OMS Friday Knight Live

1. Blue Valley Welcomes Dr. Chapman
2. Help OMS Green Team with our bench!
3. PTO & OMS Need You!
4. OMS State Assessments Next Week
5. Coming Up @ OMS

After a comprehensive national search and meaningful engagement with the community, the Blue Valley Board of Education is honored to announce the unanimous selection of Dr. Gillian Chapman as the district’s next superintendent.

“I am honored to join a community where students are at the heart of every decision,” said Dr. Chapman. “Blue Valley’s commitment to academic excellence, personalized learning and strong community partnerships aligns closely with my values. I look forward to listening, learning and building meaningful relationships as we work together to support every student’s success in school and life."

Dr. Chapman currently serves as superintendent of Teton County School District #1 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Before that, she served in the Shawnee Mission School District for 21 years, including 10 years in district-level leadership and seven years in building-level leadership. With more than 25 years of educational leadership experience, she brings a proven track record of championing student-centered innovation, developing staff recruitment and retention programs, leading strategic planning efforts and overseeing facilities and infrastructure growth. Dr. Chapman will officially begin as superintendent on July 1, 2025.

To learn more about Dr. Chapman’s announcement, visit the Incoming Superintendent webpage.

1,000 pounds = a New Bench! The Green Team has collected 784 pounds of recyclable plastic film!! We need 116 more pounds to earn a new bench for the courtyard! Can you donate plastic grocery bags, plastic soda case covers, dry cleaning plastic, plastic mulch bags, Amazon plastic shipping envelopes, bubble wrap, ziploc bags, bread bags, or any other plastic film that stretches when you push on it.

The PTO has the following positions open next year. We need your help to provide for our students and staff. Please email Janie Snider at jmlogansnider@gmail.com or Laura Phelps at lauraphelps001@gmail.com if you would like more information about any of the following openings:

1. Spirit Wear - work with the printing company over the summer so that spirit wear is available for orders in August. This position is very flexible and can be done on your own time.

2. Communications/Social Media - work with the PTO Board members and Committee Leaders to promote events on social media, and in the school newsletter. This position can be done on your own time, and would require no more than one hour per month.

3. Trivia Night Coordinator - plan the annual trivia event which involves booking the venue, setting up the event, and cleaning up after the event. This position can be done on your own time, and would require attending the trivia night event.

4. Restaurant Fundraiser Coordinator - plan one restaurant fundraiser per month and post signs at the school for each event. This position can be done on your own time, and would require about one hour per month.

5. Concessions Coordinator - stock the concession stand, and coordinate volunteers for home games. This would be great for three or four friends to do together, and requires availability between 3pm and 5pm during home games.

6. Vice President - this person would attend the monthly meetings, and assist the co-Presidents with various school events. This volunteer would be in line to step into the President role the following school year.

You can help your student do their best by:

• Being on time to school on these dates (7:51 a.m.)
• Avoiding appointments if possible
• Making sure your student(s) eat breakfast that morning
• Reminding your student(s) to charge their Chromebook the night before assessments
• Reminding your child how important it is to do their best

Thank you for all you do to support OMS!

April 15- 6-8 Kansas State Math Assessment

April 16- 6-8 Kansas State Reading Assessment

April 30- iReady Math Assessments

Middle school is a crucial time for developing consistent attendance habits. Patterns of absenteeism can begin to emerge during these years, and once established, they can be difficult to break. When students start missing school regularly, it becomes easier to fall into a cycle of absences, which impacts their academic progress and social involvement.

We encourage families to monitor their student’s attendance closely and address any emerging patterns early. By setting expectations for consistent attendance, students can develop strong habits that will benefit them throughout their educational journey.

This month’s articles include strengthening writing skills, social media responsibilities, the value in student community contributions, home alone plans, exhibiting respect, and so much more!

Click HERE for the April 2025 Parents Still Make a Difference Newsletter

Who: OMS 8th Grade Students

What: 8th Grade Celebration

When: Thursday, May 22nd 9:00 a.m.

Where: OMS Gymnasium

Why: We are excited to celebrate the OMS 8th grade class of 2025!

8th Grade Celebration Email from Mrs. Domoney 4.4.25

Dear OMS Families,

We are excited to offer a unique way to celebrate your 8th grader's graduation and their upcoming transition to high school! The BVNW Theatre Department is selling graduation signs for just $15 each. Choose from two vibrant designs:

• "Congratulations, Graduate!"
• "Future Husky!"

These signs are a great way to show your pride and support for your student as they take this important step. By purchasing a sign, you are also helping to support our Theatre Department!

⬇️ Fill out this Google Form and place your order today! ⬇️

All OMS payments must be turned into the OMS office by April 14th.

Thank you for your support!

Sydney Kohart
BVNW Theatre Department

BVNW Color Guard Auditions are April 14 - April 17. See information fliers below.

Click HERE for the Color Guard Clinic information

Click HERE for Color Guard Audition Information

On Thursday, all 8th grade students received a paper copy of the information regarding the WWI Museum field trip. Students will bring sack lunches or order a sack lunch from the cafeteria. Students must have a signed permission slip and school sack lunch orders completed by Friday May 2 at 3:00pm.

Click HERE for 8th grade field trip information, permission slip, sack lunch order form

8th grade students must turn in their Chromebook and charging cords on Tuesday May 20th. Students who do not turn in these items will be charged as follows: $250 for Chromebook and/or $20 for charging cord. The black Chromebook cases do not need to be returned. Students who will not be in school on Tuesday May 20 may turn their Chromebook and cord into Mrs. Elford in the office (Not to teacher, Not to library, Not to registrar) by May 19th.

Students who do not turn in a Chromebook will not receive a MacBook at Blue Valley Northwest.

8th graders who are taking a Blue Valley Summer School class may keep their chromebook and charger if a parent/guardian emails TAElford@bluevalleyk12.org before Friday May 16.

All OMS students are invited to a math competition hosted by Blue Valley Southwest High School on April 15. $10 per student and registration closes April 8. Click HERE for information and to register.

The PTO needs our help with concessions at the 3 home track meets! Our students and guests love having drinks and snacks available! Grab a friend and help earn money for the PTO. Can you help April 14, April 24, and May 1?

Click HERE for Track Meet Concession Sign Up

Our Green Team is sponsoring a challenge to collect 1,000 pounds of plastic film to keep it out of our landfills and oceans. What is plastic film? Plastic grocery bags, soda case plastic wrap, bread bags, ziploc bags, newspaper sleeves, dry cleaning bags, and so much more!

Once the 1,000lb limit has been collected, it will be recycled into an outdoor bench for our courtyard!

Current Plastic Weight Turned In: 681 Pounds 3.28.25

Pull Tabs/Pop Tabs are being collected to help raise money for the local Ronald McDonald House. Pull those tabs from soda, vegetable, soup, fruit, tomato sauce cans and so many more!

Current Pop Tab Weight Turn In: 51 pounds 3.28.25

Click HERE for the OMS Student Made Recycling Video

Ensuring our students' and staff's safety and well-being remains our highest priority. As we near the end of the school year, we want to take a moment to thank our families for their partnership. Your support and conversations at home have made a meaningful impact on student behaviors, reinforcing the importance of making good choices and reporting concerns appropriately.

How We Address Threats

We take every report of a threat seriously–whether that threat is made on social media, in person or through another means. Our administrators work closely with our Safety and Security team and local law enforcement to investigate each case thoroughly. This process includes reviewing past behavior, gathering input from families, and conducting interviews. If a credible threat is identified, we will immediately notify staff and families. You can learn more about our safety protocols and threat assessment process on our district website.

Partnering to Keep Schools Safe

This spring, we will continue our informational graphics through Canvas for grades 6-12 about the real consequences of making threats. Even offhand comments or social media posts can have serious repercussions, including school disciplinary action or legal consequences. It’s important for students to think before they post or speak.

We encourage families to listen to our fall 2024 BV Unmuted podcast episode: Understanding Threats and Their Consequences. In this episode, former Interim Chief Simon Happer (Overland Park Police Department), Dan Carney (Director of Safety & Security), and Dr. Katie Collier (Deputy Superintendent for Learning) discuss how Blue Valley ensures a safe and secure learning environment.

🎙️ Listen here: BV Unmuted: Understanding Threats and Their Consequences

How You Can Help

• Report Concerns: Please remind your student to report any concerning behavior to school staff or use our online reporting system.

• Avoid Spreading Rumors: Social media can spread misinformation and create unnecessary anxiety. Instead of sharing posts, report them directly to school administrators or law enforcement with as much detail as possible.

Your partnership plays a vital role in maintaining a safe school environment. Thank you for your ongoing trust and support.

OMS families, Oak Hill is asking you to remind your students that they may not go on the Oak Hill playground or track when OMS is dismissed at 3:00pm. Elementary school is still in session and middle school students are not allowed on Oak Hill grounds. Students will be asked to leave the OHE track and playground.

The OHE playground is available at 6:00 p.m. when Y Care has ended.

As spring arrives please have students prepared to go outside for PE. There will be days when PE classes will be outside on the track or football field. Students should have athletic shoes (always) and hoodies and pants if needed.

Students should also be prepared to wait outside the building before the doors open at 7:15am.

Coffee Bar Donations!

The OMS PTO needs your help stocking the staff coffee bar. Please click the link to sign up. All items can be dropped off at the school office next week. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4FAFAC2AAAF85-55263372-omsstaff

Restaurant Fundraisers - Save the Dates!

The OMS PTO has planned three more restaurant fundraisers, please save the following dates and help support the PTO! All proceeds will be used for staff support and end of year student activities.

· Chipotle, 7040 W. 135th Street, April 8th.

· Tropical Smoothie Cafe, 7592 W. 119th Street, May 6th.

SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, is a program to help families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer. Families will get a one-time benefit of $120 per year for each eligible child to help buy groceries during the summer months.

For more information, visit https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/Food/sunbucks.aspx

Have you ever wondered how to monitor your child’s usage on their Blue Valley device? We have parent tools that allow you to receive notifications to ensure your child is using their device safely. School staff members monitor these devices during the school day and intervene, when necessary. However, parents can receive alerts if concerns arise when students use devices after school hours–including weekends and school breaks. Check out the Securly Home Parent Portal App here.

Please refer to the OMS website for the 2nd Semester Clubs and Activities. In addition ASK, after school homework sessions, have also changed. ASK takes place Monday-Thursday from 3-4 p.m.

Parents/Guardians please do not bring in restaurant or fast food for your student for lunch. If your student is coming in late or returning from an appointment please have them eat lunch before they return to OMS. Restaurant/fast food is not allowed in the cafeteria.

OMS families, every school has procedures in place for the safety of our students and to provide the best learning environment for everyone. Each year we check and update our procedures on everything from forgotten lunches,no outside restaurant food, to visitors in the building. Please refer to our 2024 2025 Student Planner, our School Information or Families tabs on the OMS Website, or our Parent Reference Sheet for our How-To’s including:

• Reporting an Absence

• Dropping off forgotten homework, shoes,lunches, etc

• No outside restaurant food

• Visitors in the building

• Sports eligibility

• Lunch money accounts

• So much more!

Families of bus riders, please sign up for Durham Bus Services notifications. Get the information if your student’s bus is late or going to be in a different numbered bus. Click HERE for Durham’s Website and Textcaster Link

Blue Valley Schools is committed to promoting and fostering a safe environment in and around all our schools. We are continuously working to prevent, mitigate, respond to and recover from a wide range of situations. Please check out available ways to report safety concerns.

OMS Families, please share any candid photos you take during the school year This is for the yearbook so:

• No blurry or out of focus shots

• Upload a few shots (but no duplicates please)

• Please put in folder associated with your grade or event

• OMS events only

• .jpg or .png ONLY (no .HEIC)

Click HERE to upload photos for the 2024 2025 Yearbook

OMS has many clubs and activities before and after school. Look at our Activities page for clubs starting next week and check back often for updates. Click HERE for OMS Activities page

Click HERE for 24 25 Club Listing by Day

OMS families, every school has procedures in place for the safety of our students and to provide the best learning environment for everyone. Each year we check and update our procedures on everything from forgotten lunches to visitors in the building. Please refer to our 2024 2025 Student Planner, our School Information or Families tabs on the OMS Website for everything including:

• Reporting an Absence

• Dropping off forgotten homework, shoes, etc

• Visitors in the building

• Outside/restaurant food

• Sports eligibility

• Lunch money accounts

• So much more!

For students who do not receive bus transportation, families may fill out this form to see if other families near them are interested in arranging a carpool. Anyone who fills the form out will want to check regularly for new additions. Families who use this form will reach out to other parents and guardians on this form to arrange any carpools.

OMS Carpool Interest Form

Please help our OMS carline move smoothly by following the OMS traffic loop. All cars enter the parking lot through the south entrance and exit through the south entrance.

Parents/Guardians may NOT drop kids off in our south parking lot. This creates a safety hazard for staff entering and exiting the parking lot before and after school. Thank you for keeping our community safe!

Bell Schedules & Calendar / Bell/Class Schedules (bluevalleyk12.org)

OMS FAQs: student handbook, lockers, etc.

Building & Traffic Flow Map

OMS Staff Directory

Want to keep up on the latest OMS announcements and information? Check out the NEWS section on the OMS website. NEWS is located under the About Us tab.

Click HERE for OMS NEWS

Attendance Number: 913-239-5505

Mrs. Domoney, Principal: cdomoney@bluevalleyk12.org

Mr. Holsapple, Assistant Principal: jholsapple03@bluevalleyk12.org

OMS Calendar

OMS School Website

OMS Library Homepage