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Oak Middle School
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Dear Oak Middle School Families,
Get ready to mark your calendars because the Harlem Wizards are bringing their electrifying show to Oak on May 22nd! This is an event you won't want to miss, so be sure to secure your TICKETS today.
THANK YOU to the PTO and everyone who generously sent in donations for Oak’s Teacher Appreciation Lunch on Thursday. Napolis salads and sandwiches and Yummy Mummy desserts put a smile on everyone’s face. This tradition always make our staff feel appreciated so thank you!
Please reach out with any questions or concerns as our goal is to work together to make sure each and every child has a wonderful year at OMS.
In partnership,
Hallie Burak
Principal
508-841-1210
Scott Yonker
Assistant Principal Grade 7
508-841-1213
Michelle Dillon
Assistant Principal Grade 8
508-841-1205
Oak Middle School’s 2024 Model United Nations Team Worcester Model UN Conference
On Saturday, April 27, twenty-eight Oak students traveled to Worcester State University to take part in this year’s Worcester Model United Nations (WMUN) conference, a traditional General Assembly style conference open to students in grades 6-12. Model United Nations (MUN) is a program in which students role-play delegates representing member states of the United Nations. After learning about the importance of the United Nations, students received their committee and country assignment. They then spent the next several months prior to the conference researching their country’s stance on the conference topic: Preventing Marine Pollution. At the end of the conference, several of our students received recognition for their work:
Delegations given their committee room’s ‘Best Position Paper’ award:
Silas Grande and Jasjot Padam (United States of America, UNEP 4).
Rayhan Shaikh, Aditya Navin, and Dhruv Jain (Sri Lanka, UNEP 5).
Mishka Chellappa, Dipen Sunda, and Sparsh Shah (Italy, UNEP 7).
Addvaita Nirala and Nandhan Prabu (Portugal, UNEP 8).
Delegations given their committee room’s ‘Best Public Speaker’ award:
Sanjay Pappu, Daniel Saker, and Prajwal Ashokkumar (Australia, UNEP 7).
Aadhya Garg and Nishta Raghu (Ecuador, UNEP 8).
Delegations given their committee room’s ‘Best Negotiator’ award:
Anusha Saxena and Kavin Mithuna Vijayakumar (Cabo Verde, UNEP 8).
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Bus Registration
Save the Dates!
May
May 16: Cultures of Oak Night
May 17: Dress Rehearsal Little Mermaid performed Shrewsbury Kindergarteners
May 17: The Little Mermaid @ Oak Auditorium 7 PM
May 18: The Little Mermaid @ Oak Auditorium 2 PM
May 22: Harlem Wizards 7 PM @ Oak - PTO Fundraiser
May 23: Day of Awesomeness (Rain Date TBD)
May 27: No School - Memorial Day
May 28: No Homework Due
May 29: Oak Talent Show
May 30: Advisory Day
June
June 4: 8th Grade Team Celebration @ 12:30 PM- Teal
June 5: 8th Grade Team Celebration @ 12:30 PM- Blue
June 6: 8th Grade Team Celebration @ 12:30 PM- Gold
June 6: 7th Grade Field Day
June 7: 8th Grade Team Celebration @ 12:30 PM - Red
June 10: 8th Grade Team Celebration @ 12:30 PM - Green
June 10: 7th Grade Field Day (Rain Date)
June 11: 8th Grade Field Day
June 11: 8th Grade Carnival
June 12: 8th Grade Field Day (Rain Date)
June 13: Last Day of School
Upcoming MCAS Dates
May 14 Grade 8 Civics Session 1 **
May 15 Grade 8 Civics Session 2 **
**Update on the 2024 Massachusetts Civics MCAS Test *Scheduled for May 14th and 15th
This spring our eighth-grade students will participate in the statewide MCAS Civics Field Test. The assessment allows students to use their civics content knowledge and skills to explain and describe civics concepts, support claims with evidence, and analyze sources and graphics. It is made up of two components: one state-level performance task and an end-of-course (EOC) test. At this point, because this is the state’s field test, students will not be receiving individual scores this year. For more information, please go to this Department of Education link: MA MCAS Civics Field Test.
-Rob Dunn
Social Studies Coordinator
Shrewsbury Public Schools
Clubs and Activities
Just a reminder that there are new clubs and activities starting often, and many of the clubs operate on a drop in basis. Check the clubs and activities page here for more information.
The Sherwood & Oak PTO
🏀📢 SAVE THE DATE! 📢🏀
Mark your calendars: The Harlem Wizards are coming to town! Tickets are on sale now for this electrifying event on May 22nd. Don't miss out – secure your spot today!
Plus, our Amazon registry is open for donations, as well as our Sign-Up Genius for game-day volunteers. Every contribution helps our schools thrive. Let's raise as much as we can for our schools!
Get your tickets, donate, and let's make this event unforgettable!
Photos of the Week
Check Out Our New HOWLs Shirts!
Grade 7 Community Meeting
Students at Work
The WooSox
The ASL Celebration
Grade 7 Concerts
Writing Complementary Infinitives in Latin
7 Blue Advisory
Reminders
Attendance: It is important to remind families of the Massachusetts laws around student attendance and absenteeism. The Massachusetts’ compulsory school attendance law (G.L. c. 76, § 1) outlines attendance requirements for students between the ages of 6-16. Section 1B of this law outlines the requirements of the school principal to notify and meet with the families of any student who has 5 or more unexcused absences. You may receive a notification from the school regarding your child’s attendance thus far this school year. Massachusetts defines chronic absenteeism as a student who misses 10% or more of days they are enrolled- regardless of whether or not these days are excused or unexcused. Consistent school attendance is critical for many reasons. We will be reviewing student attendance and identifying steps to support our students who are trending toward chronic absenteeism.
Child Safe Procedures: If your child is going to be absent or late to school, we require that you telephone us either the night before or first thing in the morning on the day of the absence. Parents/guardians should call 508-841-1200 and select 1 at the prompt for the Oak Attendance Line. We ask that you spell your child(ren)'s first and last name slowly and clearly. If we have not received a call to report an absence, the school will be in contact with the parent or emergency contact to confirm the child’s safety. Please help our busy office staff by always calling us when your child will be absent or tardy.
Just a reminder that if a child is absent from school, they cannot participate in any afterschool activities that day.
Early Dismissal: Should be the exception; a pattern of early dismissal interferes with student learning, teacher instruction, and important end of day routines for students. If you plan to dismiss your child, a parent/guardian must notify the office and your child's team teachers with either a note or email. Students are not allowed to call home to arrange for a dismissal.
iPad Use: Student iPads are a school owned device and should be used for learning purposes, not for personal use or gaming.
Cell Phone/Smart Watches: Student cell phones or other personal electronic devices (smart watches) are not allowed to be used during the school day. These are to be placed in a student locker or backpack when entering the building.
Late Bus Available: Mon/Weds/Thurs
We are now offering a FREE late bus services for students on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The buses will depart from SHS at 3:50pm and from the middle schools at 4:20pm. While there is no charge for this service, families will need to sign up for the late bus via the middle schools Google form. We ask that you sign up by noon on the day your child will take the bus. You will need to complete the Google form for each child in your family who will take the late bus. Go to the SPS website for more information.
The Oak Food Pantry
The Food For Families Food Pantry at OMS is open! This year we are offering 2 different options for families as we recognize that every situation is different. Any family, no matter how big or small the need, can access the pantry. It does not matter if your need is short term or long term, the pantry is here for you. We understand that food insecurity is on the rise and we want to help our OMS families.
Option 1 is our Weekender Program: Each Friday, students can pick up a bag from the health office that will include individual portion size foods for 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches, along with a sleeve of crackers and 2 snacks. (Breakfast may be small cereal boxes, breakfast bars, instant oatmeal, small shelf stable milk, instant breakfast packet, small pancake mix. Lunch will be small mac and cheese or other pasta cups, tuna fish, canned chicken, soups). This is meant to help families who need support when school is not in session on the weekends.
Option 2 is our Biweekly Program: Every other Friday, families will receive 2 bags of groceries, one with a minimum of 12 lbs of food (including food items for breakfast, lunch and dinner and rotating staple items like peanut butter, jelly, cooking oil, condiments) and the other with household items (paper towels, napkins, toothpaste, dish soap, laundry soap, trash bags, deodorant, bar soap, etc.) This program requires that an adult family member come to school and pick up the bags during school hours. The bags will be ready by 9:00 A.M. Friday morning of the pick up week, located in the health office.
For both programs, pickup is in the Health Office. This program is confidential and no documentation of need is required.
If you are in need please contact the OMS nurses by calling 508-841-1204 or emailing them at oaknurse@shrewbury.k12.ma.us. Referrals can be made by anyone. Please reach out if you are in need.
The Locker
The Locker is a donation based program housed at Oak that helps families in the district that could use support with clothing and personal care items. We are happy to help you in the most discreet way possible, information will be kept confidential. It would be helpful to have as much information you can provide in what you are looking for and what will be most useful to your family.
We recognize that each student has their own preferences in what they would like to wear as far as styles and colors. If your child would be interested in helping us select items, we can arrange for them to come to the neatly organized closet and choose their own items.
Items can be sent home with your student if they are comfortable or pick up can be arranged through the health office.
Please complete this form if you would like help:
SUMMER ENRICHMENT
SUMMER ENRICHMENT
Registration for the Summer Enrichment program will open Tuesday, February 13th at 7:00AM.
You can learn more about the program and preview the catalog here.
https://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/extendedlearning/summer-programs
Location: Sherwood Middle School
For students who will be entering grades 1-8 in fall of 2024
Dates: June 24-27, July 8-11, July 15-18 and July 22-25
Half-day and Full-day options are available, with dozens of classes to choose from each week.
Each half-day class costs $100 per week. Students who meet the financial guidelines for the free and reduced lunch program can use the code SUMMER50 at checkout to receive a 50% discount off their total fees.
SUMMER ROBOTICS
Registration for the Summer Robotics Program will open Tuesday, February 13th at 7:00AM.
You can learn more about the program here.
https://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/extendedlearning/summer-robotics
Location: Shrewsbury High
For students who will be entering grades 4-8 in the fall of 2024
Dates: July 8-12, July 15-19, July 22-26 and July 29-Aug 2
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30-3:30
Cost: $310 per week.
Students who meet the financial guidelines for the free and reduced lunch program can use the code SUMMER50 at checkout to receive a 50% discount off their total fees.