. You must send a note to the teacher indicating what the change is to be and a bus pass must be completed before the driver will transport the child. With continued emphasis on school safety, a verbal message is not the best way to communicate transportation changes. We would appreciate it if you use this only in the case of an emergency. If you are changing the mode of transportation for your child, you will be asked your name to check against our records as well as your child's date of birth. We must have available at all times, phone numbers of someone who can be reached in an emergency.

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WORKBOOK AND CLASSROOM T-SHIRT FEES: Parents will be responsible for supplementary reading materials and class t-shirt fees. The costs will be as follows: Grade Fee Grade Fee K $21.55 1st Grade $21.80 2nd Grade $24.00 3rd Grade $24.40 4th Grade $24.60 5th Grade $24.35 All money for fees is to be received by Friday, September 16th. You may pay by cash or check. If writing a check, make it payable to: Overpark Elementary School or OES. If you need to arrange a payment schedule or need help with your child’s fees, please contact Mrs. Diana Boatwright, our bookkeeper, at 662-890-8745 ext. 1202.

PTO Membership is $5.00. Please make checks for PTO membership payable to: OES PTO. Please do not put PTO membership $ with the school’s workbook $.

Those checks need to be two different checks. Thank you!

First Day – First Week Procedures August 3, 2016 – August 12, 2016

To make our first days at OES go as smoothly as possible, please follow the procedures outlined. The building will be open at 7:55 a.m. for students to enter. Parents may accompany all students to the classrooms on Wednesday, August 3rd, and Thursday, August 4th (if you wish to do so). Students will report directly to the classrooms upon their arrival at school for the first two days of school. Beginning Friday, August 5th, it is expected that students in grades 2 -5 will not need to be accompanied to their classrooms. Students in grades K – 1 may still be walked to their classrooms through Tuesday, August 9th. (Please park in the parking lot to do so. Please do not block car rider line.) Beginning Wednesday, August 10th, it is expected that all students in K - 1 will not need to be accompanied to their classrooms. Beginning Thursday, August 4th, students may be dropped off in the car rider line.

(See the “Traffic Pattern Map” on the following page for directions.) The building will be open at 7:55 a.m. for students to enter. From 7:55 a.m. to 8:05 a.m. they will sit in the commons area. At 8:05 a.m. the students will go to their classrooms where early morning daily review will begin. Morning announcements will start at 8:25 a.m. Students will be tardy after 8:30 a.m.

We will follow normal afternoon pickup beginning with the first day. Please pick your child up in the car rider line – DO NOT WALK UP TO GET YOUR CHILD. This slows the line up and causes confusion. BE PATIENT PLEASE!!!!

(See the “Traffic Pattern Map” on the following page for directions.) For daily pickup in the afternoons, please have your child’s name printed boldly on the sentence strip provided in your beginning of the year packet. Display this sentence strip on your sun visor (so you can flip it down), and duty personnel can see the name of who you are picking up. This helps our line run quicker and smoother, if we don’t have to stop and ask who you need. Cars will be loaded as quickly and safely as possible. Please know that the first few days the car rider line will be somewhat congested. It will speed up as we all become familiar with the system. Thank you SO MUCH for your cooperation with this effort. Younger siblings that have older siblings in the 3rd, 4th,

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and 5th grades will need to be picked up with their older siblings from the 3rd – 5th grade car rider line at the side of the school. Duty personnel will be available to assist the younger siblings with where to go (orange hall to find brother/sister). Bus riders for the first few afternoons will probably be behind schedule leaving, because we are getting buses from the other Olive Branch Schools, who will be running a route before coming to our school. We will hold the students inside in the air conditioned building until the buses are ready to load. However, expect those first couple of days for students to be a little later arriving home than usual.

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Overpark Elementary School Lunch Schedule 2015-2016

Time Line A Line B 10:30 Hataway (Preschool/Eat in their room) 10:30 – 11:00 Whisenant (if needed) 11:00 – 11:25 Long (4th) Ashley (4th) 11:05 – 11:30 Flowers (4th) Sloan (4th) 11:10 – 11:35 Wright (3rd) Asmus (3rd) 11:15 – 11:40 Miller (3rd) Tracy Smith (3rd) 11:20 –11:45 Payne (3rd) Glover (5th) 11:25 – 11:50 Stephan (5th) Derrick (5th) 11:30 – 11:55 Davis (5th) J. Smith (5th) 11:45 – 12:05 Heath (1st) Taylor (1st) 11:50 – 12:15 Calhoun (1st) H. Sloan (1st) 11:55 – 12:20 Bright (2nd) Nelson (2nd) 12:00 – 12:25 Loggins (2nd) Pace (2nd) 12:05 – 12:30 McMullen (2nd) Tinker (2nd) 12:10 – 12:40 Lindberg (K) 12:15 – 12:45 Montgomery (K) Gardner (K) 12:20 – 12:50 Stuard (K) Richardson (K)

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Notification Letter for Highly Qualified Staff Wednesday, August 3, 2016 Dear Parents: As a parent of a student at Overpark Elementary School, you have the right to know the professional qualifications of the classroom teachers who instruct your child. Federal law allows you to ask for certain information about your child’s classroom teachers:

Whether the Mississippi Department of Education has licensed the teacher for the grades

and subjects he or she teaches. Whether the Mississippi Department of Education has decided that the teacher can teach

in a classroom without being licensed under state regulations because of special circumstances.

Whether the teacher has any advanced degrees and their college major. Whether any teachers’ aides or assistants provide services to your child and, if they do,

their qualifications. If you would like to receive any of this information, please send a written request to my attention through your child’s teacher or to the school’s mailing address (8530 Forest Hill Irene, Olive Branch, MS 38654). Sincerely, Lisa Love, Principal Overpark Elementary School

Safety Policy DeSoto County Schools

Overpark Elementary School 2016-2017

In an attempt to keep the DeSoto County Schools safe for all students and staff, please note that the following will not be tolerated:

• The use or possession of gang graffiti, gang drawings, gang writings, gang dress, or gang activity.

• Distribution of illegal drugs, prescription drugs, or any substance dangerous to students. (Distribution includes giving substances to students.)

Students who openly defy this warning will be considered a threat to the safety of students and staff, and will be suspended pending a disciplinary hearing. The student could be expelled from the DeSoto County Schools.

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A New School Year ~A New Beginning

Summer has come to a close, and we are so excited to have everyone back at

Overpark! The beginning of the new school year offers us the chance for a fresh start both at school and at home. Now is the time to introduce new habits and to set up a daily routine. The tone you set in these first few weeks will follow you throughout the rest of the academic year. Here are a few suggestions to help this school year be the best one yet!

Make sure your child is at school on time and every day. When a child misses school, he or she falls behind the rest of the class both academically and

socially. Students who come in late are often flustered and distracted, making their day difficult from the start. Pick out clothes and pack up book bags the night before whenever possible. Make

sure your child is getting up early enough to eat breakfast before leaving home- it’s hard to concentrate on an empty stomach. If you see a case of “school phobia” brewing, please call me at

school, and I can offer some suggestions.

Foster good reading habits from day one. It is a proven fact that reading skills can be improved by regular reading times. Take 10 minutes

every day to read with your child, or have him/her read to you. Encourage your student to regularly check out grade-appropriate books from the media center- having new books keeps

reading exciting for both of you.

Limit video games & TV. Make sure your child maintains balance by limiting the amount of time he or she watches TV or plays video games. Students need to complete their homework, and then get outside to release

the energy that is built up after a day in the classroom.

Keep to a scheduled routine as much as possible. Children feel much more secure when they know what to expect. Every family has unplanned

events pop up, but maintaining a set routine between school and bedtime will decrease the number of “transition arguments” you have with your child. It will also allow them to take on

some of the responsibility of managing their time and duties at home.

Eat together as a family. Turn off the TV and sit with one another. Use dinner time to talk about your day- focus on

listening rather than scolding or instructing. Listening to your children shows them that what they do at school is important, and that you are interested in their lives outside of home. Daily

conversations promote healthy and vital communication skills between parents and children that will continue throughout their life.

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Show them you care.

Growing up is a hard job. Let your child know how much you love him/her and how proud you are of him/her every day. Use words of encouragement and hugs whenever possible. Try to put down what you are doing and just

play with your child for at least 10 uninterrupted minutes a week. Let him/her

pick the game, take a deep breath, and enjoy each other!

Stacey Conklin, Ed.S.

School Counselor

We need your help. We are looking for parents to be involved anyway that you can. Please contact Mrs. Love or one of our PTO Officers to see how you can help us at OES!

PTO OFFICERS FOR 2016-2017

President Trisha French, 706-575-5193, [email protected] Co - Shannon Dorian, 901-277-0485, [email protected] Vice-President Lori Sullivan, 317-340-9814, [email protected] Secretary Jennifer Brasfield, 901-490-7389, [email protected] Treasurer Holly Springer, 901-491-4656, [email protected] Reporter Destiny Mbenga, 901-828-7925, [email protected] Historian Marquita Ball, 662-537-6662, [email protected]

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Two Sculptors

“I dreamed I saw a studio And watched two sculptors there.

The clay they used was a child’s mind And they fashioned it with care.

One was a teacher – the tools he used

Were books, music, and art. The other, a parent, worked with a guiding hand,

And a gentle, loving heart.

Day after day, the teacher toiled with a touch That was careful, deft, and sure,

While the parent labored by his side And polished and smoothed it o’ver.

And when at last, their task was done,

They were proud of what they had wrought. For the things they had molded into the child

Could neither be sold nor brought.

And each agreed they would have failed If either had worked alone.

For behind the parent stood the school And behind the teacher, the home.”

-Anonymous

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