Remember that picture day is Wednesday, October 7. You can pre-order using the order form that was sent home or online at www.leonards.com/order using access code C809953.
🌎❤️ Ortega Elementary is Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month ❤️🌎
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we have created a special Hispanic Heritage Family Wall at our school to celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. Our wall proudly showcases the flags representing the many Hispanic countries and backgrounds that make our world and our school community so wonderfully diverse.
Now, we would love to make our wall even more special by adding your family's stories, traditions, and experiences!
❤️ Help Us Celebrate Your Heritage!
We invite families to share a little piece of what makes your family special. You can contribute something as simple as:
🌎 Your family's country or countries of heritage
📸 A family photo (optional)
🍽️ A favorite family recipe or traditional dish
🎶 A favorite song or type of music
💃 A special family tradition or celebration
💬 A Spanish word or phrase your family loves
📖 A story, tradition, or custom that has been passed down in your family
❤️ Something special about your culture or family that you would like our school community to know
🍴 Have a Family Recipe to Share?
We would especially love to feature family recipes on our Heritage Wall! Share a favorite dish, recipe, or treat that brings your family together. Whether it is a recipe passed down through generations or simply a family favorite, we would love to celebrate the memories and traditions connected to food.
And everyone is invited! You do not have to be Hispanic or Latino to participate. We welcome all families to share their own heritage, traditions, and family stories that involve Hispanic Heritage as we celebrate the wonderful diversity of our school community.
📮 Please send your contribution to your child's teacher
Thank you for helping us make our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration a reflection of OUR families, OUR stories, and OUR community! 🌎❤️
Friday is the deadline for the dental clinic permission slips. If you would like your child to participate, please make sure all permission slips are completed and returned by Friday.
Don't forget about our Spirit Night at The Loop. See the attached flyer for all the details!
Ortega Elementary picture day is Wednesday, October 7. Be on the lookout for order forms coming home this week. Or, order online at www.leonards.com/order using access code C809953.
We hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weekend. If you are looking for something fun to do next weekend, check out the flyer with information about an Open Gym at The Rock Ninja Warrior Academy on October 3rd. It will be held from 12:00 - 2:00 PM and is only $20 per person. Only 25 spots are available so be sure to call ASAP to reserve a spot for your child (954-253-5975)
📢 Don’t Get Them Confused!
Amendment 3 and the Duval County Public Schools 1-mill referendum are two separate items on the November 3 ballot.
🏫 The 1-mill referendum is a continuation of the millage approved by Duval County voters in 2022. It supports school funding, including teacher pay, as well as arts and athletics.
🏠 Amendment 3 is a proposed change to the Florida Constitution addressing property taxes statewide. The amendment excludes school funding.
Take a look at the graphic for a quick side-by-side comparison and visit www.DuvalSchools.org/Vote for more information about the 1-mill referendum.
Amendment 3 and the Duval County Public Schools 1-mill referendum are two separate items on the November 3 ballot.
🏫 The 1-mill referendum is a continuation of the millage approved by Duval County voters in 2022. It supports school funding, including teacher pay, as well as arts and athletics.
🏠 Amendment 3 is a proposed change to the Florida Constitution addressing property taxes statewide. The amendment excludes school funding.
Take a look at the graphic for a quick side-by-side comparison and visit www.DuvalSchools.org/Vote for more information about the 1-mill referendum.
Congratulations to Ms. Laning for being selected as Ortega Elementary's Teacher of the Year! Ms. Laning is a fabulous teacher who dedicates herself to helping her students succeed. She is such a valuable member of our Ortega Elementary family and we are lucky to have her.
Health Hero USA will be holding a free flu vaccine clinic at Ortega Elementary on September 9. If you would like your child to participate, please complete and return the consent form that is being sent home today. Forms must be completed and turned in by September 8 in order for your child to receive a flu vaccine. If you do not want your child to participate simply discard the consent form. Thank you!
Good morning Ortega families! Be sure to mark your calendar for September 10. We will have our first School Advisory Council (SAC) meeting at 5 PM followed by Open House at 5:30. We would love to see all of our families at the school for both of these events!
Don't forget that Ortega Elementary PTA is having a Spirit Night at The Loop (4591 Lakeside Drive) on Wednesday. Mention Ortega Elementary and our school gets 20% of the proceeds.
Ortega Families,
Every election is important, but the 2026 upcoming general election is very important to our teachers, students, and schools.
Why the 2026 Election is Important to Our School
Four years ago, voters approved a voluntary 1-mill property assessment to support salary enhancements for our teachers and staff, as well as providing a dedicated funding source for arts and athletics for students. Under state law, this funding source must be renewed every four years.
Our Goals is to Help You Be Informed
Over the next several weeks, we will share information with you through our social media and email to ensure that you are fully informed as you go to the polls. Attached is a flier with basic information about the continuation of the 1 mill. We encourage you to take just a minute to review this information. You can also learn more at www.DuvalSchools.org/Vote.
What You Can Do Now
Most important, we encourage you to participate in the election and let your voice be heard on this issue. If you need to register to vote, you can do so at Florida Online Voter Registration System.
Thank you for taking a few minutes to be informed on this issue, and we encourage you to check out our website or ask me if you have any questions.
📣 Attention Ortega Families! 🎨
We are excited to offer the CAP Visual Arts Program for students in grades 3-5! This FREE after-school program will be held on Tuesdays from 3:15 PM to 5:15 PM.
Open to students in grades 3-5
Free of charge
First session begins Tuesday, August 25th
To register your student, please use the QR code provided.
We look forward to seeing our young artists explore their creativity through this exciting opportunity!
We are excited to offer the CAP Visual Arts Program for students in grades 3-5! This FREE after-school program will be held on Tuesdays from 3:15 PM to 5:15 PM.
Open to students in grades 3-5
Free of charge
First session begins Tuesday, August 25th
To register your student, please use the QR code provided.
We look forward to seeing our young artists explore their creativity through this exciting opportunity!
Buenos días, familias Ortega,
Este es un recordatorio amistoso de que la instrucción comienza puntualmente a las 8:35 a.m. cada día. Es fundamental que los estudiantes lleguen puntuales a la escuela para asegurarse de no perder tiempo valioso de instrucción y estén preparados para un día de aprendizaje exitoso.
Ten en cuenta que si tu hijo llega después de la campana de tardanza, la política del distrito exige que un padre o tutor acompañe al alumno a la oficina principal y lo registre en la entrada.
Además, los estudiantes deben ser recogidos puntualmente al final de la jornada escolar. Todas las recogidas de los estudiantes deben realizarse a más tardar a las 15:10.
Su colaboración para garantizar la llegada y salida puntuales es fundamental para apoyar el rendimiento de los estudiantes y mantener un entorno escolar seguro y ordenado.
Gracias por tu apoyo y compromiso continuos con el éxito de tu hijo.
Este es un recordatorio amistoso de que la instrucción comienza puntualmente a las 8:35 a.m. cada día. Es fundamental que los estudiantes lleguen puntuales a la escuela para asegurarse de no perder tiempo valioso de instrucción y estén preparados para un día de aprendizaje exitoso.
Ten en cuenta que si tu hijo llega después de la campana de tardanza, la política del distrito exige que un padre o tutor acompañe al alumno a la oficina principal y lo registre en la entrada.
Además, los estudiantes deben ser recogidos puntualmente al final de la jornada escolar. Todas las recogidas de los estudiantes deben realizarse a más tardar a las 15:10.
Su colaboración para garantizar la llegada y salida puntuales es fundamental para apoyar el rendimiento de los estudiantes y mantener un entorno escolar seguro y ordenado.
Gracias por tu apoyo y compromiso continuos con el éxito de tu hijo.
Good afternoon Ortega Families,
This is a friendly reminder that instruction begins promptly at 8:35 am. each day. It is essential that students arrive at school on time to ensure they do not miss valuable instructional time and are prepared for a successful day of learning.
Please note that if your child arrives after the tardy bell, district policy requires a parent or guardian to accompany the student to the front office and sign them in.
Additionally, students must be picked up promptly at the end of the school day. All student pickups should occur no later than 3:10 p.m.
Your partnership in ensuring timely arrival and dismissal is critical to supporting student achievement and maintaining a safe, orderly school environment. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to your child's success.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tisa Montgomery-Proud Principal
This is a friendly reminder that instruction begins promptly at 8:35 am. each day. It is essential that students arrive at school on time to ensure they do not miss valuable instructional time and are prepared for a successful day of learning.
Please note that if your child arrives after the tardy bell, district policy requires a parent or guardian to accompany the student to the front office and sign them in.
Additionally, students must be picked up promptly at the end of the school day. All student pickups should occur no later than 3:10 p.m.
Your partnership in ensuring timely arrival and dismissal is critical to supporting student achievement and maintaining a safe, orderly school environment. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to your child's success.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tisa Montgomery-Proud Principal
We are delaying car line dismissal due to the storm. Thank you for your patience.
We are off to a great start at Ortega Elementary! Don't forget that we have a PTA meeting tomorrow morning at 9 AM. In addition, there is a Spirit Night at Chuck E Cheese on Friday. See the attached flyer for more information on both of these events as well as how you can support the PTA with a membership.
Also, we are having vision and hearing screening for grades K, 1, and 3 tomorrow. If you are an approved volunteer and would like to assist, please email Mrs. Tibbits (tibbitsm@duvalschools.org). We will need help from 8:45 until 10:15.
Support Ortega Elementary at The Loop! 🍔🌭🥗
Faculty, staff, and Ortega families, we invite you to support our school by enjoying a delicious meal at The Loop Restaurant! When placing your order, simply mention "Ortega Elementary" at the register, and a percentage of your purchase will be donated back to our school.
Thank you for helping support Ortega while enjoying some yummy food with family and friends. Every order makes a difference! 💙💛 #OrtegaProud
Estimadas familias de OTES:
¡Nos complace darles la bienvenida a nuestra próxima Orientación Estudiantil! Esta es una excelente oportunidad para que los estudiantes y sus familias se preparen para un exitoso año escolar.
Durante la orientación, las familias tendrán la oportunidad de:
Conocer al maestro(a) de su hijo(a).
Unirse a nuestra PTA (Asociación de Padres y Maestros) y aprender cómo participar.
Registrarse para obtener una cuenta de FOCUS para padres.
Configurar la aplicación de comunicación de DCPS para mantenerse en contacto con el maestro(a) y la escuela.
Conocer información importante sobre los procedimientos y recursos escolares.
Para ayudar a que su hijo(a) comience el año escolar preparado, por favor revise la lista de útiles escolares visitando:
🔗 https://www.duvalschools.org/o/otes/page/school-supply-list
Esperamos conocerlos y trabajar junto a ustedes para tener un año escolar extraordinario. Juntos podemos asegurar que cada estudiante tenga un excelente comienzo y una experiencia de aprendizaje exitosa.
¡Estamos ansiosos por verlos en la Orientación Estudiantil!
Atentamente,
Dra. Tisa Montgomery
Directora
Ortega Elementary School
¡Nos complace darles la bienvenida a nuestra próxima Orientación Estudiantil! Esta es una excelente oportunidad para que los estudiantes y sus familias se preparen para un exitoso año escolar.
Durante la orientación, las familias tendrán la oportunidad de:
Conocer al maestro(a) de su hijo(a).
Unirse a nuestra PTA (Asociación de Padres y Maestros) y aprender cómo participar.
Registrarse para obtener una cuenta de FOCUS para padres.
Configurar la aplicación de comunicación de DCPS para mantenerse en contacto con el maestro(a) y la escuela.
Conocer información importante sobre los procedimientos y recursos escolares.
Para ayudar a que su hijo(a) comience el año escolar preparado, por favor revise la lista de útiles escolares visitando:
🔗 https://www.duvalschools.org/o/otes/page/school-supply-list
Esperamos conocerlos y trabajar junto a ustedes para tener un año escolar extraordinario. Juntos podemos asegurar que cada estudiante tenga un excelente comienzo y una experiencia de aprendizaje exitosa.
¡Estamos ansiosos por verlos en la Orientación Estudiantil!
Atentamente,
Dra. Tisa Montgomery
Directora
Ortega Elementary School
Dear OTES Families,
We are excited to welcome you to our upcoming Student Orientation! This is a wonderful opportunity for students and families to prepare for a successful school year.
During orientation, families will have the opportunity to:
Meet your child's teacher
Join our PTA and learn how to get involved
Register for a FOCUS Parent Account
Set up the DCPS communication app to stay connected with your child's teacher and school
Learn about important school procedures and resources
To help your child start the year prepared, please review our school supply list by visiting:
🔗 https://www.duvalschools.org/o/otes/page/school-supply-list
We look forward to meeting you and partnering with you for an amazing school year. Together, we can ensure every student has a strong start and a successful learning experience.
We can't wait to see you at Student Orientation!
Principal, Dr. Montgomery
We are excited to welcome you to our upcoming Student Orientation! This is a wonderful opportunity for students and families to prepare for a successful school year.
During orientation, families will have the opportunity to:
Meet your child's teacher
Join our PTA and learn how to get involved
Register for a FOCUS Parent Account
Set up the DCPS communication app to stay connected with your child's teacher and school
Learn about important school procedures and resources
To help your child start the year prepared, please review our school supply list by visiting:
🔗 https://www.duvalschools.org/o/otes/page/school-supply-list
We look forward to meeting you and partnering with you for an amazing school year. Together, we can ensure every student has a strong start and a successful learning experience.
We can't wait to see you at Student Orientation!
Principal, Dr. Montgomery
