Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary

Happy Summer, Wildcats! 💛💙 Yesterday was a whirlwind of heartfelt tears, tight hugs, and proud goodbyes as we sent our students into summer—and for our fifth graders, off into the next exciting chapter of middle school. For some of these incredible kids, we’ve 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. It’s never easy to watch them fly—but 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 summer—you’ve earned it! #WildcatPride #OnceAWildcatAlwaysAWildcat #LeaderInMe #OAESStrong #BittersweetGoodbye #HappySummer #WildcatsFlyHigh

Field Day 2025 was a smashing success—and 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 days—sunshine, 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 all—we 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 isn’t just an event at OAES—it’s a tradition, and under Ms. Herbert’s leadership, it keeps getting better every single year. She creates an environment where every child feels included, challenged, celebrated, and above all—LOVED. Thank you, Ms. Herbert, for turning a day into a memory that our Wildcats will carry with them for years to come. 💙💛 Sleep well tonight, Wildcats (and staff—we know you will!). You’ve earned it. #WildcatPride #FieldDay2025 #OAESrocks #ThankYouMsHerbert #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork #BestDayEver #LeaderInMe #OAESmoments #GratitudeInAction

Our 5th graders are moving on up—and Burney-Harris-Lyons is ready to welcome them with open arms! 🎉 This Saturday, May 17th from 12–4 PM, BHL is hosting their 1st Annual Spring Fling at the bus loop behind the school. It’s 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. Let’s show up and show out for our rising 6th graders! 💙💛 #WildcatPride #FutureLions #MiddleSchoolHereWeCome #OAESConnections #CommunityStrong #BHLspringfling

🐾 Wildcat Pride Runs Deep 🐾 At OAES, our teachers and staff go above and beyond—every 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, we’re taking time to recognize just how lucky we are to have them. We’ve 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. 📖 See what makes us great here: https://bit.ly/OAESreviews #TeacherAppreciationWeek #WildcatPride #OrgulloWildcat #OAES #WeLoveOurTeachers #CCSDProud #GratitudeInAction

Let’s hear it for our Wildcat athletes! 🏐💙 Three of Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary’s very own students—Ava Bell (2nd grade), Kinley Johnson (3rd grade), and Jayde Foote (4th grade)—represented 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 8–1 record! We are so proud of their hard work, talent, and teamwork. The future of Wildcat volleyball is looking bright, and we can’t 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! 💙📚🎉 #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 we’ve lost, and raises critical funds for cancer research and support. It was a night filled with hope, love, and unity—and 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 year—Market 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

Fourth grade scientists got their hands dirty today with one of our favorite hands-on investigations—owl pellet dissections! 🦉🔍 Armed with tweezers, gloves, and serious curiosity, our Wildcats uncovered tiny bones, beaks, and teeth… and one lucky student even discovered a whole baby bird skeleton! As we explored what owls eat and how food chains work, our classrooms were filled with excitement, awe, and a little bit of grossed-out laughter. Just the way we like it! #FutureScientists #STEMinAction #WildcatsWonder #LearningIsMessy #ScienceIsCool #WildcatPride #HandsOnLearning

This morning, we welcomed our 4th and 5th grade families to the library for a special conversation about STAMP Spanish Assessment results and the exciting road ahead as our Wildcats prepare to transition to Burney-Harris-Lyons. With help from district World Languages Coordinator Ms. Ana Diaz, we had the chance to dive into what it means to grow as bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural learners—and celebrate just how far our students have come. ¡Estamos muy orgullosos de nuestros estudiantes! If you missed this morning’s session, we’d love to see you this afternoon at 3pm for round two. #BilingualPride #WildcatsRead #CCSDReads #DualLanguage #SomosOAES #Literacy4Life #LíderesDelFuturo #WildcatPride

Let’s go, Wildcats! Our boys soccer team is heading to the CHAMPIONSHIP game tonight at 6:30 PM at Holland Park! Come out and cheer them on as they fight for the title—bring the energy, wear your Wildcat gold, and let’s pack the stands! #WildcatPride #ChampionshipBound #GoWildcats #OAESSoccer

Let’s Goooooo! Our boys defeated Barrow last night in the semifinals 4-0! They advance to the championship tomorrow at 6:30pm Holland Park against Timothy. Good luck boys!!!!!! ⚽️💙💛

📚 It’s Books for Keeps Week at OAES! Thanks to the incredible support of this local nonprofit, every single Wildcat will visit the library this week to select 12 brand new books—completely free! Just like a traditional book fair, students get to browse, choose what excites them, and build their own personal libraries. We’re so grateful to Books for Keeps for putting the joy of reading into our students’ hands and hearts. 💛 #BooksForKeeps #WildcatsRead #CCSDReads #Literacy4Life #ReadingIsPower #BookJoy #OAESReaders #PublicSchoolProud

Big thanks to Dr. Turman, principal of BHL, for visiting our 5th graders yesterday! She shared all the exciting opportunities, programs, and activities waiting for them as future middle schoolers at Burney-Harris-Lyons—and our students were all ears! Rising 6th Grade Parent Night will be held on Wednesday, May 7th at 6:00 PM at BHL. Mark your calendars and get ready for this next big adventure! #WildcatsOnTheMove #MiddleSchoolReady #BHLBound #FutureLions

Join us tonight to learn about our DLI program. Our PK-K application for 2025-26 is now open! Apply today! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdH9MME4cS-Uk17CKCJ5R5oNdsgQuDc6nJGa79FF18-UKdI4g/viewform

What a Day to Remember! 🎉💙💛 Today, we had the absolute honor of celebrating our incredible Special Olympians as they made their triumphant sendoff to the CCSD Summer Games Special Olympics! With paper bouquets and torches in hand and laurel wreaths atop their heads, they walked out to cheers, love, and overwhelming support from their Wildcat family. Their excitement and joy were contagious, and we could not be prouder of the way they represented OAES with heart, determination, and Wildcat spirit! 🏅👏 Way to go, champions—we are so proud of you! 💙💛 #WildcatPride #SpecialOlympics #CCSDChampionMindset #CelebratingAbilities #GoWildcats

Last week’s Book Fair was more than just a chance to shop for new reads—it was a true celebration of community, generosity, and the power of giving back. We were blown away by the kindness and support from Athens Ford, whose sponsorship made an unforgettable impact on our students. Thanks to the incredible generosity of Brian Cloer, Adam Metts, Kallie Samaltanos, and the entire Athens Ford team, over 200 students were able to shop for books, and more than 100 others received help covering overages and taxes—making book ownership a reality for so many of our Wildcats. And as if that weren’t enough, they even set up a snack table to fuel our young readers as they picked out their next favorite stories. This partnership is a shining example of what happens when businesses invest in their communities—not just with donations, but with heart. Athens Ford, you didn’t just support a Book Fair. You gave kids the joy of book ownership, the pride of choice, and the message that their love of reading matters. We are endlessly grateful, and we hope this is just the beginning of something truly special. Wildcats, if you see an Athens Ford team member, be sure to give them a big THANK YOU! 💙💛📚 #AthensFordGivesBack #CCSDReads #WildcatsRead #BooksForAll #CommunityMatters #LiteracyForLife

Have you heard the news about our Wildcat Den? 🎉 Students have been putting their leadership skills into action by choosing how to spend their hard-earned PBIS points—whether cashing them in at the school store or saving up for something even bigger: time in the Wildcat Den! Our tiniest Wildcats have been making the most of their rewards—shooting hoops, playing golf, challenging Principal Curry to a game of pool, and even facing off in a video game tournament! This is a perfect example of Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind and Habit 3: Put First Things First—setting goals, making smart choices, and enjoying the rewards of hard work. Keep leading, keep earning, and keep having fun, Wildcats! 💙💛 #CCSDLeaderInMe #WildcatsLead #BeginWithTheEndInMind #PutFirstThingsFirst #PBISRewards #EarnItOwnItLoveIt

OAES has been on a literacy mission in 2025, and last week was one for the books! Our Literacy Night was an absolute hit, bringing families together for a night of adventure, learning, and fun. We kicked things off with an electrifying interactive storytime led by the incredible Mama Koku—storyteller and actress from The Color Purple (1985). She had kids out of their seats, dancing, laughing, and fully immersed in the magic of storytelling. From there, students grabbed their passports and set off on a global journey, collecting stamps at literacy stations as they explored Around the World Through Books. The excitement didn’t stop there! We were honored to host representatives from the ACC Library, Books for Keeps, the Georgia Museum of Art, and Chess and Community—each bringing something special to the night. A huge thank you to our students, families, and community partners for making this event one to remember. Here’s to more nights filled with stories, adventure, and the joy of reading! 📚✨ #CCSDReads #Literacy4Life #WildcatsRead #ReadersAreLeaders #BooksBringUsTogether #ReadAcrossTheGlobe

🚨📚 Read Across America Week is almost here at OAES! Get ready for a week of exciting dress-up days and activities celebrating the power of reading and storytelling! 🎉 ✨ Monday – "Know Your Power" – Wear Your Favorite Color Day Start the week by showing your individuality and confidence—wear your favorite color to celebrate the power of being YOU! 💪 👩‍🏫 Tuesday – "Engage with Community" – Career Day Dress as a community helper—whether it’s a teacher, doctor, artist, or scientist! Let’s celebrate the incredible people who make a difference in our communities as we are visited by many of our community helpers ready to tell you about their Careers! 🌟 🌎 Wednesday – "Revel in Your Heritage" – Culture Day Celebrate diversity by wearing clothing that connects to your heritage, your family’s background, or a country that you love! 🌍 💖 Thursday – "Cultivate Compassion" – Kindness Day Spread positivity and kindness with a shirt that shares a message of love, or wear rainbow colors to symbolize how we can make the world brighter together! 💖 🎉 Thursday Night – Literacy Night from 6:00-7:00 PM Come early—La Parrilla will be available for purchase starting at 5:30 PM so you can grab a delicious dinner before our literacy adventure begins! 🌮✨ You won’t want to miss hands-on activities and special guests, including Mama Koku (who played Daisy in the 1985 The Color Purple), plus representatives from the ACC Library, Georgia Museum of Art, Books for Keeps, and Chess & Community! 📚🤩 🛏️ Friday – "Find Your Way" – Pajama Day End the week comfy and cozy! Wear your favorite PJs and celebrate the power of stories and dreams! 😴 And don’t forget: We are still looking for Guest Readers to visit classrooms on Friday! If you’d like to help promote literacy and bring the joy of reading to our students, sign up here: https://bit.ly/oaesraa 📖 Let’s make this week one to remember! 🙌 #ReadAcrossAmerica #LiteracyMatters #ReadAcrossAmericaWeek #OAES #Community #CCSDReads #Literacy4Life