The Lion Link
Dear Lion Families,
We hope you and your student were able to enjoy a restful weekend after our first full week of school.
Last week, all students attended an Expectations Assembly where we reviewed what it looks and sounds like to be a Lion on campus. Our students have done a phenomenal job thus far at meeting these expectations. Let's keep up the great work!
This week, we will begin highlighting and promoting opportunities for students to get involved in extracurricular activities. These activities are designed to enrich students’ learning experiences while fostering connection, community, and a strong sense of belonging on campus. Check out the announcements below for our fall offerings.
As always, please don't hesitate to reach out at any time if we may be of any support. Have a wonderful week!
Warmly,
Natalie Daniels, Principal
Emily Rae, Assistant Principal
Joshua Thibodeaux, Assistant Principal
NEW! Construction Impacting Pick-Up & Drop-Off
Solar panels are being installed in the front staff parking lot. To best ensure student and staff safety during this construction project, please take note of updated drop-off/pick-up locations.
DROP-OFF LOCATIONS
- MPR Roundabout
- Side Mesa Gate
PICK-UP Locations
- MPR Roundabout
- Back Gate
Accessible DROP-OFF / PICK-UP (with accessibility pass only)
- Front Staff Lot
Parking in blue marked accessible parking is NEVER permitted without a DP placard or plates. Please do not park in these spots when visiting the front office.
NEW! Lion's Launch: Before School
Direct your student to the Library for our new morning program, Lion's Launch! The library will open at 7:45 am and will available for students until the first bell rings at 8:10 am.
We look forward to sharing this newly refreshed space with all of our students!
NEW! MLK Athletics: After School Sports
The King athletic coaching staff is committed to guiding athletes toward personal bests by providing each individual with an opportunity to participate on a team-centered program. Research has shown that athletes at the middle school level help to foster team building skills, problem solving skills, self-discipline, responsibility, and self-confidence. Through the development of these skills it is believed that our student athletes will become confident contributing members to our school community.
Encourage your student to join one of our Fall offerings:
- Volleyball
- Flag Football
- Cross Country
To sign up for any of these sports, please view our webpage (linked here).
Questions? doug.musgrove@oside.us
NEW! King Creative Labs: After School Arts
We are so proud and excited to share that MLK is launching King Creative Labs, an after-school arts academy designed to give students opportunities to explore, create, and grow through the arts, led by experts in their fields and offered at no cost to our families.
- Movement Lab is an after-school street dance program for Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School students of all levels! Students will explore street dance, creative movement, and cultural expression in a safe, supportive, and fun environment. Review additional information and sign ups (linked here).
- Sound Lab is an after-school music program for Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School students of all levels! Students will explore music styles, sounds, and performance through the use of voice, guitar, bass, keyboards, and percussion. Students will also be involved in sound production, musical creative development, songwriting process, along with individual, group, and cultural expression in a safe, supportive, and fun environment. Review additional information and sign ups linked here.
NEW! Meet MLK's SRO: Officer Gonzales
School has been underway, and we’d like to introduce the Oceanside Police Department School Resource Officers who will be looking out for our students, staff, and campuses throughout the school year!
Our SROs are more than a familiar face on campus, they’re here to help keep our schools safe, build positive relationships with students, and be a trusted resource for our school communities.
If you see your SRO around campus, be sure to say hello! 👋 (OPD Instagram link here)
View: Roarin' Report
Each week, Mr. Aldridge's Digital Experience course works hard to develop a news production featuring King students and staff.
Check out their first Roarin' Report of the '26 - '27 school year! (linked here)
View: Instagram - Reel of the Week
Check out this week's MLK Reel of the Week!
Follow our OUSD Instagram account @KingMSPride
View: Oside in One Minute
Many of our students are interested in pursuing a career in the fields of STEM. Check out this unique opportunity that took students out of the classroom.
It's this week's Oside USD in One Minute. Watch it in Spanish
August/September PTSO Meeting: 08/31
Our first PTSO meeting will take place on Monday, August 31st at 6pm in our beautiful new Library!
If you are unable to make it in person, feel free to attend on the Zoom link (linked here).
8th Grade Promotion - Save the Date!
Date - Tuesday, June 8th
Time - TBD
Location - Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School
Additional details will be provided during 2nd semester.
School Site Council Elections
This year we have one vacancy for ONE parent role on our School Site Council. SSC is a group of staff, parents, students and community members that help give input on goals and budget decisions for King. Please complete this GOOGLE FORM if you are interested in serving on our committee.
OUSD Device Protection Plan
Don’t forget to purchase the Device Protection Plan for your student’s chromebook.
The Device Protection Plan is only $20 and covers two repairs. Must be purchased before the end of September for the 2026-2027 school year.
E-Bike Permits & Renewals
Please follow the directions, linked HERE, in order for your student to ride their e-bike to school. You have already completed the waiver during data confirmation. If you student has a permit, they still need to renew it for the 2026-27 school year!
Attention: 6th Grade Families! (Friday, Sept. 11)
We would like to invite you to join your student on campus for a 6th Grade: Lunch on the Lawn event!
If you are interested in participating, please fill out the link here and we will provide you with additional information.
Academic Supports - Tutoring
- King Middle School
Tutoring by our on-site staff is coming soon! - Virtual Tutoring - All OUSD Gr. 6 -12 Students
OUSD has partnered with Tutor.com for FREE, on demand, online tutoring! Connect with a tutor right away, schedule a future session, drop off a writing assignment for a writing review, find test prep and self-study materials. View instructions linked here.
Social Emotional Supports
- Wellness Together (accepting referrals now)
Our on-site mental health specialist is available to all students by referral through Student Services or your student's counselor. If you feel that your child may benefit from this service, we encourage you to reach out. - PASS Americorps (Beginning in October)
Two on-site PASS team members will provide academic and social emotional support for referred students based on qualifying criteria. - TruCare
Our TruCare team is available on-site for not only student support. Students may see one of our favorite PFC team members, Rosie the service dog, on campus on Fridays! Check in with your student's counselor for a referral. - Transformational Consulting
Our TC team members support King on a daily basis for ongoing student check-ins and to support with student mediation opportunities. Life Skills 101 in room B-1 is offered on a regular basis at lunch. This program encourages leadership, responsibility and accountability for all participants. Students can report to Student Services if they'd like to access these supports. - Restorative Practice Small Groups
Restorative Practices circles and small group supports are provided by our OUSD central office team. Creation and implementation of these small group circles are ongoing. Check in with your student's counselor for access to these groups. - School Resource Officer
Our SRO is an OPD officer who is available and accessible for students / families as needed. Officer Walker is often seen at Nutrition and / or lunch and works to develop strong and trusting connections with our students. - Student Training & Assemblies
During this school year, the central office team will be / has offered trainings / assemblies for all OUSD sites. These topics include E-Bike safety, Drug Prevention, Inclusion & Belonging, Standing Together Against Bullying & Threats.
'26- ' 27 Student Handbook - MLK
Please feel free to review the 2026 - 2027 MLK Student Handbook (linked here). All students will also receive a planner from their Advisory teacher.
Grade Level Google Classroom
For weekly ASB updates, ensure that your student has access to their grade level Google Classroom. Details related to upcoming student events and activities are posted in the Google Classroom and on the ASB Website (link coming soon!)
6th Grade - code coming soon!
7th Grade - code coming soon!
8th Grade - code coming soon!
OUSD Student Tip Line
OUSD aims to be a safe, affirming, and inclusive space for all individuals.
If you are aware of a violation that compromises all schools and spaces being safe for all people, or if you are the victim of any incident/violation, please use our anonymous reporting option found on our district website.
More info here: https://www.oside.us/student-tip-line
Reminder: MLK Instagram Accounts
Follow MLK on Instagram on the following accounts:
- kingmspride
- kingmiddleschool_asb
- kingmiddleschool_njhs
Follow OUSD on Instagram on the following account:
- osideusd