Dear OATC Jet Families, 

Welcome to our Parent Communication page! Visit our website every Wednesday evening for important information and updates!

As always if there are any questions you can call the front office at 409-978-8015.

School Spirit Store:

https://shopdreamteams.com/collections/odyssey-academy

OATC School Wide Expectations:

Throughout the first few days and weeks of school we will be heavily focused on our Jets Expectations. These are the school wide expectations that we all agree to adhere to in common areas throughout the building. Mentioning these to your kiddos would really help us support each other.  

Jets focus on these expectations daily:

• Just Be Responsible

• Exhibit Respect

• Be Trustworthy

• Safety First  

Arrival:  

We open the drop-off circle at 7:20 and we close it at 7:45. All staff members are assigned to supervise students starting at 7:50 and must attend to their roles and the children.  

Of course, there is grace on a day-to-day basis - especially on the first week of school! We are all human and need it, plus, the weather in Texas is unpredictable.  

When the line closes, whether at 7:45 on the dot or a few minutes later - all parents must park in the parking lot, in a parking space, and walk their children into the building and be checked in by the front office staff. This is considered being tardy to school.  We will officially start counting tardies on the third week of school - Aug. 18th .  

A few ways that you can help for a safe and quick arrival:

• If possible, have students seated on the passenger side.

• Have doors unlocked when you get in the u-drive.

• Pay attention to the signals of the staff - if you pull all the way up, we can unload more students at one time.

• Have backpacks packed and on,  breakfast finished, love and affirmations given by the time you are in the u-drive. 

Dismissal:  

We start dismissal at 4:00. We end dismissal at 4:30. The teachers leave at 4:35. All students need to be picked up during that time. At 4:35 - 4:40 the door will close, and students will be moved to the front office. There will only be administrators in the building to dismiss the students after 4:40. If you come after 4:40, you will need to park and come into the office to sign the student out. Bring your ID!    

Of course, the first few days of school - we are expecting the dismissal line to be long... please pack your patience. We will be setting goals and adjusting to make sure we have a safe and effective dismissal.  As a reminder, we do not allow walk-up pick-ups. All dismissal pick-ups will be through car rider or day care.

A few ways that you can help for a safe and quick dismissal:

• Have car rider signs displayed on the dashboard. It helps Ms. Arita program the student's name in the system if it is on the driver side. We have inserted a support into dismissal - when you get to the brick wall a staff member will be there to call the name of your student to ensure that they are outside and ready for you. Please show your sign or roll your window down to tell  your student's name. It helps car loading staff if you then move it to the passenger side when you are in the u-drive.

• Have doors unlocked when you get in the u-drive.

• Pay attention to the signals of the staff - if you pull all the way up, we can load more students at one time.

• It is so hard for the staff to not have mini conferences with you in the dismissal line. It seems like it is not a big deal, but it really does hold up the line. Please contact your teacher on dojo or email them if an issue arises. 

Arrival and Dismissal Conduct:  

I know that rules and procedures that are enforced can be frustrating and time consuming... especially if you already have several other pressing matters happening at the same time. 

I truly understand. What I cannot understand or allow is how frustrated parents talk to the staff. Cursing and screaming at the staff is counterproductive and frankly unacceptable. It is also disorderly conduct. Please do not respond to staff that are enforcing procedures with cursing, screaming, or using proximity with the intent to intimidate. This will not be tolerated. We will notify law enforcement. My staff should be able to run the school efficiently, smoothly, and safely. All parties must manage their energy.    

Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions or feedback - jfol100949@odyacad.com  

Dismissal Changes:  

Throughout the year, life will happen and a change in dismissal may need to occur. Please contact the front office with dismissal changes. Teachers will be knee deep in instruction and may not be able to see these needed changes in time. Please contact Kenya in the front office and notify her of the needed changes - she will notify the teacher. Please plan for making dismissal changes by 2:30.  

Also, please make sure that the person picking up is on the emergency contact list of the student. Kenya can help with that as well.

Cellphones:

As another reminder about the new Texas law prohibiting students from using any telecommunication device (cell phones, flip phones, smartwatches, AirPods, Bluetooth headphones, pagers, etc.) at school, we are sharing this visual and attaching the flyer to this email with more detail to ensure we are in compliance with this new law. 

All devices (other than school issued devices) must be turned off and put away in the student's backpack if they are bringing it on campus or simply left at home.  Remember, devices will be turned off and put away at OA!

Friday School:

Friday is an additional opportunity for students to WIN. It is a chance for student to get just "What I Need". Staff will be reaching out to you based on end of the year assessments, absences, and individual student needs to sign up for Friday W.I.N. Time. If you would like your student to attend - please contact Kenya in the front office and we will get you signed up.  

Lunch Menu:

The lunch menu is attached. Currently, we are not accepting visitors during lunch. Our students and staff are getting used to the daily schedule and procedures. We will open lunches up to visitors for the third week of school - Aug. 18th.

Parent Volunteer Opportunities:  

Below is a link to parent volunteer opportunities throughout the school year. Attached to the email is the background check that you need to complete and return to the front office. Please click on the link and let us know how you can help throughout the year.

https://forms.office.com/r/07cryLutff

School Store Fundraiser: 

Hello Parents,

Soon, your child is bringing home a Book Buddy Lanyard letting you know about a safe and easy way for our school to raise funds for essential tools our students and teachers need to succeed.

The SchoolStore Program is 100% online so there is NO face-to-face selling, handling money, or delivering products. Your participation will take less than 12 minutes, and there are exciting prizes to make it fun for the students.

Here is all you need to do to participate:

1. Go to https://www.schoolstore.net/sid.t?0000369695 to sign up.

2. Send form emails inviting family, friends and co-workers to support your child.

3. Return the Book Buddy Lanyard with the Student Prize Code to school for your child to get their fun participation prize.

Be on the lookout for a colorful Book Buddy Lanyard coming home soon. Your participation will make a difference for our school and teachers!

Thanks,

Odyssey Academy Texas City

★ LOST & FOUND | Lost and found will be posted on our Facebook page at each progress report and report card.

★ 2025-2026 Calendar Click HERE

• Upcoming Dates:

  • August student birthday celebration is Aug. 21st

  • Aug. 29th is a staff professional development day - No Friday school this day

  • September 1st is a school holiday

  • September 3rd is Dollar Dress Day

  • September 5th is a Friday, but it is a regular school day!

  • September 9th is National Teddy Bear Day - Students in PreK3 - First grade can bring their Teddy Bear to school this day!

  • September 11th is Fall Picture Day. It is also Patriot's Day. Feel free to wear red, white, and blue!

  • September 15th is Granola with Grandparents Day. We’re excited to invite grandparents and special grandfriends to enjoy a light breakfast of granola, fruit, and yogurt with their student. Spend some time together in the classroom, meet teachers, and see what your grandchild has been learning!

LEADER IN ME SPOTLIGHT:

7 Habits and Leader in Me:

We are proudly a Leader in Me school. This means that we teach and strive to model the 7 habits of highly effective leaders and happy kids. We believe that there is greatness in each child, and everyone can be a leader. This week we will be discussing and crafting personal and class mission statements in the weeks to come. The goal is that all staff members, all classrooms, and all (age appropriate) students have selected their core values and have created a mission statement. Mission statements help us define things that are specific, special, and important to us... this helps us identify out own personal greatness.

Thank you for your continued flexibility, patience, and grace.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Folse
Principal
PH: 409-978-8015
jfol100949@odyacad.com

Kelley Sullivan
Dean
PH: 409-978-8015
ksul101004@odyacad.com