Greetings from Oglethorpe School System,
As we get close to the holiday break, there certainly is a lot going on in the school system. Our primary and elementary school students are enjoying tours of their new school, in preparation for the big move over the break. With the end of the semester and the big move in mind, here are some important details and reminders:
• The last day before the break for primary and elementary school students is Friday, December 13th. This is also the last day that students will be in their current school. Please make sure they bring home all their personal belongings as they will not have access to these buildings in the new year.
• The last day of 1st semester for the middle and high school students is Wednesday, December 18th. This will be a half day.
• Middle and high school students will return on January 8th, while elementary school students will return on January 10th. There will be an Open House for the new school for elementary school students and parents on January 9th. Details on times will be sent from Mrs. Baldwin.
• The teachers at the primary and elementary schools will continue to work on December 16 – 18th. For those high school students who have exempted their exams and need volunteer hours or service hours, please encourage them to check with the high school regarding several volunteer opportunities available December 16 – 18th and January 6th and 7th. There are many teachers moving into the new school who will need LOTS of help!
• The school system will have a surplus sale beginning Wednesday, December 18th. As the new school will be getting all new furniture, all the old furniture (student and teacher desks, student and teacher chairs, file cabinets, lunch tables, bookshelves, etc.) from the primary school will be sold in an online surplus sale. The sale will be advertised online and on the website.
• Prior to the primary school being demolished, parents, students, and the community will have a final opportunity to walk through the school. This will take place on Sunday, January 12th from 2:00 – 5:00 PM.
Mental Health Resource
The school system has invested in a new mental health resource for parents, upper grade students, and staff to support mental health and well-being.
Why
Experts agree that your involvement plays an important role in your child's success. When parents have helpful tools, it can benefit their children, strengthen families, and contribute to a thriving community.
What We’re Offering
A platform was developed to reach parents like you, ensuring you have access to valuable tools that can help both you and your children thrive, with resources that meet your needs and match your demanding schedule. Here’s how it can help you:
• On-Demand Resources: Access pre-recorded sessions, insightful articles, and actionable steps at your convenience—anytime, anywhere.
• Live Webinars: Join interactive webinars hosted by professionals, with hundreds of sessions available annually, including 16 topics each month. Sessions are offered in English and Spanish, with anonymous participation for a safe and comfortable experience. See the website or social media for the December offerings.
• Ask a Therapist Live: Once a month, you can connect with a licensed family therapist to get real-time answers to your questions, all from the comfort of your home.
How It Works
The platform is user-friendly and optimized for your convenience:
• Explore Topics that Matter to You: Whether you're interested in managing anxiety, understanding social media use, or building resilience, a comprehensive catalog covers it all.
• Choose How You Engage: Whether you prefer a quick overview or an in-depth session, the choice is yours. Resources are available in multiple formats to suit your needs.
We believe this platform will empower you to make a lasting impact on your family’s well-being.
Starting Immediately: you can start by visiting https://parentguidance.org/mhsindex/ to explore these valuable resources right away. You’ll have instant access to the full catalog of support materials, available whenever and wherever you need them. Watch the short video to gain the maximum benefit.
Thank you for your commitment to your family’s mental health. We’re here to support you every step of the way. We are piloting these resources to see if they are helpful to our families and staff. Please provide us with feedback if you use a resource and find it helpful.
In closing…
This has been a very busy first half of the year. Due to the opening of the new school, I will not go “home” to Cape Town, South Africa for the holidays, but I will be staying here to ensure the new school is ready to open for our students in January! Thank you to our board of education and to our community for supporting this incredible project. Our students are so fortunate to be moving into this amazing facility. There are so many people to thank, but I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Paul Thiel for the endless hours he has dedicated to this project as our director of operations; to Katie Baldwin, for managing two schools and the efficient transition to a new school; to the primary and elementary staff who have had to pack up an entire school while still ensuring quality instruction is being maintained; to all the custodial staff, maintenance staff, nutrition staff, technology staff, and transportation staff who are assisting with the move – we say THANK YOU! Additionally, our high school is playing a vital role in providing childcare for our staff member’s children so they can continue teaching and moving! Our middle school staff is assisting teachers on January 7th with getting their new classrooms set up. As always, our central office team is maintaining daily operations and is supporting the move when needed. It is so humbling to work in a school system where everyone is working together no matter their role or the task at hand. When you get the opportunity to see our staff in the community, please take the time to thank them. A simple thank you is always appreciated.
From our OC family to yours, Happy Holidays! May your time with family and friends be happy and healthy!
Sincerely,
Beverley Levine