The Middle Matters
OMS Parent Newsletter April 9-21, 2023
Inspiring Excellence. Every Learner. Every Day.
From the Principal
It is that time of year when we kick off the Kyle DeKam Leadership Award process. For those of you who aren't familiar with Kyle or this award, Kyle was a longtime employee of the school district as a teacher and then principal at Wilson Elementary and the Owatonna Junior High School. In 2012, Kyle lost his battle with cancer, and his family chose to collaborate with OJHS/OMS to establish a leadership award in his name. It is the highest honor we give to students at OMS.
How does this work? Starting Monday, April 10, students and staff will have the opportunity to nominate students in 7th and 8th who exemplify outstanding qualities: kindness, leadership, respect. Once nominations are complete, 20+ semi-finalists are selected. These students have the opportunity to do a project that displays their leadership skills. From there, finalists are selected, who participate in an interview with the selection committee--a group of 10 adults from the school and community. From there, the winners are selected! On the last day of school, we hold the Kyle DeKam Leadership Ceremony, where the winners are announced. It is truly an incredible honor for students who are selected to represent the best of Owatonna Middle School's students.
We look forward to seeing who rises to the top this year!
Calendar
Monday, April 10:
A Day
Morning Choir - All Singers
Pledge of Allegiance - 8:10 am
KDLA Nomination Process begins
School Board Meeting (work Session) -OHS -5:30 pm
Tuesday, April 11:
B Day
Jazz Band - Band Room - 7:00 am
Small Group Orchestra Lessions - Orchestra Room - 7:25 am
SST Meeting - Thunder Patio Area -1:30 pm
Wednesday, April 12:
A Day
College Wear Wednesday
AVID Walk-in Wednesday - Rm 101 -7:30 am
Spark - Virtual - 7:45 am
Physical Science Field Trip - Scots - 9:32-11:18 am
Homework Help -Learning Stairs - 2:45 pm
Thursday, April 13:
B Day
Morning Basketball - 7:15 am - Big Gym
Physical Science Field Trip - Bulldogs - 9:32-11:18 am
Friday, April 14:
A Day
Chamber Orchestra - 7:00 am - A Day
Morning Basketball - 7:15 am - Big Gym
Popcorn Friday
Wear Your OMS Shirt
Physical Science Field Trip - Storm - 9:32-11:18 am
Saturday April 15:
Saturday School - Learning Stairs -8-11:00 am
Monday, April 17:
B Day
Morning Choir -7:00 am
Pledge of Allegiance - 8:10 am
Tuesday, April 18:
A Day
Jazz Band - Band Room - 7:00 am
PLC
Small Group Orchestra - 7:25 am
SST Meeting - Thunder Patio Area -1:30 pm
Wednesday, April 19:
B Day
College Wear Wednesday
AVID - Walk-in Wednesday - 7:30 pm - Rm 101
Spark - Virtual - 7:45 am
SOAR Intervention Day
Homework Help - 2:45 pm - Learning Stairs
Thursday, April 20:
A Day
Morning Basketball - 7:15 am - Big Gym
Department Coordinators Meeting - Gopher Patio Area
Friday, April 21:
B Day
Chamber Orchestra - Orchestra Room - 7:00 am
Morning Basketball - 7:15 am - Big Gym
End of Wheel 5
Wear your OMS Shirt
Kona Ice Visit - all four lunches
School Store Open - all four lunches
Activity Night - 7 PM
OMS Activity Night
- Admission: $5.00
- Must have a valid OMS Student ID.
- Students must be present in school on this day in order to attend this evening.
- Students must have no unserved detention or ISS in order to attend.
- If a student leaves during the Activity Night, they will not be allowed back in.
- Student must be picked up promtly at 9:00 pm
- Students must not have a score of 1 in either of the following PAW categories: Practicing Kindness, Appropriate Conduct or Work Habits, so far for quarter 4.
Friday, Apr 21, 2023, 07:00 PM
Owatonna Middle School, 15th Street Northeast, Owatonna, MN, USA
Frequently Asked Questions
My child has an unplanned absence. What should I do? Call the attendance line at 444-8705. Leave your child’s name, grade and a reason for absence. Please leave parent's name and a phone number where we can reach you at in case we have further questions.
My child is going to be absent in the future. How should I handle this? You may call the attendance line in advance at 444-8705. Leave your child’s name, reason for absence and the date(s) they will be gone.
If I have questions about my child’s attendance, who should I call? You may call Mrs. Hunt at 444-8711.
My child will be late coming to school due to an appointment or leaving early due to an appointment? What should I do? For late arrivals: Call the attendance line before 9:00 and leave a message with the reason they are arriving late. When they arrive, they may enter through the 15th St NE doors and go directly to the office to check in with Mrs. Hunt to get a pass to class.
For early dismissals: Call the attendance line. Leave your son/daughter’s name, reason for dismissal and the time you want them dismissed. They will receive a pass before their departure time. They may keep this pass to show their teacher. The student then proceeds to the 15th St NE doors and shows the Security Guard their pass. When they see you pull up, they may head out to your vehicle. It is not necessary to come in to the building.
The 15th St NE entrance are the only doors students may enter and exit through between 8:10-2:40 pm.
Can my child get homework if they are absent? Homework can be requested if the student has been gone more than two days. You may call or email the teachers to gather the homework. Typically we require one full school day to gather the homework for students. There is no E-learning offered on days when your child stays home.
How is my child doing in school? Parent Portal is a very useful tool to follow your child’s progress in school with grades and attendance. If you have not yet requested a username and password, please contact your child’s counselor.
Lindsey Mesich: Students A through K 444-8724
Olivia Gullickson: Students L through Z 444-8548
If you have any questions about grades or assignments, please contact your child’s teacher. If you are concerned about a pattern that you are seeing with academics, please contact your child’s counselor. Their contact information can be found on the website.
Conferences are also held two times per year. You are encouraged to attend with your child. The dates are November 3 and 7 and again on March 9. All conferences are held in the individual classrooms and run from 3:30-7:00 pm. (These dates may be subject to change.)
Who do I contact if I am concerned about my child’s mental health and personal well being. Please contact the school social worker that corresponds to your last initial.
Janessa Jandt: Students A through K 444-8727
Chely Flores: Students L through Z 444-8719
How do I pay on my child’s lunch account? There is a payment box outside the office where your son/daughter can drop off payments. Please put it in an envelope and write your child’s full name and grade. You may also pay online through Infinite Campus. Just log into your Parent Portal to access this option.
I have to work late and want to pick up my child late. Can they just hang out at the school? Can I drop them off early? All students must be dropped off after 7:55 a.m. and picked up by 2:50 p.m.