OLHMS Update!

Max our Mustang mascot could not have been more excited to have the "life" of our beautiful building back this week as our scholars returned! We are so proud of our scholars and their excitement for this year's journey! Huge thank you to all of our Mustang families for your support, patience and encouragement to kick this year off!

We continue to work with First Student to improve the riding experience for our scholars. Staff and District Administrators have been riding the AM and PM routes to help students get seated and observe any issues that may arise as we examine opportunities of a more efficient process. We are communicating daily with First Student.

Due to the climate of the transportation industry we will continue to see high ridership on our buses. We are asking that as our students board the bus they take off their backpacks and place them on their laps. This will provide more space in their seats and help with the comfort of the ride. We are also reminding our students that as the bus empties at each stop they may move seats while the bus is stopped, to find a more convenient and comfortable seat for the remainder of their ride. It is understandable that for a short time the rides to and from school may be less comfortable than it has been in the past, but if our students take a few of the steps mentioned, it may improve the experience.

Lastly, it is important that our students and families check their routes on Skyward. Students should only be boarding their assigned bus. With the new routing of students from First Student, families may see other buses driving by their assigned stops. Please only board the bus that is assigned. This will help with the rider experience and the efficiency of the routes.

Thank you Mustang Families for your patience and support with our new one way process on Oak Center Dr. We have greatly appreciated everyone's courteousness and understanding with this new process! We are confident that this will continue to improve as we have recognized from day 1 to day 3. We will continue to communicate with Oak Center Dr. residents along with Crossing Guards and local authorities to improve the efficiency.

Here are a couple reminders as we continue to improve this process:

• Parking lots are for staff parking only. All parent/student drop off and pick up takes place in the back of the school on Oak Center Dr.
• If possible, please have scholars sit in the rear driver's side seat.
• Do not drop scholars off in the middle of the street.
• Feel free to pull over and utilize Minnick Ave. as a drop off and allow students to safely cross or walk East on Oak Center Dr.
• Utilizing 53rd Ave. and/or Cook Ave. to head South (Right Turn) might be good options for some families.
• All traffic should be moving South (Right Turn) at 52nd and Oak Center Dr.
• Do not pass cars in our circle drive

• Main Entrance: Bus entrance only!

• Oak Center Drive: One-Way moving West to East for mornings and afternoons.

• Parents dropping off and walkers enter the building in the back on Oak Center Dr. Parents please be patient, follow guidance from support staff and do not block the driveways of our neighbors on Oak Center Dr.

• 6th Grade scholars use Door 4

• 7th Grade scholars use Door 6

• 8th Grade scholars use Door 5

OLHMS PTSA

All staff and families are highly encouraged to join the PTSA and attend meetings. This is an incredible opportunity, partnership and fun way to support our scholar’s experience at the middle school!

• Membership can be online using this link: https://olhmsptsa.memberhub.com/store

• PTSA Spirit Gear- more information coming soon

• Reach out to Mrs. Shane, our PTSA President for more information (tmshane@gmail.com)