August 21, 2026 Panther Newsletter

• August 24, 2026

• Open House and Pictures 4-7:00 PM

• Schedules available to families and students

• Nursing staff will be available to drop off student meds

• September 1, 2026
• 1st Day of School
• September 7, 2026
• No School-Labor Day
• September 25
• No School-Professional Development for Staff

Please follow us on Facebook @ South Park Middle School-Oshkosh

You will find updates, pictures and events taking place with our school and PTN.

Hello~ Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year at South Park Middle School! I am thrilled to serve as your principal this year and bring 30 total years of educational experience to this position, most recently as an Assistant Principal at Oshkosh West High School. Because of my deep roots in our district and community, I am fully committed to carrying on the traditions of South Park while continuing high expectations for academic and behavioral excellence. I look forward to partnering closely with our families to ensure your children have a safe, inclusive, and outstanding middle school experience. I look forward to meeting all of you at the open house on August 24, 2026 from 4-7pm. Let's make it a wonderful school year together!

Mrs. Pakula

920-424-0431 x2703

gillian.pakula@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

We have updated our field trip procedures to streamline communication and improve the administrative process for families. Please review the key details below:

• One-Time Blanket Permission: Parents provide consent for all field trips during Annual Online Registration, covering the entire academic year (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027).

• Automatic Opt-In Status: Once online registration is completed, students are automatically opted-in for scheduled field trips.

• Managing Specific Trips: Upon receiving notification of an upcoming trip, log into the Infinite Campus Parent Portal and visit the School Store to submit payments or opt out of that specific event.

• Strict Deadlines: All payments and opt-out requests must be completed at least two weeks prior to the trip date. For extenuating circumstances, please contact your school secretary promptly.

• Mandatory Registration: Completing Annual Online Registration is required for field trip participation. Students with incomplete registrations will not appear in the School Store system.

If you need technical support or require alternative arrangements, please contact your child's school secretary.

NOTES FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE

….and just like that, we are BACK for the 2026-2027 school year! We hope you have had a wonderful and relaxing summer, filled with lots of fun and sunshine. Here are some reminders to help make this school year off to a great start:

• All students are required to have an updated immunization record or immunization waiver on file with the school health office. Updated Immunization Waivers will be obtained at the beginning of the year. Your school health staff will send waivers home electronically or in physical copy if needing to be on file for your student(s).

• New Immunization Change: 7th grade students will be required to have the Tdap AND Meningococcal (MenACWY-containing) vaccinations. IF your student will not be obtaining the vaccine for any reason or will be obtaining the vaccination late, you may fill out the immunization waiver to remain up to date.

• If you choose to sign a waiver, please contact your school office OR click on this link https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/forms/f04020l.pdf to obtain the paperwork. On the paperwork, you will need to complete Step 1, Step 4 and Step 5, sign and return to the Health Office/ Nursing Staff as soon as possible.

• Medication Forms and Emergency Action Plans (Allergy, Asthma, and Seizure) need to be updated/ completed each school year and handed into the health office during open house or first week of school. Please click the following link if you are in need of a form: OASD Health Services

• Reminder that all medications must be brought to the health office in their original containers by a parent/guardian AND a medication form must be completed by a parent/guardian and signed by a physician. (Physician signature is needed for prescriptions or off label OTC medication use.)

• Please make sure your contact information is up to date in Infinite Campus so that we can reach you in case of an emergency.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us by email at: mikaila.shear@oshkosh.k12.wi.us or samantha.wenzel@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

Let’s make it a great year,

Mikaila Shear, RN

School Nurse

Sam Wenzel, LPN

Health Assistant

#1 - Complete Annual Student update (Online Enrollment/Registration) by September 1 for all new and returning PreK-12 students

• What You Need to Know:

  • Streamlined Forms: We’ve made it easier! Universal field trip permissions, athletic forms, dental care, and digital GO Transit access are now built directly into the online process.

  • Busing & Transportation: If your child is eligible and requires busing, you must complete the transportation questions within OLR by August 16 to guarantee service for the first day of school.

  • Field Trips/Sports: The student is unable to sign up for field trips/sports, etc. until they are registered for school this fall.

  • New 4K Students: Enrollment for our free 4K program also opens April 1! Current families can simply add a new 4K student while completing their annual update in the Parent Portal.

  How to Register: Log in via the Infinite Campus website or the "Campus Parent" mobile app (available on the App Store and Google Play). Click “More” on the bottom left, then select “Online Registration.”

#2 - Request bus transportation by August 16 at Noon (if you are eligible and want your child(ren) bused):

• Done during Online Registration in IC
• LEARN MORE (OASD Update - 04.01.26)

• Save the Dates - August 26 & 27: Drivers will be practicing their routes.

#3 - Complete Free and Reduced Price Meal Application to receive benefits.

• Submit this annual application to see if your family qualifies for free school meals, waived or discounted school fees, and and technology funds to improve internet access, wireless and network services.
• Fastest & Easiest: Complete it online directly in your Infinite Campus Parent Portal (see instructions)
• Alternative Option: You can also fill out paper copies of the Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application and the Permission to Share Information to Receive Fee Waivers form and return it to your school(s).

#4 - Buy School Supplies.

School Supply Lists for the 2026-2027 school year are available online at oshkosh.k12.wi.us/families/school-supply-lists, as well as on each school’s "Families" webpage. Additional back-to-school information will be shared with families by their child(ren)'s school.

Attention parents just a reminder to please call in your student or email tawnya.davies@oshkosh.k12.wi.us if you are getting any type of attendance type phone calls. It is important to call in your student even if they are a few minutes late, as it does count towards their total day count of absences. Your communication is greatly appreciated.

If a student arrives at school 10 or more minutes late, a parent or guardian MUST call to excuse their child or it will be marked as an unexcused absence. The school day ends at 3:37pm. No student should be on school grounds any earlier than 7:45am as there is NO SUPERVISION until 7:45am outside. All students must be off school grounds by 3:50pm each day unless they are participating in after school sports or clubs. If your student is going to be late, absent, or needs to leave early, please call #920.424.0431 ext 2702

Parents/guardians please contact the office with any phone number & email updates so we can contact you with emergencies or when your child may be ill. Remember, students may not use their cells during school hours or they will have them taken away for the day. School Day Schedule bell rings to enter the building at 8:12am. Students must be in their seats by 8:19am.

• Food Menus (via Nutrislice)
• Activity Calendar
• 2026-2027 OASD School Year calendar
• Community Events and Flyers
• Infinite Campus (IC) Parent Portal Login
• Staff Directory
• Attendance Matters
• South Park Facebook Page
• South Park Website
• Student Handbook
• School Supplies