Oak Middle School
Sunday, January 1, 2023
Dear Oak Middle School Families,
I would like to wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year! I hope you and your family are enjoying the last days of winter break. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Tuesday will be a Day 3.
A reminder that there will be a public hearing at the School Committee meeting to listen to feedback from stakeholders on Wednesday, January 4th. You can view the Sleep Health & School Start Time presentation here, see their slide deck (which is an excellent summary) here, and read the full report on the proposed options here.
Please reach out with any questions or concerns as our goal is to work together to make sure each and every child has a wonderful year at OMS.
In partnership,
Hallie Burak
Principal
508-841-1210
Anne Koertge
Assistant Principal Grade 7
508-841-1205
Scott Yonker
Assistant Principal Grade 8
508-841-1213
***Reminder***
If your child will be dismissed early, please send a note in with them that morning. This helps us speed up the dismissal process. Thank you for your help!
Mental Health Services Research Study Sign Up
You are invited to take part in a research study that explores how the mental health services provided by schools relate to the well-being of students (e.g., life satisfaction, emotions, psychological well-being, mindfulness). The study is led by an honors undergraduate student at Assumption University, Angelina Davis, and her supervisor, Dr. Maria Kalpidou, a faculty member in the psychology department at Assumption University. This study is approved by the Institutional Review Board of Assumption University. The study is not in any way associated with Shrewsbury Public Schools.
The study involves the participation of one guardian (10-15 minutes) and one child (20 minutes). If you are interested in participating, you may click on the link below. The link will first bring you to a consent form with more specifics regarding yours and your child’s participation. If you consent, you will be brought to the questionnaires. Please note, there is one link for both you and your child. After you consent, you will be directed to your survey. Upon completion, you will be instructed to allow your child to complete their part. Your child will have the opportunity to consent before they are directed to their respective surveys. You may not exit the survey and return at a later time to continue, so your child needs to be present to complete their parts immediately following your participation. We ask that both you and your child respect each other's privacy as you complete your respective surveys. We hope you will decide to participate as both caregiver and student responses are needed for the project. Your participation is voluntary and does not affect your relation with the school. If you participate you will be given the opportunity to submit a family email address to be entered into a raffle for one of eight $25 gift cards. This will also enter your child into a raffle to win one of thirty $5 gift cards. The surveys are set up in such a way that your email address will not be linked to yours or your child’s surveys. Thank you in advance for your time and involvement in this important research!
Link to survey: https://aupsych.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8wEnsvoYzSR5wDs
Save the Date
12/23/22-1/2/23 - December Vacation
1/4/23 - Public Forum at Town Hall about School Start Times
1/9/23 - PTO Meeting
1/10/23 - Encore! Assembly for all 7th Grade Students
1/13/23 - No Homework Weekend
1/16/23 MLK Jr. Day - No School
1/20/23 - No Homework Weekend
1/25/23 - Cycle 3 Ends
2/7/23 - Early Release 11:35am Dismissal
Monday, February 20th- Friday February 24th: February Vacation
3/7/23 - Early Release 11:35am Dismissal
Vocational Technical School Update
Grade 8 Families who are interested in learning more about the vocational technical school application process can find detailed information on the Oak Middle School Assabet Informational website. The application deadline for Assabet is January 15th.
Sleep Health Advisory Committee Update
A reminder that there will be a public forum at Town Hall this Wednesday night, January 4th for those that want to share feedback, questions, or suggestions regarding the recommended school start times for next school year. You can view the Sleep Health & School Start Time presentation here, see their slide deck (which is an excellent summary) here, and read the full report on the proposed options here.
Sleep Health Advisory Timeline
The remaining timeline regarding this project, which could result in changing school start times for the 2023-2024 school year, is as follows:
January 4: Public hearing at the School Committee meeting to receive in-person feedback
January 18: Discussion of schedule change options and potential vote by the School Committee
January 25: Potential additional School Committee discussion and vote (if necessary)
February 1: Last recommended date opportunity for School Committee discussion/vote (if necessary)
Staying Healthy This Season
Dear Families,
As you are very likely aware, Shrewsbury and surrounding communities are currently seeing an increase in viral illnesses including flu and COVID, and an unprecedented increase in RSV, a virus that causes mostly cold symptoms in healthy individuals but can be dangerous for infants and toddlers or others with pre-existing conditions. In order to keep our school communities as healthy as possible, we would like to remind you of the following:
Keep your child home from school if they have a fever >100, and/or if they are experiencing multiple flu-like symptoms (cough, nasal congestion, runny nose, headache, unusual fatigue, etc); they should remain at home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medications that reduce fever and their symptoms are improved
Report diagnosed flu, COVID or RSV to the school nurse (this helps in tracking illness rates across the district); keep your child home as directed by your healthcare provider
Remind your child to wash their hands frequently
Vaccinate children who are eligible for flu and COVID vaccines
Children 6 months and older can receive the flu vaccine
Children 6 months and older can receive the initial COVID vaccine series and
Children ages 5 and over are eligible for the updated bivalent COVID booster
Avoid social gatherings if you or your child are ill
Contact your healthcare provider if you believe your child needs medical care
Masks remain optional at school; if you would like your child to wear a mask, please send them to school with a mask and a small supply of replacement masks
Respectfully,
Noelle Freeman, RN, SPS Director of School Nursing
Timothy Gibson, MD, SPS School Physician/UMass Pediatric Hospitalist
❄️❄️Weather Update From Dr. Sawyer❄️❄️
Dear Shrewsbury Families & Colleagues,
I have held this off for as long as possible so as not to jinx us, but with the first snow of the season in the forecast for tomorrow evening, I wanted to remind you of a few key things related to potential snow days or delayed openings of school due to weather conditions. Tomorrow evening's snow does not look like it will affect school on Monday (fingers crossed!), but this will be the first of many storms throughout the winter season.
For a detailed explanation of the process and specific delayed opening times, you can bookmark and refer to our Delays, Dismissals, & Cancellations web page here.
Please note the following important information:
- When there is inclement weather on a school day, I monitor the forecast and road conditions, and I consult with the Highway and Public Buildings Divisions of the Shrewsbury Department of Public Works to determine whether schools need to be closed or if the opening time needs to be delayed. Safety is the top priority, of course. Other considerations include the importance of students consistently being in school and the childcare challenges for parents and caretakers who work outside the home.
- School or school events will often be held under imperfect conditions. This is New England, and there will be times when weather conditions are not ideal, but will not require a closure or delay. Please consider the conditions and give yourself extra time on such days, and expect that buses and drop off lines may run more slowly than usual.
- This year, because of a shortage of snowplow operators, I may need to cancel school for conditions for which in prior years I would have called a delay. This is because it will take longer to complete snowplow routes and then to clear school parking lots. Families should have plans for both snow days and for up to a two-hour delayed opening. Decisions often depend on the timing of a storm.
- I will typically make a decision between 5:00am and 5:45am. If there is a closure or delay it will be communicated through the automated phone, text, and email system, typically between 5:15am and 6:00am. Occasionally, I may make a decision the evening before if the weather forecast warrants, but that is not typical (I know from experience that forecasts can change quickly where we live). Information will also be posted on the district homepage and major TV and radio stations as soon as possible after I make a decision.
- Phone, text, and email messages about cancellations or delays are sent to the first phone number listed for each of the first two student contacts with custody listed in PowerSchool, and to staff work email and phone contacts. Families, please keep your contact information up to date through the PowerSchool Parent Portal (click here for Parent Portal information). Please note that contact information change requests must be reviewed and confirmed by school staff, so the changes do not take effect immediately.
- Early dismissals from school due to weather conditions are rare. If it becomes necessary, I will give as much notice as possible using the automated communication system. Families should also consider a plan for this scenario, especially for younger students.
- Due to the importance of in-person school there will not be "remote learning days" on snow days. Regardless, state regulations would not allow remote learning for snow days to count toward the minimum 180 days of school required each year. Days canceled due to weather will be added on to the end of the school year. Please consider this when making plans for June.
Thank you in advance for your patience, understanding, and flexibility regarding weather-related decisions. Here's hoping that whatever Mother Nature sends our way this winter doesn't create too many disruptions to school, but still provides plenty of fun for everyone who loves the snow!
Respectfully,
Joe Sawyer
Superintendent of Schools
Cell Phone Policy
Just a reminder that students are not allowed to use their cell phones during the school day. If a child ever needs to contact a parent/guardian they should come to the main office. We ask that parents/guardians not “text” or call students directly during the school day. Please call 508-841-1200 to have a message relayed to your child.
The Locker
The Locker is a donation based program housed at Oak that helps families in the district that could use support with clothing and personal care items. We are happy to help you in the most discreet way possible, information will be kept confidential. It would be helpful to have as much information you can provide in what you are looking for and what will be most useful to your family.
We recognize that each student has their own preferences in what they would like to wear as far as styles and colors. If your child would be interested in helping us select items, we can arrange for them to come to the neatly organized closet and choose their own items.
Items can be sent home with your student if they are comfortable or pick up can be arranged through the health office.
Please complete this form if you would like help:
If you see something, say something!
JANUARY PTO MEETING
The December PTO meeting will be Monday, January 9th, @ 7PM in the Oak Media Center.
Join us as we plan the Sherwood Winter Night Out, and look forward to our future events!
**The PTO is looking for members to join and help fill roles. including fundraising coordinator and communications, as we have current members leaving at the end of the school year.
The SMS PTO serves both Sherwood and Oak and we welcome parents from grades 5-8!
📷📸📷📸Photos of the Week📷📸📷📸
The Oak Spelling Bee
The Oak Spelling Bee was held on Friday, December 16, 2022 in the Oak auditorium.
Congratulations to Joseph Peng, with the winning word jangled!
We also congratulate 2nd place winner Shrihan Tadimeti and
3rd place winner Tanay Mangal.
Thank you all for your participation, and best of luck to Joseph as you compete in the regional competition!
Seltzer is now sold at lunch! And it is a hit!
Thank you Ms. Amato for spending the day with the 8th grade Health Classes!
8Green Cozy Day
8 Green Advisories Holiday treats for staff
8 Green Advisories Holiday treats for staff
Izzy and Rihana (8Gold) with the finished escargot
Playing Volleyball in PE
7 Teal Cozy Day
🎭🎨🖌️🎵Sports and Activities🏀⚽🏅🏈
🍪🍪🍪Cookie Cutters For Sale 🍪🍪🍪
3D printed cookie cutters are now available for purchase! They were designed by 7th grade students in the Design Lab class here at OMS. Cookie cutters cost $5 each, and all of the money raised will be donated to the Design Lab classroom. Donations will be used to purchase consumable materials (3D printer filament, plywood & acrylic for laser cutter, etc.) and maintain classroom equipment.
Please click the link below to explore the 60+ cookie cutter designs, learn more information, and order yours today!
School Pulse
As stated in our student handbooks, Shrewsbury Public Schools is excited to be launching a new initiative for our students at Sherwood Middle School, Oak Middle School and Shrewsbury High School. ‘SchoolPulse’ is a Positive Psychology tool that provides weekly inspirational podcasts, check-ins, and the best Positive Psychology skills available. This will be done through text, three times a week. Participation is voluntary. Your child’s responses are completely anonymous (meaning we do not have their personal cell number or any personal information).
Some additional features include:
This service is entirely voluntary, and students can opt in and opt out anytime.
The child has access to an individual dashboard (accessed through their text), that shows their check-in responses in the moment and longitudinally.
The school will receive a general electronic report demonstrating the overall emotional pulse in the school. There is no individual data available to the school or district.
These texts are completely free.
Data shows that students who utilize and interact with SchoolPulse improve their thinking and feeling, and those who improve their thinking and feeling, ultimately improve behavior and academic performance.
You are welcome to participate as well. Simply text the word “Demo” to 78573, to see how SchoolPulse works. Enjoy!
If you want to find out more about SchoolPulse, simply go to www.schoolpulse.org.
Here is the video link that your children will see prior to the launch of the service at the end of September.
Our goal is to make each and every one of our students believe the statement, “You matter. You belong.” School Pulse is a proactive approach to making this goal a reality.
We Are Hiring
Daily Substitutes
Paraprofessional Support Staff
Shrewsbury Public Schools are seeking to hire paraprofessional support staff. We are very pleased that we are 99% fully staffed for teacher and other professional educator roles as we start the school year. Like in many employment sectors in the current economy, we are also working hard to fill certain open positions. If you or someone you know is interested in making a positive difference in the life of a child, please consider joining us as a paraprofessional in our schools. We are in need of: child-specific aides who work to support individual students with special learning needs; applied behavior analysis technicians who typically work to support individual students on the autism spectrum; and special education instructional assistants. Experience working with children is a plus but not required, and we will provide training. There are positions open at all grade spans, both full-time with benefits and part-time, and the hours are great for parents with children in school. For more information and to apply, please go to https://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/hr/currentopenings. Please forward this information along, including to local college students seeking part-time work and those considering a career change to education. If you have questions, please email Lindsey Stasiowski, Human Resources Manager, at lstasiowski@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us or call her at (508) 841-8483. Thank you!
Team Information
Questions? We are here to help!
Mrs. Hallie Burak
Ms. Anne Koertge
Mr. Scott Yonker
Helpful Links
The Late Bus is Back!
We are thrilled to announce that we will continue to offer FREE late bus services for students at Shrewsbury High School, Oak Middle School, and Sherwood Middle School starting Monday, September 19th, 2022. Late buses will run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The buses will depart from SHS at 3:30pm and from the middle schools at 4:00pm.
This is a limited service with fixed bus stops. It is not intended to provide service to all neighborhoods due to financial limitations.
Please click the following link for all the details:
https://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/transportation/late-bus
Registration is open and the late bus service will start next Monday, the 19th.