The Rocket Report

December 2025 Edition

A Very Merry Edition of the OES Monthly Newsletter

Holiday Wishes from the Principal 🚀

Message from the Principal

Dear Ockerman Families,

As we prepare to wrap up 2025 and head into winter break, I want to take a moment to reflect on the joy, growth, and kindness we’ve seen throughout this semester. Our Ockerman Rockets continue to amaze us every day with their curiosity, creativity, and compassion for one another.

This season reminds us how much stronger we are together as a school community. Whether it’s through classroom celebrations, acts of kindness, or simply lending a helping hand, our students, staff, and families embody the spirit of generosity that makes OES such a special place.

Thank you to our teachers and staff for their dedication and to our families for your continued support and partnership. We truly couldn’t do this without you.

I wish each of you a wonderful holiday season filled with peace, laughter, and time with loved ones. Enjoy a well-deserved winter break, and we’ll see you in the new year ready for more learning and Rocket adventures!

– Chris Ritzi

Countdown to Winter Break 📅

Upcoming Events

12/4: Pictures with Santa

12/6: Fill The Truck Toy Drive at the Florence Kroger

12/8 - 12/15: In-School Holiday Shop

12/15: Family Holiday Shop

12/15: Let’s be Merry & Bright! Wear any bright colors today.

12/16: White out! Channel your inner Frosty & wear as much white as you can.

12/16: PTO Meeting

12/17: Reindeer day! Wear your antlers if you have them.

12/18: Don’t be a Grinch! Wear green today.

12/19: Pajama Day! Wear your pajamas for the last day before break.

12/22 - 1/2: Winter Break - Have a great winter break!

1/5: Back to School from Winter Break!

Be Merry, Be Bright, Be a Rocket! 🔔

Rocket Rule Reminder

As we head into the holiday season, we know excitement is running high. Thanksgiving Break often makes students even more eager for Winter Break, which is now just a few weeks away. This is a great time to remind our Rockets to stay focused, keep working hard, and finish the semester strong as we close out 2025.

Our Rocket Rules help guide us every day:

⭐ S - Safe

⭐ T - Try My Best

⭐ A - Always Prepared

⭐ R - Respectful and Responsible

Let’s continue showing STAR behavior in the classroom, hallways, cafeteria, and throughout the school. We’re proud of our students and can’t wait to see them shine as we wrap up the year!

Shining STARs of the Season 🌟

STAR Student Spotlight

We are so excited to recognize our 2nd Grade STAR Students for December! These outstanding Rockets shine every day by showing what it truly means to be a STAR student. We are so proud of each of you.

Harper Diamon

Harper always tries her best and encourages others to do the same. She helps classmates who are struggling while still staying on task. When someone is hurt or upset, she is the first one there to offer help and support. Her kindness, honesty, and thoughtfulness make a difference every day in our classroom. – Mrs. Cook

Adalynn Whitt

Addy is respectful to every classmate every day. After completing her own work, she is always willing to help others. She participates actively, problem-solves when challenges arise, and shines as a classroom leader. Addy brings a bright light to our room each and every day. – Mrs. Damonte

Rachalle Castillo

Rachalle is responsible, respectful, and consistently on task. She always follows directions and leads by example. She is kind, helpful, and quick to support her classmates with a smile. Rachalle truly represents what it means to be a STAR student. – Mrs. Means

Sawyer Deweese

Sawyer is such a light in our room. She is incredibly helpful and kind to everyone around her. I can always count on her to show STAR behavior and set a positive example for others. – Mrs. Patton

Madison Seiter

Madison is very respectful and responsible. She is constantly trying her best and is a wonderful helper to everyone in the classroom. She brightens our room each day with her smile and positive attitude. – Mrs. Speckert

Each student received the above STAR Student Spotlight certificate to take home, but due to Thanksgiving Break they are not pictured this month.

Staff Deer to Us 🦌

Staff Spotlight

If you’ve ever walked through our front doors, you’ve experienced the warmth, organization, and genuine care that Erin and Leslie bring to OES every single day. They are often the first faces our families see and the steady support system that keeps our school running smoothly behind the scenes. From managing nonstop daily tasks to keeping communication flowing, their work touches every part of our building.

On top of all of that, they pour so much heart into creating a welcoming and festive environment for our students and staff. Erin and Leslie transform our front office for every season and celebration, making OES feel inviting and full of Rocket pride. The wagon behind them in the below photo is one of many examples of their creativity. They originally designed it for our Wild Wild West Halloween theme, then reimagined it as a beautiful Thanksgiving display. Their thoughtful touches help make OES feel like home.

We are so grateful for everything they do to support our families, staff, and students. Thank you, Erin and Leslie, for the kindness, patience, creativity, and joy you bring to Ockerman. We truly appreciate you, and the front office looks incredible with your December holiday transformation — from the snowmen and candy canes to the beautifully decorated tree and all the festive touches that make OES feel magical.

View the Slideshow of the Festive Front Office Decorations Here

Moments That Made Us Thankful 🍂

Last Month at Ockerman

November was a month full of learning, celebration, and gratitude at Ockerman Elementary. As the weather cooled down, our Rockets stayed busy with meaningful activities that brought our community together in so many wonderful ways.

Schoolwide Highlights 🏫

Our school counselors and Family Resource Center continued hosting the SEL Virtual Parent Series, giving families tools and strategies to support children’s emotional wellness, behavior, and confidence. We appreciate everyone who joined this helpful and relaxed virtual session.

Parent-Teacher Conferences provided a meaningful opportunity for families and teachers to connect, celebrate student progress, and plan for continued success. Thank you to our staff for their hard work and to the parents and guardians who took time to partner with us.

We also celebrated a milestone for our 5th graders as they graduated from the DARE program. Students learned important lessons about leadership, responsible decision-making, and making healthy choices. We are very proud of their dedication.

Field Trip Adventures 🎒

Second grade spent an exciting day at the Cincinnati Museum Center, exploring hands-on exhibits that brought their science and social studies learning to life.

Fourth grade attended Cyclones Hockey Education Day at Heritage Bank Arena. Through on-ice demonstrations and educational lessons presented during the game, students connected math, science, and teamwork concepts to real-world examples. It was a day full of energy and Rocket pride.

Multicultural Thanksgiving Celebration 🦃

One of our favorite traditions, the Multicultural Thanksgiving, brought families together for an evening of food, culture, and connection. This potluck-style dinner celebrated the many heritages that make our Ockerman community so special. We are grateful to everyone who shared dishes, volunteered, and helped make the evening meaningful.

Special thanks to Jot Indian (Florence) and Empanadas y Mas for generously donating food, and to our EL team for planning and organizing the event.

View the Slideshow Here

Veterans Day Breakfast and Parade ❤️🤍💙

On Veterans Day, we proudly welcomed veterans and their families for our annual Veterans Day Breakfast and Parade. Students escorted their honored guests through the halls, filling the morning with gratitude and school pride. We also wrapped up Grey’s Veterans Clothing Drive. Thank you to everyone who donated clothing to support veterans in our community.

View the Breakfast Slideshow Here

4th Grade Poetry Slam 🎤

Right before Thanksgiving Break, our 4th graders took the stage for their Poetry Slam. Students shared original poems that showcased their creativity, confidence, and expressive voices. From heartfelt pieces to humorous performances, they impressed everyone with their hard work and courage.

Link to Pictures & Videos Here

1st Grade’s Annual Thanksgiving Recipes

Our first graders continued one of Ockerman’s most beloved traditions this month by creating their very own Thanksgiving recipes. Each class contributed a unique dish ranging from turkey to macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and even pumpkin pie. The results were creative, hilarious, and absolutely heartwarming — a perfect reminder of the joy and imagination our young Rockets bring to school each day.

Their recipes have been compiled into a special digital cookbook that families can enjoy together. From instructions like “cook the turkey for 2 minutes or it will catch on fire” to casseroles topped with “10 cheeze-its exactly”, these thoughtful creations are sure to bring a smile to your face.

View the Full Slideshow Cookbook Here

Closing Out November 🍁

Our PTO’s Little Caesars Fundraiser wrapped up this month. Thank you to all who participated and helped support future events and opportunities for our students.

Students and staff ended the month with a well-deserved Thanksgiving Break to rest and recharge before returning for an exciting December.

November was truly a month to be thankful for, filled with connection, community, and Rocket pride!

Finding Joy & Balance 🤝

Counselor’s Corner

This month, we have been learning about what it means to have a Growth Mindset and the Power of Yet! Instead of saying…”I can’t do this,” when something is challenging, try saying “I can’t do this YET, but if I keep working at it, I will get better each time!” This helps students have a more positive attitude, teaches resilience, and encourages them to keep trying-even when faced with difficult things.

Boone County School District Panorama Survey

The district will be doing another round of Panorama-our Student Competency Survey for students in 3-12 grades. Teachers will be giving this online survey to students between Dec. 1-19, and parents will receive the results a few weeks after. If you would like to learn more about the survey, or opt your student out, click the link below and follow the instructions (parents must opt out each time the survey is given if they do NOT want their child to take the survey.) Thank you!

Complete the Survey Here

Snow-Much Tech ❄️

Technology with Mrs. Moore

Our first graders have been working hard in Technology. Many students have already completed Jungle Junior in TypingClub, which includes 250 lessons that help kindergarten and first grade students learn the alphabet and become familiar with key placement on the keyboard. Students who finish Jungle Junior are now moving on to Sight Words in TypingClub, and they are welcome to continue practicing at home if they choose.

Older grade levels are building their typing foundation by practicing hand and finger placement as well as letter and key recognition. Students have also completed introductory lessons in Google Slides and are now beginning to use Google Docs. These are important skills that students will continue to use throughout elementary school and into high school.

Winter Wonders in Science 🔬

STEAM with Mrs. Sefton

We believe every child deserves the opportunity to feel the excitement of learning and discovery.

You are your child's first and best teacher! Have fun practicing Science together! (from Mrs. Sefton)

1. Snowflake Science: If it snows where you are, grab a dark piece of paper (like construction paper or cardboard) and leave it outside to get cold. When the snowflakes fall, quickly bring the paper inside and look closely! Every snowflake has a unique six-sided structure. Talk about symmetry and crystallization—the science of how liquid water turns into solid ice.

2. Kitchen Chemistry - Making Rock Candy: You can grow your own crystals! This activity uses the chemistry of supersaturation.

What you need: Sugar, water, a pot, and a string or toothpick.
How to do it: Dissolve as much sugar as you can in boiling water until no more will dissolve (a supersaturated solution). Hang a string or toothpick in the solution and watch over a few days as sugar molecules stack up to form beautiful, edible crystals!

3. Insulation Investigation: Learn about thermal energy transfer.

What you need: Two or three ice cubes and some household materials like cotton balls, newspaper, a wool sock, or a plastic bag.
How to do it: Wrap each ice cube in a different material (leave one unwrapped as a control). Predict which one will keep the ice cube frozen the longest, then time the results. This teaches you about insulators (materials that slow heat loss) and how we stay warm in winter!

Giving Back This Season 🎁

Community Service & Donation Drives

Fill the Fire Truck Toy Drive! 🚒

The City of Florence Fire/EMS and Kroger are teaming up to help make the holidays brighter for local children.

Families are invited to stop by Mall Rd Kroger (7685 Mall Rd) on Saturday, December 6th from 10 AM to 2 PM to donate a new toy and take a photo with Santa on a Fire Truck. ❤️🚒

All donations will support the Boone County Family Resource Centers, helping ensure children in our community have a special gift waiting under the tree this holiday season. 🎄✨

View the Flyer Link Here

Holiday Help & Family Support 🎄

Family Resource Center (FRC)

Families who may need support are encouraged to visit our FRC page on the OES website, especially the Resources and Assistance Page for updated information on local programs, food assistance, and community services.

Family Resource Center Coordinator - Leslie Harney - leslie.harney@boone.kyschools.us

Making the Magic of the Season Happen 💫

PTO & Volunteer Updates

Use This Link to Sign Up to help volunteer for any of the events we have at school during the year.

As our current parents/students graduate from OES each year we are always looking to add more parent/family volunteers. As well will be having new board positions available as the year ends. We need volunteers to make the PTO happen! Please consider getting involved to help keep this program going from year to year!