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March 2003
Deadline for next issue: May 9
Please note that this web site version of OMS News has been
edited to conform to the web site policy of Arlington School District.
CLUSTER NEWS
The science classes in the 750 cluster have just finished the Cell
Unit, learning all about plant and animal cells, blood cells, DNA and the Human
Genome Project. The students created amazing projects which included web sites,
Power Point presentations, music videos, posters, puppet shows, puzzles,
children's books, board games, cakes, and even Jell-O molds. Watson and Crick
have some competition. We also have some good news to share: Mr. Botolino is a
new dad. Christopher Domenic was born on March 5th. Everyone is doing well.
810s math students are taking a short break from Algebra to review
Geometry for a few weeks. When we return to Algebra, CMP students will be
studying the Distributive Property and solving equations, and Impact students
will be studying the Distributive Property and algebraic fractions. We will also
continue to prepare for the MCAS test.
Eighth Grade Program
On Wednesday, March 19, 2003, Historical Perspectives For Children featured
the character Harriet Tubman, conductor of tthe "Underground
Railroad", to the entire eighth grade student body. The actress was truly
professional and had the ability and talent to captivate an audience of over 300
eight graders and faculty. We were thrilled to benefit from this outstanding
program and wish to thank all those who supported the eighth grade raffle during
conferences which provided funding for such a worthy project.
GUIDANCE NEWS
As of March 28th, all 8th grade parents should have a copy of their child's
9th grade course selections. You should expect to receive an official schedule
from the high school at a later date. If you disagree with any of the placements
that have been made, you must petition the Department Heads at the High School
as soon as possible.
Eighth grade scheduling for AHS will be March 24-28. Students will be
provided two copies of the schedule; one must be signed and returned.
OTTOSON ISSUES:
A NEW COLUMN
This is the first of a new column dealing with items of importance to
teachers, parents, and students. We welcome feedback from both parents and
students on these columns, and also welcome topics for future columns. This
issue's column is from the Guidance Department.
Instant Messaging:
The Downfall of Computer Technology
Instant Messaging has been a rising concern at the middle school.
Recently, we have found that that more and more children are using Instant
Messaging as a means of communication, rapidly taking the place of the
traditional telephone. Students are conversing back and forth via screen
names, which provide them with a sense of anonymity. Its unique form of
language, the shorthand of computer talk, also accompanies IM. Over the years IM
has developed a language base, which can only be understood by those who are
familiar with IM.
IM has recently been the source, or cause, of a lot of problems at school. We
are finding that students are coming into school upset or angry, often times due
to what had been said on IM the previous evening. Often times, students
will print out IM conversations for counselors and teachers to read. In turn, we
get to see first hand what is actually being discussed during IM discussions. A
majority of the time the discussion includes a lot of explicit and vulgar
language. Many students are taking advantage of their anonymity by using IM to
talk down about one another, make threatening or sexual remarks, start up
rumors, etc.
As a school community, we feel that IM is beginning to demonstrate a negative
influence on the students at the middle school level. If you have a computer at
home with Instant Messenger, your children should be given time restrictions.
Some children are spending up to 3-4 hours a night Instant Messaging. To
alleviate any conflicts with IM, we would strongly recommend canceling your
current IM service, or acquiring software that limits the time spent on IM. Your
children can still have access to the computer and Internet service without
subscribing to IM. If you have any questions about this issue, please contact
your child's guidance counselor.
BUY LOCAL!
The Ottoson School Store sells school supplies to students and gives half of
the proceeds to charitable causes. The store is run by the language-based
classes. So far this year these students, with the help of their teachers, have
been able to donate $280 to those in need. Money has been given for Thanksgiving
baskets, Toys for Tots, a burn victim, an animal shelter, and a needy family
whose parents were out of work. Kudos to the students who run the store and to
all those who support it. Keep up the good work!
OPAC NEWS
OPAC Annual Fund Drive
Our Annual Fund Drive continues. The Annual Fund supports the Teacher Wish
List, the printing of this newsletter, the student generated
"Chronicle", teacher appreciation events, school directory, and more.
We request a $20 donation per family. Please consider giving any amount you
wish. OPAC is a 501(c)3 Charitable Organization so your donation is
tax-deductible. Please send your donation to OPAC/Ottoson Middle School, 63
Acton Street, Arlington 02476.
Wish List
The Wish List would like to thank all those who contributed so generously to
the drive this year. The faculty and staff of the Ottoson are extremely
appreciative of all that has been supported this year. The Wish List has
provided monies toward positive reinforcement, field trip support, gift
certificates to book stores for classroom library enhancement, the National
Mythology Exam costs, paints and tiles for the art department, physical
education support, special education support, a slide projector, a paper
shredder, ACE support, money toward purchase of stationary bike for physical
education, DVD players, compact discs, dictionaries, and thesauri.
As of now, all funds from the Wish List budget have been used. Contributions
are still being accepted for the current academic year--if money is available
more support will be provided. Many of our wonderful teachers spend their own
money providing for our students, and the Wish List is one way of appreciating
our faculty and administration. Please make checks payable to OPAC Wish List and
mail to OPAC, Ottoson Middle School, 63 Acton Street, Arlington, MA 02476. You
may make contributions to a specific teacher, cluster and/or department. Feel
free to call or email Jayne Thompson with any questions at 781-648-0533 or LThomp@aol.com.
Grade Eight Recognition
Ceremony
Plans are underway for the Grade Eight Recognition Ceremony in June. The
Recognition Evening is a wonderful ceremony for family and friends of Ottoson
Eighth Graders followed by a social/dance for students only.
The tentative date for this is Wednesday, June 18th, IF there are NO SNOW
days and the last day of school is Thursday, June 19th. Please look for updates
from the Recognition Committee and from the Administration starting in May.
The events of the evening are supported with family donations. Costs include
decorating, pizza, disc jockey, flowers, certificates, and a small gift to each
eighth grader. Providing this for approximately 335 students is not an easy
task, but it is a fun task! The Committee is looking for parents to chair
several areas including decorating, balloon pick-up, food, program,
certificates, and flowers. Denise Burns will organize the grade 7 parent
volunteers, and Mary Johnson will organize the drinks & ice committee.
Please contact Lee & Jayne Thompson at 781-648-0533 or LThomp@aol.com. More
information will be sent home in early May. Thank you!
Community Service Committee
Food Drive
As the Ottoson community is probably aware by now, the entire school is in
the middle of a 3-month long food drive aimed at supporting the Arlington Food
Pantry and the more than 400 Arlington families who rely on it for some of their
basic needs. By the time this article appears, Ottoson 7th graders, their
teachers and families will be near or at the end of their designated month for
donating items to the food pantry. Each grade has been given a full month in
which to make donations: 6th grade/February, 7th grade/March, and 8th
grade/April.
Donations of non-perishable food items, household paper goods, and toiletries
are always welcome. In particular, there is an ongoing need for peanut butter
and jelly, canned tuna and meats, 5-lb. bags of sugar and flour, rice in
packages of 5 pounds or under, canned fruit, toothbrushes and toothpaste,
shampoo and soap, and household paper goods. Kindly make sure your
donations are sealed or in original packages--loose rolls of paper towels,
toilet paper, plastic cups, etc. cannot be distributed at the food pantry.
Multi-packs of boxed or canned goods that can be separated into individual items
are fine.
The sixth-grade total for February stands at 1,533 items (please note this
change in total from that first reported is due to a recently discovered
accounting error). If the school-wide goal of 5,000 items is met, the entire
school will win a free dance. In addition, the grade that donates the most items
on a daily average during its month will win a pizza party.
Donations may be dropped off in the boxes in the school lobby. Thank you so
much for your past and anticipated future support. For questions, call Nancy
Nicolora at 646-2611, Janice Sophis at 648-7758 or Eric Saum at 316-3744 x 2106.
FISCAL CRISIS AFFECTS SCHOOLS
For information about how the town’s fiscal problems will affect the school
system, go to www.town.arlington.ma.us/topnews.php, where you can find links to
related articles, including full texts of statements by specialists in
athletics, social work, health education, library, visual and performing arts,
and technology. There is also a report regarding cuts in health services to
schools. These statements, as well as prior statements from school principals,
were made to the School Committee and speak eloquently to the impact that
projected budget cuts will have on our children’s education.
OTTOSON SCHOOL COUNCIL
New members welcomed: Teachers Melissa Brody, eighth grade English;
Amy Puff, Inclusion Specialist; and parents John Downing and Shelagh Peoples
recently joined the council. Recent agenda items for the school council include:
Academic Excellence goals; school system budget deficit; and school signage.
School Signage: An anonymous donor has generously contributed $8000
for school signs. These will include both interior and exterior signs; a
committee is reviewing where the signs will go; a full-scope project with
multiple interior and exterior signage would cost over $35,000, so some
prioritizing is taking place.
Budget Deficit: The council discussed potential budget cuts; the
Ottoson is working closely with the town on the budget, and the council will be
available to attend any governance meetings for the School Committee or town
administration.
Subcommittees: Academic Excellence, Communications, and Facilities
subcommittees continue their work.
MUSIC NOTES
The Ottoson Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra performed in the All-Town Spring
Orchestra Concert on Tuesday, March 25 at 7:00 P.M. in the Ottoson Upper Gym.
Three hundred students performed in the concert, which included all Elementary
and High School Orchestras. On Tuesday, March 11 the orchestra performed 7th
period for the sixth grade Directed Study classes in the cafeteria. On Thursday,
March 20 and Friday, March 21 the orchestras performed for the Massachusetts
Music Educators’ Association All-State Conference in Danvers. The orchestra
held an open rehearsal for Exploration Night on Thursday, March 27 at 7:00-8:00
P.M. in the cafeteria where fifth grade students were able to see the musical
offerings for their middle school years.
Eighth grade orchestra members are reminded to sign up for High School
Orchestra for next year. On Saturday, April 12 some of our students
will perform in the Junior District Concert in Lowell. Congratulations!
MEDIA CENTER NOTES
Ottoson Book
Fair May 1-8
We are selecting a large assortment of titles that appear on the summer
reading lists for grades 6, 7 and 8. Watch for more information to follow and
requests for volunteers.
Book Discussion Groups
Parents & Students: April 1 The Cure by Sonia Levitan 6:30 - 8
Young Adult Librarian at Robbins Library is making arrangements
for an author visit from Ellen Wittlinger to speak to the 7th graders. It is
very possible that she can visit with the evening Book Discussion Group as well.
Check with Mrs Ruddock for time, date and her booklist.
Senior/6th Grade Lunch Bunch
3/28 Because of Winn-Dixie, Ms Hazzard's 610 students
5/1 The Art of Keeping Cool, Ms Nocella's 640 students
5/16 Gold Dust, Ms Lane's 640 students
Ask your 6th grade students about the book, the senior friends they made at
lunch, and how good the pizza was.
This program is made possible by donations from AEEF, the AHS reunion class
of 1949, and Ottoson Wish List. We are always looking for more angels to
supplement our book and pizza budget.
Travel book request
Did you ever go on a trip, buy a guide book, and all it does now is gather
dust on your shelf at home? This would be a perfect donation to the Ottoson
Media Center. The 6th graders need to know all they can about Caribbean islands
when they study The Cay; 7th graders research San Francisco for I Remember Mama
and 8th graders reading The Pearl look for facts about Mexico and the Pacific
coast. All our language classes, Spanish, French, and Latin, take armchair
travel trips, so if you've visited Latin and Central America, France or Italy
and don't need those guides any longer, we'll take them off your hands.
Thanks to OPAC
Two new DVD players have been added to the AV collection at the Ottoson
because of the donations made to the Wish List fund. We also have a small
bulletin board to post Ottoson Students in the News in a more visible location.
Couldn't have done it without your help.
SPRING IS HERE--USE YOUR PEDESTRIAN POWER TO GET TO SCHOOL!
Bonus: Earn awards for walking--
Pick up your Pedestrian Power Points Form in the Media Center
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