In the black box at the top of the newsletter, select Translate Newsletter to pick the desired language.

· Portuguese: Na caixa preta na parte superior do boletim, selecione Traduzir Boletim informativo para escolher o idioma desejado.

· Spanish: En el cuadro de Negro en la parte superior del boletín de noticias, seleccione Traducir Boletín de escoger el idioma deseado.

· Arabic : في المربع الأسود في أعلى النشرة الإخبارية، حدد ترجمة الرسالة الإخبارية لاختيار اللغة المطلوبة.

· Vietnamese: Trong hộp đen ở phía trên cùng của bản tin, chọn dịch ký nhận để chọn ngôn ngữ mong muốn.

· Swahili: Katika sanduku nyeusi juu ya jarida, chagua Jarida la Tafsiri ili kuchagua lugha taka.

August has arrived, and with it, a chance to share my midsummer update. This is not the “everything you need to know before school begins” newsletter—expect that later this month in your inbox! Instead, this update offers a glimpse into what’s been happening this summer and a preview of what’s to come for the year ahead.

First and foremost, thank you all for the warm welcome I’ve received. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed meeting with families during my coffee and conversation sessions and appreciate the insights you’ve shared as I prepare to reopen Ottoson for students. If you missed the July sessions, please join me on Zoom on Friday, August 23, at 9 a.m. (Zoom link below). In my upcoming newsletter later this month, I’ll share more about my goals for the year, informed by the feedback from these sessions.

Starting with the new school year, I will send out weekly newsletters. Each issue will feature a message from me, a quick guide to important upcoming events and dates, and additional information on all things OMS. These newsletters will be sent out every Sunday to help you prepare for the week ahead.

All newsletters, including this one, will be available on the OMS website. (It’s not live yet but will be soon.) You’ll be able to find them on the OMS homepage, and I will also email a link each week.

I know everyone is eagerly awaiting next year's schedule and learning community assignments. We are working hard on putting all of that together and you can expect to receive notification from me when they are ready and visible later this month!

Looking forward to a great year ahead!

Please read on for important information for this week and beyond.

This Week:

• Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024

• Community forum on middle school cell phone and smartwatch guidelines

• 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. @ Gibbs School in the Black Box Theatre

• If you can't attend, you can provide feedback by filling out the form - click here.

Looking Ahead:

• Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024

• OMS Caregivers/Staff Community Book Club;

• 1 p.m. in the OMS Media Center

• Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024

• New to Arlington/APS Student Orientation;

• 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

• Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024 (afternoon)
• Schedules made available to families in PowerSchool
• Principal Rubino will send an email & publish the back-to-school newsletter

• Friday, Aug. 23, 2024

• Coffee and Conversation with Principal Rubino via Zoom

• 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

• Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82016907168?pwd=OKaqamZxVukvCsoVKxjH8eYasaUmPg.1

Back to School:

• Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024
• First Day of School for Students
• Tuesday, Sept. 17
• Back to School Night
• 6 p.m - 8 p.m.

Arlington Public Schools District Calendar

If your student is need of a Chromebook, please fill out the following form. Students are allowed to bring their own laptop or Chromebook to school. Please refer to the Acceptable Use Policy regarding school devices and the Internet for APS.

As you may know, the teaching teams were shuffled at the end of the school year and I am going to be working with all the teaching teams to develop consistency throughout the grade levels. As a result, I do not have team specific school supply lists for each team. Rather, I am sharing a list of general school supplies for the upcoming school year. Teams will share out additional supply needs in September. Please CLICK HERE for the general school supplies for Ottoson Middle School.

Are you a current OMS student with a passion for helping others? We need you to join us as a student liaison for our Summer Newcomer Orientation! This is a fantastic opportunity to welcome new students to Arlington Public Schools and show them what makes our school special.

You’ll help guide incoming students through their schedules, introduce them to the exciting extracurriculars we offer, share insights about a typical day at OMS, and lead them on a tour of the school. Your friendly demeanor and personal experience will help make their transition smooth and enjoyable.

Fill out this form if your child is available to participate. The event is Wednesday, Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Please take the time to read through the handbook to review our policies regarding school attendance.

The best way to report any attendance issues (absence, tardy, or dismissal) for your child is by sending an email to the Ottoson absentee line – omsattendance@arlington.k12.ma.us

Please make sure to give us:

• Student Name

• a reason for the absence or tardy

• expected date of return

• for dismissal, the name of the person who will be dismissing your child

As you know, OMS and Gibbs are holding a forum for families to provide input on our proposed cell phone and smartwatch guidelines. I wanted to acknowledge that the timing of the forum may not be accessible to all families; therefore, I am encouraging everyone to share their feedback on the guidelines by filling out this form. Click HERE for the proposed guidelines.

New to Arlington Public Schools? Join us for our new student orientation, where you’ll get an introduction to our school community. Join us for a guided tour of the school, an overview of your class schedule, and learn about the extracurricular activities available to you. You’ll also have the chance to engage in a Q&A session with current Ottoson students who will share their insights and answer your questions about school life. This orientation is designed to help new-to-OMS students feel confident and prepared as you begin your journey. We look forward to welcoming you! Caregivers are welcome, but not required, to attend.

If your student would like to join the OMS Cross Country Team, please complete the OMS XC Registration Form by September 6. Practices are held four days per week after school, with meets on most Tuesdays and Thursdays, from September 8 through early November. We welcome runners of all ability levels. Returning runners, please register again for 2024. And don't forget to do your summer training!

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Back-to-School Night – a fantastic opportunity for you to get a firsthand glimpse into your child's educational journey this year.

Back-to-School Nights are informative sessions designed to bridge the gap between home and school. This is your chance to meet your child's teachers, gain insights into classroom routines, curriculum plans, and discover how you can actively support your child's learning experience.

Here are a few reasons you should attend:

1. Meet the Educators: Connect with your child's teachers and learn about their teaching philosophies, goals, and the classroom environment. Establishing this personal connection sets the foundation for a strong partnership throughout the school year.

2. Curriculum Insights: Gain a deeper understanding of the subjects and topics your child will be exploring. Teachers will outline the curriculum, share teaching methodologies, and provide insights into how you can reinforce learning at home.

3. Classroom Dynamics: Get a feel for the classroom atmosphere and routines. Understand daily schedules, homework expectations, and communication channels, ensuring a smooth and supportive learning experience for your child.

4. Ask Questions: This is the perfect space to ask questions, seek clarifications, and address any concerns you might have. Open communication between parents and educators is crucial for your child's academic success.

5. Community Building: Back-to-School Nights provide an opportunity to connect with other families in your child's class. Building a supportive network of fellow parents can enrich your family's school experience.