OMS Pirate Press Newsletter

• Important Announcements
• Photographs highlighting our week:
• Schedule for the Week of October 21-25, 2024
• Save the Date Info for upcoming important OMS events
• Breakfast, Lunch, Snack Info
  
• From the Health Office
  
• Clubs and Activity Info
• FOMS events and fundraisers
• Butter Braid FUNdraiser info! October 11-25th! Don't miss out!
  
• Fundraiser--Spirit Wear
• Community events
• OHS Trunk or Treat, Haunted Hallways
• Save the Date info for upcoming events
• Housekeeping Reminders
• After School activity guidelines
• Guidelines for morning drop off and afternoon pick up
• Parent Square
• Student technology
• water/beverage guidelines
• Helpful district and school resources

Saturday, October 19th is Oxford Night at the Worcester Railers home-opener. OMS grade 7/8 chorus students will be singing The National Anthem. Game time is 6:05 and our OMS chorus will perform at 6:00. Ticket information is attached below in "Oxford Night Oct 19." We hope you can join us, wearing your Oxford Pride gear! Go Pirates, Go Railers! Link here for tickets: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Oxfordnight1 .

In anticipation of OMS visit to Worcester Railers, Traxx from the Railers, visited OMS on Tuesday, October 15th during lunches!

FOMS Fundraiser:

The FOMS fall fundraiser is: Butter Braids!! Don't miss out on these delicious pastries that will arrive just in time for Thanksgiving.

• Sales run from October 11 - 25 with a firm pick up date of November 22nd 4:30-6pm at OMS
• Paper and online (https://my.mcmfundraising.com/signup/PZXX) orders accepted. The order form is attached below.
• Please contact us with any questions and thank you for your continued support! oxfordfoms@gmail.com

Finding Nemo Musical Rehearsals: Rehearsals will be 2:00-4:00 moving forward as we enter the final month before the production. Because late buses depart at 3:15, students will need to obtain transportation home.

Ski and Snowboard Club: It is time to register for OMS/OHS Ski and Snowboard club. This club is open to the first 30 paid OMS and OHS students. Please see the student Clubs and activity section below for information. Form packets are attached and are in the main office.

Art Contests: We have the following contests taking place for OMS artists

1. Yearbook Cover design contest:

• Students may submit a hand drawn or digital design on an 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper.
• If digital, the design must be at least 500 DPI (dots per inch).
• Every design must include the following: "Oxford Middle School" and the school year "2024-2025" or "2024-25."
• Please put your name and grade on your design sheet.
• The deadline for submission is October 22nd.
• Designs should be turned into yearbook advisers Ms. Borowko or Mr. Moriarty. You may also see or contact them with any questions. mailto:dborowko@oxps.org and mailto:smoriarty@oxps.org

OMS Halloween Dance Info: Our annual OMS Halloween Dance will take place on Friday, October 25, 2024. OMS dances are for OMS students only. Tickets are $5 each and will be on sale at lunches Tuesday, October 15-Thursday, October 24th. Tickets are non-refundable. Students must be in school on Friday, October 25th to attend and must be in good behavioral standing without incidents leading up to the event in order to attend.

After School Snack Program: As part of the free breakfast/lunch program, the state has approved a free after school snack program. The program will begin at OMS on Monday, October 7th. In accordance with state guidelines, these snacks must be distributed at least 30 minutes after the close of the school day. Therefore, they will be available in the main office from 2:00-2:15 daily. Students will need to provide name to obtain snack for food services record keeping in compliance with the state regulations. A menu for the month of October Snacks is located in the food service section below. Snacks are first come first served until gone.

The Scholastic Book Fair is blasting off and heading to the Oxford Middle School. It will touched down this Friday and is all set up and ready for our students to explore Monday, October 21st through October 25th. Check out the pictures below! As you might have guessed, the theme this year is “Books Are Out Of This World.” The Book Fair will be during School Hours Only.

All OMS students will have a chance to visit the Book Fair during their Specialists periods. Our book fair will feature fabulous books, school supplies and posters.

Cash or checks will be the accepted form of payment as well as the eWallet option. Please make checks payable to the: Town of Oxford. Information about the eWallet can be found on the Book Fair website. The Book Fair Homepage/Website is: www.scholastic.com/bf/oxfordmiddleschool2

Hope to see our students at the Book Fair! It will be a “blast!”

Announcements for Entire Week:

• Last week of FOMS Butter Braid Fundraiser--sales end October 25th.
• Scholastic Book Fair in OMS Library: October 21-25
• Halloween Dance Tickets: Week of October 14-Thursday, October 24th: Halloween Dance tickets will go on sale during lunches. OMS students only!

Schedule for the week of October 21-25 by Day:

• Monday, October 21st:
• Bus evacuation safety drill at OHS in the morning
• Musical Finding Nemo Practice 2-4:00
• OMS Chorus performs at School Committee Meeting 6:00

• Tuesday, October 22nd:
• Video Club meets today. Students must have signed permission slip to stay after. See Mr. Janerico with any questions
  
• Musical Finding Nemo Practice 2-4:00
  
• Yearbook Cover Contest Deadline
• Wednesday, October 23rd:
• Therapy Dog Visit
  
• OMS Grade 8 Bay Path Field Trip 7:45-10:35 for those students signed up by October 11th.
• After School Band Students must have signed permission slip to attend.
  
• CANCELED: Art Club this week is canceled due to teacher illness.
• Thursday, October 24th:
• Musical Finding Nemo Practice 2-4:00
• Esports Thursday League: Chess, NBA2k25, Smash Ultimate and Rocket League 3:30-4:30. Students must have signed permission slip to attend.
• Bay Path Open House/Tours 6:00-8:00 at Bay Path Regional Voc Tech
• Friday, October 25th:
• Musical Finding Nemo Practice 2-3:15 today only (due to school dance tonight)
• Student council meeting to set up for dance 2-3:15; permission slips needed.
• OMS Halloween Dance 6:30-8:30.

• Grade 8 High School Transition Info:
• Bay Path Info:
• Informational Meeting at OMS RE: Bay Path Regional Vocational/Technical High School Admissions: September 27th during advisory.
• Permission slips for Bay Path tours due October 11th
• Bay Path tour Wednesday, October 23, 2024 in the morning. Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School will be hosting our annual 8th Grade Tour on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024. Our students will take the bus there in the a.m. and will be back before lunch at 11:40 or bagged lunches will be provided by Bay Path. Permission Slips will be distributed in advisory and are due by Friday, October 11, 2024.
• OHS Info:
• OMS Students will tour OHS on October 28th 7:45-9:15
• OMS grade 8 students and families are invited to tour OHS and learn more about their programs for the evening of October 29th from 6:30-7:30 p.m. See Flyer below entitled "Best of OHS."
• Halloween Dance for OMS Students: Friday, October 25, 2024 6:30-8:30; OMS students only, no guests. Students must be present in school on Friday 10/25 for at least half the day and be in good standing behaviorally to attend. Students with behavioral infractions and/or suspensions leading up to dance, may not be allowed to attend.
  
• Haunted Hallways (an in school OMS event): Thursday, October 31st students will be permitted to wear school appropriate costumes to school. No masks, hoods, contraband items, real or toy.
• Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conference Dates:
  • Monday, November 25th afternoon and evening times available
  • Tuesday, November 26th: afternoon times available
  • Thursday, March 6th: evening times available
• OXPS School Year 2024-2025 Calendar: https://4.files.edl.io/4acb/01/24/24/145713-e7ec4bb5-ee84-4575-880d-b5dc3f62160b.pdf
• Upcoming Calendar Notes for school closures/early releases:
• October 14: no school-holiday.
• November 5th No School Students for Election Day and Staff Professional Development day.
• November 11th: Holiday
• November 25 and 26 half day early release students for conference days (see below)
• November 27-December 1: School closed for Thanksgiving Break

Attention Artists: The Yearbook Cover Contest is now open! Submit your hand-drawn or digital designs on an 8.5” x 11” sheet with your name and grade. Digital entries must be at least 500 DPI. Your design must include 'Oxford Middle School' and '2024-25.' The deadline is October 22. Turn in your designs to Ms. Borowko or Mr. Moriarty, or ask them any questions. Good luck!

Student meals are free this year and available daily to students.

Our breakfast for the first day of school will be grab and go.

Students arriving late to school will be able to obtain a grab and go breakfast daily upon arrival.

The lunch menu is linked here: https://www.oxps.org/apps/pages/food_menus

After School Snack Program: As part of the free breakfast/lunch program, the state has approved a free after school snack program. The program will begin at OMS on Monday, October 7th. In accordance with state guidelines, these snacks must be distributed at least 30 minutes after the close of the school day. Therefore, they will be available in the main office from 2:15-2:45 daily. Students will need to provide name to obtain snack for food services record keeping in compliance with the state regulations. A menu for the month of October Snacks is located in the food service section below.

OMS offers a wide variety of after school activities throughout the school year. We encourage your student to become involved in our community, join activities things they have an interest or passion in or to explore a new activity of interest. These activities keep kids engaged in positive activities while also helping them to develop numerous skills and build community.

Some expectations/protocols for staying after include the following:

• Beginning on 10/7 free after school snack available in main office 2:00-2:15.
• All students are expected to depart campus by their recorded departure means (bus or parent pick-up/walking). If a parent/guardian needs to alter the afternoon departure means, we must have a note on file.
• All students must depart at dismissal time unless we have written permission where the student will be staying for a supervised school activity.
• Students staying after school at OMS must have a signed permission slip to stay in a staff supervised club or activity.
• Students are not permitted to remain on campus to hang out before an athletic or school event that they want to attend later in the day.
• Students are not permitted to leave campus to go to store across street and then return.

Winter is just around the corner and it’s that time again for the OMS Ski and Snowboard Club at Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, MA!

If you are a skier or snowboarder or are not but are interested in learning and would like to be….come join the fun!

Informational Packets of info are available in the main office, attached to the OMS Pirate Press Weekly Newsletter, and on the OMS Electronic Backpack.

Ski and Snow Board Club will run on Mondays, departing 2:00 from OMS and returning at 8:00 p.m. to OHS. The weeks of ski club are as follows: January 6th, 13th, 27th and February 3rd, 10th, and 24th. Should a week be canceled due to weather conditions, the week will be rescheduled to the next successive Monday at the close of the season (3/3, 3/10, etc.)

Transportation will be provided by First Student Transportation. In addition to the Ski Club adviser, Mr. Vinzi, there will be 1 chaperone for every 10 students.

All applications and payments must be received by Friday, December 24, 2024, but…the Ski and Snowboard Club is limited to the first 35 PAID APPLICATIONS returned.

These spots go fast, so don’t miss out!

Sign up now, so you aren’t disappointed.

Any questions, reach out to Ski and Snow Club Adviser, Mr. Vinzi: oxpsskiclub@gmail.com

Do you want to play or learn a variety of games with your peers? Then gaming club may be for you! Students will have the opportunity to learn and play a variety of games such as chess, checkers, board games, card games, and family style games. This is a great way for students to interact, socialize, and build community. This club will take place every other Tuesday beginning on October 1st in the cafeteria. Dates of gaming club are as follows: Oct 1&15, Nov 19, Dec 3 & 17, Jan 7 & 21, Feb 4, March 4 & 18, April 1 & 15, May 6 & 20. You can join by week, month or year. Students interested should obtain a permission slip, get it signed and return to the Main Office or adviser, Ms. Berthiaume. Questions, see Ms. Berthiaume mailto:dberthiaume@oxps.org See flyer below.

Attention video gamers, we are getting ready to kick off our Fall-Winter season of Esports, which is an online gaming platform where students compete against students We have two offerings--Rocket League, which is limited to students ages 13 and up who compete against students across the state and nation. That club will meet on Thursdays along with Super Smash League. Equipment is provided for this platform.

Due to small interest in the Tuesday section, offering Chess, NBA2k25, and Splatoon, those students interested will compete in these games on Thursdays with Ms. Kniskern. Students may need to bring their own equipment to school on these days and store the equipment with Ms. Kniskern for the day.

Students need signed permission slips to attend the informational meeting and future esports days. Please reach out to Ms. Kniskern with any questionsmailto:akniskern@oxps.org

Are you interested in learning more about videography and video editing? Join Video club! All OMS students are welcome to join, regardless of when you have video technology in your schedule. Learn how to video, edit, and more! Video club will begin on Tuesday, October 8th and run on Tuesdays after school through December 17th with Mr. Janerico. Students will need permission slips to attend. Permission slips are in the main office or can be picked up with Mr. Janerico. Questions? Email Mr. Janerico mailto:jjanerico@oxps.org

After school band will run on Wednesdays after school from 2:00-3:15 with Mr. Kim in the band room 122. Students staying for band will need a signed permission slip to stay for this club. Students will be able to take late buses home. Late buses begin September 8th and run between 3:15-3:30. Students interested should see Mr. Kim or reach out by email with any questions mailto:mkim@oxps.org

Homework Club will begin on Tuesday, September 10th!

Need help, time, and resources with homework, research, projects, and studying? The Homework Center will run on Mondays-Tuesdays-Wednesdays-Thursdays after school 2:00-3:00, with the exception of the once a month faculty days held mostly on Mondays. Students wishing to stay will need a blue Homework Center form signed by a teacher with a specific assignment/project to work on and the parent/guardian signature. See or email Ms. Kennen for permission slips and with questions. mailto:akennen@oxps.org .

The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is an organization that recognizes middle school students for their academic excellence, character, citizenship, leadership, and service. Students with qualifying grades and conduct/citizenship are invited to apply annually.

Are you interested in reading some great books? How about discussing and sharing your favorite books with other students? If so the Book Club may be for you.

The book club will run after school on the dates below from 2:00-3:00 in the OMS Library with Ms. Kennen.

Book Club Dates for the fall:

October 17 and 31, November 7 and 21; December 5 and 19

See or email Ms. Kennen for more information about the club's next book and next meeting. akennen@oxps.org . Students wanting to stay will need to submit permission slips.

Do you like to sing? Do you like to act? Or maybe you love creating scenery or helping behind the scenes. Don't miss out on being a part of this year's OMS Musical Production! Auditions for speaking roles were on Thursday 9/19 and Friday 9/20 after school in the auditorium. Students only needed to stay for one day to audition for a speaking role. Speaking role info is posted outside the auditorium and the cafeteria. Missed it but still want to participate? Please see Ms. Nasis in room 285 or email her mailto:cnasis@oxps.org . The rehearsal schedule is copied below. Ms. Nasis will be creating a Google Classroom and invite all students affiliated with the production.

Are you interested in having a voice to help plan events and activities for OMS? Student Council may be for you. Students interested in pursuing student council must complete recommendation forms and submit to Ms. Granger. Please see or reach out to student council adviser, Ms. Granger with any questions mailto:cgranger@oxps.org .

Are you interested in art, exploring new art mediums, improving your artistic skills? Join Art Club! Art Club has limited space for 20 students per session. Art club will have 2 sessions as outlined below:

• Session 1 will run on Wednesdays September 18th through November 6th; Permission slip linked below. "Art Session 1 2024"
• Session 2 will run on Thursdays November 7th through January 8th

Fall Art Club Session 1 is now full. We will announce sign ups in late October for fall/winter Art Club.

• Please if you have not done so already, please return the health forms to the school nurse and send in a current physical with update immunization records It is important we have update information in our system.
• Those wanting to drop off medication for your child to take during the school year please contact me. You will need a doctor's order and a signed parent/guardian consent form when dropping off the medication. We cannot accept medication from a student. This includes students requiring inhalers and epipens.
• As we enter the colder New England months, we inevitably will have periods of cold and flu symptoms that will arise. Please see the attachment to help guide you with regard to protocols and suggestions for when to attend school and/or when students may need to stay home to recover.

Feel free to reach out anytime with questions or concerns: acronauer@oxps.org.

• Year round we have our apparel store open. We have all kinds of Oxford gear for families to choose from to show their Oxford Pirate Pride!
• In October we will sell the delicious BUTTER BRAIDS, beginning October 11th and ending on October 25th. The order will be in with a delivery right before Thanksgiving with a distribution date of November 22nd.
  

• January we will be hosting a Winter White Out dance (grades 6-8).

• And in March, the delectable NOTHING BUNDT CAKES will be sold.

The FOMS fall fundraiser is: Butter Braids!! Don't miss out on these delicious pastries that will arrive just in time for Thanksgiving.

• Sales run from October 11 - 25 with a firm pick up date of November 22nd 4:30-6pm at OMS
• Paper and online (https://my.mcmfundraising.com/signup/PZXX) orders accepted. The order form is attached below.
• Please contact us with any questions and thank you for your continued support! oxfordfoms@gmail.com

FOMS Spirit Wear Fundraiser

Want to be ready for the new school year with the latest Oxford and OMS gear? FOMS sponsors a year long OMS Spirit Wear Shop. You can order the latest in gear--t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts, outerwear, hats, and more! . All proceeds benefit FOMS, which in turn benefit our OMS students and programs. Please see the link below to order and the flyer below for more info. https://www.kerringraphics.com/customer_portal/login.html?ut=b174a64a-ac5d-43a5-bfa2-424393e5bc8d

FOMS Spirit Wear Shop has started to add club and team clothing as well, should your child have special interests. There are several options--short sleeve tshirts, long sleeve tshirts, tank tops, shorts, sweatpants, a variety of sweatshirts, bags and much more! Stay tuned for more clubs and sports to come, as they are being added every week!

Reminder about food/beverages brought to school: Please remember that we do not allow energy drinks, and we are a water only in classes and hallways. Please refrain from sending your students in with such things as Dunkin'' Donuts drinks to school as they are not permitted to go to class with them. Thank you.

Water Bottles: Please pack a refillable water bottle with your child daily and remind them to drink water throughout the day. With seasons changing and heat coming on soon, the air will be dryer and students will benefit from hydration. They are beginning to present with dry throats to the nurse yet are not consuming water. Please encourage this at home through discussions and packing a water bottle for them. Thank you!

Cell Phones/Earbuds/Personal Technology: As a reminder to families, OMS has an "Away for the day" cell phone/earbud/personal technology rule, which is outlined in our handbook and has been communicated to students as well. The expectation is that those personal technology items will remain in the student's bag or Chromebook case the entire day without coming out during the school day. Teachers have also been supplied hanging storage to store phones as well. Students are issued a Chromebook by Oxford Public Schools and do not have a need for personal technology in our building. Please know that students who are caught utilizing the technology have progressive behavioral responses from staff--store it as directed, turn over to staff and it remains in office for the day, repeated use will include only returning the device to a parent/guardian to pick up, and may include consequences if it persists. We recommend that the technology stay home or settings are set by you to disable the device during the school day hours so that it is not a temptation for students. If you have messages that need to get to students, please contact our main office at 508-987-6074 and we will get messages to students.

Parent Square:

Oxford Public Schools will be moving toward the free online app called Parent Square for all Communication. Please sign up now so that you don't miss out on any important communications from the schools or district, including weekly newsletters and weather related school cancellations, as we will be moving away from the One Call Now system this year. Go to the following link to get started: https://www.oxps.org/apps/news/article/1961166

Families who pick up in the afternoon: When arriving to pick up your child, please proceed to the student pick-up area, filling the lane that is curbside FIRST then go to the middle lane, then to the outer lane. This is important to not back up the rest of our driveway to other traffic as cars cannot see the other open lanes or get through when you park in the outer most lane first. Thank you for your continued assistance in following these guidelines to help us expedite student drop off and pick up and keep our students safe.

On Saturday, October 19th is Oxford Night at the Worcester Railers home-opener. OMS grade 7/8 chorus students will be singing The National Anthem. Game time is 6:05 and our OMS chorus will perform at 6:00. Ticket information is attached below in "Oxford Night Oct 19." We hope you can join us, wearing your Oxford Pride gear! Go Pirates, Go Railers! Link here for tickets: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Oxfordnight1

The 1st official fundraiser of the year for the Class of 2027 has started! We have partnered with Meadow Farms, an online store associated with many different well known companies. Please look at the store link and consider purchasing something to help your class. If you do not see anything you like, consider making a donation! Please let me know if you have any questions! mailto:edykstra@oxps.org

OHS yearbook has partnered with Savers to do a clothing and household item fundraiser. Please see the attachment below to see how you can help to do some fall cleaning, pay forward your unneeded items in good condition by donating, while also helping OHS Yearbook to fundraise to reduce cost of the OHS yearbook. Items to be donated may be dropped at Oxford High School.

Oxford Pollinators invite you to join them in the Pollinator Habitat Community Challenge. This challenge asks you to replace a portion of your lawn or hardscape and replace with native plants. Any size counts. The goal is to provide 1 acre of new native plantings overall in our community. Plantings can take the form of a wildflower meadow, small large garden, raised bed, deck planter, window boxes, etc. Please see the flyer below for more information.

We are partnering with the library to host a Seed Saving Presentation on Monday, October 28th , 6:30 p.m. at the Carbuncle Beach House. Please see and share the attached flyer. Here is the link to sign up for presentation: https://forms.gle/2dK6mnHQxi4dRoCH8

This presentation is the perfect introduction to the new Seed Library coming this spring to the Oxford Library! But we need seed donations to get it started - and fall is a great time to collect seeds.

Please consider supporting the OXPD Operation Santa efforts to supply area families in need of gifts and necessary items during the holiday season by attending the Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser at P & D Pizza on October 21, 2024 from 4:00-7:00 (dine in or take out). Donations are $10 per person. Tickets are on sale at the Oxford Police Department. Fill your bellies while helping to fill the hearts and needs of local families. See the flyer below for info.

• Are you getting text messages of our automated calls/texts/emails? If you are not currently receiving text prompts about school and district news, please send a message to the number 22300 and type ALERT in the message in order to receive texts in the future.
• Our District Calendar can be found via the following links:
• District School Day Calendar: https://4.files.edl.io/4acb/01/24/24/145713-e7ec4bb5-ee84-4575-880d-b5dc3f62160b.pdf
• District Events: https://www.oxps.org/apps/pages/district_calendars
• School Hours The link to the school hours is here: https://www.oxps.org/apps/pages/school_times
• • At OMS, doors will open to students (buses and drop-off) at 7:10--this is a change of 5 minutes from 23-24 school year. All OMS classes will begin at 7:20 a.m.
    
  • At OMS afternoon dismissal will run as follows: bus riders' dismissal 1:50; walkers, bike riders, and private transport dismissal 1:55
• Electronic Backpack: Please be sure to remember to check the electronic backpack for forms, letters, community announcements as well. The link to the electronic backpack for OMS is as follows: https://oms.oxps.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=2070226&type=d&pREC_ID=2128528
• School Transportation Information: https://www.oxps.org/apps/pages/transportation
• School Breakfast and Lunch Menu: https://www.oxps.org/apps/pages/food_menus