Good Afternoon,

We have been thrilled to have our students back in school this week!  They have been working so hard and made us so proud as they transitioned back to school.    On September 5th, we were very excited to host Dr. Calvin Ball - County Councilman,  Dr. Theo Cramer - Area 2 Community Superintendent, and David Larner - HCPSS Performance Equity and Community Response Officer as they visited to wish our students a great year!  It was a wonderful visit and our students have started the year so well!     There are several important dates to take note of over the next few weeks:

September 12th - PTSA Meeting in the OMMS Media Center at 6:30 p.m.

September 14th - Back to School Night at OMMS 6:00 p.m.  –  8:00 p.m.   

September 26th - September 28th:  In School Open House
Please come in and visit your student's classroom:

6th Grade:  During the hours of 8:10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Parent/guardian of students with last names:                                                                            

A-G - visit on Tuesday, September 26th                       

H-Q - visit on Wednesday, September 27th                                                                                            

R-Z - visit on Thursday, September 28th

 7th Grade: During the hours of 8:10 a.m.  - 10:30 a.m.
 Parents and Guardians visit on Wednesday, September 27th

8th Grade:  During the hours of 9:50-12:20 p.m.
Parents and Guardians visit Thursday, September 28th  

We are so appreciative of our partnership with you and really look forward to your visits. Thank you for a great return to school!

Kind Regards,

Megan Chrobak                                                                                                              
Principal                                                                                                                
Oakland Mills Middle School                                                                                       
Learner, Achiever, Belief, Arranger, Individualization

MARK YOUR CALENDAR…

9/11/17         Vision and Hearing Screening
9/14/17         Back to School Night 6:00 to 8:00 pm
9/19/17         Vision and Hearing Re-Screening
9/21/17         Schools and Offices Closed
9/22/17         Schools Closed to Students
10/5/17         Meeting for Hispanic Parents 7:00 to 8:30 pm
10/12/17       Interim Progress Reports
10/23/17       6th Grade leaves for North Bay
10/25/17       6th Grade returns from North Bay

REPORT BULLYING

We recognize that creating a safe learning environment is a critical part of helping each child achieve academic success. Incidences of bullying may be reported in writing or through HCPSS Sprigeo, an online reporting system. Please use the following link, for more information on how to report bullying.

VOLUNTEER TRAINING

In order to create a consistent process for training parent volunteers on issues of confidentiality, HCPSS has developed a brief training module and certificate of completion. If you would like to volunteer in the school, work with the music department or chaperone a field trip; please have complete the training and submit your certificate of completion to OMMS before registering as a volunteer. Please visit here!

UPDATE YOUR CHILD’S EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION ON HCPSS CONNECT

To prepare for the first day of school, please log in to HCPSS Connect and select the Family File tab to review and, if needed, update your child’s emergency contact, medical and arrival/departure information, and your preferences regarding data confidentiality. This must be completed each school year. User guides for HCPSS Connect account activation and password reset, as well as Family File can be found on our website.  Watch an overview of HCPSS Connect on our website.

FROM THE HEALTH ROOM

Effective the first day of school, September 5, 2017, 1 dose of Tdap vaccine and 1 dose of Meningococcal vaccine are required for all students entering Grade 7.  If we DO NOT receive proof of immunization by the first day of school, your child will be sent home.  Many students may have already received these immunizations, but the Health Room may not have the updated immunization record.  Please contact your child’s doctor and send/fax in an updated copy of your child’s immunizations to the Health Room.  Our fax # is (410) 313-1288. Any questions please call the health room (410) 313-6941.

HEARING/VISION SCREENING

Hearing and Vision screening will be done at Oakland Mills Middle School on Monday, September 11, 2017, by the Howard County Health Department.  Students being screened include all 8th graders, new students with no previous Hearing and Vision record, and any referrals from Teachers.  Rescreening will be done on Tuesday, September 15, 2016.  Please remind all students who wear glasses to bring them to school on the day of screening.  

We will need volunteers to help with this program. If you would like to help, or have any questions or concerns please contact the OMMS health room at 410-313-7447.  Please ask to speak with Ms. Eldridge or Ms. Bruce.   

GIANT A+ REWARDS

Beginning October 6, 2017, Oakland Mills Middle School - ID#: 01024 Has the opportunity to participate in and earn CASH for our students from A+ School Rewards, a great fundraising program run through your local Giant! Please follow this link for more information. Para información en español aquí.

HCPD's brand NEW Youth Advisory Council is looking for members!

This new council is designed to provide youth with a safe and engaging environment to interact with local law enforcement. The group will meet monthly with members of the department.
Who can join? Howard County residents in 8th-12th grade.
What are the benefits?
• Earn student service hours
• Advise the Chief of Police on youth concerns
• Be a positive agent of change in your community, school or place of worship
• Attend free educational and social field trips
• Gain and strengthen life skills such as leadership, public speaking and social skills
How do I apply? Complete and return an application form.
Questions? Contact HCPD Youth Liaison PFC W. Harris.
phone: 410-313-0275
email: HCPD-YAC@howardcountymd.gov

Leadership and Service Opportunity for All Middle and High School students interested in:

-Sharing the Student Voice on HCPSS Policy and Community Issues
-Gaining Leadership Skills
-Practicing Community Service
-Working with student leaders from across HCPSS
Please attend Howard County Association of Student Councils (HCASC) meetings throughout the year on the second Wednesday evening of each month.
Next Meeting Wednesday 9/13 7-8:30 at the Homewood Cafeteria 10914 MD 108 Columbia, 21042.
For more information please contact cindy_drummond@hcpss.org  
 
Student Assault and/or Battery on Staff (Policy 9270)
A reminder that the full-text of policies can be found here.
The Board of Education recognizes the need for a school environment that is safe, secure, and nurturing. This environment must allow staff to be free from any assault and/or battery by students. Therefore, any assault and/or battery by a student directed towards a staff member or service provider is strictly forbidden.

“Community Notices” events are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Howard County Public School System."    
Please visit the Community News and Programs page http://www.hcpss.org/community-news-and-programs/ on the HCPSS website for announcements of upcoming events and programs sponsored by non-profit organizations.