The Middle Matters
November 1-12, 2021 OMS Parent Newsletter
Inspiring Excellence. Every Learner. Every Day.
CONFERENCES
Grades: Just a reminder that student grades reflect learning toward specific targets. Since our classes are year-long, we are still early in the assessment process. As the year progresses, you will see more assessment scores added. Also, we are using our SOAR time to help intervene with students who need more help, need time to complete practice, or are ready to re-test on certain skills.
PAW Scores: While learning is our primary focus, we feel our PAW scores are equally important. These scores give a strong indication of how your child presents in each class--how they treat others, how they behave, and how they learn through preparedness and taking ownership of their learning.
Calendar
November 1
PLC Day
A Day
Early Bird Choir - 7:00 am - Sopranos/Part 3
Pledge of Allegiance -8:10 am
November 2
B Day
No Tech Tuesday
Jazz Band - 7:00 am
SST Meeting - 1:30 pm - Thunder Patio Area
One-Act Play Group A - 2:45 pm - Performance Platform
November 3
A Day
College Wear Wednesday
SOAR DAY
One-Act Play Group B - 2:45 pm - Performance Platform
November 4
B Day
Leadership Team Meeting - 7:00 am - Gopher Patio Area
One-Act Play Group C - 2:45 pm - Performance Platform
November 5
No School - Teacher Work Day
November 8
A Day
Early Bird Choir - 7:00 am - Altos
Pledge of Allegiance -8:10 am
November 9
B Day
Jazz Band - 7:00 am - Band Room
No Tech Tuesday
SST Meeting - 1:30 pm - Thunder Patio Area
One-Act Play Group A - 2:45 pm - Performance Platform
November 10
A Day
SPARK - 7:40 am - Virtual
College Wear Wednesday
SOAR DAY
AVID Field Trip - M. Halverson's Class - 11:25-1:45 pm
One-Act Play Group B - 2:45 pm - Performance Platform
November 11
B Day
AVID Field Trip - C. Guetter's Class - 8:25-10:45 am
One-Act Play Group C - 2:45 pm - Performance Platform
November 12
A Day
Chamber Orchestra - 7 am - Orchestra Rooms
Popcorn Friday
Activity Night - 7-9 pm
Telephone Usage During Class
One of the adjustments students are struggling with is the use of phones in classrooms. We understand that after 18 months of distance learning, hybrid learning, and breaks, students have become accustomed to using their phones regularly. We allow students to use their phones before school, at passing time, and at lunch (with the exception of No Tech Tuesday). We are working hard to ensure students learn the academic skills they need; the distraction of students being on their phones can make this challenging. Please talk to your child about putting their phones away during classes to focus on their learning. We appreciate your support with this!
Busses
If your child rides a bus, please talk to him/her about being respectful on the bus. This includes picking up garbage, using appropriate language on the bus, and following bus rules (staying seated). We are appreciative of those who drive our busses to get students home safely!
COVID-19: PLEASE READ
*If your child is quarantined, they will need to regularly check their Google Classrooms for schoolwork. We will NOT be livestreaming classes. Your child can also reach out to teachers via email.
We are doing our best to stay on top of communication with COVID information. We feel the more information you have, the better informed you are about how cases might affect your child or family. You can follow our COVID-19 positive cases on the district website. We have averaged 1.5% of our student body out at one time with positive cases.
No Visitors
During this unique time, we are not allowing visitors into the building unless it is under special circumstances or by appointment only. If you do have a scheduled appointment, you will need to present a valid ID in order to enter.
Classroom Interruptions
Learning is taken very seriously at OMS; therefore, we try to keep classroom interruptions to a minimum:
-Please do not bring or arrange deliveries of bouquets, balloons, stuffed animals and the like to students. They will not be accepted.
-Encourage students to remember their Chromebooks, lunches, gym clothes, musical instruments, etc. We do not have staff to deliver these items, nor do we call the classrooms to have the students come down and pick up the items.
-Make afterschool arrangements with your student before school, if possible. We do not interrupt classrooms for these types of messages.
We believe that taking these simple steps will reduce interruptions to the classroom and will help our students stay more focused on their learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
My child has an unplanned absence. What should I do? Call the attendance line at 444-8705. Leave your child’s name, grade and a reason for absence. To ensure the health and safety of all students and staff, please list specific symptoms of illness for Public Health Tracking. Please leave parent's name and a phone number where we can reach you at in case we have further questions.
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 I have questions about my child’s attendance, who should I call? You may call Mrs. Denton at 444-8711.
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 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 at the security desk 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
Olivia Gullickson: Students L through Z 444-8548
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. Their contact information can be found on the website.
Conferences are also held two times per year. You are encouraged to attend with your child. The dates are October 25 and 28 and again on March 10. All conferences are held in the gyms and run from 3:30-7:00 pm. (These dates may be subject to change.)
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.
We are at home and having problems with our Chromebook, who do I call? Please call the Chromebook Technology Hotline at 444-8630 or fill out this form.
Does my child need their Chromebook everyday? Every student must bring their Chromebook to school every day, fully charged. Teachers will be using these on a daily basis; it is crucial your child brings his/her computer to school every day!
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 must be dropped off after 7:55 a.m. and picked up by 2:50 p.m. We DO NOT have supervision for students at other times.
Where is before and afterschool drop-off and pick-up? When dropping off in the morning, please drop off on St. Paul Rd. If you use the parking lot, pull all the way around the lot to the outdoor basketball court to drop off at Door 13. You may do the same in the afternoon for pick up. We do not want students dropped off at the athletic entrance. When you are leaving the parking lot, as the signs indicate, it is right turn only.