Oglethorpe Ave. Elementary Welcomes Students and Parents Back to School

As everyone is squeezing in their last vacation days here in Athens-Clarke county, teachers and school administrators are getting in gear for the first day of school, August 7. Several  neighborhood schools will be hosting ice cream socials and playground days. These gatherings, besides being a way to meet teachers and learn more about the school, are also meant to create a sense of community among parents.

“We know that when parents know the parents of their children's friends, those kids are less likely to get in trouble and more likely to do well in school,” says Linda Renzulli, PTA president at OAES. With about 600 students, this urban elementary school boasts expansive grounds, with two playgrounds, a nature trail and a baseball field. Renzulli, along with parents and principal Dr. Scarlett Dunne, has worked tirelessly to foster a stronger sense of community at OAES, scheduling events and activities that welcome families into the school.

Perhaps you live in the Oglethorpe Ave. district but have not yet determined this is where your child will go to school, or maybe you are planning on moving to the district in the future. Either way, attending Playground Day could be an excellent opportunity for you to hear opinions from other parents and get a feel for what daily life is like at OAES.

If you are not in the OAES school district, check the list below for dates of social gatherings at the school in your neighborhood.

Alps Rd: Ice Cream Social, Monday, August 5, 4p-6p

Barnett Shoals: Ice Cream Social, Monday, August 5, 3:30p-5:30p

Barrow: Open House; Tuesday, August 6, 3p-5p / New Parent Orientation; Friday, August 9, 8p-9p

Chase St: Ice Cream Social, Monday, August 5, 3:30p-5:30p

Cleveland Rd: Meet Your Teacher, Monday, August 5, 1p-3p

Fowler Dr: Open House, Monday, August 5, 4p-6p

Gaines: Ice Cream Social, Monday, August 5, 2p-4p

J.J. Harris: Open House, Monday, August 5, 3p-5p

Oglethorpe Ave: Pre-K/Kindergarten Playdate, Thursday, August 1, 6p / New Parent Orientation, Tuesday, August 6, 1p / Ice Cream Social and Uniform Drive, Tuesday, August 6, 2:30p-4p

H.B. Stroud: Meet Your Teacher, Monday, August 5, 4p-6p

Timothy Rd: Ice Cream Social, Monday, August 5, 3p-4:30p

Whit Davis: Ice Cream Social, Monday, August 5, 3p-5p

Whitehead Rd: Ice Cream Social, Monday, August 5, 3p-4:30p