OLHMS Update (1/21/25)

Did you know Thursday is D123 Day at OLHMS?

This week marks a truly special occasion for our district as we celebrate D123 Day and 123 years of excellence in education. It’s a time to reflect on our incredible history, the milestones we’ve achieved together, and the bright future ahead. To commemorate this milestone, we will be celebrating District 123 on Thursday and Friday this week. All students and staff are invited to join in recognizing the accomplishments of District 123.

Thursday, January 23,2025

This will be an OLHMS mustang pride competitive spirit wear day! We are asking each grade level to dress accordingly:

6th grade: wear RED

7th grade: wear GRAY

8th grade: wear BLACK

Let's see which grade level has the most participation! Can anyone be more OLHMS festive than Dr. McNichols?

Did you know there is still time to order a graduation ad?

The deadline for graduation ads is THIS FRIDAY, JANUARY 24TH! Use this link to reserve your space and start designing! If you have any questions, please reach out to our yearbook advisors.

Mrs. Miller: mmiller@d123.org

Ms. Orloff: korloff@d123.org

Did you know our scholars took the Winter NWEA MAP Assessment this past week?

We are excited for our scholars to demonstrate their learning thus far by taking the ELA and Math portions of this computerized assessment this past week. We appreciate our scholars and families take this assessment seriously and staying engaged. We will finish make up assessments this week. Additional information about MAP is below!

Did you know that the D123 Board of Education has recently approved the New Strategic Plan?

D123 Board of Education proudly unveiled the newly approved School District 123 Strategic Plan Framework. This comprehensive, forward-thinking plan is designed to provide a long-term vision for our district through the year 2030. Central to this framework is the Portrait of a Graduate, a model that embodies the skills and dispositions our students will need to thrive in college, career, and life. Supported by five overarching goals and a series of targeted objectives, this plan is a reflection of our district’s mission: "Preparing Today’s Learner for Tomorrow’s World."

Mustang Families,

Our focus remains on turning dreams into reality. Together, we nurture a dynamic school community built on academic excellence, character development, and resilience. These values align perfectly with this year’s theme: U Belong!

Guided by our mission of continuous growth, we are dedicated to our School Improvement Plan (SIP) goal: ensuring that 100% of our students meet or exceed their MAP growth targets in reading and mathematics. Our "100% All In" mindset drives the implementation of evidence-based strategies and targeted interventions while continuously evaluating practices to meet the unique needs of each learner. We are incredibly fortunate to have passionate and talented educators influencing our scholars on a daily basis!

Our shared commitment will create transformational growth and long-term success at OLHMS and across District 123. Aligning our daily actions with broader educational goals empowers students to turn aspirations into achievements in reading, mathematics, and beyond.

This week, as we reflect on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we honor his profound legacy of hope, perseverance, and unity. His dream of equality and justice continues to inspire us to cultivate a community where everyone belongs and all dreams are possible.

We are excited to welcome our scholars back to in-person instruction tomorrow after today’s e-learning day! We encourage everyone to come well-rested and ready for a fantastic week as we celebrate 123 years of excellence in District 123. Let’s make this a memorable time of learning, growth, and Mustang pride!

We are so grateful for your collaboration, support, and partnership—each defining the strength of our Mustang family. Thank you for creating an environment where dreams are nurtured, and success is within reach of reality.

Together, we will Make Your Dreams a Reality! As one of our proud 8th-grade scholars recently shared from her fortune cookie tag: "Make Your Dreams a Reality." Let’s keep dreaming big and working together to bring those dreams to life!

Class of 2025: Families can expect updated information regarding graduation and fees coming this week! The deadline for graduation ads is THIS FRIDAY, JANUARY 24TH! Use this link to reserve your space and start designing! If you have any questions, please reach out to our yearbook advisors.

Mrs. Miller: mmiller@d123.org

Ms. Orloff: korloff@d123.org

To comply with both District 123 policy and state law, you are asked to call the school before 8:00am if your child is going to be absent. You may leave a message with office staff at 708-499-6400. Please leave your child’s name. Grade level and reason for absence. If the office does not receive a call then the office staff will attempt to reach you at home or work to verify absence, however, please remember that the responsibility for reporting absences remains with parents/guardians. If a student absence is not called in, and office staff is unable to contact the parent/guardian, then the absence will be recorded as unexcused.

Students are expected to be in school except in cases of emergency or for reasons stated below, which according to School Code, are the only legal excuses for absences from a school.

• Illness (the school may require a note from a doctor)

• Observance of a religious holiday

• Death in the immediate family

• Family emergency

• Other circumstances outside of the student’s control as identified by the Board of Education in each district

• Other circumstances which cause reasonable concern to the parent for the safety or health of the student

Absences and Extracurricular Activities

• A student who misses a full day of school may not participate in any extracurricular activities on that day.

• Students who report to school before 11:30 am may participate in any extracurricular activities on that day.

• Students who leave school during the school day, due to illness , may not participate in after school extra curricular activities.

Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 utilizes systems of academic and social-emotional support linked directly to the assessed needs of our students. Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) provides all students with timely and targeted interventions based upon the results of universal screening tools in reading, math and behavior. Universal screening helps school staff to determine which students may be academically or behaviorally “at risk.” Use this LINK to view the family communications in English, Spanish or Arabic.

We love having fans here to support our Mustang Athletes. Here is the LINK for our Spectator Permission Form and Code of Conduct for student spectators. Student fans unaccompanied by parents, must have an electronic or paper form on file to attend home games. Students cannot stay in the building for games unless they are part of a club or activity.

We will continue to be in constant communication with First Student Bus company about their timing and route efficiency.

Bus Behavior: Please remind bus riders that we must be following our Mustang Musts. We have been hearing about challenging, inappropriate and unsafe behavior on the bus riders to and from school. We do have the ability to request bus video footage. Students will be given consequences for their behavior which may include a suspension from the bus.

Bus Loading and Unloading: Families should not be passing buses in our parking lot. This is dangerous and almost caused an accident. Do not pass buses with their stop sign extended.

We are excited to celebrate our scholars success this month! Scholars took the Winter assessment last week. Do not forget to ask them how well they compared to Winter goals are for Math and ELA!

Here is a resource LINK for parents and some additional information:

The NWEA MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) is a standardized test that measures a student's academic progress in math, reading, language, and science:

• How it works

  The NWEA MAP is a computer-adaptive test that adjusts to the student's ability level. It's given multiple times throughout the school year, and students can take it on a regular web browser or the NWEA Secure Test Browser.

• What it measures

  The NWEA MAP assesses a student's current achievement level and tracks their growth over time.

• How it's used

  Teachers use the results to identify student needs, plan curriculum, and help students progress.

• Who takes it

  All students in grades K-10 take the NWEA MAP Growth assessment in math and reading.

• How it's scored

  The NWEA MAP is graded on the RIT scale, which measures between 140 and 300.

It is great to see so many scholars taking advantage of the opportunity to come in early or stay after school for additional time and support with academics. Please remind our scholars that this time should not be treated as a social opportunity and our school expectations of being safe, responsible and respectful should be maintained at all times. We appreciate everyone's support and partnership. Parents can check out the available times for each grade level on the student portal page!

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

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

• PTSA Meetings are at 6:00pm monthly

• Next PTSA Meeting is February, 3rd at 6:00pm
• 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:

1/23/25: D123 Day, D123 School Safety Town Hall

6th grade: wear RED

7th grade: wear GRAY

8th grade: wear BLACK

1/31/25 & 2/1/25: OLHMS Musical

2/7/25: Make-A-Wish

2/17/25: No School (D123 Family Ice Skating)

2/20 (1/2 Day) & 2/21: Family Conferences

2/26/25: PTSA Open Gym

2/28/25: End of Trimester 2
3/7/25: D123 Ed Foundation Taco ad Trivia
3/13/25: State of the District Dinner

Oak Lawn Community High School

• PTSA Activity night for incoming 8th graders on Friday, January 24 from 6pm-8pm.

• Freshmen Course Selection Night is February 5, 2025. Information found at Community HS. Additional information and questions can be answered by contacting Maria Vanderwarren, at 708-741-5602 or mvanderwarren@olchs.org.

H. L. Richards High School

• D218 2025 STEAM Camps are available for current 1st- 7th graders living in the CHSD 218 school boundaries.

Brother Rice High School

Chicago Christian High School

• Friday, January 17, 2025 from 6-9 pm

Middle school boys basketball players are invited to Dunkin' with the Knights at Chicago Christian High School. This is a great way to learn more about the CCHS basketball program. This fun event includes:

-A meet-up with the Varsity Coach

- Watching the game from behind the bench

- Swag, and lots of donuts!

Registration is required. Register HERE.

*Girls night to be announced soon.

De La Salle Institute

IMSA

Marist High School

Mother McAuley High School

• Movie with the Macs! (Taylor Swift THE ERAS TOUR)

• Saturday, February 8 from 1-3pm

• All ages are welcome!

• BIG Shadow Day for 6th & 7th Graders

• Monday, February 17 (Presidents' Day) from 7:45am - 1pm

• Morning Math (McAuley Pre AP Algebra Class) Placement Test
  **Please share with your 7th grade/math teachers

• Saturday, March 8 at 8am

• For current 7th grade girls only

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

This year’s 15th Annual Special Recreation All-Star Basketball Games will be Saturday, January 25th at Oak Lawn Community High School.

Come out and support these Special Olympics athletes as they face off against each other in this fun-filled day.

We are so grateful to Oak Lawn Bank & Trust for once again being our Major Sponsor!

You might recognize some of the faces on the court and that is because these individuals have attended your schools or worshipped at your churches or participated in your programs. The first ever Basketball Day was at St. Linus Catholic School, and has since been held at Brother Rice High School, Mother McAuley High School, Marist High School and Oak Lawn Hometown Middle School.

Check out the story Pat Elwood did about this event on WGN in 2021!

https://wgntv.com/news/after-cancelation-last-year-oak-lawn-special-recreation-all-stars-getting-ready-for-big-game/

The basketball teams and pep squad cannot wait all year to play in front of a crowd!

Admission is Free!!! Donations accepted at the door. Doors open at NOON!

Proceeds collected fun future Oak Lawn Park District Special Recreation programs!

There are so many ways you can support this great event including Split the Pot chances, concessions, and a raffle to win a TV!

Thank you also to all our sponsors including The Black Oak, All Saints Lutheran Church & PepsiCo!

Please share the attached flyer on your social media sites, newsletters, websites and with your staff. Then join us in cheering on these athletes on January 25th!

If you have any questions, please feel free to call Anne Fritz at (708) 341-1531.

The 2025 Illinois Radon Poster Contest will run from January 1, 2025 – March 15, 2025 with a goal to raise awareness about the dangers of radon throughout the state of Illinois. Please review more information about this educational opportunity:

2025 Illinois Poster Contest:

• The poster contest is open to students ages 9-14.

• The top three winners will receive a cash prize of $100 (3rd place), $150 (2nd place) and $200 (1st place)

• Posters and entry forms must be received by March 15th, 2025.

• Posters must be sized 8.5x11

• More information can be found here: https://www.lung.org/il/radon-poster

Please find the official rules, details, guidelines and contest entry forms at https://www.lung.org/il/radon-poster. Please make sure students follow the guidelines as close as possible. These guidelines will be the outline for judging.

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.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE LATEST EDITION OF D123 4-WARD!