Weekly Family Update Issue # 5
September 8, 2019
Principal's Message
Hello Falcons Families,
Thank you to all of our 6th grade families that came out to Back to School Night last Wednesday. It was a fantastic evening. I visited each classroom and saw a wide variety of engaging presentations; parents writing encouraging notes to their students, rotating through scavenger hunt activities, and I even saw parents learning how to read music with Stomps, Claps, and Snaps. There were many smiling parents headed out to the parking lot at the conclusion of the event. I look forward to seeing our 7th and 8th grade families this week!
On Wednesday this week, our ASB will kick off their biggest event of the year with an all school assembly. This year, we are going to have a huge school-wide fun run to raise money for all of our ASB sponsored events; including our school-wide Unity Shirts, and painting of the OVMS Falcon logo in the center of our quad. This going to be a fun event for our students, and I am looking forward to participating! More information will be coming home this week.
Additionally this week, ASB students will be hosting what we call Club Rush on Thursday, September 12th. All of our current clubs on campus will have an informational table out at lunch encouraging students to join. Getting involved on campus is critical to student success. Students who are engaged in their school are more likely to find success across all classes. I highly encourage your student to join a club. If there are no current clubs that seem interesting, I would encourage your student to start a new club! The process is easy! ASB will have information on the process at Club Rush.
Our Current Clubs Include:
Quiz Bowl
Oak Valley Peer Leaders
Science Olympiad
Robotics
Girls who Code
Future Doctors of America
FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)
Thanks for all you do for our Oak Valley Community! Go Falcons!
Beaming with Falcon Pride,
Mr. Young
Colin Young
Principal
Oak Valley Middle School
GATE Testing Window
If you wish to sign up your child for GATE testing, the online test registration window will be open September 9th - November 22nd. This link will take you directly to the PUSD website where you can register your child online. For families unable to complete the registration online, please see the front office for a paper copy. The testing date this year is Wednesday, January 15th. After completing the registration online, the school will be contacting you following Winter Break to remind you of this date. Students will be excused from class approximately one hour in order to participate in testing during the regular school day. Students who took the January 2019 GATE Test, and have tested no more than two times in the Poway Unified School District ARE eliglible for the January 2020 GATE test administration. Notification regarding GATE testing results will be mailed to parents in April, 2020.
Back to School Night
Back to School Night for 7th/8th Graders is on Wednesday, September 11th.
Your homework to be prepared for that evening is to:
Use the template (attached, and on our website) to fill in your child’s classes and room numbers.
Contact at least two other families to arrange your carpool for the evening (see parking).
Set up child-care for the evening. Due to space limitations in the classroom and on site, we request that your child not attend.
Deadline Extended for VIP Parking for Back to School Night!
With a $500.00 donation to the Oak Valley Falcon Foundation, you will receive VIP Parking for Back to School Night; the deadline is Tuesday, Sept 10th for 7th and 8th grades; visit the Oak Valley Falcon Foundation at: www.oakvalleyfalconfoundation.com.
Parents are working on an art project in Mrs. Grissom's class.
6th Grade Camp Update
Standing room only (below) at our 6th grade camp informational meeting. I am getting very excited to go!
Math Counts Club - Entrance Test
The Math Counts club entrance test is scheduled on 9/10/2019, Tuesday morning, at 8 AM. Please use this link to sign up on the Math Counts interest form; you can also visit the Math Counts website to learn more about Math Counts and complete the registration form for the entrance test. The cutoff time for the entrance test registration is 12:00 PM on 9/9/2019.
OVMS Cross Country
Students, are you looking for something fun to do after school? Come out and join the Oak Valley Cross Country Team! All you need to do to join is have a great attitude and a willingness to work to achieve your goals. Practices will be held every Monday, Tuesday & Thursday after school from 3:15pm to 4:00pm. Practices are not mandatory and runners can come whenever it best fits into their schedules. If you have any questions please contact Coach Kenny
Music Boosters Fundraiser
Dine out Night at Flippin' Pizza on Tues, Sept 10, 2019 from 5-9pm
Help support the Oak Valley Music programs by joining us at Flippin’ Pizza 4S Ranch for our first fundraiser of the year! Mention OVMB (Oak Valley Music Boosters) when dining in or ordering (online/phone) and up to 50% of sales are donated back to OVMB! Come check out the Jazz Band behind the scenes rehearsal while you dine in or grab your pizza! Bring your lawn chairs and find them in the alley behind Flippin' Pizza 4S Ranch (The alley is between the buildings in that plaza). An informational flyer is attached.
If we exceed last year's sales of $2200, Mr. Nowak dyes his hair a mystery color or colors!
Robotics Club Parent Informational Meeting
Is your student look for an exciting, action-packed, interesting club that involves robotics and coding, but don’t know how or where to learn more? The OVMS Robotics club is looking for competitive, hardworking, and organized kids to join our team! It is open to all students; we are having a parent information night on September 12th from 6:30-8pm in the MPR. See Mr. Cox room 603 for more information or come to our meetings on Thursday after school. 3:05-4pm to join. We have room for coaches as well, all are welcome to join!
Oak Valley Falcon Foudation
Welcome back to school! Oak Valley would not be able to provide the world-class educational experience and environment for our students without the support of parents like YOU! As we begin the 2019-2020 Academic Year, I encourage you to donate to the Oak Valley Falcon Foundation to ensure that our school continues to be the premier middle school in our district and state.
The Oak Valley Falcon Foundation has and will continue to support technology and programs for our 21st century learners. With the construction of the new building underway, we have the unique opportunity to help fund new and much needed shade structures for our students. So this year, every family that donates $300 or more to the Foundation, their name will be placed on a plaque commemorating their contribution and commitment to Oak Valley Middle School. This is a wonderful opportunity to leave a legacy for our students and future Falcons for years to come.
Additionally, I know that many parents work at or own a local business. This year we’ve added a new sponsorship opportunity that can help increase the exposure of your business or place of work and show your support for Oak Valley Middle School!
Donations and sponsorship opportunities can be made by check or online at:
www.oakvalleyfalconfoundation.com
Giving Circles:
$150 Bronze Level
$300 Silver Level
· Name on Commemorative Plaque for 2019-2020 Foundation Contribution
$500 Gold Level
· Name on Commemorative Plaque for 2019-2020 Foundation Contribution
· VIP Parking for Back to School Night (must donate by September 10th for 7th/8th Back to School Night).
$1000 Platinum Level or Business Sponsor
· Name on Commemorative Plaque for 2019-2020 Foundation Contribution
· VIP Parking for Back-to-School Night (must donate by September 10th for 7th/8th Back to School Night).
3' x 5' Banner Ad on the front fence for the entire school year (Business Sponsor)
The Oak Valley Falcon Foundation is a tax exempt organization under IRS code 501(c) (3). Donations made to Oak Valley Middle School through the Oak Valley Falcon Foundation are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by the law.
Join the Oak Valley PTSA!
In this era of district budget struggles, financial support for our classrooms is critical so we can continue to provide the 21st century learning experience that our students deserve each day. We are using an online tool called Totem for OVMS PTSA Membership Registration. Check it out at the link below:
https://jointotem.com/ca/san-diego/oak-valley-middle-school-ptsa/join
Your OVMS PTSA membership gets you the national discounts located here:
https://capta.org/join/member-perks/
We also have a "DONATE" button on Totem to make your student buyout donation ($150) or select a custom amount to fund your Falcon for the entire year (Fundraising Buyout) or provide a custom donation for Art Corps, the Falcon Center, and Teacher Mini-Grants. We are doing our part to go paperless and ensure you automatically have a receipt for your transactions.
Oak Valley ESS
Does your falcon enjoy being active and participating in games and activities?
Being able to collaborate and work on homework with their peers?
Having access to the school library and computers to complete homework?
Oak Valley ESS is for you and
We are open for enrollment!
Extended Student Services (ESS) at OVMS is expanding and growing! We have room in the Fall for you and your neighbors so feel free to keep spreading the word. As we start our 3rd year of ESS growth at Oak Valley, we know that our program is staffed with fantastic Program Aides, mostly college students who have a passion for helping kids grow and learn each day.
Hours of Operation:
6:30am- 8:20am Monday – Friday
6:30am – 9:20am Late Start Tuesdays
3:05pm-6:00pm Monday- Friday
*We are also open at dismissal on planned minimum days. Plus, the opportunity to enroll for President’s week and Spring Break.
Students are provided a light afternoon snack when arriving from school each day. While at ESS, the students are provided at least one hour to work on their homework, daily. Most often, homework time is offered in the library, where they have access to textbooks and computers. While OV ESS staff is always ready and willing to provide help with homework and answer any questions that our students may have, it is important to note that ESS is not a homework club. Students also have the opportunity to participate in staff planned daily projects, activities, crafts, and/or organized games, while spending time here at ESS.
Please contact OVMS ESS Acting Supervisor, Alissa Polet (apolet@powayusd.com) or
Lead Assistant, Lucy Vargas (lvargas@powayusd.com)
Direct phone line: (858-676-6978) with any further questions on enrollment
We thank you for spreading the word about the great ways that we can support students with homework help and actively participating in the program before and after school.
Counseling Corner
This Week is National Suicide Prevention Week. Suicide prevention is a critical issue in America today among our youth. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Please take some time this week to Know the Signs in teenagers and learn what to do if you know of someone who could be considering suicide. Suicide is preventable. You could save a life just by reaching out to someone who is in need. Please make sure to contact our counseling office if you have questions, we are here to help!! www.SuicideisPreventable.org
Suicide Prevention VIDEOS
1. ARE YOU OKAY? In this (3 minute video), Dr. Matt Wintersteen, Associate Professor, Director Research at Thomas Jefferson University, talks about asking young people "are you okay?" and being prepared for their answer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXQB7Mu5_BM
2. HOW ASKING REDUCES THE RISK: (1:5 minute video) Dr. Josh Gordon talks about how asking someone if they are thinking about committing suicide reduces the risk of suicide. https://vimeo.com/290680488
3. TEEN SUICIDE PREVENTION (3:46 minute video) In this video created by the Mayo Clinic, teens describe common signs that a teen is considering suicide and provide encouragement for communicating directly and immediately for support and safety. It also includes suggestions for what to say to a teen who may be at risk for suicide and ways to keep them safe. Things can get better. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BByqa7bhto
PUSD Parenting Classes
Poway Unified offers a variety of parenting classes; for more information, including how to sign up, please visit the Parent Education tab on PUSD's website. Below are some of the current class offerings:
- Surviving and Thriving in Middle School
- Helping Your Child Manage Stress and Anxiety
- Parenting a Gifted Child – Grades TK-8th
Oak Valley Middle School
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AT: https://twitter.com/principalcolin
Website: https://www.powayusd.com/Schools/MS/OVMS/home
Location: 16055 Winecreek Road
Phone: (858)487-2939
Twitter: @PrincipalColin