The OMS Community Newsletter
Week of January 8 - 12, 2024
Principal's Message
Dear OMS Families,
In case you missed my email yesterday, please read below for important information regarding recent incidents we are seeing with student behavior:
Unfortunately, some students are resorting to physical violence in school when they have conflicts with peers. While peer conflicts are common in middle school, fighting in school will not be tolerated. Additionally, planning to fight someone in school is unacceptable. If students are involved in a fight on school grounds, there will be immediate disciplinary action as this is both disruptive and dangerous to the safe learning environment that all students at OMS deserve (See pages 27 & 34 of Student & Parent Handbook).
If a student is angry with another student, the best way to handle the problem is to seek help from an adult. Students can help to solve issues by not spreading gossip and alerting a school counselor or administrator to a potential problem.
I have addressed this issue with all students during lunches this week. I encourage you to speak to your child about this matter. Together, we can support students and teach them how to handle their emotions and conflicts in a safe and appropriate manner.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Crowley
Important Dates
Upcoming Events
Project 351
- lead with an open heart and mind
- exemplify values of kindness, compassion, humility, and gratitude
- demonstrate a strong ethic of service
- reflect respect for the dignity of all and for the diversity of culture, race, heritage, and lived experiences
- can work independently but also values teamword
- reflect strong potential and a desire to learn and lead
All students who are nominated are recognized locally and our selected Ambassador goes on to represent OMS and Stoughton at the State House for Launch Day and for a year of service opportunities.
Tana Bernard, Project 351 Ambassador
Tana Bernard is our 2024 Project 351 Ambassador! She will represent OMS and Stoughton this weekend at the MA State House for Launch Day which will kickoff her year of service opportunities. We are excited to hear all about her experience at Launch Day.
Tana embodies Project 351 values of kindness, compassion, humility, and gratitude. She is a model student and a leader amongst her peers. Tana always makes an effort to say hello to people and ask them how they are. She goes out of her way to make sure everyone is included and she is never afraid to do the right thing. Tana is a change-maker and has unlimited potential to lead positive change. One example of this was during Start with Hello week this year. Tana recognized her fellow peers who were upstanders in our school by completing upstander-grams for them. In addition to this, she completed an upstander gram for every teacher she had in Grade 6 and Grade 7 as well as upstander grams for her current Grade 8 teachers. Her notes to them shared her gratitude for the positive change they make in students' daily lives. While students were all encouraged to give an upstander in our school a shout-out, Tana went above and beyond by acknowledging and recognizing the positive change being made by both peers and teachers.
Tana is humble, approachable, accepting of others, and a team player. She works hard both in school and in her extracurricular activities. Tana is a member of the OMS chapter of the National Junior Honor Society, plays soccer, and participates in band. She is driven and motivated to continue to do great things and excel in whatever she sets her mind to.
Five other students in Grade 8 were nominated to be the Project 351 ambassador: Brennan Cox, Valentina de Carvalho, Eden Gonsalves, Jackson Gosule, and Victor Pereira. These students are recognized for their hard work, character, and commitment to service. Congratulations to all of our Project 351 nominees!
From left to right: Vallentina de Carvalho, Brennan Cox, Jackson Gosule, Tana Bernard, Eden Gonsalves, Victor Pereira
MLK Jr. Celebration in Stoughton
On Monday, there will be events in town to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Some of our own OMS National Junior Honors Society (NJHS) members will be volunteering at the event.
Grade 8 to 9 Transition
Attention Grade 8 Students & Families:
We will be kicking off our transition process to prepare students for high school. In Knight Time Advisory next week, Grade 8 students will be learning more about the SHS Program of Studies and the course selection process.
Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School representatives will be visiting OMS on January 24 - 25 to conduct interviews with students who have applied. Ms. Mendes (Grade 8 School Counselor) will be in contact with students who have interviews scheduled.
Grade 8 students and families are invited to join the SHS Administration, Department Directors and SHS student leaders on Monday, January 29, 2024 @ 6:30 pm in the Stoughton High School Auditorium for the 8th Grade SHS Showcase! You will hear all about classes, requirements, opportunities, activities, clubs, sports, music, drama and more! In addition, you will receive important information about the course selection process.
OMS Winter Band Concert
Band students performed to a packed SHS auditorium for their Winter Band Concert. The following bands performed throughout the evening:
- 6th Grade ACE Band
- 6th Grade BDF Band
- 7th Grade Band
- 8th Grade Band
- Honor Wind Band
- OMS Jazz Ensemble
It was amazing to hear how much Grade 6 students have learned in their band classes this year. In Grades 7 and 8, the band is split up into two classes that practice separately. Students in these bands pulled off a combined full band performance after only one day of practicing all together! Honor Wind Band and OMS Jazz Ensemble are groups that practice after school during the year. Bravo to all performers!
OMS Winter Sports
Save the date: January 31st
On January 31st, OMS Athletics is taking over the SHS Gymnasium with a triple header. Come join us at SHS to cheer on our students!
- 4pm OMS Wrestling (Coed)
- 5:30pm OMS Girls Basketball (with special performances by the OMS Dance Team)
- 6:30pm OMS Boys Basketball
Last week, we shared a photo of our OMS Wrestling Team. Take a look below at some of our other teams this winter.
OMS Girls Basketball
Coach Mrs. Valair (8B Social Studies teacher)
OMS Boys Basketball
Coach Mr. Mason (7A ELA teacher)
OMS Dance Team
Coaches Mrs. Walsh (7A Math teacher) & Ms. DeCoffe (7B Math teacher) not pictured
SPS Event Pass for Winter Events
The SPS Event Pass is required for OMS students who want to attend an event unaccompanied by an adult for specified SPS events. It is the same pass that was used for the SHS football games. If students already have a SPS Event Pass, they can use it for the winter. If students need a pass, they will need to turn in a permission slip in order to receive one.
An SPS Event Pass is needed if OMS students want to attend as a spectator for the following events:
- OMS Winter Choral Concert
- SHS Basketball Games
STOYAC Softball
Previous Newsletters
Missed a newsletter? Click below to access previous newsletters from this year.