The Olive Branch 9.19.25

IN THIS BRANCH

Principal Message

Parent-Teacher Conferences ~ Save the Date

Upcoming Safety Drills

D25 Emergency Notification Test

Picture Day Retakes

Author Visit for 4th and 5th Graders

Science Club is Back!

Yearbook Orders

Important Dates

Dear Families,

We loved the summer weather this week! Students were able to get outside for recess, science observations, courtyard time, and fun! Next week, there is no school on Tuesday, September 23rd.

Sincerely,

Erin, Julia, and the OMS Staff

Thursday, October 23rd and Friday, Oct. 24th

Additional information with directions on how to sign up will be shared in the Branch next Friday, September 26th. Conference sign ups will open on Monday, October 6th at 10:00 a.m.

On Friday, September 26th, we will conduct a “lockdown” safety drill with all students. The “lockdown” is one of the routine safety drills we practice throughout the year, along with evacuation drills, shelter-in-place drills, and a bus evacuation drill. All drills are announced so students are not unnecessarily alarmed. Classroom teachers will review our emergency procedures with their students. Officers from the Arlington Heights Police Department will also be in attendance during our practice drill.

On Tuesday, September 30th we will conduct an "evacuation" drill. An evacuation is used to safely move everyone from the building, where there is danger, to a safer place outside. Fires are not the only threat that can sometimes make the building unsafe. The Arlington Heights Fire Department will be onsite for this drill.

We will continue to practice our emergency drills throughout the school year. If you have questions regarding these safety procedures, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time. As always, our goal is to prepare and care for your child in every situation while at school.

Thursday, September 25

District 25 will send out a TEST message of our emergency alert system on Thursday, September 25 at 6pm. This message will be a phone call, text message, and email. If you do not receive this test within 30 minutes of 6pm, please email our Head of Communications & Storytelling, Adam Harris (aharris@sd25.org).

Oct. 8th

Picture Day retakes will be on October 8, 2025. If you would like your child to have a retake for their pictures please fill out the google form linked below. Please fill out a separate form for each child that needs a retake.

Google form for Picture Retakes:

https://forms.gle/Cc6SnwkynACmyHMi7

We are thrilled to welcome Lindsay Currie, acclaimed Illinois author of suspenseful middle grade novels, to our school for a special author visit on Friday, October 3! Lindsay blends mystery, history, and just the right amount of chills to keep young readers turning the pages. This event is geared toward our 4th and 5th grade students, who will get the chance to hear Lindsay speak about her writing process, what inspires her stories, and how she turns exciting ideas into gripping books. She will focus on the second book in her escape room series called The House With No Keys. The Book Stall, a local bookstore, is sponsoring her visit. Follow this link to the OMS LMC website if you are interested in ordering an autographed copy of one of her books. Please place your order by September 30 in order to receive it by the visit day.

Science Club is back with two sessions, meeting on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, October 7 through November 19. We’re offering hands-on science adventures for students in grades two through five; first grade students may participate if an older sibling is enrolled in Science Club AND an adult can volunteer to help every day that the first grade student attends. We meet from 3:35 until 4:45 PM in the LMC.

Session 1: Build It (four weeks)

Can you design and build the bridge with the largest load to weight ratio? The speediest solar powered car? The barge that transports the heaviest load and still gets under a “bridge” without touching the bottom of the “canal”? The tallest tower using cardboard, brass brads and dowels? Find out!

Session 2: DNA Discovery (three weeks)

Learn how DNA codes for the proteins that build our bodies and control the processes shared by all living things. Extract the DNA from strawberries. Participate in a mock “epidemic” to understand how vaccines protect us from getting sick.

Want to join in the fun? Then complete and return this registration form as soon as possible. Make a copy of the form to fill it out electronically. Sessions can fill up very quickly. The number of students per session is dependent on the number of adult volunteers.

To ensure that we’re able to provide a safe and enjoyable activity at least two adults will be present each day. Any days that do not have at least one adult volunteer will be cancelled. Please consider signing up to help on one or more days as your schedule allows.

Questions? Please contact Cynthia House at chouse@sd25.org.

Check Off Your Yearbook Checklist Early! Let’s make this year’s OMS yearbook unforgettable. Order your yearbook today and secure your copy!

First step: Go to https://treering.com/validate, enter your school’s passcode: 1014636724843184, update or add your child and teacher, and confirm your order.

Send your favorite school moments—events, clubs, class parties—to omsyearbookphotos@gmail.com for a chance to be featured! Create your two FREE custom pages by April 30th to personalize your book with memories that matter most.

Bonus: If you purchase your yearbook by October 31st, you’ll receive 10% off your order!

Don't wait until the last minute! We do NOT purchase extra copies at year-end. If you order after April 30th, your book will NOT be delivered to the school—you’ll need to have it shipped directly to your home. Please reach out to the PTA with any questions or to confirm your order—we’re here to help!