O'Maley Family Focus

August 26, 2022

Dear O'Maley Families,

The start of each school year brings various emotions. There is always some disappointment that the summer is coming to an end, but at the same time there is a wonderful feeling of the beginning of something new. New opportunities for friendships, to try out new interests, to learn new things. I hope that the opportunities presented this year for our students meet all of those expectations and more!

Everyone at O'Maley is very much looking forward to having students back in the building on Tuesday August 30th. As a reminder, school starts promptly at 7:40 a.m. Doors open for breakfast at 7:20 a.m. and then for everyone else at 7:35 a.m.

As I noted in a recent email, you should have received a placement letter in the mail early this week. If you have not gotten the information, please call the main office at 978-281-9850. The letter I enclosed is one of the only hard copy mailings you will receive. I have included information from the letter below so that you have the links. There are also some additions, like links to this year's student handbook and our Chromebook policies.

There is a great deal of information, so please bookmark this link for future use. For back issues, archived editions are listed at the bottom of each newsletter. And as always, don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions!

Best,

Principal Lynne Beattie

Check out O'Maley's new website next week!

Please follow @omaleyprincipal on Twitter or Instagram.

Upcoming Events

zoom_out_map

PTO Luncheon for O'Maley Teachers: There is still time to donate to help support O'Maley PTO by donating or sharing with your friends.

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=N7722Y7V9A72A

Mark Your Calendars: Be sure to join us on September 15th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. for our Fall Open House. On this night you will travel through your child’s schedule to get a glimpse of the school day and the people with whom they spend their day. For the many events that occur over the school year, please check and subscribe to the O’Maley Community Google Calendar for all events.

Student Drop Off & Pick Up

zoom_out_map

The best way for students to get to school is by bus. If it is absolutely necessary to drive your child, please be mindful that traffic can be challenging, and many students are walking to school.

All student drop off and pick up occurs in the rink parking lot. Pull in and turn right, and drop your student off on the sidewalk. Please do not drop off or pick up in the circle as it holds up traffic. The driveway in front of the school building is for buses only.

Student Schedules

Students will receive their schedules on the first day of school, August 30th. On that day, 6th grade students should proceed directly to the auditorium and all others should report to homerooms.

School Supplies

zoom_out_map

Supply Lists are posted on the O’Maley website and links are below for each grade level. Chromebooks should come to school fully charged every day, beginning August 30th.

Homework Assignment Books: Homework is typically assigned to students through Google Classroom. However, some students find it helpful to have an assignment book to write in as opposed to annotating electronically. Students should feel free to bring an assignment notebook.

Communication and Contact Information

Communication is essential for our ongoing partnership. Please be sure to keep your email address and phone numbers up to date in the student information system by informing the office if there are changes. Almost all communication from O’Maley will be electronic. Our newsletter, the O’Maley Family Focus is sent at least monthly via a link to Smore, and can be translated into your preferred language on the Smore site. If you do not have an email address, please let us know so that we can send you hard copies or a link to documents via SMS text messages.

Attendance

Due to challenges with chronic attendance issues, the Gloucester School Committee recently revised our attendance policy, and as a result, changes have been made at the school level. Please be reminded that students are required to attend school on time every day for the full day. Absences will no longer be marked excused or unexcused as all absences impact student learning. Parents should call the school each time a student will be absent. For full information and revisions to the policy, please see our handbook online. As a reminder, school hours are 7:40 a.m.-1:55 p.m. Students may enter for breakfast in the cafeteria at 7:20 a.m. and all others at 7:35 a.m.

Cell Phone Policy at O'Maley

zoom_out_map

Over recent years increased cell phone use has become problematic at schools. As our policy states: Cell phone use creates a distraction to the learning process and is detrimental to positive social interaction in the community. While we relaxed some aspects of our policy during the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be returning to full enforcement of our policy which prohibits cell phone use during the hours of 7:35 a.m. - 1:55 p.m. Students may not have cell phones on their person (or if carrying them, in bags) during those times. Options are provided for storing them during the school day, and those students/families who do not wish to take advantage of the options should leave phones at home. You may read the full policy online in our handbook or at this link: Cell Phone Policy

Please note that the O’Maley faculty will be reviewing this policy during the 2022-2023 school year and any revisions will be communicated.

Student Handbook

Please review the handbook carefully with your student. Signature forms will be sent home and should be signed and returned as soon as possible.

O'Maley Student Handbook - English

O'Maley Student Handbook - Portugues

O'Maley Student Handbook - Español

Online Learning Acceptable Use and Chromebook Policies

As with the handbook, the information about acceptable use of the GPS network and Chromebook is important to know and understand. Chromebooks are a necessary tool for learning these days, and must be treated with care. Students should always carry their Chromebook with the case on, and treat it carefully. Signature forms will be sent home with students on the first day of school and should be returned the following day.

GPS Online Learning Services and Chromebook Use - English

GPS Online Learning Services and Chromebook Use - Portugues

GPS Online Learning Services and Chromebook Use - Spanish

Volunteers Needed for O'Maley Site Council

The School Site Council is an advisory board to the principal that includes staff, parents/guardians and community members. We are in need of two parents to fill vacated spots to round out our team for the 2022-2023 school year. Terms are typically two years.

The work of the Council involves review of the school handbook and School Improvement Plan. This year I am planning to involve a team of students to review and revise the handbook.

Meetings are held monthly on Thursday mornings 7:00-8:00 a.m. Please let me know if you are interested. In the event that we have more than two interested parties, there will be an election to select the representatives.

Contact Information

zoom_out_map

Email: lbeattie@gloucesterschools.com
Website: http://omaley.gloucesterschools.com/
Location: 32 Cherry Street, Gloucester, MA, USA
Phone: 978-281-9850
Twitter: @omaleyprincipal

O'Maley Family Focus

August 26, 2022

Upcoming Events

Student Drop Off & Pick Up

Student Schedules

School Supplies

Communication and Contact Information

Attendance

Cell Phone Policy at O'Maley

Student Handbook

Online Learning Acceptable Use and Chromebook Policies

Volunteers Needed for O'Maley Site Council

Archives

Contact Information

Created with

Communicate quickly and effectively with interactive newsletters.