Oceanside Middle School

Website: http://oceansideschools.org/9ms/index.htm
Twitter: @OMS_NY

Students in Mrs. Smith's STEM class and Mrs. Rossano's Art class collaborated on a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) project involving recycled materials. The students were challenged to develop a motorized invention using recycled household objects. The STEM students presented their invention to the art students, who then collaboratively designed an appropriate package and advertising scheme.

Members of the international club will take a “virtual tour” around the world through food, fun, and films. Each week they focus on a country and watch a film, as well as eat some authentic food from that country. Some foods and films include My Big Fat Greek Wedding (Baklava), I love Lucy (Pizza), and The Pink Panther (Croissants). This year they will be visiting three restaurants! We hope you travel with us this year for our “Around the World Tour.”

The Cultural Food Festivals on the 8th grade level were an enormous success! The food was absolutely delicious and the students really enjoyed learning about and eating the foods of our cultures. OMS is extremely grateful for the generous donations of paper goods, water, amazing dishes and desserts! Also, a huge thank you to all of the parents that attended our event and helped set up, serve the children and clean up! At times like this, we realize how lucky we all are to be part of such an amazing school.

On December 10th, students throughout Oceanside Middle School took part in varied activities related to the Hour of Code program. Launched in 2013, Code.org® is a non-profit dedicated to expanding access to computer science in schools throughout the world. Their vision is that every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science. They believe computer science should be part of core curriculum, alongside other courses such as biology, chemistry or algebra.

On Saturday, December 19th, students on Team 7-1 visited the Pediatrics Wing at South Nassau Communities Hospital. Led by Ms. Bragman and Mrs. Newcombe, students brought presents and good cheer to the hospital staff and patients.

Students spread holiday cheer by sending Cheer Grams to friends and family. Thank you to all of the students that volunteered to sell the Cheer Grams during their lunch break.

Congratulations to Team 7-2's Autumn Schanstra for winning the December Reading Challenge. Students throughout OMS continue to challenge themselves to read outside of the classroom. Reading Challenge winners have shared book reviews throughout the year. The critiques they have provided show strong evidence of the energy they bring to reading and the creativity their teachers foster each day in the classroom.

The 8th Grade Girls Volleyball team is off to an amazing start of the 2015-16 season. They have played six matches and won all 30 games! The girls have defeated VS North, Woodmere, Island Park, East Rockaway, LongBeach, and Freeport. Hard work, teamwork, excellent court plays and consistent with their serves has contributed to all the victories. Keep up the good work!

The 7th Grade Boys Basketball Team has played 7 games thus far. Coach Keenan was quoted as saying "We have shown great improvement in every game we have played thus far." Many of the opponents of the 7th Grade Basketball team are a combination of 7th and 8th graders which alters the game plan for many of the games. Due to the fact that the team is normally facing taller players, the team has become more of an outside shooting team as opposed to getting the ball down low. The members of the team have been really supportive of each other and have formed two cohesive units that alternate playing in each quarter of the game. Best of luck the rest of the season!!