OLHMS Update (5/27/25)
Tuesday's Top of the Mind
Did you know that the Returning Student Registration in now open?
Go to Skyward Family Access and complete Returning Student Registration. Please complete this registration before May 30th! This can be found on the left hand side of the screen and the second option down. Families who miss this deadline should expect delays in August with processing as we will be utilizing a new version of Skyward.
For more information regarding registration, health requirements, etc, please visit
Returning Student Registration
If you have any questions or need assistance with your username or password, feel free to reach out to your school or the district registrar at 708-857-5020.
Did you know that OLHMS will use traditional letter grades next year?
OLHMS will return to a Traditional Grading system for the 2025-2026 school year. This decision was made after thoughtful consideration of feedback from teachers, parents, and students. We believe this change will help support our scholars by aligning more closely with the grading practices and expectations students will experience in high school, and allow for a smoother transition as students rise into the 9th grade. Additional information is below.
Did you know that some of our students are being influenced by social media?
We have learned about a social media trend that a few students have taken part in with reference to damaging their very expensive Chromebooks. Please speak with your student about the importance of being responsible with this devise, families are being charged hundred of dollars for this intentional damage. There is no reason for foreign objects to be inserted into charging and usb ports.
Reminders and Updates
Mustang Families,
What an incredible time to be a Mustang!
We are still riding the excitement from a few amazing celebrations that captured the heart of our school community. This past Friday’s special Ambassadors concert and the Jazz Concert in the evening were beautiful showcases of talent, energy, and pure joy. Our students lit up the stage with their music, and the packed house was a testament to the strong support and enthusiasm of our Mustang family.
And just this morning, we had the pleasure of honoring our 6th grade scholars at a perfectly memorable Awards Breakfast. The event was a beautiful way to recognize their achievements and growth this year. A huge debt of gratitude goes to our incredible PTSA, whose care and hard work made the morning so special for our students and their families. Thank you for helping us create such a warm and celebratory experience!
As we return from the extended Memorial Day weekend, we hope your family enjoyed time together while also honoring the meaning behind this important holiday. We are proud to share that we have officially announced our SELECT 123 Scholars for the Class of 2025—an inspiring group of 8th grade students who exemplify leadership, scholarship, and service. Congratulations to each of the 71 applicants who made the process extremely difficult to narrow down the final 23 on this well-deserved recognition!
With just two weeks left in the school year, we ask for your continued partnership in helping our scholars finish strong. Please remind them of our Mustang Musts: Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful—and always Choose Kindness. Let’s wrap up this incredible year with pride and positivity!
Thank you for your continued support.
GO MUSTANGS!
Traditional Grades at OLHMS for the 2025-2026 School Year
Starting in the 2025–2026 school year, OLHMS will return to a Traditional Grading system. This decision was made after thoughtful consideration of feedback from teachers, parents, and students. We believe this change will help support our scholars by aligning more closely with the grading practices and expectations students will experience in high school, and allow for a smoother transition as students rise into the 9th grade.
Why This Change?
To closely align with high school grading systems.
To support efficiency and consistency in communicating student progress to OLHMS families.
To respond positively to the preferences and feedback from the OLHMS learning community.While we transition to traditional letter grades, we remain committed to continuously monitor student progress toward grade-level standards through meaningful assessments and expanded opportunities for classroom feedback.
What Will the Traditional Grading System Look Like?
Grading Categories & Weights
70% of the trimester grade will be calculated from: Summative Assessments (i.e. unit tests, major projects, etc.)
30% of the trimester grade will be calculated from: Formative Assessments (i.e. quizzes, exit tickets, classwork, homework, etc.)
Grading Scale (No plus or minus grades):
A = 90–100
B = 80–89
C = 70–79
D = 60–69
F = 59 and below
Please note: As a non-credit-bearing institution, OLHMS will not calculate GPAs or publish honor roll.
Additional Key Information:
Traditional grades will be used across all subjects and grade levels at OLHMS.
Skyward Family Access will currently serve as our platform for tracking progress and staying informed.
Periodic progress reports will be provided to support consistent family-school communication.
Retakes will be available for students in the Summative Assessment category. OLHMS leadership is currently drafting building-wide retake procedures to ensure growth and mastery throughout the learning process.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teachers or a member of our administrative team. We are here to support our scholars and families through this transition.
Thank you for your continued partnership in your child’s educational journey.
Visitor Entrance
Class of 2025
Graduation Fees: The deadline for online payments has passed. Bring cash payments into the main office.
Class of 2025: Information has been distributed for our Class of 2025 and the end of the year events! Here is the LINK to the letter.
SELECT 123: The application deadline has now passed for this year's prestigious alumni group. Congratulations to 70 applicants! This year's class will be announced on May 23rd!
We do expect and desire to have 100% of our scholars earn the opportunity to walk the stage with their graduating 2025 Class. We have been and will continue to communicate with families if any scholar is in jeopardy of this opportunity.
May 29, 2025: 8th-Grade Trip
May 30, 2025: 8th-Grade Dance
June 3, 2025: SELECT 123 Breakfast(7:30am) & 8th-Grade Awards(9:00am)
June 4, 2025: Elementary Grad Walk(1:30pm)
June 5, 2025: 8th Grade Commencement Ceremony (7:00pm)
SELECT 123
Thank you to the 71 applicants and congrats to the final 23 scholars selected to this year's prestigious future alumni group!
Aine P., Ammer B., Antonio C., Brenna C., Calvin F., Charles W., Cyrus M., Danna S., Emily D., Evelyn S., Gabrielle C., Grace W., Harper A., Isabella A., Katelyn Z., Lillyann A., Maxwell L., Maya R., Nathan G., Nivea B., Reagan S., Ryan C., Sophia G.
Student Drop Off and Pick Up
Mustang families we need your support!
We need all families dropping off or picking up our scholars to be more responsible, respectful and safe. Recently, we have seen too many cars driving too fast during drop off and pick up. We have also seen cars passing and driving around other cars way too close to students- please be patient, cautious and courteous. Remember was are all modeling our Mustang Musts! The same can be said while buses are loading and unloading. Please pull all the way up in the circle drive before dropping off. This will help the traffic flow.
As a reminder, families should not be using the main entrance parking lot to drop off or pick up between 8:15-8:45 am and 3:15-3:45 pm while the buses are present.
Student Lunch Deliveries
We want to remind families that OLHMS does not allow student lunch deliveries from outside services (such as DoorDash, Uber Eats, or other vendors). This practice minimizes disruptions and contributes to a safe and structured lunch experience for all students.
Bus Transportation
Bus Behavior: Please remind bus riders that we must be following our Mustang Musts. We have been hearing about challenging, inappropriate and unsafe behavior on the bus riders to and from school. We do have the ability to request bus video footage. Students will be given consequences for their behavior which may include a suspension from the bus.
Bus Loading and Unloading: Families should not be passing buses in our parking lot. This is dangerous and almost caused an accident. Do not pass buses with their stop sign extended.
OLHMS PTSA
Membership is $6.00 per student and $10.00 per adult
PTSA Meetings are at 6:00pm monthly
- Next PTSA Meeting is next school year in September
- Reach out to Delecta Harris, our PTSA President for more information (olhmsd123ptsa@gmail.com )
- PTSA Facebook
All parents/ guardians/ staff & students are highly encouraged to join the PTSA and attend meetings. This is an incredible opportunity, partnership and fun way to support our scholar’s experience at the middle school!
If you are interested in supporting our school in a different capacity please reach out to our PTSA! Maybe you do not have the time to donate, but your contributions can still be made through your membership!
Important Dates
Final Stretch of Dates:
5/27: 6th Grade Breakfast & 7th Grade Trip
5/28: Band Breakfast & 7th Grade Trip
5/29: Beginner Band/ Chorus Breakfast, 8th Grade Trip
5/30: D123 Returning Student Registration Due, 6th Grade Incentive & 8th Grade Dance
6/2: 7th Grade Breakfast
6/3: SELECT 123 Breakfast & 8th Grade Awards
6/4: Elementary Grad Walk
6/5: 8th Grade Commencement Ceremony
6/6: Final Day of School (½ Day)
Due May 30th!
D123 Summer Programming
Is your child bursting with creativity? Are they really into sports (either the traditional or video kind)? Do they love the magical world of Harry Potter or the great outdoors? Do they need to “Launch” into reading and math to get ready for the next grade level? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then we have a great summer opportunity here at School District 123! Check out these exciting programs and many more hosted at Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School this summer.
PreK-8th Grade Launch Programs: Get a head start on next year! These classes will reinforce last year’s lessons while preparing for what’s ahead in literacy, math, science, and social studies.
Animal Art with Mr. Lutvi: Calling all animal lovers! Read about different animals and their habitats, then create them using crayons, markers, and paint.
Open Art Studio - Junk Journal Edition with Mrs. Padilla: Experiment with art! Explore creativity with paints, markers, crayons, beads, and more to fill a junk journal with drawings, writings, and unique projects.
Rhinestone Gem & Crafting with Ms. Heron: Add some razzle-dazzle! Create eye-catching designs on canvases, masks, and accessories with rhinestones and gems. Explore patterns, symmetry, and color while boosting artistic skills.
Colorful Creations with Ms. Picman: Express creativity! Students will bring their imagination to life and develop their artistic skills by creating their own masterpieces.
Hoop Dreams with Mrs. Reidl: Basketball lovers - team up! This camp focuses on improving dribbling, shooting, passing, and footwork skills while having fun. Great for all skill levels.
E-Sports with Mr. Fanjoy: It’s game time! From JumboTron games to Xbox and arcade fun, students will compete in exciting sports-centered challenges.
Harry Potter with Mrs. Devine: Experience magic! Wizards and witches will find their way to Hogwarts and learn magic through reader’s theatre, fun games, creative crafts, and house challenges.
Experiment Express with Ms. O’Donnell: Invent, experiment, and build! Students will dive into exciting experiments and learn about famous inventors through videos and stories. Then, they’ll apply their knowledge by creating their own projects.
Nature Navigators with Ms. Altenburg: Explore the great outdoors! Dive into weather, plants, and wildlife through hands-on activities both inside and outside. It’s all about sparking curiosity, critical thinking, and building a deeper connection with nature.
Curious Scientists 2 with Ms. Lettiere: Come explore! We will use STEAM to answer all our curious questions, take on challenges, and create new things. We will do hands-on experiments such as exploding paint art and more.
Fun with Friends with Ms. Cipriani: Let the games begin! From board games and card games to exciting role-playing and team challenges, this club is about making friends, having fun, and building awesome skills.
At D123, these programs are more than just “summer school.” We want to keep students engaged throughout the summer months by giving them opportunities to explore new activities, have fun with friends, and get a head start on the next year.
Program details:
15-Day Program - No Fridays
June 16 - 18 ~ June 23 - 26
July 7 - 10 ~ July 14 - 17
Pre-K to 8th Grade | All Are Welcome
Sign up today! Spaces are limited.
High School Happenings
Oak Lawn Community High School
Your 3rd-8th grader has the opportunity to join an exciting Flag Football League starting June 20th! Chicago Christian Schools, in partnership with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, will be hosting its first annual faith-based flag football league.
- Friday nights: 6-8:30 pm
- Location: Chicago Christian High School (12001 S Oak Park Ave, Palos Heights)
- Dates: 6/20, 6/27, 7/11, 7/18
Build skills, make friends, and create lasting memories!
Providence Catholic High School