Weekly Family Update # 14
November 10, 2019
Principal's Message
Hello Falcon Families,
Our Unity Shirt Spirit Day on Friday was phenomenal; all of your students look really good in blue! In the afternoon, we gathered together and took a picture in the quad. It really was a sea of Falcon Blue. I look forward to continuing to find ways to amplify our school culture and increase the sense of belonging here at Oak Valley. Student connectedness to school is directly related to success in the classroom. When students feel safe, comfortable, and supported in school, they are more likely to actively participate and engage in their education. Creating a positive, kind, and caring culture will always be one of my priorities as your principal.
Friday was also our "Lunch with Your Falcon". I was so happy to see so many parents join us for lunch. Special thanks to Mr. Nowak, Mr. Hernandez and the Jazz Band for playing us some tunes during A lunch; the students sounded great. If you were not able to make it this time, we will be hosting this activity again in the late spring. You may think that your student does not want you here sitting with them at lunch, but trust me, they do!
Thank you to all of you that were able to visit our PTSA sponsored Book Fair. Mrs. Chambers and Mrs. Lawrence created an amazing Artic Adventure. I am so impressed by the experience they create for our students.
I am really proud of the work our ASB students did this past week. Wednesday, they hosted our Fall Block Party. There were games, prizes, music, and food. The students who attended had a blast. Thank to Mrs. Abboud and her ASB class, they do such great work for our school creating a fun and inclusive school experience for all students. You will not want to miss their next event!
Don’t forget, there is no school on Monday 11/11/2019 in remembrance of Veterans Day.
Thanks for all you do for our Oak Valley Community! Go Falcons!
Beaming with Falcon Pride,
Mr. Young
Cross Country Team Party
The end of season team party for cross country is going to be on Tuesday November 12 from 3:05-3:45. Please bring a $5 donation and you will have the opportunity to enjoy pizza and drinks. We will limit this to those runners that have been to practices and/or races.
Apple Pie Pick Up
Julian Apple Pies Are Here!
A huge thank you to everyone who ordered Julian pies through our Oak Valley Music Boosters! The funds raised will go to purchasing supplies and instruments for our band, orchestra, and choir. We need a few extra hands to get the pies picked up and distributed. If you are able to help pick up the pies in Julian or help hand out the orders at school, please click here to sign up and help!
If you ordered through a music student, that student will pick up and deliver your pies. Music students who placed orders for pies can pick up their orders (note is required if picking up for an additional family) in front of the MPR on Tuesday and Wednesday at the following times:
Tuesday 11/12
3-3:45 p.m.
6-7 p.m.
Wednesday 11/13
8-9 a.m.
3-3:45 p.m.
Adopt A Family
This year the PTSA and Oak Valley Student Services staff have partnered to adopt 20 Oak Valley families for the holiday season. We hope you can help us make the holiday season a little brighter for these families! No donation is too small and any gift is GREATLY appreciated. All donations are needed by Wednesday, December 11th.
You can help in one of three ways:
- Select and item from the Sign Up Genius form
- Purchase a gift card to a discount department store (ex: Walmart or Target), grocery store or gas station
- Make a financial donation that will be used to purchase items or gift card
If you purchase an item from the list: please provide only NEW items and please include gift receipts in the event items need to be exchanged for a different size. Please keep all donations UNWRAPPED. Donations can be dropped off at the OVMS Front Office any time.
We will also be accepting donations during drop off and pick up in front of the school and in the 3 minute loading zone on the following Wednesdays: 11/20, 12/4 and 12/11.
All donations are tax deductible (PUSD Foundation Tax ID# is 54-2098945)
Please contact us with questions! We sincerely thank you for your generosity and wish you a happy & healthy holiday season.
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
Oak Valley Volleyball
Is your child interested in learning and playing volleyball? The ESS after school program is starting club/intermural programs Monday-Thursday after school until 4:15pm (this allows students to take the activity bus home.) Each session will run 6-8 weeks in length and will be 2-3 days a week. The fee for the 6-8 week session is $150 which covers staffing, supplies, equipment and transportation. If you are interested please sign up on this Google form and we will send you the paperwork to complete. There is limited space for this program. Please see the attached flyer for more information. Any questions please feel free to email or call Donnie Kirchmeier (858) 676-6978 dkirchmeier@powayusd.com
Open Positions on PTSA Board
Would you like to be on the Oak Valley PTSA Board? Would you like to be more involved in OVMS and help shape decisions that support our students? If so we have a few open roles. Positions are briefly explained below and the Executive Board meets at OVMS on the 2nd Wednesday each month from 8:30-9:30am.
1- VP Programs - Spearheads key programs like Adopt A Family, ASB efforts and student achievement
2- Auditor - conduct twice a year audit in January and July. Minimal time required since treasurer information is well organized
3- Historian - custodian of records and volunteer hours of the association
4- Communications Chair - spearhead efforts to communicate PTSA events, needs and offerings through social media networks, OVMS website and weekly newsletter.
Please contact us if you would like to hear more about any of the positions at melanie@smerican.com
So many happy families at our Lunch with Your Falcon.
ASB Peanut Butter Drive
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
Rhea Dawn Smith
Yearbook Advisor
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