OLHMS Update (3/3/26)

D123 Late Start (3-4-26)

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 10% and we know there is a larger community voice out there!

Did you know we are hosting the SWIC Tournament here at OLHMS?

We will be hosting the SWIC Boys' Basketball Conference Tournament starting tomorrow running through March 14th! Here is the program LINK. We are also incredibly excited to host the SWIC e-Sports Tournament tonight!

Did you know our amazing Counseling Department is once again organizing our Annual Career Fair on March 13th?

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 ).

Did you know that our scholars do not need toys at school?

We have seen an increase of gel toys like Needoh and Tech Decks coming to school and distracting the learning environment. These have also caused large messes around the building as they are breaking. We are reevaluating school issued fidgets and students with individual plans will be maintained.

Mustang Families,

As we step into this last chapter of this school year, our theme remains clear- Level Up! This is the time of year when growth accelerates, goals sharpen, and our students truly 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 content reminds us why we do this work every day.

This week, we will also be hosting our annual Erin’s Law presentations for each grade level. These age-appropriate lessons are an important part of our commitment to student safety, awareness, and empowerment. Providing students with knowledge and trusted resources is one more way we help them level up in confidence and self-advocacy.

Our OLHMS community continues to demonstrate what it means to level up beyond the classroom. Congratulations to our incredible team for hosting a truly inspiring Make-A-Wish Charity Night, raising more than $13,000 for an amazing cause. The generosity, organization, and heart behind this event reflect the very best of our school community. We are equally grateful to our entire D123 community for coming together this weekend to enjoy a fantastic Winter Fun Fair. It was a wonderful reminder of how strong and connected our community is when we gather in celebration.

And the good news keeps coming, our Jazz Ensemble earned a First Division rating this past weekend and will be advancing to state! Their dedication, countless hours of practice, and commitment to excellence are paying off in remarkable ways. We are so proud of their achievement and can’t wait to cheer them on at the next level.

As a reminder, tomorrow is a D123 Late Start. We appreciate your partnership in ensuring students arrive on time and ready to learn as we begin this important final stretch of the year.

As we begin this final trimester, we encourage every student to reflect on their goals and ask themselves: How will I level up? Whether it’s improving academically, demonstrating stronger leadership, stepping outside of a comfort zone, or showing greater kindness and resilience, this is the moment to finish strong.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. The energy, pride, and momentum at OLHMS are real and we are excited for all that lies ahead.

Main Parking Lot, Circle Drive and 99th Street: Family drop off and pick up is done on Oak Center Dr. Students should not be dropped off in the morning or picked up during dismissal via the main parking lot while buses are present.

We have had a staff and scholars almost hit by cars driving through the parking lot during arrival and dismissal. Please help keep our school community safe!

The main parking lot is CLOSED from 8:15-8:45am and 3:15-3:45pm daily while buses are present.

Designating a pick up and drop off area/ location for our scholars to meet their ride has been extremely helpful and allows families to avoid the congestion.
Please do not have students run across 99th street or Oak Center Dr. to be picked up without adult supervision. We want to make sure all of our students and families are kept safe.
The rear doors (Oak Center Dr./ Circle Drive) will close at 8:35am during morning arrival and the rear doors will be closed at 3:30pm during afternoon dismissal.
School tardies will be assigned after 8:30am.
Please be patient and courteous!

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, March 9, 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