Dear Oak Middle School Families,

I hope you had a nice and relaxing Thanksgiving break. We are looking forward to seeing students back in the building on Monday. Monday will be a Day 1 and the first day of Cycle 3 and Trimester 2.

Report cards will be available in the PowerSchool Parent Portal on Tuesday, December 17th.

With just 15 days until Winter Break, we encourage students to finish the next few weeks strong.

Please reach out with any questions or concerns. We are committed to working together to ensure a successful year for all our students.

In partnership,

Hallie Burak
Principal
508-841-1210
hburak@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

Michelle Dillon
Assistant Principal Grade 7
mdillon@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us
508-841-1205

Scott Yonker
Assistant Principal Grade 8
508-841-1213
syonker@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

School climate and culture survey: As part of our ongoing work to improve supports for students social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health, and as part of our review of our district's bullying prevention and intervention plan, our school district is asking that you complete the anonymous survey found HERE. Please note:

• Most of the survey items are quick multiple choice responses, and there are optional opportunities to add comments.
• The format and most items correspond to a survey that the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education gave to students who took the MCAS tests last spring, so that we can compare their perceptions with yours as parents and caregivers (we will publish a summary of the results).
• Please note that the survey is designed to give feedback on one school – if you have children in multiple schools, you can complete separate surveys for each.
• This survey is intended to collect general perceptions of your child's experience at their school. If you have a specific question or concern about your child, please contact the school directly for assistance.
• I would greatly appreciate it if you would complete this survey by Monday, December 2.

We have received several phone calls regarding basketball tryouts. Please check out all the details on the website at www.arbiterlive.

Tryout Dates: 12/2 - 12/5

Girls: 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Boys: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Give the gift of Oak merch!

With the holidays approaching, it’s a great time to order an Oak sweatshirt or t-shirt for your student. Sweatshirts are $30 and t-shirts are $15. Order for your student by December 12.

Order Today

Want to get involved or just share your ideas? We’re all ears.

Fill out this quick 2024-2025 Sherwood/Oak PTO survey.

Join the PTO on Zoom the first Thursday of every month.

Whether you just want to listen in and ask questions or want to get involved, join the monthly PTO Zoom meeting to get all the info you need.

Next meeting: Thursday, December 5 at 7:00pm.

Here’s how to join: https://app.zoom.us/wc

Meeting ID: 851 4598 4921

Save the Date! Harlem Wizards Game | April 1, 2025

The Sherwood/Oak PTO will once again be hosting the Harlem Wizards right here in Shrewsbury to play a game of trick basketball against Shrewsbury teachers and administrators. Since last year's event was such a big success, this year it will be held at Shrewsbury High School so even more families can get in on the fun. Stay tuned for more details and ticket sales.

Let’s get social.

Follow the Sherwood/Oak PTO on Facebook @ShrewsburyMiddleSchoolPTO and Instagram @sherwood.oakpto for news and information.

This year our school district will again provide help to our students' families in financial need through the Season of Giving program. Please click HERE for more information about how to donate a gift card. If you are in need, please click HERE to provide us with confidential information so that you can get help. I am confident that our school community will again be generous in supporting our neighbors in need.

Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY), in partnership with Peace At Home Parenting Solutions, is offering a free Parenting Solutions Library for families. This online resource provides 24 video presentations with expert advice on topics such as supporting school success, understanding mental health, and parenting children with ADHD and autism. Each video is designed to offer practical strategies for creating positive, lasting change at home. Access is simple and no login is required. Learn more at mpyinc.org or scan the QR code on the flyer below.

We have recently given students the chance to recognize their teachers/staff members for going above and beyond, and now we would like to extend that same opportunity to families. If you would like to acknowledge a teacher or staff member for their amazing work, please fill out the form linked HERE. We will be sharing this recognition directly with the staff member(s) so they know how much their efforts are appreciated.

December

5 - Advisory Day

9- Leicester High School Vocational Presentation for 8th grade Students

10 - Early Release Day - District PD

12 - Advisory Day

16 - Winter Concert #1

17 - Winter Concert # 2

17 - Grades Available in PowerSchool

19 - No BCOEI - Community Meeting: Responsibility

19- PTO Sponsored Spelling Bee - @6:00 PM Oak Auditorium

20 - No Homework Due Thursday January 2nd no quizzes, tests or other assessments on January 2nd

23-1 Winter Vacation

If students are interested in joining a club or activity, they should check the Oak Middle School Schoology page. This is where all up-to-date information about dates, times, and advisors is posted. They can also check the club and activity wall in the main office or the cafeteria windows. Many clubs and activities will be starting soon, and we encourage students to get involved beyond the school day!

Below is a PDF of the different offerings.

Free late bus service will be available for students at Shrewsbury High, Oak Middle, and Sherwood Middle Schools on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Buses depart SHS at 3:50 PM and the middle schools at 4:20 PM.

This limited service has fixed routes (red, green, blue) with centralized stops, which may not cover all neighborhoods. Please review the schedule to choose the best route and stop. Families are responsible for pickup from the centralized stops.

Sign up using the school’s Google form.

More info: https://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/transportation/late-bus.

Questions? Contact April Yu at transportation@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us or 508-841-8363.

Attendance:
Massachusetts law (G.L. c. 76, § 1) requires students aged 6-16 to attend school. Principals must meet with families if a student has 5 or more unexcused absences. You may receive a notification if your child’s attendance is concerning. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more school days, excused or not. Consistent attendance is critical, and we will support students trending toward absenteeism.

Child Safe Procedures:
If your child will be absent or late, please call 508-841-1200 (option 1 for Oak Attendance) the night before or the morning of the absence. Clearly spell your child’s first and last name. If we don't receive a call, we will contact parents or emergency contacts to ensure the child's safety. Remember, students absent from school cannot participate in after-school activities.

Early Dismissal:
Early dismissals should be rare as they disrupt learning and end-of-day routines. Notify the office (talvarez@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us) and your child's teachers via note or email. Students cannot arrange dismissals themselves.

The Food for Families Pantry at Oak Middle School is open and available to support any family, no matter the size or duration of the need. Families can choose between the Weekender Program, which provides individual meals for students to take home on Fridays, or the Biweekly Program, offering groceries and household items every other Friday. Both options are confidential, and no documentation is required. To access the pantry, contact the OMS nurses at 508-841-1204 or oaknurse@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us.

The Locker is a donation-based program at Oak, providing clothing and personal care items for families in need within our district. We strive to offer support in a discreet and confidential manner, ensuring your comfort throughout the process. If your child would like to help select items, they are welcome to visit our neatly organized closet to choose what they prefer. Alternatively, we can send items home with your student or arrange pick-up through the health office.

Please complete this form if you would like help:

https://forms.gle/tnuzo69hdmZXvNjA6

Please enter through the water tower entrance, drive up the hill, and pull up as far as possible—ideally to the second entrance. This helps ensure an efficient drop-off process and is considerate of other parents.

Students should exit the car on the Oak building side.

Grade 7

Last Names A-L: Laura Candelaria

LCandelaria@Shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

508-841-1240

Last Names M-Z:

Jennifer Lencioni

JLencioni@Shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

508-841-1214

Grade 8

Last Names A-L:

Amy Wallace

AWallace@Shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

508-841-8761

Last Names M-Z:

Kristen Minio

KMinio@Shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

508-841-1212