Oakleaf Village Elementary School

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Community Stakeholders,

     It is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that I welcome you to Oakleaf Village Elementary (OVE). I find myself so very fortunate to help lead a school filled with such an inspiring faculty and staff, that work so tirelessly everyday to serve the students within our community. Located within Oakleaf Plantation, a planned urban development inside the Clay County school district, Oakleaf Village Elementary finds itself primed to provide students the quintessential educational experience. Benefiting from a diverse community and student experience as well as the “small town” inclusive environment Clay is known for,Oakleaf Village is a special place to learn, work, and grow for everyone who has the opportunity to walk through its doors. Serving around 1,000 students on average, OVE offers Pre-K through 6th grade. Classes offer a  traditional curriculum such as math, science, social studies and language arts, with the opportunity for students to learn in technology, PE, art, music, and media classes as well.

     Oakleaf Village provides me with the chance to positively impact each of your students' lives in a profound manner and I work to deserve that opportunity each and every day. Education is a pillar of any successful community, which is why I have dedicated my life to its practice. I attended Florida State University to become a teacher, receiving a bachelors in science education. I then went on to teach here in Clay County at Lake Asbury Junior High for five years, before deciding to pursue a leadership position at Wilkinson Junior as I continued teaching science. While at Wilkinson Junior I earned my Master’s degree from the University of North Florida to become an educational leader. Upon receipt of said degree I went to Duval County Public Schools to become an assistant principal, before returning to my roots in Clay and taking the assistant principal role at Plantation Oaks Elementary in 2018. In 2022 I was named Principal of Oakleaf Village Elementary. In each role I have always sought to provide students with the best educational experience possible and will continue to do so here.

     I am truly honored to be a part of OVE and the Clay County School District. Thank you to all our faculty, staff, parents, guardians and community stakeholders who allow me to mold these students into the best version of themselves each and every day.  I look forward to meeting and working with each of you.

Sincerely,

Jason Martin

Oakleaf Village Elementary Principal

Dear Oakleaf Village Elementary Parents and Stakeholders,

It is with great joy that I introduce myself, Chernell Gilliam, an assistant principal at Oakleaf Village Elementary.  With pride I welcome you to our OVE family. Since 2006, it has been my absolute pleasure to serve the students and families in the same community I call home.

As a mother of two adult children, I understand the importance of a school with dedicated faculty and staff.  At OVE, the adults believe every student should have an adult in the building who they can seek out for a kind smile, a “good morning!” or encouragement. Teachers ensure that student’s individual learning needs are met within the instructional setting.

I look forward to our joint effort throughout this school year to ensure each student finds success. Your continued support is vital to that mission. Student attendance is an integral part as well. Together through engaging lessons, student participation, and parental support, we will have the amazing year I know awaits us.

Sincerely,

Chernell Gilliam

Dear Oakleaf Village Elementary Parents and Stakeholders

It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself, Shelley Lester, as one of the assistant principals here at OVE.  My passion for education and the success of all students has been shaped over my many years of serving as teacher, assistant principal, principal, and college professor.  In each role, I have sought to ensure the success for each student and school by providing equitable educational opportunities.  Similarly, it is my number one priority at Oakleaf Village Elementary that every student receives the best education possible.

Please know that the OVE staff is dedicated to ensuring that every student receives the instruction that meets their individual academic needs in a safe and supportive school. Environment.  Our Oakleaf Village staff takes great pride in interactions with students and families.  Building positive relationships with all OVE students, families and staff is of great importance to me as well.  Please feel free to contact me.

As we partner together throughout the school year, we will need your help!  Our commitment to you is to keep our focus on teaching and learning.  You can help us by making sure students arrive at school on time, each day.  Our instructional day begins at 8:30 and ends at 2:42.  Please make all efforts to schedule any student appointments before or after school hours to ensure that your child receives a full day’s instruction.  I encourage every family to join and/or volunteer with our PTO.  Parent involvement increases student achievement and enriches the school community.  As we build upon existing relationships and forge new ones, let us collaboratively support the social, emotional and academic well-being of each child at Oakleaf Village Elementary.  Through this team effort, we will make tremendous progress for all.

Thank you for trusting your child in our care and partnering with faculty/staff members to prepare children for 21st century learning.Please feel free to contact me at 904-336-2425 or e-mail me at shelley.lester@myoneclay.net with questions, suggestions, and/or concerns.

Sincerely,

Shelley Lester