Author: Barbara Ricks

Veterans at Oak Hammock K8 gathered and shared stories as they enjoyed a continental breakfast from Panera Bread to celebrate Veteran’s Day. Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor those who served honorably in the military. Students and staff Leveled Up Learning and provided Veterans with letters, tokens of appreciation, and accolades throughout the day. The administrators and the entire Osprey Family at OHK8 say “Thank you for your Service”. Happy Veterans Day!

During Bullying Prevention Month, the Cafeteria and Maintenance staff Leveled Up and showed their support for the “Be a Buddy, Not a Bully” initiative by showing how colorful friendship can be. The colors are a representation of how you can be surrounded by people who are different while realizing the value that each one brings to the pack. In their different roles of creating nutritious meals and providing a clean and safe environment, they help the students Level Up Learning, Level Up Success!    

October 31st culminates National Bullying Prevention Month. To showcase the many students that go above and beyond to “be a buddy, not a bully”, we launched our “Level Up, Buddy Up” student initiative. Teachers were on the lookout for students who they witnessed being kind, helpful, or upstanding towards a fellow student. Students were recognized by having their picture taken and displayed on the “Buddy Up, Level Up Wall of Fame“, and their names were entered into a drawing to win a prize.  Students at Oak Hammock K8 continue to Level Up!

Hispanic Heritage Night at Oak Hammock K8 was a huge success. Students and families enjoyed viewing a Hispanic exhibition, eating Hispanic food from the food trucks, dancing, and creating crafts that represent the Hispanic culture. Students of Oak Hammock K8 Leveled Up learning the Hispanic Heritage as they leveled up success.

Big Apple Pizza on Bayshore Blvd was filled as students and parents of Oak Hammock K8 School participated in the Read to Succeed Family Give Back Night. Bookman greeted the students and gave them a free book and reading log to take home. This was a fun-filled night in which students Leveled Up Learning! Leveled up Reading Success! A great time was had by all who participated.                           

3rd- 5th grade girls at Oak Hammock K8 school learn critical life skills while participating in a research-based program called Girls on the Run. The students meet in a small group setting with trained volunteer coaches, twice a week for 10 weeks. The coaches motivate the girls to strengthen their confidence and other life skills through interactive lessons and physical activities. The girls and coaches are working together to Level Up their Star Power!                                   

Oak Hammock K8 presented a night filled with fun activities and shopping at the Annual Title 1 Parent Information Night. Parents were presented with information regarding the District’s Attendance Initiative and Parent Engagement as well as other important information. Following the presentation, families participated in a garden rejuvenation activity of stone decorating and then went shopping at the Book Fair. Families left feeling informed and certain that the students and staff at Oak Hammock K8 can Level up Learning, Level up Success.          

Students at Oak Hammock K8 school Level Up Learning, Level Up Success, as they integrate math and art! In Mrs. Daugherty’s 7th grade Art class, students used their creative skills and imagination to create a masterpiece while incorporating the mathematic skill of measurement into their design. They measured lines and created shapes, forms, textures, values, space, and color, which are the 7 elements of art. These elements are the foundation of art and are a good place to start when making or analyzing works of art.

Mr. Nygard is engaging and intriguing his 3rd-grade music students! They sing along as he plays his guitar during warmup exercises. Following the warmup, students learn about rhythm. Mr. Nygard uses a device called the Note Knack to create a rhythm using different colors and generate a steady beat for the students to interact with the music.  

        In a world where dogs and cats are at odds with each other, a kitty and puppy show that friendship can change everything! The first-grade students did an excellent job performing the Unity Tree. Mrs. Allen and the students worked tirelessly preparing for this performance and the students rocked the house.

Oak Hammock K8 School observed its annual Holocaust Remembrance Day. Mrs. Belkis Madera and her 6th-grade students organized an amazing event where a group of Holocaust survivors and other dignitaries spent the entire day at our school sharing their stories with our fifth and sixth-grade students as well as some of our District Board members and Administrators. The Survivors took a moment to admire the Holocaust Gallery display that was created by the students. They were intrigued by the amount of knowledge the students displayed about this moment in history. We look forward to them returning in the future.   … Read More

The Oak Hammock 8th Grade Osprey Band participated in the Florida Bandmaster’s Association Concert Band Music Performance Assessment. The 8th-grade students worked diligently to learn and perform Mount Vernon, Little Brazil Suite, and Little Rondo for Band. They received straight superior ratings on stage and a superior in sight reading, receiving an overall superior.  

Oak Hammock K-8 first-grade students were creative in showing their excitement for the 120th day of school. Some students created hats while others put special messages on t-shirts. Here is what the students had to say: “I am 120 days brighter”, “I crawled my way through 120 days”, and “120 days of school and I am still loving it.” The students are determined to make strides as they get closer to the end of the school term.  

Kindergarten students and their families enjoyed a night of fun-filled activities at the Kindergarten Family Engagement Night. They participated in activities that involved practicing Sight Words. Activities included: Sight Word Swat, Snowy Sight Word Scavenger Hunt, Mirror Sight Words, Ice Fishing Sight Words ,and Sight Word Snowball. The event was engaging and enjoyable to all who attended.

Students and families participated in Oak Hammock K-8’s Civics Engagement Night. Mr. Sparacio and Mrs. Garcia presented information to families and students on what to expect out of the Civics course as well as the Civics EOC. Students and their parents/guardians engaged in a friendly competition to review content and material taught in the Civics course. They learned about resources and strategies to be successful on the Civics EOC.    

Oak Hammock teachers, students, and families came together to bring hurricane relief to students in need at Mariner Middle School on the west coast of Florida. We were able to donate sneakers, sandals, jeans, shirts, and sweaters for their students.

The 5th graders researched and reported on an impactful historical figure. To encourage their use of oral communication, the teachers helped students represent their historical figure in the form of a “Wax Museum” figure and they presented information to the attendees from their research while dressed as their historical figure. Parents were invited to attend this after-school activity.

Firefighters Daniel Torres and Sam Saxton had a presentation with Kindergarten and First Grade Students to talk about the many jobs of a firefighter and how kids can practice fire safety. They showed students what firefighters wear, the tools they use, and the different types of trucks they operate. They also went over fire safety and how students can practice being safety smart at home such as creating a fire exit plan with families. Students were excited to receive their little red fireman hats during the presentation.  

                                               Operation Osprey was founded in Jan. of 2014 by Mark Anthony Bozzo, a Cadet Col. at Treasure Coast High School JROTC. In this club, we work to instill the Air Force core values, as well as educate the select students in leadership, color guard, drill, and PT (physical training). The students meet every Monday after school from 3:30-5:00. The cadets from Treasure Coast Junior AFROTC program run this club under the Supervision of Col. Golden (Air Force … Read More

Girls on the Run is so much FUN! The Oak Hammock GOTR participants are working together to develop a positive self-image, make healthy choices, enhance leadership skills and make continued growth toward effective teamwork. Some of our girls are returning participants and have made exponential growth and serve as role models to new participants. The girls are excited to complete their 5K run in December. Our Ospreys are continuing to build success together with positive connections.