March

Osceola Middle School, working with families and the community, will engage all learners in high quality, rigorous, relevant, and standards-based instruction in a safe, inclusive environment.

Dear OMS Community,

As we step into March, I want to celebrate some recent highlights from our school. We’ve just wrapped up another successful year at the Southeastern Youth Fair. This event is always a meaningful experience, and we are proud of the many OMS students who participated and represented our school so well.

Congratulations are also in order for our boys and girls flag football teams. Our girls brought home 1st place in the county, and our boys earned a strong 2nd place finish. We’re proud of their hard work, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

We are now moving into basketball season and look forward to hosting games in our new gymnasium. We hope to see you there supporting our students.

Our attendance rate for February was around 91%, and our goal is 95%. Please stay home when you’re sick, but outside of that, we want you here every day. Attendance really does make a difference.

As we head toward Spring Break and the final stretch of the school year, let’s finish strong. Thank you for your continued support and for being part of a positive, hardworking, and caring school community.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Renee Johnson

Principal, Osceola Middle School

Field Trip Information

If you have questions about field trips, please reach out to Mr. Greenbaum, Assistant Principal of Discipline (Howard.Greenbaum@marion.k12.fl.us)

Gradventure (8th grade, 5/14/2026)

Deadline for payment- April 3, 2026

Deadline for registration/payment- 1/30/2026

Deadline for permission forms- 2/20/2026

The OMS school code is 21890

Get Ready to Apply!

Application Opens February 5, 2026

The Cooke Young Scholars Program application opens on February 5. Each year, the Cooke Foundation selects a cohort of high-achieving 7th graders to be a part of a pre-college scholarship program, with support that includes:

• Funding for academic and extracurricular opportunities, such as music and art lessons, online classes, and technology.
• Educational advising on making the most of the high school experience and preparing to thrive at the nation's top colleges.
• Annual summer programs, plus year-round interaction and networking with a community of high-achieving peers.

Be sure to add these important dates to your calendar:

February 5, 2026 - Application opens

February 25, 2026, 1:00 p.m. EST- Introduction to the Young Scholars program webinar, for students and families.

April 29, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST - Application deadline

Learn more about the Young Scholars Program on our website and download the program profile here.

Reach out with any questions via email at scholarships@jkcf.org.

Updates coming this summer to Building 2!

Save the date!

March 3, 2026

• Basketball Game vs. Howard at OMS (girls at 6:00 PM, boys at 7:00 PM)

March 6, 2026

• 7th grade field trip to Tallahassee (Students must be at the school at 6:00 AM and will return at approximately 5:30 PM)

March 10, 2026

• Basketball Game vs. Ft. King at OMS (girls at 6:00 PM, boys at 7:00 PM)

March 12, 2026

• Last day of Quarter 3

March 13, 2026

• Teacher workday, no school

March 16-20

• Spring Break, no school

March 24, 2026

• Basketball Game vs. NMMS at NMMS (girls at 6:00 PM, boys at 7:00 PM)

March 25, 2026

• Early Release and Kona Ice Day
• Student Showcase and Literacy night at OMS (5:30 PM)
• Spring Picture Day https://swiphoto.com/underclass-prepay-2025-26

March 25-April 1, 2026

• Scholastic Book Fair

March 26, 2026

• Basketball Game vs. Dunnellon Middle School at DMS (girls at 6:00 PM, boys at 7:00 PM)
• Teen Safety Matters (periods 1, 3, 5) https://cdnsm5-ss20.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_4788531/File/TSM%20Parent%20Letter.pdf

March 27, 2026

• Quarter 3 report cards go home
• Teen Safety Matters (periods 2, 4, 6) https://cdnsm5-ss20.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_4788531/File/TSM%20Parent%20Letter.pdf

March 30, 2026

• Track and Field Tryouts start

March 31- April 1, 2026

• BEST Writing

April 2, 2026

• Pep Rally (PBIS event. To attend, students may not have an "F" on Q3 report card and must exhibit the big 3 during quarter 3)
• Basketball Game vs. Belleview at OMS (girls at 6:00 PM, boys at 7:00 PM)

April 3, 2026

• No School

Please scroll down to the Clubs and Athletics section to view club meeting dates, and athletics game and practice dates

8:50 AM Student allowed on campus/breakfast (free for all students)

9:15 AM First Bell

9:20 AM Tardy Bell

3:55 PM Dismissal

Please note that supervision is not provided prior to 8:50 AM or after 4:25 PM. Any students on campus at 4:25 PM will be taken to MAP ($25 emergency drop in fee).

Click the link for the 2026 OMS Basketball practice schedule

*Any changes to the schedule will be communicated by the club sponsor to the students and families

Attention 8th grade students! The requirements to participate in high school athletics has changed! Please see the flyer below. If you intend to participate in high school athletics, take advantage of this great (free) opportunity!

OMS 2025-2026 Student Handbook

2025-2026 MCPS Student Code of Conduct

Thank you for supporting the OMS cell phone policy! Since implementing this policy, our discipline data shows a noticeable decrease in referrals — particularly in incidents related to bullying, misuse of electronics, and fights. Our teachers and staff also report that students are more focused and ready to learn. Great job, Chiefs!

If a student is absent from school, an absence note should be submitted to the Guidance Department upon their return. If a note is not provided, the absence will be recorded as unexcused. We encourage students to email their teachers to request any assignments or make up missed work.

Additionally, a note from a parent or physician is required for early check-outs and tardies.

Your child's daily, on-time attendance is critical to their success in school. Students learn best when they are present in the classroom — every minute matters, now more than ever.

A student is considered chronically absent if they miss just two days of school per month — that’s 18 days in a year — whether the absences are excused or unexcused. Even one year of chronic absence can cause a student to fall behind academically and significantly decrease their chances of graduating from high school. This can have lasting effects on their financial independence, physical well-being, and mental health.

The good news? Attending school every day greatly increases a child’s chances of success — both in school and in life. "Showing Up Together!" will improve school attendance when students, families, and schools work as a team to make regular attendance a priority.

*Any changes to the schedule will be communicated by the coach to the students and families

We celebrated the unveiling of our incredible new facility — a huge milestone for OMS!

Thousands of Patio Passes have been awarded to students for outstanding accomplishments, including:

• A Honor Roll
• A-B Honor Roll
• Perfect Attendance
• No Discipline Referrals
• Beating School Averages on Recent DPMAs
• Various incentives

• Girls Team: 2nd Place
• Boys Team: 3rd Place
  Way to go, Chiefs!

Congratulations to our amazing students:

• 1st Place – Opening & Closing Ceremonies
  Emmalynn Oakes, Paisley Otte, Sara Weaver, Lyla Christiansen, Kylee Rumans, Lowyn Yancey, Quinn Jarvis
• 1st Place – Extemporaneous Speaking
  Riley Loughlin
• 3rd Place – Prepared Speaking
  Emerson Cunningham
• Creed Speaking Participant
  Anais Gonzales

We are so proud of these incredible girls representing Osceola! They qualified for State in 5 of 6 events and brought home 1st Place thanks to Eastyn and Emma!
A huge thank-you to Mrs. Carter for her guidance and support every step of the way.

Congratulations to Evan Bond and Kate Mathes for creating the winning entry: The French Dog!
Their creation will soon be featured on the menu at Big Hammock Bites and Brewery in downtown Ocala. What an amazing achievement!

• NJHS collected 504 pounds of food for a holiday food drive.
• SAIL gathered a generous number of toys for UF/Shands.

These incredible student organizations truly spread joy and made a difference this holiday season. Thank you for your kindness and community spirit!

Our Ag team harvested over 75 pounds of fresh greens and delivered them to our cafeteria — feeding our students healthy, homegrown produce during lunches! Amazing work, Chiefs! 🌱💚

Our FFA officers took 2nd place in the district level Opening and Closing Ceremonies Competition.

· 1/27/26 FBLA represented OMS at the District 7 competition.
🏆 Results:
• Jairah Florestal – 1st Place, MS Public Speaking
• Mason Denman – 1st Place, MS Exploring Business Issues
• Isabella Leon – 1st Place, MS Career Research
• Bryce Helfrey – 3rd Place, MS Career Research
• Emma Ahlers – 1st Place, MS Career Exploration

Congratulations to our girls flag football team for bringing home the first place trophy for the second year in a row! Shout out to our boys for a hard fought season bringing home second place in the county. We are so proud of both teams!

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the ability to stop, think carefully, and make good decisions. It means not just accepting information at face value, but asking questions like:

• Does this make sense?
• What evidence do I have?
• Is there another way to look at this?

Critical thinkers look at a situation from different angles, use facts instead of assumptions, and make thoughtful choices instead of quick reactions.
It’s basically smart thinking on purpose.

Problem Solving

Problem solving is the ability to take on a challenge and find a workable solution. It involves:

1. Recognizing the problem
2. Breaking it down into parts
3. Considering different solutions
4. Choosing the best plan
5. Trying it—and adjusting if needed

Problem solving is about being resourceful, flexible, and willing to try again when something doesn’t work the first time.

Learn more about building resiliency at the link below!

https://www.buildresiliency.org/

Making Carline More Efficient

Please pull all the way forward to the end of the carline sidewalk before loading or unloading. Additionally, avoid leaving large gaps between vehicles. Your cooperation helps us move everyone through the carline quickly and efficiently.

Click the form below for instruction on the My Ride K-12 Mobile App!

To learn more about BRAVO, click the document below!

Communication is a top priority for us here at Osceola, and it is an essential part of the strong partnership we share as we work together for the success of our students. If you ever have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are always here to listen, support, and help. For concerns that may be broader in scope, you are also welcome to contact school administration directly.

In today’s world, the “rumor mill” and word of mouth can easily become filled with misinformation, mixed perceptions, and unclear intentions. With the exception of Osceola’s official social media pages, social media is not a reliable source for accurate information or concerns. When you reach out to us directly, it allows us to hear your feedback, clarify information, and make adjustments when needed.

We value open, respectful, and timely communication, and we are committed to providing you with accurate information and exceptional support. Thank you for partnering with us to create the best possible experience for our students and families.

Click the link below to view a letter to Florida parents from Anastasios Kamoutsas, Commissioner of Education

Marion County Public Schools (MCPS) is upgrading the software systems used to assign students to bus routes and actual routing routines. Part of this upgrade is a new mobile app for tracking school buses. In the past, we used “Here Comes the Bus” for this purpose. However, that app is now disabled and we are moving to a new app called “My Ride K-12” that integrates with our new software. While this change incorporates turn-by-turn GPS directions for our bus drivers, the parent app may not be fully functional by August 11. We appreciate your understanding in advance and look forward to when “My Ride K-12” is fully available to you without charge in your preferred app store. Stay tuned for more information about this change.

The Marion County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race (including anti-Semitism), ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability (including HIV, AIDS, or sickle cell trait), pregnancy, religion, marital status, age (except as authorized by law), military status, ancestry, or genetic information, which are classes protected by State and/or Federal law (collectively, "protected classes") in its educational programs, services or activities, or in its hiring or employment practices as required by Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, Age Discrimination Act of 1967, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Florida Educational Equity Act of 1984. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission or participation. The District also provides equal access to its facilities for the Boy Scouts and other patriotic youth groups, as required by the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act.

Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination which is against the law and School Board Policies 1362, 2266, 3362, 4362, and 5517. The District will not tolerate sexual harassment activity by any of its members of the school district community, including students, employees, and third parties pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX Rules and Regulations.

Questions, complaints, or requests for additional information regarding discrimination or harassment may be sent to the below designated personnel at 1614 E. Fort King Street, Ocala, FL 34471. Retaliation against an individual who files a report is also prohibited.

ADA, Employee Title IX Coordinator, and Employment Compliance:
Dawana Gary, Director of Employee Relations
Phone: (352) 671-7711; Email address: Dawana.Gary@marion.k12.fl.us

Section 504 Compliance:
Anna Williams-Jones, Director of Exceptional Student Education
Phone: (352) 671-6832; Email address: Anna.Williams-Jones@marion.k12.fl.us

Student Title IX Complaints:
John Kerley, Director of Student Discipline
Phone: (352) 671-7790; Email address: John.Kerley@marion.k12.fl.us

The Nondiscrimination Statement is also available in Spanish.

Policy 1122: Nondiscrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity

Policy 2260: Nondiscrimination and Access to Equal Educational Opportunity

EEOC Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal Posting

Notificación continua de no discriminación/Prohibición de acoso

El Distrito Escolar del Condado de Marion no discrimina por motivos de raza (incluido el antisemitismo), etnia, color, origen nacional, sexo, orientación sexual, discapacidad (incluido el VIH, el SIDA o el rasgo de células falciformes), embarazo, religión, estado civil, edad (excepto según lo autorizado por la ley), estado militar, ascendencia o información genética, que son clases protegidas por la ley estatal y / o federal (colectivamente, "clases protegidas") en sus programas, servicios o actividades educativas, o en sus prácticas de contratación o empleo según lo requerido por el Título IX, el Título VI, el Título VII de la Ley de Discriminación por Edad de 1967, la Sección 504 de la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1973, la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades de 1990 y la Ley de Equidad Educativa de Florida de 1984. La falta de habilidades en el idioma inglés no será una barrera para la admisión o participación. El Distrito también proporciona igualdad de acceso a sus instalaciones a los Boy Scouts y otros grupos juveniles patrióticos, como lo requiere la Ley de Acceso Igualitario de los Boy Scouts of America.

El acoso sexual es una forma de discriminación que va en contra de la ley y de las Políticas 1362, 2266, 3362, 4362 y 5517 de la Junta Escolar. El Distrito no tolerará actividades de acoso sexual por parte de ninguno de sus miembros de la comunidad del distrito escolar, incluidos estudiantes, empleados y terceros de conformidad con el Título VII de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 y las Reglas y Reglamentos del Título IX.

Las preguntas, quejas o solicitudes de información adicional con respecto a la discriminación o el acoso pueden enviarse al personal designado a continuación en 1614 E. Fort King Street, Ocala, FL 34471. También se prohíben las represalias contra una persona que presente una denuncia.

ADA, Título IX y Cumplimiento de Equidad: Dawana Gary, Ed.S., Directora, Equidad y Cumplimiento Teléfono: (352) 671-7711; Dirección de correo electrónico: dawana.gary@marion.k12.fl.us

Cumplimiento de la Sección 504: Anna Williams-Jones, M.A.Ed., Directora, Educación para Estudiantes Excepcionales Teléfono: (352)671-6832; Dirección de correo electrónico: anna.williams-jones@marion.k12.fl.us

Quejas estudiantiles sobre el Título IX: John Kerly, Director of Student Discipline

Phone: (352) 236-0536; Email address: John.Kerley@marion.k12.fl.us