Weekly Family Update Issue # 3
Oak Valley Middle School August 25, 2019
Principal's Message
What a fantastic first week I have had. The students here are amazing. All throughout the halls I hear, "Hello Mr. Young," "Happy Friday Mr. Young," "Mr. Young, come see what I wrote on my 'About Me' poster." I have never felt so welcome at a new school. Your students are amazing; I thank you for the kindness you have instilled in them. I am so excited to start week 2!
My team and I visited every classroom (more then once) during the first few days of school. Throughout our visits, we saw kids engaged in culture-building activities, goal setting, creating learning objectives, working with technology, creating classroom norms, and practicing organizational strategies. As an educator, it feels incredible to be surrounded by such engaging instruction and it has only been three days!! I cannot wait to see the great things that will be happening in classrooms as we progress through the year.
Just a reminder that Back to School Night is coming up on September 4th for 6th grade and September 11th for 7th and 8th grade. I will send out a detailed informational flyer this week. I hope to see you all there.
Beaming With Falcon Pride,
Mr. Young
Colin Young
Principal
Oak Valley Middle School
Back to School Night
Back to School Night is one of my favorite nights of the year. Please make sure you save the date so that you can join us.
Wednesday September 4th for students in 6th grade. Class visitations begin at 6pm.
Wednesday September 11th for students in 7th and 8th grade. Class visitations begin at 6pm.
More detailed information to come soon!
OVMS Math Counts
Welcome back OVMS Students ! The Math Counts Club will have an informational meeting at 8:20 AM Tuesday September 3, 2019 in the MPR. If you are interested in joining this year's Math Counts Club and/or would like to learn more about it, please plan on attending this meeting; parents are encouraged to attend as well. The entrance test for the club will be scheduled on 9/10/2019, Tuesday morning, at 8 AM. Please use this link to sign up on the Math Counts interest form; you can also visit the Math Counts website to learn more about Math Counts and complete the registration form for the entrance test.
Science Olympiad
OVMS Science Olympiad is gearing up for another fun and exciting year! To learn more about how to become part of our 1st Place program, please come to the mandatory Information Night on Thursday, September 5th from 7:00 to 8:30pm in the OVMS MPR. All interested students and a parent should plan to attend to learn more about all 23 Science Olympiad events, meet coaches and students, and how to register. Science Olympiad is an international nonprofit organization led by parent volunteers dedicated to exposing our students to science in a fun but competitive atmosphere. All OVMS students in grades 6-8th are welcome. Registration fees are $85. If you have any questions, please see this flyer, visit our website at www.ovmsso.org, or email us at ovmsso@gmail.com.
Quiz Bowl
Oak Valley’s Quiz Bowl team is looking for participants. If you love trivia and are good at remembering facts on a variety of topics, this may be the team for you! Stop by the Finance Office in the Welcome Center to sign up to join the Quiz Bowl team. Sign-up sheets will be available next week, August 26th through August 30th . Practices are on every Tuesday and Friday, after school. We look forward to working with you!
Robotics Teams - Coaches Needed!
OVMS robotics club teams are currently looking for coaches for this year's First Lego League, if you are interested in helping, please contact Oak Valley teacher, Jeff Cox at: jcox@powayusd.com
PTSA News
Become an OVMS PTSA Member
In this era of district budget struggles, financial support for our classrooms is critical so we can continue to provide the 21st century learning experience that our students deserve each day. We are using an online tool called Totem for OVMS PTSA Membership Registration. Check it out at the link below:
https://jointotem.com/ca/san-diego/oak-valley-middle-school-ptsa/join
Your OVMS PTSA membership gets you the national discounts located here:
https://capta.org/join/member-perks/
We also have a "DONATE" button on Totem to make your student buyout donation ($150) or select a custom amount to fund your Falcon for the entire year (Fundraising Buyout) or provide a custom donation for Art Corps, the Falcon Center, and Teacher Mini-Grants. We are doing our part to go paperless and ensure you automatically have a receipt for your transactions.
Oak Valley Spirit Wear Final Sale This Year
Your last chance to purchase spirit wear will be at Back to School Night. We only have a handful of items left and when they’re gone that’s it this year. We only order once per year so don’t miss out! We have sweatshirts, a few Dri-Fit shirts and V-neck or crew-neck T-shirts. Wear Oak Valley blue on spirit Fridays and show your pride. Get caught wearing spirit wear or royal blue and you can win a prize. Look for our table at Back-to-School Night to grab one of the few remaining items.
Great Job - PTSA Fundraiser at Burger Lounge
Thank you to the families who went to Burger Lounge to support our PTSA fundraiser. We raised over $450 for our kids and teacher/staff needs at Oak Valley. Thank you very much for your support.
The Oak Valley Falcon Foundation
Welcome back to school! Oak Valley would not be able to provide the world-class educational experience and environment for our students without the support of parents like YOU! As we begin the 2019-2020 Academic Year, I encourage you to donate to the Oak Valley Falcon Foundation to ensure that our school continues to be the premier middle school in our district and state.
The Oak Valley Falcon Foundation has and will continue to support technology and programs for our 21st century learners. With the construction of the new building underway, we have the unique opportunity to help fund new and much needed shade structures for our students. So this year, every family that donates $300 or more to the Foundation, their name will be placed on a plaque commemorating their contribution and commitment to Oak Valley Middle School. This is a wonderful opportunity to leave a legacy for our students and future Falcons for years to come.
Additionally, I know that many parents work at or own a local business. This year we’ve added a new sponsorship opportunity that can help increase the exposure of your business or place of work and show your support for Oak Valley Middle School!
Donations and sponsorship opportunities can be made by check or online at:
www.oakvalleyfalconfoundation.com
Giving Circles:
$150 Bronze Level
$300 Silver Level
- Name on Commemorative Plaque for 2019-2020 Foundation Contribution
$500 Gold Level
- Name on Commemorative Plaque for 2019-2020 Foundation Contribution
- VIP Parking for Back-to-School Night (must donate by 8/31/19)
$1000 Platinum Level or Business Sponsor
- Name on Commemorative Plaque for 2019-2020 Foundation Contribution
- VIP Parking for Back-to-School Night (must donate by 8/31/19)
- 3' x 5' Banner Ad on the front fence for the entire school year (Business Sponsor)
The Oak Valley Falcon Foundation is a tax exempt organization under IRS code 501(c) (3). Donations made to Oak Valley Middle School through the Oak Valley Falcon Foundation are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by the law.
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!
Extended Student Services (ESS) at OVMS is expanding and growing! We have room in the Fall for you and your neighbors so feel free to keep spreading the word. As we start our 3rd year of ESS growth at Oak Valley, we know that our program is staffed with fantastic Program Aides, mostly college students who have a passion for helping kids grow and learn each day.
Hours of Operation:
6:30am- 8:20am Monday – Friday
6:30am – 9:20am Late Start Tuesdays
3:05pm-6:00pm Monday- Friday
*We are also open at dismissal on planned minimum 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.
Please contact OVMS ESS Acting Supervisor, Alissa Polet (apolet@powayusd.com) or
Lead Assistant, Lucy Vargas (lvargas@powayusd.com)
Direct phone line: (858-676-6978) with any further questions on enrollment
We thank you for spreading the word about the great ways that we can support students with homework help and actively participating in the program before and after school.
PUSD Parenting Class
Bring out the best in your teen, increase respect, responsibility and give consequences that work. Teach your teen the skills to prevent negative influences. Based on "Active Parenting of Teens" by Michael Popkin, Ph.D.
Wednesday, September 25th Mesa Verde Middle School from 6:30pm -8:30 pm
Class fee: $16/individual or $27/couple. You can view an informational flyer here.
Oak Valley Middle School
https://www.instagram.com/principalmryoung/
Website: https://www.powayusd.com/Schools/MS/OVMS/home
Location: 16055 Winecreek Road, San Diego, CA, USA
Phone: (858)487-2939
Twitter: @PrincipalColin