OPMS

On the morning of Friday, October 10, 2025, Orchard Park Middle School will be conducting a required Relocation Drill. The purpose of this drill is to practice our safety procedures in the event we ever need to evacuate the building (such as a power outage or water main break) and relocate to a safe, off-site location. The drill, which is being planned in conjunction with our OP Transportation Department and the Orchard Park Police Department, will begin at approximately 9:30 AM and should conclude by 11:00 AM at the latest. District buses will transport all students and staff to Orchard Park High School and then back to the Middle School.

During the drill, access to the Middle School will be restricted and you will not be allowed to drop off your child between 9:15 AM and 11:00 AM. Students can not be picked up from the High School during the drill. Upon returning to the school building, we will be operating on a shortened schedule and each lunch period will shift back about 30 minutes.

In the days leading up to the drill, we will discuss the purpose and details of the drill with your child. This is to help prepare them for the drill and answer any questions they may have in advance.

The OPMS PTO is sponsoring 7th and 8th Grade Activity Night on Friday, October 17 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. Please check out the flyer below for more information. Tickets will be sold beginning on Tuesday, October 14 during homerooms and are $5 each.

The PTO is looking for volunteers to assist with the event and will gladly accept OPHS inducted NHS members to assist. We need about 20 volunteers between the hours of 4:30 - 7:30 PM. Please help us with this amazing event! Any interested students or parents should click the link below to sign-up.

The OPMS PTO is also looking for volunteers to help sell Halloween Ducks during lunches on 10/27, 10/28, 10/29. and 10/30. Sign-up using the link below!

As we reach the halfway point of the marking period, it's a great time to touch base with your child about their progress. We encourage all families to log into the Parent or Student Portal to review grades, attendance, and any upcoming assignments. Having these conversations now can help set students up for success in the remainder of the marking period. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's progress, please don't hesitate to reach out to their teachers or school counselors. Let's work together to ensure a strong finish to this marking period!

Bowling Intramurals will be held at Strikers Lanes in West Seneca on the following dates:

• Monday, November 3, 2025

• Wednesday, November 5, 2025

• Monday, November 10, 2025

• Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Students will take the shuttle bus from OPMS to Strikers Lanes at 2:30 PM. Parents/guardians must pick up their child at Strikers Lanes at 4:30 PM.

The cost of two games and shoe rental is fully covered, so there is no expense to students or families.

Participation is limited to 30 students (first come, first served).

• Permission forms will be available beginning Tuesday, October 14.

• Completed forms will be collected in the main office at 2:35 PM on Friday, October 17.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Shoffstall in the gym. (rshoffstall@opschools.org)

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate dismissal at Orchard Park Middle School. With 36 buses and more than 1,100 students, it takes coordination to make sure everyone leaves safely each afternoon. We are monitoring dismissal times closely and releasing students as soon as it is safe to do so. We appreciate your flexibility as we work through the start of the school year and ensure that safety remains our top priority.

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.

The OPMS World Affairs Club’s sole purpose is to bring 8th grade students to Washington, D.C.

each spring. All 8th graders are eligible to be members of World Affairs Club and may choose to

participate in the trip. The trip will be May 1, 2, and 3, 2026; so it is time to register. Click the link below for more information. WorldStrides is the tour company that we work with.

When you click the link below you will find:

1. A cover letter, which details the program information and highlights of the trip (a sample itinerary).

2. Trip details: dates, pricing, and registration process.

3. Information on how to apply for FLAG Scholarship funding, which is available to families with an

adjusted gross income of up to $85,000.

4. Information explaining how to register and manage your account with World Strides online, including

the option to purchase trip insurance.

5. Registration ID information: www.worldstrides.com

The Orchard Park Trip ID # is 222429

The registration window will remain open until January 26, 2026.

FYI- There will be two optional fundraising opportunities’ that students may participant in, one in the fall and one in the spring. More information to follow.

Please contact Mrs. Sanchez at ksanchez@opschools.org with any questions.

Back-to-School pricing is available. Click the image below to buy your 25-26 OPMS yearbook today!

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 2:30 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.

Also, please update your contact information on the Parent Portal by selecting the "Update Information" page. 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

January 12, 2026

February 9, 2026

March 9, 2026

April 20, 2026

May 11, 2026

Friday, October 10, 2025

• Evacuation Drill

Monday, October 13, 2025

• NO SCHOOL - Indigenous Peoples Day

Friday, October 17, 2025

• 7th and 8th-Grade Activity Night

Thursday, November 6, 2025

• Picture Retake Day