Senator Snapshot
A Look At The Week Ahead: March 6 - March 10
Assembly week!
Visit the Book Fair
Choose Happiness!!
Principal's Message
Dear Parents/Guardians,
"It's better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness" Amnesty International
This week’s quote is brought to us by our Teacher Librarian, Mrs. Squires. As we close another week and inch closer to Spring Break, it is a good time to remember our Happiness Advantage. There is “darkness” in everyday life but how we embrace that darkness is important.
One of the unique parts of middle school is that it is this in-between land for kids and families. For teachers, it is that in-between land where we work with students to teach independence, grit, and resiliency. The reaction to the darkness far exceeds anything else and what we hope our Senators learn as they transition to high school is to change our mindset during the darkness. Embrace the bad moments; see them as learning opportunities, and learn to advocate for yourself and others.
This is such a fun time of the year for middle school educators. We see students that have struggled start to advocate for themselves, we see a student stand up for another student they see involved in a difficult situation, and we see 8th grade Senators that seem more like high schoolers than middle schoolers.
It’s assembly week at O’Neill this week and we are so excited to continue the competition between 7th and 8th graders. O’Neill is going to continue to light small candle after small candle as we celebrate our successes and continue to celebrate our learning opportunities!
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
O'Neill PTA Annual Butter Braid Sale
For those of you who may not be familiar, Butter Braids are delicious, high-quality, flavor-filled frozen pastries that you simply thaw, let rise and bake! They come filled with Apple, Cinnamon, Cream Cheese, Double Chocolate, Raspberry or Strawberry/Cream-Cheese! They're perfect for any occasion and can be served as breakfast, dessert, or just a great snack! They're also a perfect addition to your holiday brunch and will keep in the freezer for months.
Sale Date
The sale runs through Tuesday, March 14.
All orders will be placed online. See the attached FLYER for more information Don't forget to ask your family, friends, and neighbors. They're sure to love these tasty pastry treats!
Cost
Each Butter Braid is $16.00 and we earn $6.50 per Butter Braid for PTA!
This money goes directly to pay for PTA sponsored events that our kids really enjoy. We need your help to make O'Neill a better place for all students!
Order Forms & Payment Due
All orders must be placed online by Tuesday, March 14th.
Pick-Up
Wednesday, March 22nd from 2:45-4:00 p.m. at O’Neill
Students can pick them up on their way home from school. Large orders can be picked up at school by parents until 4:00 p.m. Because these are frozen/perishable, we can't be responsible for orders not picked up by this time.
For additional information on Butter Braids, including allergen notice, nutritional content, handling instruction, etc. please visit the Rite Bite website at www.ritebitefundraising.com
8th Grade Select 58 Service Award Applications now available
The Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 invites all eighth graders attending Herrick and O’Neill middle schools to consider applying for a Select 58 Recognition Award.
Select 58 annually recognizes eighth graders who exhibit outstanding service and citizenry to their school and community. Fifty-eight students – 29 from Herrick and 29 from O’Neill – will receive this honor. Applications are due on March 10. More information and an application and materials can be found here. The ceremony will be held May 3 from 6:30-8 p.m. at Herrick Middle School.The Week Ahead: March 6 - March 10
Monday, March 6 - 2:10 PM dismissal - BELL SCHEDULE
SPIRIT WEEK: COMFY DAY! Wear your coziest socks, fuzziest hoodie, and snuggliest sweats!
TODAY: Scholastic Book Fair - Library
Tuesday, March 7
SPIRIT WEEK: COLOR DAY! Wear the color chosen in your advisory on Monday!
TODAY: Scholastic Book Fair - Library
3:20 PM - 5:20 PM: Scholastic Bowl vs. Westview Hills (OMS Library)
4:30 PM: 7th gr Boys volleyball playoff vs Marqardt
4:30 PM: 8th gr Boys volleyball playoff @ Glenside
Wednesday, March 8
SPIRIT WEEK: COLLEGE DAY! Choose a school and represent with your college of choice to show your Senator Spirit!
3:20 PM - 4:00 PM: Newspaper Club - library
3:20 PM - 4:00 PM: Gaming Club - Room 210
4:30 PM: 7th Gr Girls Basketball Playoff @ Marquardt
4:30 PM: 8th Gr Girls Basketball Playoff vs Marquardt
Thursday, March 9
SPIRIT WEEK: SQUAD DAY! ASSEMBLE your squad and dress as a group.
Friday, March 10 - Activity Assembly Schedule
SPIRIT WEEK: COUNTRY DAY! 8th graders will dress country, and 7th grade will dress like the Country Club.
2:10 PM - 3:10 PM: Assembly #3 - Gym
Track Season is coming!
We are wrapping up our Boys’ Volleyball and Girls' Basketball seasons. I wanted to give you some advance notice about our Spring sport - Track.
PLEASE NOTE that ALL students must have a current sports physical prior to the first day of practice for Track. Physicals are good for 13 months.
Click for the IHSA Physical Form
OMS Track is a no cut sport and all students are welcome to participate. Students will be expected to run daily at practice during the track season. There will be an informational meeting on Wednesday, March 22nd from 3:25-3:45 PM in the Main Gym 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, April 5th. Students will dress in their PE uniforms for Track practices. More information about track practice times will be distributed at the informational meeting on March 22nd.
The OMS Track meet schedule is below:
Tuesday 4/18: O’Neill, Glencrest, Glenside, Marquardt
Location - Glenbard East HS - 4:30 PM
Wednesday 4/26: O’Neill, Glencrest, Herrick, Marquardt
Location - Glenbard South HS - 4:30 PM
Thursday 4/27: O’Neill, Herrick, Glenside, Westlake
Location - Glenbard East HS - 4:30 PM
Wednesday 5/3: O’Neill, Glencrest, Marquardt
Location - Glenbard South HS - 4:30 PM
Friday 5/5: O’Neill, Glenside, Herrick, Westlake
Location - Glenbard East HS - 4:30 PM
Tuesday 5/16: DMVA Conference Meet - 1:00pm
Location - Benedictine University
Wednesday 5/17: DMVA Conference Meet Rain Date
Questions regarding the Track season should be directed to Bobby Mueller: rmueller@dg58.org
School Lunch Menu
Students and families are reminded that ALL students must use their student ID when buying anything from the cafeteria. Students were given a temporary ID at the beginning of the year and a 2nd ID during our recent picture day.
Any student without their ID will be sent to the main office to get another copy. After 3 times students will be charged $1 for a new ID.
Important Parent Reminders
District 58 Calendar: View the 2022-23 school year calendar.
Upcoming Dates to Note:
Spring Break: March 27-31, 2023
Last Day of School: Wednesday, June 7, 2023 (if no emergency days are used)
- View the 2023-2024 School Year Calendar
Is your child not feeling well? Please be diligent with reporting if your child is not feeling well. 1) Keep students home from school if they do not feel well. 2) Students with covid related symptoms should be kept home. Please call the office to report your student's absence.
Unexcused: After the break, students will be marked unexcused if O'Neill does not hear from a parent regarding a student's absence.
Coats: The weather is unpredictable. Students that wear a coat to school should be putting their coats in their lockers and not wearing in classrooms
Morning Announcements: Did you know you can read our daily announcements? The announcements read to students each morning are also available on the OMS website so families can also stay informed. Click here to see a sample
Face Coverings: Face masks are optional for students and staff
Activity bus: Students that stay after school for clubs, sports, extra help, or detentions can take the activity bus home at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Live stream of athletic events and concerts
Meet the Senator Staff
Mental Health Resources
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