Friday, May 22, 2026

Rose’s Message

As we head into the final week of the school year, we are looking forward to celebrating our 6th grade students at Graduation on May 28! We also want to remind families that the last day of school, May 29, will be an early release day with dismissal at 12:00 p.m.

Even though the school year is winding down, it is still very important that students arrive at school on time each day so they are in their classrooms and ready to begin learning promptly at 8:10 a.m. Finishing the year strong helps students stay engaged and make the most of these final days together.

Thank you for your continued support throughout the school year!

Rose Gaiffe

Elementary Principal

rgaiffe@ohschools.org

3 1/2 MORE DAYS OF SCHOOL!

Monday, May 25: NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day

Tuesday, May 26: 1st Grade Zoo Trip

Tuesday, May 26: 4th Grade Egg Drop Competition

Thursday, May 28: 6th Grade, Early Release @ 11:05 - Graduation

Friday, May 29: Last Day, Field Day - Early Release @ Noon

3 1/2 MORE DAYS OF SCHOOL!

Monday, May 25: NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day

Tuesday, May 26: 1st Grade Zoo Trip

Tuesday, May 26: 4th Grade Egg Drop Competition

Thursday, May 28: 6th Grade, Early Release @ 11:05 - Graduation

Friday, May 29: Last Day, Field Day - Early Release @ Noon

Staff Recognitions

As we wrap up the school year, we would also like to recognize several staff members who will be moving on to new chapters.

We would like to congratulate Mrs. Laura Baird on her retirement. Laura has been a wonderful resource for our district, always providing outstanding care, support, and compassion to our students and staff. Her dedication and kindness will truly be missed, and we wish her all the best in her retirement.

We would also like to wish Mrs. Christen the very best as she transitions to the high school next year. We appreciate all she has done for our students and school community and know she will continue to make a positive impact in her new role.

In addition, we would like to thank Mrs. Annis and Mrs.Elfakhrany for their contributions and dedication to our school as they step away from their roles at the end of the school year. We are grateful for the care and support they have given our students and families and wish them all the best in the future.

Staff Recognitions

As we wrap up the school year, we would also like to recognize several staff members who will be moving on to new chapters.

Lunch Information

This is a reminder that OHSPA’s Hot Lunch Program has ended for the year, and there will be no hot lunches this coming week, so be sure to send your child with a packed lunch.

On May 28th the gym/cafeteria will be set up for the 6th grade graduation and so students will be eating lunch outside picnic style. If your child would like to bring a beach towel to sit on outside, they are welcome to do that.

Lunch Changes for 2026-2027

Next school year, we will be adjusting our lunch and recess schedule to allow for additional instructional time for our Wit & Wisdom ELA curriculum.

Students in Grades 1, 2, and 3 will have lunch and recess together, while students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 will share a separate lunch and recess period. Kindergarten will continue to follow its own lunch and recess schedule.

This updated schedule will provide students with more uninterrupted instructional time while still ensuring they have appropriate time for lunch and recess throughout the day.

In preparation for these schedule changes, we are also looking to hire:

Recess monitors to supervise recess from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cafeteria monitor whose shift will run from 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

If you or someone you know may be interested, please go to the OHLS Website. A link is provided below.

Lunch Changes for 2026-2027

Next school year, we will be adjusting our lunch and recess schedule to allow for additional instructional time for our Wit & Wisdom ELA curriculum.

This updated schedule will provide students with more uninterrupted instructional time while still ensuring they have appropriate time for lunch and recess throughout the day.

In preparation for these schedule changes, we are also looking to hire:

Recess monitors to supervise recess from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cafeteria monitor whose shift will run from 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

If you or someone you know may be interested, please go to the OHLS Website. A link is provided below.

Employment Opportunity for 2026-2027 School Year

We are looking for Recess and Cafeteria Monitors for the upcoming school year. If you are interested in applying for the positions below, please go to the Employment Link on our website and submit your application!

Recess Monitor (Elementary School)
Hours: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Monday–Friday)

Supervise students during recess to ensure a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment. Responsibilities include monitoring playground activities, encouraging positive behavior, assisting with minor conflicts, enforcing school rules, and communicating any concerns to school staff. This role requires full attention to supervision duties and the ability to remain actively engaged with all students throughout the shift.

Lunch Monitor (Elementary School)
Hours: 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Monday–Friday)

Supervise students during lunch to maintain a safe, orderly, and respectful cafeteria environment. Responsibilities include monitoring behavior, assisting students as needed, enforcing school rules, supporting cleanup, and reporting concerns to school staff. Must be reliable, attentive, and able to lift and pull cafeteria tables as part of setup and cleanup. This role requires full attention to supervision duties and the ability to remain actively engaged with all students throughout the shift.

The 2025-26 OHES Yearbooks are In!

Yearbook fees need to be paid before your child can get their copy on Thursday, May 28th. Please check Powerschool to see if you are one of the 91 families who have not paid for their yearbook.

If you owe, bring a check made out to OHLS or $14 cash to the main office before Thursday.

Thanks!

Last Call for Lost and Found

Our Lost and Found is located outside of the New Gym. Please feel free to look it over after 3:00. There are only a few items (Please see the picture below). All items will be donated on Friday, May 29.

Volunteers Needed for Field Day 2026

I am in the process of organizing Field Day for May 29th, 2026. Even though the staff will be coordinating the events, I am in need of parent volunteers toassist the event

coordinators. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Before field day, I will have sign-up sheets on the gym bulletin board across from the kitchen.

If you can help, please feel free to come in and sign up for your favorite event at your convenience.
If you would rather walk with your child’s class, I am sure the teachers would appreciate the help.
If you want to help but can’t get to school to sign up, you are welcome to sign up on Field Day.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at school.

Kevin McKee

Locker Clean-Out Days!

Tuesday, May 27, 6th grade and Kindergarten
Wednesday May 28 grades 2-5

Next week, students will participate in our annual locker clean-out days. Please have your child bring a bag or extra backpack to carry home items from their locker, including coats, boots, school supplies, and any other belongings that may have accumulated throughout the year.

Students often choose to throw away items during clean-out, so if you would like materials such as binders, markers, folders, spiral notebooks, or other supplies brought home, please remind your child ahead of time. Thank you for your help in making this process go smoothly!

Cub Scout Pack 27: Walkathon for Green Bear Green Space

Saturday, May 30th

10- 11 AM

Niedermeier Stadium

The Ottawa Hills Schools Foundation's Green Bear Green Space is a capital campaign raising funds to build an inclusive playground at the Ottawa Hills Elementary and improve athletic fields.

Participants will walk laps around the track to raise funds for Green Bear Green Space. It’s simple: the more laps the kids walk, the more money we raise, and the sooner construction can start on the new playground!

Here’s how it works: Participants will collect pledges from friends and family, either as a flat donation or a pledge per lap walked. On Walkathon Day, walkers will complete as many laps as they can, with each lap tracked by our volunteers. After the event, pledges will be tallied based on laps completed. One lap is a quarter mile. Four laps makes a mile, which is a long walk for some kids. You can support a walker by donating through their personal fundraising page or giving directly to the event’s main page. Every dollar raised goes straight to the Green Bear Green Space Campaign.

Walkathon Main Event Donation Fund

Cheerleading Tryouts for Rising 7th Graders:

Clinic Day 1 (June 4th in the multipurpose gym at the JH/HS from 6-8 p.m)
Clinic Day 2 (June 5th in the main gym at the JH/HS from 9-11 am.)
Tryouts (June 6th in the main gym at the Jh/HS starting at 9 am)

Cheerleading Tryouts for Rising 7th Graders:

Clinic Day 1 (June 4th in the multipurpose gym at the JH/HS from 6-8 p.m)
Clinic Day 2 (June 5th in the main gym at the JH/HS from 9-11 am.)
Tryouts (June 6th in the main gym at the Jh/HS starting at 9 am)

Rain Date: Friday, June 5

No More Printing Flyers

Beginning next school year, we will no longer be printing paper copies of flyers to send home with students. Many flyers are not making it home, and this change will help reduce paper and toner use, limit wear and tear on our copy machines, and ease the workload for those who spend time counting, sorting, stuffing mailboxes, and distributing flyers to students.

Instead, links to school, community, and organization flyers will be shared digitally through our weekly parent bulletin as well as teacher weekly/biweekly newsletters. We appreciate your support as we move toward a more efficient and environmentally friendly communication process.

4th Grade Providence Metro Park Field Trip

Student Council and Safety Patrol Bowling Party

Kids Heart Challenge

These kids all worked really hard to raise funds for the American Heart Association. We are so proud of Mr. McKee and his Green Bear Heart Challenge Team!

Kids Heart Challenge

These kids all worked really hard to raise funds for the American Heart Association. We are so proud of Mr. McKee and his Green Bear Heart Challenge Team!