Oglethorpe County Elementary School (PK-5)
“Excellence for every student, every day!”
Announced Intruder Drill Scheduled for September 17th
Dear Oglethorpe County Schools Families,
The safety and security of our students and staff remain our highest priority. As part of our commitment to maintaining safe learning environments, Oglethorpe County Schools will conduct an announced Intruder Drill on Thursday, September 17, 2026. This drill is required by Georgia law and allows students and staff to practice the procedures that would be used in the event of a school security emergency.
The drills will occur at the following times:
• OCHS: 8:10 a.m.
• OCMS: 9:00 a.m.
• OCES: 9:50 a.m.
Prior to the drill, school staff will review procedures with students in an age-appropriate manner. During the drill, students may hear either an announcement over the intercom or the Centegix alert system indicating that an intruder drill is in progress. Students and staff will then follow established safety procedures, including securing classrooms and remaining in designated safe areas until the drill concludes.
The Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office and local EMS personnel will be present to assist and observe as we conduct the drills. Their partnership helps ensure that our schools continue to follow best practices in school safety and emergency preparedness.
The drills are expected to last approximately 10 to 15 minutes. During this time, visitors will not be permitted to enter school buildings, and student checkouts will be temporarily suspended. Normal school operations will resume immediately following the completion of each drill.
We recognize that safety drills can create anxiety for some students, particularly younger children. We encourage families to talk with their children beforehand and remind them that these drills are like fire drills or severe weather drills. Practicing safety procedures helps ensure that students and staff know how to respond calmly and appropriately if an emergency ever occurs.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to provide safe and secure learning environments for all students and staff. If you have questions about the intruder drill procedures, please contact your child's school principal.
Sincerely,
Dr. Phillip Powell
Superintendent
Oglethorpe County Schools
Picture Day tomorrow!
🍕🍔🍱It's never too early to start thinking about lunch!
September menus are here! Take a look and see what's being served in our cafeterias next week.
And don't forget- ALL students eat FREE!
💙 Patriot of the Month: Tim Hayes! 🚌⭐
Help us congratulate Tim Hayes, one of our amazing bus drivers and our August Patriot of the Month!
Tim was nominated for the incredible care, patience, and kindness he shows one of our self-contained students. He goes far beyond simply getting students safely to and from school—he makes sure she is ready for the day, greets her with a smile, helps her when she needs extra support, and even fixes her hair when needed. ❤️
This year brought a big transition as she moved from elementary school to middle school. Having Mr. Tim there each morning to welcome her, encourage her, and help her feel safe and comfortable made that transition a little easier.
One nominator shared that “his caring presence helped make what could have been a difficult transition feel much more comfortable.”
That is what Patriot Pride is all about.
Mr. Tim, thank you for showing up every day with compassion, patience, and a genuine heart for our students. Your job may be getting students from Point A to Point B, but the impact you have along the way is so much greater.
Congratulations, Tim! We are proud to celebrate you! 💙🚌
PTO will meet at OCES on Friday morning! If you are interested in being a part of this group, please join us!
Wednesday is Independence Day at OCES!
The majority of students' school supplies will be provided by the district. Parents will need to provide a bookbag and headphones for each student. The other items are appreciated, but not required.
Join us for Open House on August 5th!
All families who signed up should now be receiving their meals through Helping Hands Summer Meals Program!
We have also arranged for anyone who did not sign up and who is not receiving boxes delivered to home to come to the Multi-Purpose Building on Thursday, July 9th from 11am-1pm to pick up boxes through the Happy Helpings program!
No sign up required! If you cannot come at this time, please contact Kasey Taylor at ktaylor@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us to arrange a different time!
Ms. Taylor is also looking for volunteers to help distribute Helping Hands food boxes. If you can help this Thursday or any other Thursday in July, please reach out to her at her email address listed above!
All families who signed up should now be receiving their meals through Helping Hands Summer Meals Program!
We have also arranged for anyone who did not sign up and who is not receiving boxes delivered to home to come to the Multi-Purpose Building on Thursday, July 9th from 11am-1pm to pick up boxes through the Happy Helpings program!
No sign up required! If you cannot come at this time, please contact Kasey Taylor at ktaylor@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us to arrange a different time!
Ms. Taylor is also looking for volunteers to help distribute Helping Hands food boxes. If you can help this Thursday or any other Thursday in July, please reach out to her at her email address listed above!
Oglethorpe County Family Connection is coordinating Community Day this year! Please save the date: Saturday, August 8th from 5-7 pm.
The school system will provide free school supplies again this year!
Community Day is now accepting sponsorship for event tables ($25). Part of the table sponsor fee to Community Day will cover tote bags for all participants. If you are a sponsor, your logo will be placed on the bags! They are also accepting monetary donations to buy bookbags and headphones.
Reminder June Food Pantry is Tomorrow from 4-6pm.
If you have signed up for Happy Helpings Summer Food Program and haven't received a delivery, please reach out to Kasey Taylor @ ktaylor@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us
We do have food available now for pick up through the school system!
If you have signed up for Happy Helpings Summer Food Program and haven't received a delivery, please reach out to Kasey Taylor @ ktaylor@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us
We do have food available now for pick up through the school system!
Information for the Summer Youth Cheer Champ. Please use the following link to sign up https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdl7r4-f_Cyw6EYJGa_kq85_dYXFGkA4Ew9mB_zTRldXYlyaA/viewform
You are invited to join us as we plan together for the 2026-27 school year!
We will review the progress on this year’s Strategic Plan, identify our strengths and weaknesses by reviewing our data, and determine action steps for next school year.
Your participation is very important as the strategic plan is our road map for the year. We encourage parents, community members, staff, and middle and high school students to come be a part of this important day.
If you would like to attend or want more information, please contact Sharon Synan (ssynan@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us or call 706-743-8128) to reserve your spot!
We will review the progress on this year’s Strategic Plan, identify our strengths and weaknesses by reviewing our data, and determine action steps for next school year.
Your participation is very important as the strategic plan is our road map for the year. We encourage parents, community members, staff, and middle and high school students to come be a part of this important day.
If you would like to attend or want more information, please contact Sharon Synan (ssynan@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us or call 706-743-8128) to reserve your spot!
For those planning to attend tomorrow, please park at Lexington Baptist Church. The church is across the road from Platt Brooks Estate. Please then follow the event directional signs for the venue.
For those needing assistance, please pull down to Platt Brooks Estate and park inside the back gate in grassy area next to the Platt Brooks Estate venue.
Dress comfortably. Not a formal event!
ASPIRE 2 (Grades 3–5) still has a few open slots left for our Summer
ASPIRE Camp. If you want your child to have an amazing, active summer, don't wait to secure their spot!
Please email Robin Guest for additional information at rguest@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us or visit our website to register!
https://www.oglethorpe.k12.ga.us/o/ogs/page/21st-century
ASPIRE Camp. If you want your child to have an amazing, active summer, don't wait to secure their spot!
Please email Robin Guest for additional information at rguest@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us or visit our website to register!
https://www.oglethorpe.k12.ga.us/o/ogs/page/21st-century
For those interested in Special Education HomeSchool opportunities, a meeting is being held on Friday, May 29th at Central Office!
We are pleased to partner with Open Hand to provide free breakfast and lunch meals to our students throughout the summer. Meal delivery will begin June 1.
Seven breakfasts and seven lunches will be delivered weekly to the homes of families who sign up. Meals are available for all children in the home under the age of 18, regardless of income.
Please review the flyer for complete details or sign up through the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/yc4dyh4u.
If you need assistance completing the forms, please contact Kasey Taylor, our Parent Mentor, at KTaylor@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us, or visit the Family Resource Hub Facebook page, or check your school family “Room.” You may also contact Ms. Taylor directly at 706-743-7930.
Seven breakfasts and seven lunches will be delivered weekly to the homes of families who sign up. Meals are available for all children in the home under the age of 18, regardless of income.
Please review the flyer for complete details or sign up through the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/yc4dyh4u.
If you need assistance completing the forms, please contact Kasey Taylor, our Parent Mentor, at KTaylor@oglethorpe.k12.ga.us, or visit the Family Resource Hub Facebook page, or check your school family “Room.” You may also contact Ms. Taylor directly at 706-743-7930.
OCHS is hosting a Summer 2 Mile Race on Saturday, June 27th to benefit high school and middle school cross country teams. The race will be held on the brand new course at OCMS - 270 Buddy Faust Road, Lexington!
Please register at the following link: https://ga.milesplit.com/meets/750002-fast-feet-xc-summer-series-at-oglethorpe-county-2026/info
Happy National School Nurses Day!
Thank you to our school nurses who are the calm in the chaos, the care behind every student’s smile, and the heartbeat of our schools.
Your compassion and dedication make a difference every single day!
Thank you to our school nurses who are the calm in the chaos, the care behind every student’s smile, and the heartbeat of our schools.
Your compassion and dedication make a difference every single day!
