Senator Snapshot
A LOOK At The Week Ahead: August 22 - August 26
Welcome Back OMS Families
The 22-23 School Year Is Coming!
Welcome our new staff!
Change your mindset
Principal's Message
Dear Parents/Guardians,
“I didn’t fail. I fell. And as long as I get up, I win.” ~ Emmanuel Acho
For those new to our newsletter, each week we start with a quote. This year we will be putting a quote that is meaningful to the OMS staff member of the week highlighted at the bottom of the weekly newsletter. This week’s quote is brought to you by Mr. Cobo, our Assistant Principal. Mr. Cobo’s quote is a representation of the lesson we want to incorporate into all aspects of learning for our Senator students. Our goal is not just to teach but to model this idea for our students. OMS staff will be sharing times that they have not been successful as teachers or in their life and how struggle and failure are part of the learning process.
This school year marks the second year in the District 58 Happiness Advantage and at O’Neill, we will be working on this mindset change to our school culture. An important aspect of the Happiness Advantage is the idea of changing one’s mindset to learn from mistakes and not viewing those mistakes as negative but as a learning opportunity.
We look forward to seeing all of our families during Locker Set-Up Night on Tuesday, August 23, and on our first day of school - Thursday, August 25.
Please check some of our important information below as the year is quickly approaching.
School Supplies - Student planners and organizational binders will be handed out during the first day of school. Student Chromebooks will also be distributed during the first day of student attendance. Families who ordered school supplies through the OMS PTA will be able to pick up their supplies in Room 104 during our Locker Setup Night on Tuesday, August 23rd.
PE Uniforms - Students will be changing for PE this year and families should purchase their PE uniforms from Holy Cow Sports. PE uniforms from older siblings may be used. Students may bring their PE uniforms to school beginning on August 25 and will need them on Monday, August 29. PE uniforms will be worn beginning Tuesday, August 30. Students will not change for PE on student Picture Day - Thursday, September 1.
PE Uniform Flyer: online store is closed. Families need to go into Holy Cow Sports to purchase PE uniforms beginning today.
After-school Activities - We are excited that sports and after-school clubs will be taking place again this year. Information was previously shared about our Fall sports: Cross Country and Girls Volleyball. After-school club information will be shared in September.
As always, if you have any additional questions you are welcome to call the main office (630) 719-5815 between 8 AM and 4 PM Monday - Friday.
Have a great weekend!
Mr. Durbala & Mr. Cobo
Sneak Preview was a HUGE success!
8th grade leaders here to help!
Welcome 7th graders
Sneak Preview Success!
Bus routes and parent drop off.
PLEASE NOTE: PowerSchool will list the AM and PM bus routes for eligible children. If your child participates in Early Bird Music or Dual Language you will need to check the O'Neill website to determine which Early Bird Route your child should ride.
Our school busses will drop off and pick up in the bus lane on 59th Street in front of the school. Our special transportation routes will drop off and pick up behind the school. Only students eligible for bus transportation may ride a bus and students must ride on their assigned bus.
Please have patience during the first 7 days of school as our drivers adjust to new routes and travel times. Both can be impacted by traffic congestion and construction around schools or in neighborhoods. Buses may leave a few minutes late at the end of the day as we allow extra time for students to gather materials and adjust to their new routine.
School Hours. Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Grades 7-8 school hours are:
Monday: 8:30 AM - 2:10 PM - Students will enter the building at 8:20 AM. Supervision begins at 8:10 AM
Tuesday: - Friday: 8:30 AM - 3:17 PM - Students will enter the building at 8:20 AM. Supervision begins at 8:10 AM
Early Bird classes: (Band, Choir, Orchestra, and Dual Language) will take place from 7:45-8:25 AM Monday-Friday. - Students will enter the building at 7:40 AM.
Please plan for your child to arrive at OMS as close to 8:20 AM as possible as students will wait outside each day except during inclement weather.
*Please note that entrance times may change as students build routines. We have not used our normal entrance procedures in several years and we recognize that it may take students longer at the start of the school year to be ready to start the school day. The District also recognizes that bus arrival times vary during the first few weeks of school as drivers learn new routes. As students build routines and bus arrival times become more consistent, student entry times may get pushed back. This will allow our teachers the necessary time to prepare for the day. Supervision times will remain the same and any changes will be communicated in advance.
ARRIVAL PROCEDURES
Students may arrive at O'Neill Middle School beginning at 8:10 AM each day when adult supervision begins. Upon arrival, students should line up by their assigned door:
7th Grade - Door #9
8th Grade - Door #1.
Students will be directed to enter the building beginning at 8:20 AM. Anyone arriving after 8:25 AM should enter through Door #1 and proceed to the main office for an office pass.
DISMISSAL / AFTER SCHOOL PROCEDURES
Following daily dismissal at O'Neill Middle School (2:10 PM on Monday and 3:17 PM Tuesday - Friday), all students who are not scheduled to remain in the building must leave the school grounds and check in at their destination as there is no supervision on school grounds. We want to ensure the safety of all students.
PARENT PICK UP AND DROP OFF
ARRIVAL: Parents may drop off on 59th street East of the sidewalk to the front door, in our West parking lot, or in our back parking lot. ALL OMS parking lots are One-Way and parents are encouraged to pull all the way forward before stopping. Cars may not pass stopped buses with red lights flashing from either direction on 59th Street.
Parents are encouraged to drop off students at the intersection of 59th and Fairmount to avoid creating traffic jams at the intersection. Students can use the crosswalk and get into the building quicker than using the back parking lot.
DISMISSAL: Parents may not use the bus lane in front of the school on 59th Street to pick up students until after the busses leave at approximately 3:22 PM. Cars may not pass stopped buses with red lights flashing from either direction on 59th Street.
Student schedules, locker number and combination
Student schedules were finalized and posted in PowerSchool on Monday, August 15 at 2:30 PM. Students and families can navigate the portal by visiting dg58.powerschool.com and signing in with their username and password. Information about creating a portal account can be found here. If you need assistance, please contact our school office (630-719-5815) and we can help you get signed in.
Each student at O'Neill will have their own hall locker. Locker numbers and combinations are now viewable in PowerSchool. Click 'FORMS' on the left side of the page and then click 'LOCKER NUMBER AND COMBINATION'. The student's locker will be located by their Advisory teacher's room. Students will also have a PE locker. PE locker and combinations will be assigned during the first few days in PE classes.
Student Username and Password are also located by clicking on the 'FORMS' tab.
To maintain security, students should NOT share locker combinations or passwords with anyone else.
School Lunch
The cafeteria is not able to accept cash. District 58 will operate a cashless system for school lunches called PushCoin. Parents can fund student lunch accounts online using an electronic check or credit/debit card. Lunch money is funded into wallet. Students pay by scanning their school ID. The payment system will automatically deduct the lunch from the student’s lunch account and record what was purchased. Parents can log in anytime to see balances, fund the account, or see what their child has purchased.
The hot lunch meal price is $3.25.
All a la carte pricing is available on PushCoin.
Beverages
Milk $0.95
100% Fruit Juice – 4 oz $0.50
Bottled Water (16.9 oz) $1.50
Izze Sparkling Juice $1.95
Snacks
Baked / Reduced Fat Chips $1.50
Whole Grain Cookie (1.5 oz) $1.25
Additional Fruit / Vegetable $1.00
Second Entrée $2.00
Frozen Treats
Ice Cream Treats $2.25
Students must have money on their account or cash in order to purchase any of the snacks or a la carte items. Charging or overdrawing accounts for the purchase of these items is not allowed.
Meals are Free for Direct Certified and eligible students (income, SNAP, TANF, income-Medicaid )
Pricing is $0.40 for reduced lunches
Cell Phones and Wearable Technology in Middle School
While a student can bring their electronic device (including cell phones and AirPods) to school, all non-district-issued technologies are to be silenced and out of sight throughout the school day. Students are allowed to wear smartwatches, but they are to be silenced during the school day. The district-provided chromebooks will be utilized for students to participate in lessons and complete assignments. Please be sure to go over the expectations with your student as the policy was recently amended. (District 58 Board Policy 7:190 - Prohibited Student Conduct, Item 5)
This policy will be reviewed with staff and students during the first few days of school and more information will be shared with parents after we meet with the students.
The Week Ahead: August 22-26
NO SCHOOL - Teacher Institute Day
Tuesday, August 23
NO SCHOOL - Teacher Institute Day
- Last Name A/L (4:30 - 5:45 PM)
- Last Name M/Z (5:45 - 7:00 PM)
Wednesday, August 24
NO SCHOOL - Non-Attendance Day
- 7th Grade Girls Volleyball Tryouts (9:00 - 10:15 AM)
- 8th Grade Girls Volleyball Tryouts (10:30 - 11:45 AM)
Thursday, August 25
First day of school! Early Bird classes will occur.
- 8th Grade Girls Volleyball Tryouts (6:30 - 8:00 AM)
- 7th Grade Girls Volleyball Tryouts (3:25 - 4:45 PM)
Friday, August 26
2nd day of classes
- 7th Grade Girls Volleyball Tryouts (6:30 - 8:30 AM)
- 8th Grade Girls Volleyball Tryouts (3:25 - 5:00 PM)
Important upcoming dates
Tuesday, August 30th
- Cross Country Informational Meeting (3:25 - 3:45 PM)
Wednesday, August 31st
- MAP Testing Begins (ends Sept 15th)
Thursday, September 1st
- School Picture Day
Monday, September 5th
No School - Labor Day
Wednesday, September 21st
- Curriculum Night (6:00 - 7:30 PM)
2022-23 Middle School Bell Schedule
We are so excited about our new middle school bell schedule and the great opportunities this will provide for our students. Each student will start their day with Advisory followed by their 1-8 class periods.
Advisory will be used for our weekly social-emotional learning lessons (every Monday), and for our executive functioning support. Tuesday through Friday, students will receive instruction and reinforcement of consistent executive functioning strategies to help them stay organized and support their success as a student. Each student will receive the materials to support this school-wide system that will be reinforced throughout the school day.
After Advisory students have periods 1-8 with lunch during 4th or 5th period. Students can tell their lunch period by looking at their schedule and finding the "L" meaning Lunch. If the L comes before the classroom (i.e. L/204), then lunch is first and vice versa. The second half of the lunch period will be used for student support. This time is used to complete homework, seek additional help if the teacher is available, and will allow for academic intervention and support. Any time you feel your student requires additional support, please reach out to the teacher and counselor.
Please click the link for our new bell schedule below and you can also find it on our website.
District 58 Family Handbook
District 58 has published the 2022-23 Schools of 58: A Handbook for Families. Please take time to review this important handbook with your child, as it offers an overview of the District’s policies, procedures, resources and student expectations. During the first full week of school, all families will receive a handbook receipt to sign, acknowledging that they and their child reviewed and understood the handbook. Please sign and return the handbook receipt to your child's advisory teacher by Friday, September 2. The links to this year’s family handbook are below. If you need a print copy, please contact the OMS school office at 630-719-5815, and we can print you a copy.
FALL SPORTS
We are so excited to start our fall sports! Below you will find the information for try-outs and first practice for both Girls' Volleyball and Cross Country.
PLEASE NOTE that ALL students must have a current sports physical prior to the first tryout for Volleyball and the first practice for Cross Country. Physicals are good for 13 months.
You can find the sports physical form by clicking the link: IESA/IHSA Physical Form
Cross Country is a no cut sport and all students are welcome to participate. Students without running experience will work towards the goal of running 1.5 miles without stopping.
There will be an informational meeting on Tuesday, August 30th from 3:25-3:45 PM in the OMS Cafeteria and we will have an activity bus for students who ride a bus and stay for the meeting.
The first practice will be on Wednesday, August 31st from 3:25-4:30 PM. Students will dress in their PE uniforms for Cross Country practices.
Cross Country practice times are:
Mondays: 7:00-7:45 AM
Tues, Wed, Thurs: 3:25-4:30 PM
Friday: 7:00-7:45 AM
Questions regarding cross country should be directed to Coach Barry Kincaid: bkincaid@dg58.org
Girls' Volleyball tryouts will be on the following dates. Tryouts are in the large gym. PLEASE enter through door #6 in the back of the school no earlier than 15 minutes before the tryout starts. Athletes should wear their PE uniform or a shirt with their last name clearly written on the back. Longer hair should be in a pony allowing the name on the shirt to be seen.
7TH GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Wednesday-8/24 (9:00-10:15 AM), Thursday-8/25 (3:25-4:45 PM), and Friday-8/26 (6:30-8:00 AM)
Questions regarding 7th Grade Volleyball should be directed to Coach Pat Donnelly: pdonnelly@dg58.org
8TH GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Wednesday-8/24 (10:30-11:45 AM), Thursday-8/25 (6:30-8:00 AM) Friday-8/26 (3:25-5:00 PM)
Questions regarding 8th Grade Volleyball should be directed to Coach Dustin Moore: dmoore@dg58.org
Other interscholastic sports at OMS include Boys’ Basketball (Oct-Dec), Girls’ Basketball (Jan-March), Boys’ Volleyball (Jan-Mar), and Track(April-May). We will also be hosting a number of intramural events before and after school. Information about those sports will be sent at a later date.
Meet the senator staff
O'Neill Middle School
Email: mdurbala@dg58.org
Website: https://dg58.org/on/
Location: 635 59th Street, Downers Grove, IL, USA
Phone: 630-719-5815
Twitter: @ONeillPrincipal