The Mustang Minutes

Dear OLHMS Families,

Welcome to what promises to be an incredible school year at Oak Lawn Hometown Middle School, the proud home of the Mustangs! Tomorrow, we open our doors and welcome our scholars back, and I could not be more excited for the year ahead. I hope your family is rested, recharged, and ready for all of the opportunities and possibilities that await us!

I am truly honored to serve as the Proud Principal of OLHMS. At our core, we believe in “Creating a dream and making it a reality!” That vision drives everything we do and reminds us that our school should be a place where scholars don't simply attend school—they belong, grow, thrive, and discover what they are capable of becoming.

Last year, we challenged ourselves to LEVEL UP—to raise the bar, embrace challenges, and discover what we were capable of. This year, we celebrate the place that makes that growth possible: There Is No Place Like OLHMS! This is more than a theme. It is a mindset. It is a celebration of who we are as Mustangs and a commitment to making OLHMS a place where every scholar feels known, valued, challenged, and supported.

This year, we will:

• Grow academically, socially, and personally
• Lead with confidence, compassion, and responsibility
• Connect with one another and build meaningful relationships
• Celebrate our successes, our differences, and what makes our Mustang community special

Our incredible Mustang staff is energized, passionate, and ready to welcome your children tomorrow. We know that the first day of middle school—or the first day of a new grade level—can bring excitement, anticipation, and maybe even a few butterflies. Please remind your scholar that they do not have to have everything figured out on Day One. They simply need to show up, be themselves, and know that we are here to help them every step of the way.

As we begin this new school year, we will continue to live out our Mustang Musts everywhere we go:

Be Safe.
Be Responsible.
Be Respectful.

As a parent myself, I know how important these middle school years are. Thank you for trusting us with your most precious gifts—your children. Your partnership matters, and when our families and staff work together, there is truly no limit to what our Mustangs can accomplish.

So tonight, get some rest, set those alarms, pack those backpacks, and get ready to make some Mustang magic!

Tomorrow, we begin a brand-new chapter—and I cannot wait to see our hallways filled with the energy, laughter, and spirit of our Mustangs once again.

There is no place like OLHMS.
And there is no better place to be a Mustang!

Let's make this our best year yet.

With Mustang Pride,

Madalyn Laureto
Principal

The first session of Supply Drop-Off was a huge success! What an incredible turnout of scholars and families coming to drop off supplies, meet their teachers, and reconnect with our school community. It was wonderful to see so many smiles and hear laughter filling the hallways again!

If your family and scholar is planning to attend the 6:00–7:30 p.m. Supply Drop-Off session, we can’t wait to see them! We’re looking forward to another great evening of reconnecting and getting ready for the year ahead.

We are so excited to welcome all of our scholars back tomorrow and officially kick off another amazing year at OLHMS!

Teacher Assignments, Schedules and Transportation

Advisory assignments, class schedules, and bus routes were released through Skyward Family Access at noon on August 12. Please note that adjustments to teacher assignments, schedules, and bus routes may be made as we finalize enrollment, class sizes, and programming needs. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and cooperation as we work to ensure the best possible placement for all of our students. We anticipate having schedules finalized by the end of the first full week of school.

Please note: Schedule changes will only be made when necessary to balance class sizes or meet programming requirements.

Student Portal

Our Mustangs utilize the Student Portal to access Google Classroom, Google Drive, Gmail, Skyward, and other student applications. Daily announcements and important information for students are also posted through the Student Portal.

Grade level supply lists are linked below if you planned some shopping excitement between now and supply drop off on the 18th! Schoolkidz purchased at the end of the 2026-2027 school year will be ready in student’s advisory classrooms. OLHMS Grade Level Supply List Link

Student Lockers: All students will be assigned a locker at the beginning of the school year. Please reassure our new scholars that they will be fine! Here is a locker support doc as well!

"The This and That of 6th Grade:" Helpful hints for a successful 6th grade beginning!

The day starts at 8:30 am sharp! Doors open at 8:25am.

The school day ends at 3:20PM

Student attendance is critically important to our success! Please ensure our scholars are here daily and on time! Student tardies and overall attendance will be recorded and may impact student privileges! We look forward to working with our Mustangs daily!

Student Schedules (8:30am to 3:20pm)

Scholars follow a specific grade-level schedule. Each student will have a unique 10 period schedule consistent with their grade-level peer. All grade levels have grade specific Encore and lunch periods.

• Core Classes: All students have 4 Core class
• Math (80 mins), ELA (80 mins), Science (40 mins ) & Social Studies (40 mins)
• Daily PE (40 mins): All student have a PE period (Student must wear gym shoes)
• Spanish: Optional 3 year program
• Encore Classes (All 40 mins): All Encore are randomly assigned during Encore periods
• Global Studies, Connections, Communications, Art, Health, Music, Journalism, Multimedia Productions, Family Consumer Science and Financial Literacy.

Parents and families dropping off and walkers enter the building in the back of the school on Oak Center Dr. Parents please be patient, follow guidance from support staff and do not block the driveways of our neighbors on Oak Center Dr.

• 6th Grade scholars use Door 4

• 7th Grade scholars use Door 6

• 8th Grade scholars use Door 5

Parking lots are for staff parking only. All parent/student drop off and pick up takes place in the back of the school on Oak Center Dr.

• Main Entrance: Bus entrance only and will be closed from 8:15-8:45am and 3:15-3:45pm to guests!

• Oak Center Drive: One-Way moving West to East for morning and afternoon drop off and pick up.

Main Parking Lot, Circle Drive and 99th Street: Family drop off and pick up is done on Oak Center Dr. If family members are helping out, please let them know to use the rear of the building for drop off or pick up. Students should not be dropped off in the morning or picked up during dismissal via the main parking lot or 99th Street while buses are present. The main parking lot will be CLOSED from 8:15-8:45am and 3:15-3:45pm daily.

• Designating a pick up and drop off area/ location for our scholars to meet their ride has been extremely helpful and allows families to avoid the congestion.
• Please do not have students run across 99th street or Oak Center Dr. to be picked up without adult supervision. We want to make sure all of our students and families are kept safe.
• The rear doors (Oak Center Dr./ Circle Drive) will close at 8:30am during morning arrival and the rear doors will be closed at 3:30pm during afternoon dismissal.
  
• School tardies will be assigned after 8:30am.
• Please be patient and courteous

Sports Handbook - Here is the information you will need if your scholar plans to try out for one of many sports offered here at OLHMS.

Clubs and Activities: Our Mustangs use this quick LINK located on the student portal to stay up to speed with club options and registration each trimester. Located on this page is an example of club offerings last year!

Student Device Repair Program:

Your student's device is protected against accidental damage, theft, fire, flood, natural disasters, power surge and vandalism. If your child’s device needs repair, below are the costs associated with each incident during a school year:

• 1st incident - No Charge (one-time fee waiver)

• 2nd incident - $25.00

• 3rd incident - $50.00

Free & Reduced Breakfast & Lunch Reminder

The federal program allowing districts across the country to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students regardless of income has expired. At this time, the federal government has not extended the waivers for this school year to allow free meals for all students. As a result, schools across the nation will be reverting back to free and reduced-price meals based on income eligibility guidelines set by theU.S. Department of Agriculture. Families who do not qualify for free or reduced breakfast or lunch will have to pay for school meals. Students whose families are eligible for free or reduced-price breakfast or lunch will be able to access meals this school year at no cost or a discounted rate. If you would like to apply for free or reduced priced meals, please click here. Here is the form for the breakfast in the classroom.

Health Examination and Immunization Requirements

There are specific requirements for students entering preschool, kindergarten, second grade and sixth grade, as well as for all new students. Visit our Health Forms & Guidelines page for more information. Please note that these vaccinations and/or health examinations are required by state law.

• All forms due October 15, 2026
• All incoming 6th Graders must have a physical and dental report on file.
• All 6th, 7th and 8th Graders interested in sports will need a sports physical to try out for teams.

No Cell Phone: Bell to Bell

As we get ready to welcome our scholars back, we want to share a quick reminder about one of our important school-wide expectations.

Cell phones, iPads, and smartwatches are not permitted in the learning environment. Scholars should have their personal devices turned off and securely stored in their lockers from arrival through dismissal.

This expectation helps us protect instructional time, minimize distractions, and give our scholars the opportunity to be fully present in their learning and relationships. We want our hallways, classrooms, and lunchroom to be spaces where scholars are learning, connecting, and engaging with one another—not their screens.

We also recognize that families may need to reach their children during the school day. If you have an urgent message or emergency, please contact the main office, and we will make sure your child receives the message. Scholars who need to contact home during the school day may request permission to use an office or classroom phone.

Thank you for partnering with us to reinforce this expectation. Together, we can create a focused, connected, and positive learning environment for all of our Mustangs!

• You will receive more information and be able to log in to the new platform by Thursday, August 13th.

  
  

  Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 is excited to introduce a new way to unify communications across each building at D123. With SchoolStatus Connect, families will be able to receive communications (Email, Text Messages, Phone Calls) from the district, schools, and classrooms all in one place.

• Membership is $6.00 per student and $10.00 per adult

• PTSA Meetings are at 6:00pm monthly

• PTSA Meeting- September 8, 2026 at 6:00pm
  
• PTSA Spirit Gear- Order information coming soon!
  
• Reach out to Amanda Stone, our PTSA President for more information
  
• 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!

https://www.d123.org/schools/olhms/index

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

OLHMS School Supply Drop Off

2:00pm - 3:30pm & 6:00pm - 7:30pm (Evening is optional for staff attendance)

• The Supply Drop Off is a relaxed opportunity for scholars and families to walk our halls, check out Encore spaces, find their advisory classroom and begin learning or relearning how to open a locker. School Kidz orders will be placed in scholar’s advisory classrooms.

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

First Day of School (½ Day, Dismissal at 11:30am)

• School doors open at 8:25am

• Classes begin at 8:30am

• Dismissal at 11:30am

Thursday, August 20, 2026

Regular School Day (Dismissal at 3:20pm)

• School doors open at 8:25am

• Classes begin at 8:30am

• Dismissal at 3:20pm

• Picture Day

Friday, August 21, 2026

Regular School Day (Dismissal at 3:20pm)

• School doors open at 8:25am

• Classes begin at 8:30am

• Dismissal at 3:20pm

Saturday, August 22, 2026

D123 Back to School Extravaganza (11:00am-1:30pm)

• TIM...ProKids Shows @ 11:45 & 12:!5
• Traveling World of Reptiles @ 11:45 & 1:00
• Hot Dog Lunch : $3 for 1 or $5 for 2
• Inflatables, Face Painting & More
• Local Vendors

Monday, August 24, 2026

• Music Booster Association Meeting at 4:30
• Board of Education Meeting at 7:00

Thursday, September 17, 2026

OLHMS Open House. This is a wonderful opportunity to begin our learning partnership!

• Doors will open at 6:30