OLHMS Update (3/9/26)
Please Complete the Parent Survey!
Did you know that the Annual 5 Essential Parent Survey is open?
Your input is essential! Help us get more that the required 50% participations rate! Here is the survey Link: https://link.d123.org/fivestart. Currently, we are resting at 16% and we know there is a larger community voice out there! WE NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE!!
Did you know report cards have been sent home?
Student report cards have been given to scholars, please ask them about their report card and sign the envelope to be returned to school. You can also find grade posted on line as well!
Did you know we are hosting the SWIC Tournament here at OLHMS?
We are hosting the SWIC Boys' Basketball Conference Tournament, this running through this weekend! Here is the program LINK.
Did you know that we hosted the SWIC e-Sports Tournament?
We had the luxury of hosting the conference tournament once again this year with nine schools competing in multiple locations! Congrats to our gamers!
Did you know our amazing Counseling Department has once again organized our Annual Career Fair?
We are excited to welcome over 50 career professionals to OLHMS this Friday! We might have space left, if you would like to share your profession/ career with our scholars please reach out to our Mrs. Vanessa Follmar (vfollmar@d123.org), Mrs. Farnan (mfarnan@d123.org ), or Mrs. Hoeksema (choeksema@d123.org).
Mustang Families,
As we navigate the beginning of the final trimester of the school year, our theme remains clear- Level Up! This is the time of year when growth accelerates, goals sharpen, and our scholars rise to the occasion, academically, socially, and as leaders within our community.
We could not be more proud of our future leaders. Recently, our scholars participated in powerful learning experiences at the Holocaust Museum and through an Empowerment Leadership Workshop. These opportunities challenged them to think critically, reflect deeply, and strengthen their voices as compassionate and informed leaders. Watching our students and Ambassadors engage with such meaningful experiences reminds us why we do this work every day.
As we continue to Level Up, we are excited to host our Career Fair this Friday. This event will provide students with the opportunity to connect with professionals from a variety of fields, explore future pathways, and begin thinking about the skills and passions that will guide their journeys ahead. Experiences like this help our Mustangs see the many possibilities that lie beyond middle school and inspire them to keep striving toward their goals.
Additionally, report cards went live and were sent home with students. Please take a few moments to review your child’s progress together. We kindly ask that report card envelopes are signed by a parent/guardian and returned to the school so we can confirm they were received.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we work together to help every Mustang Level Up and finish the year strong!
We have noticed an uptick in student cell phone and smart watch usage during school hours. As a reminder, we do have very simple cell phone policy. All scholars should be turning cell phones off and leaving them locked in their lockers during the day. Smart watches will be treated the same if students are using these devices to do anything other than check the time. We have also noticed student wearing headphones, these should also be left in lockers. Students needing headphones for school use should have wired headphones.
Student are given a warning on the first offense with documentation in skyward. Students will receive consequences for subsequent violations.
Graduate Yard Signs: Place your orders by April 17th.
Plant some school spirit on your lawn with a OLHMS Mustang Pride lawn sign! Cost is $10 and can be purchased online at: https://olhmsptsa.givebacks.com/shop/items/2fd003152f
Graduation Fees: The online system is OPEN! The document link below has the updated information.
Class of 2026: The LINK is the updated letter with the reminder expectations, future dates, and now graduation fees.
SELECT 123:SELECT 123: In partnership with our D123 Ed Foundation, SELECT 123 is a prestigious group of scholars who embody aspects of our D123 mission and vision. This is our fourth year to acknowledge twenty three scholars who have not only demonstrated academic excellence, service and contributed to our community- they have each modeled expressions of perseverance, drive and integrity. These 23 leaders will be featured on our “Wall of Fame” for the 2026/ 2027 school year! More than being featured on a wall, we will expect this prestigious and unique group of alumni to remain connected to D123 and provide valuable insight for years to come! Applications went live on 1/23!
We expect and desire to have 100% of our scholars earn the opportunity to walk the stage with their graduating 2026 Class!
Dates:
May 28, 2026: 8th-Grade Trip
May 29, 2026: 8th-Grade Dance
June 2, 2026: SELECT 123 Breakfast(7:30am) & 8th-Grade Awards(9:00am)
June 2, 2026: Elementary Grad Walk(1:30pm)
June 3, 2026: 8th Grade Commencement Ceremony (7:00pm)
GRADUATION FEES:
Great America Trip* $75.00 (Tickets and Picnic Lunch)
Graduation Items $85.00 (Not Optional)(Gown, Stole, Diploma, Program, Tickets, etc.)
T-Shirt $10.00 (Not Optional)
Yearbook $30.00 (Not Optional)
TOTAL FEES $200.00
NOTE: *Students with a Season Pass:
- The Season Pass must be brought to the office before paying for the trip for verification purposes. The student must then remember to carry his/her Season Pass on the day of the trip for park admittance.
- Students with a Season Pass will only be required to pay $30.00 for the picnic lunch.
- The total amount for graduation fees for a student with a Season Pass is $155.00.
NO REFUND will be given for season passes purchased after the 8th-grade fees have been paid.
Payments for Graduation Fees can be made in the following ways:
- Credit cards online via the Skyward System will be accepted for the full amount of $200.00 and the discounted Season Pass fee of $155.00. Please log onto your Skyward account for options.
- Checks must be made payable to Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School.
- Cash must be submitted for the exact amount.
If you pay online, please return the permission slip to the office.
GRADUATION FEES ARE DUE BACK TO OLHMS BY 04/10/2026.
For current 7th or 8th grade scholars
Meeting will be Monday, April 13, 7:30 AM in Cafetorium
Community Service Hours - minimum of 15 hours -Due April 6th.
Grading - A majority of A’s and B’s (Every C needs to be balanced with an “A”) during Trimesters 1-3 of the petitioning year in both Core and Encore classes. No overall “D” or “F” are allowed in any trimester.
Creating and maintaining a Digital Portfolio which highlights examples of the five NJHS pillars (scholarship, citizenship, leadership, character, and service) -Due February 2nd
Completion of a Capstone Project focusing on service on Service Learning Day April 25th
Regular attendance at NJHS meetings before school at 7:30 am in the cafetorium
Thursday, May 7- Mandatory Induction Ceremony Rehearsals (7:30 AM) & Ceremony (7:00 PM)
NJHS Sponsors Contact: Ms. Jen DiSalvo jdisalvo@d123.org
Mrs. Maggie Omiecinski mmomiecinski@d123.org
Mrs. Alyssa Zajack azajack@d123.org
Our main entrance vestibule will serve as the visitor reception and waiting area. Guests will continue to be warmly welcomed, greeted by the staff member hosting them, and escorted to their meeting location. This update is part of our continued effort to strengthen safety and streamline visitor check-in procedures.
As we continue partnering with our local safety agencies, we remain committed to refining our practices and keeping safety at the heart of all we do. Ensuring a secure environment for our students, staff, and families is always our top priority.
To support this shared goal:
-
Please bring a valid driver’s license or photo ID when picking up a student during the school day.
-
For everyone’s safety, visitors may not leave the main office without a staff escort.
-
All students, staff, and guests are expected to wear their designated ID badges while on campus.
Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our Mustang community safe, connected, and thriving.
We love having fans here to support our Mustang Athletes. Here is the LINK for our Spectator Permission Form and Code of Conduct for student spectators. Student fans unaccompanied by parents, must have an electronic or paper form on file to attend home games. Students cannot stay in the building for games unless they are part of a club or activity.
All parents/ guardians/ staff & students are highly encouraged to join the PTSA and attend meetings. This is an incredible opportunity, partnership and fun way to support our scholar’s experience at the middle school!
If you are interested in supporting our school in a different capacity please reach out to our PTSA! Maybe you do not have the time to donate, but your contributions can still be made through your membership!
We are looking for candidates for PTSA officers for the 2026-2027 school year. If you are interested or know someone who is, you can nominate them by emailing us at olhmsd123ptsa@gmail.com. (flyer attached)
- The application for the Helen Whalen Scholarship is now open offering a $1,000 scholarship to three deserving students. Click here to apply: https://www.d123.org/about-us/helen-whalen-scholarship (Flyer attached)
- Plant some school spirit on your lawn with a OLHMS Mustang Pride lawn sign! Cost is $10 and can be purchased online at: https://olhmsptsa.givebacks.com/shop/items/2fd003152f
Membership(Click Here) is $7.00 per student and $10.00 per adult
PTSA Meetings are at 6:00pm monthly
- PTSA Meeting- March 9, 2026 at 6:00pm
- Reach out to Delecta Harris, our PTSA President for more information (olhmsd123ptsa@gmail.com)
- PTSA Facebook
3/12/26: Yearbook Pictures
3/13/26: Career Fair
3/17/26: Institute Day(No School for Students)
3/20/26: No School
3/23-3/27: Spring Break!
3/31/26: Breakfast After the Bell Begins
4/2/26: iFest
4/8-9/26: IAR-ELA
4/9/26: PTSA Open Gym
4/13/26: PTSA Meeting
4/14-16/26: IAR Math
4/15/26: SEL Screener
4/23/26: D123 Art Fest
4/24/26: Taco and Trivia, Service Learning Day
4/30/26: PTSA 5th-Grade Open Gym & Parent Night
