Ocean Palms Elementary School rang in the new school year with the 8:30 a.m. bell on Thursday, Aug. 10. However, for students, staff and families, it was merely the last event in a series, that led up to the first day of school.
On July 31 and Aug. 1, kindergarteners and new families were invited to meet administration, learn about the school, and take a tour at OPE’s annual Kindergarten Tours. With approximately 200 families in attendance over two days, it was the perfect occasion to introduce new families to the OPE community.
Then, on Aug. 3 and 4, teachers and staff were welcomed back to school with a breakfast and lunch. At the lunch, sponsored by Tropical Smoothie Café, staff could be spotted in costumes ranging from superheroes, to chefs, to mermaids. It was a once-upon-a-time-themed day, and teachers were challenged to dress up in what they aspired to be as children. The next day, teachers were treated to a breakfast by Canopy Road Café as they continued their back-to-school planning.
Finally, families were welcomed into school on Aug. 9 for Meet the Teacher. Here students, families and staff met one another, reconnected with friends, learned to navigate the building, discovered how to get involved and delivered their school supplies to classrooms in preparation for school the next day.
So, with that first bell came the end of the back-to-school extravaganza, but it also ushered in the year ahead for the Ocean Palms community.
