
The OMS Community Newsletter
Week of May 6 - 10, 2024
Principal's Message
Dear OMS Community,
This week was Teacher's Appreciation Week and Wednesday was School Nurse Appreciation Day. Thank you to all of our wonderful teachers and school nurses! They work everyday with our middle schoolers and make a positive difference in their lives. The OMS PTSO and administration worked together to celebrate our teachers and staff with daily treats. The PTSO provided an amazing Staff Appreciation Lunch from Avocado's and the OMS administrators and administrative assistants provided a Staff Appreciation Breakfast.
We are so grateful for our OMS Faculty and Staff!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Katrina Crowley
Important Dates
Upcoming Events
Family Math Night Out!
We had many families join us this past Thursday, 5/9, for OMS - Family Math Night Out!
Students and their families participated in various math-related activities throughout the evening. It was a great way to reinforce the importance of math in everyday life and show our students that learning can be enjoyable. The various stations included:
- Sticks Puzzle
Who is who?
- Factors and Multiples Chain
- Open treasure chest
- Tic Tac Toe
- Anagrams challenge/magic squares
- Build the highest tower
- Board Games
Thank you to Mr. Gorea, 8C Math Teacher, for creating this event for our families! Thank you to Mr. Gorea (8C Math), Ms. Hogan (8B Math), and Ms. Murphy (8A Math) for planning and organizing this event for our OMS community. We hope everyone who joined had a great time!
Ms. Hogan, Ms. Murphy, and Mr. Gorea
Thank you to our student volunteers!
Grade 8 Drama Class Achievements
Congratulations to Mr. Hallock's 8th grade Drama class for receiving a gold medal at this past weekend’s Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild (MTEG) Middle School Festival! Stoughton performed The Struggles, a one-act play. In addition to the group award, OMS students received several individual all star awards:
• Ivy Dunn, Isley Vale, and Riyaz Shrestha - Excellence in Technical Theater
• Andrea Udeh, Izzie Bukhenik, and Stella Cobb - Excellence in Acting
Stoughton was one of the host sites for the festival, with more than 250 middle school students plus directors, chaperones, and audiences from Rowley, Hamilton-Wenham, Weston, Cambridge, and Tyngsborough joining OMS at Stoughton High School.
“It was truly a beautiful day of theater and community building for our students and the visiting schools,” said Kevin Hallock, SHS and OMS drama teacher and theater director. “Our high school theater students and 8th graders acted as hosts, festival coordinators, timers, runners, checkers, and social media personnel for the festival. They all were complimented by everyone on their welcoming spirit, generosity, and professionalism. This event would not have been possible without them and my amazing group of parents who helped with ticket sales, lunch and dinner, and concessions. Specifically, Kate Dunn, my drama liaison, went above and beyond for our kids and visiting schools.”
The gold medal OMS received is the highest honor awarded at the competition.
“For our first middle school festival entry, this was a real surprise. The judges gave us amazing feedback and the audiences were left deeply moved by the students’ work,” Mr. Hallock said.
Grade 8 Yard Signs
Attention: Families of 8th Graders
If you would like to purchase a yard sign, please order here: https://odonnell-middle-school-ptso.square.site/. The cost is $21 each and the first order will be placed on 5/13. Our vendor requires a minimum of 10 signs per order so we will continue to place orders as often as possible. We will contact you when your sign is ready for pick up! Please email ptso.oms@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Grade 8 Class Day & Promotion Ceremony
The 8th Grade Class Day Promotion Ceremony will take place on Friday, June 14, 2024 at noon in the Stoughton High School auditorium. Because there is limited seating in the Stoughton High School auditorium, each 8th grader will receive two (2) tickets for in-person guests to the ceremony. The event will be livestreamed for other family members to watch live.
The 8th Grade Class Day Ceremony celebrates the successful completion of the middle school program. More specific details will follow as the date approaches.
Dr. Randi Shuster Podcast
At this year's SHS/OMS Health & Wellness Fair, Dr. Randi Shuster gave a talk for parents/guardians. This podcast episode covers many of the topics she shared in that presentation. Check it out below!
Where's My Handbook: Owning the Science
SMACast
Let's dive into some more science around adolescent substance misuse with Dr. Randi Schuster. Some of her headlines: Most teens don't use alcohol, cannabis or nicotine. Delay first use as long as possible while the adolescent brain develops. The difference between impulsive use and compulsive. All of that and how to use that info to talk to your teen from a place of curiosity and compassion.
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/smacast/id1733108835?i=1000654160296
SPS Multicultural Fair
SPS Summer Programs
Parent/Guardian Workshops
Previous Newsletters
Missed a newsletter? Click below to access previous newsletters from this year.