Ockerman Elementary School

May 2026 Edition

The Final Countdown Edition of the OES Monthly Newsletter

A School Year to Celebrate

Message From the Principal

Dear Ockerman Families,

As we enter the final month of the 2025-2026 school year, it’s hard to believe how quickly this incredible year has flown by. May is always an exciting time at Ockerman as we celebrate student growth, recognize achievements, and prepare for many special end-of-year events. While we know students and staff alike are eagerly counting down the days until summer break, it is important that we remain focused, motivated, and committed to finishing the school year strong.

This month will be filled with important milestones, including state and MAP testing, Awards Day, Field Day, 5th Grade Promotion, and many other celebrations that recognize the hard work of our students and staff. We encourage families to help support student success by ensuring children are present, prepared, and ready to give their best each day.

As this is our final full edition of The Rocket Report for the school year, I want to sincerely thank our families, staff, and community for your continued support throughout the year. Ockerman’s success is made possible through the dedication, partnership, and encouragement of our entire school community. Let’s make these final weeks meaningful, celebrate all we’ve accomplished, and finish this school year with pride.

Thank you for being part of such an amazing year at Ockerman!

Mr. Ritzi

Unlocking Potential

Advanced Coursework in Boone County Schools

Boone County Schools is committed to ensuring every student is challenged, supported, and prepared for future success.

Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, Boone County Schools will fully implement its Advanced Coursework and Accelerated Learning Plan for students in grades 4–12. This initiative expands access to rigorous academic opportunities in Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies while helping students build critical thinking skills, academic stamina, and college and career readiness.

Families of eligible students will receive more information regarding placement opportunities, automatic enrollment processes, and available supports. This plan is designed to help students reach their full potential while ensuring families maintain choice in their child’s educational path.

To learn more about Advanced Coursework opportunities and what this means for Boone County students, please visit our post here: https://ockerman.boone.kyschools.us/o/ockerman/live_feeds/11980003

What’s Ahead

Upcoming Events

Finish Strong 🚀

Rocket Rule Reminder

IAs we enter the final weeks of the school year, we want to encourage all of our Rockets to continue shining bright by remembering what it means to be a STAR student each and every day!

At OES, being a STAR means:

S – Safe

T – Try My Best

A – Always Prepared

R – Respectful and Responsible

With so many exciting events, celebrations, and activities ahead, it can be easy to let routines slip, but these final days are just as important as the first. We encourage all students to continue making positive choices, showing kindness, staying focused, and representing Ockerman with pride.

Let’s finish the school year strong by continuing to be the amazing STAR students we know our Rockets can be!

Rising STARs

STAR Student Spotlight

We As we celebrate the final month of the school year, we are especially excited to recognize some of our incredible 5th Grade Rockets in this month’s STAR Student Spotlight!

Our 5th grade students have worked incredibly hard throughout the year, demonstrating leadership, perseverance, growth, and school spirit as they prepare for their next big adventure: middle school. While each and every one of our 5th graders shines in their own unique way, we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight a few outstanding students who have truly exemplified what it means to be a STAR student at Ockerman.

These students have shown us how to be Safe, Try Their Best, Always Be Prepared, and remain Respectful and Responsible. We are so proud of all they have accomplished during their time at OES, and while we will certainly miss them next year, we know they are ready to do amazing things as they move on to 6th grade.

Each selected STAR Student will also be sent home with a special certificate of recognition, including a personalized note from their teacher, to honor their achievements and celebrate the positive impact they have made during their time at Ockerman.

Jeremias Gonzalez Santiago

Jeremias has stood out this year as a STAR student because he demonstrates perseverance on a daily basis. He has grown tremendously in all content areas. He has especially shown great dedication to understanding English. He is never afraid to ask questions, use Google translate, or try to figure things out. – Mrs. Dillion

Declan Bailey

Declan has earned this spotlight for his positive attitude, perseverance, and ability to include others in small groups and recess. He focuses on his work and does his best on all of his assignments. He cares about his classmates and his teachers, and has a heart of gold. – Mrs. Eibel

Ryleigh Girtman

Ryleigh has demonstrated consistent growth in several areas, including reading comprehension, classroom engagement, and independent work habits. – Mrs. Fehring

Jade Rosario Chilel Ramirez

Jade has made remarkable progress this year, consistently puts in strong effort, and approaches her learning with focus and responsibility. – Mrs. Harris

Annie Hamby

Annie always comes to school open minded to what the day could bring. She takes ownership of her learning and actions, being a leader in the class! Annie makes personal goals and works hard to achieve them. – Mrs. Soucy

Congratulations to these exceptional 5th Grade STAR Students! ⭐

We'll Miss You

Staff Spotlight

As we close out the 2025-2026 school year, this month’s Staff Spotlight is especially meaningful as we honor two incredible educators, Deanna Patton and Nancy Gohs, as they prepare for retirement.

Both Deanna and Nancy have made lasting impacts on the Ockerman community through their dedication, compassion, humor, and unwavering commitment to students and staff. Their years of service have helped shape countless young lives while also building strong friendships and support systems among their colleagues. While retirement is an exciting new chapter, their presence at OES will be deeply missed.

Deanna Patton

Deanna has brought laughter, positivity, and warmth to her team throughout her years at Ockerman. Her coworkers consistently describe her as someone who can brighten even the most frustrating moments with her humor and personality.

Messages from Staff:

Brittany Isaacs:

“Deanna has that rare ability to bring some humor to any situation; without really meaning to. We have worked together in first grade for 9 years now and I can always count on her to bring some light to a frustrating situation. I will surely miss her humor. Happy Retirement Deanna!”

Amber Feldhaus:

“In the 4 years that I have worked with Deanna, she has never failed to make me smile or laugh. I will miss working with her and her sense of humor very much!”

Lisa Maglinger:

“This is the first year I have had the pleasure of having a student in Deanna’s class and she has been great to work with. She has shown such kindness to myself and my student. It has been an honor getting to know you. Enjoy your retirement!”

Carol Moore:

“We have been here so many years that I can’t remember how many we have had together. Working with you has been a wonderful experience. When you find that perfect ‘after retirement’ job, you better let me know what it is. Enjoy your retirement. We will miss you!”

Crystal Kleier:

“Deanna I have enjoyed working with you these past two years. We never know what you are going to say!! Enjoy your retirement!”

Nancy Gohs

Nancy has been an outstanding teacher, advocate, mentor, and friend throughout her time at Ockerman. Her dedication to her students, support for her colleagues, and incredible sense of humor have left an unforgettable mark on the school community.

Messages from Staff:

Lisa Maglinger:

“In the 3 years I have worked with Nancy, she has always shown me kindness and willingness to help in any way. I have enjoyed getting to know her and have loved working with her. Enjoy your retirement! You deserve it.”

Meredith Hartfiel:

“Nancy has been a fantastic role model, mentor and friend to me in my 7 years here at OES. She has been an integral member of the sped team and truly cares about all of her students. She is a great advocate! I will truly miss being your ‘roommate’ and am grateful for how close we have become. Enjoy retirement, you deserve it!”

Carol Moore:

“Nancy has a great sense of humor and always has a way of turning a negative situation into a positive, funny situation. Enjoy your retirement!!”

Brooke Stivers:

“Nancy is an incredible teacher, colleague, and a strong advocate for both her students and team. I will truly miss her genuine wit, insight, and sense of humor (especially the way she could carry us through the longest meetings and toughest times). At the same time, I’m so happy for her as she begins this well-deserved next chapter in retirement!!”

Crystal Kleier:

“Nancy is an incredible teacher and friend! We have been through a lot working together. We survived teaching virtually in the same room and stayed out of Special Education Jail!! We brought out the best of each other when co teaching and collaborating. I am going to miss her around OES, but I know she is going to enjoy retirement. Nancy, if I have to teach elapsed time again, I am going to call you!! Love you friend, thank you for everything!”

Deanna and Nancy, thank you both for the countless ways you have shaped Ockerman Elementary School for the better. Your dedication, humor, kindness, and passion have made a lasting difference, and while we will miss you tremendously, we wish you both endless joy and relaxation in your well-deserved retirement. OES will always be better because of you.

Final Chapter

Library with Ms. Bisig

As the school year comes to a close, summer is the perfect time to keep young minds growing through reading!

We encourage all OES families to explore local summer reading opportunities, including the amazing programs offered through the Boone County Public Library (BCPL). BCPL’s Summer Reading Program gives students fun ways to stay engaged, track their reading, and earn exciting prizes all summer long.

📚 BCPL Summer Reading Program Highlights:

Early registration begins May 15th

• Program runs June 1st – July 31st

• Students can track reading through paper logs or the Beanstack app

• Reading milestones earn books, prizes, and more

• Programs are available for children, preschoolers, and adults, making it a great family activity!

🎉 Summer Reading Kick-Off Event:

Friday, May 29th | 7:00–9:00 PM

Boone Woods Park

Families can find more information and register here: https://bcpl.org

You can also view OES’s shared summer reading post here: https://ockerman.boone.kyschools.us/o/ockerman/live_feeds/12019275

Reading over the summer is one of the best ways to help students maintain and strengthen the skills they worked so hard on all year. We hope our Rockets continue exploring, learning, and growing all summer long! 📖

Helping Hands

Family Resource Center (FRC)

The Family Resource Center is here to support OES families both during the school year and beyond!

💚 Support Ockerman Through Kroger Rewards

Did you know you can help support Ockerman Elementary just by grocery shopping?

When you link your Kroger Plus Card to Ockerman Elementary School, Kroger donates a portion of your purchases directly to our Family Resource Center at no extra cost to you.

🛒 It’s quick, easy, and makes a big impact for our students and families.

👉 Sign up today: www.KrogerCommunityRewards.com

🔎 Search: Ockerman Elementary School

🏷 Code: SR559

Every purchase helps support valuable resources for OES families. Thank you for supporting our school community!

For more details, visit our OES post here:

https://ockerman.boone.kyschools.us/o/ockerman/live_feeds/11870462

🥫 Need Help Applying for SNAP Benefits?

Families who may need assistance applying for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) can contact Feeding Kentucky for free application support.

📞 Call Feeding Kentucky: 502-209-9592

🔗 Learn more or get started here: https://hov.to/e5966558

If your family could benefit from food assistance resources, support is available.

Please remember, the FRC is always here to help connect families with resources, support, and opportunities throughout the year. Together, we can help our Rocket families thrive! 🤝

Making It Happen

PTO & Volunteer Updates

Our PTO plays an incredible role in supporting OES throughout the year, and as we head into the final stretch of the school year, there are still plenty of ways to get involved!

🤝 Volunteer Opportunities

OES is always looking for new parent and family volunteers to help support events, programs, and activities throughout the year. As families move on each year, new volunteers are essential to keeping our PTO strong and successful.

👉 Sign up to volunteer here: https://forms.gle/MemPqQZ4niBE3W9u8

Your support truly helps make the PTO happen!

🍎 Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week | May 4th–8th, 2026

Let’s come together to show our amazing teachers and staff just how much they mean to us! PTO has created a fun week of themed appreciation activities for students and families to participate in all week long.

Families can also access our staff’s favorite things list if they’d like to send an extra note or gift of appreciation:

👉 Staff Favorite Things 2026: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1idHxXyOMBpJqriiF7RDaIF70Z4MINkX6csHhTsAHGVI/edit?usp=sharing

🌍 Teacher Appreciation Flyers Available in Multiple Languages:

To help all of our families participate, Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week flyers are available in:

• English

• Spanish

• French

👉 View the flyers here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/166h2UcKdOnALgHr5P_xaRdM0ObEMOhLn?usp=sharing

Thank you for supporting our PTO, staff, and school community. Together, we help make Ockerman such a special place for students, staff, and families alike! 💙

Helpful Links for a Bright New Year 🔗

Quick Links

Ockerman Website

Online Registration

Infinite Campus Portal

Household & Income Form (HIF)

School Supply Lists

Boone County Student Calendar

Boone County Schools App Info

Lunch Account Info

Lunch Menu

Background Checks

Volunteer Training Slides

Happy New Year from OES! 🎉