OLHMS Update (4/14/26)
Math IAR This Week!
Mustang Families,
This is such an exciting time of year at OLHMS as our scholars showcase all they have learned through the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR)! We are incredibly proud of the growth, effort, and determination our students continue to demonstrate each day. They have already completed the ELA portion and are finishing Math this week.
As always, our expectation is that every scholar gives their very best effort. You can support your child by ensuring they are well-rested, present, and ready to go each day. Most importantly, continue to remind them just how proud we are of their perseverance and hard work, we certainly are!
We also want to take a moment to reflect on last week’s AP Appreciation Week. We are incredibly proud and grateful to have three of the very best serving our school community, Mrs. Laureto, Mrs. Grabarek, and Mrs. Tlusty. They go above and beyond each day to support our scholars, staff, and families with dedication, compassion, and professionalism. Their leadership makes a meaningful difference and continues to help our school LEVEL UP in powerful ways.
We are also looking forward to a busy finish to April, with all of our 5th-grade transitions taking place as we begin to welcome and get excited for our new scholars, just before celebrating our incredible Class of 2026.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Together, we will keep Leveling Up and finishing the year strong!
Graduation Fees are PAST DUE: The online system is now closed! If you missed the online deadline, cash and check payments can still be made in the office, also bring the signed permission slip!
Graduate Yard Signs: Place your orders by April 17th.
Plant some school spirit on your lawn with a OLHMS Mustang Pride lawn sign!
Personalized: https://olhmsptsa.givebacks.com/shop/items/5681badcbd6a85
Standard: https://olhmsptsa.givebacks.com/shop/items/eebb22540b
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 and will be closing on April 17th!
We expect and desire to have 100% of our scholars earn the opportunity to walk the stage with their graduating 2026 Class!
Dates:
April 10, 2026: Graduation Fees Due
April 17, 2026: PTSA Yard Sign Orders Due, SELECT 123 Applications Due
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.
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.
Thursday, May 7- Mandatory Induction Ceremony Rehearsals (7:30 AM) & Ceremony (7:00 PM)
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
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:
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Please bring a valid driver’s license or photo ID when picking up a student during the school day.
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For everyone’s safety, visitors may not leave the main office without a staff escort.
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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.
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!
Membership(Click Here) is $7.00 per student and $10.00 per adult
PTSA Meetings are at 6:00pm monthly
- Reach out to Delecta Harris, our PTSA President for more information (olhmsd123ptsa@gmail.com)
- PTSA Facebook
4/14-16/26: IAR Math
4/15/26: SEL Screener
4/16/26: D123 Parent University
4/17/26: Graduation Fees Due, PTSA Yard Signs Due, SELECT 123 Applications Deadline
4/20-4/24/26: D123 Empathy Week
4/20/26: Helen Whalen Scholarship Dinner
4/23/26: D123 Art Fest 6-7:30 pm
4/24/26: Taco and Trivia, Service Learning Day
4/30/26: PTSA 5th-Grade Open Gym & Parent Night
