OPMS

November 10, Volume 3, Issue 11
Dear OPMS Parents, Students, and Staff:
We hope you are had a wonderful weekend. Please take a moment to review the important events and time-sensitive information below.
Veterans Day
This Veterans Day, we take a moment to honor the dedication and sacrifice of veterans within our school community and beyond. We are especially grateful for the many parents, guardians, staff, and community members who have served and continue to serve. Your commitment has paved the way for the freedoms we enjoy, and we are thankful for your courage and selflessness. Today, and every day, we recognize your invaluable contributions.
Report Card Update
We know many families are eager to see how students finished the first marking period. Marking Period 1 grades are still being finalized as teachers wrap up grading and enter final scores. Once everything is complete, we’ll send a text message to let families know that report cards are ready to view in Parent Portal.
In the meantime, please note that any grades currently listed under “Report Cards” in Parent Portal are from the interim reports shared about five weeks ago. These grades were a mid-marking-period snapshot and do not reflect students’ final performance for the quarter.
We appreciate your patience as teachers ensure that grades accurately reflect each student’s progress and achievements this marking period.
OPMS Lost and Found - LAST DAY 11/12/2025
Our OPMS Lost and Found has been set up in the foyer, and it’s already full of clothing, water bottles, and lunch boxes that have been left around the building during the first marking period. All items will be on display in the lobby through Wednesday, November 12, 2025. After that date, any unclaimed belongings will be donated. If your student is missing something, please encourage them to take a look. On a regular basis, Lost and Found items are kept in the lobby next to the front guard desk.
OPMS Musical - Beauty and the Beast Jr.
8th Grade Life and Careers Marking Period 2
OPMS Code of Conduct
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.
OPMS World Affairs Club; Washington DC Trip It’s trip registration time
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.
OPMS Yearbooks for Sale
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
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.
Attendance Matters
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.
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 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.
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.
OPMS PTO Updates
PTO Meeting Dates 25-26
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
February 9, 2026
March 9, 2026
April 20, 2026
May 11, 2026
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
- Veteran's Day - No School
Friday, November 14, 2025
- Half Day - 10:30 AM Dismissal
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
- Board of Education Meeting at OPHS @ 7:00 PM
Thursday, November 20, 2025
- Beauty and the Beast Jr @ 7:00 PM
Friday, November 21, 2025
- Beauty and the Beast Jr @ 7:00 PM
Saturday, November 22, 2025
- Beauty and the Beast Jr @ 2:00 PM
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
- NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
Thursday, November 27, 2025
- NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
Friday, November 28, 2025
- NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break