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

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

It has been wonderful welcoming everyone back to school this week! We are cruising right along into the new school year. Typically, this newsletter will hit your inboxes on Friday afternoons, but this week, it's arriving on Sunday.

A few things to note:

Chromebook distribution took longer than I had hoped. We have asked our staff to be mindful of the fact that not all students who need chromebooks have them. If your child did not receive a chromebook, we will have them ready early next week. In the meantime, those students can sign out a loaner from Ms. Duffy in the main office. We are limited in the number of loaner computers we have, so please do not forget computers at home and make sure they are charged. Loaner computers must be returned at the end of the school day.

Core Values and Student Character

School administration met with all students to review school protocols and behavior expectations that align with the core values of Ottoson, which are engage, empower, and excel. We are asking for your partnership as we work with students to truly embody these characteristics in their everyday lives both inside and outside of school and especially on public transportation.

I'm also asking families to reiterate with their children that the MBTA bus and bus stop is an extension of the school day and that they can face consequences for their behavior at the bus stop or on the MBTA if it is not aligned with the core values of OMS. OMS has a teacher stationed at the bus stop at the end of the day to monitor student behavior and will be referring inappropriate behavior to administration for disciplinary procedures.

This week, students were asked to set an intention on how they will live out the OMS core values. Please ask your child about their intention and help them to understand what this looks like in action.

Finally, we have also been very clear with students and set the expectation that the use of racial slurs, homophobic language or other derogatory words will not be tolerated.

As a reminder, no cell phones or smartwatches are allowed at school during the school day. They should be turned off and stored in their locker or backpack.

Subscribe to the GO PTO e-newsletter! It goes out every Monday (or Tuesday if it's a holiday) and contains GO PTO updates plus news and reminders from the school and happenings around town relevant to middle school students. Subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/9d272bc40c49/goptonews

See below for information on AM/PM programming, which begins on Wednesday, Sept. 11 and be sure to remind your child to visit the clubs fair after school on Thursday, Sept. 12.

And remember to Engage, Empower, Excel: We work hard; we are kind, we speak our truth. Have a great week!

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

This week:

• Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024
• Sexual Health Info Session for families: @AHS Discourse Lab
• During the day from 10-11am
• Evening from 6-7pm.

• Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024

• Clubs Fair: After school in the OMS cafeteria. Come learn about all the student clubs and organizations available to OMS students.

Looking Ahead:

• Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024

• Back to School Night: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Arlington Public Schools District Calendar

There are many voluntary opportunities at Ottoson for extra singing outside the school day. Our small groups are open to any Ottoson students who are in chorus, band or orchestra, OR who cannot schedule big groups due to a scheduling constraint. So if you have a friend in those circumstances who loves to sing, please send them our way! In addition to the concerts, the small choral groups perform at Great East Festival and go to an amusement park in the spring. If you are interested in auditioning for small groups, you can try out for Harmonics or Dynamics. If you don’t want to audition, you can join Bel Suono or Singing Bros. *All students accepted into Harmonics and Dynamics must also participate in Bel Suono or Singing Bros*

Bel Suono is for grades 7 and 8 female identified singers as well as students who are non-binary; the group sings SSA music. Bel Suono meets Friday mornings from 7:30-8:20am in rm. 102. There is no audition, come to be assigned your voice part on Friday morning, September 13th from 7:30-8:20am. Please join the google classroom with code: wnxhxcl

Singing Bros is for grades 7 and 8 male identified singers as well as students who are non-binary, we sing SATB music. Singing Bros meets Friday mornings from 7:30-8:20am. No audition, come to be assigned your voice part on Friday morning, September 13th from 7:30-8:20am. Google Classroom code is 46yqap2.

Harmonics is open to all grade 7 and 8 students. The group sings SATB music and is for the more experienced singer. There is an informational meeting on Tues. September 10th at 3pm in rm. 102. The audition will be on Sept 17th from 3-5pm (you can leave after you audition). Approximately 20 singers are accepted. Rehearsals are Tuesday afternoons from 3-3:45 and accepted singers must commit to the rehearsals. To learn more about the audition process for Harmonics, please join the google classroom at code tz3flao.

Dynamics (show choir) open to grade 7 and 8 students. Please see Mr. Smith in rm. 101 for audition information! Dynamics (Show Choir) meets Monday and Wednesday mornings from 7:30-8:20am.

First info session will be September 11 at 7:30am in Mr. Smith's room 101(we will go through the audition song). Auditions are September 16th at 7:30 am. Dynamics google classroom code is icrmbvi. The practice tracks music and dance for your audition will be posted in GC August 28th.

Junior Districts

There is an opportunity for all singers to audition for Northeast Junior District Festival. The auditions will be on February 1, and if accepted, the festival is March 12, 14, and 15. We start working on music in late October. This is an incredible opportunity for interested singers! Check out https://www.northeasterndistrict.org/junior.html. Google classroom is h3idxzj.

Spring Musical

This year we will be performing Newsies Jr at the beginning of May. Auditions will be the first week of November. Google classroom code for the auditions is i7o5sba. If you have any questions, email the director, Mrs. Antonakas at nantonakas@arlington.k12.ma.us or the music director Mr. Smith at nsmith@arlington.

Drama Club

This year’s director of the Drama Club is Ms. Scott. Be sure to go see her and say hi in rm. 222. You can email her at bbeldenscott@arlington.k12.ma.us. Drama club google classroom code is: 5fbnjgl

During the school year, the building is open to students wishing to eat breakfast beginning at 8 a.m. each day. Students must remain in the cafeteria until 8:25 a.m. If a student needs to see a teacher prior to 8:25 a.m., they may do so by signing in at the main office desk (if the teacher is available and they have arranged this ahead of time). All students should be in their first period class by 8:30 a.m. each morning and will be considered tardy if not present in at that time.

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. More information on that program will be shared with families in early September.

Only staff may enter the school parking lots, so please do not pull into either of the school parking lots to drop off or pick up students. It is recommended that cars do not drive down Acton Street to drop off students. It is advised to drop your students off at the end of the corner of Acton Street and they can walk down the road to the school. Traffic congestion on Acton Street and near the school can result in delays.

Arrive early and eat breakfast - it’s free for all and our cafeteria will be open for students starting at 8 a.m.

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 Dr. Michelle Crawford will be working primarily with grade 7 students and families.

The staff list will be available on the website at the start of school. We are in the process of updating it to reflect the new learning community assignments and new OMS staff. I will feature our new staff, including photos, in a future newsletter.

Students are dismissed at the end of the day at 2:56. When there is an early release day, students are dismissed at 1:20 p.m.

We offer a variety of after school clubs and activities and encourage students to get involved. We will be hosting a clubs fair for students directly after school in the cafeteria on Thursday, Sept. 12. Stop by, see what we have to offer, meet with the advisors, and join!

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Back-to-School Night – a fantastic opportunity for you to get a firsthand glimpse into your child's educational journey this year.

Back-to-School Nights are informative sessions designed to bridge the gap between home and school. This is your chance to meet your child's teachers, gain insights into classroom routines, curriculum plans, and discover how you can actively support your child's learning experience.

Here are a few reasons you should attend:

1. Meet the Educators: Connect with your child's teachers and learn about their teaching philosophies, goals, and the classroom environment. Establishing this personal connection sets the foundation for a strong partnership throughout the school year.

2. Curriculum Insights: Gain a deeper understanding of the subjects and topics your child will be exploring. Teachers will outline the curriculum, share teaching methodologies, and provide insights into how you can reinforce learning at home.

3. Classroom Dynamics: Get a feel for the classroom atmosphere and routines. Understand daily schedules, homework expectations, and communication channels, ensuring a smooth and supportive learning experience for your child.

4. Ask Questions: This is the perfect space to ask questions, seek clarifications, and address any concerns you might have. Open communication between parents and educators is crucial for your child's academic success.

5. Community Building: Back-to-School Nights provide an opportunity to connect with other families in your child's class. Building a supportive network of fellow parents can enrich your family's school experience.