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On behalf of myself and the entire Ottoson Staff, I welcome you to the 2024-2025 school year! As a true middle school community, we support our students in feeling accepted and safe, experiencing success and fostering love of learning. School staff and families collaborate to support our students, including consistent communication between home and school to ensure students have the best experience possible. This is one of the many communications you will receive from me throughout this year and in-turn, I encourage families to contact the school as needed, get involved, and be active participants in the school community. I am excited for the opportunities that a new school year brings to all of us!

For the first day of school, grade 7 students will meet their ASPIRE teacher on the upper field (softball field) across from the school. Grade 8 students will enter the building and go directly to their ASPIRE class. We will have a special bell schedule for the first two days of school to review routines, set expectations, connect with staff and peers, and begin again!

Please check your schedule on Tuesday, Sept. 3 for any final changes. We will print copies and distribute printed copies to students during ASPIRE.

As we continue preparations for the first day of school, I’ve included some additional reminders and general information below, so please take some time to read through.

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

First Week of School:

• Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024

• First Day of School

• Breakfast at 8 a.m.

• Doors open at 8:25 a.m.

• Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024
• School Picture Day!

Looking Ahead:

• Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024

• Clubs Fair: After school in the OMS cafeteria. Come learn about all the student clubs and organizations available to OMS students.

• Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024

• Back to School Night: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Arlington Public Schools District Calendar

As I mentioned in my communication last week, the process of creating a schedule is a team effort in which multiple factors are considered. Teachers, administrators, school counselors, special education teachers, and others meet in order to form balanced teams and classes. This is a careful and deliberate process that considers academic strengths, social maturity, and special needs. Please understand that the placement process takes all of these aspects into account; our primary objective is to ensure that each student is assigned to a team in which they can learn and grow. Due to the effort taken to carefully place students, team assignments will not be changed.

During the school year, the building is open to students wishing to eat breakfast beginning at 8 a.m. each day. Students must remain in the cafeteria until 8:25 a.m. If a student needs to see a teacher prior to 8:25 a.m., they may do so by signing in at the main office desk (if the teacher is available and they have arranged this ahead of time). All students should be in their first period class by 8:30 a.m. each morning and will be considered tardy if not present in at that time.

Regular attendance is crucial for your child’s success. Please make every effort to ensure they are present and on time every day. This will be a focus of our administration and counseling team this year and you can expect to receive communication from the main office if your child is tardy or absent from school.

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

Students should arrive each day ready to learn, with all necessary materials and a positive mindset.

Ottoson does have AM/PM programming. More information on that program will be shared with families in early September.

Only staff may enter the school parking lots, so please do not pull into either of the school parking lots to drop off or pick up students. It is recommended that cars do not drive down Acton Street to drop off students. It is advised to drop your students off at the end of the corner of Acton Street and they can walk down the road to the school. Traffic congestion on Acton Street and near the school can result in delays.

Arrive early and eat breakfast - it’s free for all and our cafeteria will be open for students starting at 8 a.m.

We encourage all students to stay hydrated throughout the day by bringing water bottles. Only water is permitted in the classrooms.

To maintain a focused and healthy environment, beverages such as coffee, energy drinks, or popular "pink drinks" from outside establishments like Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks are not allowed in the building.

At Ottoson Middle School, we are dedicated to providing an environment where every student feels valued, respected, and empowered to reach their fullest potential. Our faculty and staff are passionate about teaching and are here to support your child every step of the way.

We are excited about the year ahead and the opportunities it holds for academic growth, personal development, and building strong, lasting connections. Together, we will create a supportive and vibrant school community.

We believe in open communication and encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns throughout the year. Our partnership with you is vital to your child’s success, and we are here to support you as well. Please reach out to your child’s teachers if you have any questions. You can expect communication from your child’s teachers and teaching team early on in the school year.

Your child’s grade-level assistant principal can help to provide communication and support. Ms. Lindsay Migliero will be working primarily with grade 8 students and families and Dr. Michelle Crawford will be working primarily with grade 7 students and families.

The staff list will be available on the website at the start of school. We are in the process of updating it to reflect the new learning community assignments and new OMS staff. I will feature our new staff, including photos, in a future newsletter.

Our school is built on the foundation of three core values: Engage, Empower, and Excel. These principles guide everything we do and are crucial to the success and well-being of our students.

• Engage: We encourage students to actively participate in all aspects of their education and community life. This includes being attentive and involved during school hours as well as when they are out in the community.

• Empower: We strive to give our students the tools and confidence they need to make positive decisions. Empowerment means taking responsibility for their actions, whether in school, at the bus stop, or on public transportation.

• Excel: We set high standards for our students, expecting them to aim for excellence in all they do. This includes demonstrating respect, kindness, and consideration for others, regardless of the setting.

Students are a reflection of our school, and their behavior in public spaces is a testament to our shared values. Whether at the bus stop, on public transportation, or in other community areas, we expect students to be courteous and respectful to one another and those around them.

• At the Bus Stop: Please remind your child to arrive on time, stand in an orderly manner, and be respectful of their peers and neighbors. Safe and respectful behavior sets the tone for a positive day ahead.

• On Public Transportation: We ask that students be mindful of other passengers, use appropriate language, and maintain a polite demeanor. Giving up a seat to someone who may need it, keeping noise levels low, and being generally considerate are simple yet powerful ways to show respect.

We are committed to helping our students grow into responsible and respectful individuals. However, this is a collective effort that involves not just our school, but also the support and reinforcement of these values at home. By working together, we can ensure that our students consistently demonstrate the character and integrity that define our school community.

Here at the Ottoson, we believe in restorative approaches that involve open dialogue, accountability, and collaborative problem-solving aiming to rebuild trust and strengthen relationships. Students are encouraged to reflect on their actions, understand the impact on others, and actively participate in making amends with the goal of repairing harm done. This approach fosters a supportive environment where students learn conflict resolution, empathy, and responsible decision-making, contributing to a more inclusive and respectful school culture.

The student will spend time after school with the referring teacher, who will address the behavior and provide guidance on more appropriate conduct. The teacher will also introduce restorative practices to help the student reflect and improve.

The student will have lunch in the school office, and a parent/guardian will be contacted. An administrator will discuss the behavior with the student and implement restorative practices to promote positive change.

The student will serve a 60-minute after-school detention supervised by a staff member. During this time, the student will engage in restorative practices designed to address the behavior. A parent/guardian will be notified.

If the behavior persists, the student will receive an in-school suspension. They will be required to attend school but will be removed from their regular classes and lunch period. A parent/guardian will be notified and asked to attend a meeting at the school.

Please refer to the Ottoson handbook for more information on disciplinary procedures and due process.

Students are dismissed at the end of the day at 2:56. When there is an early release day, students are dismissed at 1:20 p.m.

We offer a variety of after school clubs and activities and encourage students to get involved. We will be hosting a clubs fair for students directly after school in the cafeteria on Thursday, Sept. 12. Stop by, see what we have to offer, meet with the advisors, and join!

Grades are based on a variety of assessments such as quiz and test results, homework, projects, portfolios, and class participation. Grades A, B, and C, are passing grades, while grades D, F, and I require that you attend extra help. Grades have the following interpretation:

A = Excellent Superior work. Indicates excellent effort and accomplishments.

B = Good Better than average. Indicates good effort and consistently good work.

C = Satisfactory Average. Above minimum standards.

D = Below average Low passing. Improvement needed in effort.

F = Failing Failure to meet passing standards.

I = Incomplete Incomplete work. Requirements of the subject have not been met due to excused absence.

The parent portal is used to keep parents updated about student grades. Teachers are requested to update the online grade book regularly.

Report Cards

At the Ottoson, quarter grades and final grades are available on the grade portal in November, January, April, and June. If you do not have access to a computer, please notify the office at 781-316-3744. Grades are updated at various times by the teachers throughout the term.

Progress Reports

If during the year a student’s grades, effort, or participation is not satisfactory, a written warning may be issued from a teacher. This warning should be signed by a parent or guardian and returned to the teacher who issued it. Such a warning also means that you need to seek extra help and work hard to improve your grade.

Extra Help

If you need extra help after school, please ask your teachers about the days and times when they are available to provide extra help. All Ottoson staff, with the exception of paraprofessionals, are required to provide 60 minutes of their time each week outside of the school hours to support students.

Hello Ottoson families. We hope that you have had a wonderful summer and are rested and ready to start the new school year. Below you will find some information regarding medication procedures.

If your student requires medication administration during the school day or has an emergency medication (epinephrine, inhaler and/or rescue medication for seizures) that should be stored in the Health Office, the following procedures must be followed:

• The Health Office requires that the following forms be completed and returned to the nurse before medication is given at school:
• Signed consent by the parent/guardian to give the medication.
• Medication order signed by the student’s physician. The medication order should be taken to your student’s licensed prescriber (doctor, nurse practitioner) for completion and returned to the school nurse.
• Medication Authorization Form

• Below are links for the Allergy Action Plan, Asthma Action Plan and Seizure Action Plan. Please have your student’s licensed prescriber complete and sign and return to the school nurse.

• Allergy Action Plan

• Asthma Action Plan

• Seizure Action Plan

• All Medication orders must be renewed at the beginning of each academic year.

You or a responsible adult whom you designate should deliver the medicines to the school in a pharmacy or manufacturer-labeled container. Please ask your pharmacist to provide separate bottles for school and home. No more than a thirty-day supply of medicine should be delivered to school.

Please visit the Health & Nursing Services page on the APS website for more information.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact the Ottoson Nurses at ottoson.nurse@arlington.k12.ma.us or call 781-316-3745 ext. 28022 or ext. 28025.

We look forward to a safe and healthy 2024-2025 school year!

Sarah Barker, RN, BSN, NCSN

Jillian Gomes, RN, BSN

School Nurses

Ottoson Middle School

781-316-3745 Ext. 28025 & 28022

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.

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.