Mary Esther Elementary School

We are currently experiencing slow internet speeds district-wide. This may affect phones. We are working with our service provider to get the problem fixed as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

All students and staff are encouraged to wear the color of the day (August 18th - August 29th) to help support our Kindergartners as they learn their colors.
8/18 - Orange
8/19 - Red
8/20 - Yellow
8/21 - Green
8/22 - Pink
8/25 - Purple
8/26 - Blue
8/27 - White
8/28 - Black
8/29 - Brown
Picture Day is 8/27/25

Welcome Back, Thunderbirds!
The first official day back for teachers kicked off in true Mary Esther style! Faculty and staff were welcomed with a yummy Back-to-School Breakfast, fun games with exciting prizes, and the unveiling of our 2025-2026 Thunderbirds Vision.
❤️ Stronger Together
💙 We are Thunderbirds
Here’s to a year of collaboration, growth, and making a difference — together.

New legislation in Florida restricts student use of cellular phones during the school day, aiming to minimize distractions and to support a focused learning environment.

Educational Benefits
Research shows that limiting cell phone use in schools can:
- Improve student focus and attention during instruction
- Boost academic performance and engagement
- Reduce cyberbullying incidents during school hours
- Enhance face-to-face social interactions

Per Florida House Bill 1105 (2025)
Elementary and Middle School Students - the use of a cellular phone is prohibited in elementary and middle school during the school day.

Daily Expectations
- Before/After School: Students will only be able to use their cell phone before the first bell or after the last bell of the day
- During School: Phones must remain put away and out of sight.
- Phone Confiscation: Students in violation of the policy may have their phone temporarily confiscated and disciplinary action may be taken for repeat offenders.

Student or Family Emergencies
- Student Needs to Contact Family: must go to main office
- Family Needs to Contact Student: Call the student's main office
Medical Condition: Students with medical conditions may have phone access with proper documentation
School Emergencies: The school will communicate directly with families

OCSD has partnered with the Florida Department of Health to provide free immunizations to students on the following dates, times, and locations. If you have any questions, please contact your school or local health department for details.

Clinic Dates and Locations:
- August 6 - 9:00AM - 11:00AM - OCSD Central Office, Niceville
- August 8 - 9:00AM - 11:30AM - Shoal River Middle School
- August 8 - 1:00PM - 2:30PM - Bruner Middle School

Vaccines Offered
- Tdap (Required for entry into 7th grade)
- HPV (Human Pappillomavirus)
- Meningitis

Important Information
- Parent/Guardian must be onsite with insurance card (if applicable)
- No record transcription or religious exemptions will be available at the clinic
- After vaccination, students will receive a form with the vaccination date to give to school administration
- School staff will retrieve the official 680 form once it's received - no printing will be done onsite.

Back to School Savings Alert!

Did you know Florida’s Back to School Sales Tax Holiday is now permanent and runs the entire month of August? From August 1–31, families can save on essential school items tax-free — including clothing, school supplies, learning aids, and even personal computers!

Plan your shopping and check out the official list of tax-free items here: https://floridarevenue.com/.../Documents/TIP_25A01-08.pdf

Please note: School supply lists are provided individually by each school. Many of our secondary teachers will share their specific supply requests during orientation or on the first day of school. Reach out to your school if you have any questions!

We can't wait to see everyone back in our buildings on August 11th!

☀️📚 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝗡! 📚☀️
Looking to make your child’s summer reading more exciting? Help them grab a book and check off these sunny spots—because every page is better under the sun! Don't forget the sunscreen!
✅ In the sun
✅ While eating ice cream
✅ At the beach
✅ In a car
✅ By a pool
✅ With a friend
✅ In a park
Whether you're lounging poolside or chilling under a tree, every page counts!
Share your kids' summer reading adventures by tagging us—let's turn this season into a story worth telling!

The final bell of the school year is almost here! Tomorrow, Thursday, May 29, marks the last day of school for students in the Okaloosa County School District. All OCSD schools will follow an early dismissal schedule, and lunch will still be served before students head off to start their summer break! Let’s finish strong and celebrate a year of hard work, growth, and achievement. We’re proud of each and every student, and we wish you a safe, fun, and restful summer!

The Okaloosa County School District has been made aware of scam phone calls targeting parents. In these calls, individuals falsely claim that a student has an outstanding lunch balance and instructs the parent to "press 1" to make a payment immediately. Please be advised: • The Okaloosa County School District does not contact families by phone to request payment in this manner. • Any legitimate communication regarding student meal accounts would come through official district channels. • In the recently reported case, the scammer provided incorrect student information and used what appeared to be a local phone number, which may have been spoofed. If you receive a suspicious call, do not provide personal or payment information. Instead, hang up and contact your child's school or the district's Food Services Department directly for verification. Thank you for helping us keep our families informed and protected.

𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 Next Thursday, March 13, is the last day of the 3rd 9-week grading period. Spring Break begins on Friday, March 14, and continues through Friday, March 21. Monday, March 24, is a Teacher Workday. Students return for the 4th and final 9-week grading period of the 2024-2025 school year on Tuesday, March 25. We hope everyone has a safe and restful week off!

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸! This week, we celebrate and honor our incredible school counselors who play a vital role in supporting our students' academic, social, and emotional well-being. From guiding students through their educational journeys to providing a listening ear and valuable advice, our counselors are always there to help. Thank you to all our dedicated school counselors for your unwavering commitment and the positive impact you make every day. Your hard work and compassion truly make a difference in the lives of our students.

This week, the Okaloosa County School District and the State of Florida are celebrating the joy of reading and the power of literacy! We are highlighting the importance of literacy in our schools and communities. From engaging classroom activities to exciting reading challenges, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Thank you to all our dedicated teachers, librarians, and staff for fostering a love of reading in our students!

Welcome Back, Students and Families! We hope you had a wonderful and relaxing winter break! As we begin the new year, we are excited to welcome everyone back to school and get started with a fresh semester of learning. Prior to winter break our K-2 students took the 2nddiagnostic of iReady and 3-5 students took the F.A.S.TPM2. In the coming days, all 3- 5 students will be taking the iReady Diagnostic and our K-2 students will be taking the F.A.S.T. PM2. These tests help us understand where each student is in their learning and guide us in supporting their growth. The results are an important part of making sure we can meet the needs of every child and provide the right tools for their success. With these results, we can create a personalized learning plan for each student to help them reach their full potential. We encourage students to do their best, stay focused, and take their time. Together, we’ll ensure a successful start to our second semester!---Ms. Johnson

VPK Registration opened January 1st! Okaloosa County VPK schools include: Southside Primary School, Mary Esther Elementary School, Walker Elementary School, Northwood Elementary School, Riverside Elementary School, Edwins Elementary School, Bob Sikes Elementary School, Okaloosa STEMM Academy, and Longwood Elementary School. Before registering at one of the school sites listed above, you must obtain your child's VPK Certificate of Eligibility. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and spots at each site are limited. Registration information can be found at: https://familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com/

We hope you all enjoyed a relaxing Winter Break! We can't wait to welcome our students back to campus on Wednesday, January 8th to start the second semester strong! Please be alert as School Zones will be active!

A line of storms is expected to move into our area overnight and continue through tomorrow evening. We anticipate heavy rainfall, which may lead to brief flash flood conditions and pooling on roadways. At this time, we do not expect any changes to school start times or dismissal. However, we encourage everyone to exercise caution during your commute. If your child is late or misses school due to weather in your area, please provide a note when they return. We will keep you updated if any changes arise. Thank you, and have a great evening!

Every school day counts in a child's academic life....A missed school day is a lost opportunity for students to learn. Students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance. The effects of lost school days build up one absence at a time on individual students. Our attendance goal for daily attendance is that 98% of our students will be present each day.

Free Meals for Kindergarten Students! October 23, 24, and 25

English Language Learners and Parents Night - Thursday, October 17th from 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM. We will have interpreters to help our families: - Complete Free and Reduced Lunch Forms - Explain Why Attendance Matters - Show parents how to access their child's grades online - Provide reading support from New World Reading Initiative - Explain Connect to Literacy, a new program to help our children learn English