Mrs. Calhoun’s 4th grade scientists have been busy exploring weathering, erosion, and fossils! 🪨 One student shared his incredible rock and fossil collection—many pieces found while digging at Old Mill—which inspired the whole class. Students brought in their own treasures from home and even went on a recess hunt for more! They set up mini “exhibit stations” to showcase their collections, share discoveries, and do a little trading. This hands-on learning was a perfect example of being Productive Collaborators, as students learned from each other, worked together, and celebrated their findings. 🌍✨
Safe Schools Week – Day 4 🛡️✨
Today’s theme is “Capture Responsibility: Own Your Actions.”
Classes are focusing on Looking Out for Each Other:
✔️ Notice when someone needs help—like picking up supplies or finding a friend.
✔️ Encourage classmates who might be having a tough day.
✔️ Celebrate kindness whenever you see it! 🌟
Together, we can make our school a place where everyone feels included, supported, and safe. 💛
Today’s theme is “Capture Responsibility: Own Your Actions.”
Classes are focusing on Looking Out for Each Other:
✔️ Notice when someone needs help—like picking up supplies or finding a friend.
✔️ Encourage classmates who might be having a tough day.
✔️ Celebrate kindness whenever you see it! 🌟
Together, we can make our school a place where everyone feels included, supported, and safe. 💛
📢 Real-World Experts in 5th Grade!
This week, our 5th graders had the chance to learn from two incredible guest speakers as we launched our new authentic projects.
✨ Crystal Roberts, local realtor, visited to help kick off our social studies project, “What motivates the movement and settlement of people?” Just like families in the 1600s had to weigh important factors before choosing a colony, students learned how modern families consider location, resources, opportunities, and community when deciding where to live.
🐾 We also welcomed Elk Creek Animal Hospital, who helped us begin our math project, “How can we design enclosures with the right volume so that pets have enough space to be healthy and happy?” Students heard firsthand about the needs of different animals and saw how math connects to real-world care and design.
We are so thankful to Crystal Roberts and Elk Creek Animal Hospital for sharing their time and expertise. These experiences made our projects come alive and showed students how classroom learning connects directly to the world around them
This week, our 5th graders had the chance to learn from two incredible guest speakers as we launched our new authentic projects.
✨ Crystal Roberts, local realtor, visited to help kick off our social studies project, “What motivates the movement and settlement of people?” Just like families in the 1600s had to weigh important factors before choosing a colony, students learned how modern families consider location, resources, opportunities, and community when deciding where to live.
🐾 We also welcomed Elk Creek Animal Hospital, who helped us begin our math project, “How can we design enclosures with the right volume so that pets have enough space to be healthy and happy?” Students heard firsthand about the needs of different animals and saw how math connects to real-world care and design.
We are so thankful to Crystal Roberts and Elk Creek Animal Hospital for sharing their time and expertise. These experiences made our projects come alive and showed students how classroom learning connects directly to the world around them
Tonight’s the night! 🎉 If you’ve been looking for a way to get more involved at Old Mill, we’d love to see you at our Volunteer Meeting! Whether you’re interested in helping during the school day or joining us for events outside of school hours, this is the perfect chance to get plugged in and make a difference.
This week's student spotlight goes out to Max M. Max is such a thoughtful and dependable friend. He always notices when someone is in need, and without hesitation, he shows up with a kind smile and a helping hand. Max demonstrates what it means to be a Self-Directed Navigator, taking responsibility to act with kindness and showing initiative to step in and help without being asked.
🍁Fall Festival is almost here! Our PTO officer, Emily McDonald, has put together a quick video with everything you need to know — from raffles and tickets to locations of events.
Take a minute to watch so you don’t miss a thing! We can’t wait to see our school community come together and celebrate!
https://youtube.com/shorts/C_masDmBdk4?feature=shared
Safe Schools Week – Day 3 🛡️✨
Today our theme is “Adjusting the Focus: Speak Up, Stay Safe.”
One way we keep our school safe is by using our voices:
✔️ If you see something unsafe, tell a trusted adult right away.
✔️ If someone is being left out, invite them to join.
✔️ If a friend is upset, check in and show you care.
When we speak up and look out for one another, we help protect our entire school family. 💛
Today our theme is “Adjusting the Focus: Speak Up, Stay Safe.”
One way we keep our school safe is by using our voices:
✔️ If you see something unsafe, tell a trusted adult right away.
✔️ If someone is being left out, invite them to join.
✔️ If a friend is upset, check in and show you care.
When we speak up and look out for one another, we help protect our entire school family. 💛
Today is Day 2: Focus on School Safety—and we’re zooming in on Kindness. 💛 Small actions, like being kind, following rules, and looking out for one another, make a BIG difference in creating a safe school.
When students, teachers, families, and our community work together, we build a place where everyone feels safe, happy, and ready to learn.
Let’s keep our eyes open 👀, use our voices in positive ways 🗣️, and spread kindness everywhere we go! 🌟
When students, teachers, families, and our community work together, we build a place where everyone feels safe, happy, and ready to learn.
Let’s keep our eyes open 👀, use our voices in positive ways 🗣️, and spread kindness everywhere we go! 🌟
🌟 Staff Shout-Out: Mrs. Dixon! 🌟
Thank you, Mrs. Dixon, for always being willing to help out in any capacity that’s needed. You show up with a smile, never expecting anything in return, and set a powerful example of service before self. We are so grateful for the way you model this core competency each day! 💙
Thank you, Mrs. Dixon, for always being willing to help out in any capacity that’s needed. You show up with a smile, never expecting anything in return, and set a powerful example of service before self. We are so grateful for the way you model this core competency each day! 💙
It’s Safe Schools Week! 🛡️✨
Today’s theme is “Focus on School Safety”—all about the little things that make a BIG difference, like being kind, following the rules, and looking out for one another.
When students, teachers, families, and our community work together, we create a school where everyone feels safe, happy, and ready to learn.
Let’s keep our eyes open 👀, use our voices in positive ways 🗣️, and take care of each other every day! 💛
Today’s theme is “Focus on School Safety”—all about the little things that make a BIG difference, like being kind, following the rules, and looking out for one another.
When students, teachers, families, and our community work together, we create a school where everyone feels safe, happy, and ready to learn.
Let’s keep our eyes open 👀, use our voices in positive ways 🗣️, and take care of each other every day! 💛
Having trouble logging in to Beanstack or helping your kids get logged in?
No worries — follow the steps below to get started and keep those reading minutes rolling! Let’s see who can climb the leaderboard this week! 🚀
Math magic was happening in Ms. Whittaker’s room this week! Students had a blast learning the distributive property of multiplication in a fun, hands-on way that made math come alive!
Today in Ms. Wells’ class, kindergarteners practiced letter formation through interactive games — and even took their practice to the giant sandpit at the natural playground!
🎃📚 OMES Storybook Character Pumpkin Contest 📚🎃
Get creative this fall and join our Storybook Character Pumpkin Contest at the OMES Fall Festival! Students are invited to decorate a pumpkin to look like their favorite storybook character.
Bring your finished pumpkin to the Library or STEAM Room by September 25th to be entered. During the Fall Festival, families will cast their votes for their favorite pumpkin using tickets.
The pumpkin with the most votes will win $100 to spend at the Book Fair!
Show off your creativity, celebrate your favorite stories, and join the fun!
Get creative this fall and join our Storybook Character Pumpkin Contest at the OMES Fall Festival! Students are invited to decorate a pumpkin to look like their favorite storybook character.
Bring your finished pumpkin to the Library or STEAM Room by September 25th to be entered. During the Fall Festival, families will cast their votes for their favorite pumpkin using tickets.
The pumpkin with the most votes will win $100 to spend at the Book Fair!
Show off your creativity, celebrate your favorite stories, and join the fun!
Today in 2nd grade, our students practiced subtracting using mental math strategies while also becoming effective communicators through active listening. 🧠👂
It’s amazing to see their confidence grow as they share their thinking and learn from each other!
Have a great weekend! Click below to see Mrs. Joiners weekly update!
https://youtube.com/shorts/aaNefVqO_es?si=AoK7GmHal11SpwK_
📚✨ Top Readers of the Week! ✨📚
We are so proud of our Koalas who logged the most minutes on Beanstack this week! Your love for reading inspires all of us to keep turning pages and discovering new adventures. 💛
We are so proud of our Koalas who logged the most minutes on Beanstack this week! Your love for reading inspires all of us to keep turning pages and discovering new adventures. 💛
Next week, we will be recognizing Safe Schools Week at Old Mill Elementary! 💙 Each day, our Koalas will focus on building a safe and supportive school by learning about:
Positivity
Kindness
Responsibility
Developing the “Full Picture” of School Safety
Students will explore these topics in their classrooms through discussions and activities, and we will also be hosting district-wide poster and essay contests.
Some of this work will be completed at school, but we’d love for you to join us by continuing the conversation at home! Ask your student about what they learned each day and encourage them to participate in the contests.
Together, we can make Old Mill a place where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued!
In Mrs. Grady’s 5th grade class, students took ownership of their learning by running their own Socratic Seminar during reading group. As Self-Directed Navigators, they prepared thoughtful questions, guided the discussion flow, and ensured everyone had a voice. At the same time, they practiced being Effective Communicators, listening actively to their peers, responding respectfully, and backing up their ideas with evidence from the text. By combining leadership, collaboration, and critical thinking, the group demonstrated how students can drive deep and meaningful conversations when given the responsibility to lead.
🌟 Student Spotlight: Waylon 🌟
Waylon showed what it means to be a productive collaborator in Maker Space! When he noticed a classmate needed supplies, he stepped in and shared—without even being asked by an adult. His thoughtful actions helped his neighbor keep creating and showed how working together makes us all stronger. Way to go, Waylon! 👏
Waylon showed what it means to be a productive collaborator in Maker Space! When he noticed a classmate needed supplies, he stepped in and shared—without even being asked by an adult. His thoughtful actions helped his neighbor keep creating and showed how working together makes us all stronger. Way to go, Waylon! 👏
