Seminole Families!
Save the date for the annual Blue Jam fall festival!
Friday, October 17: 5-7 p.m.
*Event posters and details attached*
Blue Jam is a fun night to celebrate our seminole community! The BES PTO takes pride in providing this free family event on campus every year! Last year we had over 900+ seminoles attend and we cannot wait to see you again on October 17th!
Some highlights include: cake walk, inflatables, dunk tank, face painting, 20+ games, the book fair open to all, food trucks, photo opportunities and so much more!
How can you help?
1. We need cakes, cupcakes and cookie cakes donated! We encourage homemade and themed cakes but are happy with store bought goodies too. Drop off by 10/16.
2. We are collecting new standard size pillows for a local non-profit, ABed4Me! We are trying to fill their truck, which will be on site. Let's help our community Seminoles!
3. We need families to support the Blue Jam amazon wish list- BlueJam link! We encourage families & businesses to support!
*NOTE- this event is for families, students MUST be supervised by adult chaperones*
𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁! 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱.
OCSD Family—be sure to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday night, November 2. We “fall back” at 2:00 AM on Sunday, November 3. Enjoy the extra hour of rest, and we’ll see everyone bright and early on Monday!
OCSD Family—be sure to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday night, November 2. We “fall back” at 2:00 AM on Sunday, November 3. Enjoy the extra hour of rest, and we’ll see everyone bright and early on Monday!
Greetings Seminole families!
Tomorrow we are finishing Red Ribbon Week with a Costume day! No masks or weapons allowed.
We’re seagull-ing strong at 68% of our Choose-a-Thon goal! Don’t wing it—if you haven’t made a last-minute donation yet, now’s the time to dive in!
REMINDER: Tomorrow is event day!
--If your student is choosing Read-a-Thon, please have them bring a book and a small blanket to cozy up like a gull on the shore.
--If they’re in Olymp-a-Thon, make sure they wear tennis shoes—we don’t want anyone flapping behind in the fun!
We still have room for more volunteers (don’t leave us high and fry!). Find the signup link on Facebook and join the flock!
Bonus news: Over the weekend, donations of ANY amount will be entered into a drawing for a Stanley prize pack! Now that’s something to squawk about!
Thank you for going above and beyond to support our school, classrooms, and students! We wouldn't be FRYing this fundraiser without you.
Have a great night and GO Seminoles!
Happy FRY-DAY Seminole families!
Quick update on how our Seminoles have done since Choose-a-Thon took flight!
35% of our Seminoles have registered online, donations from 38 states and 3 countries have been collected, AND we are 25% of the way to the ultimate school GULL!! Let's SEA if we can collect from all 50 states before Choose-a-Thon ends!
This weekend, a donation of any amount will enter you into a surPRIZE drawing! Keep a bird's eye view of the fundraiser by following the PTO FB page for more exciting surprises, updates and the chance to volunteer on event day.
Greetings Seminole families!
Today kicks off our biggest fundraiser of the school year--Choose-a-Thon! This year, on event day, the kids get the choice to participate in a Read-a-Thon or Olymp-a-Thon. Something for everyone! PLUS!!! If we reach our school goal, of $55,000, the Principal will sleep on the school roof! That's right--our very own Mr. Berry will sleep on the ROOF!
Register today and see what all the SQUAWK is about, check out the awesome incentives we have this year, and get ready to FRY this fundraiser!!
This fundraiser is being run entirely in-house by our PTO and volunteers. That means very little is "given away" to a company and instead will directly benefit the classrooms. As always, keep an eye on the PTO facebook page for updates, announcements and surprises!
Greetings Seminole families--please see the attached announcement about Lunch With Your Seminole!
Dear Bluewater Families,
We’re excited to announce a last-minute Spirit Night at Zaxby’s happening TONIGHT!
📍 Zaxby’s Location: 1160 E John Sims Pkwy, Niceville, FL 32578
🕕 Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Take a night off from cooking and join us for a delicious meal while supporting our school! A portion of the evening’s proceeds will go directly back to Bluewater Elementary School.
Just mention Bluewater Elementary School when you order—dine-in or takeout! Then place your receipt in the box on the counter.
We know it's short notice, but we’d love to see as many families as possible come out and show their school spirit. Feel free to spread the word!
Thank you for your continued support!
Warmly,
Bluewater PTO
Just a reminder that today is the last day of the first 9 week grading period. Monday is a Teacher Workday/ Student Holiday. We look forward to seeing our students back on campus Tuesday, October 14 to start the second half of the first semester!
Greetings Seminole families!
October is a busy month! Please see the October Updates with a Calendar of Events attached. This Friday is our Career Day / High 5 Friday! We are encouraging our Seminoles to Dress for Success to celebrate what they want to be when they grow up!
Have a great evening and GO Seminoles!
October is a busy month! Please see the October Updates with a Calendar of Events attached. This Friday is our Career Day / High 5 Friday! We are encouraging our Seminoles to Dress for Success to celebrate what they want to be when they grow up!
Have a great evening and GO Seminoles!
Congrats to our Educational Support Person of the Year, Ms. Gina Destaven!!!
Bluewater Elementary School has been named a 2024–2025 Schools of Excellence by the Florida Department of Education, recognizing their sustained academic achievement and top-tier performance by ranking in the 80th percentile or higher for at least two of the past three years. This honor celebrates the dedication of students, educators, and school leaders at the recognized campuses.
OCSD Schools and offices will be closed Monday, September 1, 2025 in observance of Labor Day. Classes and regular office hours will resume Tuesday, September 2nd 2025.
Internet speeds have been restored. Thank you, Cox, for your quick response! Have a great day, OCSD Family!
We are currently experiencing slow internet speeds district-wide. This may affect phones. We are working with our service provider to get the problem fixed as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
Skip the cooking Thursday night (August 14th) and join us at Hungry Howie’s! From 4 p.m. to close, 10% of your order will be donated to BES. No code needed. Online, walk-in, and delivery orders support BES! Bring the family, bring your appetite, and support our Seminoles!
New legislation in Florida restricts student use of cellular phones during the school day, aiming to minimize distractions and to support a focused learning environment.
Educational Benefits
Research shows that limiting cell phone use in schools can:
- Improve student focus and attention during instruction
- Boost academic performance and engagement
- Reduce cyberbullying incidents during school hours
- Enhance face-to-face social interactions
Per Florida House Bill 1105 (2025)
Elementary and Middle School Students - the use of a cellular phone is prohibited in elementary and middle school during the school day.
Daily Expectations
- Before/After School: Students will only be able to use their cell phone before the first bell or after the last bell of the day
- During School: Phones must remain put away and out of sight.
- Phone Confiscation: Students in violation of the policy may have their phone temporarily confiscated and disciplinary action may be taken for repeat offenders.
Student or Family Emergencies
- Student Needs to Contact Family: must go to main office
- Family Needs to Contact Student: Call the student's main office
Medical Condition: Students with medical conditions may have phone access with proper documentation
School Emergencies: The school will communicate directly with families
Educational Benefits
Research shows that limiting cell phone use in schools can:
- Improve student focus and attention during instruction
- Boost academic performance and engagement
- Reduce cyberbullying incidents during school hours
- Enhance face-to-face social interactions
Per Florida House Bill 1105 (2025)
Elementary and Middle School Students - the use of a cellular phone is prohibited in elementary and middle school during the school day.
Daily Expectations
- Before/After School: Students will only be able to use their cell phone before the first bell or after the last bell of the day
- During School: Phones must remain put away and out of sight.
- Phone Confiscation: Students in violation of the policy may have their phone temporarily confiscated and disciplinary action may be taken for repeat offenders.
Student or Family Emergencies
- Student Needs to Contact Family: must go to main office
- Family Needs to Contact Student: Call the student's main office
Medical Condition: Students with medical conditions may have phone access with proper documentation
School Emergencies: The school will communicate directly with families
OCSD has partnered with the Florida Department of Health to provide free immunizations to students on the following dates, times, and locations. If you have any questions, please contact your school or local health department for details.
Clinic Dates and Locations:
- August 6 - 9:00AM - 11:00AM - OCSD Central Office, Niceville
- August 8 - 9:00AM - 11:30AM - Shoal River Middle School
- August 8 - 1:00PM - 2:30PM - Bruner Middle School
Vaccines Offered
- Tdap (Required for entry into 7th grade)
- HPV (Human Pappillomavirus)
- Meningitis
Important Information
- Parent/Guardian must be onsite with insurance card (if applicable)
- No record transcription or religious exemptions will be available at the clinic
- After vaccination, students will receive a form with the vaccination date to give to school administration
- School staff will retrieve the official 680 form once it's received - no printing will be done onsite.
Clinic Dates and Locations:
- August 6 - 9:00AM - 11:00AM - OCSD Central Office, Niceville
- August 8 - 9:00AM - 11:30AM - Shoal River Middle School
- August 8 - 1:00PM - 2:30PM - Bruner Middle School
Vaccines Offered
- Tdap (Required for entry into 7th grade)
- HPV (Human Pappillomavirus)
- Meningitis
Important Information
- Parent/Guardian must be onsite with insurance card (if applicable)
- No record transcription or religious exemptions will be available at the clinic
- After vaccination, students will receive a form with the vaccination date to give to school administration
- School staff will retrieve the official 680 form once it's received - no printing will be done onsite.
🐛📚💥 Exciting news! Our school now has a brand-new Book Vending Machine! 🎉 It’s a fun and rewarding way to motivate students to read—and we couldn’t have done it without YOU!
A big thank you to our supportive school community for supporting the Media Center through your Book Fair purchases. Every book you bought helped make this possible! 🩵📖
Stay tuned—details on how the book vending machine works are coming soon!
A big thank you to our supportive school community for supporting the Media Center through your Book Fair purchases. Every book you bought helped make this possible! 🩵📖
Stay tuned—details on how the book vending machine works are coming soon!
Back to School Savings Alert!
Did you know Florida’s Back to School Sales Tax Holiday is now permanent and runs the entire month of August? From August 1–31, families can save on essential school items tax-free — including clothing, school supplies, learning aids, and even personal computers!
Plan your shopping and check out the official list of tax-free items here: https://floridarevenue.com/.../Documents/TIP_25A01-08.pdf
Please note: School supply lists are provided individually by each school. Many of our secondary teachers will share their specific supply requests during orientation or on the first day of school. Reach out to your school if you have any questions!
We can't wait to see everyone back in our buildings on August 11th!
Did you know Florida’s Back to School Sales Tax Holiday is now permanent and runs the entire month of August? From August 1–31, families can save on essential school items tax-free — including clothing, school supplies, learning aids, and even personal computers!
Plan your shopping and check out the official list of tax-free items here: https://floridarevenue.com/.../Documents/TIP_25A01-08.pdf
Please note: School supply lists are provided individually by each school. Many of our secondary teachers will share their specific supply requests during orientation or on the first day of school. Reach out to your school if you have any questions!
We can't wait to see everyone back in our buildings on August 11th!
Greetings Seminole families! As we begin to prepare for another great school year, the PTO invites you to join them on Saturday, July 26th for campus beautification from 9-1. Please bring sunscreen, water, rakes and a smile! Have a great day and GO Seminoles!