OMS Friday Knight Live

1. Counseling Corner
2. Why Attendance Matters
3. Social Worker Resources
4. Taco Tuesday- Support OMS!
5. Upcoming Community Observances & Celebrations
6. OMS PTO News- Silent Auction Open!
   
7. Coming Up @ OMS

The week of Dec. 2-6, OMS counselors will be coming into 6th and 7th grade classrooms to discuss suicide prevention with our students. We will be using the Signs of Suicide program to deliver this message. Through this program, we discuss warning signs to watch for and ways to support peers who might be at risk. When we talk to our students about suicide prevention, we teach our students to ACT: Acknowledge – Care – Tell, if they have concerns for a friend. In addition, we encourage our students to identify a trusted adult that they can talk to – both in and outside of school – if they have a concern for themselves or for a friend.

If you have any questions about this lesson, please contact your student's counselor: Jill Gouger (students with last names A-K) or Allyson DiNitto (students with last names L-Z).

Thanksgiving is around the corner and we would like to show our gratitude to our amazing OMS Staff with a Soup Luncheon next Thursday, November 21st. We did this last year and it was so well-received by our staff that we would like to do it again this year.

Please sign up for items on the SignUp Genius below. All items should be brought to the OMS office by 11 a.m. Thursday, November 21st.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044FAAA722ABFC1-53272429-wearesouper

All families are encouraged to write notes of thanks to OMS staff members next week. Cards can be brought to the front office and will be distributed next Thursday. Emails are also great. To view a staff directory, click here: Staff Directory / Contact Us. Click on the left-hand side of the directory to find grade level teams, elective teams, special education, and all other staff member names.

Have you listened to the BV Unmuted podcast about attendance? Hear our superintendent, a high school principal, high school assistant principal, and an elementary school principal on the difference attendance makes.

🎙️ To listen to the podcast episode, visit https://tinyurl.com/AttendanceBV.

Tips for Managing Your Mental Health During the Holiday Season: 10 practical ways to protect yourself leading into a busy — and sometimes difficult — holiday season. You can download your free holiday mental health guide to start preparing right now!

Come eat tacos and support the PTO! Our restaurant fundraiser night at Tacos 4 Life, located in front of Target on 119th Street, is on Tuesday, 11/19, from 4pm to 9pm. You can dine in, carry out, or use the drive through - just mention OMS! A portion of their sales will benefit the OMS PTO. *Open flyer for more information!

Some December Celebrations & Observances:

• International Day of People with Disabilities - December 3 - a day to celebrate the achievements and contributions of people with disabilities, promote an understanding of disability issues, and mobilize support for the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of people with disabilities.

• Bodhi Day - December 8 - commemorates the day that the historical Buddha experienced enlightenment. Some Buddhist families will practice meditation, study the Dharma, chant Buddist texts (sutras), and share a traditional meal of tea and cake.

• Christmas - December 25 - a Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Some Christian families will celebrate by attending church services and exchanging gifts.

• Hanukkah - evening of December 25 - evening of January 2 - an eight-day Jewish festival of lights. Some Jewish families will celebrate by lighting a Menorah and eating foods cooked in oil.

• Kwanzaa - December 26 - January 1 - a seven-day African-American holiday celebrating culture, family, and community. For some, celebrations may include song, dance, storytelling, and a large traditional meal.

Bidding is open for the online auction!

Check out all the wonderful auction items for the OMS PTO fundraiser. Auction items include:

• Wine and cheese tasting at Total Wine
• Top Golf and Chicken N Pickle gift certificates
• Restaurant, Coffee Shop, and Liquor Store gift cards
• Charcuterie gift set
• Wine and liquor gift set
• Front row seats for OMS Concerts
• Lunch with the Principal
• Two-night stay at Linn Valley Lakes lakefront home
• and more!

All proceeds will go toward OMS Staff Grants this school year. Bidding ends on Sunday, 11/24/2024, at 10pm. Click the link to see the auction items and bid:https://app.galabid.com/omspto/items?fbclid=IwY2xjawGkjm9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHaQUiCMxgAczLHcWM1kBYXyYT_jE24_KufmhvgETjRPEXWf24EBfnvIetw_aem_TVrTiF2o-kilTldME44g0w

PTO Memberships & Donations

The OMS PTO needs your donation! All donations help support staff needs and student activities. If you have not already given to the PTO this year, please click this link:

https://omspto.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/156152925. We appreciate your support!

Concessions: Sign up here to be a concession volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044FAAAD28A57-51004840-weneed#/

If you have questions, please contact Debra Burgess at dhburgesskc@gmail.com Thank you!

November 25-29- No School

We are thankful for the ongoing partnership and support we experience in our school community. Working together we ensure the best possible student experience allowing them to realize personal success. There are times, however, when issues arise which require our continued collaboration to resolve. Families may utilize the matrix linked on the district website to best address questions and concerns that may arise throughout the course of a school year. Finally, all staff and visitors should conduct their business free from intimidation, harassment, or bullying. The district’s Board of Education states expectations regarding civility within Policy 6341. Again, thank you for your partnership in helping to maintain a safe school community environment for all.

Low Income Energy Assistance Program applications now open. Flyers in English and Spanish

Click Here for English Flyer

Haga clic AQUÍ para ver el folleto en español

Angel Clothing Foundation - Angel Clothing Foundation is a non-profit that offers free Boutique style clothing sizes infant to 3XL. Clothing is distributed to low-income families in need, women leaving domestic violence situations, and the homeless. This includes clothing, shoes, and accessories for men, women, and children.

The store is currently open Wednesdays and Thursdays 9:00 AM-4:00 PM at (420 S. Kansas Ave., Olathe, KS 66061) with no appointment necessary. If you are in need of immediate emergency assistance 24/7, please call or text 913-208-5209. Donations and volunteers are always welcome.

Family Support & Resources: We know there may be times when unexpected circumstances present a hardship for families in our community. Blue Valley has resources within each school available to help students through challenging times, including counselors, social workers, school psychologists and building administrators. On the District website, the Student Well-Being page provides valuable information for families who may need support outside of what the school provides. We also want to make sure you are aware of a Family Support and Resources link under the Families heading on our school website. Information submitted on this form related to a specific situation and family need will be reviewed by the building principals and the school social worker. While we cannot guarantee that we can provide the requested resources, we will do our best to identify and recommend available support.

Join us for Cardboard Club Mondays from 3:00 - 4:00 in Mrs. Quiason’s room. Imagine, Create, and Share your Eco-Friendly projects.

JSU Jewish Student Union starts this Thursday (then every other week) from 3:00 - 4:00 in Mrs. Quiason’s room. Learn about Jewish holidays & traditions. You don’t have to be Jewish to attend - everyone is welcome for food, fun, and friends.

2024 2025 Clubs by Day

Some November Celebrations & Observances:

• Native American Heritage Month - celebrates the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, histories, and ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples.

• National Veterans and Military Family Appreciation Month - honors the military family by recognizing their sacrifices and commitments.

• All Saints Day - November 1 - celebrated by some of the Christian faith, this solemn, holy day honors the saints of the church.

• Day of the Dead - November 1 - celebrated by some with Mexican heritage, a joyful time to remember and honor deceased loved ones.

• Diwali - November 1 - the festival of lights celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and the human ability to overcome observed by some Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, and others. Some will decorate their homes with lights and rangoli art, exchange gifts, dress in colorful clothing, feast with family, and/or go to temple.

October is a busy month for the OMS Counseling Department! October is Bullying Prevention Month and all of our students are discussing the topic of bullying and learning strategies to take care of themselves and their friends, should bullying occur either in person or online. Bullying is when someone intentionally says or does something hurtful, and they keep on doing it even after someone tells them to stop or they have seen a reaction from the target.

Last year across the US, 32% of students reported having been bullied—the highest number ever recorded. 58% of middle school students reported having received a hurtful message online. At OMS, we are committed to providing a safe environment for every student. We encourage our students to report any bullying issues to a staff member or submit a Safe Schools report so we can ensure that our students are supported, and we can address any bullying issues.

OMS participated in Red Ribbon Week this past week, to emphasize making healthy choices and staying away from alcohol, vapes, or other drugs. Our students had Flex lessons this week, centered around the "Science of Joy" and choosing healthy activities that don't involve substances. We had daily announcements about resisting peer pressure and making healthy choices, as well as spirit days to emphasize our message "Free to Be Me—Drug Free!" Our Flex classes also decorated their classroom doors to celebrate this theme. Red Ribbon Week is the kickoff to our FACT lessons—where we will share information with our students about alcohol, vapes, and other substances and teach resistance skills to peer pressure. We want our students to continue to make healthy choices for themselves now and in the future.

We encourage you to talk with your student at home about these lessons and have them share what they have learned. Let's keep these conversations going and please let us know of any questions or concerns that you may have.

Jill Gouger: OMS Counselor (A-K)

Allyson DiNitto: OMS Counselor (L-Z)

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: 155 Pounds 11.15.24

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: 21 pounds 11.15.24

Click HERE for the OMS Student Made Recycling Video

ASK (Academically Successful Knights), our after-school homework program, is a great way for students to get work done and get help before they leave school Monday-Thursday. We talked with our students this week about starting 2nd quarter strong. ASK is a great way to help!

• Giving the Basics

We are opening our doors for our 2nd annual Open House, Hygiene Busters!! Come learn about our mission and our amazing partners! There will be free Kentucky Fried Chicken sponsored by KBP brands as well as drinks and cotton candy. Tour our warehouse, play games and take a picture with the Ghostbuster car, the Ectomobile! You don’t want to miss out!

Click HERE for more information

• Johnson County Christmas Bureau Holiday Shop is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting low-income families in Johnson County, Kansas, during the holiday season.

Applications can be done on-line or by phone 913-341-4342. Applications open until all shopping slots are full. Click HERE for Christmas Bureau application.

OMS families, please attach a key ring or luggage tag to the black case that contains your student’s chromebook. There are 625 identical cases in the building; help your student keep track of their case and their chromebook. Chromebook charging cords should be kept at home so devices can be charged overnight. If your student has lost their charging cord you should purchase one for home use. Any student who does not turn in a charging cord with their chromebook will be charged for it.

Parents Make A Difference: October 2024

Newsletter for middle school parents. Topics this month include: Concentration, adult guidance on social media use, activities to reinforce skills, organizational tools, and so much more!

Click HERE for Oct 2024 Parents Still Make A Difference

Middle School wrestling is an intramural activity at OMS and Harmony. Students will be coached by the wrestling staff at BVNW and will learn the basics of wrestling. There is no cost to participate but families must provide their own transportation to practices and the meet. *Students may not practice or participate without a physical and rSchool account on file.

Click HERE for 2024 Middle School Wrestling Information

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.

If you have a question or concerns, we want to help! Many times by starting at the building level, you will work with the person who is closest to the situation and will usually have the most information. If you feel further discussion is warranted, the following chart can be used as a guide for whom to call when questions arise on the most common topics.

OMS families, please make sure your child knows their home address and a parent/guardian phone number. Yes really! Over half the students who come to the office or nurse do not know a home/parent/guardian phone number. In a class project using home addresses, almost half the students did not know their home address. This is a safety issue and we want all our students to be safe!

As we begin the school year, we would like to remind you to review the updated Blue Valley Student Code of Conduct. It can be found on our www.bluevalleyk12.org under the “Student Quick Links” section at the bottom main home page. It can also be found on our school website home page.

Student Code of Conduct

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