OMES FEBRUARY NEWS
A Community School
Quarter 3!
The 2nd marking quarter ended on January 24th. The end of the quarter is a good time to reflect on what went well and areas for improvement. Talk with your child to create goals for what is a good practice to continue in quarter 3 and something to work on improving throughout the remainder of the school year.
Parents, make sure you have created a Schoology and FOCUS account so that you have the most up-to-date information about your child's learning progress! See below for how to create Schoology and FOCUS accounts. The end of the quarter is also a good time to make sure that your most current contact information is on file in the office. If you have moved or changed your phone number or email address, call the front office at 443-809-1710 to complete the necessary steps to update your information. You can also update this information online using your parent/guardian FOCUS account! This is the best way to stay connected with what is happening at school and for us to contact you when necessary.
**Select the translate button at the top for other languages.**
**Seleccione el botón de traducción en la parte superior para otros idiomas.**
BCPS Climate Survey
Have you taken the BCPS Climate Survey yet? Your voice matters! The survey is open from January 27 through February 28. It’s quick, taking about three minutes, anonymous, and offered in 20 languages for students, parents/guardians, and community members. You can take the survey from anywhere using a phone, tablet, or computer. Simply scan the QR code below on the flyer, click this link https://survey.k12insight.com/survey/form?k=RQsTUYQXsSYPsPsPsP&lang=0, or stop by the school to complete it in person. Students, parents/guardians, and staff will also have opportunities to take the survey at school. If you’re a BCPS parent/guardian and employee, or if you have children in more than one school, you’re encouraged to take the survey more than once to share your unique experiences.
Music Concert Save the Dates!
Join us for an evening of music as OMES presents in concert:
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
5:45 pm- 2nd grade Vocal Concert
6:45 pm- 3rd Grade Vocal Concert
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
5:45 pm- 4th Grade Vocal Concert
6:45 pm- 5th Grade Instrumental Concert
More information and an RSVP slip will be sent home closer to each of the concert dates. We hope to see you there!
OMES Music Teachers
Ms. Mountcastle, vocal music (k-2nd, 4th, 5th), emountcastle@bcps.org
Mrs. Scheetz, instrumental and vocal music (3rd), cscheetz2@bcps.org
Kona Ice will be available to purchase at both concerts. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the school to support the music program at OMES.
Bus Etiquette
Owings Mills Elementary School Bus Rider Families,
We have had an increase in incidents happening on buses recently. Please see below for an important reminder of bus expectations as well as consequences that can result from students not following these expectations.
Bus behavior expectations are important and are outlined in the BCPS handbook. When students follow these expectations, it helps to ensure a safe environment on the school bus for all students.
Please review these with your students so they will understand that the school bus is an extension of the classroom and the behavioral expectations in the classroom also apply to school buses.
- Follow driver instructions the first time.
- Stay seated in your assigned seat at all times.
- Keep aisle, windows, and emergency exits clear.
- Use an inside voice at all times (Level 1-2).
- Keep body parts/objects to yourself.
- Treat others with respect at all times.
- No inappropriate use of technology devices.
- No photos, videos, or laser pointers allowed.
- No profanity or rude behavior.
- No tobacco products or illegal substances.
- No eating/drinking and keep the bus clean.
Violations of the rules above may result in the following consequences:
- Warning
- Parent phone call
- Assigned seat on the bus
- Bus suspension
- Bus expulsion
BCPS Bus Locator App for Families
BCPS is pleased to announce the countywide implementation of BusWhere, a location-tracking software that allows subscribers to see bus locations in real time on a mobile phone or computer. Via the BusWhere app, subscribers may receive notifications as the bus approaches a designated bus stop or if there are significant delays.
For more information, check out the BusWhere information sheet- BusWhere information.pdf. If you have additional questions please get in touch with the BCPS Office of Transportation at 443-809-4321 or utilize the BusWhere Assistance Request Form- https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=3cPDSRs_g0GOdLONSDpa_bVjgy6GIuVGmGJmus4Mp_NUNllMSjRYWExBNVlQSEUwRFZFNlcyWExBRyQlQCN0PWcu
Basketball Attendance Madness
Our Basketball Attendance Madness Tournament started January 27th. Classes were seeded against each other for the week. The class with the best attendance for the week will move on to face another class. The winning class will win slime and a treat!
Each grade will also be working to score 100 points to earn 10 extra minutes of recess! Each class in the grade will contribute to scoring points. If the class has 94% or better attendance for the day, they score one point. If the class has 100% attendance for the day, they score two points. If the whole grade has 94% or better attendance, they earn the golden basketball which scores five points. If the whole grade has 100% attendance, they earn the super golden basketball which scores ten points.
Create a Parent FOCUS Account
Creating a parent FOCUS account is a great way to stay connected to what your child is doing in school. You can monitor your child's grades and attendance throughout the year. Click the link to create your account- https://baltimore.focusschoolsoftware.com/focus/auth/
Curriculum Resources
Math Matters!
Welcome to Quarter 3! We're excited to see our students continuing to grow and progress in math. Report cards will be available on the Focus Parent Portal on February 6th- be sure to check it for updates on grades and comments about your child's math journey!
Students are now diving into Unit 5, where they'll start making connections between what they've learned so far and new concepts. It's all about building on their skills and expanding their math understanding!
Math at Home
Explore Shapes and Patterns in Everyday Life
Go on a "shape hunt" in your house or outside. Have your child look for squares, triangles, and circles, and discuss their properties. You can also find patterns in things like flooring, clothing, or even the arrangement of objects on a shelf. For older students, challenge them to describe the symmetry or angles in the objects they find.
Special Thanks
Thank you to EVERYONE who joined us for OMES Math Night!
We appreciate your participation and support in making the event such a success. It was wonderful to see so many families engaging with math together. Your involvement truly makes a difference in fostering a love of learning!
CLICK THIS LINK FOR GRADE LEVEL SPECIFIC MATH NEWSLETTERS AND RESOURCES- February
ELA News
This month, all grades will be working on Module 6. Check out your child's specific grade level newsletter to explore what topics they will be reading about, what skills they will be learning, and what will inspire their writing. Help them to build a love for reading by exploring new stories at home together. Be sure to check out Schoology weekly to support your child's learning!
Also, ask your child about Amira! If they bring their device home each night, consider watching your child read with Amira to see the benefits. Encourage your students to read each night!
CLICK THIS LINK FOR GRADE LEVEL SPECIFIC ELA NEWSLETTERS AND RESOURCES- February
Caliday at OMES (before and after school program)
Caliday Before and After School Care hopes everyone had a safe, fun, and relaxing Holiday Season! We know how much our Caliday children enjoyed this special time with family and friends, but for any family in search of care for the 2024-2025 school year, we are still accepting enrollments!
Join Caliday at OMES for a convenient and fun before and after care experience! Spaces are filling up fast, so reserve your space now. Begin the process online at //www.caliday.org/getstarted or by calling 410-377-0227! See flyer for more details.
Students Need Headphones with a Microphone!
Please make you to send in a pair of headphones with a microphone for your child to use at school with their computer. Our independent reading program, AMIRA, requires students to be able to listen to their device and speak into their device. Using headphones with a microphone allows AMIRA to accurately evaluate and help your child with reading. See the flyer for more information about AMIRA.
Cafeteria Corner
If students bring in money to purchase snacks and change is due to the student, it will be added to their lunch account. Please contact Marvin Young, cafeteria manager, at myoung11@bcps.org or by calling the main office at 443-809-1710.
OMES Community School Corner
We are halfway through the school year. Now is a good time to reflection on your child's attendance at school. Consider making appointments before or after school. If this is not possible, you can always drop your child off late or pick up early, so that they are able to participate in part of the learning for the day. Ask your child if his/her class has moved on to round 2 of our Attendance Madness Tournament! Grade levels are also earning points towards extra recess. Ask your child how many points have been scored for their grade level.
Ukulele Club
Ukulele Club with Ms. Mountcastle begins this month for 4th and 5th graders. During Ukulele Club students will explore the history of the ukulele while singing and playing songs. Students will learn how to read both chord charts and ukulele tablature as well as different strumming patterns and how they relate to style and genre. We look forward to hear them play!
Power of 24 Club
Power of 24 Club with Ms. Berry begins this month. During Power of 24 Club students will use math and problem-solving when tackling fun challenges that require students to add, subtract, multiply, or divide to reach the magic number of 24. Students will explore everything from simple equations to story problems and even get creative with parenthese to change the order of operations.
Colding Owls Club with Mrs. Langton for students in 4th and 5th grade and Coding Cadets with Mrs. Smith for students in 2nd and 3rd grade begin this month. During Coding Owls Club students will dive into the world of coding and bring their ideas to life. They will explore the basics of computer programming, from creating interactive stories and games to solving real-world problems. We look forward to seeing what they create!
Nurse's Corner
The American Dental Association proclaims February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Daily care of your teeth and gums is important for keeping teeth healthy and preventing tooth decay. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states poor oral health can affect school attendance. They provide the following tips for parents:
- Brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Help your child brush their teeth until they have good brushing skills. If your child is younger than 6, watch them brush. Make sure they use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and always spit it out rather than swallow.
- Ask your child’s dentist to apply dental sealants when appropriate.
- Drink tap water that contains fluoride.
More information can be found at Oral Health Tips for Children | Oral Health | CDC
Use the attached calendar to help track daily teeth brushing.
OMES Food Distribution
Time: 4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Where: Community School Cottage (pull to the end of the parking lot to the Community School Cottage)
**Don't forget your reusable bags**
food distribution flyer- February.pdf
Numbers will be passed out starting at 3:30. One number per family. You may not get a number for someone else.
Stay in the Know About Snow Days
Now that we are in winter, make sure you know BCPS plans for snow days. During the 2024-2025 school year, BCPS will have traditional inclement weather days where school are closed for days 1, 2, and 3. Starting on the 4th day, BCPS will transition to virtual learning. During virtual learning schools will operate on a 2-hour delay schedule.
More information about BCPS' inclement weather policy click here- https://www.bcps.org/about_us/emergency_notifications_school_closings_and_delays
At this time BCPS has used 2 snow days.
Library Corner
Students are read aloud to each week during their library class. Talk to your child about the book they listened to in library. Students may be reading My Weird School books, Zeek Meeks, The Wild Robot or several other books.
Visit the Owings Mills Branch of the BCPL with your family. OMES students may check out five books at the public library. The library is located at 10302 Grand Central Ave, Owings Mills, MD 21117 near Costco, AMC Movies and CCBC.
Please see the schedule below for when your child should return their library books.
Physical Education Corner
Hello OMES Families!
OMES students in grades K-5 will be able to climb on indoor playground equipment in the gym, (Movement Education Equipment) throughout the month of March 2025! The students will be able to climb on ladders, cargo nets, curved bridges, and more!
To climb safely the students will need:
- Tennis shoes that tie or have velcro straps, any closed toe tennis shoes/sneakers will need to be secure on the student's feet.
- Students will not be allowed to climb in Crocs, slippers, slides, open toe shoes, or any type of boots. Shoes should not have a heel.
- Students should wear comfortable clothing. Girls will need to wear shorts under a skirt or a dress. Girls should have a hair tie for very long hair.
- Students should not wear jewelry during this unit.
- All students can bring a water bottle to the gym.
Please look out for a letter of interest that will be sent home with students. "OMES Climbing Night" will take place on March 13th! Parents will be able to video and take pictures of our students climbing!
See the schedule below for when your child has P.E. class.
Thank you for your support of the OMES Physical Education program!
Mrs. Cohen and Mr. Reyda
Partner Spotlight
Towson University
We are so excited to welcome the spring interns from Towson University! OMES and Towson University have had a long partnership that dates all the way back to 1992! There are many teachers at OMES that are Towson graduates some of whom were interns at OMES. This partnership is crucial in preparing the next generation of teachers. A huge thank you to all of the teachers that have graciously offered to mentor interns this spring!
Please join us in welcoming the following interns:
Ms. Berman interning in Ms. Price's classroom.
Ms. DeRegis interning in Ms. Diener's classroom.
Ms. Phelps interning in Mr. Krivak's classroom.
Ms. Snead interning in Ms. Dixon's classroom.
Ms. Charley interning in Ms. Collier and Ms. Taylor's classrooms.
Ms. Francis interning in Ms. Smith and Ms. Krivak's classrooms.
Ms. Venters interning in Ms. Stone's classroom.
February Virtue of the Month
Each month our school will focus on a virtue throughout the month. Students will learn about the virtue during their class morning meetings. One day during the month students will participate in the monthly Family Reunion that will also focus on the virtue.
The virtue for February is perseverance. Perseverance means the steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
Talk with your child about how he/she can exhibit perseverance in school, at home, with the environment, and in the community. This link provides different resources to incorporate perseverance at home- February virtue.pdf. Parents may email any pictures of their child showing perseverance to Rachel Mills, Community School Facilitator, at rmills@bcps.org.
The following students were nominated for Student Ambassador for the month of January
Ms. Cimildora- Zoe F.
Ms. Danilin- Sabrina R.
Ms. Knicely- Juan P.
Ms. Krivak- Victoria S.
Ms. Pirkl- Inaaya Y.
Ms. Ridgley- Daquan H.
Ms. Taylor- Hailey G.
Ms. Collier- Ashton B.
Ms. McCallister- Vinson H.
Ms. Saylor- Amir C.
Ms. Simmonds- Logan P.
Ms. Smith- Jeiden O.
Ms. Bodoin- Khalisi A.
Ms. Farmer-Paris S.
Mr. Nave- Iker R.
Ms. Price- Riley C.
Ms. Robinson- Isabella T.
Ms. Smeltzer- Israel R.
Ms. Miller- Mayherli
Ms. Diener- Forever L.
Ms. Powell- Jayana L.
Mr. Krivak- Josias C.
Ms. Clark- Naomi A.
Ms. DeBord- Emma E.
Ms. Dewel- Rachel R.
Ms. Dixon- Mori N.
Mr. Fowler- Sky R.
Ms. Gibson- Antoine O.
Ms. Anthony- Rhyliee T.
Mr. Lipo- Djamila K.
Ms. Berry- Liam H.
January School Wide Ambassador
Khalisi is a very neat and orderly student. She is organized with all of her materials, her desk, and her locker. At the end of the day, she volunteers to help put the classroom back together and clean up any trash. Whenever Khalisi has free time, she asks to organize our classroom library or math manipulatives. Ms. Terry always compliments how neat and orderly our classroom is, and Khalisi is part of the reason why!
January School Wide Ambassador
Emma does a great job keeping our classroom neat and organized! At the end of each day, she always helps clean up and makes sure everything is in the right place. She also does a wonderful job keeping track of her papers and schoolwork, staying organized and on top of everything. We really appreciate how she helps keep our classroom a tidy and happy place to learn!
Volunteer Training
If you would like to volunteer or attend a field trip, you must complete the BCPS Volunteer Training.
Step 1: Complete a BCPS Volunteer Application- https://cdnsm5-ss3.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_9046799/File/Updated%20Documents/Application%20for%20Volunteer%20Services%20ADA.pdf or get a paper copy from the school.
Step 2: Complete the Online Volunteer Orientation- https://bcpsvolunteers-md.safeschools.com/register/0c626573
Step 3: All Volunteer Applications and Certificate from the online training must be given to Rachel Mills or emailed to rmills@bcps.org.
For more information- https://www.bcps.org/cos/communications/FACE/b_c_p_s_volunteers