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Oak Valley Elementary School

Where Staff, Students, and Community Strive for Excellence in Education

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Frequently Asked Questions

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  • We offer a range of programs, including special education, English language development, gifted education, and counseling services to support diverse student needs.

  • Safety is our top priority. We have secure campus entry points, regular emergency drills, and on-site staff trained in emergency response. Our visitor management system ensures that all guests are signed in and monitored.

  • Early care in the Oak Valley MPR begins at 7:30 am.

    Free breakfast is served between 8:00 and 8:25 am.

    The school day for all grade levels begins at 8:25 am.

    TK dismissal – 1:30 pm

    Kindergarten dismissal – 2:00 pm

    Grades 1-3 dismissal – 2:30 pm

    Grades 4-5 – dismissal – 3:05 pm

    Mondays are early release for all students – 1:30 pm dismissal

    After school Expanded Learning Opportunities Program provides care until 6:00 pm

  • Registration is straightforward and can be done online here Enrollment Required documents include proof of residence, birth certificate, and immunization records.

  • We welcome family involvement! Parents can volunteer in classrooms, join our very active PTSA and DELAC groups, participate in family engagement nights, or attend school events. Your involvement strengthens our school community and supports your child's learning experience. All volunteers must check in at the school office prior to entering campus. We require a valid identification card (driver’s license or ID card). We run your ID through the Raptor visitor management system to screen for safety concerns.

  • Technology is integrated to enhance learning, with resources such as interactive whiteboards, tablets, and educational software that support students' digital literacy and engagement.

Upcoming Events

View the full calendar to see all the exciting events we have happening in the next few weeks and months!

Core Values

Our core values promote a well-rounded approach, emphasizing both personal and interpersonal development, which are critical at the elementary level.
 

The Buellton Union School District logo features a sun, mountains, and text.

  • We value a school community that is constantly adapting and growing to meet the needs of its students.
  • We value instructional programs where decisions are based on students’ academic, social, and emotional needs.
  • We value a highly qualified, committed, nurturing staff that works in partnership with parents and the community.
  • We value an environment where administration and faculty are visible, accessible, and engaged.
  • We value a stimulating and engaging learning environment that provides numerous ways for each student to succeed.
  • We value a well-rounded curriculum that includes basic skills, technological skills, the arts, physical education, and social emotional skills.
  • We value classrooms where mistakes are seen as an opportunity to learn.
  • We value a school community that maintains up-to-date and safe facilities and provides staff with the tools and materials necessary to motivate and engage students.

School ProfileThe exterior of Oak Valley Elementary School on a sunny day.


Mission Statement:
Our mission is to nurture a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment where every child is valued, empowered, and inspired to learn. We are dedicated to fostering curiosity, building foundational skills, and encouraging a love for lifelong learning.


Grades: Transitional Kindergarten– 5th
Enrollment: 390 students
Principal: Lisa Melby
School Hours: 8:25 AM – 3:05 PM

Principal’s Message

Welcome to Oak Valley Elementary! My name is Lisa Melby, and I am the very proud principal of this incredible school community. Being a school principal truly is the BEST job. My days are filled with classroom visits, conversations with families, high fives and dance parties with students, learning alongside our talented teachers, and celebrating student growth. Our students inspire me every single day.

A little about me: This is my 28th year in education. I spent 21 wonderful years in the classroom and am currently in my seventh year as an administrator. I live in Buellton with my husband, our two adult children, and our Labradoodle puppy, Oakley. When I’m not at school, you’ll likely find me at the dog park watching Oakley run, on the pickleball court, or spending time with family and friends.

I am incredibly proud of the learning environment at Oak Valley Elementary. Our dedicated staff works collaboratively to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of every student. As a school, we have focused our professional learning on social-emotional development and mathematics, and we are thrilled with the growth our students continue to make. I invite you to explore our progress on the California School Dashboard. It truly reflects the hard work of our students and staff.

We warmly welcome you to our campus. If you are interested in learning more about Oak Valley, please contact our school secretary in the front office to schedule a tour. We look forward to meeting you and partnering with your family.

Did You Know?

  • Oak Valley 4th and 5th graders are active leaders through our Kindness Crew and Community Council. These students support younger learners during lunch recess, coordinate the Great Kindness Challenge, welcome students each morning, and help make decisions about school activities and events.
  • We are fortunate to have an amazing garden educator who works with all classes, enriching learning through hands-on experiences.
  • We partner with Arts Outreach to bring an artist-in-residence to Oak Valley.
  • Mrs. Roell, our dedicated music teacher, meets with every class weekly. Her instruction includes an Orff approach to music learning, as well as violin and ukulele instruction in our upper grades.
  • We have a stellar PTSA and DELAC who are active, involved, and incredibly supportive of our school community. They are always eager to welcome new members.
  • We offer a robust Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara. Students in grades TK–5 enjoy field trips, tutoring, homework help, STEAM enrichment, and plenty of time to play and connect after school.
     

Oak Valley Elementary is a special place, and we are proud of the students, staff, and families who make our school such a joyful community.

Warmly,

Lisa Melby

 

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