FALCON FLYER

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Monday, January 20-NO School

MLK, Jr. Day

11:59 PM Deadline to sign up for 8th Grade to PSAT 8 assessment

Wednesday, January 22

3:25 PM Basketball Games-B @ Home/ A @ Oxford

Thursday, January 23

8:30 AM School Spelling Bee in library

3:25 PM Basketball Games- A @ Home/ B @ Pleasant Ridge

Friday, January 24

9 AM-2 PM 7th and 8th Grade Strings Field Trip

Monday, January 27

3:25 PM Basketball Games-B @ Home/ A @ Aubrey Bend

Wednesday, January 29

9-11 AM 8th Grade Choir/Theater Field Trip to BV North

3:25 PM Basketball Games-B @ Home/ A @ Blue Valley Middle

Thursday, January 30

8:30-11 AM North Area District Choir Festival in Commons

OTMS Families,

It was so nice to have our students back this week! Due to the snow days, we've had to adjust our enrollment dates. Grades 6 and 7 will receive enrollment information on January 27 and 28 during Flex. Their forms will be due on Friday, February 7. Grade 8 students received enrollment information last night at Blue Valley North. BVN counselors will visit our students at OTM on Monday, February 3 to finalize enrollment.

Also, parent-teacher conferences are just a few weeks away. They will be held the evening on Wednesday, February 12 and all day Thursday, February 13. Please be on the lookout for more information in the weeks ahead.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dr. Trent Stern, Proud OTM Principal

Middle school course fee payment for the second semester is open and online now. Your ParentVUE login and password are required to pay course fees.

Course fees are assigned based on your student’s enrollment. Some seventh and eighth grade exploratory/elective classes include course fees.

Questions regarding fee payment should be directed to Kara Golian at kgolian@bluevalleyk12.org.

In the latest Blue Valley Schools’ BV Unmuted podcast episode, Superintendent Dr. Tonya Merrigan is joined by Leah Vomhof (Blue Valley Northwest principal), Stacey Sperry (Prairie Star Elementary principal) and Dr. Cory Cox (Blue Valley North assistant principal) to discuss the importance of school attendance.

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

Blue Valley Schools is committed to promoting and fostering a safe environment in and around all of our schools. Through the convergence of physical and intellectual security measures, we are continuously working to prevent, mitigate, respond to and recover from a wide range of emergencies. Please check out available ways to report safety concerns.

As we are settling into the second semester, I wanted to communicate some helpful information for those interested in participating in Track and Field this spring. Track is open to 7th and 8th grade students. The first day of practice will be Wednesday, March 26th. Coaches will send out additional information as the season gets closer.

Also, this is a reminder to complete the updated KSHSAA physical packet and upload it in rSchool if your student plans to participate in athletics/activities at OTMS. Please note: we are unable to accept old physical packets. The most important page of the packet is page 4 (page 5 in the PDF). Please be sure all information/signatures are complete. Physicals must be complete on or after 5/1/24. Individuals must have a submitted physical and be registered in rSchool prior to participating. Here is the link to register in rSchool.

As a reminder, per KSHSAA guidelines, students must pass (60% or higher) five classes in the third quarter to be eligible to compete in track meets.

Participants will need to provide their own solid black shorts for meets. School track uniform tops will be provided.

Finally, please save the date for the parent and guardian information meeting on Monday, March 10th at 5:30pm in the OTMS gym.

We are offering an optional PSAT 8 assessment on Thursday, March 6th, 2025 at Hilltop Conference Center.

The time commitment for students is roughly 4 hours. This includes bus transportation to Hilltop, test set-up, testing time, and bus transportation back to Hilltop. Lunch will be available when students return to school, roughly between 12:45 and 1:00.

Blue Valley provides the PSAT8 for practice purposes, and there is another practice opportunity when students are in 10th grade. Please note that the high-stakes PSAT is an optional exam for high school juniors where exceptionally strong scores (scores in the top 0.5%) can qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Students test on their district-provided Chromebook and for those who sign up, we will remind you of these details closer to the test date.

If you would like your 8th grader to participate, please sign-up here. The deadline to sign-up is Monday, January 20th at 11:59 PM, as we have to roster students with the College Board.

PTO Calendar – upcoming events:

3 February: Save the Date - Panera Restaurant Night 8am-8pm

28 February: Save the Date – FAN Night 6pm – 8pm

Save the Date – Panera Restaurant Night

Come out and support the OTMS PTO on Monday, February 3rd from 8am to 8pm at Panera’s location at 6800 W 135th St. Use code ‘FUND4U’ when ordering online. Panera will donate 20% back to OTMS when you mention you are there for OTMS restaurant night!

Save the Date - FAN NIGHT

FAN Night (Falcon Activity Night) is back! Our next event will take place on Friday, February 28th from 6pm-8pm

For those new to OTMS, FAN (Falcon Activity Night) Night is a student only event where students have a lot of fun in a safe environment! Drop your students off, go to dinner, and then come back to pick them up.

Students will enjoy a DJ, inflatable obstacle course, basketball, games, and more! Pizza, candy, and drinks are also available for cash purchase at FAN Night. Wristbands (for access to FAN Night) are $5 and will be sold at lunchtime the week of FAN Night and at the door! Hint: get your wristbands early to avoid the long line at the door!

Keep your eye out for ways to help – sign ups to volunteer and donate are coming soon! Want to be more involved? Email PTO at bvotmspto@gmail.com to help with this fun student event!

See the Flyers below for information on the BVEF Fundraiser, Battle of the Bands.

Is your student needing extra math support? Math Lab is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year both before school and after school. Attendance is taken at every session.

Morning Sessions:

Tuesday (7:10 – 7:40 AM ) in room 25 (8th grade hallway) with Ms. Hilligoss email: lhilligoss@bluevalleyk12.org

Thursday (7:10 – 7:40 AM) in room 9 (6th grade hallway) with Ms. Lintz

email: pjlintz@bluevalleyk12.org

Afternoon Sessions:

Tuesday & Thursday (3:15-4:15 PM) in the library classroom with Ms. Carter, Ms. Mills or Ms. Miller . Students must provide own transportation home and be picked up by 4:15.

emails: clcarter@bluevalleyk12.org , tmills@bluevalleyk12.org , mjmiller05@bluevalleyk12.org

Do you know a Blue Valley educator who goes above and beyond to inspire, engage and innovate in the classroom? Help the Blue Valley Educational Foundation (BVEF) recognize their extraordinary impact by nominating them today for the BVEF annual Innovative Educator Award! This BVEF award recognizes two exemplary teachers (one elementary, one secondary) who creatively apply innovative teaching methods, foster critical thinking skills and ignite a passion for learning in their students. Honorees will receive a $1,250 grant for their classroom. To nominate a teacher, fill out the 2025 BVEF Innovative Educator Award form by Monday, February 3.

Do you have questions about student expectations? These are outlined in our student handbook and our district's Code of Conduct. These documents are linked on our school website and available for students via Canvas. You may also click here for the district's current

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.