The Mustang Minutes
Keeping Families Connected, One Stride at a Time.
Dear OLHMS Families,
Welcome back! We hope everyone enjoyed a restful Labor Day weekend with family and friends. As we jump back into our routines, please keep these quick reminders in mind to ensure a smooth week ahead:
Arrival & Dismissal Safety: Main parking lot doors close from 8:25–8:30 a.m. and 3:20–3:30 p.m. Drop-off and pick-up take place only at the rear of the building on Oak Center Drive/Circle Drive. Rear doors close promptly at 8:30 a.m. (scholars arriving after will be marked tardy) and at 3:30 p.m.
PTSA Meeting: Join us today, Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at OLHMS for our first PTSA meeting of the month! It's a great opportunity to connect, share ideas, and support our scholars.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership in keeping our school safe and connected. Let’s make it a great short week!
Regards,
Madalyn Laureto
Principal
Daily Student Expectations
Chromebook Prep: Bring your charged Chromebook, case, charger, and stylus (if provided) every day, and take good care of your device. Need extra supplies? Have your student pick up a Chromebook form from the Tech Department.
ID Badges: Wear your school ID every single day.
Personal Electronics: Keep phones and smartwatches turned off and stored in your locker for the entire school day.
Questions or Concerns? Reach out to your student's grade-level administrator:
6th Grade: Mrs. Daly
7th Grade: Mrs. Laureto or Mrs. Tlusty
8th Grade: Mrs. Grabarek
During the month of September, OLHMS will conduct a scheduled lockdown drill in partnership with the Oak Lawn Police Department. The purpose of this drill is to help students and staff practice our safety procedures in a calm, age-appropriate manner. This drill will include the following three phases:
Phase 1: Preparing and Beginning the Drill
Five minutes before the drill begins, a preparatory announcement will be made. Teachers will use this time to remind students that the activity is only a drill, review lockdown procedures, and answer questions.
After five minutes, an announcement will be made to begin the drill. Teachers and students will remain in their locked classrooms, turn off the lights, and move to their designated area of cover.
Phase 2: School Walk-Through
During an actual emergency, law enforcement officers may move through the school and assist staff and students as needed. For this drill, members of the school administration team and the School Resource Officer will walk through the hallways to confirm that established safety procedures are being followed.
Phase 3: Ending and Reviewing the Drill
An announcement will be made when the drill has ended. Teachers will then take a few minutes to review the drill with their students, answer questions, and provide reassurance before the regular school day resumes.
If you have questions about the drill, please contact the school office at 708-499-6400.
If you prefer that your child not participate, please notify me in writing. We will work with your family to make appropriate arrangements and provide alternative safety instruction.
Kind regards,
Madalyn Laureto, Principal
Bus Transportation
- Bus #3 has been delayed from leaving OLHMS due to there being a new bus driver and construction.
- We are working closely with our Bus Company Partners- communicating daily. When the school is made aware of delays, auto calls are made to individual routes.
- Bus transportation adjustments are being made by First Student, please check Family Access for updated information/ adjustments.
- Typically, buses will leave the school parking lot at approximately 3:30 pm.
- Our school bus supervisors are checking rosters and ridership numbers for the PM routes to ensure students are riding assigned routes in Family Access. Students will be removed from buses they are not rostered in on Family Access.
- Requests for 2025/2026 school year adjustments should be made via email to Mrs. Grabarek, jgrabarek@d123.org.
- Please note that there are 2 - 4:30pm and 2 - 5:00pm activity buses that run daily dropping scholars off at D123 elementary schools
