Senator Snapshot
A LOOK At The Week Ahead: November 15 - November 18
Raise Craze 10/31-11/20
Veterans Day
The Happiness Advantage
Principal's Message
Dear Parents/Guardians,
It’s supposed to be hard. If it were easy, everyone would do it. - Tom Hanks (A League Of Their Own)
This week’s quote is brought to us by our 7th grade ELA teacher, Mrs. Ferroli. In addition to being a classically great movie, this quote speaks to us and shares a message we have echoed throughout our newsletters; middle school is tough but it is filled with learning opportunities. The part of this quote we can resonate with is the fact that there are aspects of middle school that is supposed to be hard. Middle school is quite a big jump for students. One jump is that, after many years in an elementary school with the same peers, students move to a new, larger environment filled with students from different schools, backgrounds, and past experiences.
This change needs to be acknowledged and understood as a big one for our students. It is hard to navigate all of the different social situations as well as balance a full day of classes with different teachers and workloads. This would challenge anyone! Change is a part of life. Change isn’t always easy and we love that we get to be a part of this transition for our students. One part of that transition is doing the right thing, making the right choices, and standing up for what is right rather than going with the crowd. At 11-13 years of age, that is hard! But like Jimmy Dugan said, “if it were easy, everyone would do it.”
Mistakes happen, and our Senators sometimes make poor choices, but learning from them is what is important. We thank you again for all your support and collaboration with us in helping our Senators through this journey.
As always, if you have any additional questions you are welcome to call the main office (630) 719-5815 between 8 AM and 4 PM Monday - Friday.
The cold weather has arrived. Break out the winter coats and have a great weekend!
Mr. Durbala & Mr. Cobo
Raise Craze!
We are off to a great start and met our goal of $7000 by November 9th. Mr Durbala and Mr. Cobo will be wearing inflatable costumes on Monday!
Veterans Day Photo Submissions
Student Council Food Drive
Thank you for helping us give back to our community!
Purchase Your Yearbook Now!
If you would like to have your student receive a yearbook at the end of the year, please make sure to order one today! The deadline for purchasing an OMS yearbook is quickly approaching. Yearbooks will not be able to be purchased after the deadline date of 12/2/22.
To purchase a yearbook:
1. CLICK HERE
2. Type "Yearbook" in the Search bar at the top of the page and click "Add to Cart" next to the product.
3. Make sure that the yearbook you choose is the 22-23 Yearbook.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Regina McCutcheon (rmccutcheon@dg58.org)
The Week Ahead: November 14 - November 18
Monday, November 14 - 2:10 PM dismissal - BELL SCHEDULE
TODAY: American Education Week
Tuesday, November 15
TODAY: American Education Week
3:20 - 4 PM: Craft Club - Room 124
4:00 PM: Boys Basketball @ Glenside (8th Gr plays first)
Wednesday, November 16
TODAY: American Education Week
TODAY: Education Support Professionals Day
3:20 PM - 4:00 PM: Stage Club - Room 214
3:20 PM - 4:00 PM: Student Council - Room 103
Thursday, November 17
TODAY: American Education Week
TODAY: Substitute Appreciation Day
4:00 PM: Boys Basketball at HOME vs Herrick (7th Gr plays first)
Friday, November 18
TODAY: American Education Week
TODAY: End of Trimester #1
Important Parent Reminders
District 58 2022/2023 Calendar: View the 2022-23 school year calendar.
Upcoming Dates to Note:
Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 23-25, 2022
Winter Break: Dec. 19, 2022 -Jan. 2, 2023
Spring Break: March 27-31, 2023
Last Day of School: Wednesday, June 7, 2023 (if no emergency days are used)
Is your child not feeling well? Please be diligent with reporting if your child is not feeling well. 1) Keep students home from school if they do not feel well. 2) Students with covid related symptoms should be kept home.
Coats: The weather is unpredictable. Students that wear a coat to school should be putting their coats in their lockers and not wearing in classrooms
Morning Announcements: Did you know you can read our daily announcements? The announcements read to students each morning are also available on the OMS website so families can also stay informed. Click here to see a sample
Face Coverings: Face masks are optional for students and staff
Activity bus: Students that stay after school for clubs, sports, extra help, or detentions can take the activity bus home at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
OMS Student Newspaper
Our Newspaper Club has been hard at work and recently published the second edition of the OMS student newspaper.
Click HERE to read the November edition!
Cold and Flu season is here.
Fall is here and cold and flu season is upon us and we are seeing students with cold and flu symptoms. To prevent the spread of these common viruses in the close confines of the classroom, we are cleaning daily and encouraging handwashing in the class. To decide whether or not to send your child to school, please consider the following guidelines.
Consider keeping your child at home for an extra day of rest and observation if he or she has any of the following symptoms:
- Very stuffy or runny nose and/or a cough
- Mild sore throat (no fever, no known exposure to strep)
- Headache
Definitely keep your child at home and consider seeking medical attention if he or she has any of these symptoms:
- Fever (greater than 100 degrees by mouth. Your child may return to school only after his or her temperature has been consistently below 100 degrees, by mouth, for a minimum of 24 hours without medication)
- Vomiting (even once)
- Diarrhea
- Chills
- General malaise or feelings of fatigue, discomfort, weakness or muscle aches
- Frequent congested (wet) or croupy cough
- Shortness of breath
- Lots of nasal congestion with frequent blowing of nose
- Wash hands frequently
- Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth
- Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, use a paper tissue, throw it away and then wash hands
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
The flu shot is one of the best ways to prevent illness from the seasonal influenza virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults and children receive the flu vaccine each year. Yearly flu vaccination is needed because immunity against the flu wears off over time. In addition, the flu virus strains often change, so the vaccine also changes from year-to-year in order to match the flu viruses expected to be circulating in the community.
PE and Cooler weather
School Lunch
Students and families are reminded that ALL students must use their student ID when buying anything from the cafeteria. Students were given a temporary ID at the beginning of the year and a 2nd ID during our recent picture day.
Any student without their ID will be sent to the main office to get another copy. After 3 times students will be charged $1 for a new ID.
Live stream of athletic events and concerts
O'Neill Middle School Parent Forum
Meet the Senator Staff
Mental Health Resources
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