Oak Middle School
Friday, September 2, 2022
Dear Oak PTO,
Thank you so much for our awesome OAK t-shirts! We would also like to thank you for our delicious staff luncheon. It was such a nice way to start off the 2022-2023 school year!
Love,
The Oak Middle School Team
Dear Oak Middle School Families,
The first week of school flew by. The building was filled with positive energy, laughter, and many smiling students and staff members. Students had the chance to catch up with old friends and make some new friends. Teachers focused a lot on building community in their individual classrooms and as a whole team. Students were introduced to classroom and building routines, took tours of the building, and learned team/building wide academic and behavioral expectations. I heard over and over from different adults in the building how awesome the students were so I speak for the whole Oak Team when I say we are excited for the year ahead!
A new school year can be very exciting, but change can sometimes be hard. Please reach out with any questions or concerns as our goal is to work together to make sure each and every child has a wonderful year at OMS.
Just a reminder that there is no school on Monday, September 5 in honor of Labor Day. We look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday!
In partnership,
Hallie Burak
Principal
508-841-1210
Anne Koertge
Assistant Principal Grade 7
akoertge@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us
508-841-1205
Scott Yonker
Assistant Principal Grade 8
508-841-1213
First Week at Oak
7 Gold Team Photo
7 Blue Building Tour
Students on 8 Red watching the morning announcements live.
Morning announcers before going LIVE!
8 Blue Team Meeting
We Are Hiring - Paraprofessional Support Staff
Shrewsbury Public Schools are seeking to hire paraprofessional support staff. We are very pleased that we are 99% fully staffed for teacher and other professional educator roles as we start the school year. Like in many employment sectors in the current economy, we are also working hard to fill certain open positions. If you or someone you know is interested in making a positive difference in the life of a child, please consider joining us as a paraprofessional in our schools. We are in need of: child-specific aides who work to support individual students with special learning needs; applied behavior analysis technicians who typically work to support individual students on the autism spectrum; and special education instructional assistants. Experience working with children is a plus but not required, and we will provide training. There are positions open at all grade spans, both full-time with benefits and part-time, and the hours are great for parents with children in school. For more information and to apply, please go to https://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/hr/currentopenings. Please forward this information along, including to local college students seeking part-time work and those considering a career change to education. If you have questions, please email Lindsey Stasiowski, Human Resources Manager, at lstasiowski@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us or call her at (508) 841-8483. Thank you!
Team Information
Parent Drop Off and Pick Up
Directions for Parent Drop-off and Pick-up: Please read instructions HERE. Also, please note that the entrance to the parent drop off and pick up is the driveway between the water tower and the right of the Montessori.
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
The school day runs from 8:00am-2:35pm.
Parent Drop off starts at 7:30 AM.
Students who arrive prior to 7:45 report to the cafeteria.
Breakfast is served in the cafeteria from 7:45-8:00 am.
Students who arrive after 7:45 report directly to homeroom (unless eating breakfast).
Students who arrive after 8:00am are tardy & need to enter the front of the building.
Students are dismissed at 2:35pm.
If you are dismissing your child early, you must call the Main Office.
What should I do if my child will be absent or tardy?
Parents or legal guardians must call the school by 8:00 to report that the child will be absent. The phone number is 508-841-1200, press “1” when prompted and indicate the child’s name, grade, team, and reason for being absent or tardy. Students who arrive after 8:00 must check in at the main corridor QR Code to ensure their attendance is properly recorded.
What should I do if my child has to get dismissed early from school?
Please send a note from home with your child. They will bring it to the main office, and be given a pass.
In a last minute situation, you can call the Main office 508-841-1200 to dismiss.
From the Nurse's Office
1. All medication orders must be renewed each school year. Medication orders and medications should be brought in on the first day of school. Medication orders may also be faxed to the nurse fax line at 508-841-1227.
2. Students are not allowed to transport/carry medications to school, except for Epipens and rescue inhalers that a student carries in their backpack as appropriate. Nurses
must be notified of any self-carry medications.
Please reach out to us at any time with questions. We look forward to a healthy and happy school year!
Lisa Arteca, MSN, RN and Loreen Yearick, MSN, RN
Phone: 508-841-1204
Fax: 508-841-1227
FOOD SERVICE INFORMATION FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2022-2023
Free Meals for Students
Meals are free for students for the 22-23 school year as a result of new state funding. This entitles
each student to one free breakfast and one free lunch each day. Students must take the required
meal components to get a free meal. A free breakfast must include a milk, fruit and a grain. A free
lunch must include 3 of these 5 meals components (Protein, Milk, Grain, Fruit and Vegetable) and
one component must be a fruit or vegetable. Students must take the required meal components
to get a free meal.
Extra slices of pizza, second lunches, and a la carte items are NOT free and must
be purchased. Parents should ensure ample funds are in their student’s lunch account to purchase
these items.
Breakfast Availability at All Schools
Breakfast will be available at all schools starting this year. Breakfast will be available during the
morning arrival time and before the start of the school day.
Free and Reduced Priced Meal Application—Why Apply?
Although meals are free for all students regardless of income, we encourage families who would
otherwise qualify for free or reduced price meals [based upon household income/economic need]
to complete the Free/Reduced Price Meal Application so as to potentially be eligible for free or
reduced fees for busing, Extended School Care, or athletics. Click here to access that form
https://shrewsbury.familyportal.cloud
Students Must Use the Pin-Pad System
Students must use their pin-pad in order to receive a free meal and/or purchase an a la carte item.
This is how the district documents meals distributed and substantiates our claim for
reimbursement from the government.
Other Questions?
For answers to a number of other related questions click here to access our Food Service
Department webpage and our Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ] document.
Oak Middle School Sports and Activities
Cheerleading, Football and Field Hockey will start on Monday, 8/29. Cross country will begin on September 7th.
***Please send in a copy of your child’s updated physical (not just immunizations), dated within the past 13 months, in order for them to safely participate. The health office will accept physicals dated after 7/29/21. Please email a copy to oaknurse@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us or drop off a copy to the main office in an envelope marked "attention school nurse.” Thank you!
Upcoming Dates!
Curriculum Night
8th Grade Curriculum Night
Wednesday, September 21 starting at 6:30
7th Grade Curriculum Night
Thursday, September 22 starting at 6:30
The PTO Corner
PTO
September 12th: First PTO meeting of the school year, 7PM in the Oak Media Center
September 13th: Food Truck Night at Sherwood Middle School, 5-7PM
September 14th: Food Truck Night at Oak Middle School, 5-7PM
SEPTEMBER PTO MEETING
We're kicking off another year with our first meeting on Monday, September 12, 2022 at 7:00PM in the Oak Media Center. We have a lot to talk about regarding the upcoming year and our efforts to support both Sherwood and Oak - we would love for you to join us as we work on plans and address fundraising options.
The SMS PTO serves BOTH Sherwood and Oak and we would love to have parents from grade 5-8 join us.
SMS PTO FACEBOOK PAGE
The SMS PTO does not send notices home with students as you may have been used to in elementary school. Instead, we provide info via the weekly newsletters from Mr. Kelly and Mrs. Burak, and we post info, events, and other items of note via our Facebook page. Please be sure to find us and like us to keep up with us!
https://www.facebook.com/SherwoodOakPTO/
FOOD TRUCK NIGHTS
Join us for dinner at Sherwood on Tuesday, September 13th and Oak on Wednesday, September 14th, 2022. Both events are 5-7PM and are open to the public. Tell your friends and come join us for fun and good food!
Both nights will feature:
Potato Potato
Anzio's Pizza
The Dogfather
Kona Ice
Uhlman's
Shishkaberries
APPAREL ORDERS COMING SOON!
We will offer sales of Sherwood and Oak apparel in just 2 weeks - please keep your eyes open for the link to our online store!