FALCON FLYER

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OTMS Families,

I am resending this important communications from last week as some of you may have missed it or not received it as you are new to Overland Trail. School starts next week with 6th grade orientation on Monday morning followed by the first day of school for all students on Tuesday.

Please watch for a NEW back-to-school edition of the Falcon Flyer tomorrow, Friday, August 9.

Monday, August 5

12-1 PM Meeting for Parents/ Students New to the Blue Valley District

1-4 PM Falcon Take Off (drop-in event)

Monday, August 12

7:51-10:00 AM 6th Grade Transition

3:30-4:30 PM Football Equipment Checkout

Tuesday, August 13

7:51 AM -3:00 PM First Day of School

Wednesday, August 14

5:00-5:45 PM Fall Athletic Meeting

6:00 PM Back to School Night

Monday, August 19

First Day of Practice for Fall Sports

Monday, September 2

No School Labor Day

Tuesday, September 3

No School-Staff Professional Learning

Dear Falcon Families,

As we get ready to start the new school year, we are excited to welcome both returning and new students and families to our vibrant school community. The start of this academic year brings fresh opportunities, and we are eager to work together to make it a fun, memorable, and successful journey for every student.

Throughout the year you will see, hear and feel 3 core ideas that will define us now and in the future: Achieve, Believe, and Inspire. These ideas will guide our approach to education and our commitment to fostering a nurturing and dynamic learning environment.

Achieve: At the heart of our mission is the commitment to academic excellence and personal growth. We aim to support each student in reaching their full potential, both in and out of the classroom. Through innovative teaching methods, personalized support, and a rich curriculum, we strive to help every student achieve their goals and exceed their expectations.

Our Mission: Cultivating an environment of academic and social growth for all through positive relationships, collaboration, and empathy.

Believe: We believe in the power of self-confidence and perseverance. Our goal is to instill a strong sense of self-belief in our students, encouraging them to embrace challenges and view them as opportunities for growth. By fostering a positive and supportive atmosphere, we aim to build a foundation of resilience and self-worth that will empower students throughout their lives.

Inspire: Inspiration is the driving force behind curiosity and creativity. We are dedicated to creating an environment that sparks enthusiasm and motivates students to explore their passions and interests. By encouraging a love of learning and celebrating achievements, both big and small, we hope to ignite a lifelong passion for knowledge and discovery.

As we begin this school year, we invite you to join us in this journey. Your involvement and support are crucial in helping us achieve our shared goals. Together, we can create an enriching educational experience that will help our students thrive. We look forward to working with you and your children to make this a remarkable year. Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to our school community.

Lastly, please take a moment to review the information in this newsletter. As a member of the Falcon Community, you will receive a new Falcon Flyer Newsletter every Friday as well as additional communications about school at various times during the week. As we prepare for the first full day of school for all students on Tuesday, August 13, you will be receiving email & text updates with important information. Please make sure your ParentVue contact information is accurate (including emails and phone numbers). I also encourage you to check out our school website for the latest updates.

It's always a great day to be a Falcon!

Dr. Trent Stern, Proud OTMS Principal

If your student is new to the Blue Valley School District, we will host a special presentation for new families beginning at 12:00 in the commons on August 5 prior to Falcon Takeoff.

This event is a scheduled presentation that will begin at noon. It is not a drop-in event and is intended for families NEW to Blue Valley, however all are welcome. During this time, you will have the opportunity to connect with other families, meet school administration, counselors, and other support staff. After the presentation, students will be able to take pics, check out their lockers, etc. If you have questions, please call us at 913-239-5400.

Falcon Takeoff is a time for students and their families to drop by OTMS between the hours of 1-4 to

• Have your child’s school yearbook picture taken. See below for ordering information.
• Get locker assignment, try new combination, and decorate the inside of the locker (if desired). Students will use lockers this year but only access them before and after school or at lunch. Students will need to carry a backpack throughout the day. Rolling backpacks not allowed without permission from Dr. Stern
• Meet school administrators.
• Stop by the PTO booth and inquire about membership, volunteering, and investing in OTMS for 24-25.
• Purchase Kona Ice.
• Explore the building. This can help ease the anxiety of all students as they transition from the summer and possibly to a new environment.
• Pick up pre-ordered school supplies.
• Note: dressing out for PE is now optional. We no longer sell PE uniforms; however, students should always have the appropriate shoes for gym class and wear clothes that allow them to fully participate in any activity.

Please make sure you have registered your child for the new school year. Registration is required in order to receiver locker. Registration is online. Save time by completing prior to Falcon Takeoff. Fees can also be paid online after you register.

If you cannot make this date, lockers will be given out the first day and yearbook pictures will be made up Friday, September 27. Class schedules will be distributed to incoming 6th graders on August 12 at 6th grade orientation. (Orientation is for students only. They will receive schedules, meet teachers, and learn how to navigate the school.) Grades 7 and 8 may view their schedules on the afternoon of August 12 through StudentVue or ParentVue. They will receive a paper copy on the first day of school.

School Portraits Ordering:

School portraits can be paid for in advance using the following link or on the day of the event. Save time by ordering in advance. If you miss this date, we will offer another opportunity on Friday, September 27. To place your order in advance, click on the link below. Then click on the “event name” and enter the passcode 7140.

Overland Trail Middle Fall Portraits 2024

Passcode: 7140

Volunteers Needed for Falcon Takeoff on 8.5

OTMS PTO is an invaluable partner to our school and assists us with Falcon Take off each year. If you are interested in volunteering (jobs include passing out supplies, helping families move around the building, keeping the picture line moving, and more), then please click on the following link to volunteer your time. We truly cannot do this without you.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409094EA9AB2DA2FD0-50191528-falcon

Left to Right: Sarah Pope, Instructional Design Coach; Meaghan Graber, Assistant Principal; Jamie Wang, Chinese World Language; Dr. Trent Stern, Principal; Tara Alexander, 6th Resource; Taylor Sieperda, PE; Claire Pan, Chinese Language Arts; Tracy Gay, FACS; Crystal Carter, 7th Math; Katie Clark, 7th Resource; Tricia Lintz, 6th Math, Dr. David Sharp, Administrative Consultant; Laura McGuire, Spanish

We are excited to welcome our new administrative consultant, Dr. David Sharp, to our Falcon school family. As administrative consultant, Dr. Sharp will be working closely with our team to enhance school operations, support our amazing staff and foster a positive and enriching learning environment for all our students. We’re excited about the valuable insights and enthusiasm Dr. Sharp brings to our school. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Sharp to OTMS!