OLHMS Update 4/16/24

Did you know how talented our Mustangs truly are?

Our OLHMS Variety Show was another huge success along with our Declamation Team competition! Once again, we were incredibly proud of the talents on full display during these performances! The courage, stage presence and poise demonstrated by each of the performers was even more impressive! Check out this Special Edition, Springing into April newsletter with highlights!

In case our scholars were wondering, former American Idol and Country music rising star, Harper Grace did make it to Wrigley Field on time after visiting with us!

We had the pleasure of sharing our space with Harper Grace who shared her story and entertained us with a couple songs! She was also kind enough to spend some additional time with our award winning band and chorus artists who had a special Q & A! She is looking forward to our school community reaching out and following her journey! Check her out at Harper’s website (www.harpergracexo.com) and social media @harpergracexo! Don't forget her new song just came out as well on April 12th!

Here is the LINK to her performance at Wrigley Field after she left OLHMS!

Did you know the application period for this year's SELECT 123 Class of 2024 closed?

We are excited for the almost 50 8th grade scholars who have completed the application process for the opportunity to be one of this year's prestigious 23!

Mustang Families,

Our scholars have been demonstrating a great deal of concentration and engagement with each of the IAR assessments! We will be completing this assessment tomorrow!

Check out this Special Edition, Springing into April newsletter with highlights of an incredibly quick journey back from Spring Break!!

IAR Assessments: We are very excited for the level of seriousness and concentration demonstrated by our scholars! We have one day remaining! The Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) is the state assessment and accountability measure for Illinois students enrolled in a public school district. All public school students in grades 3 to 8 must take the IAR. The IAR is given every spring as posted on the District's standardized testing schedule. The IAR is taken on a computer and is designed to provide information about student progress toward the long-term goal of college and career readiness.

Children cannot study for a standardized assessment like they would for a regular classroom

test, but there are ways you can help your student prepare to do their best:

• Eat a healthy breakfast.
• Speak with your child about testing so that they understand why doing their best is important.
• Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep the night before the assessment.
• Ensure your child arrives to school on time on the day of the assessment.
• Remind your child to take their time, listen to and read all directions, and tackle one question at a time.
• Help your child maintain a positive mindset by reminding them of their strengths and accomplishments.
• Offer positivity and encouragement.
• Review the Student Readiness Tools to gain familiarity with the testing experience.

(https://srt.testnav.com/psrt/psrt.html)

We are committed to your child’s academic success, know our scholars are prepared and look forward to their progress!

SAEBRS: The Illinois State Board of Education has adopted learning standards for children’s social and emotional development, in addition to academic standards that already exist for each grade. All schools in Illinois are charged with the responsibility of teaching children how to manage their emotions, get along with others, and make good decisions. This screener will be taking place over the next couple weeks.

PSTA Spirit Gear: We do have another opportunity to get your OLHMS gear for the spring! This is also a perfect opportunity for our next years 6th grade class to start sporting their soon-to-be school pride! Check out the flier below or use this LINK! The order deadline is April 18th!

Erin's Law: House Bill 6193 was signed by Governor Pat Quinn on January 24, 2013. This law requires schools to implement an age-appropriate sexual assault and abuse awareness and prevention curriculum for grades pre-K through 12. It is recommended that four communications a year on Erin’s Law be made available to all students. We will be welcoming our presentation on April 19th.

D123 4WARD: We have begun a new effort to engage our alumni!! From the classroom to the stage, the athletic field to the culinary club, and everywhere in between, we want to know what our graduates have been up to in "tomorrow's world."

Whether these alumni excelled in high school, found opportunities in college, or started a successful career, the stories, adventures, and triumphs shared will inspire us, current students, and future leaders. This program is an opportunity to celebrate these achievements together and keep the D123 community spirit alive long after middle school graduation.

Families of alumni and D123 graduates themselves are invited to fill out this form to submit for possible inclusion in our alumni spotlight E-Newsletter, "D123 4-WARD." The newsletter will be produced and sent semiannually in December and May. Participants will be notified if their story will be included in the publication.

D123 Summer Programming is now available!! Check out the full brochure for options!

Main Parking Lot, Circle Drive and 99th Street: Students should not be dropped off in the morning or picked up during dismissal via the main parking lot while buses are present. Family drop off and pick up is done on Oak Center Dr. If family members are helping out, please let them know to use the rear of the building for drop off or pick up. As the weather continue to cooperate, please designate a pick up and drop off area or place for our scholars to meet you and avoid the congestion!

During drop off and dismissal, please do not pass cars in the circle drive without staff support. Please do not have students run across 99th street or Oak Center Dr. to be picked up without adult supervision. We want to make sure all of our students and families are kept safe. Please be patient and courteous! The rear doors (Oak Center Dr./ Circle Drive) will close at 8:35am and the rear doors will be closed at 3:30pm.

Our Community: Please be respectful of our neighbors around our school during arrival and dismissal. It is also important to remind our scholars about staying off community members property while waiting for a bus or walking home.

Graduation Expectations

Our 8th grade scholars and parents have been given the information in this updated Parent Letter. These expectations have been discussed with scholars and families throughout the beginning of the year and sent home on multiple occasions. The end of year events for the Class of 2024 are detailed in this letter. Class of 2024 families make sure to send back the permission forms! Graduation this year is scheduled for June 4th at 7:00pm.

Graduation were due payments on April 5th! If you have questions or need to make this payment please contact the main office.

Join us at the next PTSA meeting on Tuesday, May 7th at 6pm!

PTSA -This message is for the current 6th-grade class. The 24/25 school year 7th grade supply kit forms that were handed out last week are incorrect. We will be sending out the correct kit form this week.

The deadline for our last Spiritwear sale of the school year is April 18th! Orders can be placed at: https://olhms24.itemorder.com/shop/home/

The 5th-grade Open Gym for our incoming 6th graders will be Thursday, May 2nd. Volunteers are needed to supervise. If you are interested, please reply back to this email.

Let's show our amazing OLHMS staff how much they are appreciated by giving them the best Staff Appreciation Week ever. Please consider signing up on the SignUp Genius: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0848AFA82EA6FAC25-48927467-staff

The 8th Grade Graduation Lawn Sign orders will be available for pick up on May 9th from 4-6 pm at OLHMS.

Information regarding the 8th-grade dance has been sent home with your students! The Glow Night dance will be on May 31st.

Please support our school with Box Tops. If you receive a paper receipt, a quick scan with the Box Tops app will identify participating products and automatically credit the school's earnings online. Download the app and make every shopping trip count including purchases made online. Digital receipts are accepted as well. Use this referral code NXVB5P83 when you sign up and you’ll get 25 Bonus Box Tops when you scan your first receipt now through 05/31/2024, while supplies last. Use this link to download the Box Tops app: https://btfe.smart.link/c2jjdifkw?referral_code=NXVB5P83

Thank you for your time and support!

Contact us at: olhmsd123ptsa@gmail.com

Follow us on FB at OLHMS PTSA

4/25 & 4/29/24: 8th Grade College Trips

4/26/24: Service Day

4/27/24: IGSMA State Competition

4/29-5/3/24: OLHMS Book Fair

5/2/24: OLHMS PTSA 5th Grade Parent Night

5/4/25: IGSMA State Competition

5/9/24: International Cultural Celebration

2023-24 School District Calendar

CLICK HERE TO VIEW CALENDAR