Odyssey Observer

Dearest Dragon Families,

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving break! It's amazing that we're almost halfway through the school year with just three weeks until winter break. I'm grateful for our journey together at Odyssey Middle. Observing classrooms, talking with students, and connecting with families and community partners, I'm confident great things are ahead. Our focus on student success remains strong as we continue to empower, endeavor, and excel.

✅ Attendance Matters: School attendance is crucial for student success. Regular attendance helps students stay on track with their learning, understand expectations, and build important social connections.

To make attendance even more exciting, we're launching the Takis Tally Challenge: Show Up, Win Big! The grade level with the highest attendance rate during the month of December will win Takis. Please support your child by ensuring they are present for school daily. Together, we can make a difference in their education and future. Let's show up, stay engaged, and win big together!

✨ Here are some tips to help encourage regular attendance:

• Establish Routines: Set regular bedtimes and morning routines.
• Stay Involved: Show interest in your child's school activities and discuss their day with them.
• Communicate: Keep in touch with teachers and school staff regarding your child's progress.
• Provide Transportation: Arrange reliable transportation to and from school.
• Positive Reinforcement: Reward your child for good attendance with praise or incentives.
• Address Issues: If your child is reluctant to go to school, talk to them to understand and address their concerns.

📚 Middle-of-Year (MOY) Testing: As we approach the middle of the school year, let's rally together to support our students through the upcoming testing season. Your encouragement and involvement are key to their success. Ensuring your child is present at school, well-rested, and prepared with their laptop and charger will set them up for success.

Middle of year testing is a valuable opportunity for students to show what they know. It helps us understand their current knowledge and skills, allowing us to plan for any necessary support. Encouraging your child to do their very best on these tests is vital, as it provides us with accurate information to support their learning journey. Together, we can help our students shine.

📅 ODMS families are invited to join me for "Coffee Convos with Principal Ninah" (RSVP here) this Wednesday, December 4th (9:30 - 10:30 a.m.). 🛑Only Additions Approved family members will be able to attend this December meeting.

🤝We also invite families to join our School Advisory Council (SAC) meeting at 5:00 p.m., followed by our Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10th. Attending SAC and PTSA meetings keeps you informed about school policies and events, and gives you a voice in important decisions. Your involvement helps build a strong community and supports your child's education.

As a reminder, follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) for updates and events.

💻 Social Media Links

Odyssey Middle School (ODMS) Website - https://odysseyms.ocps.net/

ODMS Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/odysseyms/

ODMS Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/odysseymiddle_dragons/

ODMS Twitter - https://twitter.com/OdysseyMS_OCPS

Thank you for your commitment to student success and for empowering our Dragons!

We are Odyssey! We empower, endeavor, and excel. 🐲🏈🏆

In Leadership and Service,

Your Proud Principal, Ms. Ninah 💖

“Individuals play the game, but teams win championships.” John Maxwell

To attend the Coffee Conversations meeting on December 4th, please RSVP by Monday, November 25th. Additionally, all attendees must be Additions Approved. Guests who are not Additions Approved will not be able to join the campus/classroom tour. Confirmation emails will be sent on Tuesday, December 3rd to those who RSVP.

OCPS Vision

To ensure that every student has a promising and successful future

OCPS Mission

With the support of families and the community, we create enriching and diverse pathways that lead our students to success

ODMS Mantra

We are Odyssey! We empower, endeavor, and excel.

Principal, Charisse M. Ninah, charisse.ninah@ocps.net

Assistant Principal, Gina Grant, gina.grant@ocps.net

Assistant Principal, Sean Roper, sean.roper@ocps.net

Instructional Coach/Testing, natalie.kitts@ocps.net

Literacy Coach/ESOL Compliance Specialist, hema.vijayakumar@ocps.net

School Counselor (Grades 6 & 7 A-L), daylin.saavedra@ocps.net

School Counselor (Grades 8 & 7 M-Z), lucia.aloyo-cruz@ocps.net

Media Specialist, tracy.finnin@ocps.net

Staffing Specialist, nichole.clark@ocps.net

S.A.F.E. Coordinator, dalia.alarnick@ocps.net

Dean (Grades 8 & 7 M-Z), javier.maldonado@ocps.net

DEC 4 Coffee Conversations with Principal Ninah | Location: Media Center (9:30 - 10:30 a.m.)

DEC 5 ESE ASD Field Trip (9:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.)

DEC 6 Astro Skate Night | Location: Astro Skating Center (6 - 8 p.m.)

DEC 6 Kona Ice Spirit Day | 4 - 6 p.m.

DEC 7 Drama Dragons Performance | Location: Theatre Classroom | See showtimes below

DEC 9 - 12: Common Final Exams for PE | Location: Odyssey MS

DEC 10 SAC (5pm) & PTSA (5:30pm) Meetings | Location: Media Center

DEC 10 FAST ELA PM2 | Location: Odyssey MS

DEC 10 Band Winter Concert (6:30 p.m.) | Location: Odyssey MS

DEC 12 FAST Math PM2 | Location: Odyssey MS

DEC 12 Orchestra Winter Concert (6:30 p.m.) | Location: Odyssey MS

DEC 13 Civics & 7th Science PMA

DEC 16 Chorus Concert (Doors Open: 6:30 p.m. / Concert: 7:00 p.m.) | Location: Innovation HS

DEC 17 Principal Advisory Council Meeting | Location: Media Center (8:45 - 9:15 a.m.)

DEC 17 CFE (P.E.) Testing, 6th & 8th Science PMA

DEC 20 End of 2nd Marking Period

DEC 23 - JAN 7 Winter Break

We are pleased to announce that our finalized December testing calendar is now available. You can find it on our school website under the Academics section and as an announcement via our Media Center Canvas Course. We wanted to share this information to help you plan appropriately before winter break. Please remember that it is crucial for students to participate in all testing and give their best effort. Additionally, please note that for CFE (semester course) exams, if a student is not present or able to take the exam, they will receive a 59% as their semester exam grade.

🗝️ F.A.S.T. - Florida Assessment of Student Thinking

🗝️ PMA - Progress Monitoring Activity

🗝️ CFE - Common Final Exam

If you have any further questions, please contact our testing coordinator Ms. Kitts: Natalie.Kitts@ocps.net | 407-207-3850 Ext: 5222314

Join the PTSA to actively shape your child's educational experience and connect with a supportive community of parents and educators. Scan the QR code below to express your interest. Thank you!

Follow us on social media: Instagram - @odysseymiddleschoolptsa; Facebook - ODMS PTSA

💻 Email: odysseyptsaorlando@gmail.com

🛒 Shop + Become a PTSA Member: https://odmsdragons.memberhub.com/store

📅 Date: Tuesday, December 10th

⏲️ Time: 5:00 p.m. (SAC) | 5:30 p.m. (PTSA)

🏫 Location: Media Center

𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 "𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲: 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗨𝗽, 𝗪𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝗴!"

The grade level with the highest attendance rate in December (December 2nd through December 19th) will receive a bag of Takis and one lucky winner in that grade level will win a box of Takis. Let's go, Dragons! 🐲🏈🏆

Dragon families, we are currently offering math morning tutoring sessions (see image for details).

Additionally, we are offering afternoon tutoring sessions for various content areas through

All Stars. Afternoon tutoring sessions through All Stars will be provided by our very own teachers. Your child must be registered for All Stars to take advantage of this FREE after school tutoring opportunity. Scan the QR code to register your child.

Thank you for supporting your child in this endeavor!

Basketball tryouts will begin on January 8th, 2025. Students must have a complete sports packet uploaded in Aktivate to try out. The (cash only) admission for home games is $5 per adult and $2 per student. Please visit our athletics page on our school website for important information, including game schedules: https://odysseyms.ocps.net/athletics. If you have additional questions, email our Athletic Director, Coach Loristin (fabiola.loristin@ocps.net).

Please join our team, here is the link:

https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Orlando/SchoolSpiritFunRunKidsRun

Team Name: Odyssey Middle Dragons / Password: Dragons2024

We are excited to announce that all grade levels will have an opportunity to attend a field trip on Friday, May 9, 2025. Field trip payments must be submitted via SchoolPay starting December 9th. Additionally, field trip notices will go home on Monday, December 9th which will include information for those who are interested in being a chaperone.

Please be advised that payment deadlines will not be extended to provide sufficient time to finalize trip details. *Note: Payments are non-refundable.

Thank you for investing in the life-changing initiatives taking place at Odyssey Middle School. We appreciate your contribution to our mission of ensuring that every student has a promising and successful future. Please share with parents, community members, Facebook friends.

1. School Fund: 🖱 Click here to donate to the Odyssey Fund

2. Recycling Bin: You can also help Odyssey Middle by donating used clothing and shoes. We earn cash for every pound of clothing donated.

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) is beginning the K-12 English Language Arts and Personal Finance Textbook Adoption process. OCPS is seeking parent volunteers to review and evaluate instructional materials online based on the curricular needs of the students and teachers throughout OCPS.

Eligibility & Requirements: Parents must not be a current OCPS employee, and their child must currently attend an OCPS school that is not a charter school. Parents must be willing to dedicate approximately thirty hours to review textbooks and attend committee meetings.

To Apply: Interested parents, please visit: http://im.ocps.net, and click on the link to submit the review committee application. The deadline to apply is December 8, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Randomly selected applicants will be notified by Friday, December 13, 2024. Participation in the ELA and Personal Finance instructional materials review committee is voluntary, and volunteer hours may be submitted. If you are not an OCPS ADDitions volunteer, we encourage you to register.

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