The Lion Link

Dear Lion Families,

I hope you had a restful and joyful break filled with moments of gratitude and opportunites to connect with family and friends. As we step into these final three weeks of the semester, let’s embrace the opportunity to finish strong by encouraging our students to stay focused and wrap up 2024 with pride.

Consider engaging in conversation starters, such as those provided below, to connect with your student over the next few weeks:

• “What’s something you’re most proud of this semester?”

• “Is there a subject or project that you’re feeling excited to finish?”

• “What’s one thing you’d like to focus on or improve before the semester ends?”

• “How can I support you in these final weeks of the semester?
  
  

Thank you for all you do to support your children and our school community. As always, don't hesitate to reach out if we may be of any support to you. Let’s make it a wonderful week!

Natalie Daniels

Principal, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School

I’d like to take a moment to share some important news regarding our leadership team. Beginning on Monday, December 2nd, Dr. Sesky will be transitioning from her role as Assistant Principal at King to a new opportunity at the central office. We are grateful for her contributions to our school community and wish her all the best as she begins this new chapter.

At the same time, I am pleased to introduce Emily Rae as our new Interim Assistant Principal. Mrs. Rae comes to us with a wealth of experience in education, having worked in both elementary and middle school settings, most recently supporting at Santa Margarita as an Interim Assistant Principal. Her diverse background and understanding of student needs will be an asset to our school and community as we continue to provide a high-quality learning environment for all of our students.

Please consider reading her letter of introduction linked here and join me in welcoming her to the team!

Our next PTSO meeting will be on Tuesday, December 3rd at 6pm in the Library. If you are not able to make it in person, we would love to connect with you over Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81902370520?pwd=hmWTLdXS8BJkC6obu2mS8lZMsAdLNQ.1

Our Barnes & Noble Bookfair is right around the corner. We are looking forward to a fun afternoon to kick start the holidays!

When: December 3rd (11am - 2pm)
Where: Barnes & Noble, Oceanside

Stop by to hear our wonderful orchestra play, listen to short readings performed by MLK students, decorate a delicious cookie in the cafe, make a card for our military, and purchase a book off your wish list.

A portion of all sales will be donated to MLK Middle School when you mention the Bookfair at checkout. Everyone who attends will receive a raffle ticket and will be entered into a drawing to win a basket full of goodies.

Our next PTSO Dine Out Event will be on the same day at Firehouse Subs located next door to Barnes & Noble. 11am-8pm.

They will donate 25% of your purchase to MLK Middle School when you mention or show the flier. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hjlipb2mvAXxtEVHkPYZga5IvcTGn6pG/view?usp=sharing

A huge thank you to all of the families that donated items for the Library club! During the month of December we will highlight our amazing PE department. Please click on the sign up genius below if you are interested in donating an item off their wish list.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0F44A5AE28ABFC1-53441034-donations

An amazon wishlist has been created for your convenience.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2GJAWZJSXEGDD?ref_=wl_share

Each week, Mr. Aldridge's Digital Experience course works hard to develop a news production featuring King students and staff.

This week is our Thanksgiving Episode of the Friday News (10:50).

We look at the amazing coat drive NJHS put on, someThanksgiving Trivia, and ask students and staff what they are most thankful for!

Here is the latest addition of The Roaring Report. The students did some great work and asked the staff about their Thanksgiving Plans, sport news, current events, and more. Feel free to post this in your advisory class. Thank you for reading and have a great break!

The Roaring Report Thanksgiving Edition

A huge congratulations to this week's Lion Pride winners who selected gift cards from In N' Out, Chick-Fil-A and Cane's during this week's drawing. Thanks for making great decisions on campus!

Don't forget to turn in your Lion Pride tickets to Room E-2 on Tuesdays and Thursdays to be entered into our weekly drawing.

These students are exploring a world of exciting professions.

It's this week's Oside USD in One Minute. Watch it in Spanish.

We are excited to announce that our first Lunchtime Lions event will launch on Wednesday, December 4th with a student Basketball Tournament and student Picnic Event!

If you are interested in supporting our Wednesday Lunchtime Lions parent collaborative, please don't hesitate to reach out for additional information.

Please have your student come to Student Services to check for any items that may be in our lost and found. The items will be donated at the end of this semester

GrubHub and other delivery services cannot be accepted at school.

If you would like to provide your student with lunch, please feel free to drop it off for your student only. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions.

• King Middle School
  Please view the document linked here for details regarding dates and times.
  
  
• Virtual Tutoring - All OUSD Gr. 6 -12 Students
  OUSD has partnered with Tutor.com for FREE, on demand, online tutoring! Connect with a tutor right away, schedule a future session, drop off a writing assignment for a writing review, find test prep and self-study materials. View instructions linked here.

• Wellness Together
  Our on-site mental health specialist is available to all students by referral through Student Services or your student's counselor. If you feel that your child may benefit from this service, we encourage you to reach out.
  
  
• PASS Americorps
  Our two on-site PASS team members provide academic and social emotional support for referred students based on qualifying criteria.
  
  
• Palomar Family Counseling Services
  Our PFC team is available on-site for not only student support, but also for family wrap around services. Students may see one of our favorite PFC team members, Rosie the service dog, on campus on Fridays! Check in with your student's counselor for a referral.
  
  
• Transformational Consulting
  Our TC team members support King on a daily basis for ongoing student check-ins and to support with student mediation opportunities. Life Skills 101 in room B-1 is offered on a regular basis at lunch. This program encourages leadership, responsibility and accountability for all participants. Students can report to Student Services if they'd like to access these supports.
  
  
• Restorative Practice Small Groups
  Restorative Practices circles and small group supports are provided by our OUSD central office team. Creation and implementation of these small group circles are ongoing. Check in with your student's counselor for access to these groups.
  
  
• School Resource Officer
  Our SRO is an OPD officer who is available and accessible for students / families as needed. He is often seen at Nutrition and / or lunch and works to develop strong and trusting connections with our students.
  
  
• Student Training & Assemblies
  During this school year, the central office team will be / has offered trainings / assemblies for all OUSD sites. These topics include E-Bike safety, Drug Prevention, Inclusion & Belonging, Standing Together Against Bullying & Threats. More information to come on the presentations / trainings that have not yet occurred at King.

For weekly ASB updates, ensure that your student has access to their grade level Google Classroom. Details related to upcoming student events and activities are posted in the Google Classroom and on the ASB Website.

6th Grade la3hy4c

7th Grade gcaqzdt

8th Grade lvr4x3q

Follow MLK on Instagram on the following accounts:

• kingmspride
• kingmiddleschool_asb
• kingmiddleschool_njhs
  
  

Follow OUSD on Instagram on the following account:

• osideusd

UPCOMING EVENTS

PTSO Meeting: December 3rd @ 6:00pm in MLK Library or Zoom

Barnes & Noble Book Fair: December 7th @ 11:00am - 2:00pm
Dine Out @ Firehouse Subs: December 7th @ 11:00am - 8:00pm

Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School (Website)