The Middle Matters
Parent Newsletter * June 2020
Inspiring Excellence. Every Learner. Every Day.
Happy Summer
We hope you are enjoying the beginning of wonderful summer. We are sending out The Middle Matters. This newsletter is sent out weekly during the school year to keep you updated on things you need to know and school happenings. Please take a look as there is a lot of information here. You can find school supply lists, a calendar of upcoming dates that you will need for the beginning of the school year, and a link to our new website. Please take time to recharge and relax. As the sumemr progresses, we will be monitoring guidelines for the safe return to school. We hope to see you in August!
Calendar - Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
OMS Parent and Student Information and Picture Day - 7:30-5:00 pm
- Everyone is expected to attend this day. Students will have their picture taken and receive their schedule. This is open house style. If you are unable to attend, the schedules can be picked up the first day of school in the cafeteria.
Monday, August 31, 2020
6th Grade Orientation -attendance will be taken 8:10-2:40 pm
- 7th & 8th grade do NOT attend
Tuesday, September 1 2020
First Day of School - All Attend
Day A
No Tech Tuesday
Friday, September 4, 2020
No School
Monday, September 7, 2020
No School
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Day B
No Tech Tuesday
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Day A
College Wear Wednesday
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Day B
Friday, September 11, 2020
Day A
Congratulations to our 2020-2021 Student Council Members
6th grade:
Alfredo Barraza-Leon, Kilee Hovey, Micah Gentz, Carson Van Gelder, Kelsey Skala, Amaya Fernandez, Ava Cox, Lane Webber
7th grade:
Vitaly Bauer, Genevieve Froman, Chloe Gferer, William Halverson, Ande Hunt, Aisha Idow, Chloe Meyer, Dylann Norrid, Landen Sturges, Paige Thompson, Dakhalia Williams
8th grade:
Norah Kath, Kennedy Katzung, Lexie Klecker, Aza Lewis, Jack Langlois, Kyah Cole, Sophie Woodfill, Nedda Mohamed, Aniston Sorum, Emery Vick, Savannah Erler
Owatonna Middle School New Website
We are excited to share with you that we have launched the new Owatonna Public Schools website! Our goal with this website was to make it faster, easier to navigate, and more user-friendly. Our current and prospective families will find useful information about what we offer at Owatonna Middle School.
We know our communication with parents, students, community, and families will improve because of this change.
The new website gives information on programs that we offer, daily schedules, calendars, contact information for teachers and staff, newsletters, Parent Portal and links to some of our business partners, ie: Owatonna Bus Company, Peach Jar and Fee Pay, just to name a few.
Please take a look Owatonna Middle School.
Is Your Child Ready for 7th Grade
Immunization information will be sent to the parents/guardians of every 6th grade student in need of immunization(s) before entering 7th grade.
The Minnesota School Immunization Law requires each student entering 7th grade to have documentation at school of the following immunizations: three Hepatitis B, two MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella), at least three diphtheria & tetanus (including 1 Tdap), three Polio, one Meningococcal, and two Varicella (chickenpox) vaccines or medical provider/clinic verification of history of the disease. The only exception to this requirement is if your child has a medical exemption verified by your medical provider’s signature or you have a notarized conscientious objector status.
Early submission of documentation to the Owatonna Middle School Health Office is recommended and encouraged. If you have questions about this information, please contact the Owatonna Middle School Health Office Nurses – Stacy Kirsch (444-8706) or Tracy von Helmst (444-8506). Please leave a message; the nurses are out of the office for the summer.
Please send your child’s completed immunization record to the Owatonna Middle School Health Service Office at 500 15th St. N.E., Owatonna, MN 55060 or by fax: 507-444-8799.
Valid ID Needed
Volunteers Needed
Free and Reduced Meal Application
Who can qualify for free or reduced meals?
Eligibility for free or reduced priced school meal benefits is based on any one of these 3 things:
- Your total household income and size
- Your child's individual status as foster, homeless, migrant, or runaway
- Participation in an
assistance program
by any member of your household
Owatonna Nutrition Services
Owatonna Nutrition Services offers MyPaymentsPlus so you can manage your student's meal account all in one place! This includes monitoring your student's meal balance, making pre-payments into their account, setting up low balance notifications or auto-payments, and more! Visit www.MyPaymentsPlus.com to register for an account and start taking advantage of the benefits!
OMS and Community Flyers
Owatonna Public Schools partners with Peachjar. This assists our families in knowing about the great programs, events and services offered to our students through our schools and community partners. Flyers will come directly to your in-box--no more hoping they come home in a backpack! One click in email to 'Sign Up' for programs and events. It's that easy!
College Wear Wednesday
Frequently Asked Questions
My child has an unplanned absence. What should I do? Call the attendance line before 9:00 am at 444-8705. Leave your child’s name, grade and a reason for absence.
My child is going to be absent in the future. How should I handle this? You may call the attendance line in advance at 444-8705. Leave your child’s name, reason for absence and the date(s) they will be gone. If they are going to be gone for more than two days we ask that you fill out a Pre-Arranged Absence Form in advance.
If I have questions about my child’s attendance, whom should I call? You may call Mrs. Denton at 444-8711 or email at ddenton@isd761.org.
My child will be late coming to school due to an appointment or leaving early due to an appointment? What should I do? For late arrivals: Please call the attendance line at 444-8705 before 9:00 am. State your child’s name and reason they will be arriving late. When they arrive, they may enter through the 15th St NE doors and go directly to the office to check in with Mrs. Denton to get a pass to class.
For early dismissals: Call the attendance line before 9:00 am. Leave your son/daughter’s name, reason for dismissal and the time you want them dismissed. They will receive a pass before their departure time. They may keep this pass to show their teacher. The student then proceeds to the 15th St NE doors and shows the Security Guard their pass. When they see you pull up, they may head out to your vehicle. It is not necessary to come in to the building.
The 15th St NE entrance are the only doors students may enter and exit through between 8:10-2:40 pm.
Can my child get homework if they are absent? Homework can be requested if the student has been gone more than two days. You may call or email the teachers to gather the homework. Typically we require one full school day to gather the homework for students. If possible, the teachers may email you the homework; otherwise, it may be picked up in the office at the end of the school day.
How is my child doing in school? Parent Portal is a very useful tool to follow your child’s progress in school with grades and attendance. If you have not yet requested a username and password, please contact your child’s counselor.
Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa: Students A through K 444-8724
Justina Bisch: Students L through Z 444-8764
If you have any questions about grades or assignments, please contact your child’s teacher. If you are concerned about a pattern that you are seeing with academics, please contact your child’s counselor.
Conferences are also held two times per year. You are encouraged to attend with your child. The dates are October 22nd and 26th and again on March 11th. All conferences are held in the gyms and run from 3:30-7:00 pm. They are open house style.
Who do I contact if I am concerned about my child’s mental health and personal well being. Please contact the school social worker that corresponds to your last initial.
Sue Schroeder: Students A through K 444-8727
Chely Flores: Students L through Z 444-8719
How do I pay on my child’s lunch account? There is a payment box outside the office where your son/daughter can drop off payments. Please put it in an envelope and write your child’s full name and grade. You may also pay online on the My Payments Plus site. It can be found on the OMS Homepage.
I have to work late and want to pick up my child late. Can they just hang out at the school? Can I drop them off early? All students, before and after school, must be under the direct supervision of an adult and have a pass from that teacher to be in the building. The building opens at 7:55 am (please notice the time change) unless students have a pass. Students are expected to leave the building by 3:00 pm unless under the supervision of an adult.