OMS Friday Knight Live
January 26, 2024
In This Newsletter:
- OMS Conferences Feb. 5-8
- Desserts Needed for Parent Teacher Conferences
- Winter Testing Reports
- Planning for Inclement Weather Days in Blue Valley
- Securly HOME
It Was A Great Week To Be A Knight!
OMS Conferences Feb. 5-8
We are excited to partner with our parents and guardians at our upcoming conferences the week of February 5-8th.
Walk-In Conferences at OMS:
Wednesday, 2/7: 4:15-6:00 p.m.
Thursday, 2/8: 7:30-10:00 a.m.
- All parents/guardians are welcome to come to OMS
- Conferences are 5 minutes in length
- All teachers will be available
- Students may attend with parent/guardian
Scheduled Zoom Conferences:
Scheduled zoom conferences are available throughout the week (M-Th).
- Directions to sign up below
- Students may attend with parent/guardian
SIGN UP FOR ZOOM BEGINS 1/26: For families who sign up for zoom conferences, parents/guardians do this in ParentVue beginning Friday, 1/26. See below for sign up directions.
Directions to Register for Zoom Conferences:
- Log into ParentVue https://ks-blu-psv.edupoint.com/PXP2_Login.aspx
- Click on the Conference Tab on the left side of the screen.
- Select the student you wish to set up a conference for from the drop down menu in the top left corner of the screen.
- Select the Parent-Scheduled Conference tab on the right side of the screen.
- You should see your child’s teachers and a list of available appointment times. Simply select the time that works for you from what is available.
- A list of conferences you have signed up for will appear at the top of the screen. At the bottom of that list, there is an email option where you can email that schedule to yourself. Alternatively, you can simply log into ParentVue to see the list of conferences you have signed up for.
*Zoom links to access scheduled conferences will be posted in this newsletter next Friday, February 2nd.
*If you are in need of assistance please contact OMS at 913-239-5500.
Desserts Needed for Parent Teacher Conferences
Conferences are set for the week of Feb. 5th (detailed OMS information coming next Friday, 1/26). The PTO will be providing Wednesday dinner and Thursday lunch for the staff. We would love to get parent dessert donations for the week to show the teachers our appreciation! Please sign-up here! E-mail laura.pinkepank@farmers.com with any questions. Thanks!
Winter Testing Reports
Winter Testing Reports for math (iReady) and reading (Fastbridge) have been given to teachers. If your student has not already brought them home, they will early next week.
Planning for Inclement Weather Days in Blue Valley
As the winter months continue, there is always the possibility of inclement weather. When extreme weather conditions exist, the district may cancel school or utilize a two-hour delayed start when temporary adverse weather conditions exist. When possible, inclement weather announcements will be made the day before so staff and families can plan. More information about inclement weather (including 2-hour delayed starts) can be found on the district website.
Securly HOME
Have you ever wondered how to monitor your child’s usage on their Blue Valley device? We have parent tools that will allow you to receive notifications to ensure your child is using their device safely. School staff members monitor these devices during the school day and intervene, when necessary. However, parents can receive alerts if concerns arise when students use devices after school hours–including weekends and school breaks. Check out the Securly Home Parent Portal App here.
Helpful Repeated Information
8th Grade Families: New High School Graduation Requirements
8th grade families, please listen to the Blue Valley podcast about the new requirements for high school graduation.
New Schedule for All Boys Basketball Teams
OMS has 5 boys basketball teams this year. Coaches are A Team1: Jake Johnson , A Team 2: Ms. Alexander, B Team 1: Mr. Kieffaber, B Team 2: Mr. Campin, and Coach B Team 3: Mr. Ahern.
Click HERE for 2024 Game Schedule by Date
Second Semester Course Fee Payment Now Open
Middle school course fee payment for the second semester is open and online now. Your ParentVUE login and password are required to pay course fees.
Course fees are assigned based on your student’s enrollment. Some seventh and eighth grade exploratory/elective classes include course fees.
Course fees are assigned for the second semester only.
Questions regarding fee payment should be directed to OMS Bookkeeper, Christina Fowles.
913-239-5500
OMS PTO Information
Trivia Night Fundraiser - Be on the lookout for information about OMS Trivia Night at The Yellow Barn, 11272 S. Ridgeview Rd., Olathe. Tickets are $25 per person. More information and date coming soon. The evening will include an exciting game of trivia, a wine toss, and silent auction. Bring your own food and drinks and have a great time raising money for our school. All proceeds benefit OMS teachers and students.
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.
ASK Begins
ASK is beginning for 2nd semester. This is a great time for students to work on homework and get help from OMS teachers after school. ASK is from 3-4 p.m.
2nd Semester: Do you have the supplies you need?
Families, please check on the supplies your students need for classes. Many students need refills on pencils, markers, spiral notebooks, and to find their chromebook chargers! Please help your student be successful.
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
Incoming 6th Grade Enrollment Night Jan. 31st
We are excited to meet our future Knights, current 5th grade students, January 31st! Mark your calendars to attend our family enrollment event. If you cannot attend the time of your last name alpha, please come to the time that best fits your family's schedule!
8th Grade Future Husky Night at BVNW February 13
8th grade families mark you calendars! Students and parents will attend Enrollment Night at BVNW starting at 6:00pm. Meet the BVNW principal, assistant principals, counselors, and teachers. Get your course enrollment information for Fall 2024’s freshman class!
Community Celebrations and Observations
Community Celebrations and Observances - to promote awareness and appreciation of our Blue Valley families.
Some January Celebrations & Observances:
- National Poverty Awareness Month - While the United States is considered the richest country in the world, 37.9 million people live in poverty, including 12.5 million children. National Poverty Awareness Month works to bring awareness to issues of poverty and increase access to resources and services. To help and or find support, visit Johnson County Outreach Services.
- Maghi - January 13 - a Sikh celebration. Some Sikh families will celebrate with a recitation of the holy Guru Granth Sahib and religious rituals in Gurdwaras - a Sikh place of assembly and worship meaning “Gateway to the Guru”.
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - January 15 - a day that honors the life and legacy of the civil rights leader. Some families will participate in a day of service to their communities.
- World Religion Day - January 21 - established by the Baháʼí Faith community in 1950. Now observed by people around the world, it seeks to find common values shared by different faiths, encourage tolerance and dialogue, and foster cooperation among religious communities.
- International Holocaust Remembrance Day - January 27 - an annual day of commemorating the six million Jewish victims and millions of other victims of the Holocaust and Nazism.
Community Resources
Energy Bill Assistance
Apply in person at the upcoming community event for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) to restore or maintain electricity, natural gas, propane and other home heating fuels. See attached.
Health Partnership Clinic
The Health Partnership Clinic is now accepting Appointments for Marketplace Enrollment during the open enrollment period of November 1 through January 15, 2024. They offer free, in-person help with the health insurance application. Appointments are required, call (913) 730-3653 to schedule. A certified application counselor is available to help you in English or Spanish.
https://hpcks.org/health-partnership-clinic-now-accepting-appointments-for-marketplace-enrollment/
Kansas Gas Services - Share The Warmth is designed to help Kansas families needing assistance in paying their winter heating bills. You may utilize the website to download a copy of the application or for a paper copy of the application call 816-756-5392 Option 2.
https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/mokan/utility-assistance/
Games on District Devices
In an effort to reduce distractions in the learning environment for all of our students, beginning on January 4, 2024, all students will have general gaming websites blocked on district devices (examples include: Fortnite, crazygames.com, recreational games, arcade-like games, etc.). Educational games will still be allowed.
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
Weather = 10 Extra Minutes
We have many families picking up and dropping off in the car line this year. Please allow extra pick-up/drop-off time on days when it is raining, snowing, or cold. The goal for everyone is to keep all our students safe! Families should line up in the car line and may not park in the south/teacher lot. We have had near misses this week with cars leaving the south lot and almost hitting students and staff. No one may pickup students on Switzer. We can get 615 students safely to and from school within 20 minutes with your help and patience.
Student text “Come Get Me”?
Parents and guardians, we need your help. If your student texts or calls you from their cell phone saying they don’t feel well and want you to pick them up — please tell them to go to the nurse’s office. The school tracks contagious illnesses, number of students out due to illness, and Nurse Piper watches for illness trends. Your student should only be calling you from the nurse’s office if they are going home ill.
Students who are ill? They need to stay home
OMS Families, we are seeing a marked increase in the number of students who are coming to school when ill and then having to go home. All students sit in close proximity to each other during classes and lunch. We are trying to reduce the transmission of coughs, colds, influenza, covid, strep throat, etc. Students may not come to school unless:
They are fever free (without tylenol, advil, etc.) for 24 hours
They have not vomited or had diarrhea in 24 hours
They are not coughing or have uncontrolled runny noses
Reminder – students should not text or call parents directly if they are not feeling well. Students need to go to the nurse’s office. Please direct your child to go to the nurse’s office if they contact you.
Securly at Home
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!
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