FALCON FLYER

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Monday, January 27

3:25 PM Basketball Games-B @ Home/ A @ Aubrey Bend

Wednesday, January 29

9-11 AM 8th Grade Choir/Theater Field Trip to BV North

3:25 PM Basketball Games-B @ Home/ A @ Blue Valley Middle

Thursday, January 30

8:30-11 AM North Area District Choir Festival in Commons

12:15-2:15 7-8 grade Chinese elective field trip

Monday, February 3

8 AM - 8 PM Panera Restaurant Fundraiser

3:25 PM Basketball Games @ BV North vs Leawood

Wednesday, February 5

3:25 PM Basketball Games - A @ Home vs Lakewood/ B @ Blue Valley Middle

Thursday, February 6

6:00 PM Enrollment Night for next year's 6th Grade class

OTMS Families,

Thank you for your flexibility and understanding in starting off the week with a 2 hour delay. Hopefully we will begin to settle back into a routine for second semester. As we do so, I encourage you to engage with your child about their academic progress and overall middle school experience. I have a couple of important reminders below:

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dr. Trent Stern

Parent-Teacher Conferences:

Conferences are coming up on February 12 and 13. Unscheduled drop-in conferences will occur on Wednesday, February 12 from 3:20-6:50 pm and on Thursday, February 13 from 7:30-9:25 am. Scheduled conferences will occur on Thursday, February 13 from 9:30-6:45. Next week you will receive instruction about how to schedule a conference on 2/13 if you cannot make the drop-ins on 2/12.

Enrollment for 25-26:

Current 6th and 7th grade students will receive enrollment information and forms next week. Please review with your child. Forms are due back to counselors by February 7.

Current 8th grade students have already received enrollment information for BVN. On Monday, January 31, OTM teachers will assist in helping students to enroll in classes. On Monday, February 3, BVN counselors will be at OTM to meet with all students and review enrollment.

If you have questions, please reach out to your child's counselor (Quinn - last names A-L OR Lual - last names M-Z).

Super Flex

As previously communicated, we are going to trial a new Wednesday schedule in which we move all grade level flex times to the end of the day. We are doing this so that we can reimagine how this time could be leveraged to create opportunities for students which include supports for academic achievement. We will run this schedule for 2 consecutive weeks then pause to study this further. At this time, students will continue to attend Flex. Please note this schedule is only for 1/29 and 2/5. Lunch times will be impacted slightly.

8th grade lunch (11:43-12:08) – 6th hour elective time

6th grade lunch (12:13-12:38) – 7th hour elective time

7th grade lunch (12:57-1:22) – 8th hour elective time

Middle school course fee payment for the second semester is open and online now. Your ParentVUE login and password are required to pay course fees.

Course fees are assigned based on your student’s enrollment. Some seventh and eighth grade exploratory/elective classes include course fees.

Questions regarding fee payment should be directed to Kara Golian at kgolian@bluevalleyk12.org.

As we are settling into the second semester, I wanted to communicate some helpful information for those interested in participating in Track and Field this spring. Track is open to 7th and 8th grade students. The first day of practice will be Wednesday, March 26th. Coaches will send out additional information as the season gets closer.

Also, this is a reminder to complete the updated KSHSAA physical packet and upload it in rSchool if your student plans to participate in athletics/activities at OTMS. Please note: we are unable to accept old physical packets. The most important page of the packet is page 4 (page 5 in the PDF). Please be sure all information/signatures are complete. Physicals must be complete on or after 5/1/24. Individuals must have a submitted physical and be registered in rSchool prior to participating. Here is the link to register in rSchool.

As a reminder, per KSHSAA guidelines, students must pass (60% or higher) five classes in the third quarter to be eligible to compete in track meets.

Participants will need to provide their own solid black shorts for meets. School track uniform tops will be provided.

Finally, please save the date for the parent and guardian information meeting on Monday, March 10th at 5:30pm in the OTMS gym.

PTO Calendar – upcoming events:

3 February: Panera Restaurant Night 8am-8pm

7 February: PTO board meeting at OTMS 11:45am

28 February: Falcon Activity Night 6pm – 8pm

Panera Restaurant Night - February 3rd

Come out and support the OTMS PTO on Monday, February 3rd from 8am to 8pm at Panera’s location at 6800 W 135th St. Use code ‘FUND4U’ when ordering online. Panera will donate 20% back to OTMS when you mention you are there for OTMS restaurant night!

FAN NIGHT – Friday, February 28th from 6pm – 8pm

Our spring FAN Night (Falcon Activity Night) is right around the corner! To make this event a success, we need your help – please click on the link to volunteer and/or donate – https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A4CA5A623A5F58-51461755-otms#/

OTMS FAN (Falcon Activity Night) Night is a student only event where students have a lot of fun in a safe environment! Drop your students off, go to dinner, and then come back to pick them up.

Students will enjoy a DJ, inflatable obstacle course, basketball, games, and more! Pizza, candy, and drinks are also available for cash purchase at FAN Night. Wristbands (for access to FAN Night) are $5 and will be sold at lunchtime the week of FAN Night and at the door! Hint: get your wristbands early to avoid the long line at the door!

See the Flyers below for information on the BVEF Fundraiser, Battle of the Bands.

Is your student needing extra math support? Math Lab is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year both before school and after school. Attendance is taken at every session.

Morning Sessions:

Tuesday (7:10 – 7:40 AM ) in room 25 (8th grade hallway) with Ms. Hilligoss email: lhilligoss@bluevalleyk12.org

Thursday (7:10 – 7:40 AM) in room 9 (6th grade hallway) with Ms. Lintz

email: pjlintz@bluevalleyk12.org

Afternoon Sessions:

Tuesday & Thursday (3:15-4:15 PM) in the library classroom with Ms. Carter, Ms. Mills or Ms. Miller . Students must provide own transportation home and be picked up by 4:15.

emails: clcarter@bluevalleyk12.org , tmills@bluevalleyk12.org , mjmiller05@bluevalleyk12.org

Have you ever wondered how to monitor your child’s usage on their Blue Valley device? We have parent tools that allow you to receive notifications to ensure your child is using their device safely. School staff members monitor these devices during the school day and intervene, when necessary. However, parents can receive alerts if concerns arise when students use devices after school hours–including weekends and school breaks. Check out the Securly Home Parent Portal App here.

Some February Celebrations & Observances:

• Black History Month - created to celebrate the achievements, contributions, and rich cultural heritages of African Americans. Black History Month highlights the triumphs and adversities that have helped shape the United States.

• World Hijab Day - February 1 - recognizes the millions of Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab. Inviting women of all identities to wear the hijab for one day, it promotes understanding of other cultures and personal freedoms of religious expression.

• Magha Puja Day - February 12 - an important Buddhist festival celebrating the gathering between Buddha and his first disciples. Some families will attend temple, meditate, listen to teachings, perform giving alms, and hold candlelight processions.

• The Lantern Festival - February 12 - the last night of Lunar New Year celebrations. Occurring on the first full moon of the lunar year, it serves as a symbol of unity and completeness. Some families will light colorful lanterns - some with riddles written on them, dance, and eat sweet rice balls or dumplings in soup.

• Maha Shivaratri - February 26 - a solemn Hindu festival that marks the “overcoming of darkness and ignorance” in life and the world. Some families will celebrate by chanting prayers to the god Shiva, fasting, and meditating on virtues of honesty, charity, and forgiveness.

Do you know a Blue Valley educator who goes above and beyond to inspire, engage and innovate in the classroom? Help the Blue Valley Educational Foundation (BVEF) recognize their extraordinary impact by nominating them today for the BVEF annual Innovative Educator Award! This BVEF award recognizes two exemplary teachers (one elementary, one secondary) who creatively apply innovative teaching methods, foster critical thinking skills and ignite a passion for learning in their students. Honorees will receive a $1,250 grant for their classroom. To nominate a teacher, fill out the 2025 BVEF Innovative Educator Award form by Monday, February 3.

Do you have questions about student expectations? These are outlined in our student handbook and our district's Code of Conduct. These documents are linked on our school website and available for students via Canvas. You may also click here for the district's current

Blue Valley Schools is committed to promoting and fostering a safe environment in and around all our schools. We are continuously working to prevent, mitigate, respond to and recover from a wide range of situations. Please check out available ways to report safety concerns.