O'Maley Family Focus
Updates from Principal Lynne Beattie - May 15, 2020
Learning continues as the warm weather is finally upon us. In addition to daily lessons posted in teachers' Google Classrooms, there have been a variety of engaging opportunities for O'Maley students. Teachers are using Kahoot to create scavenger hunts, science has started exploring hybrid learning with TinkerCAD and the 3-D printing lab, and today we hosted our our second Academic Bowl with 49 participants.
Plans are underway for a celebratory event for 8th grade, closing activities for 6th and 7th grade, and the transition of 5th graders coming to O'Maley next year. We are also working on a process for students to have belongings returned to them from their lockers. As Governor Baker releases details of how the state may re-open businesses, we will be better informed on the parameters for schools. Safety is our greatest priority, and we are working creatively on options that we can do remotely or with proper social distancing if appropriate.
8th Grade students should be on the lookout for an email from Ms. White requesting t-shirt sizes. PTO will be supplying one to each graduating 8th grader.
For those thinking far ahead...and yes, there have been questions, House placements will be sent out at the typical time frame, a week or two before school starts in September.
Below you will find our first edition of O'Maley News posted earlier today. Students who are interested in submitting a story, picture or video should email it to their guidance counselors, Ms. White, Ms. Alves, or Ms. Matheson. I hope you enjoy the broadcast!
Have a great weekend!
Principal Lynne Beattie
The Weekly Overview for May 18-22 will be sent Monday, May 18th at 8:00 a.m.
Course Credit, Grading and Feedback
For most students, year-end grades will be determined from the average of Terms 1-3 grades provided credit is earned for Term 4. In the case of students who have not completed work during Term 4, situations will be handled on an individual basis.
Information About Sawyer Free Library E-Cards
At the start of the school year, all families were sent information on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). It included a disclosure of the types of information GPS might share with outside organizations; examples were listed. While the list of examples is not exclusive, the Sawyer Free Public Library is not listed, so I would like to take this opportunity to request that if you do not want your student's name and school email address to be shared with Sawyer Free Library for the purpose of setting up a library e-card, please email me at lbeattie@gloucesterschools.com before Tuesday, May 12th.
In case you want to refresh your memory on the FERPA disclosure, a link to the letter is here:
Helpful Tech Tips for Students
- Use the Chrome web browser so that you have access to necessary extensions and apps.
- Not sure how to link to Google Meets for your Class? See Ms. Crosby's video how-to.
- Too many emails? Create labels in GMail to keep them organized. Link to Ms. Pinta's Video and Skills Sheet on how to create labels in your GMail inbox.
- OR, if the email overload is from Google Classroom you can turn off those notifications. Just be sure to check Classroom daily for information and assignments. See Ms. Hand's video to learn how to turn off email notifications for Classroom.
- Use Google Keep to organize yourself. See Ms. Beattie's video.
- Use your phone to help you stay on schedule: Set alarms or reminders for the start of each class or a few minutes before so you don't lose track of time.
- Create a customized schedule for yourself! Make a Copy of the student schedule template and fill in your subjects and teachers.
Virtual O'Maley Academy
We have officially launched our virtual after school program!
Here is how it will work: No sign-up needed! Students access the enrichment activities through a Google Classroom page, and complete enrichment at their leisure. The goal is to stay connected and engaged with our community and have fun! As we move through the spring we will hold some Zoom or Google Hangouts video sessions, but they are not required.
Students who would like to participate in a Virtual Spring Session should can join the Classroom using the class code below. There will be 3 different virtual options, they can choose one or more to participate in!
Option 1- O'Maley Academy Virtual Drama Club
What to expect: Activities involving acting skills, dancing, and singing. ALL are welcome!
Class Code: xqt3kfl
Teacher: Ms. Lauren Horne
Option 2- O'Maley Academy Virtual Capture, Compose, Create
What to Expect: Activities that involve writing, expressing yourself using creative and visual arts, creativity is welcome!
Class Code: l5hhfq2
Teacher: Ms. Theresa Dannaher
Option 3 - O'Maley Academy Virtual Sports and Recreation
What to Expect: Activities to get you up and moving! Students with all levels of sports experience are welcome!
Class Code: z5xkqnk
Teacher: Ms. Hannah Dupre
Feel free to reach out to Allison Alves at aalves@glouesterschools.com with questions.
Meal Pick-Up Locations
Locations and Times:
The Heights/Pond View.
Meals can be picked up at from the bus parked in the lower loop from 2:00 - 2:20.
- Beeman and Veterans' Elementary Schools - Drive-up Grab & Go will be available from 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm.
- Veterans' Way – Meal drop-off will be from 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
- Willowood Gardens – Meal drop-off will be from 3:15 pm to 3:45 pm.
Join the Student and Staff Compilation - School Closure 2020!
The Student and Staff Compilation is a collection of creative contributions, a sharing of what we are all doing while we are out of school and an opportunity to connect. If you want to add your own slide, create a Google Slide in your school account, and email it to Ms. Beattie.
Contact Information
Email: lbeattie@gloucesterschools.com
Website: http://omaley.gloucesterschools.com
Location: 32 Cherry Street, Gloucester, MA, USA
Phone: 978-281-9850
Twitter: @omaleyprincipal