Message from the Principal
I am very excited to tell you about a new academic initiative we are starting here at Ocee on Monday,
February 8th. Each morning, for the next eight weeks, we are going to be providing additional targeted
instruction to every student in grades 1-5 from 7:45 - 8:15 a.m. This half hour, called TeamTime, will
be dedicated to providing enrichment opportunities for those students who would benefit from a broader
base of knowledge and remediation to those students who need more instruction in various areas. The
tutorial sessions will focus on math and reading skills on alternating weeks. Every staff member in the
building will contribute in one way or another to assist in this effort: all certified teachers, including
music, art, and physical education teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators. To accommodate this
program, our daily schedule has been adjusted slightly for grade 5 special area classes, and Otter Talk,
our closed-circuit news program, will be moved to the afternoon.
Due to budgetary constraints, this year Fulton County Schools will not be able to provide a summer school
experience for students in grades 3 and 5 who score on Level 1 on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test
(CRCT) in April. If there are students in those grades who score on Level 1 this year, they must still take
the retest (which will be administered on May 24 and 25) and score on Level 2 in order to be promoted to the
next grade. This new initiative, which will continue right up until the CRCT, is another way for us to
address the needs of some of our at-risk students before the test. The enrichment component is designed to
enhance the achievement of students who have mastered the on level standards. Teachers will review various
data points (previous standardized test scores, Checkpoints tests, unit tests, review quiz grades, etc.) to
determine which students qualify for remediation or enrichment. Consequently, students may receive
remediation one week and enrichment the next depending on their skill set.
This new program is just another example of how Ocee teachers and staff are working hard to serve the needs
of our students. You can help by making sure that your child attends school every day and that he/she arrives
on time. Thank you, as always, for your support!
Sincerely,
Debbie Pernice
Birthday Treat Update
As you are aware, we work hard to keep our students with food allergies safe while they are at school.
For that reason, all birthday treats from now on will be distributed in the classrooms only. No birthday
treats will be distributed in the cafeteria at all. Please drop off any treats at the front desk. The
teacher will be notified and will pick them up and distribute them. Thank you for helping us meet the
needs of all students in this way.
Ocee PE Blog
