OLHMS Update 5/28/24

Did you know that parent/ family pick up and drop off takes place in the back of our building on Oak Center Drive?

We will be piloting a revised safety plan for morning drop off and afternoon dismissal. Our main parking lot will be closed for parents/ families between 8:15am-8:45am and 3:15pm until the buses exit the parking lot. Only buses and staff will be allowed to enter the parking lot during these times. Once the buses have left the main parking lot, it will be reopened. We have had multiple close encounters with staff and students almost hit by cars.

ALL parent/ family drop off should be taking place on Oak Center Drive. We will have staff present at Doors 4 and 5 until 8:45 am to pass out tardy passes to students entering after 8:30 am.

Do not drop off or pick up students in the main parking lot or on 99th St. during arrival and dismissal. It is imperative that we maintain a safe environment for our students at all times. Recently, a driver was arrested for reckless driving as they endangered students and staff during dismissal. As the weather continues to improve, please set up meeting spots for pick up and/ or drop off. Typically, we are clear of buses and traffic within 10 minutes of arrival and dismissal.

Mustang Families,

We hope everyone enjoyed this Memorial Day weekend by acknowledging those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. Our extended weekend began with another wonderful performance from our Jazz Band and a perfect Jazz Night! Prior to our musical culmination on Friday night we hosted breakfast awards for 6th and 7th grade scholars, took our grade level trips and hosted a CASE dance party. We want to thank our PTSA and volunteers for another wonderfully exhausting week of events! This week continues to be busy with 8th grade events!!

Yearbook Delay: Due to unforeseen circumstances at the Balfour Yearbook Companies' publishing plant, the 2024 Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School Yearbook will not arrive before the end of the school year as originally anticipated.

Stress: How parents can spot and help reduce it in children: We all know this time of year can be very stressful! Our Counselors asked that I share a nice resource.

Shark Tank: Congratulations to all our future entrepreneurs! Each of our scholar did a wonderful job presenting and showcasing their creativity on stage today!

SWIC Art Showcase: The artwork of eight talented students has been chosen to represent OLHMS at the SWIC Invitational Art Exhibition, which will be held last night at Simmons Middle School Fine Arts Center in Oak Lawn. This juried exhibit will featured the best works of art from participating schools in the Southwest Interscholastic Conference (SWIC). The art on display will showcase a variety of media and be reflective of the type of work done at each school. Congratulations to Congrats to Tenley Whelan, Delilah Romero, Marilyn Medina, Leilani Mojica, Bethzabe Barrios, Liliana Davis, Giselle Anaya and Valeria Serrano

Kindergarten EL screener: Register for Kindergarten screening with the linked document. Screening will take place between August 12-15 at different D123 elementary schools.

Our Community: Please be respectful of our neighbors around our school during arrival and dismissal. It is also important to remind our scholars about staying off community members property while waiting for a bus or walking home.

e-Sports: Thank you to Brother Rice High School for inviting and hosting our e-Sports team! Our team enjoyed a great experience with the high schoolers!

D123 4WARD: We have begun a new effort to engage our alumni!! From the classroom to the stage, the athletic field to the culinary club, and everywhere in between, we want to know what our graduates have been up to in "tomorrow's world."

Whether these alumni excelled in high school, found opportunities in college, or started a successful career, the stories, adventures, and triumphs shared will inspire us, current students, and future leaders. This program is an opportunity to celebrate these achievements together and keep the D123 community spirit alive long after middle school graduation.

Families of alumni and D123 graduates themselves are invited to fill out this form to submit for possible inclusion in our alumni spotlight E-Newsletter, "D123 4-WARD." The newsletter will be produced and sent semiannually in December and May. Participants will be notified if their story will be included in the publication.

D123 4Ward May Addition: Check out the special edition newsletter focus on our D123 Alumni!

D123 Summer Programming is now available!! Check out the full brochure for options!

D123 Outdoor Safety Letter Reminder: As the weather shifts and we enjoy our time outdoors, continue following our Mustang Musts!

Incoming 6th Grade Information: If you have a current 5th grade student, please check out this special newsletter with lots of information as our transitions to OLHMS are now complete!

Check our this Special Newsletter to explore our OLHMS Service Day 2024!

Service Day at OLHMS is an incredible opportunity for each of our scholars to participate in projects geared to highlighting and living our mission here in D123! This is an annual event allowing each grade level to progress in their service experiences.

D123 Returning Student Registration Now Open in Skyward! Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 is committed to always ensuring a successful launch to our upcoming school year for every student who learns here.

As a district, we are setting an ambitious and crucial goal: to complete 100% of our returning student registrations by Friday, May 17, 2024.

Graduation Expectations

Congratulations to the SELECT 123 group for the Class of 2024! We had 55 amazing young leaders apply for the opportunity to be 1 of 23 and the group pictured above will represent this year's class! Congratulations to all 55 leaders who made the selections process extremely challenging.

Our 8th grade scholars and parents have been given the information in this updated Parent Letter. These expectations have been discussed with scholars and families throughout the beginning of the year and sent home on multiple occasions. The end of year events for the Class of 2024 are detailed in this letter and listed below. Participation eligibly is being finalized based on grade and behavioral expectations. Families have been or will be communicated with by tomorrow in the event that refunds will need to be issued.

Graduation is scheduled for June 4th at 7:00pm. Main doors will be open at 6:15pm for guests. All graduates should enter Door 2 (8th grade bus entrance) between 6:15-6:30pm. Graduates should be fully dressed in gowns. Please remind guests not to bring balloons or items that may restrict others viewing during our ceremony.

Dates and Reminders:

Great America Field Trip - Thursday, May 30, 2024
For safety/organizational purposes we do require that each student purchase and wear a “Class of 2024” t-shirt to Great America. In addition, students will participate in a picnic luncheon at Great America with their entire class.

Graduation Gown and Ticket Distribution - Friday, May 31, 2024

Gowns and tickets (4) will be given to student prior to leaving for the day.

Elementary School Graduation Walk - Friday, May 31, 2024
Scholars will have the opportunity to reminisce while parading the halls of their former schools, closing the D123 chapter.

Graduation Dance - Friday, May 31, 2024, 7:00-9:00 PM
The PTSA shared information a few weeks ago.

SELECT 123 Awards - Monday, June 3, 2024, 7:30 AM

Parents and families of the 23 SELECT 123 Group are welcome to attend. This event recognizes students who received our prestigious award.

8th Grade Awards Assembly - Monday, June 3, 2024, 9:00AM
Parents and families are welcome to attend. This event recognizes students who received various honors throughout the year.

Graduation Ceremony - Tuesday, June 4, 2024, 7:00PM (Live Streamed)
Each graduate will receive four (4) tickets to the ceremony (the graduate does not need a ticket). The tickets will be given to the graduates during school hours, and will not be split or divided up by school personnel. A ticket for each person (no matter the age) is mandatory for admission to the ceremony. Please refrain from bringing any items that may restrict guest viewing.

As always, please feel free to contact the main office at 708-499-6400 with any questions or concerns. We look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of the Class of 2024 with our graduates and their families!

8th Grade Graduation Lawn Signs are in the main office if you didn't pick your sign up!

Please support our school with Box Tops. If you receive a paper receipt, a quick scan with the Box Tops app will identify participating products and automatically credit the school's earning online. Download the app and make every shopping trip count including purchases made online. Digital receipts are accepted as well. Use this referral code NXVB5P83 when you sign up and you’ll get 25 Bonus Box Tops when you scan your first receipt now through 05/31/2024, while supplies last. Use this link to download the Box Tops app: https://btfe.smart.link/c2jjdifkw?referral_code=NXVB5P83

Thank you for your time and support!

Contact us at: olhmsd123ptsa@gmail.com

Follow us on FB at OLHMS PTSA

5/30/24: Beginning Band Breakfast/Chorus Breakfast, 8th Gr. Trip

5/31/24: Grad Walk, 8th Gr. Dance

6/3/24: SELECT 123 Breakfast, 8th Gr. Awards

6/4/24: Graduation

6/5/24: Last Day of School (1/2 Day)

2023-24 School District Calendar

CLICK HERE TO VIEW CALENDAR