The Falcon Pride Parent Newsletter
2023 September Edition
Welcome Back! Nicholas Orem Middle School Families we all hope that you had a really great summer and that you are as excited as we are to begin another new school year. We have a brand new superintendent Dr. Millard House, II and we have a few new faces on our school campus as well. We hope to see at Back-To-School Night on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 for our 6th grade, ESOL and New Comers at 6:30pm and then our 7th & 8th grade students and families on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at 6:30pm as well. So do plan to come and join us and learn about all things Nicholas Orem, classes, meet our administrators, staff members and our teachers. We look follow to partnering and working with you.
Mrs. Tarver-Smith,
Parent-Community Outreach Coordinator, PEA, ESP
Did you know? SEPTEMBER is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month – Need to have a good TALK? Call or text 988 or TALK to 741741 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and mental health advocates, counselors and allies you can confide in are available to assist you or your loved ones. Or you can raise awareness by connecting with organizations (such as AFSP –American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, afsp.org or the National Child Traumatic Stress Network NCTSN –contact: info.nctsn.org (310)235-2633 or (919)682-1552) that can provide support, access to treatment partners, ideation, and other valuable treatment services. So don’t hesitate use all available helpful resources at any time night or day. You are not alone. Note: National Suicide Prevention Week is September 10-16, 2023. The campaign focus for the AFSP this year is “Talk Away the Dark”. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-8255.
MEET OUR FALCON STAFF - OUR FALCON P.R.I.D.E.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Kelsie Reed our new School Psychologist. Dr. Reed has been a School Psychologist for four (4) years and she bring to our school campus a wealth of services and supports. Dr. Reed is available to help students by supporting their emotional, social and academic needs. Dr. Reed will work closely with teachers, parents and other staff to create a safe and productive learning environment, offering strategies for challenges like behavioral issues, learning difficulties and stress. The one positive word that Dr. Reed sees for this year is “growth” and what a wonderful word to impart with our school and school families. Middle school is a fantastic time to experience growth and new experiences as the worlds of our 6th, 7th, & 8th grades continue to explore unlimited possibilities. That said I am so excited to tell you something surprising about our new psychologist. Dr. Reed recently published a book titled, “Hacking Deficit Thinking: 8 reframes that will change the way you think about strength-based practices and equity in schools”. Hooray!!! And three cheers for our very own Dr. Reed!! We are all so delighted and please to have Dr. Reed as a new staff member and that she will be sharing her expertise and career accomplishments with our school community. When I asked Dr. Reed what her wish was for our students this year she replied that …”she hopes that our students feel safe, supported, and valued, and that this school year brings them on step closer to their goals and aspirations. We wish you a great school year Dr. Reed and Go! Falcons!!!
Attendance Matters
Remember: Attendance is top priority to ensuring that your student earns the “very best” grades possible. However, if your student is unable to attend classes. Please email our Attendance Secretary, Ms. Ferrufino at jackeline.ferrufinosanchez.org as soon as possible as well as your child’s teacher.
Need to check on your child's grades and attendance?
Click here to create an account or reset password https://www.pgcps.org/schoolmax-support/
Important Dates To Remember
Monday, September 4 – Labor Day – Schools and Offices Closed
Friday, September 15 - Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15- October 15th)
September 16-17 – Rosh Hashanah* (starts at sunset 9/15)
Tuesday, September 19 – Back-To-School Night 6th grade, ESOL and Newcomers
Monday, September 25 – Yom Kippur* (starts at sunset 9/24) Schools and Offices Closed
Tuesday, September 26 – Back-To-School Night 7th & 8th grade
NICHOLAS OREM SCHOOL UNIFORM
MEALS
Student Meals Are Free For All NOMS Students!
IMMUNIZATIONS
NO SHOTS, NO SCHOOL:
Nicholas Orem Middle School Families, please note that all students entering 7th and 12th grades must have had ONE Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis vaccination and ONE meningococcal vaccination. All Students in 1st through 9th grades must have TWO varicella vaccinations.
The Prince George’s County Health Department is hosting clinics in August and September at multiple sites. Immunization clinics are designed to support students and families that are underinsured or uninsured. All clinics are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Space is on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to 100 students a day per site.
AUGUST 21-25, 2023
Bladensburg High School
4200 57th Avenue | Bladensburg, MD 20710
AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 8, 2023
Fairmont Heights High School
6501 Columbia Park Road | Landover, MD 20785
TRANSPORTATION
Download the StopFinder school bus app from the App Store or Google Play to view student routes and bus location once school begins. Families must have an up-to-date email address in SchoolMax to activate the subscription. Questions about transportation may be submitted here.
Bus Delays
Due to the national school bus driver shortage, families should plan for delays and we urge parents to walk, drive or carpool children to school if possible.
- To view bus stops near you, use our Infofinder tool.
- School Finder – Use this tool to help find program and school assignments for a particular address.
- Transportation FAQs
- Need help? Transportation Resolution System
BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHTS
6th Grade & ESOL Beginners/Newcomers
7th & 8th Grade
Forgot Your Password?
To reset your password please visit http://idm.pgcps.org
STAY CONNECTED
School Website
Parent Academy
School Messenger
Nicholas Orem Community School
Need Support???... We Can HELP!
Need support in locating food distribution sites near your home? Interested in language classes? Need assistance in locating free Immunization clinics?
Please reach out to Jenny Matias, Community School Coordinator, regarding additional support and resources! Please send an email to Ms. Matias at jenn.matiasvelasquez@pgcps.org or call/text 202-798-2862. We can fill out a referral form together and provide support for many of your basic needs. Or you can fill out a form for yourself using the same link as your student. CLICK! here REFERRAL FORM and Ms. Matias will reach out to you as soon as possible.
A Worthy Quote……”If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.