OLHMS Update 4/2/24

Did you know we had a former American Idol and Country Music rising star visit today?

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!

Did you know Class of 2024 Commencement will take place on June 4th at 7:00pm?

Our 8th grade scholars and parents have been given the information in this Parent Letter. Class of 2024 parents, remember the graduation fee deadline in April 5th! Please contact our Main Office if you have questions and make this payment via Skyward.

Mustang Families,

I hope everyone enjoyed an incredibly relaxing and joyous break! We have a very busy final couple of months here at OLHMS! Actually, there are only 46 more attendance days and It will prove to be an exciting finish to this amazing year! There was much to be excited about with our special guest, Curb Records recording artist and Jonas Group Entertainment-managed, Harper Grace, a rising country music star and former American idol shared her encouraging story and a couple of songs to put us in the right mindset to vision forward!

Once again, congratulations to the more than 90 student volunteers who gave us their time and energy, creating a wonderful display of artistry throughout the entire day of iFest festivities prior to break. Thank you to our entire staff for their support of this truly wonderful day. Special thank you to Ms. Maan for her masterful coordination and organization! Ms. Ingle and Ms. Swiess provided their time and dance expertise along with Mrs. Petraitis supporting with her scheduling genius! This is one of my favorite days! Check out this special iFest Edition Newsletter or this VIDEO to see and read about the highlights from the day! Thank you to our Communication Liaisons, Ms. Orloff and Ms. Danos for putting together such beautiful newsletters!

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.

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!

Bus Transportation: We have all been feeling the challenge of late bus routes. We will continue to communicate as best we can as we receive the information from First Student Bus Company. We do know that First Student is currently experiencing some staffing challenges causing delays in the morning and afternoon with individual routes. We will continue to work with First Student and are expecting new drivers in their pipeline.

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.

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.

Class of 2024 parents, please be on the lookout for the Release of Records document/ signature needed to share information with high schools! Graduation payments are due April 5th!

SELECT 123: In partnership with our D123 Ed Foundation, SELECT 123 is a prestigious group of scholars who embody aspects of our D123 mission and vision. This is our second year to acknowledge twenty three scholars who have not only demonstrated academic excellence, service and contributed to our community- they have each modeled expressions of perseverance, drive and integrity. These 23 leaders will be featured on our “Wall of Fame” for the entire 2024/ 2025 school year! More than being featured on a wall, we will expect this prestigious and unique group of alumni to remain connected to D123 and provide valuable insight for years to come! Our Class of 2024 applications are live and be due April 12th!

Join us at the next PTSA meeting on Tuesday, April 2nd at 6pm!

Spirit Wear: This will be our last sale before the end of the school year yet also a perfect opportunity for our next years 6th grade class to start sporting their soon-to-be school pride! The order deadline is April 18th! Order can be placed at: https://olhms24.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Century Fundraiser delivery is expected the week of 4/8 - 4/12/24. Additional details will be provided closer to the week of. Questions: please email us at olhmsd123ptsa@gmail.com

We are accepting nominations for the 2024-2025 PTSA Executive Board. Nomination forms are due today. If you are interested or know of someone who would be great for a position, please submit their name as a nominee.

8th Grade Graduation Lawn Signs are available for purchase online at: https://olhmsptsa.memberhub.com/store?limit=21&live=true

Information regarding the 8th grade dance will be sent home after Spring Break!

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 earning 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

4/10/24: IAR Assessment Begins

4/11/24: Variety Show at 7:00 pm, Bilingual Parent Advisory Council Meeting

4/12/24: SELECT 123 Applications Due

4/19/24: Erin's Law Presentations

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

2023-24 School District Calendar

CLICK HERE TO VIEW CALENDAR