OPMS

We hope you are had a wonderful February break. Please take a moment to review the important events and time-sensitive information below.

On February 15, 2026 we celebrated School Resource Officer Appreciation Day, and we want to take a moment to recognize Officer Clark for his dedication to our school community. Officer Clark plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and staff. Beyond security, he serves as a mentor, a trusted resource, and a positive presence in our hallways every day. His commitment to building relationships with students and fostering a safe learning environment does not go unnoticed. Thank you for all you do for OPMS Officer Clark!

Orchard Park Middle School wishes a blessed and peaceful Ramadan to all who are observing! To support our students during this time, we have:

✅ A food-free alternative location available during lunch for those who are fasting.
✅ A quiet/private space for prayer available for students staying after school during the Dhuhr prayer window.

If your student requires any accommodations, please let us know. We are happy to support them in any way we can! Wishing all who celebrate a meaningful Ramadan!

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. The next OPSEPTSA meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 25, and families are encouraged to attend.

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.

Due to a scheduling conflict, the OPMS PTO meeting will now take place on Monday, March 16, 2026 at 7:00 PM via Google Meet. The meeting link is provided here. We hope you are able to join us.

Dear OPMS 6th Grade Families,

We are excited to share that our 6th grade students will be attending a field trip to the Theatre of Youth on Thursday, March 5th to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical.

Students will depart the middle school at 9:00 a.m. and return at approximately 1 p.m. Students will have lunch upon their return. If your child typically purchases lunch at school, they will be able to do so as usual.

Important: In order for your child to attend this field trip, a digital permission form must be completed. You can access the digital permission form through the Parent Portal website; this cannot be done in the app. The directions for completing the form are linked here.

Students will not be permitted to attend the trip without a submitted permission form. We kindly ask that you complete the form as soon as possible to ensure your child’s participation. All permission forms must be completed by Monday, March 2, 2026.

We are looking forward to a wonderful experience for our students! If you have any questions, please contact the main office.

Sincerely,

The OPMS 6th Grade Team

The Orchard Park Middle School will host its fifth annual STEAM Expo on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

Students, alumni, teachers, and community members will be actively engaging attendees in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math activities. Teachers involved in the STEAM Expo expect over 50 scientific projects, ranging from a dog treat invention, a hologram projector box, making butter, (and more!) -- all to be presented by over 50 students in grades 6-8.

The OPMS Robotics Club will give attendees an opportunity to drive student-built competition robots. The district-wide Art Department, the Orchard Park Visual Arts Boosters, and district-wide Technology and Math teachers will all be providing hands-on STEAM activities while the Science Department will be running an immersive planetarium experience for all attendees.

All in attendance will have a chance to partake in many hands-on activities and can purchase snacks and OPMS gear from the PTO and Entrepreneurship students. The night will conclude with live student-created cardboard boat races.

We are excited to share that OPMS 8th grade student, Shea Burns, recently had a very successful Empire State Winter Games in figure skating, placing first for the third year in a row. This is an incredible accomplishment and a true reflection of her dedication and passion for her sport. We wish her the best of luck in her upcoming competitions and look forward to cheering her on.

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.

Back-to-School pricing is available. Click the image below to buy your 25-26 OPMS yearbook today!

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.

Also, please update your contact information on the Parent Portal by selecting the "Update Information" page. 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 20, 2026

May 11, 2026

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

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

• OPSEPTSA Meeting
• Mid-Winter Concert - 8th Grade Chorus @ 6:30 PM

Saturday, February 28, 2026

• OPHS STAF Comm Circus at OPHS from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

• Mid-Winter Concert - 8th Grade Band & Orchestra @ 6:30 PM