OMS Friday Knight Live
September 8, 2023
In This Newsletter:
- Conferences September 27 & 28
- Parents & Guardians invited to attend Screenagers screening
- Yearbook photos concluded
- Order Yearbooks NOW
- Not Better Without You: Start the Conversation
- Parent Volunteers Still Needed for Hearing/Vision Screening
- Newsletter for Parents & Guardians: Parents Still Make the Difference Sept. Edition
- Collect Your Pop Tops & Benefit OMS!
Conferences Sept. 27 & 28
Specific times for walk-ins and and opportunities for zoom scheduled conferences will be emailed next week.
We look forward to meeting with our parents and guardians at conferences!
There will be no school Friday, September 29th.
Screenagers Under the Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs, and Alcohol in the Digital Age
Johnson County Mental Health Center and Olathe Communities That Care will be holding a screening of "Screenagers Under the Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs, and Alcohol in the Digital Age" on September 20, 2023 from 6pm-8pm at the Olathe Downtown Library. This documentary delves into how the tech revolution has reshaped adolescence and its effects on substance use. The film debunks myths and depicts strategies parents and schools can use to encourage healthy decision-making, support teen mental health, set limits, and create healthy home environments. Afterwards, there will be a discussion and opportunity to learn more about resources offered in our community. Youth 12 and over are encouraged to join their parents and watch! Olathe CTC will be providing a light dinner and drinks. Click HERE for information flier.
To register for this event, please call Johnson County Prevention and Community Relations at 913-715-7880
Yearbook Photos Concluded
The final day for yearbook photos was Thursday Sept 7. Families, watch your inbox for an email from JostensPIX for the link to view and order photos. The emails will be sent to the address you listed as the contact for your student.
Order Yearbooks NOW
If you want a 2023 2024 yearbook for your student please order it now. Go to ParentVue → Fees → Optional Fees and select the 23-34 YRBOOK for $25. Extra yearbooks are not available at the end of the year. Avoid end of the year tears and order today!
Not Better Without You: Don’t Wait to Start the Conversation
September is Suicide Prevention Month. Click HERE for the Johnson’s County article for information, resources, and upcoming events.
Parent Volunteers Needed for Hearing/Vision Screening
Nurse Piper is in need of 6 volunteers to help with class lists, paper sorting, and student class escorts during Hearing and Vision Screening on Wednesday October 25. Volunteers are needed from 7:30am - 11:00am. We need you the entire time and, unfortunately, cannot accommodate partial volunteer shifts.
Click HERE for the Hearing Vision Volunteer Sign Up
Parents Still Make a Difference - September 2023
Newsletter for middle school parents. Articles include: Academic honesty, importance of attendance, information on sleep, a wish list from middle school students, and more!
Click HERE for the Sept 2023 newsletter
Collect your Pop Tops!
Oxford Middle School's very own Student Council and Community Service Club are putting on a Pop Top Drive.
When: September 18th-22nd
Why: Last year over $29,000.00 was raised to support the Ronald McDonald House of Kansas City. This home offers free lodging to families who have children with a long-term illness (that are currently hospitalized). If the families live too far away from the facility, they can stay here for FREE! These Pop Tops are recycled and raise money for RMH.
We will have a collection at lunch during the week of the 18th. Feel free to bring them by Mr. Collins or Mrs. Dugan if you have tops to turn in before the collection date.
THANK YOU OMS FAMILIES!
Helpful Repeated Information
Counseling Corner – Career Café Participants Needed!
Are you passionate about your job? Do you wish you knew more about what kinds of skills, knowledge, and duties your job required before you were looking to start a career? We are excited to offer Career Café once a month where a small group of students can meet with you, learn about your profession, and be able to ask questions about what it’s really like to be in the work force. All professions welcome! If you are interested in being a participant, please fill out the following Google form and we will contact you for specifics. Thank you for your consideration!
Career Café Google Form: https://forms.gle/zrgxU5efGHCso6z28
Change in BV Testing for Middle School Students
As seen in the annual assessment notice shared last week, there are some changes to student assessment in Blue Valley this Fall. As a result, you may notice a change in some of the tests your student is being asked to take this year.
We have replaced MAP Reading testing with the Fastbridge FASTtrack reading assessment. The benefits are:
Fastbridge testing provides comparable student results with fewer questions.
Teachers get information that is easier to act upon.
Fastbridge is endorsed by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE).
Families will get a printed student report.
We have also eliminated MAP Math testing. The reasoning is as follows:
Starting last year, we asked students to complete iReady diagnostic testing as iReady became our math resource for grades K-5.
Last fall and spring, we double-tested students in math as we administered both MAP math and the iReady diagnostic in both terms.
Through analyzing results, we learned that iReady and MAP produced similar overall information. In other words, the correlation between iReady and MAP data was extremely strong.
Students in 8th grade Algebra I do not take the iReady diagnostic and therefore will complete the Fastbridge FASTtrack math assessment.
Collect your Pop Tops!
Oxford Middle School's very own Student Council and Sources of Strength teams are putting on a Pop Top Drive.
When: September 18th-22nd
Why: Last year over $29,000.00 was raised to support the Ronald McDonald House of Kansas City. This home offers free lodging to families who have children with a long-term illness (that are currently hospitalized). If the families live too far away from the facility, they can stay here for FREE! These Pop Tops are recycled and raise money for RMH.
We will have a collection at lunch during the week of the 18th. Feel free to bring them by Mr. Collins or Mrs. Dugan if you have tops to turn in before the collection date.
THANK YOU OMS FAMILIES!
Crossing Guards Needed
All City Management Services is looking for additional school crossing guards to ensure the safety of students as they arrive and depart from school. Visit https://acmssafety.com/careers for more information.
BVNW Junior Cheer Clinic
Join the BVNW Cheerleaders for a Junior Cheer clinic taking place Saturday September 16 from 8:30am - 11:30am. Clinic includes cheering at a BVNW home football game Friday September 22nd. Click HERE for clinic flier and to request a registration form
Make-Up or Retake Picture Day is September 7
Any students who need to get their yearbook photo taken (or retaken) will have them taken at school on Thursday September 7. Parents/Guardians will receive an email from Jostens Pix after the 7th with a link to order pictures.
Football and Volleyball Games Added
Games have been added to the football and volleyball schedules. Click HERE for the Athletics page on the OMS website. Check your specific sport for schedules.
Supporting Kids Mental Health as They Go Back to School
From our social worker – article from the Johnson County Health Center: Supporting Kids Mental Health as They Go Back to School
BV Student Code of Conduct
The Blue Valley Board of Education approved updates to Board Policy 3500 - Behavior and Discipline at the August 14, 2023 Board of Education meeting. As part of this approval, there is a Student Code of Conduct document. We ask all families and students within our school community to review the contents, policies and procedures within this Student Code of Conduct.
Administrative actions taken as a result of a violation of the code of conduct are determined following proper investigation, review, and/or consideration of the age/grade of the student, context, and situation in which the behavior in question occurred. The scope of authority of the Blue Valley Student Code of Conduct applies at all times when students are on school buses or other vehicles used by the district to transport students, school district property, or engaged in official school activities. Additionally, this code of conduct applies to any student whose conduct at any time or place has a direct and immediate effect causing substantial disruption impacting the order of school operations and/or the sense of student and staff safety that exists in the school or school-related environment.
Students at Oxford have been made aware of behavioral expectations and the Code of Conduct through administrator sessions during FLEX classes.
Game Atmosphere at High School Games
Blue Valley families,
We are excited to have your families come to support our high school activities and athletics. It is great to see the entire community at these events. It is imperative that our parent community partner with us as we work to encourage positive elementary and middle school behavior at high school games or events.
We are asking that all elementary and middle school students enter the game with an adult and sit with that adult throughout the game. Please do not drop your child off at a district event without supervision as they will not be allowed to enter. It is challenging to monitor and keep all students safe without the help of our parent community. Thanks for your help with this protocol to make district events a great experience for all who attend. We hope to see your family cheering for our Blue Valley teams this school year.
Matt Ortman
Director of School Administration, Athletics and Activities
Blue Valley School District
OMS Social Worker Provides Resource Information
Sue Ellen Jayne is Oxford’s social worker. She can assist with connecting OMS families with needed resources and services. Ms. Jayne has a resource page on the OMS website where we post community connections. Her page can be found under Families → Social Worker Resources OMS
No Microwaves Available for Student Usage
Please be aware that there are no microwaves available for student usage for lunches. Please send hot items in an insulated thermos or container.
School Day Access
Visitors, including parents and guardians, are not permitted in the building during the school day unless they have a scheduled appointment or meeting. Once the school day has begun at 7:50am visitors must ring the doorbell (located to the right of the main doors). Adults who are picking up a student early must wait outside for the student to exit the building. Please see the School Policies and FAQs page on the OMS website for more information about the door entry system, item drop off, and student absences.
Slides from Canvas Parent Night
Here are the Canvas Tips shared at our Canvas Information Parent Night on 8.22.23. Thanks to our teachers: Ms. Anctil, Mrs. Kolquist, Mrs. McBride and Mrs. Mullin-Mall for presenting!
Important Travel Outside of the USA Information
This important message is for any family or staff that will travel out of the United States during the school year. Please click here to read the restrictions and recommendations for Out of the Country travel. Blue Valley resources such as Canvas, Classlink, and school email are not accessible out of the country unless you have a personal device with a VPN on it.
OMS Clubs
A.M. Practices and 1st Period Attendance
Students who attend morning practices for football, cross country, or volleyball must be on time for 1st period at 7:51am. Students who choose to go home and change clothes must be in their 1st period seats on time or they will be marked late unexcused.
School Hours
Students need to be in their first hour class by 7:51 a.m.
6th & 7th grade students report to the Commons before 7:45 a.m. when they may go to lockers and classrooms
8th grade students report to the GYM before 7:45 a.m.
Students who eat breakfast will eat in the commons and then report to the commons or gym
School is dismissed at 3:00 p.m. Students who are not staying for a club or activity exit the building by 3:10 p.m.
Attendance alert options for OMS families
Every day OMS opens its doors to students for a day filled with learning. When a student does not arrive at school, or unexpectedly misses a portion of the school day, we are concerned and want to make sure you are aware that your child is absent.
Beginning Thursday, Aug. 17, families will be notified of unexpected absences through email, phone, text and optional push notifications. OMS families can expect automated attendance messages by email, phone and text at 8:40 a.m. and 3:10 p.m. if a child is absent and his/her absence has not already been reported by a parent/guardian. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to call the school to report an absence or reply to the automated email or phone message.
Families who would also like a push notification can download the ParentVUE app and manage their notifications. If a child has an unreported absence when a teacher submits attendance, then a push notification will immediately be sent to the parent/guardian's mobile device. Push notifications will continue throughout the day until the child’s absence is reported/excused, meaning a parent/guardian could receive multiple push notifications as attendance is typically taken with each class period.
Interested in push notifications? Simply download the ParentVUE app (iTunes app store or Google Play), enable push notifications in device settings and select attendance notifications through in-app settings.
Interested in OMS Spiritwear?
The PTO has created an online store that is open year round. 1st Place Spiritwear has a wide variety of Oxford pride clothing and accessories. A portion of each sale goes back to Oxford PTO to support our school! Mind the sizing guide as sizes tend to run small.
Preventing Game Access from Student Chromebooks: Opt-In Option for Securly Filter
The number one complaint this past year from parents has been student access to game sites during the school day. Parents can now choose to place their 3-12th grade students in the High Restrictions Filter Group by signing up here. The link has detailed information about the differences between the Default and High Restrictions Policies. The Securly update will be effective September 1.
*Educational Games sites used by curriculum will still be allowed.
Before/After School Information – No After School Care
We have had several families ask if middle school offers before or after school care (like Y-Care at the elementary schools). Middle schools do not offer any such options. There are clubs, activities, and after-school-homework help several days a week. But these options are not guaranteed every day and may be canceled if supervisor is out of the building. All families should have plans in place for their students to go home every day.
Interested in a carpool this year?
For students who do not receive bus transportation, families may fill out this form to see if other families near them are interested in arranging a carpool. Anyone who fills the form out will want to check regularly for new additions. Families who use this form will reach out to other parents and guardians on this form to arrange any carpools.
Welcome new OMS families!
We are looking forward to having you and your student at OMS this year. Need a place to start for Oxford information? Click HERE for OMS 2023-2024 Frequently Asked Questions
7th & 8th Graders: Is your chromebook ready to start school?
7th and 8th grade students are asked to power on their chromebooks and download any software updates before school starts. Please log a BV CARE ticket from the website for any chromebook issues before school starts.
Parents/Guardians For Your Refrigerator
We have created a Parent Reference Sheet and QR Codes for your reference during the school year. Scan the QR codes for links to reporting absences, adding money to lunch accounts, school day bell schedules, ParentVue, Canvas, bus company, and so much more!
Click HERE to download the 23-24 Parent Reference Sheet
Change in Lunch Account System
Blue Valley’s Food & Nutrition Services Parent Portal for online payments and monitoring student meal accounts was changed over the summer from Titan to LINQ K12 Solutions. LINKQ has an updated parent access system and app – the Titan system no longer works.
The new website https://linqconnect.com/
If you try to log in to the family.titank12.com website, you will automatically be re-directed to the new website https://linqconnect.com/
IMPORTANT! If you used the Titan Family Connect mobile app – it NO LONGER WORKS!
Parents will need to download the LinqConnect app from the Appstore or Playstore (this was communicated in the LINQ/Titan email to parents)
If you are having problems with logging into the new LINQ website or app and have requested their password reset, please look in their junk/spam folder for the reset message from LINQ(titan).
If you still don’t find the reset message or are having other issues specifically with the website/app they need to Contact LINQ at 1-888-464-5467 then choose Option 1 then Option 1. Oxford school personnel cannot reset passwords.
If parents have a question specifically about their students’ meal accounts (transaction history, transfer of funds or refund) please have them call Blue Valley’s Food & Nutrition Services at 913-239-4062.
Looking for OMS Information? Try the Website!
The OMS website has most of the information you will need for and during the school year. You can find the school calendar, class and lunch schedules, links to the lunch payment system, staff lists (including email addresses), rules about cell phones, how to notify us of a student absence, candid student and event photos, sports schedules, clubs and activities, and so much more! Our website is updated multiple times a week so check here for current updates! OMS Website
For the Latest Announcements and Information
Want to keep up on the latest OMS announcements and information? Check out the NEWS section on the OMS website. NEWS is located under the About Us tab.
Contact Us! We Are Here To Help!
Attendance Number: 913-239-5505
Mrs. Domoney, Principal: cdomoney@bluevalleyk12.org
Mr. Holsapple, Assistant Principal: jholsapple03@bluevalleyk12.org
**Cross Country Practice Monday 8/21 & Tues 8/22**
Due to predicted heat, Cross Country practice will take place @6:00am both Monday August 21 and Tuesday August 22.