Otwell Middle School

Tuesday Night Lights with OMS Football 🏈

Miss Jones’ class enjoyed their first field trip to the City Center and delicious Sliceability!!

PICTURE DAY IS APPROACHING!

ATTENTION PARENTS & GUARDIANS:

Students-Don’t be a blank spot in the yearbook! Otwell’s school picture day is on Tuesday, September 17th. School portraits will be taken by BPI Photography and are a great way to preserve your child’s school memories. These pictures also serve as a school fundraiser, so please remember to participate.

Order forms will be be sent home with your student closer to the event, but for those who wish to order online using a debit or credit card, click our school’s prepay link below to order:

1. Online Prepay Purchase / Credit Cards:

https://bpiphotography.net/view-order-photos/

2. Cash or Check (with an order form, collected by a BPI photographer)

a. ONLY accepted on Picture Day

b. Cash - Exact Change only

c. Checks made payable to: BPI Photography

Pre-Orders are available through picture day, and those packages will deliver back to the school for your child to bring home. You CAN still order pictures after picture day all-year long, but post-picture day orders ship directly home, so there will be a residential shipping charge. BPI guarantees 100% satisfaction. If you are unsatisfied, upon return of your original package, you may receive a full refund. You may also have your student retake their picture on makeup day and BPI will reorder that package for you. Otwell’s makeup picture day is scheduled for October 22nd.

Questions regarding Otwell’s school picture day can be sent to msessa@forsyth.k12.ga.us.

Visit our photographer's website at www.bpiphotography.net or call (866) 363-6936 with questions. As always, thank you for your continued support!

https://www.otwellpto.com/omsspiritwear?category=Family%20Portrait%20Event

Purchase your fall photo session!! Dates are Oct 5th & 6th. Cost is $30 and includes a free 11x7 framed photo of your choice. Click here to purchase

Purchase your student's October locker decoration now! Only $10, click here to purchase

Chick-Fil-A Biscuit sales Sept 19th at car rider & bus drop off! All biscuits are $5.00, cash or Dawg Bone cards only!

Last chance to purchase your student a Chick-Fil-A Dawg Bone. Purchase here. Dawg bones is a pre-purchased punch card so you don't have to remember to give your student cash the morning of event.

Chick-Fil-A + Kona Ice Dawg Bone for $75

Chick-Fil-A only Dawg Bone for $50

Kona Ice Dawg Bones also available for only $25

Check out the latest episode of Bulldawgs Unleashed! In this episode we talk to our 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year, Ashley Mayabb.

Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2119366/15721530

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3r16pPIWeSVQ3YpHaSGd6e?si=gxUM6IFYQZOmbkr8zzTLWg

“We want to hear from you! Take a few moments and complete this short survey on possible topics that you want to hear discussed on our podcasts.”

https://forms.gle/EFb627q8Jn9LpAWcA

Bulldog Bites | Week of 9/9/24

Check out Season II/Episode 2 of Bulldog Bites! Bulldog Bites will keep you informed of the highlights happening each week at Otwell Middle School. In this episode, for the week of 9/9/24, we talk about:

· Junior Bulldog swim parent info (9/12)

· OMS Volleyball (9/11)

· Basketball workout info

· Drama dress rehearsal

· 9/11 remembrance/moment of silence

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2119366/15735713

Each month your child will be learning about different Digital Citizenship topics in their Synergy class. We would love for the conversation to continue at home about these topics. We will be providing resources for parents in our weekly newsletter.

This month’s topic is Digital Citizenship Overview. Please click the link below to Continue the Conversation about Digital Citizenship.

English: https://universal.neptunenavigate.com/public/ctc/player/otT8ofg3JkC1Wg2UtKCpxAMl32Ml32

Spanish: https://universal.neptunenavigate.com/public/ctc/player/2sbUGMr1duJhAzqrIRhTEQMl32Ml32

SCOLIOSIS SCREENINGS for all 6th and 8th grade students will be MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH. Students who are absent that day will be called up for the screening when they return to school.

Scoliosis screenings involve examination of the spine, therefore all students will need to remove their shirt for the screening. Girls are encouraged to wear a bra, sports bra or bathing suit top under their shirt on screening day. All efforts will be made to respect each student's privacy and modesty.

If you do not wish for your student to take part in the scoliosis screening at school, a parent/guardian must 'opt-out' by signing the refusal form electronically in Parent Portal (Campus Parent) or printing a paper copy and returning it to Nurse Michelle prior to screening day.

Additional information about Scoliosis, a printable version of the refusal form, and guidance on how to electronically refuse the screening can be found on the School Nurse webpage located here: https://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/Page/54763

Please feel free to reach out to Nurse Michelle via email if you have any questions: mwinsness@forsyth.k12.ga.us.

LOS EXÁMENES DE ESCOLIOSIS para todos los estudiantes de 6º y 8º grado serán el LUNES 16 DE SEPTIEMBRE. Los estudiantes que estén ausentes ese día serán llamados para la evaluación cuando regresen a la escuela.

Los exámenes de escoliosis implican un examen de la columna vertebral, por lo tanto, todos los estudiantes deberán quitarse la camisa para el examen. Se anima a las niñas a usar sostén, sostén deportivo o camiseta de traje de baño debajo de la camisa el día de la evaluación. Se harán todos los esfuerzos posibles para respetar la privacidad y modestia de cada estudiante.

Si no desea que su estudiante participe en la evaluación de escoliosis en la escuela, un padre/tutor debe "optar por no participar" firmando el formulario de rechazo electrónicamente en el Portal para Padres (Campus Parent) o imprimiendo una copia impresa y devolviéndola a Enfermera Michelle antes del día de la evaluación.

Puede encontrar información adicional sobre la escoliosis, una versión imprimible del formulario de rechazo y orientación sobre cómo rechazar electrónicamente la prueba de detección en la página web de la enfermera escolar ubicada aquí:https://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/Page/54763

Email Nurse Michelle with any questions or concerns: mwinsness@forsyth.k12.ga.us

Fill out this form if your child is absent

Llene este formulario si su hijo esta ausente

https://forms.office.com/r/wBSD2ypALk

• Please remember that NO outside food or drinks are allowed to be brought to the school

• Por favor recuerde que NO se permite traer a la escuela comida o bebidas del exterior

We had our Sources of Strength Adult Advisor training on 8/22 and our Peer Leader training on 8/27. We are looking forward to starting our Source of Strength program and planning our first schoolwide campaign. Look for more information coming about this in the future.

Sources of Strength

Camp MAGIK, a FREE healing camp for bereaved children and adolescents, who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or other close loved one, is announcing its fall 2024 camp session. This session will be held October 4-6. Applications need to be postmarked or emailed to us no later than September 20, 2024. We will provide free transportation to camp and back based on need.

Camp MAGIK - Fall Announcement 2024

Camp MAGIK - Fall Announcement 2024 en Español

There is a Law in Georgia, The BRIDGE Bill, that requires all students in 7th and 9th grade to be given the opportunity to complete an aptitude test and an interest profile that matches student to possible careers and career clusters. In Forsyth County, we use a program called YouScience to meet these requirements. In September, school counselors will start implementing these activities.

6th Grade:

Complete Career Cluster Inventory

7th Grade:

Complete Interest Profiler Inventory and Aptitude Assessments

Explore three career clusters

8th Grade:

Save three occupations/occupational information in student portfolio

Update Individual Graduation Plan

Receive Dual Enrollment information regarding earning College Credit in High School

For more information, please contact your school counselor or explore the following links.

https://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/Page/32899

https://www.gadoe.org/Technology-Services/Enterprise-Systems-and-Applications/SLDS/Pages/CounselorCompanion.aspx

Why movement is important for kids and how to motivate them.

Kids’ Fitness: How to Get and Keep Kids Active | Strong4Life

Saturday, September 7th

Horizon Christian Fall Invitational

https://ga.milesplit.com/meets/619474-horizon-christian-fall-cross-country-invite-2024

Tuesday, October 1st

Mountain Invitational

https://ga.milesplit.com/meets/625738-mountain-invitational-middle-school-2024

Science and Advanced Science: Thank you so much for sending in the items for our Edible Comet Lab. Please have everything here by Tuesday 9/17. We will be wrapping up Comets, Meteors, and Asteroids and having our summative tests next week before Fall Break.

Enrichment: We have continued exploring theme this week. Students took their September Lexile Check & there were major gains! Independent reading & conferences continue. If your child hasn't had a conference yet, don't worry - we will get to them!

Accelerated Math: Next week we will review our unit over factors, multiples, and operations with fractions. We will have our unit 2a test on Thursday.

Advanced Math: We will be adding, subtracting, and multiplying fractions next week. Please continue to check Canvas for resources.

Math: We will review and take our Unit 2A test on Thursday. This test will be over fractions, mixed numbers, GCF, LCM, and divisibility rules.

Advanced Social Studies: Students will begin our study of Europe learning about the geography, climate, and population distribution. Students will have a map quiz on Wednesday.

Social Studies: In Social Studies, we are beginning unit 2 about government and economics. During this unit, we will be going over the types of economic systems and the types of government. We will finish this unit by fall break.

Upcoming dates

9/18: Government Quiz

2/20: Unit 2 Test

Advanced ELA: Advanced ELA students have completed their novel projects. They practiced skills in formatting dialogue. This week, students will practice short narrative writing and summarizing narratives. On Thursday and Friday, students will read a new story and complete the Unit One summative assessment over narrative reading and writing skills. In addition, on Wednesday students will take their first vocabulary quiz in Membean. Please remind all students that every week they must complete three fifteen-minute training sessions in Membean.

ELA: We will complete our novel study of Flipped. The students are enjoying the book. We will apply our knowledge of character changes to enhance plot, thematic statements connected to the novel and summarize the events. We will take our final partial summative. Looking ahead to after Fall Break, we will begin learning about important writing elements such as sensory language and dialogue. Please support your child at home with Membean. This is an online vocabulary platform. Students are expected to complete 3-4 training sessions during the week for a total of 45-50 minutes per week, not day. Class time is given to complete some of this, but a few minutes of practice at home is appreciated!

Science with Mrs. Joseph, Mrs. Pennington, & Mrs. Roth

Students will begin a unit on cell processes including cell transport, mitosis, cellular respiration and photosynthesis. Students will begin a lab on osmosis and collect data all week for a lab report when we return from fall break.

Thank you for all of the lab supply donations!

Math with Mrs. Coley, Mrs. Kittrell, Mrs. Moore, & Mrs. Smallwood

Students will be completing unit 1B summative. They will have been given a study guide and reviewed in class. Extra resources can be found on Canvas.

Advanced Math with Mr. Bruce

Next week we will solve equations with only one solution, no solutions, & infinite solutions. Then we will move into solving 1 step, 2 step, & multi-step inequalities.

Accelerated Math with Ms. Moore

We are currently working on our Geometry unit. We have been finding the area, volume & surface area of prisms & cylinders and the area & circumference of circles. Next week we will cover angles. I would love to test this unit before the break, but we may not make up. Updates coming soon!!! Enjoy the beautiful weather!!!

Social Studies with Ms. Foley, Mrs. Perkins, & Mrs. Jaeger

Next week we will continue our study of the history of the Middle East. We will be discussing the creation of Israel, Arab/Israeli conflicts, and US Involvement in the Middle East. Our next summative assignment (75% of grade) will be our Unit 2 test on Friday, October 4th. Please be sure to monitor Canvas for important formative and summative updates as well as useful resources.

ELA with Mrs.Lazaro, Mrs. Jaeger, Mrs. Wolff, & Mrs. Sturtevant

Students have just completed the Unit 1 test, and next week we will have reteach and retest sessions for those needing to retake it. We are also introducing the final summative assignment for Unit 1: the narrative essay, which will be due before fall break on 9/20. Please remind your child to stay on top of their work as we finish the unit strong!

8th Grade Field Trip:

Students will be going on a field trip to the Funk Heritage Center at Reinhardt University on either October 22nd or 23rd depending on their synergy class. This trip provides a hands on experience for students to better understand the American Indians that lived in Georgia, and the tough life that settlers experienced when coming to America. This trip cost $15. Please pay via School Pay before October 11th. A permission slip was sent home on Thursday, 8/22.

Spanish:

We will continue our unit on school supplies and classroom items. There is a vocabulary quiz on Monday 9/16. We will also work on decorating the room for Hispanic Heritage Month, which we will celebrate the next few weeks.

Georgia Studies (Kaiser):

Next week in Ms. Kaiser's Georgia Studies class, we will be finishing Unit 3 which is over Colonial Georgia. The students will spend the beginning of the week completing their Colonial Menus. Once these assignments have been completed we will start to review for the Unit 3 test on Thursday. This test will consisted of constructed written responses on different topics the unit is focused on. Students need to make sure to study their success criteria questions, so that they can do their best on the test. There will also be a review Gimkit posted in Canvas that the students can use to review for the test. On Friday, we will be having our Colonial Dinner Party in class. Parents, please check your email for an email with a sign up genius sheet to sign up for donations for this fun activity to end Unit 3 with. Thank you to those parents who have already offered to provide materials and those parents who plan to. If you are donating some items, please be sure to send them in with your child before Thursday the 19th.

Advanced Georgia Studies:

Monday students will [participate in a Socratic smackdown debating the question of “Was the colony of Georgia a success or a failure?”. Students will use documents to support their claims. We will celebrate Constitution Day on Tuesday and continue to work on our self-paced Colonial GA Menu. The menu assignments are due on Thursday 9/19. Our test is also that day and will be constructed response. Friday, 9/20 is our colonial GA dinner party. Thanks to everyone who is donating supplies. Please send them by Thursday!

Science:

In science students will continue to learn about the periodic table of elements (PTE) and its trends. The trends quiz will be on Tuesday 9/17 and the test on Friday 9/20. If students know they will be absent those days, please have them contact their teacher about the best day to make up the assessment before fall break.

ELA (On-level & Advanced):

Next week students will continue to work on their narrative writing pieces. Final pieces are due on Friday, September 20th.

Advanced Math:

This week the Advance students will be modeling the real-world application for linear equations and analyzing a linear graph being able to analyze, graph, create a linear function. Then they will be able to analyze and create a function of an arithmetic Sequence.

On Level Math:

On-Level math will be continuing to practice graphing lines and writing equations for lines in slope-intercept form. Our Unit 2 Test will be Thursday, 9/19.

Accelerated Math:

Accel Math will be reviewing linear functions and have a quiz on Tuesday, 9/17. We will also review systems of equations and linear inequalities.

https://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/domain/1752

Georgia Highlands Medical Center is excited to announce their partnership with Otwell Middle School!! see attachment below for more information.