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Oak Middle School
Monday, May 27, 2024
Talent Show Audition
Dear Oak Middle School Families,
Happy Memorial Day weekend! Thank you to all the heroes who courageously gave their lives for our freedom.
The Day of Awesomeness has been rescheduled to June 12.
A huge thank you to the PTO for organizing the Harlem Wizards game event. The gym was packed, and although it was hot, everyone had an absolute blast. There are already plans to do it again next year!
As we head into the final three weeks of the school year, we have an action-packed schedule ahead. Please check out the important dates below.
Please reach out with any questions or concerns as our goal is to work together to make sure each and every child has a wonderful year at OMS.
In partnership,
Hallie Burak
Principal
508-841-1210
Scott Yonker
Assistant Principal Grade 7
508-841-1213
Michelle Dillon
Assistant Principal Grade 8
508-841-1205
Attention: 8th Grade Girls Interested in Playing Soccer at SHS
8th grade girls who are interested in participating in soccer at the high school next fall come meet your captains, sign up for summer league and summer training. Meeting will be held in the Oak Cafeteria on Tuesday, May 28 at 3:15.
What are 8th Grade Celebrations?
The 8th grade celebrations are organized by team, with families invited to attend these special events. Each celebration starts at 12:30 PM and runs for about an hour. After the event, most students leave with their families.
The celebration includes speeches from teachers and administrators, as well as selected performances from students, highlighting the team's achievements and memorable moments from the past year. Awards are presented to students, recognizing their academic excellence and extracurricular involvement.
Save the Dates!
May
May 27: No School - Memorial Day
May 28: No Homework Due
May 28: SHS Girl's Soccer Meeting @ 3:15 Oak Cafeteria
May 29: Oak Talent Show
May 30: Advisory Day
June
June 4: 8th Grade Team Celebration @ 12:30 PM- Teal
June 5: 8th Grade Team Celebration @ 12:30 PM- Blue
June 6: 8th Grade Team Celebration @ 12:30 PM- Gold
June 6: 7th Grade Field Day
June 7: 8th Grade Team Celebration @ 12:30 PM - Red
June 10: 8th Grade Team Celebration @ 12:30 PM - Green
June 10: 7th Grade Field Day (Rain Date)
June 11: 8th Grade Field Day
June 11: 8th Grade Carnival
June 12: Day of Awesomeness
June 12: 8th Grade Field Day (Rain Date)
June 12: 7th Grade Awards @ 1:30
June 13: Last Day of School
Photos of the Week
8 Red NLE winners
8 Gold NLE winners
The Wizards Game
8th Grade - A Midsummer Night's Dream Selfie
Bus Registration
Reminders
Attendance: It is important to remind families of the Massachusetts laws around student attendance and absenteeism. The Massachusetts’ compulsory school attendance law (G.L. c. 76, § 1) outlines attendance requirements for students between the ages of 6-16. Section 1B of this law outlines the requirements of the school principal to notify and meet with the families of any student who has 5 or more unexcused absences. You may receive a notification from the school regarding your child’s attendance thus far this school year. Massachusetts defines chronic absenteeism as a student who misses 10% or more of days they are enrolled- regardless of whether or not these days are excused or unexcused. Consistent school attendance is critical for many reasons. We will be reviewing student attendance and identifying steps to support our students who are trending toward chronic absenteeism.
Child Safe Procedures: If your child is going to be absent or late to school, we require that you telephone us either the night before or first thing in the morning on the day of the absence. Parents/guardians should call 508-841-1200 and select 1 at the prompt for the Oak Attendance Line. We ask that you spell your child(ren)'s first and last name slowly and clearly. If we have not received a call to report an absence, the school will be in contact with the parent or emergency contact to confirm the child’s safety. Please help our busy office staff by always calling us when your child will be absent or tardy.
Just a reminder that if a child is absent from school, they cannot participate in any afterschool activities that day.
Early Dismissal: Should be the exception; a pattern of early dismissal interferes with student learning, teacher instruction, and important end of day routines for students. If you plan to dismiss your child, a parent/guardian must notify the office and your child's team teachers with either a note or email. Students are not allowed to call home to arrange for a dismissal.
iPad Use: Student iPads are a school owned device and should be used for learning purposes, not for personal use or gaming.
Cell Phone/Smart Watches: Student cell phones or other personal electronic devices (smart watches) are not allowed to be used during the school day. These are to be placed in a student locker or backpack when entering the building.
Late Bus Available: Mon/Weds/Thurs
We are now offering a FREE late bus services for students on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The buses will depart from SHS at 3:50pm and from the middle schools at 4:20pm. While there is no charge for this service, families will need to sign up for the late bus via the middle schools Google form. We ask that you sign up by noon on the day your child will take the bus. You will need to complete the Google form for each child in your family who will take the late bus. Go to the SPS website for more information.
The Oak Food Pantry
The Food For Families Food Pantry at OMS is open! This year we are offering 2 different options for families as we recognize that every situation is different. Any family, no matter how big or small the need, can access the pantry. It does not matter if your need is short term or long term, the pantry is here for you. We understand that food insecurity is on the rise and we want to help our OMS families.
Option 1 is our Weekender Program: Each Friday, students can pick up a bag from the health office that will include individual portion size foods for 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches, along with a sleeve of crackers and 2 snacks. (Breakfast may be small cereal boxes, breakfast bars, instant oatmeal, small shelf stable milk, instant breakfast packet, small pancake mix. Lunch will be small mac and cheese or other pasta cups, tuna fish, canned chicken, soups). This is meant to help families who need support when school is not in session on the weekends.
Option 2 is our Biweekly Program: Every other Friday, families will receive 2 bags of groceries, one with a minimum of 12 lbs of food (including food items for breakfast, lunch and dinner and rotating staple items like peanut butter, jelly, cooking oil, condiments) and the other with household items (paper towels, napkins, toothpaste, dish soap, laundry soap, trash bags, deodorant, bar soap, etc.) This program requires that an adult family member come to school and pick up the bags during school hours. The bags will be ready by 9:00 A.M. Friday morning of the pick up week, located in the health office.
For both programs, pickup is in the Health Office. This program is confidential and no documentation of need is required.
If you are in need please contact the OMS nurses by calling 508-841-1204 or emailing them at oaknurse@shrewbury.k12.ma.us. Referrals can be made by anyone. Please reach out if you are in need.
The Locker
The Locker is a donation based program housed at Oak that helps families in the district that could use support with clothing and personal care items. We are happy to help you in the most discreet way possible, information will be kept confidential. It would be helpful to have as much information you can provide in what you are looking for and what will be most useful to your family.
We recognize that each student has their own preferences in what they would like to wear as far as styles and colors. If your child would be interested in helping us select items, we can arrange for them to come to the neatly organized closet and choose their own items.
Items can be sent home with your student if they are comfortable or pick up can be arranged through the health office.
Please complete this form if you would like help: