A big round of applause—and a standing ovation—for our talented cast, crew, and the amazing Mr. Shoro, our drama director, for bringing She Kills Monsters to life! It was an absolute joy to see all your hard work and dedication pay off in such a spectacular way. 👏👏👏

Check out the photos below, and stay tuned for updates on our spring musical—it’s sure to be another show-stopper! 🎭✨

Dear Oak Middle School Families,

We are always looking for ways to connect our students with experiences that inspire, educate, and prepare them for the future. This past week was filled with exciting opportunities for career exploration, allowing our students to learn from professionals in a variety of fields.

On Thursday, we welcomed over 50 scientists from Discovery Education and Charles River Laboratories. Through their engaging presentations and hands-on activities, students gained a deeper understanding of some different careers in STEM.

On Friday, we were honored to host Captain Mailman from the Worcester County Sheriff's Department. He shared insights into his career in law enforcement.

These experiences align closely with one of Oak Middle School’s and Shrewsbury Public Schools’ strategic goals: exposing students to a variety of careers and helping them envision their future. By meeting with professionals from different industries, our students can explore their interests (identify things that they are not interested in), make connections, and imagine the possibilities that lie ahead.

We are looking for a guest speaker for this Friday - November 22nd, to continue building on this exciting initiative. If you or someone you know is interested in sharing your career journey with our students, please don’t hesitate to reach out (more information below).

As a reminder, Cycle 2 and Trimester 1 will end on Tuesday, November 26th. This is a great time for students to review their progress, complete any outstanding assignments, and prepare for a fresh start in the next cycle and trimester.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to prepare our students for success. 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

Lunch and Learn Guest Speakers Needed for Oak Middle School,

Oak Middle School is starting its own "Lunch and Learn" speaker series and we are looking for guest speakers. We are especially looking for a guest speaker for Friday, November 22nd.

Modeled after the Shrewsbury High School "Lunch and Learn” program, the OMS Lunch and Learn is designed to provide our middle school students with valuable opportunities to explore and learn more about potential future careers. Guest speakers will meet with students at Oak Middle School, during the 5 lunch periods between 11:10am - 1:15pm. An overview of the Lunch and Learn program can be found here and the registration form is here. A schedule of open time slots can be found here. Contact Kathleen Keohane, kkeohane@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us with any questions. Thank you!

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

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.

Shrewsbury Public Schools is in need of Substitute School Nurses to care for students on field trips and in school health offices. Candidates must hold a valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state of Massachusetts (M.G.L. c.71, s.53), current CPR certification, AED training from a recognized provider (such as the American Red Cross or American Heart Association), a strong knowledge and demonstrated skill in working with children and/or young adults, and a desire to be part of a collaborative school community. The current hourly rate for substitute nurses is $37.50/hr. Interested individuals should contact Noelle Freeman, Director of School Nursing at nfreeman@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us for further details.

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.

21 - No BCOEI

26 - Grades Close

26 - No Homework Due Monday December 2nd, no quizzes, tests or other assessments on December 2nd

27 -28 -29 - Thanksgiving Break

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