OPMS

September 8, Volume 4, Issue 2

Dear OPMS Parents, Students, and Staff:

Tomorrow is the big day! As we prepare to welcome your children back to school, I want to emphasize how, together, we can make this school year truly exceptional.

One of the most powerful ways we can support our students is by engaging with them about the importance of kindness and positive interactions. I encourage you to chat with your children daily, remind them to be kind, and follow up to see if they made a positive impact on someone else's day. These small conversations can lead to significant outcomes, helping our students excel not only as compassionate, responsible individuals but also in their academic pursuits.

No child is too old for a reminder about the importance of kindness, making a positive difference in the lives of others, and staying focused on their studies. When we all work together—parents, teachers, and staff—we create an environment where our students can thrive academically and grow into well-rounded individuals.

I am excited to see the amazing things we will accomplish this year at OPMS, and I look forward to partnering with you to ensure that every student has the opportunity to excel both in and out of the classroom. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our school community. Let’s make this a great school year!

Wednesday, September 9, 2026 is a Cycle 1 Day.

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 - 3:30 PM to address any concerns you may have.

Here's to another great school year at Orchard Park Middle School. Go Quakers!

Thanks,

Mary Kate Graham

OPMS Principal

A note to our families at Orchard Park Middle Schools:

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.

New Parent Communication System - Parent Square

OPCSD Parent Square Newsletter

Locker Set-Up 9/8/2026

Parents are welcome to bring their student into the building after 3:30 PM today if they missed the locker setup time last Thursday. Please note that students will not be allowed to enter the building this evening without a parent.

6th Grade Families

During 6th Grade Orientation last week, students were told that they should wear their 6th grade team T-shirts on the first day of school. 6th Grade students do not need to wear their team T-shirts tomorrow. They are welcome to wear whatever they had already planned for their first day of middle school!

We apologize for any confusion and look forward to welcoming our 6th graders tomorrow!

First Day of School Information

Our first day of school is Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Homeroom begins at 8:05 AM. Due to safety concerns, students may not enter the building before 7:45 AM unless they are meeting a teacher/club. School dismissal is at 2:40 PM, and buses depart at approximately 2:50 PM.
The OPMS school day runs from 8:05 AM - 2:40 PM.
At 2:40 PM, students will be dismissed from the building. Please communicate with your student if they are not taking the afternoon bus and have alternative transportation (i.e. parent/guardian pick-up or walking home). You do not need to notify the school regarding short-term changes in transportation.
Please be patient with us on the first few days of school as dismissal tends to take a little longer than normal.

*Afterschool Late Bus (4:00 PM) information will be shared at a later date/time, as they do not begin to run until the end of September.

Student Drop Off and Pick Up

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 AM. 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 2:40 PM. The buses will use the lot behind the school for pick up.

OPMS AM/PM Transportation Procedures

Student Agendas

All students will receive an OPMS Agenda. This will be distributed to students on the first day of school. This is an extremely important organization and communication tool. All teachers use the agenda for recording assignments. Please review the handbook (first pages of the Agenda) with your child and reinforce school expectations.

Food-Borne Allergens

We are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all of the children in our school. Therefore, we must request compliance with our procedures, designed to reduce exposure to food-based allergens. Please call the Health Office at 209-6261 if you have any questions or concerns.

OPMS Distraction Free Policy

Parent Portal

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.

PowerSchool Parent Portal Login Information

Supply Lists

Team/Teacher specific School Supply Lists for the 2026-2027 school year are linked below. Please note that the satellite lists are at the end of the corresponding grade level supply list. If you have any questions regarding school supplies please feel free to email or call the Counseling Center at (716) 209-6233 or email pbaldo@opschools.org

Color coding the supplies helps students stay organized. You are welcome to get a colored binder that coordinates with the subjects that need a binder, or you can make the binder easily identifiable with a piece of colored paper or colored tape. Subject materials will be color coded as follows (refer to supply lists for more specific information):

English – Yellow
World Language – Purple
Math – Green
Reading – Orange
Science – Blue
Social Studies – Red
Satellites – Black or White (or any color not listed above)

*All OPMS students will receive a Student Agenda on the first day of school.

26-27 OPMS Grades 6 - 8 Supply Lists

Starting in the 2025–2026 school year, all New York State schools, including those in the Orchard Park Central School District, will provide free breakfast and lunch to all students. The cost of meals will be fully covered by state reimbursement. Each student is eligible to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch per day.

Please note that additional meals or a la carte items must still be purchased separately. Prices for these meals are listed below:

Breakfast (Grades K–12): $2.00
Lunch (Grades K–5): $2.90
Lunch (Grades 6–12): $3.00
Adult Breakfast: $3.10 + tax
Adult Lunch: $5.20 + tax

Payments for a la carte items must be made at the time of purchase. Students can pay directly at the register, or families may add funds to their child’s account via myschoolbucks.com or through the Parent Portal. Checks can be made payable to Orchard Park CSD.

Even with universal free meals this year, we encourage families to complete a Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application, as eligibility may qualify your household for additional benefits beyond school meals. Applications are available online at www.opschools.org or in your child’s cafeteria and are accepted throughout the school year.

Households that were approved in the previous year must submit a new application by October 1st to remain eligible.

Please remember: participating in the program not only supports your student—it also benefits the district as a whole by contributing to funding and resources based on need. If you need an application printed and sent to you, please call Jody Schwarz at (716) 209-6244.

OPMS PTO Updates

Join Orchard Park Middle School PTO as a member and help our students’ days feel fuller, brighter, and more fun. 🎒 Your membership supports school events, classroom needs, and student programs—from dances to enrichment activities. Even if you can’t volunteer often, joining the PTO shows your support for our kids, teachers, and staff. 💚

You can complete your membership form and pay your $5 dues by clicking on the link below:

OPMS PTO Meeting Dates 26-27

The OPMS PTO monthly meeting dates are included below. All PTO meetings with the exception of the September meeting will take place over Google Meet.

Monday, September 14, 2026 @ 7:00 PM in the OPMS Library
Monday, October 5, 2026 @ 7:00 PM over Google Meet
Monday, November 2, 2026 @ 7:00 PM over Google Meet
Monday, January 11, 2027 @ 7:00 PM over Google Meet
Monday, February 1, 2027 @ 7:00 PM over Google Meet
Monday, March 8, 2027 @ 7:00 PM over Google Meet
Monday, April 12, 2027 @ 7:00 PM over Google Meet
Monday, May 10, 2027 @ 7:00 PM over Google Meet
Monday, June 14, 2027 @ 7:00 PM over Google Meet

OPMS PTO Membership - JOIN HERE

Follow the OPMS PTO on Facebook

OPMS PTO Amazon Wishlist

OPMS Event and Fundraiser Committee Chairs Needed

All events for 2026-27 school year are in need for volunteers. Please think about participating in all our amazing opportunities and fun for our students.

2026-27 OPMS Event Committee Chairs Sign Up Here