OMS Pirate Press Weekly Newsletter
Week of December 1-8, 2023
Highlights for the upcoming week of December 4-8, 2023
Schedule of Days for the week December 1-8, 2023:
- Monday 12/4: B Day
- Tuesday 12/5: C Day
- Wednesday 12/6: D Day
- Thursday 12/7: E Day
- Friday 12/8: A Day
Ski & Snowboard Club: Winter is right around the corner and it's once again time for our skiers and snowboarders to sign up for the OMS/OHS ski club. Ski club is limited to the first 35 paid applicants. Information is attached below. Contact ski club adviser Mr. Vinzi with any questions. Registration due December 1, 2023. mailto:oxpsskiclub@gmail.com
Homework Club: No Homework club on Monday 12/4
ELL Family Night for OXPS families: Tuesday, December 5, 2023 @ 5:30 p.m.
OMS Toy and Food Drives.
Junior National Honor Society Toy Drive: NJHS will be hosting a toy drive December 4-14, 2023. They are looking for NEW, UNWRAPPED gifts for all ages, but especially for those aged 10-14. Gift cards are also welcome. There will be a gift collection box by the main office December 4-14 to collect toys. These toys will go to Oxford Police Toy Drive, which will in turn benefit local families.
Student Council Food Drive: OMS Stu Co will be hosting a Food Drive to benefit Oxford Food Shelf December 6-13th. They are looking for non-perishable food items. A suggested list and information is linked below in the flyer OMS Food Drive. Food items may be dropped off at the food drive bin by the OMS Main Office.
FOMS Fundraiser: FOMS is sponsoring an OMS Spirit Wear Shop. You can order the latest in gear--t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts, outerwear, hats, and more! Orders placed before Friday, December 8th will receive delivery before the holidays. All proceeds benefit FOMS, which in turn benefit our OMS students and programs. Please see the link below to order and the flyer below for more info. https://www.kerringraphics.com/customer_portal/document_library.html
Our office helpers were in today to help deliver mail, packages, and good cheer throughout the building!
PE classes having some fun playing some team sports
Girls' Basketball having fun closing down practice with a game of Knock-Out
Upcoming School Events
8th grade Bay Path Informational: *New info under 3rd bullet regarding interviews*
- On Friday, September 29th a representative from Bay Path Vocational Technical High School came and spoke to our 8th grade students. He discussed the academic, vocational, and extra curricular options available at Bay Path as well as the application and admissions process. On Tuesday, October 24th, OMS students had opportunity to visit Bay Path during the day for tours, and on Wednesday, October 25th, Bay Path held an evening open house.
- To apply to Bay Bath, interested 8th grade students can complete an application by logging on to baypath.net and creating a profile. They should fill out demographic info and rank the vocational areas in order of most interested in to least interested in. OMS counselors will upload grades, attendance, and discipline information from 7th and 8th grade. The deadline for applications is January 12, 2024.
- All applicants will be interviewed by Bay Path admissions staff on January 17, 2024 at OMS. Anyone unable to attend their scheduled interview for this date will need to schedule a time to interview at Bay Path.
OMS School Store: Pirates' Cove (formerly Cheapo Depot) December dates open: December 1 and December 15.
Winter Concert: The winter concert will be held on Wednesday, December 13th 6:30 p.m. at OMS Auditorium. Please see attached OMS Winter Concert Information sheet for more details.
Clubs and Activities
Video Club: OMS Video Club is offered to students in grades 7 and 8, as they have a working foundational knowledge of the media room and equipment. This club is limited to 15 students because of equipment. The club will be held on Tuesdays from 2:00-3:00 beginning October 17th and running through December 19th. Interested students should see Mr. Janerico in room 218 for more info and permission slips. If you have questions, you can also reach out to him by email jjanerico@oxps.org .
Robotics Club: Mr. Kay at OHS is establishing a Robotics club with 2 sessions that he is inviting OMS students to participate in. Spots are limited. Students interested will need the recommendation of their STEM/Science teacher. Students will be working in collaboration with OHS JROTC students in these clubs. Recommendation/Permission slip forms will be available in the main office.
- The first session is for grade 8 students only. This session will focus on drones, engineering, programming, and team building. This club will meet at the OHS Cafeteria and run Thursdays in October through January 15th. The max group size for this is 15 students.
- The second session is open to grade 6-8 students and will focus on Vex IQ technology and run from February through June of 2024. The max group size will be 20 students. Vex IQ technology is a robotics program and will also include engineering and programming as well.
Chess/Board Game Club will meet on Tuesdays after school in the Cafeteria with Ms. McConnaughey. Permission slips are available in the main office. Please see or email Ms. McConnaughey with any questions. mailto:tmcconnaughey@oxps.org
Book Club: Do you love to read? If so the Book Club may be for you. The book club held its first meeting on Thursday, September 28th after school 2:00-3:00 with Ms. Kenner in the library. At this meeting, students chose their first book. Students interested but unable to attend the first meeting should see or email Ms. Kennen for more information about the club's first book and next meeting. akennen@oxps.org
Homework Center: Need help, time, and resources with homework, research, projects, and studying? The Homework Center will run on Mondays-Tuesdays-Wednesdays-Thursdays after school 2:00-3:00, with the exception of the once a month faculty days held mostly on Mondays, but some rare Tuesdays due to long weekends Students wishing to stay will need a blue Homework Center form signed by a teacher with a specific assignment/project to work on and the parent/guardian signature. See or email Ms. Kennen for permission slips and with questions. mailto:akennen@oxps.org . No Homework Club on December 4th and 14th.
Art Club (Fall Session): Art Club had limited space for 20 students and is now full for the fall session. For those who signed up and secured an early spot, Art Club will meet every Thursday 2:00-3:00 p.m. For those who were interested but weren't able to fit it in this fall, there will be a winter/spring session as well, which we'll do sign ups for in the future.
From Food Services
- The December OMS menus is copied below.
Spotlight on OMS Girls' Basketball
Girl's hoops 3 v 3 action,--going for the layup
Girls' Hoops 3 v 3 action
From the Health Office
- 7th Grade Physicals
- According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Laws, a physical examination is required for each student upon entry into public school or entrance into a new public school district plus at intervals of three to four years thereafter. To be in compliance with this law the Oxford Public Schools, requires updated physical examinations in the 4th, 7th and 10th grades.
- If you have not done so already, please send in a current physical complete with an updated immunization record. If you are unsure what your child is missing please email the school nurse at apackard@oxps.org. You may send in a copy with your child or have the pediatrician’s office fax it to 508-987-2588.
Given you and your family’s busy schedules, I appreciate your time and effort regarding this Oxford Public School requirement.
Bus 6/Transportation--Update (in italics)
Bus 6 will be delayed by approximately 30 minutes daily for the near future, as students will be taking bus 2 after bus 2 does their route. This plan will be in place until such time as a new drivers hired take exam and are and trained on the route for the afternoons. Update: The bus company indicates that 1 driver tested on 11/30 and another will test on 12/5 . we are hopeful that between the 2 drivers, we will be able to have a resolution to busing. Again, we apologize for the inconvenience and the continued changes. This is unfortunately beyond our control, but we appreciate your understanding, support, and flexibility. In the meantime, those who stay with us for a few extra minutes have been having fun playing football and other games both outside and inside. We've tried to make the most of our time with them to give them entertaining options.
The bus company is looking for new drivers. If you or someone you know is interested, the flyer is below, titled FS Hiring.
OXPS School Committee Invites you to Public Forum on Monday, December 4, 2023 @ 5:00 p.m. @ OHS Community Room. This is an open evening for comment, discussion, questions and answers regarding the Town of Oxford special election on December 12th regarding the building repair projects for Barton, Chaffee, and the High School. See flyer linked below. Please join us.
Community Events
*THIS WEEKEND: OHS Craft Fair*: Oxford High School Student Council will be hosting a craft fair on Saturday, December 2nd 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. at Oxford High School. Entry is free, there will be over 60 craft vendors, OHS band will be performing @ 11:00-1:00, there is a $5 Santa Breakfast and there will be a photographer present for pictures with Santa. Don't miss out! See Flyer below, labeled "Craft Fair Main Flyer"
*BRAND NEW* Oxford Softball League: Registration is now open for Oxford Thunder Softball league for U6Tball , and softball for U8, U10, U12, and U14/16. See flyer below with QR code to register. Email OxfordLassieLeague@yahoo.com with any questions.
*NEWER* Oxford Little League: Oxford Little League Spring 2024 Registration are now open. You may register at https://leagues.bluesombrero.com/Default.aspx?tabid=851793 . Please see attached flyer below for more information about ages and cost.
*NEWER* Oxford Youth Soccer: Oxford Youth Soccer is now accepting registrations for the spring season for students in grades K-8. The deadline to register is December 31, 2023!! Please see info via the following link: https://clubs.bluesombrero.com/oxfordyouthsoccer and below on the flyer entitled Oxford Youth Soccer Registration Flyer. Any questions can be directed to mailto:oxfordyouthsoccer@gmail.com
Dudley Charlton Youth Lacrosse welcomes Oxford students to register for the Spring League. Information is attached below (DCYLA 2024 registration flyer).
Tickets for OXPS Athletic Events:
- The School Committee voted to change the admission prices for OHS athletic events moving forward. Students are now FREE- this will hopefully increase school spirit, and have more kids at games rooting for our student athletes!
- The new prices are:
- Adults: $8
- Students: Free!
- Senior Citizens $3
The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission is exploring ways to address climate pollution across Central Mass region. If you are interested in a free workshop to learn more, please see attached flyer.
GRG Support group-join us!
The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) and caregiver support group meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month from September to June @ 9:30 a.m. in the Community Room at Oxford High School. Coffee and snacks will be provided, please park in front and come in the main entrance. Feel free to contact Kimberly Rockwood with any questions-(978) 413-8989- all are welcome!
NAMI Support Group via Zoom:
We are collaborating with NAMI to offer a FREE new Support Group for caregivers of pre-teens and teens with mental health challenges provided for our Oxford families by the Central Mass chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI).
NAMI Support Group for Caregivers of pre-teens and teens with mental health challenges is a peer-led support group for any adult who cares for a child or adolescent who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. The group will enable you to gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar experiences. You are not alone. NAMI’s support groups are unique because they follow a structured model, ensuring everyone has an opportunity to be heard and to get what they need.
FREE of cost to participants
Designed for adult loved ones of young people with mental health conditions
Led by family members of people with mental health conditions
60-120 minutes long and meeting weekly, every other week, or monthly (varies by location)
No specific medical therapy or treatment is endorsed
CONFIDENTIAL
The NAMI Support Group for caregivers of Pre-teens and Teens with mental health issues (POPTT) will begin on Wednesday evening, October 25th, from 7:00 – 9:00pm, via Zoom, and continue on the fourth Wednesday evening of each month. To sign up for this group, please email Robin at robinbahr1@gmail.com or Joy at cummingspj@worcesterma.gov. Please indicate that you are interested in joining the POPTT group; give your email address and the best phone number at which to reach you. The email link will be sent the day before each meeting.
Save the Date- School Conferences
March 7th 5:00-7:00 Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conferences. These will also utilize Myconferencetime.com for registration. More information to come at the close of February as we approach the conferences and get ready to open registration.
Helpful Resources
- Are you getting text messages of our automated calls/texts/emails? If you are not currently receiving text prompts about school and district news, please send a message to the number 22300 and type ALERT in the message in order to receive texts in the future.
- Our District Calendar can be found via the following links:
- District School Day Calendar: https://4.files.edl.io/b2fc/08/30/23/192743-caa5596d-7c83-451f-8868-d753af9ebf0d.pdf
- District Events: https://www.oxps.org/apps/pages/district_calendars
- School Hour changes, per district updates and the implications for OMS students. The link to the school hours is here: https://www.oxps.org/apps/pages/school_times .
- Electronic Backpack: Please be sure to remember to check the electronic backpack for forms, letters, community announcements as well. The link to the electronic backpack for OMS is as follows: https://oms.oxps.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=2070226&type=d&pREC_ID=2128528