OMS Families,
We hope this letter finds you well and that you and your family are enjoying summer. We wanted to ensure we are communicating some important updates: (Video Summary of Letter)
WIN (What I Need) and iReady Opportunities for All Students
At OMS we are committed to providing every student in our building WIN. This time provides students "What I Need" outside of their grade-level content courses and electives. During this time each week, students spend 40 minutes (20 minutes twice a week) in the area of math and reading, working on iReady personalized learning plans. These plans are created from the diagnostic test they take, which indicates any areas of need/extension in math and reading. This is an integral part in helping support all of our students to achieve steady and outpacing growth on their yearly state ISASP testing. The remainder of the time each day throughout the week is filled with extension activities or intervention support. This need is determined by classroom teachers based on standard data they are collecting from students.
8:05 Start Time
In previous school years, the middle school began the school day at 8:10 AM. Due to changes in our master schedule and the need to provide access for all students through WIN (see more information above), we will be starting at 8:05 AM. Our bell schedules are posted in our handbook and on our website, but you can also see our bell schedules for the 25-26 school year linked here.
Cell Phones, Bookbags, and Lockers
To comply with the HF 782: The expectations for students this upcoming school year will be to have all cell phones, smart watches, ear buds, etc shut off and in their lockers from 8:05 - 3:30. We will also be asking students to use their lockers for the school bags, coats, and school supplies. We understand this is a big change for our students and we will work to ensure they have enough time to transition to classes and provide opportunities for students to practice their locker combinations. In our history of locker usage, we previously expected students to use lockers and transition to classes in 3 minutes. We currently have 4 minutes of passing time between every class. Our OMS Celebrity Walk (more details below) and Open House will be a great opportunity for students to get into their lockers, which is scheduled for Thursday, August 21, from 4:30 - 6:00 PM.
Here are some common FAQ about the new cell phone and electronic policy:
No Virtual Program Option at the 7th-8th Grade Level
In previous years, we’ve offered a virtual learning platform for 7th and 8th-grade students. This will no longer be an option as we move forward. We not only believe in the face-to-face learning experience we offer to our students, but we’ve also observed very little success with the Virtual Learning Platform. This opportunity will continue to be an option at the high school level, where more successful outcomes are occurring.
OMS Celebrity Walk and early access to student lockers and schedules for 7th and 8th graders!
New year and a new tradition for 7th and 8th grade students! Please help us welcome our incredible teachers and staff back from 7:00 - 9:30 in the morning on Monday, August 18 by signing your child up to reserve a locker magnet where they can have teachers and staff autograph this customizable locker magnet when our staff begin their first official week back of the 25-26 school year! Students who participate will not only have the chance to connect with staff in a special way but also get early access to their schedules, access their lockers, and receive first-in-line lunch passes to be used at any time during the school year. All 7-8th graders are welcome, but the first 100 students to sign up will receive a free locker magnet! For more information and to reserve your locker magnet, follow this link to SIGN-UP! If all 100 spots fill up, you can bring your own school items for staff autographs and still gain early access to schedules and lockers. Simply follow the schedule in the sign-up link.
We are excited to welcome our students back for another fantastic year of learning and growth. If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 673.8308. We will continue to communicate updates and will provide another update in August as we get closer to the school year!
With Osky Pride,
Clint Gingerich, Principal
Alex Edwards, Associate Principal