Osceola Middle School
January 2024 Newsletter
All kids matter, are important, and can grow socially, emotionally, and academically.
Welcome to 2024!
I hope you had a wonderful holiday season, were able to spend quality time with loved ones, and are looking forward to a great 2024!
OMS staff and students had a blast as we rounded out 2023 with a fun holiday celebration! Included are some fun pictures. Lots of laughter and big smiles filled the hallways of OMS!
If you missed the announcement in my update before break, I have been offered and accepted the OHS Assistant Principal and Curriculum Coordinator position. I started the first 10 years of my career at OHS and am excited for the opportunity to rejoin the OHS team and partner with Mr. Newton. This was a hard decision; I love my OMS team and students, and I feel very fortunate to have served as the middle school principal for the past 5 ½ years. I’m excited to have the opportunity to watch your child(ren) continue to grow throughout the upcoming years!
While we navigate this transition, I will still be supporting the middle school staff, students, and parents, so please reach out if you need anything.
Before January comes to an end, our students will take our Winter assessment: MAPs. This data will show us the groth students have made this year and the specific work that still needs to happen before the Forward and remainder of the year. We will also get the Forward schedule out to families soon so you are aware of those dates.
Have a wonderful January!
Amanda
School Closure Reminder Information
Snow Storms and Cold Weather
When determining whether a snowstorm closure is necessary, our school district monitors the estimated snow accumulation and the storm's timing through the National Weather Service. We also consult with city public works officials, our transportation company, and neighboring school districts, typically starting at about 4:00 am.
In cold weather-only decisions (e.g., no snow or other road-impacting conditions), we use a sustained wind chill warning (-35 degrees below) as the threshold. If the National Weather Service changes a wind chill advisory to a wind chill warning, the District will close school for all or part of a day, depending on the projected time of the warning. This threshold is consistently agreed upon by regional school districts, though remember that “warning” or “advisory” status can vary by microclimate.
Late Starts
If the District needs to delay the start of school, the individual building times are:
- Elementary School 10:00 am
- Intermediate School 9:55 am
- Middle School 10:05 am
- High School 10:05 am
- Kids Klub: 8:00 am
Bus times: Adjust your child’s normal pickup time to be 2 hours later. For example, if their regular pickup time is 6:45 a.m., it will be at 8:45 a.m. on a two-hour late start day.
Make Up Days
If the District closes school for any weather-related situation, the plan is as follows:
- Days 1 and 2 will be traditional snow days with no academic expectations.
- Day 3 we would use Monday, April 1 as a school day. It is currently an in-service day on our school calendar.
- If we have more, Day 4 and beyond, the District would implement at-home learning days.
- Each buildings will communicative the expectations of learning if we reach 4 or more closures.
Kids Klub
Kids Klub will not be open on days that school is closed due to inclement weather. This includes cold and/or snow days.
Kids Klub will be open for late starts and early release days due to inclement weather.
Late starts - Kids Klub is open from 8:00-10:00am. Breakfast is not served on these days but a snack will be provided at 9:00.
Early Release - We ask that students are picked up as soon as possible when school is released early due to bad weather. We remain open until the last child is picked up.
Student Attendance: Every Day Counts
BENEFITS of regular school attendance
A consistent school attendance schedule will provide many unique benefits for your child’s life, including:
Structure. When your child regularly engages in the same activities, they will be more likely to develop structure. This structure instills a better sense of time management into your child that will be useful in many avenues of their life.
Academics. Students who regularly attend class are more likely to achieve at higher reading and math levels than students who don’t. Children are more likely to keep up with daily assignments and homework, develop stronger language and vocabulary skills, and be better prepared academically.
Social Skills. Children will participate in many social situations that are vital for understanding the world around them. Socializing with peers helps them understand social cues, social etiquette, and how to express their thoughts.
WHAT NOW? As a district we will assist you with tracking your child’s attendance by sending notifications when your child has been absent 5 days and then again if they hit 10 days absent. After 10 days, the principal will work with you to create a plan that helps get your child to school. Please know we are compassionate people and will work with families. Alongside communication, Osceola students have at least one day off per month due to in-services or holidays in addition to longer breaks throughout the year. Because no instruction is done on these days, a student can take advantage of using these days as a break. However, if a student does not attend school while instruction is occurring, they miss valuable learning opportunities. Every day counts!
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
The easiest way to take part in your child’s educational success is to:
Ensure your child is on time every day. Showing up late to school every day can put a strain on your child’s ability to keep up academically. Teaching your child how to go to sleep on time and properly set their alarm clock will help them become more accountable.
Check their homework. Make sure your child has completed their homework on time and tried their best. Some children may try to blow through homework to begin play time, it is important to stay firm and prevent access to their leisurely activities until everything is complete.
Stay involved with their academics. Take an active role in your child’s academic success. Ask your child specific questions about how their school day was and actively listen to their answers. Meet your child’s teacher and develop a rapport that allows you to suggest ideas that could benefit your child in their home and school life.
Set attendance goals with the child. Creating a plan and tracking progress can encourage better attendance and provide opportunities for conversations and support. Simple steps such as making sure a child gets enough sleep and preparing for school the day or night before can also be effective.
TOGETHER we are STRONGER!
Local Resources
If you need any resources for your family, especially throughout the holiday and winter season, below is a link to many local resources. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Stoppelmoor, our OMS Guidance Counselor.
Winter Fun!
Staff Rock-Paper-Scissor Winner
7th Grade Courage Retreat
What an amazing opportunity for our 7th graders! This retreat is an amazing, self-reflective, accountability experience that truly has the power to change the path our kids are on.
Fun story from Mrs. Meyer--I was in the office trying to convince two girls to attend the retreat instead of calling home to get picked up. An 8th grade girl walked into the office and I asked her, "What was your favorite 7th grade experience?" With enthusiasm, she said, "The Courage Retreat!" I turned to the two girls then back to the 8th grader. The 8th grader said, "That was the best trip I've ever been on. It changed my life." She turned to the girls and told them, "Call your parents back and tell them you changed your mind. You need to stay for this."
This was all unprompted and unplanned but just shows how impactful this retreat is.
To reinforce the positive effects of the retreat, we believe it’s important for the entire community to be involved in supporting and communicating the messages delivered on the retreat. Because of this, we encourage parents and caregivers to inquire about their student’s retreat experience by asking the following questions:
1. What activities did you find fun?
2. What were the small-group leaders like?
3. What were some of the social fears that you discussed during the small-group conversations?
4. What’s a fear you really struggle with?
5. What is one thing you can do at school to show more courage?
Visit youthfrontiers.org/courage-retreat for more information on Youth Frontiers and to watch a video about the Courage Retreat.
Respectfully,
Lisa Stoppelmoor
OMS School Counselor
Upcoming Dates
January 3: 7th and 8th grade Girls Basketball starts
January 3: 6th-8th grade Wrestling starts
January 5: Forensics Meeting during Advisory (Mrs. Newman's room)
January 12: Last Day of Hex 3
January 15: No School | Teacher In Service
January 17: Grades Updated
January 19: Chieftain Pride Privilege Card Applications Due Today
January 23: Math Counts at Hudson
January 26: 8th Grade to Camp Wapo for Outdoor Adventures (8:00-3:00)
January 26: After School Winter Party (3:30-5:00)
February 1: Math Counts at Eau Claire
February 14: Osceola Battle of the Books Competition (afternoon in Library) (See Mrs. J. Carson)
February 16: 8th Grade to Theatre and Lunch
February 19: No School | Teacher In Service
February 21: 6th Grade to Children's Theatre | Alice in Wonderland
Community Education Opportunities
Ski Club
The winter skiing season is almost upon us! For the 23/24 season, Trollhaugen is offering a student pass/group pass option. This pass is available on Mondays to Osceola students, grades 5-12. The pass is good from 3 to 9 pm starting the week of December 11, 2023.
Parents are responsible for completing registration forms and payment through Trollhaugen. PLEASE COMPLETE and TURN IN FORMS TO TROLLHAUGEN PRIOR TO DEC. 11. There are no chaperones and no transportation through Osceola Community Ed.
Trollhaugen offers beginner lessons, and equipment rental (including a special student discount rate). Attached you can find the 23/24 Group Pass program. Paper forms are also available at the Osceola Intermediate School, the Osceola Middle School, and the Osceola High School.
Open Swim
Students in Grades 3 -8 are invited to an after school Open Swim on Wednesdays in December!
Cost is $5 per date, size is limited to 40 students. Pool memberships will be honored as payment for this program.
Dates for the December program are Wednesdays, January 10, 17, 24, & 31
Times: After school until 4:15. Pick up promptly at pool doors.
Location: Osceola Aquatic Center
LINK TO REGISTER: https://forms.gle/7sBDAi4F46PYaeur8
PTA Announcements
OMS Drop Off and Pick Up
Another friendly reminder about our after school safety flow:
All vehicles drop off and pick up at the main entrance. Only buses drop off and pick up at the pool doors. Use the "overflow" loop in the shared parking lot if there is a line.
AFTER SCHOOL SAFETY FLOW: Only buses should use the bus exit. Everyone else will be directed to use the four-way stop closest to OHS if they are not picking up a student at the OMS front doors. This flow is all for safety purposes.
2023-2024 Athletics Information
Athletic Director: Mr. Trevor Scholz
Here is the link to the OMS Athletics Webpage. It is very important for you to sign up for the Remind for the teams your child is on.
Boys Basketball: First practice is Thursday, October 12th. Season ends on December 11th.
Please contact Mr. Scholz with any sports related questions.
Hex Dates and Daily Schedule
Schoology
Helpful Links!
Osceola Board of Education
Committee Meeting
Osceola District Office Conference Room
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 5:00pm
Regular School Board of Education Meeting
Osceola District Office Conference Room
Wednesday, October 11th, 2023 at 6:30pm
Regular School Board of Education Meeting
Osceola District Office Conference Room
Wednesday, October 25th, 2023 at 6:30pm
Contact Information
Amanda Meyer, Principal
ADDRESS:
Osceola Middle School1029 Oak Ridge Drive | Osceola WI 54020
EMAIL: meyera@osceolak12.org
PHONE: 715-294-4180 x3010
WEBSITE: https://www.osceola.k12.wi.us/schools/middle/
*Please call or email for an appointment