OPMS

Due to a scheduling conflict, the OPMS PTO meeting will now take place on Monday, March 16, 2026 at 7:00 PM via Google Meet. The meeting link is provided here. We hope you are able to join us.

The OPMS PTO is looking for a few volunteers to assist at the STEAM Expo on Thursday, March 19, 2026. Please click the link below to sign up!

Click the image below to buy your 25-26 OPMS yearbook today! The sale ends on Friday, March 27, 2026.

The Orchard Park Middle School will host its fifth annual STEAM Expo on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

Students, alumni, teachers, and community members will be actively engaging attendees in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math activities. Teachers involved in the STEAM Expo expect over 50 scientific projects, ranging from a dog treat invention, a hologram projector box, making butter, (and more!) -- all to be presented by over 50 students in grades 6-8.

The OPMS Robotics Club will give attendees an opportunity to drive student-built competition robots. The district-wide Art Department, the Orchard Park Visual Arts Boosters, and district-wide Technology and Math teachers will all be providing hands-on STEAM activities while the Science Department will be running an immersive planetarium experience for all attendees.

All in attendance will have a chance to partake in many hands-on activities and can purchase snacks and OPMS gear from the PTO and Entrepreneurship students. The night will conclude with live student-created cardboard boat races.

We are excited to announce that we are now taking orders for Class of 2030 t-shirts for your 8th-grade student! These special shirts are a great way for your child to commemorate their time in middle school and celebrate their upcoming transition to high school. The shirts need to be ordered by May 15, 2026.

In addition, we are offering parents the opportunity to donate a t-shirt to a student in need. If you choose to do so, there is an option to do so when placing our order. To place your order, simply visit OP Middle School Spirit Sale website and follow the instructions.

Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing our 8th graders proudly wearing their Class of 2030 shirts!

As we approach the NYS Grades 3-8 assessments, we want to provide clarity on the procedures for families choosing to refuse participation, as well as share why participation in these assessments can be beneficial for your student and our school community.

Refusing vs. Opting Out
While the term opting out is commonly used, the New York State Education Department does not offer an official opt-out option for state assessments. Instead, families may choose to have their student refuse participation in the assessments. We use the term refusal to reflect the correct process.

Why Participation Matters
Participation in state assessments provides valuable insight into your student’s progress toward meeting grade-level learning standards. The results help inform instruction, identify areas where additional support or enrichment may be needed, and contribute to important school-wide decisions about programs and resources. Participation also impacts our school’s accountability status and can influence funding and support from the state.

Refusal Procedures
For families choosing to have their student refuse participation in the NYS assessments, please follow these procedures:

• Students must bring a signed note on the day of the assessment and hand it directly to the proctor in their testing location.
• Notes will not be accepted in advance, as it is difficult to ensure accuracy with early submissions.
• A note will serve as a refusal for that specific assessment (ELA, Math, or Science) and will apply to both days of testing for that subject.
• If you wish for your child to refuse participation in all assessments, they will need to bring a new note for each test administration or verbally inform the proctor that they are refusing to participate.
• Students who refuse to participate in state assessments remain in the testing location during administration and can read quietly while the school is in testing mode.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work to ensure a smooth and respectful testing environment for all students.

Orchard Park Middle School wishes a blessed and peaceful Ramadan to all who are observing! To support our students during this time, we have:

✅ A food-free alternative location available during lunch for those who are fasting.
✅ A quiet/private space for prayer available for students staying after school during the Dhuhr prayer window.

If your student requires any accommodations, please let us know. We are happy to support them in any way we can! Wishing all who celebrate a meaningful Ramadan!

As we enter the final week of Ramadan, we extend our best wishes to the students and families in our community who will soon celebrate Eid al-Fitr. Eid marks the end of Ramadan and is a time of celebration, gratitude, and gathering with family and friends.

Members of the News and Views Club recently had the opportunity to visit the Buffalo Federal Court for a unique learning experience with Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo Martoche. During the visit, students learned about the federal court system, the role of a judge, and how the judicial process works in real life. Experiences like this help bring classroom learning to life and give students a deeper understanding of how our government functions. A special thank you to Mr. Bird, Mrs. Dunlop, and Mr. Jafarijian for organizing and supporting this opportunity for our students.

A copy of the District Code of Conduct is included in the Student Agenda. Please sign off electronically in the Parent Portal by Friday, September 26 that you and your child have read and understand the information in the Student Agenda and Code of Conduct. There is a link in the Parent Portal on the left-hand menu and in the forms section of the PowerSchool App. The Student Agenda information and district Code of Conduct are linked below.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance. Our school office will be open, Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM to address any concerns you may have. Here's to another great week at Orchard Park Middle School. Go Quakers!

Thanks,

Mary Kate Graham

OPMS Principal

The OPMS Observer is the weekly newsletter that is sent to families. You will receive a text link and an email each time a new issue is released. This is the best source of receiving updated information weekly from the school.

The Orchard Park Central School District is committed to partnering with parents and guardians to support strong student attendance, helping every child reach their full potential each day. We understand that absences can add up, often due to illness or other unexpected circumstances, and our goal is to work together with families to support students’ academic success.

To make the process easier, parents and guardians can now submit attendance notes and pick up information online. Simply log in to the Parent Portal, click on Attendance Notes, and complete and submit the form. Please view the video below for detailed instructions.

Here are some important reminders for our traffic patterns to help keep all of the OPMS community safe. We understand that the pick-up/drop-off traffic lines can be long, however, the safety of our students and staff is critical.

• Drop off: Buses use the front loop on South Lincoln. Parent drop-off is not allowed in the front loop. Parent drop-off is behind the building, please enter the lot from 20A and follow the directions of the staff. Student drop-off is not allowed before 7:45 a.m. This is to prevent a potentially serious safety risk, as students aren’t permitted to go to homeroom before then, and there is limited supervision in the foyer.

• Pick up: Parents should use the front loop for student pick up for early releases and normal dismissal at 2:35 p.m. The buses will use the lot behind the school for pick up.

Please check the Parent Portal throughout the year to receive information on your child’s academic progress. Information such as report cards are now solely on the Parent Portal. If you are having difficulty accessing the Parent Portal, please contact the Counseling Center at 209-6233.

You can update your contact information in the following ways.

• On the internet based Parent Portal, click on "VIEW/CHANGE CONTACT INFO".
• On the PowerSchool App, go to MORE, then click FORMS, then click CONTACTS VIEW/CHANGE FORM.

Additionally, update your settings to continue to receive important communications from the Middle School and the District. If you have trouble logging into Parent Portal click the link below for more assistance.

The OPMS PTO monthly meeting dates are included below. All PTO meetings will take place at 9:00 AM at OPMS. Meetings will take place in the OPMS conference room.

September 15, 2025

October 6, 2025

November 3, 2025 - Meeting moved to 7:00 PM in the OPMS Library

January 12, 2026 - @ 7:00 PM via https://meet.google.com/qpm-wyhh-ene

February 9, 2026 - @ 7:00 PM via https://meet.google.com/qpm-wyhh-ene

March 16, 2026 - @ 7:00 PM via https://meet.google.com/qpm-wyhh-ene

April 13, 2026 - @ 7:00 PM via https://meet.google.com/qpm-wyhh-ene

May 11, 2026 - @ 7:00 PM via https://meet.google.com/qpm-wyhh-ene

Orchard Park is fortunate to have a strong partner in OPSEPTSA, the Orchard Park Special Education Parent Teacher Student Association. OPSEPTSA is a welcoming network of parents, family members, teachers, students, administrators, and community members who work together to support students with special needs and their families. Their mission is to advocate for the education and well-being of every child while helping families navigate services within the Orchard Park Central School District.

Through monthly informational meetings, OPSEPTSA provides valuable opportunities to connect with other families, hear from guest speakers and service providers, and learn more about topics such as CSE meetings, student rights under New York State Education Law, and resources available both in and outside of school. These meetings are a great way to ask questions, share experiences, and stay informed about upcoming events and supports in our community.

All families and community members are welcome to get involved. To learn more, become a member, or attend a meeting, you can follow OPSEPTSA on Facebook and Instagram or email opseptsa@gmail.com to sign up. Working together, we can continue to ensure that every student receives the support they need to thrive. Meeting dates for the 25-26 school year are below:

October 22, 2025

November 19, 2025

December 17, 2025

January 21, 2026

February 25, 2026

March 18, 2026

April 22, 2026

May 20, 2026

June 17, 2026

Monday, March 16, 2026

• OPMS PTO Meeting @ 7:00 PM via https://meet.google.com/qpm-wyhh-ene

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

• OPSEPTSA Meeting

Thursday, March 19, 2026

• STEAM Expo at OPMS from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Friday, March 20, 2026

• Superintendent's Conference Day - No Students

Monday, March 23, 2026

• 5th to 6th Grade Special Education Information Night @ OPMS - 6:00 PM