page background

OLHMS Weekly

8/23/22

OLHMSWeekly 8/23/22

THANK YOU!

Mustang Families,

It has been delightful interacting with our scholars to begin this year!! We greatly appreciate everyone's patience and support as we all have made many adjustments getting back into our "school" routines! Please remind our scholars to get proper rest and allow themselves to be prepared for their learning!


PTSA Meeting: We appreciated all of the families and students who attended last night's first meeting of the year! We have a huge crowd and loved seeing new faces! Our partnerships are critically important and appreciate your voice and time! For those who couldn't make it- no worries you can still join this amazing group!


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!


Skyward Family Access

Make sure you are checking/ logging into Skyward Family Access routinely.


Student Planners: Scholars will be given student planner to assist in their organization and school preparations! Please check their assignment notebooks regularly! These will be distributed this week and every scholar should maintain their planner. Lost or damaged planners will need to be replaced at expense of families!


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 September 30 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 2022-23 school year on August 17, 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.


Dates to Remember:


8/24/22: Fall Pictures and Student Planner Distribution

8/27/22: Monarch Fest at Oak Lawn Park District

9/5/22: No School

9/7/22: D123 Late Start

9/17/22: 6K- final year

9/20/22: OLHMS Open House

9/22/22: PTSA Spirit Wear Online Orders Due

9/29/22: Music Booster Meeting

9/29/22: Softball Tryouts Begin

10/13 & 10/14: Family Conferences (Virtual or In Person)

10/22/22: PTSA Spooktacular



Kindly,


Dr. McNichols

Bus Update

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. First Student is planning to run an update to route this evening. Please check Skyward tonight for the most updated route information including bus stops and time adjustments.


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.


Again, 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. In the event that we have buses running late for dismissal, families should expect an auto call from the school to inform you if we have buses leaving after 3:40pm. We will only create auto calls of buses leaving the school after 3:40pm.

Arrival and Dismissal (NEW PROCESS)

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 all get into the new routine. 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. This would also be a good option for families wanting to head North.
  • 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

NEW PTSA Spirit Wear- Order Online before 9/22/22

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!