The OMS Community Newsletter

April is Autism Awareness Month.

The main lobby board was decorated by Mrs. Benitez (TLC teacher).

Dear OMS Community,

ELA MCAS testing begins next week. Students will not have any homework during MCAS testing.

On the MCAS, students are encouraged to try their best. It's a chance to apply what they have been working on all year. At school, we use the information from the MCAS tests to see how we can support students in these subjects at school. We also use MCAS data as part of our placement process for honors/challenge level courses as well as additional support classes. In middle school, does not have a negative impact on students' grades or their ability to move on to the next grade level.

Students, if you are feeling nervous about MCAS, remember to take a few deep breaths or try box-breathing. You can take a break and try positive self-talk. There are also testing strategies such as skipping the question and then returning to it later.

Parents/guardians, please encourage students to go to bed early and get a good night's rest. In the morning, they should eat breakfast so they are not hungry during the day. They can eat breakfast at home or when they get to school. Breakfast service is free at OMS from 7:00 - 7:30am everyday. If you are looking for strategies to support your student, here's a short article that discusses strategies for overcoming test anxiety.

Best,

Mrs. Katrina Crowley

The OMS Student Council is excited to share Spirit Week is next week!

Students, show your school spirit by dressing to the theme of each day!

Tuesday, April 2nd was Autism Awareness Day and April is Autism Awareness Month. Students in Mrs. Benitez's class sold Autism Awareness bracelets to fundraise for their class field trips. They placed signs around the school to promote Autism Awareness.

The second annual Health & Wellness Fair is on Wednesday, April 24th. This event is open to OMS and SHS students as well as all SPS parents/guardians. OMS students that attend and participate in the activities will earn a positive recognition card. If students complete all of the offerings during the fair, they will be able to buy back one day of attendance!

We had a great time at our Knight of Excellence on Thursday, April 4th. Families were able to check out all of the amazing work and activities students have been doing this school year. Classrooms had projects and student work on display. The Learning Commons was converted into an Art gallery. The Gym had a climbing wall and cup-stacking challenge in addition to students' health projects on display. We had two African drum circles in the Chorus room during the night and an amazing performance by the OMS Dance Team in the Cafetorium.

Thank you to everyone for coming to our Knight of Excellence! If you missed the event this year, you'll have a chance next year. Our Knight of Excellence is an annual event.

The OMS PTSO is preparing for the upcoming Booster Bash Color Splash! We are hoping to fundraise $15,000 to help support student enrichment opportunities and programs. Registration will start on April 10th and KickOff Day will be on April 24th. The Booster Bash Color Splash (fun run) event will be on Friday, May 3rd. Check out more information below!

Secondary students completed the Stoughton Youth Health Survey on February 8, 2024. The survey allows SPS educators to learn more about our students' health and wellness. At OMS, we are reviewing the data and will use it to plan programs and provide support to students. This information is very helpful for school staff and parents/guardians to know about the students in our community.

A quick fact will be shared each week so we can all learn more about our OMS students.

Did you know that most OMS students do not get enough sleep?

The OMS Math Department is organizing a math night out for OMS families. Save the Date!

Stoughton's Recreation Department is hosting a town-wide beautification day! Join your neighbors to help clean up and beautify our community. Anyone can sign up to volunteer. This is a great way for our students to get involved and give back to our community. Sign up to volunteer!

Principal Crowley joined Stephanie Patton (OASIS) for a middle school specific SMACast podcast. Parents/guardians, listen to the podcast to learn more about navigating the world of middle school. The conversation continues in a bonus episode!

"Where's My Handbook: Middle School: Big Feelings and Big Opportunities"

In this episode we welcome Katrina Crowley, the Prinicpal of the O'Donnell Middle School in Stoughton. In this conversation we talk about why curiousity about substance use is not uncommon in this age bracket. At the same time, actual use is uncommon for middle schoolers. In this episode we explore how that contrast can create opportunities for parents to engage with their child around this topic during this developmental time.

Bonus Episode: "Where's My Handbook: Middle School: Translating Middle Schoolers, 'Main Characters and NPCs'."

In this bonus episode we continue our conversation with Katrina Crowley, the principal of the O'Donnell Middle School. If it sometimes feels like your middle school child is speaking a different language or living on a different planet, this episode is for you!

Missed a newsletter? Click below to access previous newsletters from this year.

3-29-24 Newsletter

3-22-24 Newsletter

3-15-24 Newsletter

3-8-24 Newsletter

3-1-24 Newsletter

2-16-24 Newsletter

2-9-24 Newsletter

2-2-24 Newsletter

1-26-24 Newsletter

1-19-24 Newsletter

1-12-24 Newsletter

1-5-24 Newsletter

12-15-23 Newsletter

12-22-23 Newsletter

12-8-23 Newsletter

12-1-23 Newsletter

11-17-23 Newsletter

11-10-23 Newsletter

11-3-23 Newsletter

October Newsletter

September Newsletter