Ochwilla Elementary School

Hurricane Milton Update- 10/10/24, 5:00PM: We are grateful for those in our community who have worked to keep everyone safe during Hurricane Milton! Friday, October 11: PCSD schools/offices are CLOSED so we may assess any possible damage to our facilities and clean up those used for shelters. Monday, October 14: PCSD schools/offices are OPEN for a teacher planning day. Monday is a student holiday. Tuesday, October 15: PCSD schools/offices are OPEN for all students and staff as a regular school day. The previously scheduled staff in-service day will be cancelled to provide a regular school day and make-up some of the instructional time lost due to 6 days missed for Hurricane Helene and Milton. The Florida Dept. of Education requires a certain number of hours each term for students to earn instructional credits in all grade levels. This is required of all districts even after weather events cause school closures. We appreciate the patience and cooperation of our staff and families as we work to bring schools back to order after this unfortunate event. Thank you!

Hurricane Milton Update- 10/9/24, 10:00AM: All PCSD schools/offices will be closed on Friday, October 11. All after-school programs/athletic activities are cancelled through Friday, October 11. Students were already out of school Monday, October 14, and Tuesday, October 15, for planning and staff development days. Therefore, at this time, staff will return Monday, October 14, and students will return Wednesday, October 16. We will update everyone as we get more information. The following shelters are OPEN: Ochwilla Elementary (general population & pets), Jenkins Elementary (general population- no pets), Kelley Smith Elementary (special needs only), Browning-Pearce Elementary (general population- no pets), and Middleton-Burney Elementary (general population- no pets). Please stay informed by following updates from the Putnam County Emergency Management: www.facebook.com/PutnamCountyEM. Thank you, and stay safe!

Storm Update 10/7/24 5:30PM: Due to developing information regarding Hurricane Milton and traffic concerns in Florida, we will be closing schools tomorrow, October 8th. All PCSD employees should look for an email from supervisors regarding any staff who may be needed tomorrow to prepare for the storm and shelters. Thank you, and stay safe!

Hurricane Milton Update as of 9:00AM 10/7/24: All PCSD schools/offices will be closed on Wednesday, October 9, and Thursday, October 10. Schools/offices will be open on Tuesday, October 8. All after-school programs/athletic activities are cancelled beginning Tuesday, October 8- Thursday, October 10. A decision for Friday, October 11, will be made at a later time. The following shelters will open starting Tuesday, October 8, at 6:00PM: Ochwilla Elementary (general population & pets), Jenkins Elementary (general population- no pets), Kelley Smith Elementary (special needs only), Browning-Pearce Elementary (general population- no pets), and Middleton-Burney Elementary (general population- no pets). We will update everyone as we get more information. Please stay informed by following updates from the Putnam County Emergency Management: www.facebook.com/PutnamCountyEM. Thank you and stay safe!

PCSD is working closely with Putnam County Emergency Management to monitor Hurricane Helene and its potential impact. Update as of 12:00PM, 9/25/24: All PCSD schools will be closed on Thursday, September 26th and Friday, September 27th. All extracurricular activities on these days are canceled. Extracurricular activities for today, Wednesday, September 25th, will continue as normal. The following general population shelters will open Wednesday, September 25th at 8:00PM: Ochwilla Elementary (pets), Browning-Pearce Elementary, and Middleton-Burney Elementary. Kelley Smith Elementary will open Wednesday, September 25th at 6:00PM for special needs only. We will update everyone as we get more information. Please stay informed by following updates from the Putnam County Emergency Management: www.facebook.com/PutnamCountyEM, call center is open (386) 329-1904.

PCSD is working closely with Putnam County Emergency Management to monitor Tropical Storm Helene and its potential impact as it is expected to develop into a hurricane. Update as of 3:00PM, 9/24/24: Tomorrow, September 25, all schools and after-school activities are in session. Thursday, September 26, all schools and after-school activities are cancelled. Kelley Smith Elementary School will be opened Wednesday evening for special needs only. Decisions about other shelters will be made Wednesday. We will update everyone as we get more information. Please stay informed by following updates from the Putnam County Emergency Management. Thank you!

PCSD has partnered with Health Hero to offer in-school vaccines to your child for NO COST. Consent forms were recently sent home with students. The flu vaccine clinic will be available Friday, October 4th. Health Hero makes immunizations available to every child to stop diseases like the flu in their tracks and reduce absenteeism in schools. Sign your child up and help us stop the flu in its tracks! https://beahealthhero.com/who-we-serve/parents/ #ProudtobePCSD

🚨 See Something. Say Something. 🚨 Social media threats can have serious consequences, and it’s up to all of us to keep our schools and community safe. Watch this important message from PCSD Superintendent, Rick Surrency, and PCSO Sheriff, Gator DeLoach, about what we can do to prevent and report threats. Let’s work together to protect our students! 🎥 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9MBaHXAv4 📢 Please share to help spread the word!

We would like to welcome students who wish to gather in remembrance of Robert Gillon to the PJSHS Gym this afternoon at 5:00PM. Local community and faith leaders will be there to provide words of comfort. We ask all media to stay in the parking area of Mellon Learning Center directly across the street from PJSHS. Thank you!

We are excited to welcome our students back August 12th for the 2024-25 school year! Please make sure your child's vaccines and physical examinations are up to date. Vaccinations can be obtained at your personal physician or the county health department. If your child requires prescription medication or a treatment during school hours, a current signed physician order is required. All over-the-counter medications require a signed parent consent form. Please visit the district's health services page for more information. For questions, call your child's school or the District at 386-329-0538. Thank you! https://www.putnamschools.org/page/health-services

Attention Ochwilla Families!

The Putnam County Family Resource Center is Palatka’s one-stop-shop for guided support to navigate local community social services including health care, mental health care, family and youth resources and more. Because no child, no family should face the tough times alone. https://chsfl.org/services/putnam-family-resource-center/

🌟 You're Invited! 🌟 Join the Putnam County School District for an exciting opportunity! 🎓 District-Wide Career Fair 📅 June 12th, 1:00 - 4:00 PM 🏫 Palatka Jr Sr High School Know someone looking for a job? Spread the word! Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Explore endless possibilities and join the PCSD family. Bring your resume and meet representatives from various fields. Let's come together to shape the future of Putnam County! See you there!

The Putnam County School District is in the process of applying for a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant for the following schools: Ochwilla Elementary School and Mellon Learning Center. We are encouraging stakeholders to participate by providing input on the grant application by contacting Kirk Collier at kcollier@my.putnamschools.org. The grant submission deadline is May 31st.

The Tdap (Tetanus Diptheria Pertussis) booster is required for all students entering the 7th grade. PCSD has partnered with the Putnam county health department to offer the TDAP vaccine at no cost to 6th grade students during school hours on May 16, 2024. If you want your child to receive the vaccine at school, please complete and return the consent form recently sent home with students. Thank you for your support in getting your 6th grader ready for 7th grade enrollment. Forms can also be found here: https://tinyurl.com/PCSDTdap

Resilient Roots - Our Family's Mental Health is just as Important as Physical Health! It Affects how we Think, Feel, and Act! Join us for a five week series, Family Therapy Group, hosted by our PCSD Mental Wellness Department. Sessions will be on Tuesdays (starting May 28th), 6:00PM-8:00PM at PCSD's Mental Wellness Department (Moseley Training Center). ANY Family who has a child enrolled in PCSD is eligible to attend (child must be 12-17 years of age). NO COST to participate! To sign up and participate, please call (386) 312-2286!

FLORIDA PREPAID It’s never too early to kickstart your child’s future with Florida Prepaid. Start Saving Today! https://bit.ly/3IhOKKW #ProudtobePCSD

Attention Owl Families! Check out the April edition of our Monthly Newsletter here: https://5il.co/2i83n

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This year we invite all students from 3rd to 12th grade to participate in our poster contest. There will be awards for winners in both the elementary and secondary age groups. Our theme this year is Mental Resiliency – “Show us How You Bounce Back from Stress.” All posters must be completed and turned in to your guidance counselor by April 30th, 2024, and awards will be given to our winners in May. We would love to see as many posters as possible this year, so get your art supplies out and show us how you “Bounce Back.” We are also asking that everyone wear green on each Monday in May, to show our support for Mental Health Awareness. The only way we can stop the stigma is to work together! #ProudtobePCSD

There is still time to submit your nominations for the Product of Putnam award at PCSD! This is your chance to recognize outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to our community. If you know someone who embodies the spirit of excellence and dedication, nominate them today for this esteemed honor. Let's celebrate the incredible achievements within our community and shine a spotlight on those who truly make a difference. Nomination window closes April 5th. Submit your nominations and let's honor the best of PCSD & Putnam County! Link to Nomination Form: https://www.putnamschools.org/forms/6025 Link to see past Product of Putnam Honorees: https://www.putnamschools.org/page/product-of-putnam #ProudtobePCSD