Welcome Back!
Mustang Families,
We are just a week away from welcoming our scholars for our first day of the this 2023/2024 school year! We hope everyone enjoyed this restful and restorative Summer while preparing for an incredible year! Included in this communication you will find additional information to best support a successful start on Wednesday, August 23rd at 8:30am! Please do not forget this is a half day of school and scholars will be dismissed at 11:30am.
OLHMS Supply Drop Off (8/22/23)
The Supply Drop Off is a relaxed opportunity for scholars and families to walk our halls, check out Encore spaces, find their advisory classroom and begin learning or relearning how to open a locker. SchoolKidz orders will be placed in scholar’s advisory classrooms.
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Student schedules went live in Skyward Family Access at Noon today!
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
OLHMS School Supply Drop Off
2:00pm - 3:30pm & 6:00pm - 7:30pm (Evening is optional for staff attendance)
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
First Day of School (½ Day, Dismissal at 11:30am)
School doors open at 8:25am
Classes begin at 8:30am
Dismissal at 11:30am
Thursday, August 24, 2023
Regular School Day (Dismissal at 3:20pm)
School doors open at 8:25am
Classes begin at 8:30am
Dismissal at 3:20pm
Friday, August 25, 2023
Regular School Day (Dismissal at 3:20pm)
School doors open at 8:25am
Classes begin at 8:30am
Dismissal at 3:20pm
OLHMS Open House (9/14/23)
OLHMS Open House is a wonderful opportunity to begin our learning partnership!
- Doors will open at 6:30
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.
Main Entrance: Bus entrance only!
Oak Center Drive: One-Way moving West to East for morning and afternoon drop off and pick up.
Parents dropping off and walkers enter the building in the back of the school 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
Homeroom assignments, schedules and bus routes have been posted in Skyward Family Access as of Noon today. Please know there will be additional adjustments made to assignments, schedules and bus routes prior to or after the 23rd. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and cooperation with any future adjustments.
Grade level supply lists are linked below if you planned some shopping excitement between now and supply drop off on the 22nd! Schoolkidz purchased at the end of the 2022/2023 school year will be ready in student’s advisory classrooms. OLHMS Grade Level Supply List Link
Student Device Insurance
The student device insurance policy provides full replacement cost coverage and protects the item worldwide (on and off school grounds) for only $25/year. The policy will be transferred to any replacement device that your child may be issued. Without insurance D123 families are fully responsible for the costs associated with the repair/replacement of their student's device. Insurance coverage is for the device only and does not extend to the case or the charger. Families of students in all grade levels can sign up for this insurance program by adding the optional “Student Device Insurance” fee through Skyward Family Access. You have until the end of September to purchase device insurance every year. Additional information about the student device insurance program and deductibles can be found at: https://d123.org/about/technology/student-device-insurance/
Please view either the written or video tutorial on how to add Chromebook / iPad insurance to your student's account.
Free & Reduced Lunch Reminder
The federal program allowing districts across the country to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students regardless of income has expired. At this time, the federal government has not extended the waivers for this school year to allow free meals for all students. As a result, schools across the nation will be reverting back to free and reduced-price meals based on income eligibility guidelines set by theU.S. Department of Agriculture. Beginning with the 2023-24 school year on August 23, families who do not qualify for free or reduced lunch will have to pay for school meals. Students whose families are eligible for free or reduced-price breakfast or lunch will be able to access meals this school year at no cost or a discounted rate. D123 will continue to explore ways we can help families with this adjustment since this may create a financial burden for some of our families. At no point would we ever want any child to go hungry at school. If you would like to apply for free or reduced priced meals, please click here.
Health Examination and Immunization Requirements
There are specific requirements for students entering preschool, kindergarten, second grade and sixth grade, as well as for all new students. Visit our Health Forms & Guidelines page for more information. Please note that these vaccinations and/or health examinations are required by state law.
- All incoming 6th Graders must have a physical and dental report on file.
- Current 7th and 8th Graders will need sports physicals to try out for teams.
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 is $6.00 per student and $10.00 per family
PTSA Spirit Gear- Order Link- Orders due 9/10/23
Reach out to Mrs. Masek, our PTSA President for more information (oliviacmasek@gmail.com)
PTSA Meeting- September 5, 2023 at 7:00pm
This school year also brings additional excitement around our OLHMS staff adjustments best supporting our scholars and staff! We have two new 6th Grade Teachers, Mr. Mikuta and Ms. Picman. We have two new 7th Grade Teachers, Ms. Kulaga and Mr. Brennan. We have two new 8th Grade Teachers, Ms, Shields and Ms. O'Connor. We have three new Encore Teachers, Mrs. Clark, Ms. Ingle and Mr. Williams. We have a new clinicians, Ms. Long, Ms. Spillane, Ms. Cuevas and Mrs. Farnan. We have a new CNA, Ms. Abarca. We have three new Paraprofessionals, Ms. Drew, Mrs. Torres and Ms. Baxter. Lastly, a new Technology Specialist, Mrs. Szczepaniak.
Additional OLHMS Excitement
Phase One of our tree nursery project should be complete to open our school year! The tree nursery housed here at OLHMS is the only known nursery on a school district's property throughout the State of Illinois. This initial phase exemplifies our commitment to our tree nursery program as a shining example of how young people can make a difference in their community and help to protect the environment. The trees grown by the students will have a lasting impact on the local ecosystem for years to come. The completion of Phase Two will provide an outdoor classroom and unique learning space for our staff, scholars and school community to enjoy!
Kindly,
Dr. McNichols
