š Congratulations to our 2025ā2026 Teacher of the Year, Megan Garcia! š
Ms. Garcia, our incredible Kindergarten DLI English teacher, is the kind of colleague and educator who makes Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary shine. With 17 years of teaching experienceāincluding the last four in DLI Kindergartenāshe is as steady and dependable as they come. Rock-solid, capable, and endlessly compassionate, she always gets the job done with grace, patience, and love.
Ms. Garcia believes every child can learn and deserves to feel safe, valued, and like they belong. She works tirelessly to create a classroom that is welcoming and inclusive, where each child feels special and seen. Whether itās acting out stories with finger puppets to bring literature to life, or pausing to celebrate even the smallest victories, she makes learning joyful, engaging, and meaningful. Her students donāt just leave her classroom stronger learnersāthey leave knowing they are loved and capable.
Beyond her classroom, Ms. Garcia is a true culture-builder. She leads with kindness, reminding her students (and all of us) that helping others, spreading positivity, and lifting people up matters. As she puts it: āKindness goes a long way because we never know what another person is going through.ā She models this every dayāsmiling, encouraging, and giving her best not only to her students but to her colleagues and school community. That ripple of kindness is powerful and lasting; itās why her impact is felt far beyond her own classroom walls.
Ms. Garcia, you embody everything we hope for in a Teacher of the Year. You remind us that teaching is not just about instruction, but about heart, connection, and the belief that every child deserves to be seen, cherished, and celebrated.
We are so proud to honor you and grateful every day that you share your gifts with our Wildcats. Thank you for lifting our school Up, Up, and Away! šāØ
šš Congratulations, Ms. Garciaāyou are extraordinary. šš
#WildcatPride #TeacherOfTheYear #UpUpAndAway
šøāØ Picture Day is this Thursday, Wildcats! āØšø
Time to bring those bright smiles, sharp outfits, and Wildcat confidenceābecause these photos will capture memories that last all year long. We canāt wait to see everyone dressed to impress and ready to shine. šš
#WildcatPride #UpUpAndAway #SchoolPictureDay
Time to bring those bright smiles, sharp outfits, and Wildcat confidenceābecause these photos will capture memories that last all year long. We canāt wait to see everyone dressed to impress and ready to shine. šš
#WildcatPride #UpUpAndAway #SchoolPictureDay
šāØ Late post, but worth the wait! Last week we celebrated our hardworking Wildcats who completed our Summer Bridge Program with a well-earned reward party! These students spent their summer filling reading logs and tackling homework to fight the āsummer slide,ā and we couldnāt be prouder of their dedication.
They celebrated with a pizza + pop dance party, then leveled up the fun in our Wildcat Denāpool, air hockey, video games, basketball, golf, and more! š
Way to go, Wildcatsāyour commitment to learning is inspiring! šš #WildcatPride #ReadersAreLeaders #LeaderInMe
š Celebrating Our Teacher of the Year Finalists! š
We are overjoyed to introduce our 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year finalists! These phenomenal educators were nominated by peers, parents, and the public for their unwavering dedication, passion, and the incredible impact they have on our Wildcats every single day. Each of them brings heart, creativity, and energy into the classroom, inspiring students to learn, grow, and soar to new heights. šš
Later this week, our staff will cast their votes to select our Teacher of the Yearābut today, we want to honor all of these amazing nominees for everything they do to make Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary a place where learning, leadership, and community thrive.
We are so grateful to work alongside these educators and for the way they make our school a brighter, kinder, and more inspiring place every day. Join us in congratulating our finalists in the comments and celebrating the incredible work happening in every classroom!
#TeacherOfTheYear #WildcatPride #OAESstrong #UpUpAndAway #EveryDayCounts #LeaderInMe
š„āØ News Crew Applications Are Open! āØš„
Attention Wildcat families! Our 5th grade students now have the chance to apply for the News Crew, the team that runs our daily morning broadcast.
ā Eligible to 5th graders only
ā Safety Patrol members are not eligible
ā Students must have a media release on file
ā Students must arrive in the library by 7:20 AM with breakfast finished. Repeated tardies will result in removal.
Roles include anchors, director, tech, and cameraāgiving students the opportunity to build leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.
š Applications close next Tuesday
š¤ Auditions will be held during lunch blocks next week
Applications are available through Clever, and teachers may also nominate students who would be a great fit. Talk to your leaders about applying!
We canāt wait to see who will shine on this yearās News Crew! š
#WildcatNews #StudentLeaders #5thGrade #OglethorpeAveElementary
Attention Wildcat families! Our 5th grade students now have the chance to apply for the News Crew, the team that runs our daily morning broadcast.
ā Eligible to 5th graders only
ā Safety Patrol members are not eligible
ā Students must have a media release on file
ā Students must arrive in the library by 7:20 AM with breakfast finished. Repeated tardies will result in removal.
Roles include anchors, director, tech, and cameraāgiving students the opportunity to build leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.
š Applications close next Tuesday
š¤ Auditions will be held during lunch blocks next week
Applications are available through Clever, and teachers may also nominate students who would be a great fit. Talk to your leaders about applying!
We canāt wait to see who will shine on this yearās News Crew! š
#WildcatNews #StudentLeaders #5thGrade #OglethorpeAveElementary
šāØ Itās OFFICIAL, Wildcats! āØš
Oglethorpe Avenue is making history with our FIRST EVER Volleyball season! š
Come cheer on your Wildcats as we bump, set, and spike our way through an unforgettable season. š¾š„
Letās pack the stands and show CCSD what Wildcat Pride looks like! šš
#WildcatVolleyball #MakingHistory #WildcatPride #GoWildcats
šāØ Ā”Es OFICIAL, Wildcats! āØš
Ā”Oglethorpe Avenue estĆ” haciendo historia con nuestra PRIMERA temporada de voleibol! š
Ven a animar a tus Wildcats mientras rematamos, colocamos y golpeamos en una temporada inolvidable. š¾š„
Ā”Llenemos las gradas y demostremos al CCSD lo que es el orgullo Wildcat! šš
#WildcatVolleyball #HaciendoHistoria #OrgulloWildcat #VamosWildcats
š The school year may have just begun, but some of our littlest Leaders are already shining bright! š
Theyāve earned enough leadership points to visit the Wildcat Denāour ultimate reward space filled with video games, board games, basketball, golf, pool, air hockey, and so much more. šš®āļøā³ļø
What a way to kick off the year! šš Our Wildcats are already proving that leadership, responsibility, and positive choices truly pay off.
#WildcatPride #LeaderInMe #UpUpAndAway #WildcatDen #OAESstrong #StudentLeaders
š Calling all 4th and 5th grade girls! š
Weāre thrilled to announce that Volleyball is coming to OAES as an official Wildcat team sport this year! š
TRYOUTS:
š Tuesday & Thursday ā NEXT WEEK
ā Attendance on both days is required for consideration.
IMPORTANT:
Players must be registered for ASP (After School Program). Youāll need to pay the one-time registration fee, but you will not be charged for ASP on tryout days unless we need to send your student there after tryouts.
This is an amazing opportunity to learn new skills, build teamwork, and show that Wildcat Pride on the court! šš
š Sign up here: https://forms.gle/EjWPjvnSevhwjJ2A7
Questions? Reach out to Ms. Arellano or Ms. Wheelerātheyāre ready to help!
#WildcatVolleyball #UpUpAndAway #WildcatPride #OAESstrong #LeaderInMe #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork
Weāre thrilled to announce that Volleyball is coming to OAES as an official Wildcat team sport this year! š
TRYOUTS:
š Tuesday & Thursday ā NEXT WEEK
ā Attendance on both days is required for consideration.
IMPORTANT:
Players must be registered for ASP (After School Program). Youāll need to pay the one-time registration fee, but you will not be charged for ASP on tryout days unless we need to send your student there after tryouts.
This is an amazing opportunity to learn new skills, build teamwork, and show that Wildcat Pride on the court! šš
š Sign up here: https://forms.gle/EjWPjvnSevhwjJ2A7
Questions? Reach out to Ms. Arellano or Ms. Wheelerātheyāre ready to help!
#WildcatVolleyball #UpUpAndAway #WildcatPride #OAESstrong #LeaderInMe #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork
š The first day of school has launched, Wildcats! š
From eager smiles to confident strides, our students touched down this morning ready to lead, learn, and lift off into an amazing year. šš
With the Leader in Me guiding our path, weāre building habits that help us growābeginning with the end in mind and leading with heart. And with our Up, Up, and Away theme, weāre aiming high and embracing every chance to rise.
Hereās to a year of purpose, pride, and possibility. Buckle up, Wildcatsāitās going to be a beautiful ride. šš
#HappyFirstDay #UpUpAndAway #LeaderInMe #WildcatPride #OAESstrong #EveryDayCounts #BackToSchoolMagic #CCSDproud
Todayās Open House was soaring with energy, excitement, and joy! š We met new friends and hugged old ones tightāmarveling at how much our Wildcats have grown in just a few short months.
Students enjoyed popsicles, picked out free books, met their new teachers, and handled all the important back-to-school to-dos. But more than anything, today reminded us just how lucky we are to be part of this incredible community.
Weāre ready to rise up, up, and away into a year filled with learning, laughter, and wildcat pride. Weāll see you bright and early on Wednesdayāitās going to be an amazing year! šāØ
#UpUpAndAway #OAESstrong #WildcatPride #LeaderInMe #EveryDayCounts
Need to do some last-minute school supply shopping on the go this weekend? CCSD school-by-school, grade-by-grade, supply lists are available through TeacherLists!
On your phone, navigate to teacherlists.com:
- Select "I am a parent/guardian"
- Select "Search by state" and pick Georgia
- Start typing in your school's name to find each grade level list!
Remember: If you don't see your school or a list, those schools will be providing all or most supplies. For more information and direct links to each school's lists on TeacherLists, you can reference www.clarke.k12.ga.us/supplies.
On your phone, navigate to teacherlists.com:
- Select "I am a parent/guardian"
- Select "Search by state" and pick Georgia
- Start typing in your school's name to find each grade level list!
Remember: If you don't see your school or a list, those schools will be providing all or most supplies. For more information and direct links to each school's lists on TeacherLists, you can reference www.clarke.k12.ga.us/supplies.
āØ Itās time to shine a spotlight on the teachers who make a difference every single day! āØ
The nomination process for our 2025ā26 Teacher of the Year is officially openāand for the first time, families and students can submit nominations!
Eligible nominees must be certified classroom teachers--this includes homeroom, special education, EIP, gifted, physical education, art, music, STEM, and media specialists. (Note: Administrators, instructional coaches, speech pathologists, and counselors are not eligible.) You may submit as many nominations as you woud like as long as you fill out a new form for each submission.
š Submit your nomination(s) at bit.ly/ccsdteachernomination
š
Deadline: Friday, August 8
š One form per teacherānominate as many as you'd like!
School-level winners will be selected through staff vote and celebrated in early September. Letās come together to recognize the educators who help shape our Wildcatsā minds and hearts each and every day.
#TeacherOfTheYear #WildcatPride #OAESstrong #ThankATeacher #CCSDproud #GratitudeInAction #LeaderInMe #EveryDayCounts #MakeItCount
Happy Summer, Wildcats! šš
Yesterday was a whirlwind of heartfelt tears, tight hugs, and proud goodbyes as we sent our students into summerāand for our fifth graders, off into the next exciting chapter of middle school. For some of these incredible kids, weāve had the joy of watching them grow and thrive in these hallways for nearly a decade. From wide-eyed kindergartners to confident leaders, their journey has been nothing short of remarkable.
Itās never easy to watch them flyābut we know they are more than ready to soar.
To every Wildcat: thank you for the joy, laughter, hard work, and heart you brought to OAES this year. We are so proud of you. Have the best summerāyouāve earned it!
#WildcatPride #OnceAWildcatAlwaysAWildcat #LeaderInMe #OAESStrong #BittersweetGoodbye #HappySummer #WildcatsFlyHigh
Field Day 2025 was a smashing successāand are we even surprised? With Ms. Herbert and the powerhouse specials team leading the charge, the day was destined for greatness! Our Wildcats ran, jumped, tugged, volleyed, danced, bubbled, raced, and laughed their way through a nonstop lineup of fun. It was one of those perfect school daysāsunshine, community, and joy from start to finish.
We want to give a giant shoutout to every single person who made the magic happen: Ms. Prince, Ms. Lindsey, Ms. Wheeler, Ms. Nelms, every volleyball player, every brave soul who mounted a tricycle, every station worker, homeroom teacher, para, and custodian who kept things smooth and safe, and of course, our PTO superheroes who made sure bellies were full and energy stayed high with all those tasty snacks.
But above allāwe need to shine the brightest spotlight on Ms. Herbert. Her tireless planning, passion, creativity, and calm command of the chaos is nothing short of legendary. Field Day isnāt just an event at OAESāitās a tradition, and under Ms. Herbertās leadership, it keeps getting better every single year. She creates an environment where every child feels included, challenged, celebrated, and above allāLOVED.
Thank you, Ms. Herbert, for turning a day into a memory that our Wildcats will carry with them for years to come. šš
Sleep well tonight, Wildcats (and staffāwe know you will!). Youāve earned it.
#WildcatPride #FieldDay2025 #OAESrocks #ThankYouMsHerbert #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork #BestDayEver #LeaderInMe #OAESmoments #GratitudeInAction
Our 5th graders are moving on upāand Burney-Harris-Lyons is ready to welcome them with open arms! š
This Saturday, May 17th from 12ā4 PM, BHL is hosting their 1st Annual Spring Fling at the bus loop behind the school. Itās a perfect chance for our Wildcat families to get to know the BHL community and celebrate this exciting new chapter.
Expect games, student performances, prizes, community resources, and so much more. Letās show up and show out for our rising 6th graders! šš
#WildcatPride #FutureLions #MiddleSchoolHereWeCome #OAESConnections #CommunityStrong #BHLspringfling
š¾ Wildcat Pride Runs Deep š¾
At OAES, our teachers and staff go above and beyondāevery single day. They teach with heart, lead with purpose, and model what it means to show up for others. Their impact echoes far beyond the classroom, and this Teacher Appreciation Week, weāre taking time to recognize just how lucky we are to have them.
Weāve collected 5-star reviews from families, students, and colleagues who see their excellence in action. Read them, share them, and add to the comments to help us celebrate the people who make our school a place of joy, challenge, and growth.
š See what makes us great here: https://bit.ly/OAESreviews
#TeacherAppreciationWeek #WildcatPride #OrgulloWildcat #OAES #WeLoveOurTeachers #CCSDProud #GratitudeInAction
Letās hear it for our Wildcat athletes! šš Three of Oglethorpe Avenue Elementaryās very own studentsāAva Bell (2nd grade), Kinley Johnson (3rd grade), and Jayde Foote (4th grade)ārepresented our school with pride this season as members of the Clarke County School District YDI Volleyball Team. These fierce competitors went head-to-head with teams from Oglethorpe, Madison, and Franklin counties and finished the season with an outstanding 8ā1 record!
We are so proud of their hard work, talent, and teamwork. The future of Wildcat volleyball is looking bright, and we canāt wait to cheer them on again next season! #GoWildcats #WildcatPride #YDIVolleyball #CCSDProud #FutureChampions #StudentAthletes #VolleyballStars
We were so excited to host 175 incredible readers who met their semester reading goal this spring! To celebrate, we shut down the car rider loop and transformed it into a full-on outdoor party. Wildcats enjoyed a beautiful sunny morning filled with snacks, music, and dancing, plus bubbles, chalk art, giant beach balls, and even a soccer match that brought everyone together.
A huge shoutout to our amazing PTO for providing popsicles to keep our readers cool and refreshed, and an even bigger thank you to all the students and families who made daily reading a habit. Your hard work and commitment have helped build a culture of literacy and joy that extends far beyond the classroom. Readers are leaders, and we love to celebrate your growth every step of the way! ššš
#ReadersAreLeaders #WildcatsRead #CCSDReads #Literacy4Life #WildcatPride #PublicSchoolProud #ReadingGoals #KeepReadingGrowing
Tonight our OAES team was proud to walk in the Relay For Life of Greater Athens Area, standing shoulder to shoulder with our community in the fight against cancer. Relay For Life is a powerful event that honors survivors, remembers those weāve lost, and raises critical funds for cancer research and support. It was a night filled with hope, love, and unityāand we were so proud to be part of it.
#RelayForLife #WildcatsWalkForACure #GreaterAthensRelay #HopeLivesHere #OAESPride #CancerAwareness #CommunityStrong
Each year, our first graders wrap up their economics unit with one of the most exciting days of the yearāMarket Day! Students become producers and consumers as they design, create, and sell their own products to classmates. From handmade crafts to creative treats, our young entrepreneurs brought big ideas and even bigger smiles. What a fun and meaningful way to bring learning to life!
#WildcatEconomists #LearningThroughPlay #MarketDayMagic #FutureCEOs #WildcatPride #SocialStudiesInAction
