Weekly Family Update #12
October 27, 2019
Principal's Message
Hello Falcon Families,
We have a very busy week coming up!! Tomorrow, October 28th, is a non-student day for full staff professional growth. Our staff will be engaged in activities centered on the importance of student and staff wellness. The wellness of our Falcon community is very important to me. Students will not be prepared to engage in learning if they do not feel safe, secure, and happy. As a school system, we must work each day to ensure we are creating a learning environment where all students can thrive and we must seek out ways to help those students who are not connected to school or who are in need of support. I consider this to be the most important work as an educational leader. I am really looking forward to our day of learning as a staff tomorrow.
Thanks to Mrs. Abboud, Mrs. Matthews and our ASB students for a fantastic Red Ribbon Week. I saw lots students participating in our spirit dress-up days; it was a very informational and fun week!
On Wednesday October 30th, we begin Parent/Teacher Conferences. For those of you who are new to middle school, conferences are done a little differently than in elementary school. We have teacher-initiated conferences for students who are in need of a direct parent conference. The conference criteria is typically a student who is earning a D or below or who may be receiving a "Needs Improvement" or below in Work Habits. Staff members will reach out directly to the families of those students who are in need of a parent conference. We will be on a minimum day schedule on October 30th, 31st, November 1st and 4th. You can view our bell schedules on the Oak Valley website.
This Thursday, October 31st, ASB will be hosting our annual Halloween spirit day. In order to make the day a success, we ask for your support by reinforcing with your student the specific guidelines below that provide greater clarity to our costume expectations. Most importantly, all costumes must meet Oak Valley’s dress policy.
Costume Reminders:
1. Costumes may not include full face masks or cover the face.
2. Costumes may not be violent or suggestive.
3. Costumes may not have anything simulating a weapon.
4. Costumes may not suggest racial attitudes that reinforce stereotypes about, mock or mischaracterize a culture, group of persons, an individual person or a religion. We are asking students to refrain from dressing up as fictionalized stereotypes that marginalize any one culture.
At Oak Valley, we have respect for all cultures. Thank you for your support.
Thanks for all you do for our Oak Valley Community! Go Falcons!
Beaming with Falcon Pride,
Mr. Young
Make Up Pictures - Second Make Up Date Added!
Volunteers, if you have not yet been photographed for your volunteer badge, please plan to have your picture taken as well.
8th Grade Highlight Photos
Eighth grade parents, it is time for you to submit your child’s 8th grade highlight photo that will be placed next to their portrait picture in the yearbook. EVERY 8th grader has a highlight photo and this is free. Please click on the link below to upload your ONE photo or visit the Oak Valley webpage and click on the button at the bottom of the page that says, “Share Your Photos With Yearbook Here”.
The deadline to submit these photos will be Friday November 15th. It should be a current photo of your child of themselves (one that they like). Examples include sports photos, family photos, silly photos and artistic photos. If you do not submit by the deadline the yearbook staff will be taking quick phone photos to fill their space. So please, submit on time so they have a choice!
8th grade dedications that go in the back of the book are also on sale but they are not due until January. If you have any questions please contact Mrs.Rhea Dawn Smith 858-487-2939 x-6206 or email rdsmith@powayusd.com
Link to submit photos: https://images.jostens.com/upload.jsp
Thank You,
Rhea Dawn Smith
Yearbook Adviser
OVMS Book Fair Volunteers Needed!
The Book Fair will be open the week of November 4th - 8th, and the PTSA is looking for volunteers to help with set up, tear down as well as help with working the register. Oak Valley students will be visiting throughout the day in 20-minute increments with their Language Arts classes. Students are also able to visit during their lunch time, before & after school. Please use this link to sign up to volunteer. If you have questions, please contact Taira Golding at ctgolding@aol.com. Thank you for your time and helping with our Falcons!
Julian Pie Sales
It’s pie time! Oak Valley Music Boosters is kicking off its annual Julian Pie Fundraiser. Delicious fresh and frozen pies are priced at $20 each. Why are we fundraising? With over six hundred students, our award-winning music program needs your help to fund a $16,000 sound shell, instruments, guest instrumentalists, accompanists and sheet music. Please click here for more information and to place your order. All orders are due by November 4, 2019.
Oak Valley Falcon Foundation
We are getting there! THANK YOU to all that have contributed to the Oak Valley Falcon Foundation thus far! We are up to $109,000 of our $125,000 goal for the new shade structures, and are so close to reaching our goal! The new shade structures will provide over 1600 sq. ft. of much needed shade for our students during lunch and other outdoor activities. Our deadline to fund these shade structures is Dec 6, 2019, which is less than two months away. With the construction of new building rapidly underway, many of your children will directly benefit from your donation. Likewise, any family donating $300 or more will get their name on a commemorative plaque immortalizing your commitment and contribution to our school, but any donation amount helps.
You can donate online at: www.oakvalleyfalconfoundation.com
Thank you for your support!
David Li
President, Oak Valley Falcon Foundation
GATE Testing
If you wish to sign up your child for GATE testing, the online test registration window will be open September 9th - November 22nd. This link will take you directly to the PUSD website where you can register your child online. For families unable to complete the registration online, please see the front office for a paper copy. The testing date this year is Wednesday, January 15th. After completing the registration online, the school will be contacting you following Winter Break to remind you of this date. Students will be excused from class approximately one hour in order to participate in testing during the regular school day. Students who took the January 2019 GATE Test, and have tested no more than two times in the Poway Unified School District ARE eligible for the January 2020 GATE test administration. Notification regarding GATE testing results will be mailed to parents in April, 2020.
Oak Valley ESS
Does your falcon enjoy being active and participating in games and activities?
Being able to collaborate and work on homework with their peers?
Having access to the school library and computers to complete homework?
Oak Valley ESS is for you and
We are open for enrollment!
Hours of Operation:
6:30am- 8:20am Monday – Friday (9:20am) Late Start Tuesdays
3:05pm-6:00pm Monday- Friday
*We are also open at dismissal on planned minimum days and Professional Growth Days. Plus, the opportunity to enroll for President’s week and Spring Break.
Students are provided a light afternoon snack when arriving from school each day. While at ESS, the students are provided at least one hour to work on their homework, daily. Most often, homework time is offered in the library, where they have access to textbooks and computers. While OV ESS staff is always ready and willing to provide help with homework and answer any questions that our students may have, it is important to note that ESS is not a homework club. Students also have the opportunity to participate in staff planned daily projects, activities, crafts, and/or organized games, while spending time here at ESS
If you have any questions or are interested in signing up please feel free to contact us.
OVMS ESS Supervisor, Donnie Kirchmeier (dkirchmeier@powayusd.com)
Direct phone line: (858) 676-6978 Cell Phone: (858) 776-4186
Oak Valley Middle School
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM AT: https://www.instagram.com/principalmryoung/
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AT: https://twitter.com/principalcolin
Email: coyoung@powayusd.com
Website: https://www.powayusd.com/Schools/MS/OVMS/home
Location: 16055 Winecreek Road, San Diego, CA, USA
Phone: (858) 487-2939