Dear OMS Families,

We hope this letter finds you healthy and enjoying the last few weeks of summer. On behalf of our OMS school community, we want to thank you for your collaboration and patience as we work diligently to plan for the return to school this year. We are very excited to welcome our students back on Wednesday September 6 to kick-off the 23-24 school year. Our school’s theme for this school year is Brave Learners, Bright Futures: Building community so that all students feel safe and supported to take risks and actualize their potential.

Our OMS Orientation this year will be held for our 6^th graders and new students on Thursday, August 31, from 8-10am and 4-6pm. This date is a change to our originally published date due to building construction. If you have been around the middle school this summer, you will see the construction that we have in the front so we will keep you posted with additional details about parking and which door to enter once orientation gets closer.

Our returning 7th and 8th graders will be able to view their schedules and locker assignments on Infinite Campus starting on Monday August 28. All students are welcome to visit the building on Friday September 1 from 7am to 7pm to tour and set up lockers. School photos for our returning 7^th and 8^th graders and any 6^th grader or new student who were unable to attend orientation will be on September 11-12 during PE classes. You may order pictures by accessing Inter-State Studios website and entering the order code:  79086JA 

• School picture flyer

This school year, Brockport CSD will be providing school supplies for all students. These materials will be distributed in the first week of school.

Based on feedback from our BCSD ThoughtExchange survey as well as input and guidance from staff, parents, and students, we have partnered with Brockport High School regarding an aligned Secondary School Comprehensive Electronic Device Policy. Please review the policy and letter previously sent to you by the district which includes the rationale and motivation for the policy as well as research on the subject. This policy is in effect for the 2023-24 school year. We appreciate your ongoing support with our students in becoming respectful and responsible digital learners.

Our students will report to their home base every day at the beginning of school. This will be an extremely important time to connect with students and set the stage for a positive school year.   

Here are a few additional important updates:

• Parent drop-off and pick-up will take place in the front loop of our school. Our doors will open at 7:10am and our first class is at 7:21am. Students who ride a bus will enter through the lower-gym doors. Transportation will be communicating bussing information and if you have any questions, please contact them at 637-1880 or by email at busrouting@bcs1.org.
• Dismissal for all students riding a bus, walking, or being picked-up will be at 2:05pm.  We do have an after-school period that runs from 2:10-2:45pm and there is bus transportation provided as needed. OMS students who require transportation home are required to take the bus from the middle school and are not allowed to walk to other buildings on campus.
• If you need to pick up your child during the school day, please come to the main office. If your child needs to be picked up early, please submit a note or email to the attendance office indicating the time and the reason they need to be dismissed.  When you arrive, you will enter through the main entrance and present a valid ID to a staff member.  The staff member will verify that you are approved to pick up and you will be asked to wait in the lobby unless the nurse has called you for a sick/injured student. When possible, advanced notice is appreciated when picking up your child during the school day. Please contact our attendance office at 637-1861 or via email at att.oliver@bcs1.org with any questions. 

The first few days of school will consist of grade level competitions, pep rally events, announcements, and student recognitions. Our Core Value Team has planned interactions that will help our students start the year on a positive note, help make and strengthen connections between teachers and students, “set the stage” for our high academic, social-emotional, and behavioral expectations for the year, and continue to develop and foster a culture of understanding and acceptance of others.  During these time frames, our students will be reviewing the elements of our school matrix highlighting our Oliver Essentials.

This school year we will have a new course for all our 6^th graders called First Year Experience which is in partnership with the AVID framework. AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, will be an exciting opportunity that is geared to support college and career readiness and will be focused on making sure all students have the necessary skills to be successful learners. You can read more about the program and its tenants by visiting their website.

Our student progress reports will be available online on Infinite Campus every five weeks and report cards are every ten weeks. This year we will continue to use our email service to update you with information about our school, our school website, and a weekly SMORE Newsletter -OMS Bits and Bytes. Also, please follow us on Twitter at @BrockportOMS.

We are so excited for an amazing school year! As always, please do not hesitate to contact us at 637-1860 with any questions you may have.

In Partnership,

Jerrod D. Roberts

Principal