OMS Summer Newsletter
Nakamura's Farewell To OMS
Dear Wolf Pack,
The 2019-20 school year is one to remember! We started the school year anticipating memorable experiences, lifelong friendships, and curious learning. While some students were anxious to start their first year of middle school, others were thrilled knowing that this was their last year of middle school before heading to high school. We started the year off just like we did in previous years: assemblies, trimester classes, barn dance, AVID, sport competitions, core content, rules round-up, a semi-formal dance, field trips, pack leaders, electives, and a regular 7-3 school day. No one predicted or even expected our lives to change in March of 2019.
I want to take a moment to recap a few important dates that impacted our school year:
March 12, 2020 - Governor Kate Brown prohibits gatherings of 250 or more and closes Oregon K-12 schools until March 31st.
March 13, 2020 - President Donald Trump declared the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency.
March 17, 2020 - Governor Kate Brown prohibits gatherings of 25 or more, banned on-site consumption of food and drink at food establishments statewide, and extended school closure until April 28th.
March 23, 2020 - Governor Kate Brown ordered Oregonians to “Stay Home, Save Lives,” directing individuals to stay home to the greatest extent possible. Specific retail businesses were also ordered to close.
April 8, 2020 - Governor Kate Brown announced that school closures would be extended through the end of the current academic term and school year.
April 13, 2020 - Redmond School district passes out chromebooks to students that need devices and all students engage in Distance Learning for All.
As I sit from my home computer, I’m often conflicted with so many different emotions. The easiest and most obvious feeling is that I miss my Wolf Pack tremendously. I miss hearing your laughter and watching you learn; I miss the normal schedule of a school day. However, in times of uncertainty, the resiliency of this pack makes me proud. The all in, can do spirit of this pack is brighter than any star on a dark night. In our very first week of online classes, we had 87% participation! The tenacity it takes and the self-motivation to move forward in unknown times make you limitless. Our teachers provided the content, and you soared by embracing the learning and caring about your future. Always know that you can do anything that you set your mind to!
As I bring the year to a close and finish my final days at Obsidian Middle School, please know that it has been a pleasure being your principal. Over the last six years, I’ve been lucky to grow alongside hundreds of students and have had the pleasure of going to school with my own kids (Kiani, Gabby, Logan, Ryden). I could never replace the memories that I cherish in my heart. As you continue your journey in this world remember to be passionate, to be curious, to be fearless, to be thankful, and to be yourself. Have an amazing summer Wolf Pack!
A hui hou (until we meet again),
Mrs. Nakamura
MEET MRS. PETERSON & MR. GRANT
I'm honored to join the Obsidian team and to serve as Principal beginning in July. Though I may be a new face to some, I've been in the Redmond Schools family since 2011; first as a middle school science teacher and most recently as Assistant Principal of Ridgeview High School since 2013. I'm proud of our district's commitment to creating life-long Opportunity for each and every student.
I'm passionate about creating an inclusive, safe school culture where students are challenged and encouraged to learn, and passionate teachers are poised to inspire! I am very excited to partner with you in ensuring your students are healthy, safe, growing, and learning.
As we head into summer, I understand you may have questions about how fall will look in our school. Rest assured that I'll communicate with you as details unfold, and that your student's physical, emotional, and intellectual health are at the forefront of all decisions. I welcome any questions you might have during this time.
In partnership with Assistant Principal Evan Grant, Dean of Students Megan Storey, and the team of great educators at Obsidian ~ we wish you a healthy, restful summer vacation! Please introduce yourself when we have the good fortune of crossing paths soon.
Yours in Education,
Jensine Peterson
Principal
OMS Team!
I am so thrilled to be joining the Wolf Pack and serving as your Assistant Principal next year! It has been great to meet many of you over the past month, and I look forward to diving into our work together in the fall. This will be my 6th year in the Redmond School District and I am excited to move from the middle school classroom into my new role at OMS.
I am passionate about building meaningful relationships with all students, and believe in the power that can have on a school culture. I look forward to joining with you, the already excellent team, to tackle the challenges ahead. There are many unknowns about next year, but I am confident in Mrs. Peterson and all of you that we will be ready to face those unknowns as they continue to unfold.
Please make sure to take a break and enjoy your well deserved rest this summer! Please don't hesitate to reach out if there is anything I can do to support you.
Happy Summer!
Evan Grant
Assistant Principal
Did You Know?
June 11th: Last day of school! Welcome to summer!
RSD Chromebooks and Hotspots Summer Use: To help with digital connectivity over the summer, families who checked out either a Chromebook or Internet Hotspot are encouraged to keep them over the summer. As we return in the Fall we will communicate further information about device use. If a family wants to turn in the checked-out equipment or will not be returning to the Redmond School District in the Fall, our technology team will be available to collect the equipment at Redmond High School in the pull-through lane in front of the building at the following times:
Thursday, June 11th, 12:00-3 pm
Friday, June 12th, 9:00 am- 12:00 pm
ParentVue: Teachers will post final for trimester 3 by June 12th.
Trimester 3 Grading: The grading marks issued to students at the end of the grading term will be P (Pass) or INC (Incomplete). This includes 8th graders taking high school courses. This change is a result of guidance from the Oregon Department of Education and will only be in effect through the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
Incompletes (Trimester 3): 8th Grade Incompletes will turn into a No Grade at the end of the 2020 spring term. We will not expect 8th graders to work on INC grades from the 8th grade while enrolled in high school. Incompletes given to 6th or 7th graders will turn into a No Grade at the end of the 1st trimester of the 2020-21 school year if the student has not yet met the essential learning expectations by that time. Essential Learning can be demonstrated through: passing the next term in the course sequence during term 1, demonstrating essential learning on a performance task, or demonstrating essential learning on on a project that can be multi-disciplinary. Students who receive an INC for a high school credit class will receive a phone call from the teacher and administrator to help make the best decision for their student for high school placement.
Summer Meals Program
Redmond, Ore – Redmond School District has announced its Summer Meals Program for the summer of 2020.
The program allows children who are 18 years of age and under to receive a nutritious breakfast and lunch at no charge. Parents/guardians may pick up meals without their children present and no identification is required.
The Redmond School District participates in the USDA Summer Food Service Program to provide meals at the following locations in the community throughout the summer months:
Redmond High School
675 SW Rimrock Way, Redmond, Ore.
Dates: Weekdays, June 12 - August 28 (No Meal Service on July 3rd)
Distribution Time: 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.
Dayspring Christian Center
7801 7th St., Terrebonne, Ore.
Dates: Wednesdays, June 17 - August 26
Distribution Time: 9:00 to 9:30 a.m.
To be included on the roster for Terrebonne meals, please contact julie@dayspring.family.
Crooked River Ranch
Quail and Shad Roads Intersection in Crooked River Ranch
Dates: Weekdays, June 12 - August 28 (No Meal Service on July 3rd)
Distribution Time: 8:00 to 8:30 a.m.
To be included on the roster for Crooked River Ranch meals, please contact nutrition@redmondschools.org.
For questions or more information about the Summer Meals Program, please contact the Redmond School District Nutrition Services department at 541-923-8238 or nutrition@redmondschools.org.
Continue iReady and stay Mathematically Sharp!
Happy Birthday This Week to....
6/9 William Brito
6/10 Alejandra Resendiz
6/10 Bradley Schroeder
6/11 Ariel Layton
6/11 Ashton Marcum
6/12 Shane Bloking
6/13 Sharon Flores Garmendia
6/13 Shadany Mariano
6/13 Anna Mickelson
6/14 Dominic Porfirio
6/14 Joel Shear
Counselor's Corner
Obsidian Middle School
Email: megan.storey@redmondschools.org
Website: oms.redmondschools.org
Location: 1335 Southwest Obsidian Avenue, Redmond, OR, USA
Phone: (541)923-4900
Facebook: facebook.com/obsidianmiddleschool