March
2021
A Letter from Mrs. Anderson, Principal of Ola Middle School:
Dear OMS Parents and Families,
We hope you and your family are healthy. As we begin the full-time return to our on-campus/remote hybrid teaching and learning model on March 1st, we want to thank all of you for supporting children who are completing their schoolwork daily.
Your continued support, along with our teachers, will ensure a positive learning experience for our students.
Our OMS Students can and will learn at the highest levels possible when parents and teachers partner together. Please help your child be successful by:
-Setting routines that encourage a positive learning environment. Have an established learning or homework area in the home.
·Monitor students while using digital platforms and reinforce appropriate behaviors when working online.
· School starts at 8:45 a.m. each morning and ends at 3:55 p.m. Just like our on-campus students; remote learners are expected to be logged on to each class from the beginning to the end of each instructional period. Not logging on at the assigned times could result in a student being counted absent for attendance.
· To help keep our school community connected, we encourage our OMS students to check the morning announcements site added to the Google Classroom platform and our OMS parents to check our OMS Parent Newsletter site (link sent via email each month using Infinite Campus).
·Student grades matter. Remember that student grades count toward athletic team eligibility, as well as student promotion and retention.
·The end of the third nine weeks is right around the corner. Please make sure your child is checking weekly for missing assignments and completing work before the due date. Missing work often results not only in failing grades for the missing assignment but also results in failing assessment grades.
·We are unable to accept items dropped off by parents throughout the day. Please ensure that students have all necessary items before leaving for school each day.
·Breakfast and Lunch will be offered free to all students through the end of the year.
As we begin to head towards the end of the school year, we all must work together to ensure that the end of this school year is the best that it can be for our students. Thank you for all that you have done to assist, support and manage learning for your children. We appreciate everything you have done to provide guidance and support for your children during remote and on-campus learning throughout the year. Let us finish the year strong!
Upcoming Events
March 2- MAP Testing
March 1-5- FFA Week
March 1-5 - Read Across America Week
March 8- Rising 9th Grader Night @OHS (virtually @ 6:30pm)
March 12- Teacher workday (no school)
March 15 & 16- 9th Grade Registration @ OHS (virtually-sign up for time on March 8)
March 17 & 18- Rising 6th Grader Nights @ OMS 6:00-7:30 p.m. (in-person or virtual)
FFA Week
FFA Week is March 1-5 and we are celebrating this by collecting cans for In His Name Food Pantry. Please help us out by bringing some cans to Ms. Huff's room.
Band Cheesecake & Coffee Fundraiser
Deadline is March 2!
See a Band member or use this link to order: https://www.profitplusinc.com/
Make sure to put "Ola Middle School" and the name of the band member you are buying from so that items can be delivered to the correct band member.
Band members will pick up all items they sold on Saturday, March 27th- just in time for Easter! More info on delivery times to come.
Support the OMS Band by buying a scrumptious cheesecake and some gourmet coffee!
Keeping Henry Healthy
Click here for helpful guidance on "How to screen your child for COVID-19 Symptoms".
PTO Update
It's time to be thinking about the next school year! PTO is looking for people to join the 2021-22 school board. Anyone who is interested should contact Kim Johnson or Amanda Beck.
The PTO surprised all of the staff members at OMS on February 26 with a gift bag. The teachers really appreciated it and want to say THANK YOU for your support!
Technology
Technology Helpdesk News
1. The Chromebook Issues – What YOU can do guide https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G-GfI_nNO5LslHu1oJ-Quh4sHiOWdGrA/view?usp=sharing (this is in My Drive as a link available to anyone on the internet )
2. Please remember, for any Chromebook issues, go to the Ola Middle School website and click on the Student Chromebook Support link on the main page and complete the OMS – Technology Help Request Form https://forms.gle/aWkFeFxcAn3pYYmE8 and one of our tech will reach out to you.
3. Respect the Tech tips:
· Charge your chromebook every night—it is preferred that you leave your charger at home
· Keep your chromebook inside the case ALWAYS!
· Do not put anything else in your case—NO PAPER, NO EARBUDS, NO PENCILS
· CLEAN YOUR CHROMEBOOK!! You can use a squeezed out disinfectant wipe to clean your screen, keyboard and touchpad. It’s the best way to Respect your Tech!!
COUNSELING CORNER
Infinite Campus/Parent Portal
Go Mobile. Anytime, anywhere access. Get your Campus Portal information when you want it from your mobile device. Parents, please remember to download the Infinite Campus app to receive important notifications pertaining to grades, attendance, and assignments!
https://www.infinitecampus.com/info/new-campus-mobile-apps
FAQs
How do I obtain a GUID Activation Code to create an account on the Parent Portal?
Parents who do not receive their GUID activation codes should contact their child’s school and provide photo identification to obtain a code OR if you are identified as the student's guardian you may go to the following link: https://campus.henry.k12.ga.us/campus/K12_Custom/cParent/index.jsp?appName=henry
This will return the appropriate GUID Activation Code on record for you to create your Parent Portal Account.
What happens if I forget my ID/password?
If you have a Campus Parent Portal Account and have forgotten your log-on information, go to the following link: https://campus.henry.k12.ga.us/campus/portal/henry.jsp and select 'Problems logging in?' located next to the 'Log In' button.
Enter in your home e-mail account in the box provided. The system will send your log-on information to that e-mail account. You then will be able to log onto the parent portal.
If you no longer have access to the original email account, you will need to create a new account with a different email address.
How often is information updated in the Parent/Student Portal?
Information is updated in real time. As soon as information is entered into Infinite Campus, it is available on Campus Portal. Grades are updated at least every two weeks.
Rising 9th Grade Registration
SAVE THE DATES!
OHS PARENT/STUDENT NIGHT
Who: Google Meet for all Rising 9th graders and parents (including OHS administration and counselors)
What: Rising 9th Grade Showcase Night
When: Monday, March 8th @ 6:30pm
Where: Virtually via Google Meet http://bit.ly/Showcase21
How: There will be several informative sessions following the opening introduction. Students and parents/guardians will be able to utilize the chat feature during the events. Following the event, there will be a link to a form to request additional information following the session. Access to the link to sign up for time slots to complete the course registration process that will take place on March 15th and 16th will also be provided.
**IMPORTANT: In preparation for the Showcase night on March 8, please visit the following link (https://bit.ly/37SQOr8) to let OHS know if you would like information on any additional topics **
OHS REGISTRATION
Who: The Counselors from Ola High School will meet with Ola Middle School 8th Grade Students and Parents/Guardians to walk through the registration process, course request, and assist with course selection.
What: 9th Grade Registration
When: March 15th & 16th
(Determined by time slot selected during the March 8th Showcase Night)
Where: Virtually via Google Meet
Ola High School 2021-22 Registration Advisement Site
Rising 8th Grade
21-22 High School Course Offerings
Rising 8th grade parents/guardians, please review/listen to the following presentation to learn about the HS course offerings at OMS for the 21-22 school year.
OMS Rising 6th Grade Parent Night
We are getting ready for our next group of OMS Mustangs!
Attend our Rising 6th Grade Parent Night for a:
*School Tour guided by our school staff
*Preview of OMS Connections & Fine Arts programs
You may attend "In-Person" or "Virtually!
Athletic Department Update
OMS Track Team Runs the Show!
Track and field will limit 4 guest and volleyball will limit 3. The first volleyball game is March 2nd vs Stockbridge and track will have the first meet February 27th at McDonough.
Be in the know about everything that is going on with OMS Athletics! Follow OMS Athetics on Instagram at athletics_oms and on Twitter at athletics_oms.
Yearbook Info
Yearbook order quantity has been reduced! To be sure you do not lose the chance to order this year’s book, you need to order ASAP online at www.jostens.com Please email Coach Fowler at bfowler@henry.k12.ga.us if you have any questions,
Shout Outs!
Shout Out to our amazing PTO for surprising teachers on February 26 with goody bags! We appreciate your support.
From the Graduation Coach:
Ms. Diane Wright( diane.wright@henry.k12.ga.us)
Homework............
More often than not, battles over homework lead to vicious cycles of nagging by parents and avoidance or refusal by children, with no improvement in a child’s school performance. And certainly no progress toward what should be our ultimate goals: helping children enjoy learning and develop independence with respect to their schoolwork. Here is a Homework Plan for you to try at home
Set aside a specified, and limited, time for homework. Establish, early in the evening, a homework hour.
For most children, immediately after school is not the best time for homework. This is a time for sports, for music and drama, and free play.
During the homework hour, all electronics are turned off—for the entire family.
Work is done in a communal place, at the kitchen or dining room table. Contrary to older conventional wisdom, most children are able to work more much effectively in a common area, with an adult and even other children present, than in the “quiet” of their rooms.
Be positive and give frequent encouragement. Make note of every improvement, not every mistake.
Be generous with your praise. Praise their effort, not their innate ability.
Know where to go for help in the specific subject.
Google classroom often has all the student needs to know about a specific assignment
email teacher for further questions
contact another student in class
Meet the Mustangs
Mr. Casey
What do you do here?I teach band! Come see me if you are interested in starting band in 7th or 8th grade next year. We would love to have you!
Education/colleges/degrees:
Bachelors in Instrumental Music Education from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama. While I was at JSU, I was involved with as many performing groups as I could, including their 500-member marching band- The Marching Southerners!
Favorite subject when you were in middle school- Band, of course! I was in middle school when found my passion for music and decided that I wanted to be a band director.
Favorite hobbies- I love playing trumpet for my two cats Odin and Jack.
Favorite quote:- "Be kind to one another. It's very important" -Dr. David L. Walters
Why I teach- I teach to share my love of music with my students and to help guide the next generation of musicians!
Ms. Atchison
What do you do here? I teach 6-8 Connections Math 180 class.
Education/colleges/degrees: Bachelor's of Science in Mathematics from Alabama A & M University
Favorite subject when you were in middle school- Math
Favorite hobbies- Playing card games and watching hallmark movies
Favorite quote- Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.
Why I teach-I teach because I want to make a difference in a child's life.
Ms. Reese
What you do here? I teach Connections Reading.
Education/colleges/degrees
Bachelor's degree from Southern University and a Master's degree from Brenau University
Favorite subject when you were in middle school-
Language Arts and Chorus
Favorite hobbies- Baking
Favorite quote- Luck favors the prepared.
Why I teach- I love helping students become better readers!
Ms. Trott
What do you do here? I teach 6th grade English Language Arts
Education/colleges/degrees-
B.A. in English from Valdosta State University
Favorite subject when you were in middle school- Math
Favorite hobbies- Sewing, Reading, Paper Crafts
Favorite quote- “Be the Change You Wish to See in the World” - M. Ghandi
Why I teach- I teach because I want to be an inspiration to the students who are faced with obstacles. I want to remind them to push through challenges and to never let up on the things they want. It’s okay to stumble and fall short. It’s not okay to give up completely.
Ms. Price
What do you do here? I teach an adapted curriculum that assesses all subjects including, Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies.
Education/colleges/degrees-
Mercer University
Favorite subject when you were in middle school- Social Studies
Favorite hobbies- Tennis
Favorite quote- Teachers who love teaching, teach children to love learning.
Why I teach- Even as a little girl, I knew I wanted to grow up and become a teacher. It wasn’t until later in life that I found my true passion for teaching and that was teaching students with special needs. I teach because these students inspire me every single day to the be the best that I can be in every given situation.
Mr. Calkins
What do you do here?I teach Social Studies and Science, as well as coach football and basketball.
Education/colleges/degrees - I have a Bachelor's Degree in Health and Physical Education from Georgia State, and I am currently halfway through my master's degree in Instructional Technology at the University of West Georgia.
Favorite subject when you were in middle school- Social Studies
Favorite hobbies- Exercising, coaching, cooking on my blackstone griddle, and hanging with my son Paul who is 19 months old.
Favorite quote- "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."- Wayne Gretzky
Why I teach- I teach to encourage and provide support along the way for students to succeed.
Connect with Ola Middle School and be in the know!
Twitter: @OMS_HCS
Website: https://schoolwires.henry.k12.ga.us/oms/domain/5234