OLHMS Update (2/10/26)

Did you know this is Kindness Week in D123?

Check out the visual below to participate in some extra fun this week while we remind everyone about the importance of kindness!

Did you know our Musical was a huge success?

We are so proud of our Directors, Cast and Crew for this year's Musical! This was one of the best performances! The incredible performances by our thespians was highlighted by their performance for all of our 5th-Grade students across the district and part of our cast surprising the Early Childhood Center! Way to go Mustangs!

Did you know that Family Conference Scheduler will open on February 4th?

All District 123 families can log in to Skyward/Qmlativ Family Access starting February 4 at 10 AM to select their family conference time and date. Online conference scheduling will close on February 16 at 11:59 PM.

Did you know that our scholars do not need toys at school?

We have seen an increase of gel toys like Needoh and Tech Decks coming to school and distracting the learning environment. These have also caused large messes around the building as they are breaking. We are reevaluating school issued fidgets and students with individual plans will be maintained.

We have had a staff and scholars almost hit by cars driving through the parking lot during arrival and dismissal. Please help keep our school community safe!

The main parking lot is CLOSED from 8:15-8:45am and 3:15-3:45pm daily while buses are present.

• 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 8:35am 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!

Mustang Families,

This week was filled with pride, connection, and celebration at OLHMS! We kicked things off with Mustang Monday, as scholars and staff proudly wore our new OLHMS gear, highlighting this year’s Level Up theme. It was a joy to see our community united in Mustang pride and Mustang Monday is always the perfect opportunity to show it off!

This week also marks Kindness Week, a special time for our school community to focus on compassion, inclusion, and lifting one another up. Each day, students are invited to participate in spirit days that help us share the spirit of kindness:

• Monday – Share the Spirit of Kindness: School Spirit Day

• Tuesday – “Work Out” Problems with Kindness: Wear workout clothes

• Wednesday – Hats Off to Kindness: Wear your favorite hat

• Thursday – Team Kindness: Wear your favorite sports team gear

• Friday – Kindness Makes Your Heart Grow: Wear red, pink, or white

Speaking of pride and heart, our school community was also wowed by the incredible performances of Beauty and the Beast Jr. under the direction of Ms. Hughes and Ms. Kennedy, with stunning costumes designed by Mrs. Harrington and Ms. Grady. Our cast and crew captivated audiences throughout the week, from a staff performance and visiting 5th graders to families and a packed house on Friday and Saturday. A special highlight was seeing our performers bring joy to our youngest learners during their visit to the ELC. We are so proud of our performers putting on an incredible show and persevering to ensure it's success!

We are deeply grateful for the passion and dedication of our educators and for the strong partnership we share with our families. Together, we continue to build a vibrant community grounded in academic excellence, character, and resilience. A place where every scholar is encouraged to Level Up academically, socially, and emotionally.

Thank you for your continued support and collaboration!

Spring 2026 Family Conferences will be held on:

• February 19 from 5 PM - 8 PM &
• February 20 from 11:30 AM - 6:30 PM

Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 Family Conferences will be completely scheduled online via Skyward/Qmlativ.

• K-5 families will have the opportunity to schedule conferences with their student's grade-level teacher, encore staff, and specialists.
• 6-8 families will have the opportunity to schedule conferences with their student's advisory teacher, encore staff, and specialists.

• Pre-K families at the Early Learning Center will have the opportunity to schedule conferences with their student's homeroom teacher.

All District 123 families can log in to Skyward/Qmlativ Family Access starting February 4 at 10 AM to select their family conference time and date. Online conference scheduling will close on February 16 at 11:59 PM.

On behalf of the Oak Lawn Hometown School District 123 PTA Council, we would like to share the Helen Whalen Scholarship is available for application! This scholarship is designed to support and recognize outstanding D123 alumni as they pursue their educational goals.

Attached, you will find a flyer with all pertinent information about the scholarship, including eligibility requirements and application details.

Important Information:

• Applications Link: https://forms.gle/kpHYzGq6BCEmKj849
• Deadline: February 27, 2026, at 4:00 PM
• All components of the scholarship application must be submitted by the deadline to be considered (please reiterate this to your students as last year we had quite a few incomplete).
• Applicants will be notified of the winners by April 2, 2026.
• Scholarship recipients will be invited to attend an awards dinner on April 20, 2026, at Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School (OLMHS).

We kindly ask that you share this opportunity with any D123 alumni who may be eligible and encourage them to apply.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at ptacouncild123.scholarship@gmail.com.

Thank you for your support in helping us reach deserving students and celebrating the achievements of our alumni.

Graduate Yard Signs: Place your orders by April 17th.

Plant some school spirit on your lawn with a OLHMS Mustang Pride lawn sign! Cost is $10 and can be purchased online at: https://olhmsptsa.givebacks.com/shop/items/2fd003152f

Graduation Fees: The online system is OPEN! The document link below has the updated information.

Class of 2026: The LINK is the updated letter with the reminder expectations, future dates, and now graduation fees.

SELECT 123:SELECT 123: In partnership with our D123 Ed Foundation, SELECT 123 is a prestigious group of scholars who embody aspects of our D123 mission and vision. This is our fourth year to acknowledge twenty three scholars who have not only demonstrated academic excellence, service and contributed to our community- they have each modeled expressions of perseverance, drive and integrity. These 23 leaders will be featured on our “Wall of Fame” for the 2026/ 2027 school year! More than being featured on a wall, we will expect this prestigious and unique group of alumni to remain connected to D123 and provide valuable insight for years to come! Applications went live on 1/23!

We expect and desire to have 100% of our scholars earn the opportunity to walk the stage with their graduating 2026 Class!

Dates:

May 28, 2026: 8th-Grade Trip

May 29, 2026: 8th-Grade Dance

June 2, 2026: SELECT 123 Breakfast(7:30am) & 8th-Grade Awards(9:00am)

June 2, 2026: Elementary Grad Walk(1:30pm)

June 3, 2026: 8th Grade Commencement Ceremony (7:00pm)

GRADUATION FEES:

Great America Trip* $75.00 (Tickets and Picnic Lunch)

Graduation Items $85.00 (Not Optional)(Gown, Stole, Diploma, Program, Tickets, etc.)

T-Shirt $10.00 (Not Optional)

Yearbook $30.00 (Not Optional)

TOTAL FEES $200.00

NOTE: *Students with a Season Pass:

• The Season Pass must be brought to the office before paying for the trip for verification purposes. The student must then remember to carry his/her Season Pass on the day of the trip for park admittance.

• Students with a Season Pass will only be required to pay $30.00 for the picnic lunch.
• The total amount for graduation fees for a student with a Season Pass is $155.00.

NO REFUND will be given for season passes purchased after the 8th-grade fees have been paid.

Payments for Graduation Fees can be made in the following ways:

• Credit cards online via the Skyward System will be accepted for the full amount of $200.00 and the discounted Season Pass fee of $155.00. Please log onto your Skyward account for options.
• Checks must be made payable to Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School.
• Cash must be submitted for the exact amount.

If you pay online, please return the permission slip to the office.

GRADUATION FEES ARE DUE BACK TO OLHMS BY 04/10/2026.

For current 7th or 8th grade scholars

Meeting will be Monday, March 9, 7:30 AM in Cafetorium

1. Community Service Hours - minimum of 15 hours -Due April 6th.

2. Grading - A majority of A’s and B’s (Every C needs to be balanced with an “A”) during Trimesters 1-3 of the petitioning year in both Core and Encore classes. No overall “D” or “F” are allowed in any trimester.

3. Creating and maintaining a Digital Portfolio which highlights examples of the five NJHS pillars (scholarship, citizenship, leadership, character, and service) -Due February 2nd

4. Completion of a Capstone Project focusing on service on Service Learning Day April 25th

5. Regular attendance at NJHS meetings before school at 7:30 am in the cafetorium

Monday, April 13

Thursday, May 7- Mandatory Induction Ceremony Rehearsals (7:30 AM) & Ceremony (7:00 PM)

NJHS Sponsors Contact: Ms. Jen DiSalvo jdisalvo@d123.org

Mrs. Maggie Omiecinski mmomiecinski@d123.org

Mrs. Alyssa Zajack azajack@d123.org

Our main entrance vestibule will serve as the visitor reception and waiting area. Guests will continue to be warmly welcomed, greeted by the staff member hosting them, and escorted to their meeting location. This update is part of our continued effort to strengthen safety and streamline visitor check-in procedures.

As we continue partnering with our local safety agencies, we remain committed to refining our practices and keeping safety at the heart of all we do. Ensuring a secure environment for our students, staff, and families is always our top priority.

To support this shared goal:

• Please bring a valid driver’s license or photo ID when picking up a student during the school day.

• For everyone’s safety, visitors may not leave the main office without a staff escort.

• All students, staff, and guests are expected to wear their designated ID badges while on campus.

Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our Mustang community safe, connected, and thriving.

We love having fans here to support our Mustang Athletes. Here is the LINK for our Spectator Permission Form and Code of Conduct for student spectators. Student fans unaccompanied by parents, must have an electronic or paper form on file to attend home games. Students cannot stay in the building for games unless they are part of a club or activity.

• 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!

• We are looking for candidates for PTSA officers for the 2026-2027 school year. If you are interested or know someone who is, you can nominate them by emailing us at olhmsd123ptsa@gmail.com. (flyer attached)

• The application for the Helen Whalen Scholarship is now open offering a $1,000 scholarship to three deserving students. Click here to apply: https://www.d123.org/about-us/helen-whalen-scholarship (Flyer attached)
• Plant some school spirit on your lawn with a OLHMS Mustang Pride lawn sign! Cost is $10 and can be purchased online at: https://olhmsptsa.givebacks.com/shop/items/2fd003152f

• Membership(Click Here) is $7.00 per student and $10.00 per adult

• PTSA Meetings are at 6:00pm monthly

• PTSA Meeting- March 9, 2026 at 6:00pm
• Reach out to Delecta Harris, our PTSA President for more information (olhmsd123ptsa@gmail.com)
  
• PTSA Facebook
  

Oak Lawn Community High School

Hope you are doing well. Our Superintendent reached out to me to see if we could share this to our feeder schools. This is our new community newsletter called “The Spartan Standard” and highlights events and news that have happened in the past 3 months.

H. L. Richards High School

Brother Rice High School

Chicago Christian High School

De La Salle Institute

IMSA

Marist High School

Mother McAuley High School

• 6th & 7th Grade Shadow Day (Presidents' Day)

• Monday, February 16

• 6th & 7th Grade Girls

• Click here to sign-up!

• Movie with the Macs Sing-Along: KPop Demon Hunters

• Saturday, February 21 from 1-3pm

• All ages welcome!

• Click here to get your tickets!

• Morning Math Placement Test

• Saturday, March 7 at 8am

• 7th Grade Girls

• Click here to register for the test!

Morgan Park Academy

Mt. Carmel High School

Providence Catholic High School

St. Ignatius High School

St. Laurence High School

St. Rita High School

HFS Chicago Scholars