The Middle Matters
OMS Parent Newsletter March 5-18 , 2023
Inspiring Excellence. Every Learner. Every Day.
From the Principal
Elementary: 8:10- 2:40
OMS: 7:50-2:20
OHS: 8:20-2:50
In the morning, students will be able to enter the building at either 7:25 or 7:40; we are still working on logistics. Our bigger concern is the end of the day and making sure students get picked up by 2:30. After that time, we do not have supervision for students and ask them to be out of the building unless they are here for a sport or activity after school. The good news is that the school and famlies have six months before the start of next school year in order to figure out schedules! Please reach out to the school if you have any questions or concerns.
Calendar
Monday, March 6
A Day
Morning Choir - Soprano
Pledge of Allegiance - 8:10 am
Access Testing Begins
Dress Rehearsal for Spring Play 2:40 pm - Performance Platform
Tuesday, March 7:
B Day
Jazz Band - Band Room - 7:00 am
Small Group Orchestra Lessons - 7:25 am
Access Testing
Dress Rehearsal for Spring Play 2:40 pm - Performance Platform
Mandatory Beginning Band Parent Meeting for 23/24 School Year - 7:00 pm
Wednesday, March 8:
A Day
College Wear Wednesday
AVID - Walk-in Wednesday - 7:30 pm - Rm 101
Access Testing
SOAR DAY
Homework Help 2:45 pm - East Learning Commons
Dress Rehearsal for Spring Play 2:40 pm - Performance Platform
Thursday, March 9:
B Day
Morning Basketball - 7:15 am - Big Gym
Access Testing
Conferences 3:30-7:00 pm
Friday, March 10:
A Day
Chamber Orchestra - 7:00 am - Orchestra room
Morning Basketball - 7:15 am - Big Gym
Access Testing
School Store Open - All four lunches
Spring Play Performance - 7:00 pm
Saturday, March 11:
Spring Play Performance - 7:00 pm
Monday, March 13:
B Day
Morning Choir -Alto/Part 3 - 7:00 am
Pledge of Allegiance - 8:10 am
AVID 8 Field Trip - 8:15 am - Dunwoody College
Access Testing
School Board Meeting - 5:30 pm - OHS (work session)
Tuesday, March 14:
A Day
Jazz Band - Band Room - 7:00 am
Small Group Orchestra - 7:25 am
Access Testing
Wednesday, March 15:
B Day
College Wear Wednesday
AVID - Walk-in Wednesday - 7:30 pm - Rm 101Access Testing
Homework Help - 2:45 pm - Learning Stairs
Thursday, March 16:
A Day
Morning Basketball - 7:15 am - Big Gym
Access Testing
Friday, March 17:
B Day
Chamber Orchestra - 7:00 am
Morning Basketball - 7:15 am - Big Gym
Access Testing
Friday, March 18:
Saturday School 8-11 am - Cafeteria/Learning StairsFinal Parent Teacher Conference
March 9, 2023
Time: 3:30-7:00 pm
Open House Format - Come with your child anytime after 3:30. No progress reports will be handed out. You may bring your child's Chromebook to conferences or view grades on your Parent Portal App. There you will see your child grades, teachers and room numbers. Most conferences will be held in individual classrooms. Some teams may meet in specific areas. There will be signs up at Door 1 and Door 13 letting you know where the teachers will be located.
Lost and Found
Are your kids missing coats, hats, books, hydro flasks...?? For the next week, all lost and found bins will emptied and set out on tables for students to go through and hopefully find their missing items. During the evening of OMS Conferences, and the two nights of the OMS play, parents can also take a look for items that their children may have lost.
OMS Spring Play Performances
Northwoods Nonsense
Date: March 10 and 11, 2023
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: OMS Performance Platform
Cost:
$2 for students
$3 for adults
$1 off per ticket with a food shelf donation
* Owatonna Public School Employees free entry with your badge
Stress Awareness Month
This year, Owatonna Public Schools are selling t-shirts to promote Stress Awareness Month. $5 of every shirt will be going towards Big Brothers Big Sisters. Let's fill the halls with all the HAPPY!
Click the link to order today: https://stores.inksoft.com/smile_more/shop/home
Any questions please contact Beth Fink.
Kids First - OMS Sports
The Spring Season for Kids First/OMS sports is starting soon.
Sports offered are:
Golf - Girls & Boys for 6/7/8 grades.
Track & Field - Boys & Girls for 7/8 grades.
Baseball - Boys for 7/8 grades.
Important dates for the Kids First/OMS spring season.
-Registration will open on February 20 at Registration site.
-Parent/Athlete Meeting for Kids First/OMS is Monday, March 20 at 6:00 in the CAFETERIA at OMS.
-Spring Season is April 3-May 23.
Any questions, please call Sean Huges at 444-8504.
Feeling Ill?
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. 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. Hunt 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: Call the attendance line before 9:00 and leave a message with the reason they are 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. Hunt to get a pass to class.
For early dismissals: Call the attendance line. 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. There is no E-learning offered on days when your child stays home.
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 Mesich: Students A through K 444-8724
Olivia Gullickson: 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. Their contact information can be found on the website.
Conferences are also held two times per year. You are encouraged to attend with your child. The dates are November 3 and 7 and again on March 9. All conferences are held in the individual classrooms 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.
Janessa Jandt: 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 through Infinite Campus. Just log into your Parent Portal to access this option.
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.