OMS Friday Knight Live
March 8, 2024
In This Newsletter:
- Spring Break March 11-18
- End of Quarter Information: Canvas Courses
- Spring Student Knightly Newspaper
- OMS State Assessments March 28, April 2, April 4
- OMS PTO Trivia Night April 5th
- Blue Valley Northwest Booster Event: Denim & Diamonds April 6th
- Blue Valley Summer Programming Information
- School in Session April 1
Spring Break March 11-18
Spring Break is March 11-18th. Have a safe and fun break! 4th Quarter begins Tuesday, March 19th.
End of Quarter Information: Canvas Courses
At the end of each quarter, most courses in Canvas will conclude and will no longer be visible on the Canvas app. A concluded course is only visible through the Canvas website by selecting All Courses on the Courses tab and scrolling down to the Past Enrollments section. Courses for this quarter will conclude on March 7th, 11:59 pm. Report cards will be generated and viewed on ParentVUE at the end of the school day on March 22nd. At the start of the new quarter, teachers will publish new Canvas courses. As courses are published, students and families will again be able to see current courses on the Canvas app and Canvas website. For Canvas parent resources, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/canvas.
*CANVAS TIP: Be sure you have downloaded the latest version of the Canvas Parent App (download in iTunes and Google Play).
Spring Knightly Student Newspaper
Extra, extra, read all about it! The spring edition of the OMS student newspaper is now available. Read about Oxford’s KOPE ambassadors, music events, an interview with Mrs. Askren, student council and community service events, games, captions, and more!
OMS State Assessments Spring 2024
Our OMS State Assessments will take place March 28, April 2 and April 4.
We ask that students please avoid appointments and absences if possible during these dates and times.
OMS PTO Trivia Night: April 5th
Save the Date!
OMS Trivia Night
Friday, April 5th
A fun night out with other parents while raising money to support the OMS staff and students.
More details available soon!
BVNW Parent Booster Club Denim & Diamonds Event Rescheduled
All future BVNW Husky Families are invited to attend Denim and Diamonds on April 6th at Museum of Prairiefire! See the attachment for more details.
Blue Valley Summer Programming Information
Blue Valley Summer Explorations enrollment opens March 18
Is your child looking to break out of summer boredom? Does your child want to learn more about football? Is your child looking to create harmony this summer? Sign your child up for Blue Valley’s Summer Explorations program, designed to engage students in learning through hands-on experiences and lots of fun. Enrollment for the one-week sessions will begin at 8 a.m. March 18 and closes 4 p.m. April 3. All summer programs take place in person unless otherwise noted. For more information about the Summer Explorations program, visit www.bluevalleyk12.org/summerprograms.
Blue Valley Summer Programs fees posted
Is your child enrolled in one of Blue Valley's Summer Programs courses? Fees are now posted in ParentVUE for all summer programs and available for payment. All Summer Programs fees are due May 1. Visit bluevalleyk12.org/summerprograms for more information.
School in Session April 1st
We wanted to remind you to mark your calendars as school will be in session on April 1st instead of the previously scheduled professional development day in order to meet the state attendance requirements. This adjustment was made in response to the Chiefs Super Bowl Parade Day. We understand that this change may impact your plans, and we apologize for any inconvenience it may cause. If your child will not be present on this day, please use our typical absence reporting protocols to report the absence.
Helpful Repeated Information
Track Informational Meeting for Students March 20th
Any 7th or 8th grade student interested in Track & Field should plan to come to an information meeting on Wednesday May 20. Students (only) will meet in the gym from 3:00pm - 3:30pm. Students will receive a calendar and handbook that includes practice information, meet information, and expectations.
Parents Still Make a Difference
This newsletter is specifically designed for middle school parents. Articles this month include why attendance every day is important, setting realistic expectations, learning time management, protecting your child from the downside of social media, how to recover from mistakes, using art to help deal with emotions, and so much more!
Community Celebrations and Observations
Community Celebrations and Observances - to promote awareness and appreciation of our Blue Valley families.
Some March Celebrations & Observances:
Women’s History Month - recognizes the achievements and contributions of women to society, culture, and American history. Women’s History Month coincides with International Women’s Day on March 8.
World Teen Mental Wellness Day - March 2 - aims to raise awareness and decrease the stigma of mental health issues among teenagers.
Ramadan - evening of March 10-April 9 - the holy month of fasting for the Islamic faith. For some Muslim families, it is a time for introspection, communal prayer, reading the Qur’an, and fasting between sunrise and sunset.
Holy Week and Easter Sunday - March 24-March 31 - includes the Christian holidays of Palm Sunday, Maundy (Holy) Thursday, and Good Friday. Some families will attend church services to commemorate the week leading to the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.
Holi - March 25 - known as the Hindu festival of colors, Holi honors the triumph of good over evil and marks the beginning of Spring. Some families will light bonfires, throw colorful powder called gulal, eat sweets, and dance to traditional music.
Community Service Logs due April 2
Volunteer hours can be logged between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024 and are due to Mrs. DiNitto in the counseling office by April 2, 2024. *Community service is anything you do to better society, not yourself or your family. (Examples: Team manager, volunteering at food pantry, yardwork for an elderly neighbor, peer mentor, helping at an animal shelter, picking up trash in an area park, etc.)
**Activities that are required for a class (school concert) or being a member of the school play or a club that do not provide a service to others DO NOT count towards this award.
Students who log 50 hours or more of community service are eligible for recognition. Please use the form on the next page to log your hours. Use an additional sheet of paper if necessary.
Reminder About Athletic/Cheer Eligibility
As a reminder, all students who participate in any of our schools athletics programs are held to the OMS Athletics & Activities Academic Expectations. Please note that these expectations will be enforced during basketball, cheer, and Track and Field season this spring.
We appreciate your assistance in fostering a strong culture of academic success at OMS.
Track & Field Practices to Start March 25th – Don’t Wait on Registration and Physical
OMS Track and Field is scheduled to begin Monday March 25th, 2024 at 3:00pm. All 7th and 8th grade students are eligible to participate.
All students who are interested must have a KSHSAA Physical Packet on file with the school by uploading this document to the rSchool website. You will need to create an account and upload these pages here. Be sure to have all pages signed by both a physician and parent/guardian before uploading. Students will not be allowed to participate in any capacity until the Physical Packet is signed and on file with the school.
If your student has already participated in another sport this school year, please sign in to the rSchool website and make sure that Track & Field is also selected in the system as one of their activities.
OMS PTO News
OMS Spirit Wear Store
The OMS spirit wear store is open! Has your student outgrown their spirit wear, or is it time to freshen up the wardrobe? Hundreds of items are available on the website, and they can be shipped directly to you. Visit the website at https://1stplacespiritwear.com/schools/KS/Overland%20Park/Oxford+Middle+School.
PTO Board PositionsThe PTO Board has several positions that need to be filled for the next school year. If you sign up now, we will have the opportunity to connect you with the current volunteer so they can easily show you what needs to be done. Here is a quick look of the available opportunities:
1. Secretary - attend monthly meetings and take minutes.
2. Assistant Treasurer - assist the Treasurer with making bank deposits, and withdrawing cash from the bank for events.
3. Teacher Appreciation - coordinate restaurant food to be delivered to the school for various teacher appreciation events throughout the school year.
4. School Supply Coordinator - work with the school supply vendor and the administration to put together accurate lists for supplies, then promote school supply orders at the end of each school year.
5. Student Socials Coordinator - work with volunteers to plan a fun after school social event once each semester.
6. Concession Coordinator - work with volunteers to stock and sell concessions at OMS games throughout the school year.
For more information about any of these positions, please reach out to Janie Snider at 816-716-4025 or jmlogansnider@gmail.com.
OMS Clubs 23-24
Now that second semester is back in session, there are a few new clubs and activities at OMS. Click HERE for Club and Activity Slides. Any student can join! Contact club sponsor with any questions.
Updated Info for Parents & Guardians... helpful school hints
We have created a Parent Reference Sheet and QR Codes for your reference during the school year. Scan the QR codes for links to
Athletics
Reporting absences
Homework when your child is absent
Chromebook information
Adding money to lunch accounts
School day bell schedules
ParentVue
Canvas
Bus company link
Principal’s Newsletters
Item Drop off,
and so much more!
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 staff lists (including email addresses), rules about cell phones, school calendar, class and lunch schedules, links to the lunch payment system, 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 for current updates! OMS Website
Want to know about OMS music or theatre events?
Take a look at the choir, band, strings, and theatre rehearsals and concerts for the school year. Click HERE for 2023-2024 Performing Arts Calendar
OMS Photos Needed
Would you share photos from OMS Events? We need candids from games, concerts, activities, clubs, Friday Knight Club, etc. A few guidelines for photos for the yearbook, OMS website, and newsletters:
.JPG or .PNG only (we cannot use apple or iPhone formats)
Clear and focused shots
Please do not send multiple photos of the same pose, group, or action – we love variety!
OMS Events only
Securly at Home
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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