The OMS Community Newsletter

The main lobby bulletin board was decorated by Mrs. Benitez and her class for the month of February.

Dear Parents and Families,

As we approach February vacation, we want to wish you and your family a safe and enjoyable break! It’s a wonderful time for students to relax and spend quality time with loved ones.

We kindly ask that students limit their use of School-issued Chromebooks during the break, unless they need to catch up on assignments or make up work. This is a great opportunity for them to take a step back from screens and enjoy some time away from their devices.

Additionally, we encourage families to discuss the importance of limiting social media use during this time. Promoting face-to-face interactions and outdoor activities can help foster connection and well-being. Below are links to programming and activities that are available to students and their families during February Vacation so you can plan ahead.

Stoughton Public Library Programs for Teens & Middle School Students

• Creator’s Corner Crafts - Tuesday, 2/18 at 2:30pm

• Teen Gaming Unplugged - Wednesday 2/19 from 2:30 - 4:30pm

Free Family Programming in Massachusetts during February Vacation Week

• Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces DCR’s Free Family Programming Across Massachusetts During February School Vacation Week: 79 Family-Friendly Programs at 20 Properties from February 15 to February 25, Including Guided Hikes, Birding, Seal Watching, Crafting, and Maple Sugaring

February Vacation Week Free Family Programs

Boston Central: February School Vacation Activities & Events

Thank you for your continued support, and we hope everyone has a wonderful vacation!

Best wishes,

OMS Administration

(Principal Crowley, Assistant Principal Kellogg, Dean Bernstein, Dean Montembault)

• February 17 - 21 - February Break, No School
• March 13 - Family Math Night
• March 20, 21, 22 - OMS Spring Musical
• April 10 - Knight of Excellence
• Day before the last day of school - Grade 8 Class Day (Promotion Ceremony & Dance)

Family Math Night

Our math department is planning a Family Math Night on March 13th at 6:30pm. Keep an eye out for more information as we get closer.

Knight of Excellence

Save the Date! Our annual Knight of Excellence is on Thursday, April 10th from 6:30 - 8pm. This is a full school open house showcase where student work is displayed throughout the building. At the secondary level, the Knight of Excellence occurs in place on a second parent-teacher conference.

Grade 8 Class Day

• What is it? Grade 8 Class Day is a day to celebrate our 8th graders completion of middle school. Grade 8 students have fun activities in the morning. Families are invited to join us for a Promotion Ceremony where we celebrate students' completion of middle school. Each student is allowed two guests for this ceremony. Later at night, students have a Grade 8 Dance. More information and details about Class Day will be emailed home to Grade 8 families in the Spring.
• When is it? Our Grade 8 Class Day takes place the day before the last day of school. Currently, the last day of school is scheduled for June 17th which means Class Day would fall on June 16th. If we end up having snow days this year, Class Day will be moved to whatever day falls before the last day of school. The Promotion Ceremony takes place at noon.

Project 351 celebrates the power of young people as a force for positive change in their communities and our Commonwealth. Through service, leadership development, enrichment, and friendship with a statewide community of peers, Ambassadors build skills and confidence, explore issues, embrace leadership, and motivate a lifetime of service. Project 351 was inspired by an unwavering belief that young people lead in powerful and transformative ways in every community in Massachusetts. And, when united, they are an unstoppable force for kindness, community strength, and a more united and engaged Commonwealth.

Each year at OMS, faculty silently nominate deserving 8th graders for consideration as the Project 351 Ambassador from OMS and the Town of Stoughton. Our Project 351 Ambassador and Nominees were recognized at the February 11th School Committee meeting. Congratulations to Tori Chaisson (2025 Project 351 Ambassador), Christa Mikhael, Oluwademilade Joel Omidiji, Kayden Pham, Angel Phan, Sophia Singer, and Ava Thibodeaux! They are pictured below with Superintendent Dr. Baeta, Principal Crowley, and the School Committee.

During the School Committee meeting, Tori shared about her experience at Launch Day where she met all the other Project 351 ambassadors from the towns and cities across Massachusetts. "Launch day was definitely an amazing experience that I have never really felt before. I got to meet so many new people from all over Massachusetts, even people from towns I haven’t even heard of before! Everyone was super nice and we all had a very fun time. In my group there were about 8 of us, and we all became super close even though we had just met. We then went to cradles to crayons. An organization for those who are in need of clothing. My group had the role of shopping and it was so fun! We were in groups of 3 and we got a list of clothing we had to put all together in a bin. When we went back to the JFK library we all just hung out together, making even more friends along the way until having to head back home. Over all I had the best experience ever and I can’t wait for us to meet up again, making more memories along the way."

Tori took the pictures below during Launch Day. Her group leader for the day was Nya'Lia Lindsay who is a current SHS student. Nya'Lia was OMS and Stoughton's 2023 Project 351 Ambassador and has continued working with Project 351.

Tori is pictured below with Superintendent Dr. Baeta, Principal Crowley, and School Committee Chair Ms. Weiss during the School Committee Meeting on February 11, 2025.

Christa Mikhael, Oluwademilade Joel Omidiji, Kayden Pham, Angel Phan, Sophia Singer, and Ava Thibodeaux were also recognized during the School Committee meeting. Congratulations to all of these amazing students!

Last week, administrators and school counselors visited classrooms to review school expectations with all students. We reviewed the roles counselors and administrators have in working with students. We also talked about grades and gave some reminders around missing work and staying after school as needed. We also gave some reminders around school expectations and what is expected in the various areas of the building (cafe, hallways, etc). We discussed some topics with all grade levels and had some topics specific to each grade level based on areas of strength and areas of growth.

We also recognized those students who made the honor roll and high honor roll for Trimester 1. In order to earn honor roll recognition, students must have all A’s and B’s in all subjects and exhibit good conduct. Students who earned honor roll and high honor roll received a certificate in class. We reminded all students that honor roll recipients are recognized each trimester. For more information about honor roll, please refer to page 20 in our handbook.

For more information about the team meetings, please check your email for more information. The slides we reviewed with students were shared with families via email.

Attached you will find a “OMS Course Information Guide”. This course information guide has been prepared to offer specific information about the courses we offer at OMS and serve as a guide for the middle school programming offered. Courses we offer may change from year to year. This booklet contains information on the courses we intend to offer in the 2025 - 2026 school year. Staffing and needs within the building could change our anticipated course offerings from what is listed here. In addition, departments are always updating course objectives based upon state standards and students' needs. These course descriptions were written based upon the current standards and the anticipated course objectives for next school year. The guide also offers information about our schedule throughout the day and offers a glimpse of a schedule for a student in each grade.

As we prepare for next school year, information will be emailed home to families regarding the process. Check your email for information sent home this week about the Course Information Guide and the scheduling process for next school year.

Every week, Mrs. Benitez's class bakes a treat. Students measure the amounts and learn how to bake. The treats are sold to the OMS Staff in the OMS Cafe. This year, we have some 7th and 8th grade volunteers who help the class each week!

The OMS Student Council partnered with the PTSO to host a Movie Night for students this past Wednesday in the OMS Cafe. Students watched the movie "Beauty and the Beast." The event was a success and we had about 165 students attend movie night!

Thank you to the OMS Student Council and the PTSO for organizing a great event!

Last week, OMS basketball had their last game of the season in the Stoughton High gymnasium as the O'Donnell Middle School girls and boys basketball teams hosted Randolph. The basketball doubleheader also featured a performance by the OMS dance team.

All SPS families are invited to join the Jones PTO's next meeting on Tuesday, February 25 at 6pm at the Jones. Dr. Baeta and TJ Recupero from the elementary school building committee will be on hand to discuss the new elementary school building project as well as redistricting. Childcare will be provided.

Check out the RN Winter Newsletter by clicking below!

Care Solace Support Services

If you’d like professional support, Care Solace is available to help connect you or your loved ones to mental health services. This is a complimentary, confidential service provided by Stoughton Public Schools.

Access Support:

• Call: 888-515-0595 (Multilingual support 24/7/365)
• Visit: www.caresolace.com/stoughtonschools Search for a provider or click “Book Appointment” for assistance via video chat, phone, or email.

Stoughton Public Library Programs

Here is some important information about our school. Please visit the OMS website for more information, including the most up-to-date school calendar.

Website: oms.stoughtonschools.org
Location: 211 Cushing Street, Stoughton, MA, USA
Phone: 781-344-7002
Facebook: facebook.com/stoughtonpublicschools

Missed a newsletter? Click the link below to review a previous newsletter.

Week of 2/3 - 2/10

Week of 1/27 - 1/31

Week of 1/21 - 1/24

Week of 1/13 -1/17

Week of 1/6 - 1/10

Week of 1/2 - 1/3

Week of 11/25 - 11/27 & 12/2 - 12/6

Week of 11/18 - 11/22

Week of 11/12 - 11/15

Week of 10/28 - 11/1

Week of 10/21 - 10/25

Week of 10/15 - 10/18

Week of 10/7 - 10/11

Week of 9/30 - 10/4

Week of 9/23 - 9/27

Week of 9/16 - 9/20

Week of 9/9 - 9/13

Week of 9/3 - 9/6

Back to School Edition Part 2

Back to School Edition Part 1