Did you know that timing is everything?
All student drop off and pick up takes place in the back of our building on Oak Center Dr. during arrival and dismissal. Our timing and efficiency will balance out as the year progresses. Typically, once buses are running more smoothly (usually takes 3-4 weeks) parents would have access to our main parking lot on the front of the school (99th Street) after 3:35pm. Students remaining in the back of building after 3:30 will be directed to the main office for parent pick up in the front.
Did you know our scholars follow our Mustang Musts on a daily basis?
Please have conversations with our scholars about these three very simple opportunities to ensure a successful experience here at OLHMS!
Did you know that many commonly used social media platforms are recommended to be used by young people aged 13 and up?
We are inundated with social media concerns taking place outside of school or on the weekends! Critically important is monitoring the use of our scholars' devices. Please remain vigilant with what is happening on social media- TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram are consuming our scholars! Here is the perspective from the National Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) thinking about whether or not TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram are safe for kids. Please remind our scholars that cell phones should be turned off and locked in their lockers daily.
Mustang Families,
Thank you to all of our parents attending our first PTSA meeting. We has a great turnout and look forward to a wonderful partnership this year! We are very excited for our start to this school year! Congrats to all of our scholars for finishing our NWEA MAP Assessment! This is a great chance for us to get some baseline information in math and reading! Our incredible staff has been planning and preparing to ensure a fabulous middle school experience and this assessment supports this process! Please remind our scholars that they have a responsibility to be prepared daily to participate in their learning experience! We are looking forward enhancing this partnership in unity on Thursday for our Open House!
Thursday, September 14, 2023: OLHMS Open House
OLHMS Open House is a wonderful opportunity to begin our learning partnership!
- Doors will open at 6:30 and will close at 8:00pm
Classroom/ Team Presentations
6:40pm-7:05pm
7:10pm-7:35pm
Illinois Assessment of Readiness(IAR): We have distributed last Spring results to all students. Here is the letter LINK accompanying these results.
MTSS: School District 123 defines Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) as a framework consisting of academic, social-emotional, and behavioral supports. All D123 students’ developmental needs are met through high quality, research-based instruction and interventions tailored to his or her unique learning style. In addition to tailoring instruction to unique learning styles, School District 123 strives to implement the MTSS Framework in a culturally responsive and systemically consistent manner. Ultimately, the goal of D123’s MTSS framework is to meet the needs of all unique learners, and in doing so, identify students who are struggling and intervene quickly. The MTSS framework consists of three tiers of instruction. Additional information is LINK here with this Family Letter.
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. Three times a year, staff engage in this process for our scholars. Additional information is LINK here with this Family Letter.
Working Lunch: We are very excited about our start to the year! As we move forward in our year, we will maintain high expectations for our scholars! We have implemented a plan for scholars to finish work during lunch. Working lunch will be used to support work completion and behavioral reflection. Students assigned to working lunch will be given a bagged lunch if they did not bring one.
Safety Drills: We will practicing safety drills over the next couple of weeks. Please speak with our students about the importance of being prepared in the event of an emergency and the reality of taking each of these opportunities seriously.
First Student Bus Company: We will continue to work with our bus partners to elevate efficiency and timely communication. Typically, this will take 3-4 weeks to balance out.
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 30th 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.
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.
- We have begun reviewing student records to ensure compliance.
Arrival and Dismissal
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
Please make sure students are using designated crosswalks!
OLHMS PTSA
Membership is $6.00 per student and $10.00 per family
Reach out to Mrs. Masek, our PTSA President for more information (oliviacmasek@gmail.com)
PTSA Meeting- September 5, 2023 at 7:00pm
All parents/ guardians/ staff & students 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!
9/14/23: OLHMS Open House (6:30pm-8:00pm)
9/23/23: D123 6K
9/27/23: D123 Parent University: School Safety Update (6:30pm)
9/28/23: PTSA Open Gym
Make Your Calendars
10/2/23: PTSA Meeting
10/4/23: D123 Late Start
10/9/23: No School
10/12 & 10/13: Family Conferences
10/16/23: D123 Unity Week
10/19/23: Fall Picture Retakes, OLHMS High School Fair
2023-24 School District Calendar
