The Middle Matters
OMS Parent Newsletter Jan. 7-20, 2023
Inspiring Excellence. Every Learner. Every Day.
From the Principal
What crazy weather we had leading into winter break and coming back from winter break. The early out, late start, and snow days were unexpected! I guess we should be prepared for anything living in Minnesota. However, because we already had two snow days, I want to make sure to communicate the plan should we have another snow day.
The plan is below as well, but if we have another day when school is closed due to inclement weather, we plan on doing E-Learning. What does that mean? While students may not be in attendance, our teachers will be posting work for them to do by the start of each class period through Google Classroom. Your child will be expected to log on, find their work, and complete what is assigned. In addition, our teachers will be available via email during the school day to answer questions for students. While teachers still have prep periods and a lunch period, they will be answering emails throughout the day to help your child with work they assign.
Please reach out to the office if you have any questions about our plan for future weather/emergency days!
Calendar
Monday, January 9:
A Day
Pledge of Allegiance - 8:10 am
School Board Meeting (work session) - 5:30 pm OHS
Tuesday, January 10:
B Day
Jazz Band - Band Room - 7:00 am
Play Practice - 2:40 pm - Performance Platform
Wednesday, January 11:
A Day
College Wear Wednesday
SOAR DAY
AVID - Walk-in Wednesday - 7:30 pm - Rm 101
Stage Crew Meeting for Play - 2:40 pm - Performance Platform
Homework Help 2:45 pm - Learning Stairs
Thursday, January 12:
B Day
Morning Basketball - 7:15 am - Big Gym
Play Practice - 2:40 pm - Performance Platform
Friday, January 13:
A Day
Chamber Orchestra - 7:00 am - Orchestra room
Morning Basketball - 7:15 am - Big Gym
Saturday, January 14:
Saturday School 8-11:00 am - Door 13
Monday, January 16:
No School - MLK Day
Tuesday, January 17:
B Day
Chamber Orchestra - Orchestra Room - 7:00 am
Jazz Band - Band Room - 7:00 am
Play Practice - 2:40 pm - Performance Platform
Wednesday, January 18:
A Day
College Wear Wednesday
AVID - Walk-in Wednesday - 7:30 pm - Rm 101
Animal Behavior Field Trip - RAD ZOO - 9:55 am
Stage Crew- 2:40 pm - Performance Platform
Homework Help - 2:45 pm - Learning Stairs
AVID Parent Meeting - Learning Stairs - 6:00 pm
Thursday, January 19:
B Day
End of 2nd Quarter
End of Wheel 3
Morning Basketball - 7:15 am - Big Gym
Spotlight Student Breakfast - 7:30 am - Learning Stairs
Play Practice - 2:40 pm - Performance Platform
Friday, January 20:
No School Teacher Work Day
Inclement Weather Day/Emergency E-Learning Day Plan
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. 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: 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 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 on Infinite Campus. Just log into your Parent portal to access this option.
We are at home and having problems with our Chromebook, who do I call? Please call the Chromebook Technology Hotline at 444-8630 or fill out this form.
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.