Orioles Newsletter

A note from the principal

Dear Osseo Middle School Families,

As we begin another exciting school year, we want to extend a warm welcome back to all our students, parents, and guardians.

Osseo Middle School places a strong emphasis on three key areas: academic achievement, community building, and social-emotional well-being. But perhaps most importantly, we are committed to strengthening our partnership with you—our families. We believe that family engagement is crucial to your child’s success, and we are dedicated to working closely with you to support your child’s growth and development.

We invite you to stay actively involved in your child’s education, whether through attending school events, participating in parent-teacher conferences, or simply staying informed about what’s happening at school. Your engagement makes a significant difference, and together, we can ensure that your child has a successful and fulfilling school year.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

Brian Chance, Principal

Jan Bitzer, Assistant Principal

Tips From Our Counselors, School Social Workers and School Psychologist!

Student Services Corner

Welcome to the 2024-2025 School year! We are so excited to have you here. Students can access student services for help with academic concerns, mental health support, conflict resolution, and social emotional skills building. Please see below for our contact information. Students may request an appointment in the student services office or on the OMS School Counseling Schoology Course.

Ms. Johnson

School Counselor

Grade 6 & Grade 7 (A-L)

johnsonj2@district279.org

Ms. Brawford

School Counselor

Grade 7 (M-Z) & Grade 8

brawfordm@district279.org

Ms. Lorron

School Social Worker

lorronl@district279.org

Ms. Boloor

School Psychologist

boloorj@district279.org

Ms. Wright

School Social Worker

wrightt@district279.org

Important Safety Information

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

If you’ll be dropping off or picking up your child, please take a moment to review the important safety procedures below. The infographic will help guide you through the process.

Please enter the west driveway with a right turn only.
Drop off/pick up your student curbside in front of the school, and pull forward to the stop sign. Students will head inside through Door 17.
When exiting, make a right turn from the east driveway. Entering the parking lot from the east driveway is reserved for staff and buses only.

An additional student drop off/pick up lot is accessible through the Osseo

Senior High parking lot. Students may be dropped off/picked up and then utilize a

crosswalk to enter/exit OMS through Door 17. Please reference the images/maps below as needed.

To keep everyone safe, the following are prohibited to ensure the safety of our students and families:

Using the bus or staff parking areas for drop-off/pick-up.
Making left turns into or out of the main driveway.
Driving over the 5 mph speed limit.

Thank you for helping us keep drop-off and pick-up safe and smooth for everyone. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to a wonderful school year!

Parent & Caregiver Enterence

All parents/caregivers should come through this entrance to approach OMS.

Bus and Staff Entrance ONLY

This area is for buses and staff ONLY. No other vehicles should be entering through this roadway during pick up and drop off times.

Fall Assessments

aMath and aReading

The aMath assessment is scheduled for September 17, and the aReading assessment will follow on September 19.

What Are aMath and aReading Assessments?

The aMath and aReading assessments are adaptive tests designed to measure your child's academic progress in math and reading. These assessments adjust the difficulty of questions based on the student's previous answers, providing a personalized evaluation of their skills. The results help us identify areas where your child is excelling and areas where they may need additional support.

How Can Parents Help?

In the days leading up to the assessments, there are several ways you can support your middle schooler:

Ensure Adequate Rest: A good night’s sleep is essential for concentration and performance. Make sure your child gets at least 8-10 hours of sleep, especially the night before the test.
Encourage Healthy Eating: A nutritious breakfast on the morning of the test can boost energy levels and focus. Include proteins and whole grains to keep them satisfied and energized throughout the test.
Promote a Positive Attitude: Encourage your child to do their best without feeling pressured. Remind them that these assessments are just one way to measure their progress.
Establish a Calm Routine: Reduce stress by maintaining a consistent routine. Avoid last-minute studying, and instead, engage in light review activities or relaxation techniques.

How Are Test Results Used?

The results of these assessments provide valuable insights into your child’s academic strengths and areas for improvement. Teachers use this data to tailor instruction and provide targeted support where needed. This helps ensure that each student receives the appropriate challenges and resources to succeed in their learning journey.

We appreciate your partnership in helping your child prepare for these assessments.