OLHMS Update (9/24/24)

Did you know we are hosting a parent meeting about the math grading pilot this year?

OLHMS is participating in a math grading pilot for each of our grade levels this year. Families should expect to continue receiving standards based grades along with a high school equivalent letter grade in math. We will be hosting a parent meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, September 25th at 6:30pm in our OLHMS Cafetorium.

Parent Letter and Meeting Invitation.

We look forward to your partnership on this new mathematical journey!

OTUS Family Guide: Create a Family Account -

https://help.otus.com/en/articles/894649-family-guide-create-a-family-account

(Screenshots at top, and video at the bottom of the page)

OTUS Family Guide: Link a Student to Your Account -

https://help.otus.com/en/articles/894634-family-guide-link-a-student-to-your-account

(How to find student code)

Did you know that District 123 is embarking on a new strategic plan?

We encourage all District 123 community members—parents, students, staff, and residents—to share their perspectives and help shape the future of District 123 by taking the Community Survey for Strategic Planning. Survey Closes September 26, 2024

https://hyasurvey.com/D123

Did you know that individual IAR Assessment results have been sent home?

Individual student results for last year's IAR assessment were distributed to students last week. THIS D123 Parent Letter accompanied the individual results.

Mustang Families,

Our school community has been working extremely hard and we are very proud of scholars! Please remind students to follow our Mustang Musts of being responsible, safe and respectful. We have noticed our scholars levels of comfort increasing and reminder conversations at home solidify our partnership. Also, ask your scholar about the assessment and what they plan to do in the Winter and looking ahead to the Spring. Scholars will take part in goals setting over the next few weeks aligning to our D123 goal of 100% of our scholars demonstrating growth in Math and ELA as we prepare for Family conferences. These assessments provide great insight into our ability to best meet the needs of our scholars! We will also be starting the SAEBRS screener. This aids in our ability to meet our scholars social and emotions needs.

Here is our D123 SAEBRS Parent Letter and our D123 MTSS Parent Letter.

Speaking of support, here is the Class of 2025 Graduate Expectation Letter. This letter was distributed and discussed with our Class of 2025!

Our school community was made aware of a potential threat last week. Here is the Patch Article. This incident reflects an efficient and effective process. The ramifications of threats in person or on social media are taken very seriously and will result in school consequences and/ or criminal charges.

Drills: Will be running drills this week! Please talk with our scholars at home about the importance of taking drill serious and the significance for following the process. We will practice fire drills and lockdown drills this week. Here is some additional support!

Family Tips for Supporting Students

Before and After Lockdown Drills

Double Buzz: One of the additional security measures this year will be guests entering our school through the main entrance. Please know that guests will have to be buzzed into the building twice, waiting in the vestibule until they are greeted or buzzed into the main office.

We appreciate everyone's understanding and patience! We will also expect that all students, staff and guests wear designated ID's at all times.

We feel your frustrations and have been in constant communication with First Student Bus company about their timing and route efficiency. Thankfully, they are in the training process with a new driver to alleviate the stress on individual routes that have been double back. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 Family Conferences will be completely scheduled online via Skyward.

• K-5 families will have the opportunity to schedule conferences with their student's grade-level teacher, encore staff, and specialists.
• 6-8 families will have the opportunity to schedule conferences with their student's advisory teacher, encore staff, and specialists.

Beginning on October 1 at 10:00 am and ending on October 14 at 10:00 pm families can log into Skyward Family Access and pick their family conference time and date. Below you will find a series of resources to answer any questions you may have about Skyward Family Access. As always you can contact your school office if you have any additional questions about scheduling or a family conference.

• [VIDEO] How to Schedule Family Conferences as a Parent

• [DIRECTIONS] For Families

• [DIRECTIONS] For Families - Spanish Version

Teacher Assignments, Schedules and Transportation

Skyward Family Access is a great place to check on student balances, schedules, emergency contacts and all things student information!

Student Portal: Our Mustangs utilize the this site to access their Google Classrooms, Google Drive, Gmail, Skyward and student apps. This is also where daily announcements are posted for students. It is always a perfect conversation starter for our sometimes reluctant middle school communicators!

Ask your scholar to grab their Chromebook and check out the student home page along with their Google Classrooms for each course! Do you see any missing assignments?

Lunch Accounts: Make sure to check your child's lunch account on Skyward. Alcarte items are available for purchase. Scholars with negative balances will NOT be allowed to purchase any alcarte items. Thinking about lunch, if a student receives a lunch detention, they are given a bagged lunch and cannot purchase alarte items.

New State Flag: The contest is open to all ages and backgrounds and the committee is hoping to achieve maximum participation from Illinois residents, from kids to senior citizens. The submission dates are from September 3 to October 18, 2024.

Student Device Repair Program:

Your student's device is protected against accidental damage, theft, fire, flood, natural disasters, power surge and vandalism. If your child’s device needs repair, below are the costs associated with each incident during a school year:

• 1st incident - No Charge (one-time fee waiver)

• 2nd incident - $25.00

• 3rd incident - $50.00

Free & Reduced Lunch Reminder

The federal program allowing districts across the country to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students regardless of income has expired. At this time, the federal government has not extended the waivers for this school year to allow free meals for all students. As a result, schools across the nation will be reverting back to free and reduced-price meals based on income eligibility guidelines set by theU.S. Department of Agriculture. Families who do not qualify for free or reduced lunch will have to pay for school meals. Students whose families are eligible for free or reduced-price breakfast or lunch will be able to access meals this school year at no cost or a discounted rate. D123 will continue to explore ways we can help families with this adjustment since this may create a financial burden for some of our families. At no point would we ever want any child to go hungry at school. If you would like to apply for free or reduced priced meals, please click here.

Health Examination and Immunization Requirements

There are specific requirements for students entering preschool, kindergarten, second grade and sixth grade, as well as for all new students. Visit our Health Forms & Guidelines page for more information. Please note that these vaccinations and/or health examinations are required by state law.

• All incoming 6th Graders must have a physical and dental report on file.
• All 6th, 7th and 8th Graders interested in sports will need a sports physical to try out for teams.

• PTSA OPEN GYM: 10/10/24 from 6:00-7:30 PM

• Membership is $6.00 per student and $10.00 per adult

• PTSA Meetings are at 6:00pm monthly

• PTSA Meeting- October 7, 2024 at 6:00pm
  
• PTSA Spirit Gear- Order information coming soon!
  
• Reach out to Delecta Harris, our PTSA President for more information (olhmsd123ptsa@gmail.com )
  
• PTSA Facebook
  

• All parents/ guardians/ staff & students are highly encouraged to join the PTSA and attend meetings. This is an incredible opportunity, partnership and fun way to support our scholar’s experience at the middle school!

• If you are interested in supporting our school in a different capacity please reach out to our PTSA! Maybe you do not have the time to donate, but your contributions can still be made through your membership!

Dates to Remember:

9/25/24: Math Grading Pilot Parent Meeting

9/28/24: Oak Lawn Shred Event

10/1/24: Family Conference Sign Up begins (10:00AM on Family Access)

10/5/24: Walk for Literacy 6K

10/10/24: PTSA Open Gym

10/11/24: Fall Picture Retakes

10/17 & 10/18: Family Conferences

10/24/24: OLHMS High School Fair

11/8/24: Veteran's Day Assembly

11/16/24: D123 Leaf Raking

12/14/24: Feed Six

On Saturday, October 5th at 9:00am, District 123 will partner with the Tinogona Foundation for a "6K Walk for Literacy" to raise funds to build a library in Zimbabwe. This fundraising event is open to all staff, students, families, and community members. We are currently accepting registration forms and will be sending out staff volunteer information soon.

This summer, Mrs. McCarthy spent two weeks in Zimbabwe with Dr. Tererai Trent learning about her journey (video for staff only) and visiting her adopted schools. Additional information can be found here.

Oak Lawn - Hometown Middle School would like to invite you to join us in honoring our veterans on

Friday, November 8. Please encourage any veteran who is a neighbor, friend, or family member of

District 123 to attend and be honored at our annual assembly. Please take the time to fill out this

RSVP by Friday, October 25th if you plan on inviting a veteran to attend this event. The program will

be held in the main gymnasium at OLHMS from 9:30am - 10:30am. Our student body will be in

attendance, along with our band/chorus, and guest speakers. The event will be broadcasted live for

any member that is unable to attend.

Use this LINK for the invitation!

Oak Lawn Community High School

The Oak Lawn Junior Spartans Winter basketball program is for Oak Lawn area boys basketball players in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.

Tryouts and team formations will take place on Sunday, September 15th, from 7 – 8:30 pm in the school’s Main (Spartan) Gym.

There is also a makeup date on Wednesday, September 18, from 7 – 8:30 pm in the same location.

The program cost will be $500 per player, including uniforms. Returning players will receive a $50 discount. Our teams will practice twice a week here at OLCHS and play games on the weekends.

Please complete this Google Form to pre-register for Tryouts: https://forms.gle/AZp7V4AgJt8TGg2E7

If you have any questions about the Junior Spartans program, please contact me at 708-741-5627 or jrhodes@olchs.org

H. L. Richards High School

Brother Rice High School

• Applications are now open for the Be Exceptional Leadership Award. Here's the link to the page and a graphic attached to go with it: https://www.brotherrice.org/be-exceptional-leadership-award-2024/
• All-encompassing recruiting handout!
• Open House is on October 6th.

Chicago Christian High School

• Golf Outing
• Shadow Days
• Homecoming

De La Salle Institute

IMSA

Marist High School

The Marist High School Grade School Band Night will be held on October 18, 2024.

Mother McAuley High School

Lacrosse Clinic

• Sunday, October 6 from 10-11am

• 5th - 8th Grade Girls

Junior High Art Workshop

• Wednesday, October 9 from 3:30-5:30pm

• 6th - 8th Grade Girls

Junior High Performing Arts Workshop

• Thursday, October 10 from 3:30-5:30pm

• 6th - 8th Grade Girls

BIG Shadow Day

• Monday, October 14

• 7th & 8th Grade Girls

Girls Night Out Halloween Party

• Wednesday, October 30 from 5-8pm

• 7th & 8th Grade Girls

Open House

• Monday, November 4 from 6-8pm

Morgan Park Academy

Mt. Carmel High School

Open House Registration

Providence Catholic High School

St. Ignatius High School

St. Laurence High School

St. Rita High School

HFS Chicago Scholars

D123 4WARD: We have begun a new effort to engage our alumni!! From the classroom to the stage, the athletic field to the culinary club, and everywhere in between, we want to know what our graduates have been up to in "tomorrow's world."

Whether these alumni excelled in high school, found opportunities in college, or started a successful career, the stories, adventures, and triumphs shared will inspire us, current students, and future leaders. This program is an opportunity to celebrate these achievements together and keep the D123 community spirit alive long after middle school graduation.

Families of alumni and D123 graduates themselves are invited to fill out this form to submit for possible inclusion in our alumni spotlight E-Newsletter, "D123 4-WARD." The newsletter will be produced and sent semiannually in December and May. Participants will be notified if their story will be included in the publication.

D123 4Ward May Addition: Check out the special edition newsletter focus on our D123 Alumni!