OPMS

Due to a scheduling conflict, the OPMS PTO meeting will now take place on Monday, May 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM via Google Meet. The meeting link is provided here. We hope you are able to join us.

8th grade GRAD DUCK sales are now open!!! They can be purchaed online with the link below or during student lunches from May 22-29th In the front foyer.

Grad Ducks will be delivered to 8th grade students the week of June 7th!!

PTO will be selling ducks during the 8th grade chorus concert this Thursday, May 21st starting at 6pm until after the concert.

The OPMS PTO would like to conGRADulate our 8th graders on a successful three years at the middle school! Help us celebrate them by purchasing a Graduation Duck that will be gift boxed and delivered to homerooms during the week of June 2.

Graduation Ducks will also be available for purchase during lunch periods beginning on May 21. When purchasing, please provide the name of the 8th grader you wish to celebrate, or you may choose to gift a duck to an anonymous classmate!

The OP Transportation Department Breakfast will take place on 6/4/26. Please consider signing up to contribute to the breakfast as we thank our fabulous bus drivers for all they do for our students each day!

Our school will be holding an evacuation drill the week of May 18. This is the first of two drills required before the end of the school year. We approach them in a calm and supportive way to make sure students feel safe while learning these important routines. As always, the purpose of this drill is to ensure that students and staff are familiar with our safety procedures and know how to respond in the event of an emergency. We appreciate your support as we work to maintain a safe learning environment for everyone.

As we head into the final stretch of the school year, we want to remind students to stay focused and engaged in the classroom. Items like Nee Dohs, hackey sacks (yes, they are back), and similar toys can sometimes become distractions during instruction. If students choose to bring these items to school, they should remain in backpacks during the school day unless specifically permitted by a teacher for a classroom activity. Thank you for your support in helping us finish the year strong!

The OPCSD Board of Education adopted an updated 2025–2026 school calendar at this past Tuesday’s Board meeting. As shared earlier this week, OPMS will undergo a significant construction project this summer. In order to prepare the building and ensure we are ready for the 2026–2027 school year, this adjustment was necessary.

Monday, June 15 and Tuesday, June 16 will now be middle school half days, with dismissal at 10:30 AM. Final exams will begin on Wednesday, June 17. The full final exam schedule is provided below. You can also click the link below to view the updated calendar.

Attendance is required for all final exams and instructional activities. Please pay particular attention to the exam dates and times. Morning exams begin at 8:00 am. Afternoon exams begin at 11:45 am.

If your student is unable to complete a final exam in June, they will have an opportunity to make it up in August. Makeup exams are scheduled for August, and more specific information regarding dates, times, and locations will be shared later this summer.

Due to scheduling constraints during the regular final exam week, we are unable to offer individual makeup exams at that time. Our staff is fully engaged in proctoring assessments throughout each day, and in order to maintain the integrity of the exams, alternate versions must be created for any makeup sessions.

Students are expected to complete all required final exams, so it is important that they are available during the August testing window if a makeup is needed.

If you have any questions or need to notify us that your student will require a makeup exam, please reach out to the main office.

Our OPMS PTO plays a huge role in supporting our students, staff, and school community. Many of the events and opportunities our students enjoy each year are made possible because of their time, effort, and commitment. Here’s just a glimpse of what the PTO helps make possible:

• Classroom grants for teachers
• Fall activity nights for 6th grade and 7th/8th grade students
• Glow Party
• 8th Grade Moving On Celebration
• 7th Grade Field Day activities
• Staff Appreciation Luncheon
• And so much more

Quite simply, these events would not happen without the support of our PTO and the families who get involved. The PTO is currently seeking candidates for the 2026–2027 school year:

• Vice President
• Secretary
• Webmaster/Communications

If you’re interested in serving on the board, please reach out to Presidentopmspto@gmail.com.

Your involvement truly makes a difference for our students and school community.

ArtSplash 2026, the Orchard Park Central School District’s annual Pre K-12 art show will be on view at the Orchard Park Public Library from May 22 through June 14. This art exhibit highlights the work of students from all grades and from all school buildings across the district. The public is invited to the opening reception on May 22 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at the Orchard Park Public Library, where we will celebrate our student artists with refreshments and music while enjoying their amazing artworks. ArtSplash can be viewed during regular library hours through June 14.

A copy of the District Code of Conduct is included in the Student Agenda. Please sign off electronically in the Parent Portal by Friday, September 26 that you and your child have read and understand the information in the Student Agenda and Code of Conduct. There is a link in the Parent Portal on the left-hand menu and in the forms section of the PowerSchool App. The Student Agenda information and district Code of Conduct are linked below.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance. Our school office will be open, Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM to address any concerns you may have. Here's to another great week at Orchard Park Middle School. Go Quakers!

Thanks,

Mary Kate Graham

OPMS Principal

The OPMS Observer is the weekly newsletter that is sent to families. You will receive a text link and an email each time a new issue is released. This is the best source of receiving updated information weekly from the school.

The Orchard Park Central School District is committed to partnering with parents and guardians to support strong student attendance, helping every child reach their full potential each day. We understand that absences can add up, often due to illness or other unexpected circumstances, and our goal is to work together with families to support students’ academic success.

To make the process easier, parents and guardians can now submit attendance notes and pick up information online. Simply log in to the Parent Portal, click on Attendance Notes, and complete and submit the form. Please view the video below for detailed instructions.

Here are some important reminders for our traffic patterns to help keep all of the OPMS community safe. We understand that the pick-up/drop-off traffic lines can be long, however, the safety of our students and staff is critical.

• Drop off: Buses use the front loop on South Lincoln. Parent drop-off is not allowed in the front loop. Parent drop-off is behind the building, please enter the lot from 20A and follow the directions of the staff. Student drop-off is not allowed before 7:45 a.m. This is to prevent a potentially serious safety risk, as students aren’t permitted to go to homeroom before then, and there is limited supervision in the foyer.

• Pick up: Parents should use the front loop for student pick up for early releases and normal dismissal at 2:35 p.m. The buses will use the lot behind the school for pick up.

Please check the Parent Portal throughout the year to receive information on your child’s academic progress. Information such as report cards are now solely on the Parent Portal. If you are having difficulty accessing the Parent Portal, please contact the Counseling Center at 209-6233.

You can update your contact information in the following ways.

• On the internet based Parent Portal, click on "VIEW/CHANGE CONTACT INFO".
• On the PowerSchool App, go to MORE, then click FORMS, then click CONTACTS VIEW/CHANGE FORM.

Additionally, update your settings to continue to receive important communications from the Middle School and the District. If you have trouble logging into Parent Portal click the link below for more assistance.

The OPMS PTO monthly meeting dates are included below. All PTO meetings will take place at 9:00 AM at OPMS. Meetings will take place in the OPMS conference room.

September 15, 2025

October 6, 2025

November 3, 2025 - Meeting moved to 7:00 PM in the OPMS Library

January 12, 2026 - @ 7:00 PM via https://meet.google.com/qpm-wyhh-ene

February 9, 2026 - @ 7:00 PM via https://meet.google.com/qpm-wyhh-ene

March 16, 2026 - @ 7:00 PM via https://meet.google.com/qpm-wyhh-ene

April 13, 2026 - @ 7:00 PM via https://meet.google.com/qpm-wyhh-ene

May 18, 2026 - @ 7:00 PM via https://meet.google.com/qpm-wyhh-ene

June 15, 2026 - @ 7:00 PM via https://meet.google.com/qpm-wyhh-ene

Orchard Park is fortunate to have a strong partner in OPSEPTSA, the Orchard Park Special Education Parent Teacher Student Association. OPSEPTSA is a welcoming network of parents, family members, teachers, students, administrators, and community members who work together to support students with special needs and their families. Their mission is to advocate for the education and well-being of every child while helping families navigate services within the Orchard Park Central School District.

Through monthly informational meetings, OPSEPTSA provides valuable opportunities to connect with other families, hear from guest speakers and service providers, and learn more about topics such as CSE meetings, student rights under New York State Education Law, and resources available both in and outside of school. These meetings are a great way to ask questions, share experiences, and stay informed about upcoming events and supports in our community.

All families and community members are welcome to get involved. To learn more, become a member, or attend a meeting, you can follow OPSEPTSA on Facebook and Instagram or email opseptsa@gmail.com to sign up. Working together, we can continue to ensure that every student receives the support they need to thrive. Meeting dates for the 25-26 school year are below:

October 22, 2025

November 19, 2025

December 17, 2025

January 21, 2026

February 25, 2026

March 18, 2026

April 22, 2026

May 20, 2026

June 17, 2026

Monday, May 18, 2026

• PTO Meeting @ 7:00 PM

Thursday, May 21, 2026

• Spring Chorus 8 Concert

Monday, May 25, 2026

• Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL

We are getting ready for our annual Spring Clean Out, and we would love your help. In partnership with Wesleyan Church of Orchard Park, we are collecting new and gently used clothing for families in the Orchard Park community. The church has transformed one of their buildings (6779 Powers Road) into a fully stocked clothing closet that is available to families throughout the year during scheduled hours. This has become a valuable resource for many in our community.

As part of this district-wide effort, we encourage families to consider donating items. Donations can be dropped off at any time in the bin located behind Busy Bee Hall at the Powers Road location. Volunteers will also be available on May 12 from 4:00–6:00 PM for those who prefer to drop items off in person. Thank you for your continued support of our Orchard Park families. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.