Principal Rubino's Newsletter

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It has been great to welcome students back to OMS after our December break. Although it was a short week, OMS student leaders spent some time on Friday at AHS participating in learning from the Upstander Project. Leaders from the OMS Student Council and OMS Peer Leaders truly are carrying out the OMS core values as they seek to create an inclusive school community where all students feel a sense of belonging. It is so wonderful to see our student leaders engaging in this ongoing work and leading change efforts to interrupt hate speech. I cannot wait to see the impact they have on the OMS community. More to come on their ongoing work in the coming weeks and months. See below for some photos from the workshop on Friday.

I'm also pleased to share that, thanks to a grant from AEF, OMS 8th grade students will be able to hear from, Anthony Valentine, (date TBD) a renowned motivational speaker and founder of KultureMAG. Known as "Valentine" to his friends and supporters, he brings a unique perspective shaped by his journey as an entrepreneur, EMT, and multimedia creator. His talk will empower students to see their potential, embrace their personal stories, and strengthen their connection to the school community. This connects with the goals of improving our school culture and strengthening a sense of belonging for OMS students.

We also have tentatively scheduled a second OMS community conversation on interrupting hate speech with Dr. Kalise Wornum for Tuesday evening, Feb. 11 with a snow date of Wednesday evening, Feb. 12.

As a reminder, artwork for the MLK Day celebration is due to students' art or social studies teacher by tomorrow, Monday, Jan. 6. Winning entries will be announced on Monday, Jan. 13. See below for more information.

If you haven't had a chance to check out the OMS Counseling Newsletter, please do!

Stay healthy! As cold and flu season ramps up, please note that masks are available outside of nursing and will also be available in the lobby at the AM/PM check-in table for students and staff wishing to use one.

As always, please remember our core values: Engage, Empower, Excel: We work hard; we are kind, we speak our truth. Have a great week!

Please read on for important information for this week and beyond.

This Week:

• Monday, Jan. 6
• Artwork for MLK Day Celebration due to social studies teacher (see more below)
• Tuesday, Jan. 7
• School Council Meeting at 7:30 a.m.

Looking Ahead:

• Wednesday, Jan. 15
• Early Release at 11:45 a.m.
• Conferences (in-person): 12:15 p.m. - 3 p.m.
• Thursday, Jan. 16
• Conferences (via-Zoom/Google Meet): 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Monday, Jan. 20
• No School: MLK Day
• Tuesday, Jan. 21
• Coffee and Conversation with Principal Rubino via Zoom: 10:30 a.m.
• Topic: Mid-year update
• Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83108322191?pwd=nILw0Eyux3HcVbh4ogq3Z6gsPn99Ud.1
• Monday, Jan. 27
• AMC 8 Competition: After school
• Tuesday, Jan. 28
• Last Day of Q2
• SPACE Workshop: 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. at AHS
• Wednesday, Jan. 29
• First Day of Q3

Arlington Public Schools District Calendar

The counseling team is excited to offer a parent workshop on the SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) treatment model. SPACE is designed for families who find themselves over-accommodating their child’s anxiety.

Do you have a child struggling with anxiety?

Do you find yourself modifying daily routines, avoiding certain places or activities, or doing things for your child to prevent their distress? If yes, this workshop might be a great fit for you.

Click the link to learn more and see if SPACE could support your family!

OMS Student Leaders took part in the Upstanders Project this week at AHS. Thanks to APS History Director Michael Kozuch, OMS Student Council Advisor Kalina Akeson, and OMS Peer Leaders Advisor Vicki Ross for helping to coordinate this project. These students are engaged in creating an inclusive environment at OMS and are deeply committed to the work we are doing this year on interrupting hate speech. During the event on Friday, Jan. 3, students were able to think deeply about human connection, systems of justice and being an upstander.

Every year Arlington celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King with an event at Town Hall. In 2025 this will include musical performances and artwork by Arlington Public School students. For this year’s theme, we are calling on our young artists to make 2D artwork responding to the following quote from Dr. King’s 1963 collection of sermons, Strength to Love:

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."

Possible Themes: Your artwork can be about nearly anything this quote inspires. It can show events from the life of Dr. King and the Modern Civil Rights Movement (1947-1968), or it could focus on recent and current events, and other people and leaders who fought for civil and human rights. Your response can also focus on social issues, politics, and your own life and our community. Lastly, your artwork can be illustrative, and represent real life, or it can be made up entirely of abstract, non-representational colors and shapes that show what this quote makes you think and feel.

Media Requirements: Your artwork can be in any two-dimensional medium (sorry, no sculptures or films), including drawing, painting, collage, digital art, printmaking, mixed media, and photography.

Dimensions: Your artwork must be 30” or less in one of its dimensions.

Statement: Please also submit a title and an artist statement explaining your artwork and the choices you made. This should be at least 50-150 words.

Submission Instructions: Please use this form to submit:

• An image of your artwork

• Title

• List of materials

• Artist statement

Also please hand in a physical copy of your artwork to your art or social studies teacher. Winning entries will be announced by Monday, January 13.

Ottoson's Literary and Art Magazine, Mirabile Scriptu is looking for original student work in:

• Poetry
• Short Stories
• Essays
• Visual Art (paintings, drawings)
• Photography

Our editorial team will select and present a diverse collection of student voices and perspectives, highlighting the talent within our school!

Editorial meetings will begin after Winter Break. To get involved, students can join our Google Classroom: 6yn2mot

Work can be submitted anytime! Literary and Art Magazine Submission Form

If students have questions or want more information, they can reach out to Ms. Harte by stopping by Room 305 or emailing kharte@arlington.k12.ma.us.

Thank you for your support!

If your family is in need of support, please complete the APS Family Support Request Form. Once you complete this form we will share your responses with the family engagement department and/or school social workers or counselors to support your family.

Lost & Found items can be retrieved from Ms. Duffy at the main office. Please take a look and see if anything you are missing has been found. Everything remaining will be donated after Thanksgiving!

Photo Gallery Link :

• https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vBlZCVjwomB0pHxObTkPqovawPv5lqqL?usp=sharing

What is SEPAC? The Arlington Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is a volunteer group of parents, guardians, and caregivers that works to build a supportive community inclusive of all students, caregivers, educators, and stakeholders. It provides families with training and resources and collaborates directly with district administrators and the Arlington School Committee to promote effective family-district communications and appropriate service delivery and accommodations to students with disabilities. Learn more

Regular attendance is crucial for your child’s success. Please make every effort to ensure they are present and on time every day. This will be a focus of our administration and counseling team this year and you can expect to receive communication from the main office if your child is tardy or absent from school.

Please take the time to read through the handbook to review our policies regarding school attendance.

The best way to report any attendance issues (absence, tardy, or dismissal) for your child is by sending an email to the Ottoson absentee line – omsattendance@arlington.k12.ma.us

Please make sure to give us:

• Student Name

• a reason for the absence or tardy

• expected date of return

• for dismissal, the name of the person who will be dismissing your child

Students should arrive each day ready to learn, with all necessary materials and a positive mindset.

Ottoson does have AM/PM programming. Click here to register.

We encourage all students to stay hydrated throughout the day by bringing water bottles. Only water is permitted in the classrooms.

To maintain a focused and healthy environment, beverages such as coffee, energy drinks, or popular "pink drinks" from outside establishments like Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks are not allowed in the building.

At Ottoson Middle School, we are dedicated to providing an environment where every student feels valued, respected, and empowered to reach their fullest potential. Our faculty and staff are passionate about teaching and are here to support your child every step of the way.

We are excited about the year ahead and the opportunities it holds for academic growth, personal development, and building strong, lasting connections. Together, we will create a supportive and vibrant school community.

We believe in open communication and encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns throughout the year. Our partnership with you is vital to your child’s success, and we are here to support you as well. Please reach out to your child’s teachers if you have any questions. You can expect communication from your child’s teachers and teaching team early on in the school year.

Your child’s grade-level assistant principal can help to provide communication and support. Ms. Lindsay Migliero will be working primarily with grade 8 students and families and Mr. Christopher Mahoney will be working primarily with grade 7 students and families.