In the black box at the top of the newsletter, select Translate Newsletter to pick the desired language.

· Portuguese: Na caixa preta na parte superior do boletim, selecione Traduzir Boletim informativo para escolher o idioma desejado.

· Spanish: En el cuadro de Negro en la parte superior del boletín de noticias, seleccione Traducir Boletín de escoger el idioma deseado.

· Arabic : في المربع الأسود في أعلى النشرة الإخبارية، حدد ترجمة الرسالة الإخبارية لاختيار اللغة المطلوبة.

· Vietnamese: Trong hộp đen ở phía trên cùng của bản tin, chọn dịch ký nhận để chọn ngôn ngữ mong muốn.

· Swahili: Katika sanduku nyeusi juu ya jarida, chagua Jarida la Tafsiri ili kuchagua lugha taka.

This past weekend the Arlington High School celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2025. We hope all OMS families who have a high school graduate this year or who were part of the ceremonies had an enjoyable experience. Congratulations and best wishes to all!

As we begin to wrap up the final weeks of school and send off our current 8th grade students, I wanted to send along some information and reminders.

• By Monday afternoon, June 9, all 8th grade families will receive an email from me with "everything you need to know" about the 8th grade activities.
• Mid-week this upcoming week, I hope to share an update email with information for current 7th grade families (rising 8th) and current Gibbs families (rising 7th) about the elective options we are piloting for the 2025/2026 school year.
• All current OMS students will be returning their school issued devices before the end of the school year. Please refer to information from your child's LC regarding the process for device collection. To help assist with this process, please make sure your child returns their charger and case (if for some reason they took it off, now is a great time to track it down and put it back on!).
• Rising 8th grade LC assignments were emailed to students and caregivers on Friday. If someone did not receive an email, please reach out to me directly.
• May attendance letters were sent home with students via ASPIRE. Please check your child's backpack.

To students and families, every morning during the morning announcements, I recite our core values - At OMS, we work hard, we are kind, and we speak our truth. As we approach summer, I wanted to remind students that when times are busy and changes are ahead, these values don't disappear. In fact, now is the perfect time to lean into them even more.

Work Hard – Whether it’s finishing strong in your classes, showing up every day, or giving your best effort in group projects or on the field, your hard work still matters.

Be Kind – These last few weeks are a chance to lift each other up, not tear each other down. A kind word or a thoughtful action can leave a lasting impression.

Speak Your Truth – Use your voice respectfully and honestly. Stand up for yourself and others. Your words have power—use them to build a better community.

Let’s finish this year living our values: engage, empower, and excel. I’m proud of the work you’ve done and excited to see how you carry yourselves through the final days.

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

This Week:

• Tuesday, June 10
• Virtual Workshop: Coping Ahead - Screen Time Strategies for Summer
• View/Download the Flyer
  Registration link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0l6teqTQfM0xO_pwi3-jV-Y2MsXL7wr-2G_uDlVqTmfIYUQ/viewform
• Wednesday, June 11
• 8th grade civics classes present their Civics Action Projects (CAP)
• 2nd Annual EOY Family Engagement Leaders Social; 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. l

• Tuesday, June 17

• 8th Grade Field Day & BBQ

• Rehearsal for Moving-On Ceremony

• Wednesday, June 18

• 8th Grade Moving-On Ceremony (Earth/Fire/Water: 9:15 a.m; Thunder & Air: 11 a.m.)

• 8th Grade Dance - 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at OMS

• Thursday, June 19

• No School - Juneteenth

• Friday, June 20

• 8th Grade Canobie Lake Field Trip (leave OMS at 10 a.m. and return by 5:30 depending upon traffic); 8th grade students may arrive at school by 9:30 a.m. this day.

• 7th Grade Boston Field Trip

• Monday, June 23

• Last Day of School: Dismissal at 11:30 a.m.

• ALL 8th grade students report to AHS for orientation even if you plan to attend a private school or Minuteman.

Arlington Public Schools District Calendar

OMS 8th grade students who are working on their Civics Action Project will be collecting food for the food drive all next week. Please consider donating the following items. Items can be dropped off at OMS or Starbucks on 1465 Mass Ave.

• Tuesday, June 17 - Field Day & BBQ
• Wednesday, June 18 - Moving On Ceremony & Dance (6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
• Thursday, June 19 - No School/Juneteenth
• Friday, June 20 - Canobie Lake Field Trip: Due to the hours of operation for the amusement park, we will leave for Canobie Lake from OMS by 10 a.m. and will return to OMS by about 5:30 p.m. (traffic depending) so that students will have ample time at the park that day. As a result, 8th grade students are allowed to arrive at school between 9:30 and 9:45 that day (Friday, June 20).
• Monday, June 23 - Last Day of School - ALL 8th grade students report to AHS for orientation even if you plan to attend a private school or Minuteman.

Dismissal Process: Since the Moving On Ceremony takes place during the school day, many families choose to dismiss their child following the event. If you plan to dismiss your child, please do the following:

• Fill out this Google Form.

• After the ceremony, please report to the tables outside the main door.

• The tables will be labeled with each LC. Please stand in the line at the table that is assigned to your child’s LC.

• One of the admin assistants will confirm your child’s dismissal and then you are free to leave.

Youth football is back in Arlington! With the support of AHS Football and head coach Frank Roche, Arlington Youth Football Club is a newly formed non-profit organization looking to provide grades 5-8 a fun and informative football experience. Check out our website for more information and to register by June 1st for an early bird special.

Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is pleased to announce that our free Parenting Solutions Library is now available in Spanish. MPY is offering this valuable resource in partnership with Peace at Home Parenting Solutions, a non-profit organization located in Mansfield, Connecticut. Through this partnership, MPY is providing proven resources to help students’ families thrive.

Peace At Home Parenting Solutions specializes in empowering parents with evidence-based strategies to foster nurturing connections that safeguard their children's mental well-being. The Parenting Solutions Library is easily accessed using the link on MPY’s home page. No log in or passcode is needed.

The Peace at Home Parenting Solutions Library is a free, valuable resource for PTOs, SEPACs, ELLPACs and other parent-oriented groups. We request your assistance sharing this valuable and free resource through school-based newsletters and school-based organizations. For your convenience, we have created this handout. Please contact MPY Executive Director Margie Daniels at margie@mpyinc.org with questions.

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.

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.