OMS Friday Knight Live
March 31, 2023
In This Newsletter:
- Blue Valley Food Pantry Now Open
- 4th Quarter Requests from Teachers
- 2023-2024 PTO Open Positions
- PTO Thank You... Do You Want to Purchase a Party??
- Giving the Basics Dignity Drive... Student Council & Community Service Club Sponsored
- 8th Grade: Deadline to sign up for JCCC and OPFD Field Trips
- 8th Grade: CAPS field trip April 5th
- 8th Grade: BVNW Spirit Wear Available
- 8th Grade: Color Guard Tryouts in April
Blue Valley Food Pantry Now Open
Family members can now make an appointment at the Blue Valley Food Pantry. This choice pantry is intended to provide hands-on vocational training for high school students with disabilities while also providing a food resource for families and employees. To learn more, please visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/bvpantry.
Appointments will be available on days school is in session from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. To schedule an in-person appointment, please visit the Food Pantry website. At this time, we are not taking orders or appointments by phone. Families will select “Make a Shopping Appointment” on the website. The food pantry is located inside of the Hilltop Conference Center, 7700 W. 143rd St.
4th Quarter Requests from Teachers
OMS families, it is the start of 4th quarter and our teachers are asking for a supply check. Many students are coming to classes without pencils, pens, notebooks, and calculators. Students are not able to complete assignments and tests or participate in labs and activities without these supplies. Please take a quick look at your child’s binders and pencil pouches for needed daily items.
2023-2024 PTO Open Positions
We have open positions next year for President, Vice President, Fundraising Chair, and Newsletter. Please contact current PTO President Laura Pulliam, Lauraannpulliam@gmail.com or 913-948-2132, if you have questions or would like to discuss. We need YOU!
TOP 5 REASONS TO JOIN THE PTO BOARD
1) IMPACT: As a PTO Board member, you have the opportunity to positively impact your child’s learning environment in significant ways. The PTO Board decides how to allocate funds to purchase learning resources such as new books for the library, in-classroom tools, subscriptions, field trips, and more. The PTO also gives funds to support the teachers and staff to help ensure they feel supported, productive and happy.
2) NETWORK: Expand your network both inside and outside of school by being on the PTO Board. Get to know the teachers and staff that interact with your children, meet other parents who want to make a positive impact, and get the inside scoop on what’s going on at the school.
3) FLEXIBILITY: There is a valuable role on the PTO Board to accommodate any interest or availability. Ask about role descriptions and estimated time commitments. We even have opportunities to co-chair.
4) EXPERIENCE: You bring valuable skills to help the PTO do more with available resources. Being on the PTO Board can allow you to try something new that may be of interest and learn new skills for yourself!
5) TITLE: If you’ve ever had aspirations to rock the Vice President title, now is your big chance!
PTO Thank You and Do You Want to Purchase a Party?
A HUGE thanks to everyone who came out Saturday night to support our Trivia Night! If you weren't able to make it out, you're in luck, as you can still attend the parties! There is no better way to raise money for the school... than by partying? Yes, that's right!
We have three options for you - and all include food and drink, so it's actually a steal. A poolside Derby party, a rip-roaring Oktoberfest, and a Scavenger Hunt on the last day of school for all middle school girls.
See the link for more information on each party and to sign up: https://omspto.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/227240
Student Council and Community Service Club Dignity Drive
Next week, April 3-7, the Oxford Student Council and OMS Community Service Club will host a Dignity Drive for Giving the Basics. GTB is a Kansas City agency that promotes health and human dignity by providing personal care and hygiene products to over 250,000 people in the Metro Area each month. Oxford Middle School is a proud recipient of the Giving the Basics program.
With your help, Giving the Basics provides the necessities of life that are not covered by government assistance programs and that most people take for granted such as laundry soap, shampoo, shower gel, deodorant, toilet paper, and other personal care hygiene products.
We will have collection barrels at OMS next week for your hygiene product donations, OR if you would like to contribute money virtually, please check out the attached donation QR code. When you check out online, please fill in the Company Name & Branch as Oxford Middle School.
If you choose to drop off products or donate virtually, your generosity will touch the lives of thousands of students in our community. We appreciate your support of our OMS Dignity Drive!!
**8th Grade Information**
8th Grade - April 10 Deadline for Fire Department/JCCC Field Trips
This week our 8th grade students learned about Blue Valley Career Ready Programs during flex time. Blue Valley has developed a partnership with Johnson County Community College to offer options for career ready certifications in a variety of fields. 8th graders have the opportunity to visit Johnson County Community College on April 18 and the Overland Park Fire Department on April 19.
To sign your student up for either/both trips, please complete this FORM by Monday, April 10th. Transportation will be provided to JCCC and the OPFD FTC and back to student’s home schools.
8th Grade CAPS Field Trip — No Early Pickups Wednesday April 5
The 8th grade will be going on a field trip to the CAPS building Wednesday April 5 from 12:45pm - 2:30pm. Parents may NOT pick up their 8th graders early from the CAPS building. Should a student need to leave early that afternoon, they will need to be picked up at 12:40pm from OMS as they will not be able to join the field trip (please create the absence in ParentVue so we know ahead of time to have your student ready for pickup at 12:40pm).
8th Grade Celebration Date Is Set!
8th grade families, the 8th grade celebration is set for Thursday May 25th from 8:00am - 10:00am. More details coming and chances for you to help!
8th Grade – Class of 2027 Spirit Wear
Blue Valley Northwest High School welcomes the incoming freshmen who will be the class of 2027! The BVNW Spirit Wear shop is OPEN! Here is a great opportunity to stock up on BVNW gear before the start of school this fall. The store will close on April 21st and all items will be sent directly to you.
Click HERE to browse and shop online!
8th Grade Students: BVNW Colorguard Clinic & Tryouts
All 8th grade students are invited to the 23-24 BVNW Colorguard/Flag Team clinics and auditions. Join this amazing team for performances at football games, parades, basketball games, assemblies, and competitions. Clinics start April 25 both morning and afternoon.
Click HERE for more information and Dates and Times
Helpful Repeated Information
Connect to Prevent Free Seminar April 4
The Blue Valley Drug and Alcohol Prevention Committee, along with BV Well, is hosting a parent information night on April 4 from 6-7:30 p.m. for all Blue Valley families. The seminar, "Connect to Prevent," will feature several speakers who will address current drug and alcohol trends in our community and give suggestions on how to have prevention conversations at home with your family.
Please see the attached flier for more information and use the QR code to register. We hope that you can join us for this important event. This event is for adults and some content may not be appropriate for children/teens.
Testing Days & Early Pickup
State testing begins on April 25 and continues for 6 different days through the end of the year (watch further Friday Knight Live newsletters for specific dates). Make sure all Chromebooks are fully charged for testing days! Please make sure to use ParentVue to notify us if you are picking up your child early. We will not easily be able to pull your child from testing areas without prior notice.
OMS Spring Edition of the OMS Knightly Newspaper
Click HERE for the Spring Edition of the newspaper club’s latest edition! See photos, current clubs, dates for upcoming events, and a student compiled gift guide!
Parents Still Matter Newsletter for Middle School
Parents and Guardians, read the newest articles on topics like note taking, community service benefits, study time support from families, positive discipline, academic integrity, and so much more!
Click HERE for the March 2023 Newsletter
Kansas Education Enrichment Program
Our social worker has provided information regarding the KEEP program which can assist with education related costs. Click HERE for the flier.
Student Picture Gallery
The OMS website has a Student Picture Gallery showing everyday classroom activities, science labs, activities, clubs, athletics, and special events. Want to see 8th grade science labs? Community Service and Student Council projects?
Click HERE for the Student Picture Gallery and feel free to download your favorite shots!
Oxford Update Regarding Snacks at School
Students who are allowed to have snacks in classrooms will no longer be allowed to purchase food after cafeteria meal times. The nurse will not have snacks available in the health room. Students need to either bring a snack from home or purchase during breakfast or their designated lunch time.
Traffic Lane Tips
Safe Schools Reporting
Blue Valley Schools is committed to promoting and fostering a safe environment in and around all of our schools. Through the convergence of physical and intellectual security measures, we are continuously working to prevent, mitigate, respond to and recover from a wide range of emergencies. Please check out available ways to report safety concerns
Community Service Hours for 2022-23 Recognition
Community Service hours for this year's Blue Valley Volunteer Service Awards are due to Allyson DiNitto in the Counseling office by Friday, April 14, 2023! Students who have completed 50 or more service hours from April 1, 2022-March 31, 2023 will be recognized with service awards at the end of the school year. We have 3 levels of recognition: Bronze (50-74 hours of service), Silver (75-99 hours of service) and Gold (100+ hours of service).
Service hours can be for any volunteer work done to help an organization or person that you do not receive payment or goods for the service. Service work is to help others, outside of yourself or your family.
Examples: being a team manager, volunteering at a food pantry, doing yardwork for an elderly neighbor, being a peer mentor for another student, helping at an animal shelter, cleaning up an area park. **Being part of a school club or activity does not count for service hours, unless the group worked on a project to help another organization or cause.
Please use the 2022-2023 Volunteer Log (or your own version of it) to record your volunteer hours! If you have questions, please contact Allyson DiNitto at adinitto@bluevalleyk12.org.
Allyson DiNitto
O.M.S. Counselor (L-Z)
Student Absence Reporting ** Help Needed
Parents/Guardians we need your help. Please do not email or call staff members directly about student absences, late arrivals, or early dismissals (that includes Mrs. Orenstein, Mrs. Domoney, Mr. Holsapple, or any teacher). When those individuals are absent, your messages do not reach the attendance team.
We Highly Encourage you to use the “Report An Absence” feature in ParentVue. You may leave comments in the notes section if you are notifying us of a late arrival or early pick up. Please do not call Mrs. Orenstein directly – call the attendance line at 913/239-5505.
Thank you – we appreciate your assistance.
8th Grade Families- 8th grade celebration
Hello 8th grade families. It is time to start planning for the end of the year 8th grade celebration! This fun event involves a ceremony in the OMS gym, refreshments and an 8th grade only field trip.
In order to make this event memorable we need a committee. If you would like to help plan this fun 8th grade tradition, please click this link 8th Grade Celebration Committee
If you have any questions, please email us at oxfordmspto@gmail.com
Thank you,
Oxford PTO
Student text “Come Get Me”?
Parents and guardians, we need your help. If your student texts or calls you from their cell phone saying they don’t feel well and want you to pick them up — please tell them to go to the nurse’s office. The school tracks contagious illnesses, number of students out due to illness, and Nurse Piper watches for illness trends. Your student should only be calling you from the nurse’s office if they are going home ill.
Families, it is flu and cold season. Please keep your students home if they have (or in the past 24 hours have had) a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Student Picture Gallery
The OMS website has a Student Picture Gallery showing everyday classroom activities, science labs, activities, clubs, athletics, and special events. Want to see the Pre-Engineering egg drop? 6th grade science project? Sept 22 Cross Country Meet?
Click HERE for the Student Picture Gallery and feel free to download your favorite shots!
Clubs and Activities
We have had requests for a listing of clubs and activities by day. We have had new clubs start (Welcome Anime Club!!) and several change days and times (Check Photography Club and Show Choir).
Click HERE for 1st Semester Club and Activity List by Day and Week
Candid Photos for Yearbook and Website
OMS families we would love to have some candid photos of your student at games, meets, practices, etc..
Photos must be .jpg, .jpeg, or.png for inclusion on the website, the parent newsletter, and the yearbook.
Photos must be in focus
Please do not send multiple photos of the same pose, group, or action – we love variety!
Thank you for uploading photos directly to the yearbook google drive! Click HERE for the 22 23 Yearbook Photo Link
Securly at Home
Your child’s online safety, in the palm of your hand. The time to take action is now. We recognize that student safety and well-being in the online world is a shared responsibility between our schools and families, and with Securly - the district’s cloud-based filtering system - taking an active role in your child’s online safety has never been easier.
Click HERE to access the Securly Parent Toolkit to setup your parent portal and custom notifications.
OMS Building and Office Hours
Doors open in the morning for students at 7:15am – students will be waiting outside until the doors open. Students are to proceed to the Commons/Gym and they may not go to lockers or to classrooms. Students must be in their seats in their 1st period classroom by 7:51am. When the afternoon bell rings at 3:00pm students must leave the building unless they are at a supervised after school activity or practice. Office hours are 7:15am - 3:30pm.
For the Latest Announcements and Information
Want to keep up on the latest OMS announcements and information? Check out the NEWS section on the OMS website. NEWS is located under the About Us tab.
Contact Us! We Are Here To Help!
Attendance Number: 913-239-5505
Mrs. Domoney, Principal: cdomoney@bluevalleyk12.org
Mr. Holsapple, Assistant Principal: jholsapple03@bluevalleyk12.org