The Middle Matters
OMS September 7-11, 2020 Parent Newsletter
Inspiring Excellence. Every Learner. Every Day.
Calendar
Monday, September 7, 2020
Labor Day
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Group 1- B day
No Tech Tuesday in the Cafeteria
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Distance Learning
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Group 2 - A Day
No Tech Thursday in the Cafeteria
Friday, September 11, 2020
Group 2 - B day
The Middle Matters
Parent Portal
Chromebooks
On school days when students are working virtually and are having technical issues with their Chromebook you may call our Chromebook Technology line at 444-8630 or email technology@isd761.org.
OMS Lunch Pick-up
- Parents and students of distance learners may pick up lunches at the 15th St. NE doors between 8:30-9:00 am every Tuesday and Thursday. You must provide the student's lunch pin. Pin numbers can be found on Parent Portal. You may only pick up lunches for your students who attend OMS.
For Hybrid Learners ONLY
- Group 1 students ONLY may pick up lunches as they leave the building on Tuesdays.
- Group 2 students ONLY may pick up lunches as they leave the building on Fridays.
These days are subject to change during weeks that contain holidays or non-school days.
All students and staff must wear a mask.
Please practice social distancing.
Stop the spread.
Middle School Pick up/Drop Off
We just wanted to remind everyone that there is no student drop-off before or after school hours on 15th St NE. The cones will be out as a reminder. Please do not drive around the cones.
When dropping off in the morning, please drop off on St. Paul Rd. If you use the parking lot, pull all the way around the lot to the outdoor basketball court to drop off at Door 13. You may do the same in the afternoon for pick up. We do not want students dropped off at the athletic entrance. When you are leaving the parking lot, as the signs indicate, it is right turn only.
We are concerned with the safety of our students and continue to look for the best way to handle student drop-off and pick-up. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Another reminder that students do not enter the building until 7:55. Likewise, we'd like all students to be out of the building by 2:50. At this time we do not have any before or after school programs. Teachers and staff may have meetings, etc. Please keep this in mind when determining your child's drop-off and pick-up times. Ensuring students are out of the building by 2:50 also allows our custodial staff to begin cleaning!
Classroom Interruptions
Learning is taken very seriously at OMS; therefore, we try to keep classroom interruptions to a minimum:
-Please do not bring or arrange deliveries of bouquets, balloons, stuffed animals and the like to students. They will not be accepted.
-Encourage students to remember their Chromebooks, lunches, gym clothes, musical instruments, etc. We do not have staff to deliver these items, nor do we call the classrooms to have the students come down and pick up the items.
-Make afterschool arrangements with your student before school, if possible. We do not interrupt classrooms for these types of messages.
We believe that taking these simple steps will reduce interruptions to the classroom and will help our students stay more focused on their learning.
Owatonna Nutrition Services
MyPaymentsPlus.com is your online service providing convenience and information you need to manage your student's meal account. Benefits include the ability to view purchase history and meal account balances, set up automatic low balance email reminders, make prepayments, “auto-replenish” your child’s account and more. To set up an account, log on to www.mypaymentsplus.com or download the MyPaymentsPlus mobile app. You can obtain your student’s ID by calling 507-444-8616.
Valid ID Needed
Owatonna Public Schools now using Peachjar
We are excited to announce that Owatonna Public Schools has partnered with Peachjar. We hope this assists our families in knowing about the great programs, events and services offered to our students through our schools and community partners.
Benefits of Peachjar:
- Flyers come directly to your inbox--no more hoping they come home in a backpack!
- One click in email to 'Sign Up' for programs and events.
OMS Telephone Directory
Main Office: 444-8700
Attendance Voicemail: 444-8705
Nurses Office: 444-8706
Nutrition Services: 444-8716
Police Liaison: 444-8789
Owatonna Bus Company: 451-5262
Kids First/Middle School Athletics: 444-8504
Chromebook Technology Hotline: 444-8630
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. To ensure the health and safety of all students and staff, please list specific symptoms of illness for Public Health Tracking. 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. Denton, attendance secretary, 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: Please call the attendance line at 444-8705 before 9:00 am. State your child’s name and reason they will be 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. Denton to get a pass to class.
For early dismissals: Call the attendance line before 9:00 am. 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. If possible, the teachers may email you the homework; otherwise, it may be picked up in the office at the end of the school day.
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 Hugstad-Vaa: Students A through K (444-8724)
Jessica Procopio: 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.
Conferences are also held two times per year. You are encouraged to attend with your child. The dates are October 22 and 26 and again on March 11. All conferences are held in the gyms 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.
Sue Schroeder: 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 on the https://lobby.wordwareinc.com/ site. It can be found on the OMS Homepage.
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.
A Look Ahead.....
October 6
Picture Retake Day - - Group 1 - 8:10-10:30 am (Stage area)
October 8
Picture Retake Day - - Group 2 - 8:10-10:30 am (Stage area)
October 15-16
NO SCHOOL - MEA
October 22 & 26
OMS Conferences - 3:30 - 7:00 pm
Owatonna Middle School
Website: https://oms.isd761.org/
Location: 500 15th St NE, Owatonna, MN, USA
Phone: 507-444-8700
Twitter: @Owatonna_MS