OPMS

This time of year gives us a great opportunity to recognize the people who make our school run each day.

Today, May 1, we celebrate School Lunch Hero Day. Our cafeteria team plays an important role in our students’ day, and we are grateful for the care, consistency, and positive energy they bring to our school community.

Next week, May 4–May 8, is Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week. At OPMS, it truly takes a team. Our teachers, support staff, aides, office staff, custodial team, and so many others work each day to support our students. Their commitment, patience, and dedication do not go unnoticed, and we are thankful for all they do.

At the end of March, our students took time to write notes of appreciation to teachers and staff members at OPMS and across the district. The messages they wrote were thoughtful and genuine, and a great reminder of the impact our staff have each day. Those notes will be delivered next week as part of our Staff Appreciation Week celebrations.

We also have a number of treats planned throughout the week and will wrap things up with a PTO-sponsored Staff Appreciation Lunch. If you are able to contribute, we are looking for dessert donations and volunteers to help support these efforts. We appreciate any support you are able to provide. Links to sign up are included below. If you’re able, please consider signing up to contribute or assist. If you’re not able to volunteer your time or are unable to pick up and drop off a dessert, the OPMS PTO is always accepting donations through Venmo (@OPMSPTO). Thank you for helping us recognize the people who make a difference for our students every day.

On Wednesday, May 6, we also recognize School Nurse Appreciation Day. Our health office is a critical part of supporting student well-being, and we appreciate the care and attention our nurses provide to our students and families.

This is a great week to send a quick note or message of appreciation to a staff member who has made a difference! We are grateful for the people who make OPMS such a strong and supportive place for our students.

Due to the statewide technology issues earlier this week, the New York State Math Assessments have been rescheduled. OPMS students will now take the assessment on Tuesday, May 5 and Wednesday, May 6.

Students will complete the assessment during the school day. To help ensure a smooth experience, we will send reminders to families to have Chromebooks fully charged each night prior to testing. Thank you for your support in helping students come prepared.

Here are the updated NYS Assessment Dates for this spring:

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

• NYS Math Assessment

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

• NYS Math Assessment

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

• NYS Science Assessment

The OPCSD Board of Education adopted an updated 2025–2026 school calendar at this past Tuesday’s Board meeting. As shared earlier this week, OPMS will undergo a significant construction project this summer. In order to prepare the building and ensure we are ready for the 2026–2027 school year, this adjustment was necessary.

Monday, June 15 and Tuesday, June 16 will now be middle school half days, with dismissal at 10:30 AM. Final exams will begin on Wednesday, June 17. The full final exam schedule is provided below. You can also click the link below to view the updated calendar.

Attendance is required for all final exams and instructional activities. Please pay particular attention to the exam dates and times. Morning exams begin at 8:00 am. Afternoon exams begin at 11:45 am.

If your student is unable to complete a final exam in June, they will have an opportunity to make it up in August. Makeup exams are scheduled for August, and more specific information regarding dates, times, and locations will be shared later this summer.

Due to scheduling constraints during the regular final exam week, we are unable to offer individual makeup exams at that time. Our staff is fully engaged in proctoring assessments throughout each day, and in order to maintain the integrity of the exams, alternate versions must be created for any makeup sessions.

Students are expected to complete all required final exams, so it is important that they are available during the August testing window if a makeup is needed.

If you have any questions or need to notify us that your student will require a makeup exam, please reach out to the main office.

Our OPMS PTO plays a huge role in supporting our students, staff, and school community. Many of the events and opportunities our students enjoy each year are made possible because of their time, effort, and commitment. Here’s just a glimpse of what the PTO helps make possible:

• Classroom grants for teachers
• Fall activity nights for 6th grade and 7th/8th grade students
• Glow Party
• 8th Grade Moving On Celebration
• 7th Grade Field Day activities
• Staff Appreciation Luncheon
• And so much more

Quite simply, these events would not happen without the support of our PTO and the families who get involved. The PTO is currently seeking candidates for the 2026–2027 school year:

• Vice President
• Secretary
• Webmaster/Communications

If you’re interested in serving on the board, please reach out to Presidentopmspto@gmail.com.

Your involvement truly makes a difference for our students and school community.

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.

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!

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

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

• Spring Orchestra Concerts

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

• NYS Science Assessment
• Spring Band Concerts

Thursday, May 14, 2026

• Spring Chorus 6 and 7 Concert

Thursday, May 21, 2026

• Spring Chorus 8 Concert

Monday, May 25, 2026

• Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL

We are getting ready for our annual Spring Clean Out, and we would love your help. In partnership with Wesleyan Church of Orchard Park, we are collecting new and gently used clothing for families in the Orchard Park community. The church has transformed one of their buildings (6779 Powers Road) into a fully stocked clothing closet that is available to families throughout the year during scheduled hours. This has become a valuable resource for many in our community.

As part of this district-wide effort, we encourage families to consider donating items. Donations can be dropped off at any time in the bin located behind Busy Bee Hall at the Powers Road location. Volunteers will also be available on May 12 from 4:00–6:00 PM for those who prefer to drop items off in person. Thank you for your continued support of our Orchard Park families. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.