Weekly Family Update #5
September 5, 2021
Principal's Message
Hello Falcons,
Thank you to all of our families that participated in our Virtual Back to School Night this past week. Our staff enjoyed being able to share and connect with families.
This week our ASB students will be hosting what we call Club Rush on Friday 9/10. All of our current clubs on campus will have an informational table out at lunch A and lunch B encouraging students to join. Getting involved on campus is critical to student success. Students who are engaged in their school are more likely to find success across all classes. I highly encourage your student to join a club. If there are no current clubs that seem interesting, I would encourage your student to start a new club! The process is easy! ASB will have information on the process at Club Rush.
I have been so impressed by the kindness shown by our students so far this school year. I have seen students bend down to pick up a piece of trash as they walk and talk with a friend. I have seen a student who was sitting alone at lunch be approached by a group of students and be asked to come join them which resulted in smiles all around. I have seen students help others to find classrooms, restrooms, and even one help a student on crutches find the elevator. This place is amazing, your students are amazing. I feel like the kids all need a gift. How about I give you all tomorrow off? Alright everyone, no school on Monday, that is my gift to you!
Have a nice Labor Day Falcons.
Thanks for all you do for our Oak Valley Community! Go Falcons!
Beaming with Falcon Pride,
Mr. Young
Colin Young
Principal
Oak Valley Middle School
Schedule for the week of September 6-September 10
New Information
6th Grade Camp
6th grade parents,
Thank you to the many families who have returned their pink forms indicating your decision about attending 6th grade camp at Cuyamaca Outdoor School. For those who have not done so, the absolute final day to indicate that your student is attending camp and submit all of your paperwork is Tuesday September 7th at 3:30 pm. If you wish to go, you need to fully submit the following:
- Pink Form “Student Registration & Health Form” (front and back with both parent and student signature).
- White From “Parent/Guardian Permission for Participation Form.”
- White Form “Medical Authorization Form” (optional if your student needs medicine administered at camp. Must have physician signature.).
- White Form “Special Meals and/or Accommodations” (optional if your student has any dietary needs).
If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Voggenthaler at avoggenthaler@powayusd.com or Mr. Wild at swild@powayusd.com
Thank you!
Club Rush!
On Friday 9/10, during both A & B lunches, tables will be in the quad promoting OV Clubs. Students can walk around and take a look at every club and decide which club best suits their interests.
If a student would like to start a club, please go to the Welcome Center, or the Oak Valley ASB website to fill out a club application form. Complete the form answering questions, explaining what your club will be about. To create a club you will need an advisor which needs to be a teacher/staff member.
If your student is part of a club, and wants to host a table during Club Rush, please have them see Mrs. Abboud in room 304.
Once all clubs have been approved by ASB, we will release a list that you will be able to view at home.
Oak Valley Cross Country Team
Attention Falcons! Are you looking for something fun to do after school? Come out and join the Oak Valley Cross Country Team! All you need to do to join is have a great attitude and a willingness to work to achieve your goals. Practices will start on Tuesday, September 7th and will be held Monday, Tuesday & Thursday after school from 3:15pm to 4:00pm. Practices are not mandatory and runners can come whenever it best fits into their schedules. There will be several races for you to participate in this season! If you have any questions please contact Coach Kenny or Mrs. Stauffer. kdaum@powayusd.com or cstauffer@powayusd.com
National Suicide Prevention Week
September 5th-September 11th is National Suicide Prevention Week. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is a really great resource to tap into. You can find their website HERE.
As we focus out attention this week on Start with Hello, a program designed to welcome students and create friendships. Student health, wellness, and safety are the primary concern of all adults at Oak Valley.
Social/Emotional Support: If you or someone you know is in need of social/emotional support, reach out to a trusted adult and/or access one of these resources:
§ Call 911 for immediate concerns
§ National Suicide Prevention Line 800-273-TALK (8255)
§ Text HOME to 741741 to reach a crisis counselor
§ The Trevor Project 866-488-7386 (crisis intervention for LGBTQ youth)
§ PUSD Safety Tipline 1-844-PUSD-TIP (1-844-787-3847) - See it, Hear it, Report it.
The PUSD Tipline is monitored by local law enforcement. This tipline is for situations requiring immediate attention, including any type of physical threat of harm to self or others.
LOVE THE LIBRARY
HELP! We have had a crush of students needing extra Chromebooks for class.
FAVOR - Please try hard to remember to charge your Chromebook every night and bring it every day. We try to have enough Chromebooks on hand for those that break down, but we cannot meet that demand, if students don't remember to bring their Chromebooks or return the loaners each day.
THANKS! for all your help ~ The OVMS Library
OVMS Science Olympiad
OVMS Science Olympiad is gearing up for a semi-virtual fun and exciting year! To learn more about how to become a part of our 1st Place program, review the “Information Night” slide deck that will be available at www.ovmsso.org starting at 7:00pm on September 12th. On September 15th we will have a live Q&A Session via Zoom at 7:00pm. The Zoom link will be emailed to parents and students who have signed up on our Interest List by September 14th. Registration will open after the Q&A Session.
Science Olympiad is an international nonprofit organization led by parent volunteers dedicated to giving students access to science in a fun but competitive atmosphere. All OVMS students are welcome. Registration fees are $85, and scholarships are available. If you have any questions, please email us at ovmsso@gmail.com.
Oak Valley Coding Club
We will have parent coaches, experienced club members, and Del Norte High School students teach classes, organize competitions, and discuss special topics. Some special topics last year included machine learning, algorithmic programming, and more.
Our club has done extremely well in the past 3 years, including being ranked (tied for) 1st in the nation in the ACSL Competition. In the USACO Competition, we had several students qualify for the prestigious silver division. During the mBIT competition, our top OVMS team got 2nd place nationally for the Middle School division.
Whether you are already a good programmer, or interested in learning how to code, compete, or just have fun coding, the coding club is for you! If you are interested in joining the interest list, signup here. For more information visit our website or contact us at oakvalleycodingclub@gmail.com, or contact Rahul Verma (the president of OVCC) specifically at connect.rahulv@gmail.com
We will see you soon!
OVMS Studios
OVMS Studios, your favorite movie studio here at OVMS is back for another year of movie-making, in the 2021-2022 school year. Last year, due to being held over zoom, we focused on animating, and we completed our feature film, The Flip Side. It was awarded 1st place in the Student Comedy/Dramedy section of the San Diego Movie Awards!
This year, we will be reverting back to our original topic, live action films. We hope to increase our membership this year, ultimately culminating in another amazing film! For more information, please watch our promotional video. Even if you are hesitant, you should simply fill out the interest form, and we will see you soon!
Oak Valley MathCounts Club 2021 - 2022
If your student is interested in joining the Oak Valley MathCounts Club this year, please read and fill out this Interest List Signup Form to receive up-to-date information.
School Site Council Election
Thank you to all of those who submitted your name to be considered for School Site Council. Please click on the link HERE if you would like to participate in the procedural vote.
Continuing Information
Traffic Reminders
Thank you Falcon Families for doing your best to follow our traffic procedures in the morning and afternoon. Traffic was very busy again this week. If possible, please carpool to help alleviate the congestion. Please also be respectful of our neighbors in the surrounding community and do not park on private roads. Information on the drop off and pick procedures can be found below.
The safety of our students is critical, please do not double park along Carmel Valley Road or Winecreek and allow your students to zigzag through traffic to jump into your car. This is very dangerous.
Getting all students to school safely each day is a priority for our entire community. Please make sure you are obeying all traffic laws. Below is a diagram showing the pick up and drop off procedures. This is especially handy for families that are new to Oak Valley. Please help us in ensuring the safety of all students.
A few notes from our Food and Nutrition Department:
Welcome back!
*All students are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch meals regardless of income.
* Each day, we will offer 3 hot entrees and 3 cold entrees, along with the daily breakfast item. See the PUSD Nutrition website for menus. www.powayusdnutrition.com
*Parents/Guardians are still encouraged to complete a meal application online to receive other benefits such as a Pandemic EBT card for each child. The website to apply is, www.myschoolapps.com.
*PUSD Food and Nutrition Department is going completely CASHLESS. In the coming weeks, we will begin offering A La Carte/snack items for purchase. Parents can prepay for A La Carte items/Snacks by dropping off a check at the school or paying with credit/debit card at www.myschoolbucks.com .
We will soon be testing a bar code scanning system to help speed up service in lunch lines. Student’s that lose their barcode can still type in their 7-digit student ID number to get meals.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call Food and Nutrition Supervisor, Debbie David at (858) 487-2939 x6173.
PUSD Health and Safety Reminders
Update from the Health Office
The health and safety of all Falcons is imperative.
** If your student is not feeling well, please keep them at home. **
Please make sure you are screening your student daily for any symptoms related to COVID-19 before they arrive on campus. If your child does test positive, please notify us immediately.
You can also access the latest information HERE on the PUSD main webpage.
Oak Valley Middle School
Email: coyoung@powayusd.com
Location: 16055 Winecreek Road, San Diego, CA, USA
Phone: (858) 487-2939