Senator Snapshot
A LOOK At The Week Ahead: September 5 - September 9
Catapult Launches in 7th Grade Science
We've got 100 students in Cross Country
Change your mindset
Principal's Message
Dear Parents/Guardians,
“NOT ALL OF US CAN DO GREAT THINGS. BUT WE CAN DO SMALL THINGS WITH GREAT LOVE.” — MOTHER TERESA
The first full week is in the books. The quote this week is brought to you by Ms. Gilleylen, our new 7th-grade counselor. Ms. Gilleylen picked a quote that is meaningful to all of us and something that we should keep in mind. Often times we want to do big, grand gestures in hopes of producing something “great” but more often it is the accumulation of little things that we love which shows how much we care. This week we have seen so many little gestures from our students and staff; a student inviting another student to sit with them at lunch, helping someone with their locker, or supporting a colleague with something they might need.
We are a school of nearly 600 students and staff. If each one of us does something small that we love, we can create a school filled with love and kindness. It is just week 2 but we are seeing the start of a great year. Both the 7th-grade & 8th-grade Senators have been fantastic these past two weeks. We can’t say enough how great our Senators have been adjusting to the new school procedures. Our staff has put a significant focus on learning opportunities or “cherry pits” (as Mrs. Pinkus calls them). We know that our Senator staff continues to do the small things with great love, demonstrating to our Senator students the importance of trying to do everything at your best and learning from the mistakes we make.
As we look to the future, we know class rigor will pick up, and want to remind our families to encourage their Senator children to use their assignment notebooks and stay on top of their workloads. Each class utilizes google classroom to assist a student in what he/she missed if absent or forgot what their homework was. A key aspect of middle school is working with our Senator students to learn to advocate for themselves. This is not easy even for many adults but we hope our students will learn this aspect with the help of our Senator staff and community.
We hope that you enjoy the Labor Day weekend and remember that there is no school on Monday, September 5th.
Have a great weekend!
Mr. Durbala & Mr. Cobo
Join the PTA
Please think about joining the PTA below is a link to join & donate:
Cell Phones and Wearable Technology in Middle School
This week, Mr. Cobo and I met and reviewed the student expectations with our students including the new board policy regarding cell phones. This week we have provided reminders to students regarding cell phones and wearable technology. Starting next week, students must have their cell phones and all other wearable technology silenced, cell phones should be put away, and should not be used throughout the school day (except for an emergency). If a student receives a reminder and continues to use their cell phone, their parent will be required to pick up the cell phone from school.
If at any time a student needs to call a parent, they are able to come to the main office and call their parents on our office phone.
While a student can bring their electronic device (including cell phones and AirPods) to school, all non-district-issued technologies are to be silenced and out of sight throughout the school day. Students are allowed to wear smartwatches, but they are to be silenced during the school day. The district-provided technology will be utilized for students to participate in lessons and complete assignments. Please be sure to go over these expectations with your student as the policy was recently amended (District 58 Board Policy 7:190 - Prohibited Student Conduct, Item 5).
Middle School students at district 99 football games
I want to share that there have been some adjustments regarding middle school students attending District 99 sporting events.
Here is the information that you need to know:
- All District 99, middle school students, and elementary students may attend the game free of charge with a paid adult.
- All middle school and elementary students must be accompanied and supervised by a paid adult with a ticket/pass who is present the entire time the student is present at the game.
- If there is no adult present, the middle school/younger student will not be allowed in the game. If the younger student is in the stadium without an adult, they will be removed from the stadium and a parent will need to pick them up.
- Outside beverages are not allowed in the stadium
- Balls, Frisbees, or other like items are not permitted
- Skateboards, hoverboards, bicycles, or other like items are not permitted
- Bags and personal items may be subject to inspection
- There is no entry after half-time
Thank you for your continued support of our community and District 99 sports.
The Week Ahead: September 5 - September 9
Monday, September 5
NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
Tuesday, September 6
Wednesday, September 7
TODAY - Reading MAP TESTING in ELA classes
Thursday, September 8
TODAY - Reading MAP TESTING in ELA classes
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Cross Country meet @ Glenside
Friday, September 9
TODAY - Reading MAP TESTING in ELA classes
Join the OMS Choir
The O'Neill Choir wants you to join! Come make music and sing your heart out this year! Sign up can be found HERE. It is NOT too late!
Order Spirit Wear now for free delivery!
Place your order for spirit wear by September 5th for free delivery to the school.
2022-23 Middle School Bell Schedule
We are so excited about our new middle school bell schedule and the great opportunities this will provide for our students. Each student will start their day with Advisory followed by their 1-8 class periods.
Advisory will be used for our weekly social-emotional learning lessons (every Monday), and for our executive functioning support. Tuesday through Friday, students will receive instruction and reinforcement of consistent executive functioning strategies to help them stay organized and support their success as a student. Each student will receive the materials to support this school-wide system that will be reinforced throughout the school day.
After Advisory students have periods 1-8 with lunch during 4th or 5th period. Students can tell their lunch period by looking at their schedule and finding the "L" meaning Lunch. If the L comes before the classroom (i.e. L/204), then lunch is first and vice versa. The second half of the lunch period will be used for student support. This time is used to complete homework, seek additional help if the teacher is available, and will allow for academic intervention and support. Any time you feel your student requires additional support, please reach out to the teacher and counselor.
Please click the link for our new bell schedule below and you can also find it on our website.
District 58 Family Handbook
District 58 has published the 2022-23 Schools of 58: A Handbook for Families. Please take time to review this important handbook with your child, as it offers an overview of the District’s policies, procedures, resources and student expectations. During the first full week of school, all families will receive a handbook receipt to sign, acknowledging that they and their child reviewed and understood the handbook. Please sign and return the handbook receipt to your child's advisory teacher by Friday, September 2. The links to this year’s family handbook are below. If you need a print copy, please contact the OMS school office at 630-719-5815, and we can print you a copy.
Mental Health Resources
Meet the Senator Staff
O'Neill Middle School
Email: mdurbala@dg58.org
Website: https://dg58.org/on/
Location: 635 59th Street, Downers Grove, IL, USA
Phone: 630-719-5815
Twitter: @ONeillPrincipal