Ocean Palms Elementary School
Haven’t taken the SAC survey yet! It is not too late. Click on the link below:
https://surveys.stjohns.k12.fl.us/TakeSurvey.aspx?PageNumber=1&SurveyID=88KJ4plM&Preview=true
Pride and Excellence….realizing our dreams through leadership
Meet Mr. King, the New Principal for the K-8 school located in Nocatee. He will be at Ocean Palms on Tuesday April 1st @ 6:00.
Wierda’s Weekly Words
STEM and OPE Synergy
Dear Parents and Friends of Ocean Palms,
We are preparing for our First Annual OPE STEM Night as we celebrate student learning in the areas of math, science, technology and leadership. I hope that you can join us tonight between 6 – 7:30pm in order to experience some of the wonderful accomplishments of our fabulous students. Many thanks to our SAC Team along with our entire staff for sponsoring and spearheading this initiative.
We are headed into Spring Break with a Teacher Planning Day on the 14th. It is hard to believe that our final nine weeks of the school year are just around the corner. It has been a lively year of 900 students, many new staff members, the continuation of in-depth learning and continued growth as educators and students. Thank you all for your involvement and contributions this school year; we have so much more to come! Our Spring Family Night and Leadership Extravaganza are coming up in the month of May and many more special events are on the horizon. Stay tuned!
Community service continues to be embraced at Ocean Palms. I wish to thank Ms. Schottle along with the entire fifth grade team in our recent OPE Shoe Drive. It was an amazing success as 196 pairs of shoes were collected to give to a local school in need. Our children worked diligently and with great passion on this project. Our children love community service and to help others. Don’t forget to also keep sending in your can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. Our OPE students surely know how to get things done!
As our children continue to engage in community service, we are enthused because as educators we understand that in the most rapidly improving schools, there is an important organizational shift from a focus on teaching and what teachers do, to a focus on learning and what students do. This is the epitome of student leadership. The entire system is engaged in facilitating learning.
Bill Daggett, renowned educator and researcher, reminds us that this shift in approach requires adjustments in curriculum, assessment, and much more, including:
The use of technology to change how we teach, not merely to make traditional practices more “digital” and effective.
The use of data via data dashboards and data diagnostics to improve and adjust instruction.
The use of formative assessments for diagnostic purposes and to customize instructional strategies.
The reorganization of instructional programs to give students opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills across disciplines.
A strategic classroom focus on learning rather than teaching.
Embracing both college and career readiness for all students.
Sustained effort is required by organizational leadership, instructional leadership, and teachers to address the many changes that are needed to turn 20th century education into 21st century learning.
At Ocean Palms we embrace the challenge of 21st century learning, and we are dedicated to helping to create effective global citizens. We look forward to our future as a school and a cutting edge learning community. We know that it is only through our collective synergy that we will continue our path to success.
Synergy? Absolutely! Together is better at OPE.
Enjoy the week and grab a great book this weekend.
With Appreciation,
Betsy Wierda Learning Leader
In a continuing effort to provide safety and security to our students and staff we ask that you complete a School Access Form if you plan to enter a facility in the St. Johns County School District. Any person passing beyond the front office area must show a valid driver’s license or state identification card.
You can find this form under our volunteer tab! Fill yours out today!
Spanish Classes are now forming. Click the link to view the registration form flyer Spanish Sign Up
Empowering Excellence in Educators 
Learn about St. Johns County School District’s new instructional evaluation system that will advance student growth and academic achievement. Catching Leadership Our inspiring video, created and produced by OPE 5th graders in preparation for our new 2012-2013 leadership initiative “The Leader in Me.” Welcome! Welcome to the Ocean Palms Elementary School website! We hope you enjoy our newly
