AnnouncementsOttoson Middle School |
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AnnouncementsOttoson Middle School |
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Click on this link to see old announcements. |
| Cereal | Powdered milk |
| Canned fruit & vegetables | Jelly and jam |
| Peanut butter | Tuna fish and canned meats |
| Fruit juices, coffee, and tea | Spaghetti, pasta, and rice |
| Tomato and spaghetti sauce | Crackers & cookies |
| Baking mixes | Jell-O and pudding mixes |
| Baby food | Canned ravioli, stew, hash & soup |
| Soap, shampoo & detergent | Toothpaste and toothbrushes |
| Toilet tissue & paper towels | Diapers |
At this time, the Food Pantry is in special need of personal care items (soap, shampoo & conditioner, lotion, mouthwash).
Please: No glass containers, perishable foods, or items past their expiration date
In honor of the New England Patriots' football game being held at Wembley Stadium in London, England, this Sunday... Friday will be Patriots team day at the Ottoson. On Friday, students and teachers are invited to wear Patriots shirts, or red, white, and blue, to cheer on the team. In addition, for a one dollar donation, students will be allowed to wear baseball caps or hats during the day on Friday (money will be donated to the Jimmy Fund). More information will be coming. Go Pats!
Update is contained in the newsletter -- which can be viewed by clicking here.
Topics include:
There will be an Ottoson Dance on Friday, October 23rd. It runs from 6:30-9:30.
Tickets will be on sale Wed, Thurs. & Friday after school in the Café. Cost is $5.00
Good Afternoon,
I will make my update brief this week. I will attach my first News From Arlington. This was another very successful week. I made it around to quite a few classes and the kids are doing wonderfully. I was able to listen in to the Orchestra this week and it brought tears of joy to my eyes. They are truly quite accomplished. I just think of how amazing they will sound years from now if they are this good in middle school. I was also able to sit it in and listen to the Jazz Band and they were eaqually impressive.
Just one important message from Ms. Bouvier. Tuesday, October 13th 2009 at Ottoson Middle School in the Cafetorium from 7:00-9:00 PM there will be a Parent Forum, Bullying and Cyberbullying by Dr. Elizabeth Englander. She is a nationally recognized Cyberbullying and the founder of the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center at Bridgewater State College. We hope to see you there.
Have a nice long weekend,
Tim
Timothy R. Ruggere
Principal
Ottoson Middle School
On Wednesday, Oct. 21st, 2009 , Author Mitali Perkins will visit Ottoson to talk about “Life between two cultures” to all 8th graders (1st & 2nd Period) & all 7th Graders (3rd & 4th Period).
Minuteman is coming to visit & speak to the 8th grade students on Wednesday, October 14th and Friday, October 16th. Clusters 800 and 820 will be with Minuteman second period on the 14th and cluster 810 will be with Minuteman on the 16th. Minuteman is available as an alternative to Arlington High School.
Do you know what your children are doing online?????? ???????
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 Ottoson Middle School Cafetorium 7:00-9:00 PM
More than half of teenagers report having received hurtful online statements or threats and most times these incidents go unreported. Cyberbullying or repeated electronic based bullying via IM’s on computers or via cell phones has become an increasing problem. This program will cover current issues of bullying, cyberbullying, preventative measures parents can take and options in the event that your child is being cyberbullied.
Presenter: Dr. Elizabeth Englander, a nationally recognized expert on Cyberbullying is a professor of Psychology and the founder of the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center at Bridgewater State College. The Center delivers anti-violence and anti-bullying programs for the State of Massachusetts.
“If you want the climate in school to change, you must change the climate in community.” Dr. Elizabeth Englander
This presentation is one of a year-long series on Parent Education. For a complete list of forums, please click here.
Dear Students and Families,
This year, Ottoson will once again be participating in the Pennies for Peace campaign. This program was started several years ago to raise money for schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In conjunction with the Central Asia Institute, Pennies for Peace teaches children the rewards of sharing and working together to bring hope and educational opportunities to children in Pakistan and Afghanistan. A penny in the United States is virtually worthless, but in Pakistan and Afghanistan a penny buys a pencil and opens the door to literacy and hope for the future. Last year the Ottoson raised over $700 in pennies.
Until October 30, 2009 collection containers will be present in Social Studies classrooms. We are collecting pennies only, no nickels, no dimes, no quarters, no dollars: a penny is something that everyone can afford to give.
As we learn, it is important for students to develop a sense of connectivity with the greater world. I hope this is a step toward that connection. For more information, you can visit the campaign website http://www.penniesforpeace.org.
Thank you for your support,
Ms. Keyes
Good Afternoon,
Just wanted to drop everyone a quick note to let you know how things are going. They are going very well. It was another wonderful week at Ottoson. Your children continue to impress me. I have been around to many of the classes and they are doing great work.
I would just like to give you some brief snapshots.
-It was great seeing the parents who were able to make it to the breakfast today. We had about 50 people show up and we had some great conversations. I will be doing this monthly and hope that we have an even bigger crowd in November.
-We did have an issue with texting this week. Some grade 6 students received a disturbing text. I had the students return to homeroom and the teachers explained that it was a very bad practical joke and that the students should delete the text immediately. I then sent a letter home to grade 6 parents. I found out this morning that the grade 7 and grade 8 students were receiving something similar via email. Please have your children let me know so that I can have this checked out. The police are aware of the situation.
-Grade 8 parents- Minuteman is coming to visit and speak to the grade 8 students on Wednesday, October 14th and Friday, October 16th. Clusters 800 and 820 will be with Minuteman second period on the 14th and cluster 810 will be with Minuteman on the 16th.
-The chorus and the band are off to a great start. I have been around and have heard all of the wonderful music. It really brings something special to the school to have this. Our musicians are truly special and I look forward to this years performances. Our other artists are doing well also. I have seen many students in the halls working on their perspective drawings and other students are working on portraits.
We have alot to be proud of here at Ottoson and I am truly happy to be a part of it. Please feel free to come in and see me. Drop by's are welcome.
Have a nice weekend,
Tim
Evening conferences which were originally scheduled for November 23rd, from 6-8pm have been moved to 11/24, 6-8pm to avoid a conflict with the High School. More information about the conferences will be available as the time approaches.
Evening conferences which were originally scheduled for November 23rd, from 6-8pm have been moved to 11/24, 6-8pm to avoid a conflict with the High School. More information about the conferences will be available as the time approaches.
From Principal Ruggere: It was wonderful meeting all of you last night. I think it was a success and I know that the teachers were happy to meet you as well. It is important for the children that we talk on a regular basis and get to know one another.
On another note, anyone who is interested in being put on the ballot for School Council parent rep. should com to the main office at Ottoson and place your name on the ballot list. We will then have an election next Monday (10/5) from 9:00-12:00. If you are interested on voting, please come by at that time. OPAC will then count the ballots and the School Council members will then be announced.
Your student has a copy of his/her schedule for tomorrow night (9/29). If your student does not bring a schedule to follow for tomorrow night, we have copies that we can give you when you arrive. At seven p.m., an announcement will be made to go to your student's first class and every ten minutes another announcement will be made to change classes. Students will be available to act as guides for parents who do not know the building. We look forward to seeing all of you tomorrow night.
Thank you,
Tim
AM/PM Whiffleball is now available as follows:
AM/PM Blue Gym, Wiffleball, Basketball @ 7:00 am/ 2:35 w/Mr. Bartz
You are invited to meet your child’s teachers at our Fall Open House. Your child will bring home a copy of his/her schedule for you to follow for that evening. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet your child’s teachers and receive information about all of the programs at Ottoson.
Tuesday September 29, 2009 -- 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The following is the schedule for picture taking:
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Tuesday September 22nd |
Wednesday September 23rd |
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Period 1 |
810 |
640 |
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Period 2 |
800 |
610 |
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Period 3 |
820 |
760 |
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Period 4 |
770 |
630 |
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Period 5 |
------ |
Make up for grades 6,7,8 |
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Period 6 |
750 |
620 |
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Period 7 |
X |
Make up for grades 6,7,8 |
It has been a pleasure getting to know the children and parents of Ottoson Middle School. We got off to a great start and the schedule is complete. Now we can focus on hitting our stride. The after school programs have begun and students are easing into their new situations. I am very glad that parents have been taking me up on my offer to come in and chat and I will be having a coffee for Ottoson Families at the end of September. It is wonderful walking around the building and seeing excitement in the students as well as the teachers. We understand that the students are still getting into their routines and we are trying to help them with their transitions into new grades.
For their safety, we are now in the process of having our code meetings in which we explain the expectations that we have for our students. For example, students were rambunctious in the cafeteria yesterday and I had to remind them that we have expectations in the cafeteria and that we need to keep things at a reasonable level. I then explained that in previous situations I had been forced to sit students by cluster and have quiet lunches and that this early in the year, I was hoping that I did not need to resort to that. I am sure that I will not. Lunch is a time for the students to relax, be with friends and enjoy themselves. They work very hard during the day and deserve this time. In no way do I mean to alter this. I merely want students to realize that we have reasonable expectations of behavior in the cafeteria. I also want them to understand that it is a matter of building safety and not punishment.
Also, the Lego Club Teams have been chosen and we will be letting students know who has been picked and it will begin soon. We have selected twenty students for two teams of ten. I am looking for a third coach so that we can select a third team. We have received so much interest that I am trying to make the Lego Club part of a SOAR so that more students can take part. I have had some offers for volunteers and I am still attempting to figure out how that will work. Hopefully, this is something on which we can continue to expand.
5-2-1 Activities begin 9/29/09
5-2-1 programs are sponsored by a grant to encourage fitness, and are free and open to all.
Monday – Dodgeball (Wooden Gym) @ 2:34 pm
Tuesday/Thursday – Ice Hockey (Arlington Rink) @ 3:10 pm
Friday – Floor Hockey (Blue Gym) @ 2:34pm with Mr. Bartz
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Our first OPAC Meeting (that is the Ottoson Parent Advisory Council or OMS PTO) will be held this Thursday, 9/17/09, at the Ottoson Media Center from 7 - 8:30pm.
Ottoson parent advisory council meetings are somewhat different than elementary school pto meetings in that they are more of an open forum for parents to gather, get an update from and then have a dialogue with the Principal.
SO - please come to our first meeting this Thursday, meet other parents and get your questions asked and answered!
You will have the opportunity to meet, greet and hear from our new Principal, Tim Ruggere.
The agenda will also include:
An AEC (Arlington Enrichment Collaborative) after-school program overview by Executive Director Diana Weisner
OPAC Updates
Refreshments!
Due to scheduling conflicts, the Fall Open House has been changed to Tuesday, September 29th, 7-9pm.
FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is an exciting and fun global robotics program that ignites an enthusiasm for discovery, science, and technology in kids ages 9 to 14.
On Arlington’s FLL team, with the help of the Coach and mentors, up to 10 students in Grades 5 through 8 will:
Welcome back to a new year at Ottoson Middle School. We hope to publish this year's directory asap. In order to do that, please enter your information online at https://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/ptodirectory. If you have entered your info in the past, you should review your family information. You MUST update your child's grade for this year -- that's how we know to include you for this year. If you have trouble logging in, try the password help link on the lower right portion of the page. If that doesn't work, email Josh Lobel jlobel@rcn.com. If you can't register online, you will find a paper form in your class assignment letter. Please send this to the Ottoson Office marked OPAC Directory.
When you register, you will be added to the school sponsored OttosonParents@arlington.k12.ma.us email list which is used for Ottoson announcements. There are other lists for grade and clusters, which you are also enrolled in when you update your child's information.
There is also a yahoo discussion list which you may subscribe to. This list is appropriate for conversations initiated by parents. To subscribe, send a msg to: ArlingtonMiddleSchool-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
School is almost upon us. Suggested school supplies are available by clicking here.
Most 5th graders had a chance to visit the Ottoson this spring with their classes. If they missed that chance, or would like to see the school one more time, the following dates have been set aside for tours of the building. This is also a chance for parents to visit.
The following dates have been set aside for tours of the building:
Thursday, July 23, 2009 or Wednesday, August 19, 2009 – the tour will last one hour and will begin at 9:30 a.m. You and your child will see the cafeteria, media center, classrooms, gymnasiums, family and consumer science rooms, technology rooms, etc. Any questions you may have will be answered at that time. If medical, grades or enrollment papers need to be dropped off, please use this date to do so.
We look forward to meeting with you on one of the above dates.
Good afternoon Ottoson Families: Report cards will be mailed home next week (week of 6/29).
Summer reading: Posted on the website are the summer reading assignments for our incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students, as well as our students who will be attending Arlington High School next year. They are:
6th grade: Choose one (1) of the following books to read:
Good morning Ottoson Families. Another dreary, drizzly day. The up side is that the weather has not dampened our end of the year activities, and the building has been cool, unlike last June. Thank you for your patience as we moved events around due to the weather. Dismissal is at 12 noon today, with no lunch served.
Dr. Malone Neville
The Field Trip to Canobie Lake Park is on. It will only be canceled if the park itself closes. Please dress appropriately for the weather.
Due to the weather forecast, the 610's & 640's have cancelled their field trip for tomorrow Friday 6/19.
Congratulations to the 8th Graders! The 8th Grade Recognition Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, June 17th. Student dropoff is at 6pm. The ceremony will start at 6:30, and run roughly an hour. After the ceremony, there is a party for the students, which will end promptly at 10pm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What should my child wear?
A: Students need to be dressed in "dressy casual" attire. We would prefer that there are no jeans, cut-offs, or T-shirts. Many students dress up and that is fine. Girls are welcome to wear spaghetti straps, which are normally not allowed at Ottoson.
Q: How many people can we bring to the recognition ceremony?
A: Due to limited seating, we can only accomodate 2-3 people per student.
Q: Who is invited and when is the party afterwards?
A: Only 8th grade students are invited to the party -- no other family members. The party is immediately following the ceremony until 10pm.
Q: Is there any reception following the ceremony?
A: Given the number of attendees, there is no venue that would hold all of the guests, so there is no general reception.
Q: That must take a lot of work -- how can I help?
A: We could definitely use your help for decorating, setup and cleanup. Please contact Diane Gordon at dgordon@enterprisemobile.com
Good morning Ottoson Families:
Canobie:Because of weather and other factors, we have changed the field trip schedule for this and next week. The 620s will go to Ogunquit on Monday, June 15 instead of Thursday, June 11. The 630s will got to Ogunquit on Monday, June 15 instead of Friday, June 12. The 6th grade will go to Canobie Lake on Tuesday, June 16 rather than Friday, June 19. We have made this change because Canobie Lake contacted us regarding a large number of school groups scheduled there for Friday, June 19. Our 7th and 8th grade students will go to Canobie Lake on Friday, June 19 as previously planned. And, finally, the 610s and 640s will be at Spy Pond on Friday, June 19. If these changes affect whether or not your student may participate in any of these activities, please let your student's homeroom teacher know. We will refund money already paid if your student is not able to participate on the new date.
Survey on drugs/alcohol: Please take a few minutes to take the drug/alcohol survey sent to you last week. I've resent it (this is the link (http://online.pridesurveys.com, but code and password is in separate email. Call the office if you did not receive that information via email).
Summer school: Letters have been sent to parents of students who are in danger of failing English and/or mathematics. It is strongly recommended that those students attend summer school. APS does not offer a summer school program. Summer school programs are available locally at Minuteman, Matignon, and Belmont Hill. Please contact your student's guidance counselor (6th grade--Ms. Ress, Ms. Simmons; 7th grade--Mr. Silverman; 8th grade--Ms. Farrar; METCO--Mr. Colosi) if you have any questions regarding summer school programs.
Books and materials: We are eager to collect all books and materials belonging to OMS. Library books and texts are costly. Please help us help our students take responsibility for returning books and materials entrusted to them this year.
School attendance: If your student will not be attending Arlington Public Schools next year, please contact Caryn Gillis (781-316-3744). We will need you to sign a "release of information" form so that school records may be forwarded to your student's prospective school.
Exams: World language and cluster subject exams are taking place this week.
The end of the year is a stressful time for all--so much to do as the school year draws to a close. This is an especially difficult time for students who, although they may complain about school, find the structure and routine of a school schedule comforting. Most of our students look forward to coming to school each day and being with their peers. Some are already feeling loss in anticipation of being separated from friends and acqaintances during the next two months. For our 8th grade students, not knowing what to expect in a new environment is unsettling. You know your student best. Asking your student how she/he feels about the school year ending can't hurt and may help your student unload some stress.
Dr. Malone Neville
Good afternoon Ottoson Families
Budget: Tonight at a special session the School Committee will again discuss the FY10 proposed budget at 7:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room at AHS.
Trip to NYC: Teachers, parents and students who participated in "School Daze" and "High School Musical" enjoyed the trip to NYC this past Saturday.
Congratulations: Our Concert Band and String Orchestra both won Gold Medals at the Great East Festival last Friday!! Comments from the judges included "I couldn't believe that this was a middle school group--they sounded so professional."
And belated congratulations to our Cheerleading Squad -- the 2009 National Champions at JAMFEST. The Squad includes Jeena C., KC C., Haley C., Cassandra C., Julie D., Anna G., Madison H., Kaitlynn I., Christina K., Sarah K., Kristine K., Amanda M., Alexa M., Kate M., Tara S., Kaleigh T., and Marissa T. Please stop by to see the very impressive trophy in the main office.
Dance Group: A new dance group including high school and middle school students met for the first time last week. It will meet again this Thursday, June 4 right after school in the Wood Gym.
Character Fair: We've had a great time meeting and talking with 8th grade students in costume. Tomorrow, all 8th graders will wear their costumes as they participate in the culminating activity of the biography project. This is a huge amount of work for students and teachers (parents too, I suspect), but it is an excellent way of keeping focus as we approach the end of the year. I'm looking forward to the Character Parade tomorrow afternoon and the gathering in the cafeteria of all of our students as their characters.
Upcoming field trips: MIT (820s) June 5; Maine (620s) June 11; Maine (630s) June 12; Blue Hills Reservation (760s) June 12; Spy Pond (610s and 640s) June 15. Please remind your students who will be outdoors--hats, sensible shoes, and sunblock.
Food Pantry: The bins will remain in the main office until the last day of school. Please continue to donate what you can. Each donation, no matter how much or how little of non-perishable food will be used and appreciated.
LINKS: Students who participated in the LINKS program were recognized for their service to the community on Monday at a very nice breakfast organized by Dennis Mercurio. We will make this program available again next fall to all 7th grade students who wish to volunteer.
Big tent: The tent for the festival at St. Athanasius is up in the church parking lot. I've asked students not to cross through the parking lot and appreciate your patience with a difficult parking situation at OMS.
We appreciate this cooler weather and hope that it continues through the next two weeks. . .
Dr. Malone Neville
Good afternoon Ottoson Families. Last night the School Committee voted a bottom-line FY10 budget of $38,430,596. This budget will go to town meeting June 8. If this budget number is approved, we will not have to make any more reductions than the Tier 1 and Tier 2 reductions already presented to the School Committee, a 2.0 FTE reduction at Ottoson. The School Committee has not voted to accept those reducations, so there still will be discussion about all the reductions proposed thus far (Tiers 1, 2, 3, and 4) at a special School Committee meeting scheduled for June 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Flu update: The number of absences today is lower than yesterday. For the most recent information, please view the district website here
Dr. Malone Neville
The district English department has begun creating summer reading lists. Please click here to view them.
Good afternoon Ottoson Families:
There is a public hearing on the FY10 school budget tonight from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the School Committee Room at Arlington High School. In the Tier 1 budget reduction proposal already presented to the school committee, OMS will lose 2.0 FTEs. Should it be necessary to reduce the proposed budget further, OMS will lose another 1.35 FTEs. With an enrollment increasing steadily over the next 6 years, it will become increasingly difficult to support a full middle school program. Please follow the school budget process carefully.
Congratulations to all students whose sculptures and drawings are displayed in the front hallway, art hallway and media center, and to all of our students who performed so well last Thursday in the Spring Concert. Special thanks to the students who took the risk of performing solo--Morihisa N., Bart B., Samuel W-H, Samuel M-D, Christopher C., Bennett P., Savannah H-F., Julia B., Amelia R., Christina T.,Aly A., Shannon H., Lindy M., Olivia B., Cassidy B., Alex M., Ellie B., Karl Z., Will L., Yoko N., Olivia V-S., Robert L., Yama I., Connie R., Eric C., Sally C., Laura Q., and Sylvia R. Art teachers Brian Corey and Alecia Serafini and music teachers Cori Gaffney, Greg Condakes, Susan London, Paula Demetrio, Jing-Huey Wei, Cheryl Cristo, and Tino D'Agostino do an outstanding job of working with our students. Many thanks also to Laura Pritchard, Fine Arts Director, and all of our parent volunteers (especially Chris Doyle, Ethel Doyle, and Cindy Stinson). It has been a wonderful gift to sing with the 7th and 8th grade chorus the past two years (and with the 6th grade students when they joined us in the Winter and Spring Concerts).
Congratulations to Lindy M. in the 610 cluster whose name was inadvertently left off the list of winning Math Fair Projects. Lindy's project was Soccer Math Around the World.
Flu: We had a larger than usual number of absences today. If your student has flu-like symptoms, please keep her/him home for 5 to 7 days and be in touch with your physician.
Summer school: If your child receives a D or F for the year, especially in English or mathematics, summer school is strongly recommended. I will be sending home a letter to parents if a student is in danger of failing a core course for the year. You should already have heard from your student's teacher.
LINKS recognition: Next Monday, June 1, students who participated in the LINKS program will be recognized. LINKS is a community-based program that pairs middle school students with residents in the community who need assistance with household chores. Dennis Mercurio has shared with me some of the wonderful comments residents have made about our students. I will pass them along to you in next week's update.
Please return Canobie permission slips at your earliest convenience.
The St. Athanasius parking lot will be closed from June 1 until the festival tent comes down the following week. Parking is always a problem in the OMS neighborhood. Please continue to be careful of students on foot when dropping off and picking up your student.
Books: The Media Center is seeking overdue books and materials. Please ask your student if she/he owes anything to the media center. A room search wouldn't hurt. . .
Lunch: If you owe on a lunch account, please settle asap so that food services may close its books by the end of June.
Right after we got the tomatoes, eggplant, broccoli, lettuce, onions, and cucumbers in the ground, we heard that there was a frost warning in VT for last night. The farmers around us warn "don't plant until Memorial Day" and we always follow that advice. We hope our little plants survive. We'll wait a week or so to put in the green beans, squash, and pumpkins. The rhubarb looks great, and the blueberries (both high and low bush) are coming in strong. Too soon to know about the apples, although we had a huge crop last fall. People have been asking, "what will you be doing after you retire again?" There's always plenty to do on the farm. . .
Dr. Malone Neville
Dear Ottoson Families. Click here to find a letter from the Superintendent on H1N1 Flu. Please remind your students to continue to wash their hands and to stay home if they are ill. If you have any questions, please contact me or Pat Hassett, our school nurse. Dr. Malone Neville
Good afternoon Ottoson Families: We have almost reached the end of the MCAS May testing period. One exam, session 2 of the 8th grade Science/Engineering exam will be held tomorrow morning. Make-up sessions will be held Friday and early next week. Our students have approached the tests with a seriousness of purpose that is commendable. Preliminary results will be sent to OMS at the end of August. You will receive individual student reports next fall. I encourage you to go online after you receive the indivdual student report to compare your student's answers with the test questions. The value of MCAS is to measure the progress of individual students, cohorts of students, and the efficacy of the curriculum frameworks.
Spring Art Show/ Concert: Please join us tomorrow, Thursday, May 21, for the Spring Art Show and Concert. The exhibit in the main lobby will open at 6 p.m. The concert begins at 7 p.m. in the Wood Gym.
Memorial Day: The Ottoson community will observe Memorial Day on Friday, May 22 at a special memorial ceremony at 1 p.m. in the Wood Gym. During this ceremony, we will be joined by veterans from Arlington. Many thanks to Mr. Martinez who has organized this ceremony for the past several years, and to all the students and faculty who will be participating.
5th Grade Parents: There will be a breakfast at OMS on Thursday, May 28 at 8 :15 a.m. for parents of current 5th grade students who have individual educational plans.
Message from Food Services: Beginning Tuesday, May 26 students will no longer be able to charge food to their accounts. Food services staff is trying to collect money owed to date. Students have been informed as they go through the check-out line, and there are signs posted at the registers. If a student does not have money for lunch, she/he will still be given a lunch of a cheese sandwich, fruit, and milk. If you have any questions, please contact Denise Boucher at 781-316-3543.
Pennies For Peace: Wow. OMS collected $538.12 in pennies. This money will be used to build schools and buy school supplies in Afganistan. Many thanks to Ms. Keyes for organizing this effort and congratulations to the 640s cluster who contributed the most pennies.
May 15: You may have noticed that flags were at half staff last week. President Obama declared May 15 as Peace Officers' Memorial Day.
Memorial Day: School will close at the end of the day Friday, May 22 and will reopen Tuesday morning, May 26. Please ask your students to tell you about the special Memorial Day program on Friday. The Memorial Day weekend unofficially marks the beginning of the summer season. We hope that you all have a wonderful weekend!!
Dr. Malone Neville
Good morning Ottoson Families:
Thank you for noticing that the end of last week's update was cut off. The APS email system "times out" rather quickly. While I was attaching the info regarding the flu, my message "timed out" and I did not realize that. I left off telling you that the revised June calendar would be posted on the website. It is. We moved events back to accommodate additionalal instruction days in June due to "snow days" this past winter.
MCAS: Testing has begun. 6th grade students sat for Math yesterday and today; 7th and 8th grade students will sit for Math session 1 tomorrow (Thursday, May 14). Next week's testing schedule is: Tuesday, May 19th, 7th and 8th grade Math session 2 (calculators needed); Wednesday, May 20, 8th grade Science session 1; Thursday, May 21, 8th grade Science session 2. The MCAS schedule is posted on the website. Please note that 7th and 8th grade students need to bring calculators to school on Tuesday, May 19.
Congratulations: The following students in the 610 cluster received National Mythology Exam awards; Gold medals--Jimmy B., Julia B., and Yana G; Silver Medal--Aidan O.; Bronze Medals--Ellie C., Dan K., Hannah L., and Olivia W.
Math Fair: Twenty-eight OMS students presented 15 Math Fair projects at Arlington High School on May 7. Each group presented its project to two judges. There were over 150 projects entered and 16 were chosen as winners. There were to be only two middle school projects chosen as winners, but the judges couldn't decide on two and finally chose three! The winning projects are: Porter Square Math (Claudia P. and Katerina G. 620s); Fractals (Samantha F. and Julia H. 610s); Dragon of Ignorance (Kai S. 610s). Honorable Mention: Superman Math (Emma S. and Sarah W. 610s); Soccer Math Around the World (610s), Pythagorean Theorem (Svilen K. and Dan C. 640s; Bridge Problem, Andrew L. 640s). Winning projects will be displayed with projects from five other participating towns at the Waltham Museum of Industry on Saturday, June 13, from noon to 3 p.m.
Sister City: Julie Dunn writes "Two students from Nagaokakyo, Arlington's Japanese Sister City, will be studying at AHS in 2009-2010 for their junior year. They are both alumnae of the Sister City middle school trip to Arlington, and they had such a great experience thaat they decided to apply to come for the school year. Particularly this month, when Arlington has just hosted this year's middle school visitors, it is exciting to learn about students who are inspired to come back for a school year. Now that we know these two students are coming, we are beginning the process of identifying host families. If you are curious to learn more about this hosting opportunity, please let me know. I would love to talk to you about it and share with you more details about the exchange program. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, with no obligation! This is an exchange program run by the Arlington Public Schools and our Sister City of Nagaokakyo." Please contact Julie Dunn at 781-316-3522 or jdunn@arlington.k12.ma.us. On April 27, students, teachers and the Mayor of Nagaokakyo visited Ottoson. It was a wonderful day for our visitors and well as our students and faculty.
Food Pantry: Collections for the Food Pantry for the month of May are from the 610s and 620s clusters. Food donations from all OMS families are welcome at any time. Bins for food donations are in the main lobby.
Final Call for Ordering Yearbooks: Yearbooks may be purchased until Friday, May 15 at 3 p.m. Please send in to Ms. Byrne in the main office an envelope with $12 cash or a check made out to Ottoson Middle School. On the front of the envelope, please put your student's name, cluster and homeroome teachers, as well as your name. The yearbook advisors will be calling the publisher on Friday with the final order.
Flu: Please check the APS website for updated information. Hand sanitizing dispensers were installed last week in the cafeteria and Clorox wipes are available in the office. Many thanks to parents who have sent in wipes for classroom use.
OPAC: An OPAC meeting is scheduled for May 19 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Many thanks to OPAC for the wonderful Teacher Appreciation Luncheon we enjoyed on May 6.
Art Show/Concert: On Thursday, May 21, please join us for our Spring Art Show (beginning at 6 p.m.) and Spring Concert (beginning at 7 p.m. in the Wood Gym). The Art Show and Concert are opportunities for us to share with you and the greater Arlington community work in the arts our students and teachers have been doing for the past few months.
Library BooksAs we come to the end of another year, it's time to start rounding up books that are overdue from the Media Center. Your child will be reminded if they have books overdue -- please help by checking to make sure that all books are returned in the next couple of weeks.
As we approach the end of the school year, please talk with your student about the importance of working until all academic obligations are completed. There are so many distractions this time of year that it is difficult for young adolescents to stay focused on school work. A good strong finish to the academic year is as important as a strong beginning. We will be sending home information about summer programs available to students who may not do as well as we expect them to. Although APS does not offer "summer school," summer courses are available locally at Minuteman, Belmont Hill, and Matignon.
Dr. Malone Neville
|
5/12
– 6TH Grade Math Session 1
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5/13
- 6th Grade Math Session 2 |
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5/14
– 7th & 8th Grade Math Session 1 |
5/15
& 5/18 – Make-ups Gr. 6, 7 & 8 |
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5/19
– 7th & 8th
Grade Math Session 2 |
5/22
– 7th & 8th Gr. Make-ups All Sessions |
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5/26
– 7th & 8th Gr. Make-ups All Sessions |
|
Good afternoon Ottoson Families:
Attached please find a letter from me regarding the flu outbreak as well as information about the flu in several languages.
Letter from Superintendent
Public Health Letters:
English
Chinese
Spanish
Students are, understandably, concerned. On Friday, I spoke with students on the pa reminding them of precautions to take in terms of hand washing and staying home if they feel sick. If your student becomes ill with the flu, please be in touch with Ms. Hassett, our school nurse.
Fire drill: We had a fire drill this morning. All students and faculty were out of the building in an orderly fashion in 2 minutes.
Peer Leaders: Peer Leaders from Arlington High School are meeting with 6th grade students this week. The Peer Leaders are trained to work with younger students in helping them understand how to make good choices around alcohol use.
Remote Control: 8th grade students will participate in a program tomorrow afternoon on building healthy relationships. This program is sponsored by the Health, Wellness, and Physical Education department and supports ongoing curricular work in this area.
MCAS: MCAS testing in math grades 6, 7, and 8 and science in grade 8 only will begin next week. Please see the OMS website for the specific schedule. The best preparation for MCAS is a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast!
Robbins Library: The Teen Advisory Group will meet Thursday, May 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. Robbins is looking for teen volunteers to help adults learn the ins and outs of their cell phones on Thursday, May 21 from 3:45 to 5 p.m.
Confidentiality of student records: As a result of my email to you last week regarding the gun replica at school, I got many emails. A gun replica is not an operable firearm, but is an exact model of a real firearm. Arlington Police determined that what we found was a replica. Using established policies of Arlington Public Schools and the Arlington Police, we responded to the incident. Several parents have asked for more specific information regarding the incident and the students involved. However, I am able to share with you all only that appropriate disciplinary action is being taken by Arlington Public Schools and Arlington Police.
School Calendar: We are revising the school calendar to reflect the snow days. Click here for the month of June. The website calendar has also been updated.
Good afternoon Ottoson Families.
Tomorrow night (April 30) is Exploration Night from 7 to 9 p.m.. Parents and students from our incoming 6th grade class (current 5th grade students) are invited to join parents and students of our current 6th and 7th grade classes to visit our "out of cluster" classrooms.
Safety helmets: We encourage our students who ride bicycles and skateboards or rollerskate to school to wear helmets. Please make sure that your student has a helmet.
Sun Safety: Tomorrow during 7th period, 7th grade students will attend a program sponored by Mt. Auburn Hospital on "Sun Safety."
Remote Control: On May 5, 8th grade students will attend a program on building healthy interpersonal relationships.
End of the Year: We are working on the calendar for the end of the year. The last day of school is Monday, June 22. Dismissal will be at 12:30 p.m. The moving on ceremony for 8th grade students is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17 from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. followed by a party for 8th grade students that will end at 10 p.m.
Please consult the APS website for information regarding the recent flu outbreak. I will be sending home information from the health department as soon as I receive it.
Just returned from a study tour of Greece with my graduate class at Brandeis. Had 178 emails in my box since April 18. Am getting caught up. If interested, please go to teachgreece.org to learn more about the Greek studies program at Brandeis for teachers. I will get back to all who have emailed or called since April 17 as quickly as I can.
Dr. Malone Neville
Good afternoon Ottoson Families: Report cards for 3rd term will be going home with students on Thursday, April 16. Please sign the report card and return it via your student to the homeroom teacher. When the homeroom teacher receives the signed report card, she/he will send home a "parent copy" with your student.
Concert: The All-Town String Concert will take place tonight at 7 p.m. in the Red Gym at Arlington High School. It will be a spectacular concert!
Code meetings: We are meeting with all students this week to review expectations for academics and conduct printed in the front of the agenda book. It would be great if you could take a few minutes to review those expectations with your student. We expect all students to work hard through the end of the year and to meet all academic obligations. We want our students to make good choices when faced with challenging situations. We want our students to respect one another and our building. I think that our students are pretty clear on questions of apparel--no short shorts/skirts, low cut tank tops, shirts with inappropriate language or logos. . . Regarding flip-flops--they are not safe footwear at OMS because they do not provide stability on our rubber floors and stairways--not banned but not recommended.
MCAS: The March testing period is over. Students did a great job of coming to school prepared to do their best. We will soon be posting on the web site the May testing schedule.
Parking lot: The Church parking lot will be off limits this week as it is Holy Week and there are many events planned at St. Athanasius, our good neighbor.
Visitors from Nagaokakyo, Japan: We are honored to host students and teachers from our sister city Nagaokakyo, Japan on Monday, April 27. A welcoming ceremony will take place at 8:15 a.m. in the Media Center. Students and teachers from Nagaokakyo will spend the day visiting classes and meeting with students and teachers at Ottoson.
Driveway: Please remember that the driveway is off limits to all in the morning at arrival and in the afternoon at dismissal. A bus needs to pick up a student at dismissal. If your child is injured and needs to be picked up at the front door, please see the crossing guard for permission to come up the driveway.
"Family Guy": This tv program popular with teens has a down side. If your student watches this program, could you watch it with her/him and help her/him process the content? Some violent and/or provocative dialogue from "Family Guy" has made its way into school.
Spring break begins at the close of school on Friday, April 17. School reopens Monday, April 27. It was a long winter. The yellowing of forsythia, blooming of andromeda, crocus, daffodils, tulips, and bluebells, and the chirping of peepers remind us that spring really is here. We hope that you enjoy some "family time" in the days ahead and send best wishes to our neighbors who will be celebrating Easter this coming Sunday.
Dr. Malone Neville
There are two concerts coming up in May. On May 6th, there will be a combined 5th/6th Grade concert at the Ottoson in the Wood Gym (7pm). On May 21st, the Spring Concert and Art Show will be held. This concert features the 6th Grade Chorus, 7th/8th Grade Chorus, Select Chorus, Orchestra, Band, Jazz Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra.
For more info on times and dress attire, click here.
Good morning Ottoson Families. We were experiencing email problems yesterday, but I think the problem has been fixed. It's amazing to me how much we rely on email. . .
MCAS: 6th grade students began MCAS testing today. As I walked around the 6th grade hallways this morning, students seemed prepared and eager to get going.
Pennies for Peace: Ottoson is collecting pennies for the Pennies for Peace Program. Funds raised help build and support schools in remote areas of Pakistan and Afganistan. Check under your sofa cushions or on the car floor--collection containers are in the social studies classrooms until April 30.
School Council: OMS School Council meets today at 3:50 p.m. in the faculty dining room. Topics under discussion include the FY10 budget, space at OMS, continuing efforts towards a "green" environment.
Food Pantry: For the month of April, the clusters participating in the food drive are the 630s and 640s. All donations from other clusters are also welcome. Collection bins are located in the main lobby. There is no season for addressing hunger. OMS is making a difference in the lives of our neighbors.
Sponsor a Book: Many thanks to everyone who has participated in the "Sponsor a Book for the Media Center" effort. The donation is $15. For more details, please contact Mike Carta or Edith Moisand in the Media Center.
Congratuations: To the 7th and 8th grade chorus for its Silver Medal this past weekend in the MICCA competition!!
To the OMS students who represented Arlington at the Model UN in New York this past weekend (Rita K, Louise T., Chloe S., Isabel V., Molly R., Robert H., Matt O., Jeremy N-B., Kirby S., Danny W., and Tano M.)
To the 6th grade students whose projects won First Place and Honorable Mention in the Math Fair, held Friday, March 27: 610s First Place -- Emma S. and Sarah W (Superman Math), Kai S. (Dragon of Ignorance), Phoebe H. and Aidan O. (Eat Your Weight in Chocolate), Lindy M. (Soccer Math Around the World), Julia H. and Samantha F. (Fractals); 610s Honorable Mention--Yana G. and Olivia W (Konigsberg Bridge Problem), Julia B., Rosella A., Ellie C (Chocolate Math), Erik Z. and James B. (School's Out Math), Kate C. and Ruth F. (Basketballs in Space), Elizabeth F, Kelsie S., Abby J., (Mail Math); 620s First Place (Ruby K. (Step by Step), Matt D. and Diego O. (Potato Ballistics Lab), Katarina G. and Caludia P. (Porter Square Math), Emma H. and Sopia R. (Incredible Journey), Eliza B. (M & M Math); 620s Honorable Mention--Abby G (Oreos v. Generic Oreos), Amanda N, Lexie T., Talia S. (Lucky Charms Math), Eli R. (Earth Math), Anna G, Maeve M., Haley H. (Purple Gorilla Math), Gus C., (How Long Does it Take?), Will H., Olivia B., Kaavya S.; 640s First Place--Xavier L, Teo B., Evan D. (Cicada Math), Keith R, Rahul S., Will D. (Prime Number Sieves) Jack L-P, Andrew Clarke, Lukas S. (King Kong Math), Andrew L. (Bridge Problem), Svilen K and Dan C. (Pythagorean Theorem); 640s Honorable Mention--Roxanne V., Renee H.,and Melanie D. (Skittle Probability), Isaac C. and Chris L. (Bridge Problem), Molly R. Maya FB, and Haley C. (M & M Probability), Amelia S. and Marybeth C. (Mathematics and Simple Origami), Will P., Sam B., and Michael H. (Pool Table Geometry).
Judges looked at 130 math projects and chose five projects from each cluster as First Place winners. The fifteen First Place winners will attend the Arlington High School Math Fair on Thursday, May 7 to compete at the 6th grade level. Winning projects from the AHS Math Fair will be displayed in June at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation located in Waltham, MA. As you can see by the titles of the projects, there was much creativity and challenge in these projects. Congratulation to all students and their teachers.
Exploration Evening: All parents and students are invited to attend Exploration Evening at OMS from 7 to 9 p.m. on April 30.
5th grade visits: 5th grade students and teachers will be visiting OMS in the morning next week.
Reminder: There is no school on Friday, April 10. Best wishes to all of our families who are celebrating Passover and Easter this week.
Dr. Malone Neville
Good afternoon Ottoson Families. We have just about completed our first day of MCAS testing. Congratulations to our 7th grade students who approached the long-composition challenge with seriousness of purpose! Please remind your student to get a good night's sleep and to eat breakfast on testing days. The schedule for MCAS testing is posted on the website.
8th grade parent meeting: 8th grade parents of students with ieps who could not join Mr. Skidmore and me this morning for breakfast are invited to the OMS media center tonight at 7 p.m.
Dance: A school dance will take place at OMS this Friday, April 3 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets will be on sale on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week after school in the cafeteria. The cost is $5.00. Pizza and drinks are included in the price of the ticket. Students may not arrive late or leave early unless accompanied by an adult. Please be on time to pick up your student(s). The weather forecast is for rain. We will provide spaces by grade level for raingear.
Robbins Library Teen Advisory Group: The Robbins Teen Advisory Group will meet this Thursday, April 2 from 7 to 8:15 a.m. in the Robbins Community Room. Teens interested should register at the Robbins Library Reference Desk. For information, please email ecanniff@minlib.net or call 781-316-3226.
Reminder: The intersection of Benjamin and Quincy Street is very dangerous. Please make sure that you pull to the right on either side of the road and let your child off on the sidewalk side so that your child may walk to the crosswalk to cross.
MCAS math prep: Classes for selected 6th grade students began this week; classes for selected 8th grade students will begin next week.
Reminder: If a student misses school for any reason, that student is expected to make up missed work. Parents have the right to take a child out of school for any reason. In the case of a planned vacation, please know that that decision may place a burden on a child because of missed instruction and a number of assignments due.
The Trivia Bee was great fun. Although both OMS teams ("Otters"--Meghan Branco, Lisa Smith, Jessica Keweshan and "Stingers"--Julie McDaniel, Chris Mahoney, and Judy Malone Neville) did not make the final round, we made a good showing and raised money for AEEF. We are grateful to AEEF for the grant we received this year to create an outdoor mural at OMS. The mural group is hard at work. More later.
Dr. Malone Neville
Good morning Ottoson Families. The Open House for parents of incoming 6th and 7th grade students (present 5th and 6th grade students) is Thursday, March 26 from 7 to 9 p.m. Parents of incoming 6th graders will meet in the Wood Gym, and parents of incoming 7th graders will meet in the cafeteria.
We had a compulsory fire drill today. It was chilly. The fire department let us right back into the building as soon as everyone was safely outside. We were all out of the building in 3 minutes.
MCAS begins next week. Please see the schedule published on the website. The best preparation is a good night's sleep and breakfast.
There will be an all school dance on Friday, April 3 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Please note that we end the dance by grade level, letting the 6th graders go first so that we don't have a crush of students all trying to exit at the same time.
The Robbins Library has some interesting programs for teens--a photography exhibit, teen night at the Fox, a Teen Advisory Group, and an open mic night. Please check the Robbins website for details.
The National Spanish Exam for 8th grade students will take place on April 8.
Parents of 8th grade students who have individual educational plans are invited to Ottoson to meet with Mr. Skidmore and special education staff from AHS at on Tuesday, March 31 at either a breakfast meeting at 8:15 a.m. or an evening meeting at 7 p.m.
Dr. Malone Neville
The schedule for MCAS and other assorted testing may be obtained by clicking here.
The first MCAS test will be on March 31st.
Please try to get a good night's sleep before the exams and relax.
Our terrific Media Center is seeking new books for their collection. Reading is at the core of so much learning, and a modern collection is a key motivator.
There are several ways that you can add to the collection. 1) contribute books -- they can either be added directly to the collection, or swapped for other needed titles. 2) search our wishlist at Amazon, and make purchases from there. You can go directly to the Amazon link by clicking here. If you would like directions on how this process works, click here.
We appreciate your generosity!
The Ottoson Spring Open House will be held on Thursday, March 26th from 7-9pm. This event is for parents of current 5th and 6th graders.
For more information for 5th grade parents, please click here.
For more information for 6th grade parents, please click here.
Good morning Ottoson Families:
Reminder for 8th grade parents that tonight at AHS Principal Charles Skidmore and the Department Chairs will be presenting an overview of the 9th grade program from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Parent Forum: "From Binge to Blackout; a mother and son struggle with teen drinking" by Chris Volkmann and Toren Volkmann on Thursday, March 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Town Hall.
Congratulations to cast, crew, director, choreographer, fine arts coordinator, and all the wonderful parents who assisted in the production of "High School Musical." Over 125 students participated in the musical, sharing with their peers and the larger community their energy, enthusiasm, commitment, and talent.
Congratulations also to the following students who received a Cerificate of Merit in the Mathematics League Competition: Garbis K., Lucas M., Robert H., Nathan L., Laura Q., Harry R., Sam WH, Michael P., Alexander Y., Morgan J., Isaac C., Aaron S., Yana G., Charles H., Tim C., Arthur M., and Ben C.
We are exciting Adam T. will be representing OMS in the Massachusetts State Geography Bee in April.
Spring Open House for parents of current 5th, 6th grade students will take place on Thursday, March 26 at 7 p.m. 5th grade parents will be in the Wood Gym, 6th grade parents in the cafeteria. The program will include an overview of next year's program and an opportunity for questions.
MCAS dates: March 31, 7th grade ELA Composition; April 1, 7th and 8th grade ELA session 1; April 2, 7th and 8th grade ELA Session 2/3;April 3, 7th/8th Make up Sessions 1-3; April 6, 7th/8th grade Make up session 1-3; April 7, 7th grade ELA Composition make-up and 6th grade Session 1; April 8, 6th grade ELA session 2/3; April 9, 6th grade Make up session 1-3; April 13, 6th grade make up sessions 1-3. This schedule is posted in block form on the OMS website.
An OPAC-sponsored team from OMS will be competing in the AEEF fundraising Trivia Bee on Sunday, March 29 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Town Hall. Come cheer us on!!
The OMS library has launched a campaign to increase our collection. If you are interested in purchasing a book to be donated to the library in your name (or the name of someone else you would like to recognize) please see the link on the OMS website (link coming soon!). There will be a library donation table in the lobby during Open House on March 26.
5-2-1: The 5-2-1 fitness program at OMS will be offering a host of free after-school activities this spring. Every Tuesday and Thursday there will be badminton and on Wednesday there will be Dance, Dance, Revolution, Play Station 2 Bikes, Zumba, Latin Dance, Jump Rope and Hula Hoops. On Friday, there will be wiffleball and floor hockey. Softball will be offered after spring break. Supervisors of 5-2-1 are our physical education teachers, Ms. Martorana, Mr. Cummings, and Mr Bartholomew. 5-2-1 stands for 5 fruits and vegetables daily, no more than 2 hours of electronics daily, and one hour of exercise daily. 5-2-1 begins right after school and ends at 3:49. All equipment is provided. Please encourage your student to join in.
Spring is finally here!! Please encourage your child to walk to and from school. . .
Dr. Malone Neville
(This is an additional update from our Principal):
Tickets for "High School Musical" are $10 and will be sold in school during lunch.
The Media Center is launching a fund-raising program selling books at a discount to be donated to the Media Center in the name of the family purchasing the book. There will be a Media Center table at the entrance to Wood Gym. Each book will be sold for $15. There is a wide assortment of topics. Although we have a solid collection of books and videos, we remain below the state average for middle schools (OMS average of books per students, 18.6; state average of books per student, 24). We are significantly below average in technology (VHS, DVD and CD players, smart boards, LCD projectors, laptops). We are grateful in advance for your generosity as we seek to expand our collection.
Good morning Ottoson Families: What a cruel blow yesterday, after a weekend of warm temps and blue skies--a dark morning full of wild weather.
High School Musical: The show has come together and will be presented Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Wood Gym. Scenes from the musical will be performed in school on Thursday (7th grade and 2 6th grade clusters) and Friday morning (8th grade and 2 6th grade clusters) during second period. So much hard work has gone into this production. More than 100 students and several parents have worked with Ms. Kilgore during the past weeks. "We are all in this together" ( a line from the show).
8th grade: Teacher recommendation forms will go home with students on March 17. We will be sending home a flyer on March 12 reminding parents of the meeting on March 18 at Arlington High School with Principal Charles Skidmore and the department chairs.
Community Forum: The Arlington Youth Health and Safety Coalition will present a forum "From Binge to Blackout: A mother and Son Struggle with Teen Drinking" featuring co-authors Chris Volkmann and Toren Volkmann on Thursday, March 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Arlington Town Hall. The Volkmanns will be meeting with 8th graders last period on March 19. It is never too early to talk with your child about alcohol and drugs.
All Town Band Concert: The concert will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 19 at Ottoson in the Wood Gym.
Absences: Please remember to call in the morning if your student is absent from school. Those phone calls save time for our busy secretaries. Generally, students who are absent from school are not able to participate in after-school activities. Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis after a conversation with Mr. Gonsalves, Ms. Branco, or me.
Dr. Malone Neville
Good afternoon Ottoson Families:
We have reached the mid point of term 3. Progress reports will be going home through next week. During Term 3, progress reports are sent when students are missing work or not doing as well as expected on assessments.
Murals: There is a wonderful display of murals in the front lobby. Students from Ottoson and Arlington High School collaborated at the Art Center. Ottoson students include: Hannah L., Ben G. (Follow the Butterfly); Adam H., Abigail F. (Ambigious); Kate B, Connor D. (A Better World); Xavier L., Madeline G. (Hope to Change); and Shaira A, Olivia M. (Color My World). The murals are pictorial statements about the world as students see it.
Food Pantry: In March, food pantry donations will be collected from students and families in the 750s and 760s. Many thanks to the 770s and 800s for their contributions to the food pantry during the month of February.
Parent survey: Beginning tomorrow, March 5, there will be a link on the Arlington Public Schools website to a survey for parents where parents may choose whether they prefer a before or after Labor Day start to the 2009-2010 school year. Results of this survey will be reported to School Committee at its meeting on Tuesday, March 10.
MCAS: The window for MCAS testing in English/Language Arts at grades 6, 7, and 8 is March 31 to April 3. A specific schedule will be posted on the OMS website.
March 18: Reminder that there will be a meeting for parents of our present 8th grade students at Arlington High School on March 18. Principal Charles Skidmore and the department chairs will present an overview of the 9th grade program and will answer any questions you may have. A flyer will be sent home with students (look for a blue sheet of paper). Parents will receive course recommendation sheets before the March 18 meeting.
Parent workshop: On Monday, March 9, Dr. Lisa Machoian, author of The Disappearing Girl; Learning the Lanugage of Teenage Depression, will present a forum, Girls: The 21st Century Rollercoaster. The forum will take place at the Stratton School Cafetorium from 7 to 9 p.m.
Driveway: Please remember that at dismissal the driveway in front of the main entrance is off limits to all except parents picking up students who are ill or temporarily incapacitated. The bus that needs to pick up students at 2:30 p.m. has been blocked.
It's hard to believe that we will be moving our clocks to daylight savings time! I'm enjoying the daylight in the morning when I leave for work. The cardinal who lives in a big maple across the street is also enjoying the morning sunlight and starts my day off with a song. Spring is coming. . .
Dr. Malone Neville
The following is a forum that has been added to the Parent Forums sponsored by the school department. The forum will be on Monday, March 9th 7-9pm, at the Stratton School.
The 21st century brings both opportunity and challenge for girls. Girls contend with various pressures and these pressures can create stress, which girls may not always know how to manage. They worry about how they look, what to wear, fitting in with friends and being popular. There are peer pressures, school pressures, and sexual pressures occurring for girls at younger and younger ages. Inclusion and exclusion amongst girls and girls being mean to one another are ongoing issues. The Internet provides a way for girls to communicate but has become a tool in which girls hurt one another. This talk will provide valuable insight into the many stressors facing girls today as well as strategies for adults to help girls cope and develop strength and resilience.
Dr. Lisa Machoian, Ed.M., Ed.D., a Harvard trained developmental psychologist and psychotherapist and author of The Disappearing Girl: Learning the Language of Teenage Depression, is a national expert on child and adolescent mental health. She was on the faculty at Harvard University Graduate School of Education where she taught courses on risk and resilience in girls’ and boys’ psychosocial development. She lectures and conducts workshops locally and nationally on girls’ development, child and adolescent development and consults to schools, organizations and parents. She has appeared on television and radio and has been interviewed for Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, and Family Circle magazines as well as many newspapers. Dr. Machoian is on the expert panel for the Beacon Street Girls/B’tween Productions Book Series and for Parenting Teens Online where she answers questions from parents. She has a private practice in Wellesley, Massachusetts. She holds a doctorate and master’s degree from Harvard University and lives in Cambridge.
The AYHSC 3rd Annual Community Forum will be held on
Thursday, March 19th, from 7-9pm at the Arlington Town Hall. The
Community Forum, featuring a presentation by Chris and Toren Volkmann,
mother/son co-authors of the acclaimed book From Binge to Blackout: A
Mother and Son Struggle with Teen Drinking.
For more information about
the Community Forum, or for information about the Arlington Youth Health
and Safety Coalition, visit arlingtonma.gov/ayhsc.
(The following is a statement issued by Interim Supt Kathy Bodie):
I am pleased to announce that Timothy Ruggere, currently the Principal of Dedham Middle School, has agreed to serve as our next Principal of Ottoson Middle School. Tim is presently enrolled in a doctoral program at Northeastern University. He holds a C.A.G.S degree in Educational Leadership from Cambridge College and an Ed.M. in reading from Boston University. I believe that Tim’s experience, demonstrated leadership, enthusiasm, and energy will serve our middle school and district well in the years ahead.
We were fortunate to have three excellent candidates for the position, all of whom would have been good choices, which made the decision difficult. We thank Mr. Grubb and Mr. Edwards for sharing with us their ideas and time over the last few weeks.
Thank you also to the Search Committee, chaired by Charlie Skidmore, for its excellent work.
Disney’s High School Musical, a popular teenage movie that has been adapted into a powerful musical play with lively songs and dances will be presented at the Ottoson Middle School on Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13 at 7:30 pm in the Upper Gym. Come see the story of Troy and Gabriella unfold as they search together to find their own voices.
The plot centers around the relationship between Gabriella Montez, a brainy but shy new girl, and Troy Bolton, the star of the school’s basketball team, who both want to break free from the limitations and pressures their friends and family members place upon their choices. When they decide to audition for East High School’s spring musical, their friends concoct a scheme designed to keep them focused instead on winning the basketball championship and the science decathlon exclusively. After the plan leaves both Gabriella and Troy devastated, their friends realize that their scheme was selfish, and they all work together to help them attend all three events. In essence, the whole school comes together as winners, and the kids learn valuable lessons about mutual respect, about the importance of following one’s dreams, and about supporting one another’s choices, because “we are all in this together.”
Tickets are $10.00 and can be purchased at the door one-half hour before the performance.
Arlington Public Schools will be closed on Monday, March 2nd, 2009 due to the impending snowstorm.
An open house hosted by Principal Charles Skidmore and the department heads,will be held at Arlington High School on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The program will include the presentation of the 9th grade curriculum and the opportunity to ask questions. Course registration sheets are ready for distritubution to the OMS faculty.
After teachers make recommendations for course placement, students will select electives and the registration forms will be sent home with students so that you may review them. I will let you know when we have established a due date for the return of the registration forms. Please note that the date and time of the open house are posted on the APS website by clicking here.
Dr. Malone Neville
Good morning Ottoson Families. Tomorrow students will be participating in the National Math Exam. Please remind your student to bring a calculator to school.
Principal Finalist Candidates: Today, Tim Ruggere, Principal of the Dedham Middle School, will be visiting Ottoson. Mr. Ruggere will meet with parents this evening from 7 to 8 in the OMS media Center. On Thursday, February 26, Jacob Edwards, Assistant Principal, O'Maley Middle School in Gloucester, MA will be visiting Ottoson. Mr. Edwards will meet with parents Thursday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. in the media center.
OPAC meeting: There is an OPAC meeting on Wednesday, February 27 from 7 to 8:30 in the media center. This meeting will focus on after-school options for middle school students. Leaders of the following after-school programs will present their programs: OMS AM/PM program, Arlington Enrichment Collaborative (Kim Holt); Minuteman Regional HS (Maria Gonzalez); Arlington Center for the Arts (Adria Arch); Robbins Library Program (Liza Halley).
A message from AEC (Arlington Enrichment Collaborative): "Under the governor's new budget, and have not already receiving voucher-paid after school care at the end of June will not be able to get a voucher, despite changed circumstances, the one exception being if they enter DCF care. If you believe that your child will qualify for a voucher, please apply for one immediately." If you have questions about this process, please contact Kim Holt at kim@arlingtonenrichment.org.
The Children’s Room, 1210 Massachusetts Avenue, is hosting tours on Thursday, February 26 at 12 noon, Wednesday, March 4, 6 p.m., and Thursday, March 12, 12 noon. The Children’s Room provides peer support groups for children ages 3 to 18 who have experienced the death of a parent or sibling. If you are interested in taking of a tour of this wonderful resource for Arlington families, please RSVP to info@childrensroom.org.
Recently faculty members at OMS took part in a presentation by Mount Auburn Hospital on Sun Safety Awareness, sponsored by a grant from the Sanborn Foundation. We learned many important facts that we will pass on to our students: cover up when your shadow is shorter than you are; wear a hat and sunglasses; use sunscreen (SPF 30 blocks out 97% UVB rays); never use tanning beds; anyone can get skin cancer.
The Housing Corporation of Arlington (HCA) is currently accepting applications for 1,2,3,and 4 bedroom waiting list. For more information, please contact HCA at 781-316-3606 or jain@housingcorparlington.org or visit www.housingcorparlington.org.
I will be sending a separate email to 8th grade parents this week with more information about AHS transition.
The pace of schools picks up from now to June. Stay in touch. . .
Dr. Malone Neville
The OMS Lost and Found will be cleaned out on Friday 2/13. We have attempted to reunite students with all items that have names on or in them. Any items left at the end of the day on Friday will be donated to the Fox library. Please ask your student to check the Lost and Found and we invite parents in as well. The Lost and Found is located in the front lobby.
Good afternoon Ottoson Families: 8th grade students will be visiting Arlington High School this week, according to the following schedule--820s, Tuesday, February 10; 810s, Wednesday, February 11; 800s, Thursday, February 12. Students will travel with their teachers by bus to AHS. They should bring or buy their lunch in the cafeteria, and they will be dismissed from AHS at 2:30 p.m. Students received the 2009-2010 program of studies last Friday and will be receiving course recommendation/selection forms. As soon as I know the date of the informational meeting for parents, I will let you know.
Principal Search: The Principal Search Committee has selected three finalist candidates who will be visiting Arlington:
| Wednesday, February 11 | William F. Grubb, Assistant Principal at the Chenery Middle School in Belmont. |
| Monday, February 23 | Timithy R. Ruggere, Principal of the Dedham Middle School in Dedham |
| Thursday, February 26 | Jacob S. Edwards, Assistant Principal, O'Maley Middle School, Gloucester |
Good afternoon Ottoson Families. Report cards were distributed in homeroom today (Friday, 2/6) at the end of 7th period. Also distributed today to 8th grade students only is the AHS Program of Studies booklet. Please sit down with your 8th grader to look at the POS before she/he visits AHS next week. The next step in transition to high school is that 8th grade teachers will be making recommendations for 9th grade placement and students will be choosing elective courses. Course recommendation forms will be brought home after the February break for your input.
Have a nice weekend. We hear the temp is going up a bit!
Dr. Malone Neville
Good afternoon Ottoson Families. We had the report cards for Term 2 printed and all ready to send home today (Wednesday, 2/4) when we discovered that while the grades for Term 2 are correct, the comments on the report cards are not (the comments are the same as the comments for Term 1).
We will not distribute the report cards until they are correct. The verification sheets were correct. We cannot explain why Term 1 comments printed instead of Term 2, but we have people working on the issue and will get the report cards out as soon as we are able. Thank you in advance for your patience.
Dr. Malone Neville
Good morning Ottoson Families. As you know, today is an early release day. Students will be dismissed at 1 p.m. Lunch will be served in school. Faculty will be discussing strategies for students with specific learning disabilities. Faculty members will be presenting best practices and we will be joined by Else Abele, a retired speech pathologist from Boston University and faculty member in the Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate Program of Antioch College. Today's program is a follow-up to the November 4 professional day focused on executive functioning.
NAEP: The National Assessment of Educational Progress will be administered to selected 8th grade students (parents of those students have already been informed) tomorrow morning, February 4. A good night's sleep and breakfast are the only ways to prepare for this national assessment.
GRADE: 7th grade students are taking the GRADE reading assessment this week.
Report Cards: Please look for 2nd term report cards tomorrow, February 4.
Transition to 9th grade: 8th grade students will be visiting AHS next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday by cluster--February 10, 820 cluster; February 11, 810 cluster; February 12, 800 cluster. Buses will pick up students at Ottoson at 11:15 a.m. Students will be welcomed in the Auditorium where they will get an overview of the 9th grade program. Following lunch in the AHS cafeteria (students may buy or bring lunch), students will have a tour of the school. Students will be dismissed from AHS at 2:26 p.m. Please arrange with your student for transportation home from AHS. Students will not be returning to Ottoson.
National Shadow Day: Yesterday was national shadow day. Several students from AHS came to Ottoson to "shadow" teachers. I was fortunate to have Stephanie and Kelsey for the day, two juniors who did a terrific job of visiting classes and talking with students. They had great questions for Mr. Gonsalves, Ms. Branco and me about administration.
Food Pantry: February's clusters for food pantry collection are the 770s and 800s. Information regarding donations can be found on the OMS website. Many thanks to all for your help with this project.
6th grade tubing trip: Amesbury Sports Park staff told our faculty that our 6th grade students were the best group they've ever had. Teachers observed students helping one another, listening to and carefully following directions from the Sports Park staff, waiting patiently in line, and enjoying themselves. Many thanks to Kelly O'Keefe for making arrangements and to all the teachers and parents who worked hard to make this event possible.
Welcome: We welcome two new members of the music department to OMS. Laura Burgess is replacing Ms. Wei, strings instructor, while she is on maternity leave. Susan London will be working half-time (Wednesdays and Fridays) with Cori Gaffney. Ms. London comes to us from the Lexington Public Schools.
As I'm writing, the flakes are falling, again. The groundhog saw what????
Dr. Malone Neville
Please click here for important information about schedule and attire for this week's chorus concert.
SEPAC (Special Ed Parent Advisory Council) Workshop
AN IEP FOR MY CHILD
Federation for Children with Special Needs
Thurs. Feb. 12, 7:00 - 9:00p.m.
Peirce School Media Room,
85 Park Ave. Ext., Arlington MA
An IEP for My Child: Every child with a disability who receives special education services must have an Individual Education Program. This workshop takes parents step-by-step through the development of the IEP including how to articulate a Vision, using evaluations to write annual measurable goals and how to measure their child’s progress. Workshop materials are also available in Spanish. Please RSVP to the ArlingtonSepac@yahoo.com, to ensure a copy of the handouts.
Parent networking begins at 6:30. All are invited to this open meeting. For information about the Arlington Special Education Parent Advisory Council, visit our website at:
www.arlington.k12.ma.us/SEPAC.
Good afternoon Ottoson Families. A good time was had by all at the dance last Friday night. Many thanks to our faculty who chaperoned and served hundreds of slices of pizza.
6th grade tubing trip: Some parents have questioned the release form required by Amesbury Sports Park. The Amesbury Sports Park requires that all individuals sign a Release/Waiver of Liability/Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement prior to being permitted to enter any of its restricted areas to either observe or participate in its snow tubing activities. The general purpose of such a document is an attempt to eliminate any and all potential claims against the Amesbury Sports Park for personal injuries (including death), loss or damage sustained by the participants while engaged in or observing that activity. It is therefore imperative that any parent who contemplates signing this release on behalf of their child read this document very carefully, be sure that they understand what they are signing, and be aware of the legal rights that they are waiving and the risks that are being assumed. We ask that parents also sign the standard field trip permission slip of the Arlington Public Schools.
8th grade Recognition meeting: There will be an 8th grade recognition planning meeting on Thursday, January 29 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the home of Diane Gordon and Ben Rudnick, 39 Bartlett Avenue.
Food Pantry: Students in the 810s and 820s are asked to donate items to the Food Pantry during the month of January. Information about the items needed and a donation schedule can be found on the OMS website.
SOAR: signups for SOAR activities are over. SOAR will begin this Thursday, January 29 during 7th period.
NAEP: a cohort of randomly selected 8th grade students will be participating in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on Wednesday morning, February 4. This 90 minute test in reading, mathematics, or science is known as The Nation's Report Card. The results are completely confidential. NAEP has been given by the U.S. Department of Education for the past 40 years as a way of assessing what American students know and can do in key subject areas. OMS is one of 7,500 middle schools nationwide to be selected to take the NAEP this year.
An Evening of Song: OMS Grade 6 Chorus, Grade 7 & 8 Chorus, the OMS Select Chorus, AHS Mixed Chorus, Women's Choir, and the Madrigal Singers will perform on Wednesday, February 4 (snow date February 5) at 7 p.m. in the Lowe Auditorium at Arlington High School. Admission is free!! What a wonderful way to spend a winter night.
Report cards: Please look for your student's second term report card at the beginning of next week.
Again, there are predictions of storms this week. Please pay attention to tv and radio news or consult the APS website for information regarding school cancellation or delays. And, as usual, help us keep our students healthy by having them dress for the weather. . .
Dr. Malone Neville
Good afternoon Ottoson Families. We've had a busy day today. . .assemblies this morning observing the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the inauguration ceremony at mid-day, and 8th grade sign-ups for SOAR during the last period.
Parent meetings: the OPAC meeting scheduled for tonight has been cancelled. There is a Parent Education Forum tonight in the OMS cafeteria from 7 to 9 p.m. Dr. Ned Hallowell will discuss the focus of his most recent book, CrazyBusy: Overbooked, Overstretched, and about to Snap. In this book, Dr. Hallowell explores how the pace of modern life has induced brain overload to the point where our entire society is suffering from culturally-induced ADD. He will also present the basic ABC's of ADD. Dr. Hallowell is a child and adult psychiatrist, director of the Hallowell Center in Sudbury, and a member of the Harvard Medical School faculty from 1983 to 2003 when he retired from academia to devote his full professional attention to his clinical practice.
Three more Parent Education Forums are scheduled:
February 5, March 9, and March 19.
Term 3 begins on Monday, January 26.
Tomorrow, January 21, 7th grade students will hear a presentation by Cara Filler on peer pressure and avoiding negative risks. Ms. Filler, a nationally acclaimed speaker, is sponsored by the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Coalition Grant, of which Arlington Public Schools is a recipient. For information about Ms. Filler, please visit her website at carafiller.com.
Dance: There will be an all-school dance on Friday, January 23 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. Tickets are $5. Tickets will be on sale in the cafeteria during lunch on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. No tickets will be sold at the door. The dance is open only to OMS students.
5-2-1 Activities:
Next in the series of Parent Forums hosted by the school department:
For parents of children, grades k-12.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 7 – 9:00 PM
Ottoson Middle School, Cafetorium
Dr. Hallowell will discuss the focus of his most recent book, CrazyBusy: Overbooked, Overstretched, and about to Snap. In it he explores how the pace of modern life has induced brain overload to the point where our entire society is suffering from culturally-induced ADD. He will also present the basic ABC’s of ADD. His insight into how to unsnarl frenzied lives and take charge of how we really want to be living provides true inspiration to us all.
Presenter: Edward (Ned) Hallowell, M.D., a child and adult psychiatrist and graduate of Harvard College and Tulane Medical School, is the director of The Hallowell Center in Sudbury, Massachusetts. He was a member of the Harvard Medical School faculty from 1983 until he retired from academics in 2003 to devote his full professional attention to his clinical practice, lectures, and the writing of books. He has authored fourteen books on various psychological topics, including attention deficit disorder, the power of the human connection, the childhood roots of happiness in life, methods of forgiving others, dealing with worry, and managing excessive busyness.
There is a link below which shows all of the events in this year's series of forums.
Posted at the request of:
Cindy Bouvier
Director of Health, Wellness and Counseling
There will be an Ottoson School Dance on Friday 1/23 from 6:30 – 9:30 pm. Tickets will go on sale next week. Days and place of ticket sales TBA, cost of the dance is $5.00
Good afternoon Ottoson Families. Tomorrow students will be dismissed at 1 p.m. so that teachers may participate in professional development activities Lunch will be served in school.
OPAC meeting cancelled: The OPAC meeting scheduled for January 20 is cancelled. The next meeting wil be on Wednesday, February 25 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Faculty Dining Room. Many thanks to all families who have paid dues and made contributions to OPAC. All dues and contributions support students and programs at Ottoson.
GRADE testing: The GRADE reading test will be administered to 8th grade students on January 13 (800s), January 15 (820s), and January 16 (810s).
Arlington Food Pantry: Collection bins for the Arlilngton Food Pantry are cleary labeled and located in the front lobby. There is a great need to keep the local shelves stocked well.
MLK observation: On Tuesday, January 20 there will be two programs at Ottoson in observation of The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. During the first period, 7th and 8th grade students will be in the wood gym participating in a program including song, video, and speaker (Ed Rogers and Bill Miller who will speak about their experiences in the Civil Rights Movement). The 6th grade will participate in a similar program in the media center during third period (630's and 640's) and fourth period (610s and 620s). Parents are invited to attend.
Inauguration: We will be using our video monitors on January 20 to view the Presidential Inauguration.
Special Olympics: Special Olympics is looking for volunteers of all ages. If you and/or your student are interested, please go to http://www.specialolympicsma.org/winter.php
High School Musical: Rehearsals are underway for the musical (performance dates are March 12 and 13). The schedule for rehearsals is posted each Monday.
The end of the second term is Friday, January 23. Please ask your student if she/he is up to date on work due this term. If you have any questions, please contact your student's teacher(s).
Dance: There will be a dance at OMS from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, January 23. The cost is $5 per ticket. Details about ticket purchases will be announced in school.
"Egypt Lady": 6th grade students will hear about the wonders of Egypt this Friday, January 16. Many thanks to OPAC for making this program possible.
Winter weather: I think we are in for some challenging weather during the next few weeks. Please encourage your student to dress appropriately for cold weather.
Parking: Our crossing guard has asked me to remind you not to park on the left hand side of Acton Street while waiting for your student.
Dr. Malone Neville
Due to the fact that we chose inauguration night for our January meeting, we have chosen to cancel the OPAC meeting.
The next meeting of OPAC will be on 2/25 - Weds. - 7-8:30.>br>
- Cindy Starks and Sandy Stergiou, OPAC Co-presidents
With the economic downturn, the Arlington Food Pantry is challenged to keep up with demand. OPAC is organizing the Ottoson community to help with this important need.
For more information about the kinds of items needed, and how to contribute, click here. Thank you.
Ottoson Middle School Wrestling – for 6th, 7th & 8th Graders Every Tuesday & Thursday from 5:00 – 6:30 in the “Pit” gym located at Arlington High School.
The Season will run from January Through February Vacation, 2009.
All Equipment will be supplied
Last year, Brian Corey and David Moore (AHS) received Massachusetts Cultural Council Fellowships in Painting. Only nine artists out of 527 applicants received this prestigious statewide award. They will be attending the Biennial Commonwealth Awards on January 13 at the Massachusetts State House. The Arlington "School News" and the Advocate (next week) will describe their recent accomplishments and include links to their professional websites and Fellowship webpages. Congratulations again to both!
Mr. Corey's recent accomplishments include:
Good morning Ottoson Families. Getting to school this morning was a challenge for all of us, but we are here, picking up where we left off before the break. As you know, weather in New England can be unpredictable, and the geography around OMS makes arrival and dismissal times tricky even in sunny, clear weather. Again, I ask that you take great care in dropping off and picking up your student. This morning we extended homeroom and did not mark any students tardy who arrived late.
Principal Search: Superintendent Kathy Bodie has scheduled a meeting regarding the Princiapl Search Committee with OMS parents this coming Thursday, January 8 from 6 to 7 p.m. in the media center. Please come to find out the time line for the search and to give your input about this process.
SOAR: We will be offering SOAR activities to students beginning during the third marking period, beginning January 29. A list of activities will be distributed to students who will choose what they'd like to do during 7th period on Thursdays.
5-2-1 activities: wrestling with Mr. Cummings on Tuesdays from 5-6:30 p.m. in the "Pit" at Arlington High School; rollerblading on Wednesdays in the Blue Gym from 2:34-3:49 p.m. with Ms. Martorana; and floor hockey in the Blue Gym on Fridays from 2:34-3:49 p.m. with Mr. Bartholomew. All equipment is provided and there is no cost.
The boy's and girls' basketball teams' schedules are in place. Our first home game is this coming Thursday Jan. 8 against Weston. Go teams!
The second marking period ends on January 25--still plenty of time for students to improve academic performance. Please continue to have those conversations about school with your students. They need to know what your expectations are. . .
Happy New Year!!
Dr. Malone Neville
The boys and girls book groups, run by Kim Holt of Arlington Enrichment Collaborative, will be starting again. For more information, please click here.
January 8, 2009, 6:00 - 7:00pm at Ottoson Middle School
A Middle School Parent Forum has been scheduled for Thursday
evening, January 8th, from 6:00 - 7:00pm at the Ottoson Middle
School in the Media Center to discuss qualifications for the next
Middle School Principal.
January 13, 2009, 9:00 – 10:00am at Arlington High School
For those who are unable to attend the January 8th meeting, an
additional forum has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 13th, from
9:00 – 10:00am in the School Committee Room at Arlington High
School.
Good morning Ottoson Families. Thank you all for your flexibility for the past few school dayss--early dismissals and late arrivals are hard on a family's routine.
Civil Rights History Tour: 8th grade students from Ottoson are invited to join AHS on its third Civil Rights History tour of Atlanta, Birmingham and Montgomery. The tour dates are May 22-26. Some highlights include visiting the The Rev. Martin Luther King Center for Non-Violent Social Change and Martin Luther King's childhood home, 16th Street Baptist Church and the site of the Birmingham Children's March, Rosa Parks Museum and Alabama State House as well as may othe sites such as the Georgia Aquarium, CNN Center, and Centennial Park. The cost includes airfare, hotel accommodations, two meals per day, entrance fees, pribate coach bus, overnight security and full-time tour director. For the complete itinerary, please see Mr. Colosi or got to www.smithsonianstudenttravel.com and enter tour number 528652.
From the nurses: "Thanks to the many parents who have called to let us know that their children have been diagnosed with strep, stomach viruses and pneumonia. All of these illnesses are prevalent in the building, along with colds and the flu. As always, thorough hand washingis the key to preventing the spread of these infections. Please encourage your children to wash their hands frequently, use tissues if they are sneezing, and cough into the crook of their elbows. Several parents have also notified us that they have treated their children for head lice. Your child may return to school as soon as he/she has been treated and his/her hair has been combed to remove lice and nits. If your child has had head lice we encourage you to notify the parents of your child's close friends so that they may check their children. Manual removal is the key to treating this very common nuisance among school age children. Please call us at 781-316-3745 x2107 if you have any questions or concerns, or need more information about treating lice."
The 810 cluster is going to the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester on January 9. Should there be a weather related problem, we will let you know.
The Boys and Girls Book Groups will meet in January (Girls' Book Group on the first Wednesday of the month--Jan.7 and Boys' Book Group on the third Wednesday of the month--Jan 21). Students are asked to get their own copy of the book, to go to the media center for a copy of they don't own one, to bring their lunch, to check in with their 5th period teacher ahead of time, and to remain in Book Group for the entire 5th period. The Girls' Group is reading An Na's A Step from Heaven and the Boys' Book Group is reading Airborne by Kenneth Oppel. If you have questions please contact Kim Holt at
kim@arlingtonenrichment.org.
Unless your child is on crutches, please do not drive into the driveway in front of the school to drop off or pick up. It is way too dangerous to have cars and students in the driveway. We have one bus that picks up students in front of the school at 2:30 p.m. It is far safer (and more convenient for you) to park in a designated spot away from the school and ask your child to meet you there.
Sidewalks, crosswalks, and roads are slick.
School will reopen Monday morning, January 5, 2009.
From all of us at Ottoson, we wish you happy holidays and a new year full of good things. . .
Dr. Malone Neville
When the schools have a change in their schedule -- delayed opening, cancellation, or early release, they notify the media.
Some stations, like wcvb, will send you an automatic email or phone text alert letting you know of the schedule change.
To sign up, visit http://www.thebostonchannel.com/closings/index.html
Interim Supt Kathy Bodie has just released this announcement:
Recent weather reports indicate a significant snowstorm will arrive in our area some time during mid-day tomorrow, Friday, December 19th.
Due to concerns about the reported severity of the storm and the safety of our students and staff, the Arlington Public Schools will dismiss students and staff at 11:15 a.m. No lunch will be served.
For information about after-school programs, parents should contact their after-school providers. Thank you.
Good morning Ottoson Families.
Congratulations to Mr. Condakes, Ms. Gaffney, Ms. Cristo, Ms. Wei, Ms. Demetrio, and Mr. D'Agostino and all our students who performed last Thursday in the winter concert. Thank you to Mr. Singer and Mr. Sylva who accompanied the chorus. I think that you will agree that the performances were excellent!!
Congratulations also to Mr. Corey and Ms. Serafini and all of our students who are displaying their wonderful work in the the Art Show, ongoing in the main lobby.
Try-outs for the spring musical are being held this week. The musical is scheduled for March 12 and 13 and promises to be a big production involving many students.
This week, ELL classes will be visiting the Museum of Fine Arts, the 760's cluster will be at the Museum of Science, and Odds Bodkin will be performing at OMS. Many thanks to OPAC for making Odds Bodkin's performance possible.
AEEF grant: We are very excited to have received a grant from the Arlington Educational Enrichment Fund to create a mural for the outside of the school! Mr. Corey, Ms. Serafini and students will be working on this project this year.
Please be in touch with your student's teacher(s) if you have questions regarding a mid-term progress report that your student may have received this past week.
OPAC is meeting tonight at 7 p.m. in the faculty dining room.
On Monday, January 19, 2009 there will be an observance in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Town Hall at 7:30 p.m. Professor Hassel McClellan, Associate Professor of Statistics and Management at Boston College is the guest speaker. Tapas begins at 6 p.m. Participants are asked to bring finger food or dessert to serve six.
Middle school principal search: Kathy Bodie has posted on the website an invitation to those interested in serving on the middle school principal search committee. If interested, please send a letter of interest to Superintendent Kathy Bodie c/o Arlington Public Schools, PO Box 167, Arlington 02476 or email a letter of interest to Judi Chebator at jchebator@arlington.k12.ma.us by December 23. The committee will be meeting several evenings in January, the dates to be decided.
School will close at the end of the school day on Tuesday, December 23 and will reopen on Monday morning, January 5.
Dr. Malone Neville
Ottoson Announces Auditions for Musical
This year's musical at Ottoson will be either Disney's High School Musical or Fiddler on the Roof Jr., depending upon the results of auditions. The play will be presented on Thursday, March 12th and Friday, March 13th at 7:30 pm. Auditions are open to 6th, 7th and 8th graders.
The schedule for auditions is as follows:
If there are any questions, please see Ms. Kilgore in Rm. 233.
Good afternoon Ottoson Families. It was nice to see so many 8th grade parents at the Medieval Fair last Wednesday morning. The projects were very well done--and each was unique. Congratulations to all our students and to their teachers. Many thanks especially to Ms. Keyes, Ms. Conroy, and Mr. Sundstrom.
On Wednesday, December 3 students will be dismissed at 11:45 a.m. No breakfast or lunch will be served that day. Remaining conference days are December 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. (regular school day) and December12 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. (students will be dimissed at 11:45 a.m. and no breakfast or lunch will be served).
The winter concert and art exhibit will be on December 11. The art exhibit opens at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. in the Wood Gym.
Reminder: A community discussion on bullying sponsored by the Arlington Human Rights Commission will take place on Wednesday, December 3 from 7 to 9 p.m in the Community Room of the Robbins Library. Representatives from elementary, middle and high schools are panel members and will lead a discussion on how home and school can address bullying.
Please check the lost and found in the main lobby for items that may belong to your family.
December 10 is the mid point of the second term.
We welcome Helen Wiseman to Ottoson. Ms. Wiseman will be teaching 7th grade English in the Language-Based Program.
We were all a little drowsy today-- there must be some truth to the "turkey syndrome."
Dr. Malone Neville
Attention all 6th grade chorus members:
There will be a rehearsal and sound check in the wood gym on Thursday, December 4 immediately after school. The rehearsal will last approximately one hour, ending at 3:30 pm.
Attendance is mandatory.
Good morning Ottoson Families. Tomorrow students will be dismissed at noon (12 p.m.). No breakfast or lunch will be served in school. School will be closed at noon tomorrow and reopen on Monday, December 1.
We are looking for Arlington families who will partner with Boston families. If you would like more information, please go to the METCO link on the APS website or contact Mr. Colosi at 781-316-3745 x 1509.
Over 70 Thanksgiving boxes were collected for area families. Many thanks to Ms. Dolan and Ms. Packer for organizing this project.
Let's hope that tomorrow is a better day for our Medieval Festival. Today's rain could ruin our student's good work. Eighth grade parents are invited to wander through the castles, cathedrals, mosques, and villages in the cafeteria between 9 and 11 a.m.
On Wednesday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m. the Arlington Human Rights Commission will present a community dialogue on bullying in the Community Room at the Robbins Library. Patrick Lareau of the Massachusetts Aggression-Reduction Center at Bridgewater State College will be presenting, along with Cindy Bouvier, Director of Health, Wellness and Counseling for APS, Brian Gallagher, Resource Officer for APS, Molly Simmons, Guidance Counselor and Health teacher at OMS, Sherri Donovan, Principal, and Siobhan Foley, 3rd grade teacher at Thompson Elementary School. Questions may be addressed to the Human Rights Commission at 781-316-3250.
A word from the guidance office: If your child is applying to private school, you may ask your child's guidance counselor or any of her/his teachers to write a recommendation. Transcripts will be prepared by your child's guidance counselor.
Even in these uncertain economic times, we have much to be thankful for. From all of us at OMS, best wishes for a good Thanksgiving with family and friends.
Dr. Malone Neville
Greetings, Ottoson Grade 8 Parents!
On Wednesday, November 26, eighth grade students will be presenting their medieval building models in the Ottoson cafeteria. You're all invited to visit and view the finished products. Students have been working hard to create models of castles, religious buildings, and manor farms. It's always a wonderful day seeing all of the projects gathered together.
Parents are welcome to view the building models from 9-11 a.m. Please remember to check in at the main office and get a visitor badge. This is an important safety precaution.
We anticipate close to 150 models will be on display. If you cannot attend on Wednesday, don't worry: buildings will be on display during parent-teacher conferences, in the Ottoson Media Center and throughout the building.
Thank you for all of your support during this project. We hope to see you there.
Mr. Sundstrom, Ms. Keyes, Ms. Conroy, Ms. Mason, and Ms. Mudd
Ottoson Grade 8 World History Teachers
Good afternoon Ottoson Families. This week is American Education Week. If you would like to drop by to visit a class, please call our main office 781-316-3744 and let us know which class you would like to visit.
Arlington will be celebrating a 25-year relationship with its sister city, Nagaokakyo, Japan in 2009. Students from OMS and AHS have an opportunity to visit Nagaokakyo from July 6-July 16, 2009. They will stay with host families and visit the city hall, schools, temples, shrines and surrounding cities of Kyoto and Osaka as representatives of the town of Arlington. This exchange is open to students grades 7 through 11. If you are interested in learning more about his wonderful opportunity, please contact Rieko Tanaka at riekopiano@gmail.com or School Committee member Sue Sheffler at ssheffler@aol.com.
The OMS lunchtime girls' and boys' book groups will be beginning soon. The girls' book group will meet on December 3 and will discuss A Step from Heaven by An Na. The OMS media center has several copies of the book. The boys' book group will meet on December 17 to discuss Airborn by Kenneth Oppel. Students are asked to bring a bag lunch. Sign-up procedures will be explained in the bulletin and morning announcements.
Dr. Malone Neville
Good afternoon Ottoson Families. We are still working on formatting the first term report cards. Report cards will be going home with students on Thursday, November 20.
Last Thursday was "mix-it-up day" at OMS. During lunch, the expectation was that students eat at tables according to the color of their clothing, not necessarily with their friends or usual lunch buddies. We plan to have more "mix-it-up" days as a way of meeting new classmates.
The one-act play School Daze will be performed at OMS on Thursday, November 20 and Friday, November 21 at 7:30pm. Tickets cost $5. We hope that you will join us. The play is a well-done snap shot of middle school life.
OPAC (Ottoson Parent Advisory Council) will meet tomorrow night from 7 to 8:30 p.m. All are welcome.
Conferences begin on November 24 (6-9 p.m.). If you have not already done so, please sign up electronically by going to the Ottoson link on the APS website (http://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/parentconferences). Conferences will also be held on December 3 (12:30-2:30 p.m.), December 10 (6-8 p.m.) and December 12 (12:30-2:30 p.m.).
Basketball try-outs for both girls' and boys' teams are ongoing. The league season begins on December 18.
Several homerooms are assembling Thanksgiving baskets for local families. If you are interested in making a donation of non-perishable food items or a gift certificate to Stop & Shop, please stop by the office with your donation by Friday, November 21.
When you receive your student's report card, please sit down with her/him to discuss her/his first term work. Report cards are only one measure of a student's development. If you have concerns, please contact your student's subject teacher and/or guidance counselor.
Dr. Malone Neville
Picture retake day is Thursday, November 20 at 8 a.m. Pre-paid envelopes are available in the main office.
Good morning Ottoson Families. Last week, we sent home with students a notice (half sheet, green paper) regarding parent conferences. Beginning Wednesday, November 12, 2008, at 9 a.m. you will be able to access the conference schedule on the district web site http://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/parentconferences). Directions for signing up are on the website. Conference dates are December 3 and December 12 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and November 24 and December 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. On December 3 and December 12, students will be dismissed at 11:45 a.m. and no lunch will be served in school on those days.
If you are interested in following up on the presentation on cyber-bullying that our 6th grade students attended, please go to the MARC website, http://webhost.bridgew.edu/parpub.html. The website contains links to free downloads for parents and upcoming conferences and events.
Our one-act play, "School Daze," will be presented on November 20 and 21 at 7 p.m.
Basketball tryouts for girls will be held this week, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 2:45-4 p.m. There will be an organizational meeting for the boys' basketball team on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.
Report cards will be going home the week of November 17.
Please remind your students to dress for the weather and to use crosswalks while walking to and from school.
Judy MN
Good afternoon Ottoson Families. The last day of the term is this Friday, November 7.
Parent conferences are scheduled for November 24 (6-8 p.m.), December 3 (12:30-2:30 p.m.), December 10 (6-8 p.m.), and December 12 (12:30-2:30 p.m.). Online registration will begin the week of November 10.
Tuesday, November 11 is Veterans Day. There will be no school that day.
OPAC is sending out the last call for the OMS directory. The directory is going to print at the end of this week. There are many families who have not yet registered. Please take a moment today to update your information https:www.arlington.k12.ma.us/ptodirectory If you are unable to register online, a paper form may be found here: https://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/ptodirectory/parentform.pdf.
A message from guidance: If your 8th grader is planning on applying to private school, please send application forms to Ms. Udovicki by the end of November.
From Minuteman Regional High School: "Minuteman Regional High School in Lexington is having its annual Community Open House on Sunday, November 16 from 12-3 p.m. Come learn about our Academic and Career Programs, view student demonstrations and displays, talk with Minuteman staff and parents. For more information, please call 781-861-6500 ext. 219 or visit our website at www.minuteman.org.
Staff and students from Minuteman will be visiting OMS on Thursday, November 6 to present a program to 8th grade students.
You may be interested in the results of the election held in school today.
For President--John McCain (175)
Barack Obama (853)
for Senator--John Kerry (868)
Jack Beatty (140)
Question 1--Yes (368)
No (624)
Question 3--Yes (745)
No (255).
We are so fortunate to have the right to vote. Please remember to vote tomorrow. . .
Dr. Malone Neville
Good morning Ottoson Families. By all accounts, last Friday's dance was a huge success. Many thanks to our OSAC students and advisors (Mr. Mahoney, Ms. Serafini, Ms Sundstrom) for planning and to many faculty members for chaperoning.
After a 34 year career as a social worker and guidance counselor in Arlington, Ed Rogers will be retiring on October 31. Mr. Rogers has been instrumental in providing social/emotional support to children and families and has been a resource for all of us who work children. We will miss him and wish him well.
The workshop for 6th grade students on "cyber-bullying" was well received. The presentation (by MARC--Mass Aggression Reduction Center-- at Bridgewater State College) was interactive, direct, and accessible to young adolescents. The roles of victim, bully, eggers-on, and bystanders were explored. Please talk with your 6th grade student about this presentation. One of the most interesting aspects of the workshop is that 3/4 of the students raised their hands when asked if they thought bullying incidents would be decreased if adults in their lives talked with them about bullying.
Reminder: November 7 is the last day of Term 1. Two weeks remain to get work completed and handed in.
Please check the "Lost and Found" in the main lobby.
There is no school for students next Tuesday, November 4. Secondary staff will be at AHS for professional development, while elementary staff will be at OMS. It is election day as well.
Park/Paul Revere/Wollaston is a dangerous intersection. If you live in that neighborhood, please remind your student that crossing at Park Ave and Paul Revere is not a preferred route to school. Students are asked to walk a block to Park Ave and Mass Ave or to Florence at Park to cross where there are traffic signals.
Ron Colosi our METCO counselor is gathering a group of parents who may be interested in joining a "host family" group. You may contact Mr. Colosi at rcolosi@arlington.k12.ma.us
Halloween is this Friday. We do not expect students to "dress up" for Halloween. In school, we will be reminding them about safety while trick or treating and about being good citizens of OMS in the community.
While driving to school one morning last week, I passed a flock of about 15 wild turkeys peacefully grazing on the lawn of the historical society in Belmont (across the street from town hall and the police station)--a reminder that we share our urban life with the birds and the beasts. . .
Dr. Malone Neville
Good morning Ottoson Families. The air has chilled. Please remind your student to dress for the weather.
The first Parent Education Forum is tonight (11/20)--Dallin School Gymnasium from 7 to 9 p.m. "Adolescence is Hard Work" presented by Dr. Michael Thompson. Looking ahead, the next forum for parents of middle school students is December 9 at AHS auditorium--"What's Going On with Substance Abuse and What is Arlington Doing About It?" Dr. Michael Furstenber will be the keynote speaker.
School dance, Friday, October 24 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at OMS. Tickets will be sold in school in advance for $5. Pizza, drinks, and snacks will be served.
Coats for Kids (all coats accepted) boxes are in the front lobby. OSAC is sponsoring this activity and appreciates your help.
The father of one of our students has deployed to Iraq. Having had this experience as a parent in the Gulf War when our son was deployed, I know how difficult a time this is for families. Please keep this dad and his son in mind.
Dr. Malone Neville
The Arlington Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) serves Arlington families and friends of children with special needs. Click here to see a brochure about them and the current year's calendar of activities.
Each year the school department sponsors an excellent series of Parent Forums. The complete list of forums may be found in this brochure.
Good afternoon Ottoson Families. This week we are having our annual "code meetings" with all students by grade level. In these meetings, we review expectations printed in the front of the agenda book. We would really appreciate your sitting down with your student(s) to review this information so that we have a common understanding of expectations and procedures at OMS.
Progress reports have gone home with students. Questions regarding student work should be addressed to your student's teacher. The term ends on November 7, still plenty of time for students to improve academic performance. Teachers are available to students after school. Please encourage your student to stay for extra help or just a conversation with her/his teachers.
Christine Carney has volunteered to coordinate Box Tops for Education. The goal for this year is to raise $1500 to purchase educational tools such as a laptop computer and LCD projector. Since September, our school has raised $485.55. Christine will be emailing you information about Boxtops for Education at OMS. You may click on btfe.com to learn more about the program.
Reminder: The Arlington Parent Forum is sponsoring “Adolescence is Hard Work” on October 20 at 7 p.m. in the Dallin School Gymnasium. Dr. Michael Thompson will speak on the five developmental challenges that every adolescent must meet. Dr. Thompson has written many articles and books, including Raising Cain; Best Friends/Worst Enemies; Mom, They’re Teasing Me; The Pressured Child; and It’s a Boy!
Next week Dennis Mercurio will speak briefly with 7th grade students about LINKS, a volunteer opportunity in Arlington that brings together adolescents with senior citizens and others in the community who may need assistance with household chores. Look for information (application and informational flyer) from your 7th grade student.
On October 23, Bridgewater State College will present a program on cyber-bullying to 6th grade students.
The first dance of the year will be held on October 24. Tickets are $5 and will be sold in school in advance. All OMS students (and only OMS students) are invited to attend. Specific information regarding ticket sales will be announced in school and printed in the daily bulletin.
Arlington is at the top of the list of communities that take walking seriously. The number of students who walk to school and parents who walk to work is impressive!!
Dr. Malone Neville
Good afternoon Ottoson Families. Please look for mid-term comments from teachers this week..
School Council will be meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
We have a complicated schedule this week. Yom Kippur will be observed from the evening of October 9 to the evening of October 10. Columbus Day will be celebrated on Monday, October 13. There is no school on Monday. On Tuesday, October 14, students will be dismissed at 1 p.m. so that teachers may participate in curriculum work. Lunch will be served before dismissal.
Please check the lost and found in the lobby. We do our best to reunite students with lost items when they are labelled.
OSAC is sponsoring the Coats for Kids Program. All adult and children's coats in good condition are accepted, with thanks.
Save the date--October 20 for the first in a series of parent forums "Adolescence is Hard Work." The presenter is Dr. Michael Thompson. More details to follow.
Have a restful and renewing long weekend!
Dr. Malone Neville
Good morning Ottoson Families. It was good to see so many families at Open House.
OSAC (our student government organization) is sponsoring our annual Coats For Kids Program. Coats of all sizes for children, adults, and babies that are in good condition are welcome. There are big, labeled boxes in the front lobby.
School Arrival: School begins at 8 a.m. We generally open the doors around 7:55 a.m. In bad weather (heavy rain, driving snow, very cold temperatures) we invite students into the front lobby around 7:30 a.m., as we did last Friday morning. Students who have an am/pm card may come into the building when they arrive and go directly to their activity. The am/pm program is self-supporting and pays for the supervision of that activity. By contract, teachers have time in the morning to prepare for the day and are not available for supervision of students who arrive before 8 a.m. From time to time, however, a teacher may ask a student to come to her/his classroom before school to make up a test or get extra help.
The mid-term period ends this Friday, October 3.
Many thanks to Mr. Carta and Ms. Moisand for arranging Jennifer Anne Kogler's visit to OMS last Friday. Ms. Kogler's presentation was perfect for a middle school audience. We are very fortunate to have had this opportunity to meet with a published author. Copies of The Otherworldlies are available in the library. The cost of the hardbound book is $14.00.
We are thinking of our families who are observing the holy days of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Ramadan.
Dr. Malone Neville
Call backs for one act play will be @ 2:30 today (9/26) in rm. 233
Jazz Ensemble auditions are going to be held on Sept 29 from 2:30 - 4 and all those interested in auditioning to please sign up on the sheet posted on the stage door, just outside of the wood gym.
Tuesday, September 23rd
Period 1: 810
Period 2: 800
Period 3: 820
Period 4: 750
Period 6: 760
Wednesday, September 24th
Period 1: 610
Period 2: 770
Period 3: 620
Period 4: 640
Period 5: Make-ups for grades 6, 7, and 8
Period 6: 630
Period 7: Make-ups for grades 6, 7, and 8
Good morning Ottoson Families. This is a busy week. We look forward to seeing you (parents, grandparents, guardians) at Open House on Thursday, September 25. You will be following your student's Monday schedule from 7 to 9 p.m. Teachers will present an overview of their curricular areas in 10 minute intervals. The 760's cluster will be sponoring a bake sale (goodies and coffee) in the front lobby during the Open House.
School pictures (see schedule in separate announcement) will be taken on September 23 and 24 (Tuesday and Wednesday). Your student should already have brought home a brochure regarding school pictures.
Parking: parking at OMS is difficult at best. When you are visiting during school hours, please use on-street parking. We've been asked by our neighbors at Arlington Heights Nursery School to let you know that their parking lot is private property. Please do not park or "cut through" there.
Message from the OPAC directory committee: "Due to a great response, we will be able to publish the AHS and OMS directories very shortly. If you would like to be included, please be sure to update your information online ASAP. Even though all of your information is maintained from year-to-year, you must choose the new grade information (plus cluster and homeroom for OMS)--otherwise you will not be included. To update your Information, please visit https://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/ptodirectory. If you cannot do this online, you may download instructions and a paper form at https://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/ptodirectory/ParentForm.pdf.
Try-outs for the school play "School Daze" are taking place this week.
We are grateful to our staff who have assisted with scheduling our students this year. It has not been easy, given that the task fell to people who have never done it before. At last Monday night's OPAC meeting, I addressed questions parents had, especially about the 6th grade program. When we met last spring with parents of our present 6th grade students, we explained what we knew at that time. During the summer, we have had changes in staffing and program. The differences in program include a pilot program in literacy, Monitored Self-Selected Reading; the resignation of a tech teacher (replaced by business/finance/keyboarding) resulting in tech being available to fewer students; changing ACE and keyboarding to half-year rather than a third of a year (in order to make the school-wide schedule work); and the addition of "options", a once a week opportunity in the arts rotation for 6th grade students only (also in order to make the school-wide schedule work). If you have any further questions, please contact me.
A correction in last week's update--some honey bees (not native to North America) are solitary bees. Thank you, parent entymologist!
Looking forward to seeing you Thursday night. Wear comfortable shoes. . .
Dr. Malone Neville
OMPAPA (Ottoson Middle Performing Arts Parents Association) is looking for Drama and Music Parent Members. Please email Cori Gaffny at cgaffny@arlington.k12.ma.us if you are interested.
Thank you.
Student Charlie cards are now available in the Ottoson office. These cards may have money added to them, and will provide a reduced fare for students.
Before they may be used, they must have cash added to them, which can be done at any train station, e.g. Alewife.
As of 9/18, we have over 500 children in the system. This is great. If you haven't registered yet, you are delaying the printing of the directory.
All of your information is retained from year to year, but you must update information about your children. Please click here to register.
If you are unable to register online, you may complete a paper form here.
Thanks!
Good morning Ottoson Families. The first OPAC meeting of the year will take place tonight at 7 p.m. in the faculty cafeteria located through the main office.
We are continuing to adjust student schedules to meet their needs as well as program and staff changes. We are interviewing for a part-time Spanish position as well as in-building substitutes and hope to have these positions filled this week. There are always schedule adjustments in secondary schools at the beginning of a school year. Our goal is to complete necessary changes as soon as possible. Our current enrollment is 1049.
The parking lot at St. Athanasius Church is private property. In a generous arrangement with the pastor and board, staff and visitors at OMS are permitted to use the parking spaces closest to the school. Please do not drop off or pick up students in that parking lot at any time.
Unfortunately, one of our neighbors on Benjamin Road told us this week that student(s) from OMS kicked back into her yard a pile of pinecones that she had raked. Please support us at home by reminding our students that they must respect peoples' property on their way to and from school.
School pictures: Tuesday, September 23 and Wednesday, September 24. (schedule forthcoming)
Tryouts for the one act play will take place during the week of September 22. Interested students should see Ms. Kilgore, listen for announcements, and read the daily bulletin.
As I was competing with the bees (and trying not to be stung) for the last of the blueberries at the farm this past weekend, I was reminded of what amazing creatures bees are. They know and understand what it is to live and survive in a community. There are no solitary bees. As we build community here at OMS, please know how much we appreciate your support.
Dr. Malone Neville
The MBTA will be providing Student Rate Charlie Cards to students. The cards should arrive at Ottoson by Friday, Sept 19th -- students will be notified as soon as they are available.
The first meeting of the Ottoson Parent Advisory Council (OPAC) is on Tuesday, Sept 16, at 7pm in the Ottoson Teacher's Lounge. Parents are encouraged and welcome to come.
Click here for information about the coming year's meetings and the annual donation.
These activities have no fee and are open to all:
Monday - Dodgeball – Wood Gym
Wednesday – Floor Hockey Blue Gym
Friday – Flag Football (7th & 8th grade) upper Field
As the new year rolls around, families may want to know more about email lists available for the school, and how to subscribe and unsubscribe to them.
Ottoson has several email lists. The primary ones are OttosonParents@arlington.k12.ma.us and ArlingtonMiddleSchool@yahoogroups.com.
There are also parents lists by Grade and Cluster -- e.g. OttosonGrade7Parents@arlington.k12.ma.us and OttosonClstr630Parents@arlington.k12.ma.us. Here is information about the various lists:
OttosonParents@arlington.k12.ma.us
This list is used for whole-school communications from the school to parents. Typically the messages are from the Principal, who provides weekly updates. They contain the kind of information that might go home in backpacks. Messages to this group are governed by School Department Polices (see http://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/eforms/parent_forms/E-Mail_Distribution_List_Policy.pdf). All families are encouraged to subscribe to this list. OPAC would appreciate it if you could do that via the directory site -- https://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/ptodirectory. You can enter information there for the family directory, and modify your email membership at the same time. If your children have all moved on from Ottoson to the Arlington High, use the same site to enter your information for the High School Directory. If the OPAC site does not work, you may also subscribe/unsubscribe via the main district site - http://www.arlington.k12.ma.us.
OttosonGrade7Parents@arlington.k12.ma.us
OttosonClstr630Parents@arlington.k12.ma.us
etc.
These email lists may be used by teachers or members of that group to send messages -- both faculty and parents. They exist for each cluster and grade. Although not designed for extensive discussion, they are often appropriate when information specific to a particular group is addressed. They are also governed by the School Department Policies. To subscribe/unsubscribe, you must use the OPAC website -- https://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/ptodirectory
ArlingtonMiddleSchool@yahoogroups.com
This group is not managed by the school department and has more latitude about subject content. It may be used for discussions relevant to the middle school. Messages are not moderated, and this has not been an issue in the past. If discussions do get out of hand, (as happens on some lists), it may be necessary to moderate it. You may subscribe to this list via yahoogroups (you do not need a yahoo id), or by sending a blank e-mail message to:
ArlingtonMiddleSchool-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
You may unsubscribe by sending a blank message to:
ArlingtonMiddleSchool-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Website
The Ottoson website is updated regularly with announcements and events about Ottoson. For suggestions, send a message to ottosonwebmaster@arlington.k12.ma.us
Hello Ottoson Families. We've had a good opening to school--eager students who seem happy to be here. We are still addressing some schedule conflicts due to program and staff changes and hope to have them resolved this week.
For the safety of our students, please follow the drop off/pick up and parking expectations printed on the reverse of the letter you received from me. What works best is to pick a spot not so close to the entrances and ask your student to walk to meet you (using the freshly painted crosswalks). There are several entrances and exits at OMS (Acton Street, Appleton Street, and Benjamin Road).
Before and after school activities will be beginning next week--the morning activites include wiffleball and basketball; the afternoon activities are dodgeball (Monday), floor hockey (Wednesday), flag football (Friday). The p.m. activites are from 2:34 to 3:49 p.m. All activities are open to all students and are free of charge.
The scrabble club meeds in room 212 on Wednesday from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Each spring OMS sends a team to the National School Scrabble Tournament. The Math Team meets in room 212 on Thursdays from 2:30 to 4 p.m. The math team will be preparing to compete in MathCOUNTS at the national level.
Please put money in your student's lunch account, even if your student usually brings lunch from home. Sometimes students forget or lose their lunches, and we want everyone to be eating.
For parents of 6th grade students: The Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) must be signed by all students in order for them to have access to computers at school. Please download the AUP form from the APS website, fill it in and send it with your student to her/his homeroom teacher. (English and Spanish versions of the AUP -- Acceptable Use Form are here. Note that the signature page is a separate document.)
Our new assistant principal, Meghan Branco, will be joining us on September 15. Currently, she is under contract in another school district that began school a week before we did. Ms. Branco was able to be at OMS last Thursday (the first day of school) and she, Mr. Gonsalves, and I visited all homerooms.
I hope that you had a chance to read the books assigned to our students for summer reading (6th grade--Crash, Rules; 7th grade--Belle Prater's Boy, City of Ember, Flush; 8th grade--Tangerine). In all of these novels, the young heroes and heroines have been failed in some way by adults. They are faced with dilemmas that require creative thinking, risk-taking, determination, and hope to resolve. They make mistakes and learn from their mistakes. They try to do the right thing. These young heros and heroines are very much like our students.
If you are still on our emailing list and your child has moved on, please unsubscribe by following the directions posted on the APS website. (ed note -- even better, visit https://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/ptodirectory to update your information for this year's directory. This includes families who have graduated to high school. You may edit your email subscriptions on that page too.)
Dr. Malone Neville
Ottoson has initiated a new pre-paid lunch system. You may learn more about the program by clicking on this announcement from last spring.
Features of the computerized lunch system
The Faculty directory has being updated on 9/2/2008. All staff should be correctly listed.
Hello Ottoson Families!! I hope that you have enjoyed this lovely summer. The first day of school for students is Thursday, September 4. Please look for a letter from me with information regarding the first day of school, including your student's homeroom assignment. We are looking forward to a challenging, busy, and exciting school year! See you soon.
Dr. Malone Neville
Each year at the end of August, parents ask what school supplies are needed. On the first day of school, the cluster teachers will tell the students what supplies are needed for their cluster.
Only a couple of more weeks until school starts.
Shortly before school starts, families will be sent a letter with cluster assignments for their children. Once they have been sent, this announcement will be updated so you'll know when to expect the letters.
Please make sure your children have looked at the summer reading lists and done what has been requested of them. It's not too late!
Summer reading clarification
Some people have asked about a summer reading list. This year, each grade has one or two required books. They are:
| 6th Grade: | Crash by Jerry Spinelli and Rules by Cynthia Lord plus 4 "choice" books |
| 7th Grade: | One of the following three books: City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau, Flush by Carl Hiaasen or Bell Prater's Boy by Ruth White plus 4 "choice" books |
| 8th Grade: | Tangerine by Edward Bloor plus 5 "choice" books |
Good morning everyone.
8th grade students are invited to go to Arlington High School on Friday, June 20 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for an orientation. Students will hear about next year's program from Principal Charlie Skidmore, have another tour, and get their id photos taken. If students are not able to attend tomorrow's orientation, they may attend another orientation to be held in early September. Mr. Skidmore will send more specific information about that orientation during the summer.
Dr. Malone Neville
The Ottoson Advisory Council, which is composed of administrators, teachers and parents, has created a survey to gather parents' and students' thoughts about their Ottoson experiences. The OPAC has also contributed to this effort.
As the year draws to a close, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take five minutes to complete the survey. You can do it online via survey monkey by clicking here, or a pdf version is also available by clicking here. If you would like to think about the survey before filling it out, take a look at the paper version first. However, it would make our lives much easier if you could complete the survey online!
If you fill out the paper version, it can either be mailed to Ottoson at 63 Acton Street, Arlington, 02476, or may be dropped off at the office.
Please fill out the survey ASAP, as we would like to compile the results quickly. Your students will be filling out a paper version of a similar survey in class.
Thank you for your time!
Good afternoon Ottoson families. 8th grade students have completed two sessions of recognition night rehearsal and they received their yearbooks this morning. Tuesday, 6/17, they will go to the Boys and Girls Club for organized activities and lunch (rain or shine). Tuesday (6/17) night at 6 p.m. 8th grade students need to report to cluster area in preparation for the recognition ceremony in the Wood Gym at 6 :30 p.m. Following the ceremony, 8th grade students will go to the cafeteria for a party, ending at 10 p.m. Students know what to wear and have been asked to give their certificates to family members before going to the party in the cafeteria. We are grateful to all the families who donated time and money to making this ceremony and party a success!!
Canobie Lake: Most students and faculty will be traveling to Canobie Lake Park on Wednesday, June 18. If you plan to pick up your student from the park, please send in a dismissal note to the office Wednesday morning and see Mr. Gonsalves, Mr. Saum or me at the park when you arrive to pick up your student. No student may be dismissed to anyone but her/his own parent. All others (according to the permission slips we have received) are obliged to ride the bus from school to Canobie and back to school. OMS will be open and lunch will be served to those who remain at school.
Thursday, June 19, is the last official day of school for the 2007-2008 school year. We will follow a special schedule of periods 1 through 6 with dismissal at 12:15 p.m. Lunch will not be served. Report cards will be mailed home.
Summer study: Arlington Public Schools is offering two math courses for students this summer. A two-week Basic Math Skills Review Course for any student entering 8th or 9th grade will integrate class work, computer lab, and projects. The tuition for the course is $130. The class will meet from 9 to 11 a.m. five days a week from August 4 to 15 at Ottoson. An algebra course for students entering grade 9 will also be offered.
Summer reading: entering 6th grade students are expected to read Crash by Jerry Spinelli and Rules by Cynthia Lord as well as one choice book (a total of three books); entering 7th grade students are expected to read one of the following books, City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau, Flush by Carl Hiassen or Belle Prater's Boy by Ruth White as well as 4 other choice books (a total of five books); entering 8th grade students are expected to read Tangerine by Edward Bloor as well as five choice books (a total of six books); and all departing 8th grade students are expected to read Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie by David Lubar and a choice selection (a total of two) and in addition, students entering honors and advanced English are expected to read A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly. All of this information is available on the APS web site (www.arlington.k12.ma.us. Research shows that students who read at least 6 books during summer months improve their literacy skills. Please encourage your students to read!!!
We're still looking for library and text books. Please help your student search all corners of the house for OMS materials. We'd rather have the books than the money!
(I began this email Monday afternoon and finished it Tuesday morning.) It was an honor to speak at the 5th grade recognition ceremony at the Bishop school last night. Bishop students as well as those at Dallin, Pierce, Thompson, Hardy, Stratton and Brackett are ready to move on to grade 6, and we welcome them.
This is the last official weekly update for the year. We wish our 8th grade students much success as they face the challenges ahead and hope that all our Ottoson families have a restful and renewing summer.
Dr. Malone Neville
Hello Ottoson Families. This morning I told students on the pa that they could carry water during these hot days and I asked teachers to monitor the use of water bottles. The water fountains at OMS are available to students as well. Classes proceeded as usual today, although some met in the cafeteria, lobby, media center, and hallways that have air conditioning. As I walked around the building this morning and this afternoon, I visited classes where great work was happening, not easy on a day like today. The 650 cluster had an interesting trip to the Museum of Fine Arts. We will do our best tomorrow to keep everyone comfortable and focused.
8th grade students have been asked to wear light and comfortable clothing tomorrow (6/10). The "character fair" will take place during period 7 in the cafeteria, which is air conditioned. We have asked students not to wear their costumes (unless they are light) but rather to carry them. 8th grade teachers have modified expectations, and will continue to make modifications in the day as conditions warrant.
The new electronic lunch system went very well Friday and again today. Students know their id numbers and are efficient at punching them in at the new computerized registers. The payment system remains the same. You may send a check to school in any amount for lunch payment in advance or you may give your student cash. Next fall, you will be able to pay in advance on line and will have access to your student's lunch account. Specific information regarding the new system will be mailed home in August.
Please continue to help your student find classroom and library books to be returned to school. We'd rather have the books than money to replace the books. Also, come by to check the "lost and found".
8th grade parents, thank you for your generosity!! We are very grateful for the contributions you have made for the 8th grade celebration on June 17.
Dr. Malone Neville
The following is a message from Nate Levenson, Supt of Schools:
Today was hot, and we anticipate more of the same on Tuesday. After visiting the schools during the peak period and having talked throughout the day to principals, teachers, and our nursing director, I am pleased to report that we coped well with the situation.
Like any large building, each school has hotter and cooler areas. Most buildings have at least a few air-conditioned rooms or spaces. Throughout the day, students in the hottest areas were transferred to the cooler spaces. Everyone was kept well hydrated, and activities and expectations were adjusted for the heat. The few children who did have some difficulty with the high temperatures were brought to the air-conditioned spaces, and their parents were notified.
Tomorrow (Tuesday, June 10th) will be a regular school day. Any parent who feels that for health or safety reasons their child should stay home, may do so. This would be an “excused absence,” with no negative consequences for the student. Please call the school office to report an excused absence.
Students should dress appropriately and may bring water bottles to school. If you have any specific concerns, please contact your child’s principal.
Some have asked, “Why not just cancel school or have an early release?” I have considered this and discussed the pros and cons at length with our administrators and neighboring superintendents. In the final analysis, we believe it is prudent to have the schools open, but allow parents the right to assess the situation for their children.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Try to keep cool!
The school department has added quite a bit of information regarding curriculum, assessments and professional development on the district website. Click here to view the pages.
This summer the Arlington Public Schools is sponsoring a two-week Math Basic Skills Review Course and a two-week Algebra I Review Course. The courses are Aug 4th-Aug 15th.
Click here for more information.
The 640's field trip to the Blue Hills has been postponed to Wednesday, 6/11.
Good evening Ottoson Families. We have a busy couple of weeks ahead of us. 7th grade teachers are looking for parents to accompany 7th graders to Boston on June 13th. Please contact any one of your student's cluster teachers if you are interested in participating in this exciting culminating activity.
Notice for 8th grade families: OPAC is going to videotape the moving on ceremony on June 17 and is going to offer a copy of the videotape to parents (a fundraiser). There is a release form on the website. Please fill out the release form, copy it, and send it in to your student's homeroom teacher with the permission slip for Canobie Lake Park.
8th grade students have been seen in school dressed as "their character." They have taken this project seriously, have done careful research, and have thoroughly practiced their oral presentations. Kudos to them (and to you!!). We're looking forward to next week's Character Fair.
This Friday we are launching the pilot program, electronic pass cards for purchases in the cafeteria. Students will be asked to use their student id numbers. They will receive copies of their numbers in homeroom later this week. We anticipate some glitches as we get the system up and rolling, but we will really appreciate the new system when we are fully operational.
Summer math course: APS is offering a two-week math basic skills review course for any student entering 8th or 9th grade. Some topics covered include fractions, decimals, percents, variables, graphs, lines, probability, data interpretation, exponents, area and volume. Tuition is $130.
The course will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. from August 4 to 15 at Ottoson.
Lost books: Please help your student check at home for text and library books that need to be returned to school. We would rather have the books than charge your child for missing books.
Sad news: Unfortunately, we have had a rash of "missing" items during the past few days--student art work, ipods, cell phones. We continue to remind students not to bring items of value to school. If they do, we ask them to lock items of value in their lockers (making sure that the lock is secure). Today, someone removed my palm pilot and its cord from Ms. Gillis's desk. This is an "old" piece of technology, valuable only to me. In my 40+ years of working in schools, I've never had an item taken or damaged. We've had a pretty decent record of "finding" items that were "lost" this year. I remain hopeful . . .
Good news: Our son Jim graduated last Friday from the Plymouth (MA) Police Academy. At the age of 39 with 4 children and a wife in Martha's Vineyard, Jim began the Academy the first week in January. He "moved in" with Jack and me, arriving in Newton every Sunday night and commuting daily to and from Plymouth Monday through Friday morning, returning to his family Friday afternoon. He wrote over fifty 2 to 6 page papers and book reports, ran countless miles in all weather conditions, and completed training in such diverse subjects as emergency medical response, firearms, communications and driving. He was selected to speak at his graduation, attended by Governor Patrick. All of us, Jim's family and friends, are very proud of him as he begins his new career--proof that learning is a life-long endeavor.
Dr. Malone Neville
Each year the school department asks that students read certain books during the summer break. The lists for this year are now available here The link is also available from the top menu under Learning.
From time to time, the Ottoson administration has published student information. This might include honor rolls, cluster assignments, videos of concerts/plays, etc. In order to do this in the future, it will be necessary for parents to sign a release form. Click here for a pdf form or here for a MS Word format
A new program for paying for meals at Ottoson will begin on June 6th. Students will be able to use a prepaid card to pay, speeding payment at the register, and eliminating the need for cash.
For details, please see the information sheet by clicking here.
770’s cluster has CANCELLED their field trip for Monday 6/2.
Hi All:
I am thrilled to announce that Brian Corey has just been awarded a Massachusetts Cultural Council Artist Fellowship. We are all proud of his accomplishments and wish him the best. Bravo!!!
Pasquale Tassone
Fine Arts Director
Good afternoon Ottoson Families.
A word about last week. On Thursday night, our student musicians and singers performed magnificently in presenting a range of challenging and lovely pieces. Many thanks to them, their teachers, and their families who have encouraged and supported them through the years. There is a beautiful exhibit of art works in the front lobby and media center. Please stop by to see the exhibit.
On Friday afternoon, many veterans joined us in a moving all-school assembly during the last period. The Arlington Fire Department Color Guard presented the flag. Student speakers included James J., Erin H., Cordelia B., Carolyn W., and Nicholas S. The OMS band played several pieces, and taps were rendered by Matthew D. and Alex T. Many thanks to all participants and to Mr. Martinez who organized the program.
Yearbooks are on sale this week in the main lobby after school. Friday, May 30 is the last day to purchase a copy. Yearbooks are $12.00. Cash and checks made payable to Ottoson Middle School are acceptable. Students have been working hard on the yearbook!
Students in the 650 cluster entered the math fair recently held at Arlington High School. Ellie P., Ariel L., and Lea C. won awards for their mobius strip project and Laura Q. and Erika P. won awards for their card trick math project. Our students' award winning projects will be displayed at the Museum of Science on June 14. Congratulations to our students and Ms. McDaniel!
MCAS testing is completed--a relief for all. Thank you again for encouraging and supporting your children through the weeks of testing.
At school, we're expecting students to work diligently through the next few weeks to meet all academic and behavioral expectations. The end of the school year is always a rush. We expect students to be dressed appropriately for school (I know how hot it can be in this building in warm weather) and are looking for your support in enforcing the dress code. I hope that you have discussed summer plans and that all students will be involved in physical activity, reading, and a job or two at home or in the neighborhood. As much as they complain about school, students like coming here and breaking that pattern is not easy. There are great opportunities offered by the Boys' and Girls' club, the recreation department, Fidelity House, and summer programs at Minuteman, Belmont Hill, the Museum of Science, and the Museum of Fine Arts. We will soon be sending a summer list of required reading. A resource from the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English can be found at www.thinkfinity.org.
Safety note: Please insist that your student continue to wear a helmet while biking, skate boarding, and roller blading to and from school.
This weekend we planted tomatoes, lettuce, marigolds, zinnias, day lillies, primrose, a rhody, and a rose bush (yellow). I'm sure many of you did the same. On my ride to and from school through Newton, Waltham, Belmont, and Arlington, I've enjoyed the colorful flowering trees and shrubs, spring flowers, and multiple shades of green. We live in a beautiful part of the world. . .
Dr. Malone Neville
The Ottoson Middle School is planning the end-of-the year trip to Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH on Wednesday, June 18, 2008. The cost for the bus (round trip) with park entry fee, including unlimited rides, will be $30.00 (make checks payable to Ottoson Middle School).
Any student in need of financial assistance should see his or her homeroom teacher. Students should plan to bring extra spending money to cover the cost of lunch and any extra games they might wish to play, (about $10.00 to $15.00 is recommended). Students may bring a bag lunch, however, NO GLASS CONTAINERS are allowed!!
Students will be asked to report to homerooms and will board the buses by 8:15 am with departure scheduled for 8:30 a.m. We are scheduled to return to Ottoson at approximately 3:30 p.m. that afternoon. Please note that any students failing to follow park rules during the trip will be returned to Ottoson earlier by a faculty chaperone.
Write the following on the front of the envelope
Name·
Homeroom ·
Whether there is a check or cash in the envelope. If your students name is different than yours, please put that on the check
****All slips must be returned NO LATER THAN THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2008****signed and accompanied with the $30.00 in cash, or check made payable to Ottoson Middle School.
Please be aware that some students may be EXCLUDED from this trip based on chronic attendance/discipline problems.
** If your student needs an epi-pen or inhaler, please make sure that they bring one from home.
AHS Cheerleading tryouts (Blue Gym AHS) On Wednesday 5/28 from 2:45 – 4:45 & 6:00 – 8:00 pm and on Thursday 5/30 from 3:45 – 6:00
Attention all eight graders: Auditions for the AHS Madrigal Singers will be on Monday, 6/9. There will be a help session to learn the music on Wednesday, 6/4 after school at AHS. The required song and sign-ups are on the bulletin board in the music area. Please check it out this week to be included.
Yearbooks will be on sale Tuesday 5/27 – Friday 5/30 in the main lobby after school. Sales will take place until 3:00 pm and the yearbook will cost $12.00 (cash or check made payable to the Ottoson Middle School)
OPAC (Ottoson Parent Advisory Council) has created a flier filled with information for Ottoson parents. Click here to view it.
Good morning Ottoson Families. In addition to the concert tonight at 7 p.m. in the Wood Gym, there will be a display of artwork from terms 3 and 4 in the main lobby and in the media center. Please stop by to view the amazing work our students do working with their award-winning teachers Ms. Serafini and Mr. Corey. The display will be up for a week. We are fortunate that the fine arts are encouraged and supported by the entire Arlington community.
Dr. Malone Neville
Good afternoon, Ottoson Families. Over 500 students attended the dance Friday night. It was a great evening, from the chaperones' perspective--lots of dancing, eating, and excitement.
Yesterday, all 7th grade students attended a presentation on the role of women in Islam. Subheen Razzaqui, teacher from Newton North High School, was well received by our students whose questions were thoughtful and specific.
The MCAS testing period ended today for all students except those who were absent during the past 6 days of scheduled testing. All students approached the tests with a seriousness of purpose and did their best. We will receive individual student and school-wide results by the end of August.
The Spring Concert will take place Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m. in the Wood Gym. We are expecting a full-house. The program is ambitious and and lovely.
The annual Memorial Day assembly will be held during the last period on Friday. We are looking forward to welcoming and honoring veterans from the local area, as well as the Arlington Fire Department Color Guard.
If your child received a mid-term progress report, please sign and return it to her/his teacher.
We had an 8th grade class meeting today. Mr. Saum's message to students was to continue to work hard, be respectful, and do their best right through the end of the year, a message that I'm sure you echo. In all, we have a wonderful group of students at OMS.
Dr. Malone Neville
Good afternoon Ottoson Families. During the next few weeks, we will be placing our current 6th and 7th grade students in clusters for the 2008-2009 academic year. If you have any concerns or requests about your child's placement, please be in touch with your child's guidance counselor either by email or phone. We will do our best to accommodate your concerns.
MCAS: We've had a good start to this round of MCAS testing. Grade 6 students took the Session 1 test this morning (May 12). The rest of the schedule is as follows: Tuesday, May 13, 6th grade math Session 2; Wednesday, May 14, 7th grade math Session 1 and 8th grade math Session 1; Thursday, May 15, 7th grade math Session 2 and 8th grade math Session 2; Monday, May 19, 7th grade social studies Session 1and 8th grade science Session 1; Tuesday, May 20, 7th grade social studies Session 2 and 8th grade science Session 2. MCAS make-up tests are scheduled for May 21, 22, and 23. All testing begins in the morning during first period.
DANCE: The last dance of the year will be Friday, May 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $5 and will be on sale in school this week beginning Tuesday, May 13. Students should listen to the morning and afternoon announcements regarding ticket sales.
SPRING CONCERT: Our choruses and instrumental groups have been working hard preparing for the Spring Concert to be held at OMS in the Wood Gym on Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m.
Many thanks to Edith Moisand, our media center aide, who did a workshop last Friday for faculty on MANGA, Japanese comic books. The workshop was fascinating and the display in the library on Japanese and American comic books is eye-catching and informative.
When you come to OMS, please take a look at the wonderful art work on display in the main lobby. In addition to block prints on plant and animal life, there are real-life plaster casts of student arms and hands painted with Australian aboriginal designs. Amazing.
Congratulations to Bob Bartholomew who last week was inducted into the State Hockey Coaches Hall of Fame. This is a very special and well deserved honor.
Judy MN
Just a reminder that all 8th grade students (and 7th grade for that matter) will need a calculator with them on Thursday (5/15) for the math portion of the MCAS test.
From your 8th grade math team,
Demi Dubois,
Shukti Fischl,
Linda Tomilson
Good morning Ottoson Families. Yesterday we enjoyed a delicious luncheon prepared by parents in recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week. The food was wonderful (especially the delectable desserts), the flowers were beautiful, and it was nice to visit with parents. All of us at Ottoson appreciate your efforts in working with us daily in support of our talented, creative, thoughtful, surprising, and energetic young adolescents.
Dr. Malone Neville
MCAS tests will be given over the course of the next couple of weeks. Please help your children to be relaxed and well rested and to not stress about these exams.
5/12 & 5/13 – 6th Grade math
5/14/ & 5/15 – 7th & 8th Grade math
5/19 & 5/20 – 7th Grade Social Studies & 8th Grade History
Create you own mythical creature with artist Tonya Ratz at Robbins Library Two sessions workshop you explore mythical creatures in books and then create your own using paper, oil pastels and gel glue. Saturday 5/3 & 5/10 from 3:30 – 4:30 pm for middle & high school aged students. Please sign up at 781-316-3232. Spaces are limited.
If you want to know the facts about Arlington teens and substance use/abuse, and discuss these issues with the most knowledgeable people in town, consider attending...
Community Forum- Thurs. May 8, 7 PM, Town Hall
The agenda includes;
- Christine Connelly, Health and Human Services Dir for Arlington
- Fred Ryan, Police Chief
- the School Resource Officer at AHS, Bryan Gallagher
- the results of the 2007 AHS Student Risk Behaviors Survey, vs 2004, and state averages
- AHS guidance counselors and social workers
There will be small group discussions following the presentations. Both parents and students are encouraged to attend, including high school and middle school families.
Come, learn, and be heard-
Hello everyone. After meeting yesterday with the principals, we've settled on the following dates for the end of the year.
The last day of school, June 19, will be a half day. Wednesday June 18 will be class activities (6th and 7th Canobie Lake, if that's what you'd like to do). 8th grade may be a cruise (parents, Jen and Heather working on this). June 17 will be the moving on ceremony and party for 8th graders.
Many thanks to all who participated in Exploration Night. John and I worked the door and talked with tons of enthusiastic parents and kids.
I'll be in Greece with the Greek Study Fellows (teacher/grad students at Brandeis) the week of April 28. Check out teachgreece.com to see what we're up to. Caryn knows how to reach me if necessary.
Have a great vacation!!!
Judy
The heading says it all. Time to get out those dancing shoes!
These are MCAS dates in May:
5/12 & 5/13 (Mon and Tue) - 6th Grade Math
5/14 & 5/15 (Wed & Thurs) - 7th & 8th Grade Math
5/19 & 5/20 ( Mond & Tue) - 7th Grade Social Studies & 8th Grade Science
Each term teachers offer interesting options for students one period per week (same period as Band, Orchestra and Choir). Click here to see the opportunities in pdf. or Click here to see it as a word document.
Choices will be made on 4/16. There are many options, but space is limited.
Good morning Ottoson Families. This week, the cafeteria is promoting the salad bar. The salad bar has wonderful options of fresh vegetables and fruits as well as make-your-own sandwiches. The salad bar is located in the stage area of the cafeteria and has its own line (students do not have to stand in the lunch line and may bypass it to the left). This week, student lunches purchased at the salad bar are $1.95 instead of $2.95. We hope that manys students will take advantage of this opportunity.
Exploration Evening: Come see the wonderful out-of-cluster opportunities available to OMS students. We will be hosting an Open House for 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students and parents on Thursday, April 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. Except for students participating in demonstrations, we ask that students be accompanied by an adult.
Congratulations to Ottoson students who participated last week in the Model UN in New York. Working with middle school students from around the world, OMS students drafted resolutions on Children in Armed Conflict; Tuberculosis, Malaria, and Infectious Disease; Eradication of Poverty; Rights of Indiginous Peoples; Global Warming; and Orphans and AIDS. Students participating included Robert H., Jeremy N-B, Matt O., Danny W., Natalie D., Antoine M-C, Ethan M., Kirby S., Aidan W., Maddie D., Rita K., Molly R., and Louise T. Congratulations to our students and their advisors!
Community Notices: The Sanborn Foundation of Arlington is sponsoring a free seminar "Hypnosis to Stop Smoking" on Thursday May 8 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Robbins Library. This seminar is open to the Arlington Community.
Also on May 8 at the Town Hall there will a forum on drugs and alcohol based on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey recently administered at the high school. The results of this survey affect all secondary students and parents. This forum will give parents tools needed to deal with this extremely important issue.
Report cards went home last Friday. Please sign and return to your child's homeroom teacher.
There are lots of belongings in the Lost and Found in the lobby. Please ask your child to check for missing items. Parents are welcome to come in to check as well.
Spring break begins at the end of the day on Friday April 18. School will reopen on Monday, April 28. With the snow gone, there's lots of yard work to be done (the snow came early this year). If you are not going on vacation, I hope that you will keep your student busy doing work for the family part of each day.
Dr. Malone Neville
8th grade field day this year will be on Tuesday 6/17
Ms. Duke has compiled a list of some Summer Programs which may be of interest to you. For the complete list, click here
Good morning Ottoson Families.
Today is the first day of the 4th term. We will be sending report cards home with students at the end of this week (April 11). Please be in touch with your student's teacher and/or guidance counselor if you have any concerns about your student's work at Ottoson.
Reminder: Tomorrow (April 8) is an early release day. Students will be dismissed at 1 p.m. Lunch will be served in school.
Thank you for your support of our students' best efforts on MCAS. All testing materials were packed and sent off today. Our next testing period is between May 12 and 29.
Community Notice: Roots & Shoots country directors Deus Cosmos from Tanzania and Manoj Gautam from Nepal are visiting in Arlington from April 4 to 9. Members of the two Arlington Roots & Shoots groups (Planet Ottoson and the Bishop Green Bees) are hosting these two young men. On Monday, April 7 from 4-5 p.m. Otttoson students, teachers and parents are welcome to the Arlington Enrichment Collaborative, 1100 Mass. Ave #2. On Tuesday, April 8 from 3-4 p.m., Arlington students ages 12-18 are invited to participate in a "Talkabout" with Deus and Manoj at the Arlington Studio to be recorded for cablecast later in April. For details and to rsvp, call 781-648-8166.
Exploration Evening will be on Thursday, April 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. Exploration Evening is an opportunity for current 5th, 6th ,and 7th grade students and their parents to visit OMS and learn about the fine and applied arts programs offered--music, theater, art, foods and nutrition, consumerism, child care, health studies, physical education, computers, construction and communication technology, and library/media. A notice will be sent home with students.
Good news!! Our students took part in the New England Math League competition in February, and the results are in. Our 6th grade students scored 19th out of 174 participating schools (16th top score); our 7th grade students scored 24th out of 156 participating schools (18th top score), and our 8th grade scored 16th out of 155 participating schools (15th top score). Our 8th grade was 4th in our region. Congratulations to our students and their math teachers and many thanks to Ms. Duke who organized the competition at OMS.
Dr. Malone Neville
These activities are free and open to all students:
| Monday | In line Skating Blue Gym |
| Tuesday | Floor Hockey and Wiffleball |
| Wednesday | DDR, Play station II Bikes, Rope Jumping, Hula Hoops & Zumba Dance |
| Thursday | Badminton Wood Gym |
| Friday | Floor Hockey and Wiffleball |
Wear Red Sox Apparel for the Home Opener on Tuesday 4/8 bring in money to support the Jimmy Fund.
Any 8th Grade Student who is interested in Cheerleading, there will be another mtg. On Monday April 7th at 3:30 at AHS Café’
This is an exciting new program designed to orient incoming 6th graders to the new & exciting environment of Middle School. Please register no later than May 2nd. Click here for more info and a registration form.
Tickets for A.H.S Hello Dolly will be on sale Thursday & Friday during lunch. Ticket’s are $12.00 dollars and the performances will be on Friday & Saturday evening at 8:00 PM (April 4th and 5th)
Good afternoon Ottoson Families.
Family Movie Night (sponsored by OPAC last Friday night) was a big success. Students enjoyed the movie and snacks in the cafeteria while parents enjoyed the music and conversation in the Media Center. The crowd was small but enthusiastic about this opportunity for socializing. Thank you OPAC!
A committee is being formed to plan 8th grade recognition/graduation. If you are interested in being on the planning committee, please contact Renee Lubowich at relubo@aol.com or by phone at 781-643-1959.
The Boys' Reading Group will meet on Wednesday, April 2 during 5th period and the Girls' Reading Group will meet next Wednesday, April 9, also during 5th period.
On Tuesday, April 8, students will be dismissed from school at 1 p.m. so that teachers may participate in professional development. Lunch will be served in school.
6th and 8th grade students have completed testing in reading comprehension. 7th grade students have completed their composition test, and will complete their testing in reading comprehension tomorrow. Our students have approached this testing period seriously and positively. Thank you for your support at home. Our next testing period will take place in May, between May 12 and 29.
OMS School Council will meet tomorrow at 4 p.m.
We continue to remind students that while they may bring cell phones, ipods (and other communication technology) to school, they must turn them off and put them away while they are in the building (that includes the hallways and lobbies before, during, and after school). Students who choose to ignore this expectation can expect to have their cell phone or ipod confiscated and parents will be asked to come to school to retrieve it. Your support of school procedures is truly appreciated. I was out front at dismissal time last Thursday talking with the crossing guard and noted that almost every student that passed by us was talking on a cell phone!
Dr. Malone Neville
Literary magazine submissions are due Friday 4/11. If you have questions, please contact Ms. Duke (aduke@arlington.k12.ma.us) rm. 323.
Good morning Ottoson Families.
Today (3/24/2008) is the first day of the March session of MCAS testing. 6th and 8th grade students will be taking exams today, Wednesday (March 26), and Friday (March 28). 7th grade students will be taking exams Tuesday (March 25), Thursday (March 27), Monday (March 31), and Tuesday (April 1). All testing sessions are scheduled for the first 3-4 periods of the day. The best preparation is a good night's sleep, a hearty breakfast, and a positive attitude. Please help your student be prepared and on time to school.
On Thursday, March 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. OMS is having an Open House for parents of incoming 6th and 7th grade students (current 5th and 6th graders). I'll be meeting with parents of incoming 6th grade students in the Wood Gym and then they will visit with our 6th grade teachers. Mr. Gonsalve and Mr. Saum will be meeting with parents of incoming 7th grade students in the cafeteria. We will be presenting an overview of next year's program.
A message from OPAC: OMS's first Family Night will be held on Friday, March 28. The movie "Contact" will be shown in the cafeteria from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Pizza, popcorn and water will be available in the lobby. Please bring a beanbag chair, pillow or blanket. Donations will be accepted at the door. Parents are invited to socialize in the Media Center Cafe with live background music, hors d'oeuvres and dessert. This is not a drop-off event.
Last week we spoke on the p.a. system with students about written and spoken threats against an individual or group at school. This was as a result of some graffiti in pencil on the wall of a boys' bathroom. We determined that although the writing was not a credible threat, it had been seen by a number of students (some of whom reported it to a teacher) and was of concern to them. The graffiti was recorded, reported to the police, and removed. Please talk with your student about the potential seriousness of making or writing threatening comments. There are plenty of caring adults at OMS who will hear and respond to student concerns.
Judy MN
Ottoson School directories will be sent home today or tomorrow (March 19). Check your children's backpacks. They have been sent home, one per family, generally with the oldest child. Thank you to all who updated their listings, and apologies to those who were not able to do so. Next year, we will attempt to get everyone updated much earlier, with an earlier directory release date. If you have questions about the directory, send email to ottosonwebmaster@arlington.k12.ma.us
Wear your favorite Boston Red Sox apparel to school on opening day at Fenway Park and raise the most to win a visit from Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia. For more information contact Charles Savicki at 617-632-5420 or visit www.rallyagainstcancer.org.
Good afternoon Ottoson Families.
I've just returned from the ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) annual conference, "Reinventing Schools." Three teachers from Ottoson also attended this conference and we all agree that the general sessions and workshops we attended were inspiring and practical. It is good to know that Arlington is in the main stream of national concerns regarding schooling.
There is an all-town strings concert at OMS in the Wood Gym on Wednesday, March 19 at 7 p.m.
MCAS testing for all our students begins next Monday, March 24. There are 3 testing days for 6th and 8th grade students, and 4 testing days for 7th grade students. 6th and 8th grade students will be taking MCAS tests on March 24, 26, and 28. 7th grade students will be taking tests on March 25, 27, April 1, 2. All tests will be given in the morning and are untimed. The best way to prepare for MCAS is to have a good night's sleep, a hearty breakfast, and a positive attitude. Please support your child's best effort on MCAS by discussing the tests and helping them prepare.
A message from the Arlington Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC): Katherine Johnson, Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Founder/Director of Advances Learning Center will speak on social pragmatics on Thursday, April 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. (networking 6:30 to 7 p.m.) at the Brackett Elementary School, 66 Eastern Avenue, Arlington.
The next parent education forum will be held on Wednesday, April 2 in the Bishop School Auditorium from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Pam Hardy will present The Biggest Job--Raising Strong Children to Reach their Potential. The intended audience is parents of students, grades k through 12. Parents will learn specific ways to strengthen family relationships, to set high expectations for their children, to let go of the outcomes, and to establish honesty as a family priority.
Dr. Malone Neville
Reminder...Ottoson Middle School Parents Advisory Council (OPAC) meeting is tonight at 7:00pm in the OMS Media Center. Agenda is as follows:
*School Budget Presentation by Jeff Thielman
*Principal Update by Dr. Judy Malone Neville
*Treasury update by Peter Fuller
*OMS Movie Night Friday, March 28th, 7 - 9pm
*OMS Parent Tri-fold
*Open Discussion
Please join us!
Sandy Stergiou & Cindy Starks, OPAC Coordinators
Current 5th graders will be touring the Ottoson on the following days:
| Bishop and Peirce | Wednesday April 9 |
| Dallin and Stratton | Thursday April 10 |
| Brackett | Friday April 11 |
| Hardy and Thompson | Tuesday April 15 |
Terra Cotta Mask Workshop will be on Saturday March 22 from 11:00 – 12:10 @ The Robbins Library in the Community Room. It is for Middle and High School Students space is limited please sign up to reserve a space at 781-316-3232.
All Town String Concert will be Wednesday 3/19 @ 7:00 pm in the wood gym
Reminders: Cell phones; Ipods, Hats, Hoods and Gum are only allowed outside the Building
Scrabble Club will now meets on Fridays; it will no longer meet on Wednesdays
Exploration Evening
Thursday, April 17th, 2008
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Exploration Evening 2008 will take place at the Ottoson Middle School on Thursday, April 17th, 2008 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This school event is an opportunity for students and their parents to visit and learn all about the “out of cluster” programs offered at the Middle School. In addition to the strong academic programs offered to students at the Ottoson, many special subjects are taught by talented faculty and designed to broaden the young adolescent’s worldview, tap vocational interests and develop life skills. Students and parents are welcome to attend Exploration Evening learn more about the classes offered during the school year such as Foods and Nutrition, Consumerism, Child Care, Music, Theater, Arts, Health Studies, Physical Education, Computers, Construction and Communication Technology and the Library/Media Center.
Exploration Evening, unlike the Fall Back-to School night, is less formally structured. From 7:00-9:00 p.m., students accompanied by their parents may travel around the Ottoson’s special subject classrooms and observe current students in the kitchen, demonstrating Project Gadget, taking a Power Point lesson, searching for facts on the Internet, trying out a Web quest, videotaping a skit, building a bridge and much more. Teachers and administrators will be available to chat and answer any questions for eager students and their curious parents who are preparing for a new level in their Arlington education career.
An exciting and enjoyable evening is being planned with emphasis on parent participation. Students are required to be accompanied by an adult unless they have been asked by teachers to be part of the demonstration classes. For any additional questions, call 781-316-3744.
There will be an open house for parents of current 5th and 6th graders on March 27th. Here are the details:
OTTOSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
OPEN HOUSE
MARCH 27TH, 2008
7:00 PM – 9:00 P.M.
For Parents of current Fifth Grade Students
WELCOME AND GENERAL PRESENTATION BY
DR. JUDITH MALONE NEVILLE, INTERIM PRINCIPAL
IN THE WOODEN GYM
8:00 PM SMALL GROUP PRESENTATIONS BY TEACHERS
For Parents of current Sixth Grade Students
WELCOME AND GENERAL PRESENTATION BY
JOHN GONSALVES & ERIC SAUM, ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS
IN THE CAFETORIUM
7:45 SMALL GROUP PRESENTATIONS BY TEACHERS
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON THE 27TH
Dear Ottoson Parents & Guardians,
Reminder that our next scheduled OPAC meeting is Tuesday, March 18th in the Media Center at the Ottoson Middle School from 7 - 8:30. OPAC is the Ottoson Parents Advisory Council and all are welcome. Here are the agenda items for the evening.
*School Budget Presentation by Jeff Thielman
*Principal Update with Dr. Malone Neville
*OMS Movie Night Friday, March 28th, 7 - 9pm
*Treasury Update
*Open Discussion
Hope you can join us.
Sandy Stergiou & Cindy Starks, OPAC Coordinators
Come make Contact at our first social event this year.....
OMS Family Movie night!
Friday, March 28th from 7 - 9 pm, in the OMS Cafe
Bring a beanbag chair, pillow or blanket and connect with fellow classmates!
Snacks & water will be available for sale. Donations accepted at the door.
Parents--watch the movie or mingle with other parents in the Media Center.
Showing...CONTACT! the '97 Sci-fi film adapted from the novel by Carl Sagan,
starring Jodi Foster as Dr. Eleanor Ann Arroway. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118884/
Hosted by OPAC (OMS PTO)
Reminder: The Girls' Lunchtime Bookgroup will be meeting in the Media
Center during 5th Period tomorrow (Wednesday the 12th)! Hope to see
everyone there!
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Boys' Bookgroup originally scheduled for the 4th
Wednesday of the month will be rescheduled for the first Wednesday of
April, April 2nd, due to MCAS testing on Wednesday th 26th, Please make
sure your student is aware of this! It will be announced at school and
in the principal's notes home as well, but I wanted to make sure to get
the information out to you right away. The boys' should be reading
Number the Stars for the next book group, and we will have the book they
choose for the following group available on April 2nd in order not to
cause a delay in their ability to start reading for the group at the end
of April.
Thanks so much.
Kim Kay Holt
These activities are free and open to all students:
| Monday | In line Skating & Wiffleball |
| Wednesday | DDR & Play Station II Bikes |
| Friday | Floor Hockey |
| Coming Soon: | Badminton, Softball & Dodge ball |
All Town Band Concert will be on Thursday 3/13 @ 7:00 pm in the Wood Gym.
All Town String Concert will be on Wednesday 3/19 @ 7:00 pm in the Wood Gym.
Click here for latest flier from the Ottoson Parent Advisory Committee - OPAC. Learn about upcoming social events (movie night), cluster parents, fund raising (and spending) and more!
Good morning Ottoson Families.
8th grade students will be visiting Arlington High School this week according to the following schedule:
on Tuesday, March 4, the 820 cluster;
on Wednesday, March 5 the 810 cluster;
and on Friday, March 7 the 800 cluster. Students and teachers from OMS will travel by bus to AHS at 11:30. They will have lunch, a tour, and oppportunity to visit classes. Students should bring money for lunch or bring lunch from home. Students will be dismissed from AHS at 2:30 p.m. Please make travel arrangements from AHS with your student on the day she/he will be visiting AHS.
The play Wendy's Tale will be presented this week. On Thursday morning during the first period, 7th grade students and 6th grade students in the 630's and 650's clusters will see the play and on Friday morning during the first period, 8th grade students and 6th grade students in the 610's, 620's, and 640's cluster will see the play. The play will be presented in the evening on Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the Wood Gym. Ms. Kilgore,the cast, and crew have been working very hard for the past few weeks and we are all looking forward to this production.
CORRECTION: Tuesday, April 8th, students will be dismissed at 1 p.m. so that staff may participate in professional development activities. Lunch will be served in school. March 11th is NOT an early release day.
Dismissal is at 2:25 p.m. daily. Our expectation is that if students are not working with a teacher or participating in a supervised after school activity that they will head home at 2:25 p.m. Hanging around the building or grounds after school to socialize can lead to negative outcomes. Unfortunately, we recently have had to take disciplinary action in some cases when students have remained after school unsupervised. We are reminding our students to stay to get extra help or participate in a pm program or leave school grounds. Please support our efforts by arranging to pick up your student in a timely manner (a prearranged spot further away from the school will keep you out of traffic) or encouraging her/him to go directly to the bus stop.
Judy MN
Good morning Ottoson Families. I hope that you all had an enjoyable week. We certainly had weather to please all tastes, rain, mild temps, a snow storm, and sun. The building had a thorough cleaning (many thanks to Cliff and the custodial crew) as well as repairs to the stairs in the cafeteria.
Tomorrow, February 26, all students will be participating in a math contest during first period. This is a fun competition for which students do not need to prepare. All students are asked to bring their own calculators to school tomorrow morning.
Also tomorrow, there will be an assembly for 7th and 8th grade students on alcohol and drugs presented by MADD.
The Boy's Book Discussion group will meet February 27during 5th period. The book to be discussed is Among the Hidden.
From Ms. Demetrio: "The Longy School of Music is offering free woodwind and bass lessons to interested students. They have 7 openings (1 oboe, 1 trumpet, 1 trombone, 3-4 flutes). Anyone interested should contact Michelle Schoemaker at michelle.shoemaker@longy.edu. All classes will met at the Longy School located on Garden Street in Cambridge. Lessons will be taught by graduate students under the supervision of Longy faculty." This is a wonderful opportunity for students.
Rescheduled event: "A dessert potluck and networking event hosted by the Brackett School Gay Parent Group and supported by the Arlington Human Rights Commission will be held on March 4 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Brackett School cafeteria. This event is open to all Arlington familieis with school age children. Come meet other gay-parented families, learn about our group, and share ideas about how to support our kids in school. KIDS WELCOME! The art room will be open and there will be a table of games and activities. Please bring a dessert to share. For more information, contact Anna Watson: watsonam@verizon.net."
A workshop for parents and teachers: "The Arington and Watertown Special Education Advisory Councils jointly presesnt Bonnie Singer, Ph.D., CCC, President and CEO of Architects for Learning and Co-Creator of the groundbreaking EmPower Method on Wednesday, March 5b at 7 p.m. in the Ottoson cafeteria. Dr. Singer's topic will be Executive Functioning, Reading Comprehension, and Written Expression: Strategies for Success. Come half an hour early at 6:30 p.m. for networking and refreshments. RSVP to ArlingtonSepac@yahoo.com to ensure handouts will be available. The event is free but goodwill donations accepted to defray costs."
Next week will be a busy week at Ottoson. 8th grade students will be visiting AHS by cluster on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday (March 4,5 and 7) and Wendy's Tale will be performed for students Thursday and Friday morning (March 6 and 7) and in the evening for parents and the public.
Registration materials for AHS have arrived today. Teachers will make course recommendations for 8th grade students and the registration sheets will go home with students for parent review next week.
Dr. Malone Neville
Our school budget should reflect our priorities as a community.
Next year, for the 7th year in a row, we face tough, painful choices.
Your input is vital to this process.
Please take a few minutes over the next few days to complete our online
survey and let us know how you think we should address the projected
$1.25 million budget shortfall.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=LVexQi7Ga37k5vnSVbcqQg_3d_3d
Thanks -
Ron Spangler
Arlington School Committee
The Welcome/Orientation meeting for current 8th grade parents will be held as scheduled tonight (no weather delays at this time).
Please note that this session is targeted primarily towards parents. Ottoson 8th graders will be oriented after vacation.
Here is an announcement letter from Principal Malone Neville with more information. (Click here
Because of the snow, school will be opening two hours later than normal on 2/13/2008
Good morning Ottoson Families. We had a successful dance Friday night. Many thanks to the OSAC students and their advisors who planned the dance and to the many faculty chaperones. The next dance will be in May, on a date yet to be determined by OSAC.
There is an OPAC meeting at OMS on Tuesday, February 12 at 6:30 p.m.
Open House at AHS for our present 8th grade parents will take place on Wednesday, February 13 at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Skidmore and the department chairs are looking forward to meeting with our families and presenting the 9th grade program of studies for the 2008-2009 academic year. Please visit the AHS website for the electronic version of the 2008-2009 9th grade program of studies. (Click here) Mr. Skidmore will distribute hard copies of that document at the Open House. Copies will be available at OMS as well. Please ask your student for a letter from me outlining the registration process.
Dr. Jim Earley will meet on February 12 with the faculty to present the report of the special education program review.
OPAC cochairs have asked me to send you this message: "The Ottoson E-Group is an informal and unoffical e-group for Ottoson parents and guardians. Parents and guardians can submit school-related announcements or concerns. The e-group is not moderated and the announcements are not officially sanctioned by the school. OPAC co-chairs use this e-group to communicate to parents. Here is the link on the OPAC website: http://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/ottoson/main/egroup.htm
Eighth grade Ottoson students who would like to attend Minuteman Regional High School in Lexington next year are invited to visit Minuteman while school is in session. If you would like your child to visit Minuteman, please be in touch with me or Mr. Rogers.
February break will begin at the end of the school day on Friday, February 15. Classes will resume again on Monday, February 25. I hope that you will join me in encouraging our students to get outdoors and to take advantage of the many opportunities for exploration we have close by--museums, historical sites, libraries, theatres. The Boston area is a first-class tourist destination, even for those of us who live here.
Dr. Malone Neville
Note added by Josh Lobel:
I asked principal Skidmore about the Parent Information Night which will be held on Weds, 2/13 at the hi, and this is his reply:
******
This is our traditional Parent Orientation for incoming 9th Graders. It will run from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. We will begin in Lowe Auditorium where the Department Heads and I will present a power point presentation about the school in general and each department's offerings for the 9th Grade. There will then be time for questions and a follow-up meeting in the Library Media Center at approximately 7:30 / 7:45 to talk with department heads and look at student text books and work from this year's 9th Grade.
******
As a parent of a recent incoming 9th grader, I found this session and others that followed it to be very helpful. In 9th grade there are not tremendous choices to be made about which classes to take, but there are some. It is not necessary to spend hours perusing the program of studies, but it is important to know about the different levels of each class that are offered. This is a good introduction to how the high school works.
Josh
OPEN HOUSE
Informational Meeting
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
6:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.
LOWE AUDITORIUM ~~~ AHS
Deadline for the articles, letter, or artwork for the next issue of the Ottoson Chronicle is Friday, February 29th. If you have an idea for an article or would like an idea, contact Mrs. Cummings in room 214 (mcummings@arlington.k12.ma.us.
Good morning Ottoson Families. We're all dragging today--it's no fun learning to live with disappointment.
Tomorrow (February 5) is an early release day for students so that staff may participate in professional development. Dismissal time for students is 1 p.m. Lunch will be served.
Report cards go home today. Please sit down with your student(s) and discuss both the grades and comments. If you have any questions, please be in touch with your student's teacher.
A school dance (planned by OSAC) is scheduled for this Friday (February 8) from 6 to 9 p.m. in the cafeteria. Tickets ($5.00) will be sold after school this week. There is a plan for coats. Food and drinks will be served.
The 6th grade will be traveling to Town Hall on Wednesday (Feb. 6) for an enrichment program connected to the curriculum.
School Council will meet tomorrow at 4 p.m. in the faculty dining room at Ottoson. All meetings are open.
No matter what, the PATS are a great and inspiring team . . .
Dr. Malone Neville
There will be an Ottoson School Dance this Friday from 6-9pm. Please return here for more details.
This is one in a series of Parent Ed Forums
Wednesday, February 6th
Hardy School Gymnasium
7 – 9 pm
Parents of children 4-12 grade
Internet chat rooms, boy/girl sleepovers, reality TV…there’s more to “the talk” than ever before. Faced with a culture that is pushing kids to be “sexy” before puberty has even begun, how do we explain the power of sexuality to our kids in a way that promotes healthy, age appropriate behavior?
Presented by Sharon Maxwell, Ph.D., has been a practicing clinical psychologist for seventeen years. She is the author of THE TALK: What Your Kids Need to Hear from YOU about Sex which will be published this April.
For the complete flyer, click here. For more information on all upcoming forums, Click here
Good morning Ottoson Families. Today is the first day of the third term. In school time, this is when the clock starts ticking faster.
School Council will meet on Feb. 5 at 4 p.m.
SEPAC is sponsoring a workshop "An IEP For My Child" on Thursday, Februaru 7, 2008 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Brackett Elementary School, 66 Eastern Ave., Arlington. The workshop is intended to answer questions such as "is there some part of your student's educational plan that you don't fully understand? are you aware of how IDEA 2004 has impacted portions of the IEP?" Please register for this workshop by contacting Arlington SEPAC at ArlingtonSepac@yahoo.com. All meetings of the Arlington Special Education Partent Advisory Council are open to the public.
Please take some time to talk with your child about internet safety. The technology available today enables us to access the internet multiple ways. Personal information (including names, addresses, pictures) is not private any more. Internet safety is part of the curriculum in Arlington. Our students need reminders at home as well as at school about how to use computers, telephones, blackberries responsibly and safely.
Welcome back to Ms. Weber and Mr. Condakes and welcome to Ms. Moisand, library/media aide.
Congratulations to our girls' and boys' basketball teams--they continue to respresent OMS well at home and on the road.
Dr. Malone Neville
19 copies of the book Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce are available for Ottoson students who are in the Girls' lunchtime discussion group, they can be found in the media center by the front desk -- as of this afternoon they were on a book cart by the front counter. 12 of these books are library books from throughout the Minuteman System and they are all checked out on my card, so I put index cards in them asking for student name, cluster, and homeroom teacher and I am hoping that students will fill these out and leave them when they take the book. But more importantly, I hope students will keep track of the books and return them to me at the discussion group on Wednesday, February 6. Students should come to book group ready to discuss this book and with suggestions for one to three other books they would like the book group to read, as we need to be ordering at least two groups ahead in order to avoid a back-up and students waiting for books. If there are not enough copies of Wild Magic for all students who wish to be part of the group, they should call or email me (kimkayholt@gmail.com) and I will put in a second order with the Book Rack -- I do get a discounted price when I order them in quantity.
The boys' book group went really well today and we came up with a list of about 6 books that the boys want to read. One of those was The Outsiders, but I was informed afterwards that this book is read in the seventh grade during second semester as part of the curriculum and so the teachers would prefer we not do it in book group. Therefore, I had to make a decision to order a different book this afternoon since that is what we decided to order for the next book group. Based on price and availability, I ordered Margaret P. Haddix's Among the Hidden, which was only mentioned briefly during bookgroup but which I think the boys will like and which was readily available to be ordered and gotten in quickly at a reasonable price for the many copies I am buying. I expect to have these books in by early next week -- I ordered 35 copies and am hoping that will be enough to provide one for every boy who seriously plans to read the book and come discuss it at the group on February 27th. It was very exciting to have a number of boys at the bookgroup today and to discover they were not just after pizza but actually wanted to discuss what they liked to read and what books they might enjoy reading and discussing together over the rest of the school year.
For your scheduling convenience, the girls' bookgroup will always meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month and the boys' bookgroup will meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month, except in April when the 4th Wed. is during spring vacation and we will move the boys' group back one week to the 5th Wednesday (April 30th). If your student plans to attend the book group, s/he should let his/her 5th period teacher know that s/he will be absent to attend bookgroup and get whatever work s/he will be missing, and then come to the media center at the beginning of 5th period -- we will provide pizza and such for lunch. If your student has a teacher who says that that student cannot miss class for the bookgroup, please let me know and I will work through the school administration to try to resolve that issue.
Thanks.
Kim Kay Holt
OPEN HOUSE
Informational Meeting
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
6:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.
LOWE AUDITORIUM ~~~ AHS
Presentation of AHS Programs
For all incoming 9th grade parents
Questions and Answers
By Principal Charles Skidmore and the AHS Department Heads. We will be distributing the AHS Program of Studies for 9th grade (course selection) during the week before the open house.
Good morning Ottoson Families. Second term ends this Friday, January 25. If you have concerns about your child's progress, please be in touch with her/his guidance counselor and/or teachers.
Book discussion groups: The Boys' Book Discussion group will have its first meeting tomorrow, Jan. 23 during 5th period in the Media Center. The group will choose a book to discuss next month. The Girls' Book Discussion Group met and chose Tamora Pierce's Wild Magic as their first book. The Girls' Book Discussion Group will meet again on Wednesday, Feb. 13.
Congratulations: to all 6th grade students and teachers for the amazing exhibition of Egyptian artifacts in the media center; to our students who have been selected to participate in the Northeast Massachusetts District Music Festival (Eric C., Sally C., Tina K., Jennifer K., Linnea K., Samuel R., Yoshira S., Ryan S., David S., Alex T., Karl Z., Gabriella T., Julia W., Siddharth H., Nathan C., Kate B., Andreanne C., and Anna B.); and to our art teacher, Brian Corey, on the exhibition of his work at the New Work '08 exnibit at MPG Contemporary Gallery in New York. Mr. Corey was awarded the Gallery Award for his work.
Many thanks to all who have already joined OPAC. Your membership dues fund many activities at Ottoson, including enrichment programs like "the Egypt Lady." We hope to increase our membership (right now at 42%) so that we may continue to offer high quality enrichment programs to our students here at Ottoson. Please go to the OPAC link on the web page for more information.
A note from our Recycling Club: "Recycling is important at Ottoson. Besides regular recycling in our building, the Ottoson participates in a recycling fundraiser using the bright green and yellow "Paper Retriever" bin located at the entrance to the school. All paper except phonebooks and cardboard can be deposited in this bin and we encourage you to recycle any paper your family has collected, as it benefits Ottoson directly. Please contact Julie McDaniel at jmcdaniel@arlington.k12.ma.us if you have any questions about Ottoson recycling."
5-2-1 offerings from 2:30 to 3:49 currently include:
Wed.--wiffleball
Fri.--floor hockey
coming soon--roller blading
Dr. Malone Neville
| Date | Game |
| Mon 1/23 | Weston |
| Thu 1/24 | Myst Valley |
| Mon 1/28 | Acton |
| Thu 1/31 | Hanscom |
| Mon 2/4 | at Watertown |
| Thu 2/7 | at Littleton |
| Tue 2/12 | Watertown |
| Mon 2/11 | at Weston |
| Thu 2/14 | at Myst Valley |
Ottoson Basketball Game against Lincoln today (1/17) in the Wood Gym
The Ottoson Chronicle features writing and artwork by Ottoson tudents. The next meeting with be Thursday the 24th in Mrs. Cummings's room 214. All students interested in working on or just learning about the Ottoson Chronicle are welcome. Visit past issues here: http://ottosonchronicle.kelharron.com
AM/PM applications are available in the main office. (and soon to be available online here)
Good morning Ottoson Families.
A snow day on Monday is a gift--although it makes for a very busy Tuesday. During 7th period yesterday, 8th grade students (not in band, orchestra, and chorus) attended a presentation by the Arlington Explorers Post (firefighters and EMTs). Although most of our students will not go on to professions in these fields, many may find themselves in areas where citizens depend on voluntary firefighters and EMTs. The presentation was excellent and we hope may have sparked an interest in these areas of public service.
News from Ottoson is posted on the website. Beginning this week, student notices on the daily bulletin will be posted daily. The Ottoson Chronicle (published 3-4 times yearly) is also available online at www.OttosonChronicle.com. This student publication is full of news and art work. The December issue was distributed to all students through their homerooms.
Congratulations to our 6th grade students whose wonderful Egyptian artifacts are on display in the media center.
Articulation of our 8th grade students to high school has begun. We will soon receive the program of studies from Arlington High School. Parents will be asked to review student choices and teacher recommendations. The date for an evening meeting for parents at AHS has not yet been set. There will be a panel discussion about the program at Minuteman tonight (Jan. 16) in the cafeteria at Ottoson from 7 to 8:30 p.m. An evening meeting for parents and students will be held at Minuteman on January 30.
The geography bee is today.
From a parent group at Brackett: "A dessert potluck and networking event hosted by the Brackett School Gay Parent Goup and supported by the Arlington Human Rights Commission will be held Tuesday, Jan. 22 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Brackett School cafeteria. This event is open to all Arlington families with school age children. Come meet other gay-parented families, learn about our group, and share ideas about how to support our kids in school. KIDS WELCOME! Please bring a dessert to share. For more information, contact Anna Watson:watsonam@verizon.net"
Monday, January 21 is the celebration of the birth of The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. There is no school. Dr. King's teachings of hope and love for me are as urgent today as ever.
Judy MN
Geography Bee will be held in room 207 Mr. Garrity’s room @ 2:45 on Wednesday, January 16th. This was postponed due to the snow day on Monday.
5-2-1 Offerings from 2:30 – 3:49
Tuesday & Thursday – Wrestling at AHS “The Pit” 5:00 – 6:30 pm
Friday – Floor Hockey
Coming soon – Wiffleball & Rollerblading
Hello Fellow Ottoson Parents,
Happy New Year! Our first OPAC meeting in this new year is this Tuesday at 7:00pm in the teachers' conference room behind the main office. OPAC is the Ottoson Parents Advisory Council and all are welcome. Here are the agenda items for the evening. Hope you can make it.
*"150 Household Iniative" with Barglow Damon
*Principal Update with Dr. Malone Neville
*Discussion of Cluster Parents & Social Committee
*Treasury Update
*Open Discussion
Hope to see you.
Sandy Stergiou & Cindy Starks, OPAC Co-Chairs
Because of the expected storm, Arlington Public Schools have been closed for Monday, January 14th.
THE LUNCH TIME READING CLUBS HAVE BEEN REINSTATED!! They have been announced at school at least 4 times since right before the holiday break, but sorry they didn't get announced on this list. The first Girls' Reading Club is meeting THIS WEDNESDAY Fifth Period (1/9/09) in the Media Center, and although a book had been picked out for discussion, at this point I think we are mainly going to discuss good books we have read lately and talk about what we would like to read over the rest of the year. There has unfortunately not been smooth and clear communication about the re-start of these groups, but my staff member Ann Bausman, who was the library aide at Stratton for a number of years, and myself, who has run middle school book groups successfully at the Robbins, along with our staff member Sylvain Malfroy-Camine, a 2003 AHS Graduate, have been given the go-ahead to restart the groups, with the girls group starting this week and continuing every second Wednesday of the month. Students should simply let their 5th period teacher know that they will be attending the group, and if there is a problem they should bring it to the guidance counselor or to the principal -- or to us at the book group and we will help solve it. It would be very helpful to us if students could sign up in the media center for the book group so we know how much pizza to order, or if you as there parents could email me and let me know your student is planning to attend.
The boys' bookgroup is scheduled for the 4th Wed, this month the 23rd, during 5th period in the Media Center, and for this month we are asking them to check out and read Avi's Don't You Know There is a War On, which exists in multiple copies in the media center. But again, the most important thing is that they sign up in the media center so we know how much food to order and that they come to this first meeting. We really look forward to seeing them all.
We are really sorry that communication has been less than completely smooth about this, but when I went to the principal and explained that students and parents were missing these groups and asked if we couldn't find a way to reinstate them this year, she was really very accommodating and worked with me to find a solution. She is still down a full time library aide so the solution needed to be an "outside the box" solution that involved letting us come help with the groups. I hope that will end up being a good thing for the students and that this will work, despite some obviously poor communication here in the beginnning.
If you have questions feel free to call me on my cell (781)572-6812 or at AEC tomorrow afternoon (718)643-4794 (that will be the more reliable place to reach me). Thanks so much, and happy new year all!
Kim Kay Holt (AEC -- Arlington Enrichment Collaborative)
Good afternoon Ottoson Families. We're enjoying our respite from winter weather.
Reminder: students will be dismissed from school tormorrow (Tuesday) at 1 p.m. Also, there is no school on Monday, January 21 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Last Friday, 6th grade students experienced a lively and fascinating workshop presented by "the Egypt Lady," Paulette Morin. Ms. Morin, who has a Master's Degree in Education, has been teaching Egyptian history to students for over twenty years. We appreciate the special connection that she has with Ottoson Middle School.
Auditions for the spring play, Wendy's Tale, are underway.
The Ottoson wrestling team will meet for the first time Tuesday, January 8 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Arlington High School (Pit Gym). The team will meet every week on Tuesdays and Thursdays until February break. There is no fee. If interested, please call or see Mr. Kevin Cummings.
There will be an informational meeting for 8th grade students and parents interested in Minuteman Regional High School on Wednesday, January 16 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Ottoson in the cafeteria. Student, parent, faculty, and administration representatives will give an overview of the programs offered at Minuteman. There will be a open house at Minuteman on January 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. Tours of Minuteman are offered every Wednesday morning between January 9 and May 7 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. If you would like to know more, please call the Admissions Office at 781-861-6500 ext. 244.
We will soon receive program of studies and registration materials for Arlington High School. More information to follow.
Dr. Malone Neville
Good morning Ottoson Families.
Happy New Year!!! Middle school is all about new beginnings. We are hopeful that our students are returning to school with renewed purpose and an agenda for success. We are mindful that we are partners with you in helping our students reach their goals.
Second term ends January 25, enough time for students to complete work and improve their grades. Teachers are available to students after school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Sometimes, they need encouragement from home to stay for help.
Last Thursday, electricians worked through the day and into the wee hours of Friday morning to replace the electrical board at Ottoson. Many thanks to John Flood for coordinating these efforts and to our custodial staff.
In response to calls this morning about the snow piles blocking the crosswalks on Benjamin and Quincy, Mr. Saum has been in touch with Arlington DPW to remove those piles.
As we enter the coldest part of the winter, please remind your children to dress for the weather and to arrive at school at 7:45 a.m. If they are participating in the am/pm program, arrival time in the morning is 7:15 a.m.
January 8 is an early release day for all secondary students for the purpose of staff professional development. Dismissal time for students is at 1 p.m. Lunch will be served in school.
We are excited about our girls' and boys' basketball teams. They have been practicing hard in anticipation of the season, beginning Monday January 7.
Dr. Malone Neville
Several of the local television stations allow users to register to get notifications of school delays and closing either sent to their email or cell phones.
Here are some sample links you can use to do that:
| Channel 4 | http://wbz.cbslocal.com/registration/login.aspx | Channel 5 | http://www.thebostonchannel.com/closings/index.html |
| Channel 7 | http://www3.whdh.com/stormforce/closingbell.php |
Hello Ottoson Families.
A message from OPAC: We currently have 675 students in the directory--last year we had close to 900. OPAC is trying to publish this year's directory ASAP with as many families included as possible. Your student should have a copy of a "proof" sheet for her/his clasroom. If your name is on the sheet, please check it for accuracy. If it's ok, then you are all set. If it's missing or incorrect, then please enter or send your information today. If possible, please enter it online at:
https://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/ptodirectory
If you have a family member who is deployed currently, who is facing deployment, or has just returned from overseas, you are invited to join a newly forming Military Family Support Group. The first meeting is scheduled for December 20 at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph's Church, 130 Common Street, Belmont. Child care will be provided. If you have questions, please contact John Maguranis, Belmont Veterans' Services Officer at 617-908-7479 or jmaguranis@town.belmont.ma.us
We continue to remind our students about walking safely to and from school--using crosswalks.
The 630 cluster will be visiting the Science Museum on Wednesday, December 19 and the 800 cluster will be attending a play on Thursday, December 20.
Try-outs for the 8th grade talent show will be held Wednesday after school.
School will be dismissed at the end of the day on Friday, December 21. We will be in recess for the holiday break until Wednesday, January 2, when school will resume at 8 a.m.
I hope that all of you enjoy the holiday break!! In addition to R & R, this is a good time for our students to get some outdoor exercise, catch up on reading, and help out with family projects.
Dr. Malone Neville
From Channel 5 Website:
Arlington Public
Middlesex County
2 Hour Delay
Submitted at: 5:25 AM EST on Monday, Dec 17
Early Dismissal Due to Impending Snow Storm
Due to the impending snow storm, schools will be dismissed at 12:30 today, December 13th.
The 7th grade field trip will still be happening, and students are expected to return around 12:30 or 1pm. Pizza has been ordered for the 7th graders and that will still be served. They will likely be released around 1pm.
The 6th grade bus will be departing around 12:45.
The Metco bus will be held for all students (including 7th graders)
Only 1st and 2nd lunch will be served (not 3rd).
Good morning Ottoson Families. This weather has been tricky. We've used the p.a. to caution students about walking to and from school safely. You can help us keep our students safe by driving with care on all roads surrounding Ottoson. Please do not drive down or park on Benjamin Road.
We had a wonderful dance on Friday night -- good music, lots of dancing, pizza, water and soft drinks. Unfortunately, there was a crush of students at the end of the dance trying to get their coats in the lobby. There will be a better exit plan at the next dance. If your child came home with a coat that does not belong to her/him, please return it to the office.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 11 is an early release day for students at 1 p.m. Secondary teachers will meet by department with curriculum leaders for professional development. Both breakfast and lunch will be served in school. At 10 a.m., there will be an all-school assembly at which all of our choruses and musical groups will be performing. Students who are performing should come to school dressed in their concert attire. Student art will be on display in the media center tomorrow night beginning at 6 p.m. The concert is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. We hope that you will be able to join us.
Help wanted: if you know of anyone who is interested in a full-time position as library aide, please contact me. We are also looking for permanent building substitutes.
It's been a busy day. I began this message in the morning and it's now afternoon. . .
Judy MN
Good afternoon Ottoson Families. Thank you for your flexibility during our delayed opening this morning. When weather threatens, please listen to the radio or tv or go on the Arlington Public Schools web site for announcements regarding school delays or closures. Please do not drop off your child at school any earlier than 20 minutes before the first block.
Parent teacher conferences continue this week. Evening conferences are Tuesday, December 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. Afternoon conferences are Wednesday, December 5 and Friday, December 7 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. School will be dismissed on Wednesday (December 5) and Friday (December 7) at 11:45. No lunch will be served. in order to accommodate the parent/teacher conferences. If your child is helping us with conferences, we thank you (and your child) in advance for doing a wonderful job. Please be sure that she/he is picked up promptly at the end of the conference period (especially the evening conference).
Tickets for the dance to be held at Ottoson on Friday, December 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. go on sale this week--Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday during lunch. Tickets are $5.00 and must be purchased in advance. No tickets will be sold "at the door."
The following is an important message from the music and art departments:
"The Ottoson Middle School will hold an "Evening with the Arts" on Tuesday, December 11. The Art Show begins at 6 p.m. in the Media Center. The Winter Concert featuring all Ottoson choruses, bands and orchestras begins at 7 p.m. in the Wood Gym. The choruses should plan to meet in their rehearsal space at 6:30 p.m.. The band and orchestra should plan to meet in their rehearsal space at 6 p.m. Concert attire for performers: Black pants/skirts; white shirts, black shoes, a tie for boys.
There will be a day concert for the entire school on Tuesday, December 11 at 10 a.m. Band and orchestra students will be wearing the black and white concert attire. The choruses will be wearing casual attire for this concert. The 7th and 8th grade chorus will wear their tie-dyes and jeans. The 6th grade chorus will wsear and white shirt and jeans. Sneakers are permitted for chorus members only for the day concert."
We are collecting coats for the needy--all sizes of children and adult coats (hats and gloves as well). Please look for a box in the main lobby.
Judy MN
Good morning Ottoson Families. As you know, students will be dismissed toady at noon. Parent conferences are scheduled from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Reminder that parent conferences will also be held in the afternoon on December 5 and December 7 (12:30 to 2:30 p.m.) and in the evening on November 29 and December 4 (6 to 8 p.m.). Please register on line by going to the Arlington Public Schools home page, click on parent conferences, go to the Ottoson site, and follow the menu.
Please send back your student's first term report card, signed by you, to your student's homeroom teacher. You will receive a copy of the report card in return.
Picture make-up day is Wednesday, November 28.
Our first DANCE is Friday, December 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $5. Once students are in, they are here to stay until the end of the dance, unless a parent/guardian comes to pick up a student. If a student is late, she/he needs to bring a parent/guardian to the door. We're looking forward to fun, food, friends. . .
The winter concert will be held in the Wood Gym on Tuesday, December 11, 2007, at 7 p.m. All of our music groups have been working hard to prepare an exciting program. Students will perform for the entire school that morning as well.
If you are interested in meeting with Jim Earley to discuss special education programs at Ottoson, please email or phone me, if you have not already done so. Dr. Earley will be observing classes and interviewing Ottoson staff on November 27 and 28. He will be interviewing parents on December 5.
Judy MN
Good morning Ottoson Families. I hope that all of you enjoy a restful Thanksgiving break. School will close on Wednesday, November 21 at noon. No breakfast or lunch will be served that day.
Picture retakes are scheduled for Wednesday, November 28.
The next Parent Education Forum will be "Transitioning from PreSchool to Kindergarten" on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at the Dallin School from 7 to 9 p.m. Representatives from the Arlington Public Schools and the Early Childhood Community will present information and strategies to assist parents in supporting their child's transition from the home to school setting. For more information on all upcoming forums, Click here
Mr. Saum, Mr. Rogers, Ms. Udovicki, Mr. Colosi, and Mr. Silverman have begun teaching the anti-bullying curriculum to 6th grade students. We are hopeful that parents will discuss name-calling, teasing, harassment, and bullying behaviors with their children as reinforcement for positive behaviors we expect at Ottoson and in the larger community.
Report cards will be sent home with students this week. Parent conferences are scheduled for November 26 (afternoon), November 29 (evening), December 4 (evening), December 5 (afternoon) and December 7 (afternoon). Please register online by going to the Arlington Public Schools home page, click on parent conferences, go to Ottoson, and follow the menu (or click here). We look forward to seeing you!
Dr. Malone Neville
Hello Ottoson Parents!
The time of our next OPAC meeting on 11/13/07 (next Tuesday) has been moved up and will now be held from 6-7:30 in the OMS Media Center.
We are excited to announce that Arlington Superintendent Nate Levenson will be joining us from 6-7 to review and take feedback on the goals for the Arlington School District.
From 7-7:30 we will have the Principal's report from Judy Malone Neville and other OPAC business.
This information will be going home in a backpack note later this week.
We look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible!
- Cindy Starks & Sandy Stergiou
PTO Thrift Shop distributes another $9,000
At a Townwide PTO meeting on Monday, October 29, the PTO Thrift Shop distributed a total of $9,000 to the PTO’s of Arlington’s nine public schools, with each school receiving $1,000. This brings to more than $112,000 the total amount distributed since the shop opened in 2004.
For information, call the shop at 781 483-3433, send an email to info@ptothriftshop.com, or visit www.ptothriftshop.com.
Good morning Ottoson families.
The 5-2-1, Get Up and Go, Let the Children Play at the Ottoson Middle School promotes physical activity through a variety of venues. Presently there is dodgeball, Dance-Dance Revolution, Play Station 2 Bikes and Rope Jumping, flag football, and ice hockey. The grant-sponsored program is free, except for ice hockey which costs $200 per participant. Upcoming activities include wrestling, roller blading, and floor hockey. All information regarding this program (activities, times, places) is posted in the school for students, announced in the daily messages, and available on the school website.
On November 9, there will be a Veterans' Day Assembly during the first block. There is no school on Monday, November 12, when Veterans' Day is observed.
The next OPAC meeting is Tuesday, November 13 from 6:30 to 7:30 in the teachers' lounge at Ottoson. The OPAC co-chairs asked that I remind you that you may make a contribution to OPAC online via PayPal --http://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/Ottoson/main/OPAC.htm (just press the donate button in the middle of the page), and they thank you!
We are excited that we will be able to offer boys and girls the opportunity to play basketball this year. Ottoson will be participating in a competitive organized league. Try-outs will be held for boys and girls interested in participating. More information will be sent home with students who are interested in participating.
Please look for first term report cards the week of November 19. If you would like to sign up for a conference with your child's teacher(s), you may do so online. Please go to the Arlington Public Schools homepage, click on parent conference, click on Ottoson (or click here), go to the cluster number and that will list your cluster teacher names. Out of cluster teacher's names are listed separately. (Registration opens for Ottoson on November 14th) Please fill out the page. If you cannot do that from your computer, you may use a friend's computer, or a computer at the Arlington Public library or Ottoson Middle School library. You will receive an electronic confirmation at the email address you input.
Arlington Public Schools:
What are we doing & why are we doing it?
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Robbins Memorial Town Hall Auditorium
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Presentation by School Committee
Audience questions and answers with
School Committee and Superintendent
EVERYONE WELCOME
Parent Forum - "IT’S A BOY!" By Michael Thompson will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2007 at the Dallin School from 7- 9:00 PM. This is for parents preschool age through grade 12.
Michael Thompson will discuss how a boy’s inner life progresses through infancy, childhood, and adolescence. What do boys actually need? How does a healthy boy look and act? Michael Thompson will provide expert advice on the developmental, psychological, social, and academic life of boys from infancy to the teen years.
Presenter: Michael Thompson, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist, lecturer, consultant, and former seventh grade teacher. He conducts workshops across the United States and internationally on social cruelty, children’s friendships, and boys’ development. His books include: Raising Cain, Speaking of Boys, Best Friends/Worst Enemies, Mom they’re Teasing Me, The Pressured Child, and “It’s A Boy!” (To be released in March 2008). Dr. Thompson lives in Arlington with his wife and two children. For more information you are invited to visit his website at www.michaelthompson-phd.com.
Good morning, Ottoson Families! What an exciting day, even if you are not a baseball fan.
Hat Day last Friday was a huge success. We are sending a check for $481 to the Jimmy Fund. Many thanks for your participation. Pictures of the day are on display in the front lobby.
Reminder--November (Thursday) 1 is a professional day for all Arlington staff and a no-school day for all Arlington students.
We remain concerned about the safety of our students on their way to and from school. Please remind your child to look both ways when crossing streets, to cross at the corner or cross walk, and to wear a bike helmet.
Halloween is Wednesday, October 31. We will remind students in school that they should travel in groups, use flashlights, stay on the sidewalk, be especially careful when crossing streets, and behave responsibly.
We are in the last two weeks of the term. Please check with your child to make sure that she/he is completing her/his assignments and preparing for tests.
Dr. Malone Neville
Due to early release day on Oct. 16th, 7th and 8th grade chorus will extend rehearsal on Thursday, Oct. 25 from 2:25-2:45 in the cafeteria. If your son/daughter cannot stay after due to a scheduling conflict, please email Cori Gaffny at cgaffny@arlington.k12.ma.us or leave a message on extension 1103.
Good morning Ottoson Families. OPAC has asked me to remind you of the meeting dates for this year. They are Tuesday, Nov. 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m.;Tuesday, Jan. 15, 7-8:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Feb. 12, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Mar.18, 7-8:30 p.m.:Wed., May 7, 7-8:30 p.m. The program for the meeting on November 13 is "New to Ottoson? Come ask questions and share your concerns. From dances to study halls and eveything in between."
Wednesday evening, October 24 7-9pm, a city-wide Parent Education Forum will take place at Ottoson Media Center. "The Sky is Falling vs. Look Ma-No Hands," Developmental Challenges and Anxiety in Childhood and Adolescence will be presented by Sue Korber, RN,CS. Ms. Korber is a clinical nurse specialist who has extensive training and experience in psychopharmacology and has been on staff at Childrens' Hospital in Boston, Tufts New England Medical Center, Harvard Vanguard Associates, and Charles River Health Management. She will focus on normal developmental challenges vs. the emergence of a true anxiety disorder. For more information on all upcoming forums, Click here
Once again, thank you for your support during and following the power failure at Ottoson last week. I've requested the installation of emergency lighting on the back stairs. I've been told that the entire power panel will be replaced the weekend after next.
Reminder that there is no school for students on November 1. Faculty will be participating in a full-day of professional work with faculty at AHS.
On November 9, there will be a dedication of a plaque commemorating veterans at the Ottoson field during the first period.
SOAR will begin on November 15. Students will have an opportunity to select SOAR activities next week.
We are very excited that the Red Sox will be competing in the World Series. On Friday,
October 26, we will celebrate the long-awaited "hat day," a fundraiser for the Jimmy Fund. All students (and faculty) who wish to wear a hat during the school day on Friday are asked to give $1.00 to their homeroom teacher on Friday morning. I'm looking forward to wearing my baseball hat, the hat, I'm convinced, that helped win the 2004 Series. Go Sox!!
Dr. Malone Neville
From: Nate Levenson and Judi Malone-Neville
Re: School will be open as usual
Date: October 17, 2007
Late this afternoon power was restored to the Ottoson Middle school. The faulty part has been replaced, the related components have been inspected, and the system tested. All is working fine.
We will be running a normal school day tomorrow, Thursday October 18th. We are confident that the problem has been fixed, and electricians will be on site tomorrow morning.
Thank you for your cooperation and patience today. The early dismissal was smooth, orderly, and very quick. The staff, students, and maintenance team all did a great job.
"Today at 8:20 a.m. the power failed at the middle school, and smoke was detected in the electrical panel room. The school was evacuated in an orderly way, and the police, fire, and maintenance arrived quickly. After 35 minutes it was determined that no fire existed, but only smoke, and that it was safe to return to the building.
"All children were in the building, warm, safe, and well behaved. We had running water and restrooms. At 10 a.m. we determined that electric power wouldn’t be returning quickly, and an orderly dismissal began.
"No student was dismissed without parent permission given to a staff member or parent pick up. Within an hour, most children had been dismissed.
"Lunch was served and by noon nearly everyone was home. The Ottoson staff and administration handled the situation very well, and the children made us all proud.
"The problem was a part in the electrical breaker panel from 1972 wore out and caused a great deal of smoke. The part is being replaced, and we believe the repair will be completed in time for school to be open Thursday.
"If school is canceled, it will be posted on the district Web site (www.arlington.k12.ma.us), or you may call the school cancellation line at 781.316.3510. We will also post an update on the district Web site by 9 tonight.
"Thank you for your patience and cooperation. The children, staff, and town came together to handle a difficult situation extremely well."
An earlier statement said that the Fire Department was called to investigate. Students and staff were reported back in the building at 10:40 a.m.
"The electricians are now repairing the problem. Because of this power outage, we will not be able to conduct school as usual today."
The following message is sent to you from Superintendent Nate Levenson and Interim Ottoson Middle School Principal Judy Malone-Neville:
Dear Parents:
This morning, the Ottoson Middle School lost electrical power. Students were escorted out of the building, and the Fire Department was called to investigate. Students and staff are now back in the building, and everyone is safe and warm. The electricians are now repairing the problem. Because of this power outage, we will not be able to conduct school as usual today.
Parents may come to the middle school to pick up their children. If that is not possible, parents may email the Superintendent's Office (nlevenson@arlington.k12.ma.us) or call 781-316-3501 to give permission to allow the release of their child to walk home. (If possible, we would appreciate an email message.) Lunch will be provided to any student who is still in the building.
Please check the district website for further updates as they become available at www.arlington.k12.ma.us.
We would sincerely appreciate your cooperation, as we handle this situation in a calm and orderly fashion. Thank you for your help.
Superintendent Nate Levenson
Interim Ottoson Middle School Principal Judy Malone-Neville
Marie Carroll
Superintendent's Office
Arlington Public Schools
Phone: 781-316-3502
Fax: 781-316-3509
email: mcarroll@arlington.k12.ma.us
Good morning. It was good to see so many parents at Open House last Thursday. Thank you for supporting the bake sale.
We are pleased to welcome Henry Olds as the ACE science teacher. Mr. Olds is joining us today.
At the grade level code meetings, we talked about appropriate dress for school and the work place. Couture is always a hot topic for middle school students. We have asked students to avoid short shorts, tops with spaghetti straps, halter tops, bare midriffs, baggy pants revealing underwear. These expectations are nothing new at Ottoson. We'd appreciate your supporting our attempts at creating a work place environment by talking with your child and monitoring her/his dress for school.
A reminder about safety on the roads surrounding Ottoson and in the driveway. Please pay attention to the crossing guard and use the crosswalks. Please use the sidewalk and do not walk in the driveway.
OPAC (Ottoson parent group) is seeking new members. You may register online.
There is a meeting for Boston parents at METCO Inc. tonight, October 1. Mr. Colosi has called all parents. Mr. Skidmore, principal of Arlington High, and I are looking forward to discussing 21st Century Education, a vision for secondary education in Arlington. That meeting is from 7 to 8 p.m. at 20 Dimock Street, Roxbury.
Dr. Malone Neville
Tuesday and Wednesday, September 25 and 26th are picture days at Ottoson. Families should have received order forms in backpacks on Monday, September 24th.
Here is the schedule of which students have pictures which day: (thank you Ms. Tomilson for providing this!)
Pictures are not being done during gym this year since the gym classes are mixed. Here is the full schedule:
September 25
| Period | Cluster |
|---|---|
| Period 1 | 800 |
| Period 2 | 810 |
| Period 3 | 630 |
| Period 4 | 750 |
| Period 5 | |
| Period 6 | 760 |
| Period 7 |
| Period 1 | 610 |
| Period 2 | 770 |
| Period 3 | 820 |
| Period 4 | 640 |
| Period 5 | Make – Up 6, 7, and 8 |
| Period 6 | 620 |
| Period 7 | 650 |
This Thursday, September 20th, please join
Superintendent Nate Levenson as he provides a
forum for parents of Ottoson students to learn
about plans for the school year. The meeting will
be in the Ottoson library from 7-8 p.m.
Refreshments will be served.
Parents will also be able to meet Interim Principal
Dr. Judy Malone Neville who is committed to the
Ottoson until June. She is looking for a team of
enthused and energetic parents to help lead OPAC
in supporting a positive and productive learning
community at Ottoson. If you can't make the
meeting, please email Karen Coleman at
kcklix@msn.com if you are interested in being part
of the team.
The fall Open House will take place on Thursday, September 27th, from 7-9pm.
You are invited to meet your child’s teachers at our Fall Open House. Your child will bring home a copy of
his or her schedule for you to follow for the evening. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet your child’s teachers and receive information about all of the programs at Ottoson.
The information about the before/after school AM/PM program has been posted on this website. You will find it by clicking the AM/PM link on the menu on the left side of this screen. Note that the form is also available there.
You will find a staff directory listed under the menu item Our School, School Directory, Teachers.
This listing has been updated as of 9/6/2007. The information is close to complete -- there are a few additions that may occur in the next few days.
Cluster Assignments letters are being mailed out on Thursday, August 30th.
There are 5 clusters in 6th grade -- 610,620,630,640,650
There are 3 clusters in 7th grade -- 750,760,770
There are 3 clusters in 8th grade -- 800,810,820
There are two email lists for Ottoson parents. One is hosted by the school department, and is used for school communication -- the type of info that might be sent home in backpacks.
This list was purged of all members in mid July to eliminate many expired addresses. Note that no messages have been sent to this list between July and August.
You may sign up again in two ways. If you are unsure if you are on the list it will not hurt anything to sign up twice. If you were already subscribed you may get an error message indicating that. To simply sign up for the entire school list, go to www.arlington.k12.ma.us which is the school department home page. Look on the right side of the page.
You can also complete your information for the OPAC directory, which will also enroll you on the whole school list, as well as individual grade and cluster lists. This system is not completely set up with new teachers for the fall yet -- it will be ready by 9/8/2007.
The link for this page is https://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/pto_directory This also gathers information to use in the published directory.
The other list is an informal list hosted by yahoo, and may be used more for parent conversations. To subscribe to this list, visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ArlingtonMiddleSchool
Monday, June 11th - World Language Finals
Monday, June 11th - 610 cluster field trip
Tuesday, June 12th - Cluster finals
Wednesday, June 13th - Cluster finals
Thursday, June 14th - 8th grade field day
Friday, June 15th - 7th grade field trip
Friday, June 15th - 8th grade cluster award program (a.m.)
Friday, June 15th - 8th grade Recognition Evening rehearsal (1 p.m.)
Saturday, June 16th - 8th grade trip to New York City
Mr. Carta is in the process of getting the media center ready for the summer months. Please take a moment to check your child's bedroom and book bag and around the house for any Ottoson books.
We are re-sending it, as our needs are becoming rather URGENT. We need FORTY cases of water, juice, and soda, and right now we have TWELVE; we need FORTY trays of desserts and right now we have TWO; and we need THIRTY platters of fruit and we right now we have TWO...and RECOGNITION NIGHT IS LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY. (as of June 7th)
If you can help, please contact the following people:
Fruit platters: Kim O'Leary: polkol@comcast.net (781-646-6134)
Drinks: Kristin Muniz: will-kristin@verizon.net ((781-641-9090)
Desserts: Anne DiZio: will-kristin@verizon.net (781-648-4897)
Decorations: Sheila O’Brien: Sheila@cool-kids.us (781-648-8367)
Clean up Crew: Laurel Francke: lfrancke@rcn.com (781-643-1613)
The following is a message from Paula Demetrio, Ottoson Band
Director, to 8th Graders:
Any 8th Grade student who is interested in auditioning for the AHS
Jazz Ensemble, please sign up for an audition time on the sheet posted
on the stage door outside of the Wood Gym.
Auditions will be held at AHS in Room 324 on Thursday, June 14.
ALSO: Any parents of Band, Orchestra or Chorus members who would
like to help scoop ice cream for our 7th Annual Ice Cream Social, on
Tuesday, June 12, please come to the the Ottoson upper field (opposite
the main entrance) with your ice cream scoop at 1:00 pm. Thank you!
The summer reading lists have been posted on the Ottoson website and on the district website. Click here to see the list, or look under the Learning Menu above
Monday, June 4th - 820 French class field trip
Tuesday, June 5th - Girls' mentoring field trip
Wednesday, June 6th - Character Fair (8th grade)
Thursday, June 7th - Boys' mentoring field trip
Thursday, June 7th - LBSP field trip
Friday, June 8th - 630 cluster field trip
Friday, June 8th - World Language finals
Eighth grade students received a letter and permission slip for the New York trip. Please check the backpacks!
Upcoming week:
Monday, May 28th - No School - Memorial Day
Wednesday, May 30th - 640's cluster field trip
Wednesday, May 30th - French 800’s La Creperie
Thursday, May 31st - 610 cluster field trip
Thursday, May 31st - 620 cluster field trip
Friday, June 1st - Band/Orchestra performance at elementary schools and field trip
On behalf of Wendy Stewart:
Greetings! So far, the Media Center has received about 16 beautiful books on Renaissance artists and relevant subjects. Yay! Here is the complete list of individuals eighth graders study and write about this year. If you have any books you would like to donate, the kids will benefit from your generosity. Thank you. (Please forgive any errors in the transcription of this list.) Wendy
Renaissance Artists and Thinkers
Michelangelo Buonarotti
Donatello (Donato di Niccolo di Betto Bardi)
Raffaello Sanzio (Rafael/Raphael)
Leonardo da Vinci
Sandro Botticelli
Filippo Brunelleschi
Jan van Eyck
Titian (Tiziano Vecellio)
Giotto (Giotto di Bondone)
Agnolo Bronzino
El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos)
Lorenzo Ghiberti
Giorgio Vasari
Albrecht Durer [that's "u" with an umlaut, please)
Fra Angelico (Guido di Pietro)
Filippo Lippi
Piero della Francesca
Desiderius Erasmus
Niccolo Machiavelli
Thomas More
William Shakespeare
Johannes Gutenberg
Niccoleaus Copernicus
Giovanni Bellini
Giorgione (Giorgio Barbarelli)
Masaccio (Tommaso di Giovanni Di Simone Guidi)
Tuesday, May 22nd - 650 cluster field trip
Thursday, May 24th - Career Lunch - Pilot
Thursday, May 24th - Spring Concert - 7 p.m.
Friday, May 25th - 610 cluster field trip
Friday, May 25th - Memorial Day Assembly 1p.m.
Paper Recycling Fundraiser at the Ottoson - The Ottoson now has a paper recycling bin sponsored by Abitibi available for any paper donations except cardboard and phonebooks. The school directly benefits from the paper collected; please feel free to drop off any paper you would normally recycle through the town recycling program. Student volunteers are also collecting paper throughout the school during a weekly SOAR activity period. Contact Julie McDaniel at jmcdaniel@arlington.k12.ma.us if you need further information.
Yearbooks will be on sale the week of May 21st -May 25th after school in the main lobby from 2:30-3:00pm each day. The cost is $14 per yearbook. Cash or checks made payable to Ottoson Middle School can be used for payment. Yearbooks cannot be reserved without payment. Yearbooks will not be sold after May 25th. Yearbooks will be distributed on Monday, June 18th.
Thank you to all who sent emails regarding the New York trip. It appears there is support from families so we can begin to organize the trip. There was overwhelming interest to take the trip on Saturday, June 16th. I will ask the school committee for approval and then send information home to parents via student backpack.
On Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Safety Building, the Arlington Human Rights Commission will present a community dialogue Perspectives on Special Education in Arlington: a Panel Discussion . The dialogue will be in the form of a panel discussion with plenty of time for questions. Panelists include BJ Cataldo, Director of Special Education , Kathleen Fraser, Early Childhood Coordinator , Sean Garballey, School Committee , Joanne Holton, Special Education Teacher , Nate Levenson, Superintendent of Schools , Trish Orlovsky, Co-chair Special Education Parent Advisory Council , and Barbara Tilson, Co-chair Special Education Parent Advisory Council . Questions about the event may be directed to the Human Rights Commission at (781) 316-3250.
Monday, May 14th – Math MCAS – grades 6, 7, 8
Tuesday, May 15th – Math MCAS – grades 6, 7, 8
Wednesday, May 16th – History MCAS – grade 7
Wednesday, May 16th – Science/Technology MCAS – grade 8
Thursday, May 17th – History MCAS – grade 7
Thursday, May 17th – Science/Technology MCAS – grade 8
Thursday, May 17th – 630 cluster field trip
Friday, May 18th – LBSP field trip
Mr. Carta is attempting to collect all the overdue books. Please check around your home and remind your student to return any books that belong to the OMS media center.
MCAS testing begins Monday. We have reminded students to get a good night’s sleep; eat a healthy breakfast; make every effort to arrive at school on time; relax, they are prepared.
The Assistant Principals have met with all sixth, seventh and eighth grade students to remind/review expectations (academic, dress, behavior, attendance) as we enter the final few weeks of school.
We are exploring the option of taking an eighth grade trip to New York City. We are thinking about leaving on a Saturday (June 9th or 16th) at about 6:30 a.m. and returning around 11 p.m. The cost of the trip is $75 and includes transportation, admission to ….. and dinner. Students should bring a lunch for a picnic in Central Square. I would love to receive parent feedback on: idea of trip; preference on dates; concerns. Please take a moment to email your thoughts with the subject line New York trip. My email is sbouris@arlington.k12.ma.us
Upcoming week:
Monday, May 7th - 800 cluster field trip
Tuesday, May 8th - School Council 4-5:30
Tuesday, May 8th - OPAC meeting - 6:30 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 10th - Career lunch - Athletic Director
Friday, May 11th - School dance - 7-10p.m.
The OPAC sponsored a wonderful luncheon on Wednesday. Thank you to Trish Newman and Jane Worcester who organized the event. The teachers really appreciated the luncheon and especially the homebaked desserts!
School dance - Dance tickets are $5 and can be purchased after school on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The dance is from 7-10 p.m. on Friday, May 11th.
Upcoming Dates:
April 30th - May 4th - Teacher Appreciation Week
Monday, April 30th - Japanese visitors (students and teachers) from our sister city will be spending the day visiting classes.
Tuesday, May 1st - Practice Math MCAS - grades 6-8 periods 1 and 2
Thursday, May 3rd - Career Lunch - Software Developer
Thursday, May 3rd - Math Fair
The Math Fair for Ottoson and AHS students will be held in the media center at Arlington High. Ottoson students who are participating will leave Ottoson at about 12:30 to go to AHS to set up. Parents are invited to the fair - it is open to the public on May 3rd from 6:30-8 p.m. Ten projects (projects with the highest scores) will be on display at the Museum of Science on June 9th from noon-5p.m.
From OPAC: The Ottoson Community would like to honor "Teacher Appreciation Day" on Wednesday, May 2nd at 11AM. A luncheon will be provided from a local caterer . We would like to add a personal touch with home made desserts and flower arrangements. If you would like to donate desserts or flower please e-mail Jane Worcester : janedworcester@yahoo.com or 781 641-3907.
This message was sent out by Ms. Bouris on Weds, April 25th.
Thank you to the many who called and emailed today regarding the placement recommendations for Arlington High School. We are trying to return all the calls/emails as soon as possible. Please know that the eighth grade teachers made recommendations based on experience with your child and knowledge of the high school curriculum demands. They are not going to change their recommendations, but parents are welcome to override teacher decisions. Please feel free to contact the curriculum leaders if you have questions about levels and work demand/expectations.
Contact numbers are:
Elise Frangos (English) 316-3552,
Kathy Bodie (Math) 316-3587,
Judith Sumner (Science) 316-3574,
Charles Skidmore (Social Studies/Electives) 316-3594.
I know some of you would like extra time and are not ready to return the forms by Friday. If you need extra time, please email me or Larry Silverman and just let us know you are hanging on to the recommendation. We will send the first batch to the high school on Friday afternoon and then the second batch next week.
There will be a meeting at the home of Renee Lubowich, 6 Kilsythe, at 7PM this Thursday, April 26th, for all 8th grade parents willing to help plan the 8th grade recognition night. If you're interested but cannot attend, please contact Renee at relubo@aol.com.
All 8th grade students met with Mr. Silverman yesterday and reviewed the program of studies for Arlington High School. The recommendation forms were sent home with students along with the grade 9-12 program of studies. Please review the recommendation form, sign and return to your child's homeroom teacher by Friday, April 27th. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email Ms Bouris.
Happy Friday!
Upcoming week:
Tuesday, April 24th - Ottoson/AHS Girls' Mentoring field trip
Thursday, April 26th - Career Lunch - Physical therapist
Thursday, April 26th - Exploration Evening 7-9 p.m.
Friday, April 27th - Ottoson/AHS Boys' Mentoring field trip
Arlington High School students, who have received training through an alcohol awareness program, will be meeting with sixth graders. The meetings will take place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (April 23rd, 25th, 27th) during first and second periods. This is an opportunity to begin a conversation with our sixth graders on alcohol/drug awareness.
We will have an extended homeroom on Friday morning for 8th grade students. Charles Skidmore, Principal at Arlington High School, would like to begin planning for next year. He is asking for 8th grade students to review the 9th grade "elective" offerings and check those which may be of interest. The reason for this is so that he can better plan where to open and/or close sections of offerings, based on interest. I thought you might like to know the offerings.
Feel free to email if you have any questions. -Stavroula
Arlington High School
Grade 9 Elective Choices
Please number from 1 to 5 the electives below. Number 1 should be the elective you most prefer.
Art I*
Drama I*
Mixed Chorus*
Women’s Choir*
String Orchestra* - must already play an instrument
Symphonic Band* - must already play an instrument
Early Childhood Education
Chefs
Teen Living
Fashion Design and Construction*
Computer Assisted Drafting
Computer Literacy
Keyboarding – meets 3 times per cycle
* This course satisfies the AHS Fine Arts requirement of one arts course during your high school career.
On Saturday, April 28 the Robbins Library is sponsoring a children’s book sale. They are looking for:
· Donations of used children’s books in good condition
· People to help sort the books from 11-5 on April 21
· People to help sell the books from 9-4 on April 28
If you can help or know people who can, please let me know! The sale benefits the Friends of the Robbins Library, which gives all the money over to the library for materials, programs, etc.
Books for the Robbins Library CHILDREN'S book sale (not YOUR books-the
kids' books) can be dropped off at Robbins Library during the April
vacation week and at Ottoson Middle School lobby next week. I think
there may also be a collection site at Dallin school.
Judi Paradis
Program is open to all Ottoson students. Funding for the program comes from a grant from Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The following activities are offered:
Mondays - Inline Skating;
Tuesdays -Wiffleball/Pickleball;
Wednesdays - Dance Dance Revolution/Play Station II Game Bikes and Floor Hockey;
Thursdays - Badminton; Fridays - Floor Hockey and All Wood Baseball.
All activities are FREE and run from 2:34-3:49 p.m.
Upcoming Week:
Monday, April 9th - Bishop/Stratton 5th graders visit
Tuesday, April 10th - OPAC - 8:30-10 a.m.
Tuesday, April 10th - Early Release - lunch served - dismissal at 1 p.m.
Tuesday, April 10th - School Council 4-5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 11th - Dallin/Thompson 5th graders visit
Thursday, April 12th - Hardy 5th graders visit
Thursday, April 12th - Career Lunch - Architect
Friday, April 13th - 610 cluster field trip
Vacation begins at the close of school on Friday, April 13th. We are making every effort possible to get report cards out with students on Friday, April 13th.
From OPAC: Notices went out last week re: 8th Grade Recognition Night. As the notice outlines, the event is funded by parent contributions--any amount is welcome--send contributions to Ottoson, 63 Acton St. The notice does however neglect to mention WHO to make the check out to----please make checks payable to OPAC. A committee meeting for anyone interested in helping to organize this event will be held Thurs., April 26th at 7pm at the home of Renee Lubowich---7 Kilsythe. You can e-mail her with questions at relubo@aol.com
I extend my best wishes to those of you celebrating the holy days this week/weekend.
Upcoming Week:
Monday, April 2nd - ELA long composition make-up
Tuesday, April 3rd - 650 field trip
Thursday, April 5th - Peirce/Brackett 5th grade students visit
Thursday, April 5th - Career lunch - lawyer
Thursday, April 5th - End of 3rd term
Friday, April 6th - No school
Donations of Children’s Books: The friends of the Robbins Library’s Youth Advisory Committee are collecting children’s and young adult books and media materials for a sale on Saturday, April 28th from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm in the community room at the Robbins Library. Blue Donation box is located in the main lobby.
Upcoming week:
Tuesday, March 27th - 750 Peabody Essex Museum
Thursday, March 29th - Career lunch - hairdresser
Thursday, March 29th - Spring Open House for parents of 5th graders and current 6th graders
Any student absent during any part of the MCAS test this week will be tested the week of March 26th.
Thank you to the parents who volunteered this week for "breakfast duty". We appreciated the help.
A reminder the Spring Open House (for parents only) will be Thursday, March 29th from 7-9 p.m. Fifth grade parents will meet in the wooden gym and sixth grade parents in the cafe.
Donations of Children’s Books: The friends of the Robbins Library’s Youth Advisory Committee are collecting children’s and young adult books and media materials for a sale on Saturday, April 28th from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm in the community room at the Robbins Library. Blue Donation box is located in the main lobby.
Happy Friday!
Upcoming week:
Tuesday, March 20th - FULL DAY OF SCHOOL - ELA MCAS Long Comp (7th grade)
Tuesday, March 20th -OPAC meeting 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 21st - NO early morning CHORUS rehearsal
Wednesday, March 21st - ELA MCAS - grades 6, 7, 8
Thursday, March 22nd - ELA MCAS - grades 6, 7, 8
Friday, March 23rd - ELA MCAS - grades 6, 7, 8
A reminder there is no early release day on Tuesday, March 20th. It is a full day of school, due to MCAS. The early release is rescheduled to April 10th.
Breakfast will be provided on the mornings of the MCAS testing. Breakfast is free to all students taking the test. It includes a granola bar, juice, fruit. We could really use some parent volunteers to distribute the breakfast items and to help supervise the cafe during those mornings (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday). If you are available, between 7 and 8 a.m., please email back with the subject line "breakfast". Please let me know which day you are available to supervise.
MCAS - We will administer the ELA (English/Language Arts) section of the MCAS tests the week of March 19th. We will remind students over the announcements on Monday and Tuesday of the following:
1. They are well prepared
2. They should not be stressed and/or anxious
3. They need to get plenty of rest the night before
4. They should eat a healthy breakfast
5. They should make every effort to arrive on time in the morning
6. Relax, they will do well.
Parent Forum - Monday, March 19th, 7-8:30 p.m. - Kids, Food and Weight - For Parents of Students in Grades K-12
In this interactive discussion, we will address the food and nutrition issues that confront parents on a daily basis: My kids won’t eat whole wheat bread, is white bread evil? How much junk food is OK? What about sugared cereals or diet soda? How can I get my son to lose weight or my daughter to realize she is not fat? How can I be sure that my vegetarian daughter gets enough protein? Are there any good books to read about feeding a family? These are some of the issues that will be raised in this timely and informative workshop. Bring your questions and concerns.
Presenter: Nancy Clark is the director of nutrition services at Sports Medicine Associates, one of the largest athletic injury clinics in the Boston area. A registered dietitian specializing in nutrition for sports and exercise, weight management, wellness, and the nutritional management of eating disorders, Clark counsels everyone from casual exercisers to competitive athletes. She is the author of several books, is a nutrition columnist, and an internationally known lecturer.
Enjoy the weekend and the snow!
There is an all-town String Concert at Ottoson at 7pm on Tuesday, March 13th.
There is an all-town Band Concert at Ottoson at 7pm on Thursday, March 15th.
Both concerts are free and all are invited!
NOTICE--the OPAC meeting orginally scheduled for March13th has been moved to Tues. evening March 20th @6:30 PM. Jennifer Daremer from the Robbins Library will open the meeting with a brief internet demonstration of some new online resources the library has that can be accessed from your home. This is a great way to be ready to help your student access data for those Spring term research papers from your home computer.
The meeting's agenda will also include a discussion of important, impending Ottoson administation changes. Also, 8th grade recognition night plans will be on the agenda. Mark your calenders now--don't miss this important OPAC meeting.--Diane Briner, OPAC coordinator
Happy Friday! Congratulations to the cast and crew of MULAN!
Upcoming week:
Tuesday, March 13th - 770 field trip
Tuesday, March 13th - School council 4-5:30
Tuesday, March 13th - All town string program
Wednesday, March 14th - 8th grade visit to AHS
Thursday, March 15th - career lunch - nurse
Thursday, March 15th - All town band program
Thompson school is celebrating its 50th anniversary; a community tile mosaic is being created. You can 1. Create your own tile or 2. Sponsor a student. Fliers explaining the options are available in the Thompson office or online at www.thompsonelementary.com. Deadline is March 19th. This is for students also!!
The 8th Grade will be visiting classes at AHS on Wednesday, March 14th. Parents should drop off students at Lowe Auditorium at Arlington High School by 8:00 a.m. Attendance will be taken and then students will meet the Principal, department heads, teachers and current students. They will have an opportunity to observe a class. Students will return to the Ottoson via school bus around 11 a.m.
Congratulations to Mrs. Krepelka who gave birth to a healthy baby girl and Mrs. Tivnan to a healthy baby boy this week.
Building The Strength Within: Promoting Adolescents’
Well-Being
For Parents of Students grades K-12
Thursday, March 8, 2007 Bishop Cafetorium 7:00 – 8:30 PM
[Paula Demetrio, Band Director, recently distributed the following
information to Band members. Transcribed by Wendy Stewart
Dear Parents of Ottoson Middle School Band Members:
I hope that this letter finds you all in good health. I cannot
believe that our SEVENTH Annual Festival of the Bands Concert is
coming up so quickly! All of the students have worked so hard in
preparing for this performance. Congratulations and bravo to all of
the band members!
EXPLORATION NIGHT will be held on THURSDAY, APRIL 26, from
approximately 7-9 p.m. at the Ottoson Middle School. In some years
in the past, all of the performing groups had an open rehearsal
during that time (not the entire two hours). I do not have any
specific details for you at this time; however, you will be
receiving a notice stating all of the information from me soon.
Our FESTIVAL OF BANDS CONCERT will be held on THURSDAY, MARCH 15,
2007, at 7 p.m. at the Ottoson Middle School in the Upper Wooden
Gymnasium. Reporting time for all Middle School Band Students is
6:00 at the Ottoson Middle School. Upon arrival to the school, all
students should report to the Blue Gym, leave coats and cases there,
and then report to the upper Wooden Gymnasium for tuning and warm-
ups. Please be sure to bring a folding music stand to the concert if
you own one. Please label the top AND the bottom parts of your music
stand with your first and last name. If you do not own a folding
music stand, there will be some available for you to use.
This concert will show the entire spectrum of the concert band
program from grades 4-12. Please plan on staying for the entire
performance as all of the children have worked so diligently.
Admission is FREE!! All are welcome to attend.
CONCERT DRESS FOR THE OTTOSON MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND
Girls: White blouse, solid black skirt/pants, solid black dress,
solid black shoes, black socks
Boys: White shirt with a collar, solid black dress pants/khakis,
black socks, solid black shoes. Ties are suggested.
Please avoid sneakers for the performance if at all possible.
This year, the Jazz Ensembles will not be performing at this
concert. The OMS and AHS JAzz Ensembles will be performing on
Saturday evening, June 2, 2007. Tickets will be on sale soon.
I am looking forward to seeing you at the concert(s)!! Happy Spring!
Musically yours,
Ms. Paula A. Demetrio
Band Director
Ottoson Middle School
The Ottoson Middle School students will be presenting Mulan, Jr. at two evening performances. Thursday, March 8th and Friday, March 9th at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students/children and will be available at the door beginning 1/2 before showtime. The play will be performed in the upper gym at the Ottoson (entrance on Quincy Street).
This should be great show with approximately 100 6th, 7th, & 8th graders performing.
Happy Friday!
Upcoming week:
Monday, March 5th - 760 cluster field trip
Monday, March 5th - Mid-term
Tuesday, March 6th - National French Exam
Tuesday, March 6th - LBSP field trip
Thursday, March 8th - Career lunch - Banker
Thursday, March 8th - School Play 7:30 p.m.
Friday,March 8th - School Play 7:30 p.m.
On Thursday, March 8th the Ottoson/Arlington High School mentoring groups will be making a presentation on the Adopt-A-Soldier campaign. The recognition ceremony and presentation of gifts will take place during 7th period. If you have a family member who has served or is currently serving in the armed forces and would like to be part of the ceremony, please email Janet Maguire at jmaguire@arlington.k12.ma.us
The school play will be performed on Thursday and Friday, March 8th and 9th, at 7:30 p.m. in the wooden gym. There will be an in-school "sneak preview" on Thursday morning for 7th graders and Friday afternoon for 8th grade students. Some 6th grade clusters will watch the performance on Thursday and others on Friday (schedule yet to be determined)
Arlington High School has invited our 8th grade students to tour AHS and visit classes on Wednesday, March 14th. Please plan to drop your 8th grade student off at Arlington High School on the morning of the 14th - students will return to the Ottoson via school bus - more information will be coming from Charlie Skidmore, AHS Principal.
If there is any parent/family member who would like to participate in career lunch, please send me an email. We are still looking for individuals who would be interested in sharing information about their career/profession.
>From the Superintendent's office: Please find the link to the Arlington School Committee Survey on
Fiscal Year 2008 Arlington School Budget. Please find the link to the Arlington School Committee Survey on
Fiscal Year 2008 Arlington School Budget.
The spring open house is for parents of current 5th and 6th grade parents.
Current 5th grade parents will meet with Principal Bouris in the Wooden Gym. There will be small group presentations by teachers at 8pm.
Current 6th grade parents will meet with Asst Principals John Gonsalves and Eric Saum in the Cafetorium. There will be small group presentations by teachers at 7:45pm.
We look forward to seeing you on the 29th!
Rumors are circulating that there will be an Ottoson dance at Arlington High School this Friday, February 16th. There is NO dance - not sure how the rumor started - we are investigating - thank you to the parents who called to notify us!
The early release day that was scheduled for 3/20 has been changed to 4/10. Students will be released at 1:00 due to teacher professional development meetings.
Happy Friday!
Upcoming Week:
Tuesday, February 13th - OPAC meeting 8:30-10 a.m.
Tuesday, February 13th - School Council Meeting 4-5:30
Thursday, February 15th - Career Lunch - Social Worker
Friday, February 16th - 8th Grade talent show - 7th period
Friday, February 16th - Vacation begins at the end of the day
Our "lost and found" pile is growing. Feel free to stop by the main lobby and search for any missing items.
Our district is currently searching for a Director of Special Education for the next school year, since B.J. Cataldo has resigned effective June 30. If you would like to be part of the search committee, please apply in writing to the superintendent's office by Thursday, February 15, indicating the characteristics that qualify you to serve on such a committee. Serving on the committee will require time to review resumes prior to March
6, attending a search committee meeting from 3:45-5:00 on March 6, and ability to attend interviews tentatively set up for late afternoon and early evenings on March 13 and 20. If you have any questions regarding the process, please call Dr. Kevin Hutchinson, Assistant Superintendent, at 781-316-3523.
Upcoming week:
Tuesday, February 6th - Early release - dismissal at 1:00 p.m. - lunch will be served.
Wednesday, February 7th - All town chorus concert at Arlington High School.
We are planning a talent show for 8th graders - please encourage your 8th grader to participate. Auditions will be held Friday, February 9th at 2:35 in the cafe. The talent show will take place on Friday, February 16th during 7th period.
On Thursday February 15th from 7 to 8:30pm there will be a parent forum on "Child Overweight" at the Brackett Cafetorium. This forum is for parents of students in kindergarten through grade 12. Presenter Margaret Lovesky, licensed dietitian/nutritionist for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will discuss current medical research on childhood overweight and provide practical advice to help parents and their children live healthier and more active lives. Tracy Antonelli from Children's Hospital will also discuss the Beverage and Student Health Study (BASH), which is being hosted by Arlington High School over the next two years.
I appologize again for the glitch with the report cards. We will be working on the problem this weekend so that new and corrected report cards can be printed for distribution on Monday.
A trip to Japan in late June is being plan for Arlington High students and current 8th graders. The group will visit our sister city furthering the exchange program that has gone on for decades.
For more information, click here.
Ms. Cummings has added some exciting new sites featuring work by Ottoson students. They include Ottoson Together and the online edition of The Ottoson Chronicle.
Click here for Ottoson Together
The School Committee and administration are in the process of developing next year's budget. At the moment, there is a deficit. A meeting is planned for Monday, 1/29, 7-9pm in the School Committee room (AHS, 6th floor).
Here is a note from Susan Lovelace:
Monday's forum will be presenting the same information that the
Superintendent presented at the School Committee meeting on Jan 9th (with a
few minor edits to his slides) Much of what was presented was reported in the
Advocate and can be found at the Think of Our Kids and/or Bob's Sprague's
Arlington website. However, I will ask if the Superintendent's powerpoint can be
put on the school's website in the morning.
Since the audience does not have the ability to ask questions, discuss or make
suggestions during a regular School Committee meeting, the intention behind
this Forum is to allow for a dialogue with the public. Although there will be a
presentation at the beginning of the current situation, it is my hope that people
will help us answer the tough question we are facing between raising revenues
or cutting services.
I want to restate however that we are not presenting the budget itself or making
any specific recommendations but rather trying to gather input.
Thank you,
Susan Lovelace, Chair
Budget Subcommittee
Today is the last day of the semester - grades close. I hope to have report cards ready for distribution on Friday morning/afternoon.
A friendly reminder from our crossing guard - please be prepared to drop off your student in the morning. According to the crossing guard many parents and students are finishing conversations right as the car door opens. This is holding up traffic on Acton Street. Any help to expediate drop off in the morning would be greatly appreciated.
Career Lunch - I am hoping to begin a "career lunch" program for interested 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. I would like to invite parents/friends/community members/etc. to come in and talk about their career. Here's the format: The career lunch would take place every Thursday, except the Thursdays during vacation weeks and MCAS testing weeks. Students who were interested in the presentation would sign up outside my office. They would sign up for the time period which coincides with their lunch (1st lunch, 2nd, 3rd lunch). I would limit the presentation to 15 students/lunch period. Students would bring their lunch to the room and eat/listen/ask questions. The person presenting their career (education background, typical day, pros/cons to job, etc.) would be making 3 twenty minute presentations - a time committment from about 11:25-12:45. I am looking for anyone interested in coming to speak to the students. I presented a schedule to OPAC and found that trying to find professions for specific days was impossible - for example, the vet was not available the day we needed her but was available another day when we had someone else scheduled - in other words, I should have been more flexible. That being said, if you or anyone you know is interested in participating and can make the committment for a specific Thursday (February -June), please send me an email.
The basketball schedule is posted below:
Ottoson Middle School Basketball
2006-2007
Girls Schedule
| 12/20/06 | @Sudbury | L 10-60 (Curtis Middle School) |
| 1/25/07 | @Hanscom | W 24-23 (Hanscom AFB) |
| 1/29/07 | vs. Hanscom | 3:30pm (Ottoson Middle School) |
| 1/31/07 | @ Dedham | 3:30pm (Dedham Middle School) |
| 1/4/07 B team vs. Acton-Boxboro | L 9-45 (Ottoson Middle School) | |
| 1/25/07 | B team @ Hanscom AFB | L 55-64 (Hanscom AFB) |
| 1/29/06 | B team vs. Hanscom AFB | 4:30pm (Ottoson Middle School) |
| 12/20/06 | A team @ Sudbury | W 46-44 OT (Curtis Middle School) |
| 1/24/07 | A team @ Belmont Hill | L 27-47 (Belmont Hill School) |
| 1/31/07 | A team @ Dedham | 4:30pm (Dedham Middle School) |
| 2/3/07 | A team @ Belmont Hill | 10:00am (Belmont Hill School) (no bus available, team should meet at Belmont Hill at 9:30am) |
| 2/21/07 | A team @ Rivers School | 4:15pm (Rivers School – Weston) |
Upcoming week:
Wednesday, January 24th - 8th grade parent orientation at Arlington High School - 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Friday, January 26th - End of second term
The school department has organized a series of Parent Education Forums. The dates for upcoming sessions are listed at the bottom of this page.
Click here for a full description
Sorry for the delay of the weekly update. The email system for the schools has been down since Thursday. I know some of you have emailed us and have been waiting for replies - please know we have not been ignoring you, we have been unable to receive or send messages.
The directories were distributed on Friday - please check backpacks! Thank you to Josh Lobel who was in charge of the project. Thank you to Steve Savarese from Century 21 Adams and Bill Mahoney from Metropolitan Home Finance for their generous funding of the excellent printing job.
The crossing guard on Acton Street, near the front of the school, asked me to remind everyone that Acton Street up to the school is a two-way street. Apparently some of the neighbors are having a hard time getting out of their driveways in the morning. Some cars are also coming up the street two-by-two. Please be careful.
Wednesday, January 24th - Eighth grade parent orientation to Arlington High School. Principal Charles Skidmore will be presenting information regarding Arlington High School from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Lowe Auditorium. Curriculum leaders and guidance counselors will be on hand to talk about Arlington High School and program of studies for next year. All 8th grade parents are invited.
Have a great week! -Stavroula Bouris
Happy New Year! I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday season. Welcome back!
Upcoming week:
Tuesday, January 9th - Early Release - lunch served - dismissal at 1p.m.
Tuesday, January 9th - 4p.m. - School Council
Tuesday, January 9th - 6:30 p.m. - OPAC
Friday, January 12th - Martin Luther King, Jr. Assembly 8:15 a.m.
Monday, January 15th - No School
This is the final week for Coats for Kids. Collection bins are located in the main lobby.
Our "lost and found" has grown over the past few weeks - we will place a table in the main lobby with the items. Feel free to come in and look around and claim any of your child's lost items - coats, jackets, shoes, hats, books, lunch bags, etc.
8th grade parents - Please remind your 8th grader to turn in the elective sign-up forms. I have begun to schedule students and some classes have already closed. The second semester begins Monday, January 29th.
This message is from the Arlington Public Schools business office -The MBTA is now providing student Charlie Cards. These cards are durable plastic cards with an embedded chip that stores value. They are reusable and students can add value to them at any time at any fare vending machine at stations throughout the MBTA system. Students then simply tap their Charlie Card on the black target at the fare box on buses or a fare gate at subway stations. These cards will allow students to receive the half-fare Monday-Friday from 5:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. when school is in sesion. Cards will be "shut-off" during the summer vacation and activated again at the start of the new academic year. I will share this message with our students this morning. If a student is interested, he/she must stop by the office and pick one up.
In working with the Arlington Police to promote safety to and from school, we will be out and about looking at the traffic flow/pedestrian walking routes before and after school. I know many of you have already raised concern over the morning drop-off on Quincy Street. The Arlington Police have been around and have been taking notes and we will be meeting. We remind students about pedestrian safety and I hope you can reinforce with students the following: walking to/from with friends; walking on the sidewalk; looking both ways before crossing; crossing at a crosswalk; crossing with the crossing guard; aware of solar glare; snow/ice issues.
Eighth grade students were given the following information on the elective offerings for second semester. I asked students to bring the information home and review with parents before selecting classes. Here is a "cut and paste" version in the event the original does not make it home to you! (click this link) -Stavroula Bouris
This year we are piloting a new way to offer out of cluster classes/electives (art, music, drama, etc) in the 7th and 8th grade. To provide common planning time for teachers and to offer enrichment, remediation and support classes within the context of the school day, eighth graders are scheduled for “out of cluster” classes at the same time.
In piloting the new elective approach, we would like to offer eighth grade students the opportunity to take classes in elective fields they wish to further explore. The art, music, drama, family and consumer science, and technology departments have worked together to offer the following electives. Eighth grade students please take some time to review the offerings with your parents/guardians. I encourage you to sign up for classes where you can explore a talent and/or advance an interest and not just because your friends signed up for something. After you review the list, make your top five (5) choices (serious choices) and fill out the last page. Once your parent/guardian signs the sign-up sheet, please return to your homeroom teacher.
-Ms. Bouris
Upcoming Week:
Thursday, December 21st - Mentoring breakfast (for 8th grade girls and boys in the mentoring program with Arlington High School)
Thursday, December 21st - MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) assembly for all students (1:00 p.m.)
Friday, December 22nd - 8th grade field trip - vacation begins at the end of the day
We are still collecting Coats for Kids.
Eighth grade students will be bringing home, via backpack, a sign-up sheet for second semester "electives". Please review the offerings with your child, sign-off the selection and return to homeroom teacher. I will send a separate email with the list of electives, in the event the original does not make it home on Monday!
Upcoming Week:
December 12th - Art show and winter concert - Art work will be on display in the media center and main lobby. The concert will begin at 7 p.m.
December 13th - 7th grade field trip
December 15th - 2nd Mid-term
In an effort to keep our students safe, the Arlington Police Department will be conducting a pedestrian safety presentation with our students. When we work out the details (date, time, location) I will send out an email. Our technology department is also organizing a presentation on computer safety for parents and students. Police chief Fred Ryan was kind enough to forward the link to the sex offender registry so that parents are aware of the presence of sex offenders. The links:
http://www.arlingtonma.gov/Public_Documents/ArlingtonMA_Police/sexoffenders
The school play will either be "High School Musical" or "Mulan, Jr.". Singing audtions will take place Wednesday, December 13th at 2:30 in the drama room (room 101). Acting audtions will take place on Friday, December 15th at 2:30 p.m. in the drama room. Call backs will be Monday, December 18th at 2:30 p.m. We encourage all students to participate.
Anton’s Cleaners Annual Coat Drive is being sponsored by OPAC and will run from now until January 15th
The winter concert this year will be Tuesday, Dec. 12 7pm in Wood Gym
It features the 7&8 Grade Chorus, 6 Grade Chorus, Select Chorus, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Band, and Chamber Orchestra.
Chorus concert attire: black pants or skirt (knee length), white shirt, black shoes, a tie for boys.
Upcoming Week:
Tuesday, December 5th - Parent Conferences 6-8 p.m.
Wednesday, December 6th - Early Release - Parent Conferences - Students dismissed at 12:15 (lunch served)
Friday, December 8th - Early Release - Parent Conferences - Students dismissed at 12:15 (lunch served)
Beginning Monday November 27th - January 15th the students and faculty of the Ottoson Middle School will participate in the 12th annual "Coats for Kids" collection drive sponsored by Anton's Cleaners. All winter coats are accepted– children and adult sizes – that are in good, wearable condition. Please donate coats you would give a friend to wear. Do not donate coats that have rips/tears, broken zippers and/or permanent stains and please be sure to empty out all pockets. Please keep in mind that we are collecting coats only. Coats will be collected in the main lobby of the Ottoson and taken to Anton's Cleaners on a weekly basis.
Ottoson Middle School's 5-2-1 Jump Up and Go is off to an exciting start. This fall, in conjunction with Blue Cross and Blue Shield and WBZ, Ottoson Middle will offer many after-school fitness programs.
All programs are free and all students are encouraged to participate. The Ottoson Middle School 5-2-1is an award winning program and continues to strive with a combination of Planet Health Curriculum, supported by fitness activities offered after school, from 2:40-4 p.m.
All programs are supervised by certified educators who are experts in their field of team sports, fitness and classroom education. This fall, the program offers the following activities:
| Monday | Volleyball in the Wooden Gym with Mr. Bartholomew |
| Tuesday and Thursday | Ice hockey with the Arlington High School staff and team members |
| Wednesday | Flag football for grades 6 and 7 with Mr. Bartholomew and officiated by Arlington High School students giving community service. |
| Wednesday | Inline skating with Mrs. Martorano in the blue gym. All equipment is supplied and video instruction is given to all participants. |
| Thursday | Field hockey with Mrs. Tivnan and Mrs. Sundstrom. Participants meet in the blue gym. AHS sub-varsity with coach Ms. Davis have volunteered to assist with this exciting program as part of their community service giving back to the town. |
| Friday | Flag football for eighth grade with Mr. Bartholomew in the upper field. In case of inclement weather, the students will meet in the wooden gym. This activity is supervised and officiated by AHS students giving community service to the hometown. |
Happy Monday! I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday.
Upcoming Week:
Monday, Nov. 27th - Early release - lunch served - school ends at 12:15 p.m. - Parent Conference Day 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 30th - Evening Parent Conference 6-8 p.m.
I had a few parents who stopped by last week to pick up copies of report cards. If you have not received a copy of your child's report card, feel free to stop by or email and I can send one home via mail. Second/third households will receive report cards in the mail.
All parents are invited - the fair will take place in the cafe from 8:45-11a.m on Wednesday, November 22.
MEDIEVAL BUILDING PROJECT
Here ye, here ye, all subjects of the Ottoson eighth grade!
Queen Bouris has ordered the construction of several new buildings in the Ottoson realm. Your task is to create a plan and build a model of one of these buildings. You may choose from a castle, a cathedral, or a manor farm. Because this is a large task, you may work in a group of up to four people. Each model must be constructed on a base no smaller than 2 foot by 2 foot and no larger than 2 foot by 3 foot.
STEP ONE: To be done during class time in the coming week
First, you must research your building. What was it made out of? What designs were used in the Middle Ages? What are the parts of the building and what were they used for? How was location for the buildings decided? How big were the buildings? Use books and the Internet to find the answers to these questions and other necessary information.
STEP TWO: Due November 13, 2006.
Each group member must turn in their own blueprint and key!
Next, you must create a plan of the building and a key. Your plan should be done on graph paper to ¼ scale of your model- 1 square equals 1 inch. Each part of the plan must be labeled—at least ten areas! A separate key must be included to explain what each labeled part is.
STEP THREE: Due November 22, 2006.
Then, you will build your model. Models may be constructed out of any material except edible materials, pieces from a kit, or Lego blocks- anything else will do. Your model should look as if it was made from natural materials available in Europe during the Middle Ages. There will be no class time given for construction- it should be done at home or after school. Please use materials you have around the house before you go out and buy supplies. (Financial assistance is available for purchase of materials if needed)
STEP FOUR: The Presentation of the Models
Building models will be presented before fellow subjects and noblemen on November 22, 2006 for judging. Prizes will be awarded for best overall design in each category. All models will be graded based on: fulfilling all requirements; historic accuracy and thorough research; creativity with expression, materials, and design; and effort and presentation.
The School Committee has asked us to explore the possibility of offering a MBTA student pass program for Middle and High School students. A monthly student pass would be available for purchase through the School Business office for $13 (Monday-Friday transit). It would be valid for unlimited travel on all MBTA services except commuter rail outside of zones 1 and 2.
Parents would need to pay 1 month in advance (by check) to the Business Office. Passes would be available for monthly pick-up in the Business Office on the 6th floor of the high school (M-F, 8:30-4:00).
We would need a participation rate of at least 50 students. Please call or email Dorothy O’Neill at 781-316-1313, doneill@arlington.k12.ma.us if you are interested in participating in the program.
Happy Friday! Report cards are coming home with students today!
Upcoming events:
Tuesday, November 21st - 6th grade field trip
Wednesday, November 22nd - 8th grade castle fair
Wednesday, November 22nd - Early release - School ends at 12 p.m. - no lunch served
From OPAC:
Friends of Ottoson,
The Ottoson Parent Advisory Council (OPAC) greatly appreciates the generosity of the many parents and friends who have made donations to the 2006-2007 Annual Fund drive. As a group, OPAC solicits annual contributions of any amount that enables us to support teacher's professional development programs, two teacher appreciation events,school supplies for classrooms, special projects/trips for the clusters,special education support, newspaper subscription and other materials (including tissues for the entire school!) not covered by the current fiscal school budget. We receive requests from teachers via a wishlist on an ongoing basis during the school year. Donations in any amount are always welcome and may be sent with your student or mailed to OPAC c/o Ottoson Middle School, 63 Acton Street, Arlington 02476.Please make checks payable to OPAC. Thank you!
Scheduling for Parent/Teacher Conferences will begin at 9:00am on Wednesday, November 15th. All conferences must be scheduled online. To schedule your conference please click this link.
When you register, you will be asked to register for your cluster -- this will include all of the core cluster teachers. (You meet with them sequentially.) You are then given an opportunity to schedule conferences with out of cluster teachers (foreign language, tech, art, music, gym, etc.)
Conference dates will be the afternoons of 11/27, 12/6 and 12/8 and in the evening on 11/30 and 12/5.
Please note that the afternoon conference days (11/27, 12/6 and 12/8) are early release days for the school.
This is an unofficial posting of information supplied by parent Wendy Stewart which may be helpful:
Because Tuesday is an early release day (1 pm), Band rehearsal is
eliminated from the schedule. Students won't be needing their
instruments that day.
Thursday, November 16 at 2:30, sectional rehearsal for percussion
is scheduled.
Thursday, November 30 at 2:30, sectional rehearsal for brass and
low woodwinds is scheduled.
If your student missed the flute/oboe sectional, or the
clarinet/saxophone sectional, they can attend the Nov. 30 session.
The Winter Concert is scheduled for Tuesday, December 12 at 7 pm.
Upcoming week:
All week - American Education Week
Tuesday, November 14th - OPAC meeting 8:30-10 a.m.
Tuesday, November 14th - Early release - lunch served
Tuesday, November 14th - School Council 4-5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 15th - Parent Conference sign-ups begin
Wednesday, November 15th - Grade eight field trip
Thursday, November 16th - Picture Make-Up/Retake day
Friday, November 17th - Report cards distributed
If you would like to visit your child's classroom teacher(s) this week, please call the main office number and register (your name, class/teacher visiting, time/period, day). The day of your visit, please sign-in in the main office - we will give you a "visitor" badge and escort/direct to the classroom. We would love to see as many of you as possible!
A notice was sent home today (via backpack) regarding parent conferences. Sign-ups begin Wednesday, November 15th at 9 a.m. Conference sign-ups will be done on-line.
Picture re-takes /make-ups will take place on November 16th - Students will be called during the day to have their pictures taken. I have received a few emails expressing concern in pulling students out of classes for pictures. I know for some it is an inconvenience to be called from classes, but it seems to be the only way to take care of all the picture needs in the course of the day. The process for retakes/makeups is quick - students miss about 5-10 minutes of a class.
The eighth grade field trip to Arlington High School to view The Diary of Anne Frank will take place on Wednesday, November 15th. Students will meet at Arlington High School in the cafeteria (there will be teachers to direct our students) at 8:30 a.m. Attendance will be taken at the high school and at 9:00 a.m. students will be escorted to Lowe Auditorium for the performance.
Parent Conferences will again be scheduled online. The registration process will begin on Wednesday, November 15th at 9am. Further instructions will be posted once registration is open. It will also be available on the district web site at www.arlington.k12.ma.us once it is available.
Conference dates will be the afternoons of 11/27, 12/6 and 12/8 and in the evening on 11/30 and 12/5.
Please note that the afternoon conference days (11/27, 12/6 and 12/8) are early release days for the school. Lunch will be served (for the kids, not the parents. Parents will have to bring their own apples.)
Some parents have questioned whether there is school on Friday the 10th because of Veterans Day. The answer is YES! The holiday is celebrated on Saturday the 11th only.
Friday, November 10th - First term ends
The first term ends on Friday the 10th. We hope to have report cards ready for distribution on Friday, November 17th.
You should have received your childs pictures this week. Picture re-takes and make-ups will be Thursday, November 16th.
The week of November 13th we celebrate American Education Week. We invite parents in to observe and sit-in on a class. If you would like to do so, please call the main office (781-316-3744) and let us know what day/class period you would like to visit, so that we can accomodate your request. On the day of your visit, please stop by the main office and sign-in and we will direct or escort you to the classroom.
MCAS scores were mailed last week. If you have not received your scores, please let me know via email or phone.
School dance tonight - we are expecting close to 600 students to attend!
Wednesday, November 1st - No School - Professional Development day for teachers
Friday, November 3rd - Author Yoko Kawashima Watson will be meeting with sixth grade clusters.
Happy Friday!
Upcoming week:
Tuesday, October 24th - 650 cluster field trip
Friday, October 27th - School Dance 7-10 p.m.
We had our first fire drill yesterday. Everyone did a nice job exiting the building. We will probably have one more drill with the help of the fire department before it gets real cold outside. If you are volunteering/meeting/visiting the building during an alarm, please remember to exit the school and check-in with one of the secretaries in the front of the building. If you cannot make it to the front, contact an adult with a two-way and we will radio your name and check that you are safe.
Students should be coming home with a letter from the Superintendent. The letter addresses safety issues in the Arlington Public Schools.
School Dance - Friday, Oct. 27th. Tickets ($5) must be purchased in advance. Tickets will be on sale Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday after school. Doors open at 7 and dance ends promptly at 10 p.m. If your child is coming to the dance later than 7 p.m., please write a note and have him/her bring the note to an adult at the door. If you would like your child dismissed early from the dance, please write a note and pick up in the front of the school. We will escort your child to your car.
Enjoy your weekend! -Stavroula Bouris
Unofficial notice that there will be an Ottoson dance on Friday, 10-27. Watch for more details.
Please note time is 6:30 on Thursday
The following notice was sent out by Ms. Bouris on behalf of the Superintendent.
On Thursday, October 19th at 6:30pm in the School Committee Room, a steering committee, consisting of the Superintendent, the Town Manager, School Committee Chair, a Selectmen, a member of the Finance Committee, a member of the Capital Budgeting Committee, and the Town Treasurer will be meeting. This group will flesh out the details for a master planning summit. This summit will include the entire School Committee, Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, Treasurer, and others. The summit will begin the brainstorming process to address three large and interrelated issues 1) School reconstruction, 2) Retiree health insurance costs, and 3) Operating budget shortfalls after year 5 of the five-year stability plan. A facilitator will help this planning group.
This is additional clarification from Mr. Levenson:
This is to confirm that the planning meeting of the larger summit meeting will take place on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room at Arlington High School.
The purpose of this meeting is to plan how to hold a large scale, inclusive summit. All boards, town officials and the public will be part of the summit. On Thursday we are planning the summit, not making a plan of how to address three large complex issues.
The public is welcome Thursday night, but they will be disappointed if they think we will be discussing the substance of the issues or solutions.
Tuesday, October 17th - Early Release - lunch will be served, students dismissed at 1 p.m.
Thursday,October 19th - 640 field trip
Last friday, October 6th, was the mid-point of first term. Students were receiving progress reports this week. Please check the backpacks/agenda books for the progress reports.
We reminded students again this afternoon about being safe walking to and from school. I have received a few emails regarding the speed of drivers on Mass Ave. and on Quincy/Gray Street. I will forward concerns to the Arlington police and ask for their assistance/supervision.
Upcoming Week:
Monday, October 9th - No School
Tuesday, October 10th - School Council 4-5:30 p.m.
Tuesday,October 10th - OPAC meeting 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 13th - 630 cluster field trip
A reminder to those who have not filled out directory forms and wish to be included to do so as soon as possible -- https://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/pto_directory.
Ottoson is once again hosting the 5-2-1 program
| Monday: | Volleyball in the Wooden Gym. | Mr. Barts |
| Wednesday: | In-line skating in the blue bym (all protective equipment and skates provided.) | Ms. Martorana |
| Thursday: | Field hockey in the Blue Gym. | Ms. Tivnan/Ms. Sundstrom |
| Friday: | Flag football on the upper field (Lambeau Field) | Mr. Barts |
Happy Friday! It was wonderful to see so many of you last night at the Open House - thank you for coming. The teachers were commenting on how wonderful it was to have classrooms full of enthusiastic parents who asked great questions!
Monday, many students and staff will be out for Yom Kippur. If you are observing the holy day and your child will be absent from school, please call in your child's absense and record it as a religious holiday.
We are trying to remind students who bike to school to wear appropriate safety gear. We would appreciate any encouragement you can offer. I know many students do not like to wear helmets but they are so important. We also encourage students to walk the bike as soon as they are on school property.
We have a small "lost and found" pile in the office. If you notice your child is missing a jacket, book bag, books, hats, etc. please encourage them to stop by the office and check the pile - parents are always welcome to come and look as well!
Here is the schedule for pictures:
Tuesday, Sept. 26th
Period 1 - 810
Period 2 - 620
Period 3 - 630
Period 4 - 820
Period 6 - 750
Period 7 - 610
Wednesday, Sept. 27th
Period 1 - 760
Period 2 - 800
Period 3 - Any 6th/7th grader who missed Tuesday
Period 4 - 640
Period 5 - 650
Period 6 - Any 8th grader who missed Tuesday
Period 7 - 770
There will also be a picture day in November (date to be determined) for make-ups and retakes.
Happy Friday!
Upcoming events:
Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown today. Happy New Year to all who celebrate.
The first day of Ramadan begins on Sunday, September 24th. If there are students who are observing Ramadan and who do not wish to enter the cafeteria during lunch, they are invited to stay in the media center during the lunch time.
Wednesday/Thursday - Sept. 27th and 28th - Pictures
Wednesday,Sept. 27th - 810 cluster fieldtrip
Thursday, Sept. 28th - Fall Open House
Fall Open House will be held on Thursday, September 28th from 7-9p.m. Students will BRING HOME a schedule for you to follow on Thursday night - please bring that schedule with you so that you know where to go and which classes to visit.
Happy Friday!
The Assistant Principals and counselors are meeting with students by cluster to review the expectations of Ottoson students. We are reviewing the contents of the Agenda book and answering questions and concerns students have regarding appropriate behavior, attire, homework, etc. Eighth graders had the meetings Thursday, sixth and seventh grade meetings will take place Monday and Tuesday.
The after school program the Boys and Girls club is organizing will hold an informational meeting on September 19th at 6:30 at the Boys and Girls club. For more information, log on to the Arlington.k12.ma.us page on the web.
A friendly reminder from the cafeteria director to please write your child's name on the check, if you are participating in the pre-paid lunch program.
We have received complaints from our neighbors on Benjamin Road regarding the drop-off and pick-up of students. Please do not pull into Benjamin Road for drop-off/pick-up. The road is narrow and can become very dangerous as students and staff use the area to enter school grounds.
School pictures will be taken on September 26th and 27th.
Fall Open House - September 28th 7-9 p.m.
Last call for school council candidates - please email me if you are interested in serving on the school council.
Enjoy the weekend! -Stavroula Bouris
The fall 2006 AM/PM program is now listed online. Click the AM/PM link on the menu located on the left side of the screen for more information.
Welcome back to school! I hope you had a restful and enjoyable summer. It is wonderful to have the kids back and we are off and running!
We welcome many new staff members to the Ottoson this year. All our faculty can be reached via email and voicemail.
The Agenda books should arrive on Monday. An Agenda book will be given to each student.
The following forms were distributed in homeroom yesterday - emergency forms (please update and return), free/reduced lunch, insurance (return only if purchasing, MBTA student passes, school calendar
AM/PM begins on Monday - Forms will be coming home for sign-up and we will post information on our web page.
Breakfast is available every morning in the cafe. Breakfast includes a bagel or cereal, muffin, fruit, milk and juice. Breakfast costs $1 and is availabe from 7 a.m. to 7:55 a.m.
A Note From the Nurses:
As many of you may already have heard, an Arlington resident has recently been diagnosed with West Nile virus. West Nile is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Symptoms may include fever, headache, nausea and vomiting and swollen lymph glands.
This is the peak of the season for transmission of West Nile virus, and we would like to remind you of some simple steps you can take to protect your family. Avoid being outside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. If you must be out at these times, wear long sleeves and long pants. Bug spray should always be applied when outside at any time of the day. Screens at home should be checked to make sure that there are no holes large enough for mosquitoes to enter the house, and any outside standing water should be drained.
The Centers for Disease Control has an excellent web site with detailed information on symptoms of West Nile virus, and steps to take to protect your family from this disease. Please call your primary care provider if you experience any symptoms suggestive of West Nile virus.
Pat Hassett, R.N.
Claire Lewkowicz, R.N.
Have a great weekend - I have heard the kids talking about Town Day - Enjoy!
-Stavroula Bouris, Principal
You will need to read these instructions and enter your information in order to be included in this year's PTO Directory.
In an effort to simplify the production of the Ottoson School Directory (as well as other schools in the system), we are again using an online registration process. Since the school directories are PTO projects, it is important that this process is separate from the official registration process the parents may be asked to complete. In other words, you may be asked to go online twice to update your family information, once for the school department, and once for the PTO. The information you entered last year has been retained – you will simply need to update it, and enter your child’s classroom assignment.
The process should be very quick for returning families, and only take a few minutes for new families.
So that we can get the directory out quickly, we ask you to please go to this url ASAP in order to enter/update your information: https://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/pto_directory
Hopefully the pages will be self explanatory, but here are some additional instructions (there are more complete instructions on the web page – there is a new Help link in the upper right corner).
Thank you for your cooperation.
All students will be reporting to school at 8am, Thursday, September 7, 2006 for a general orientation. Students should come prepared with a pencil and notebook. Cluster teachers will be handing out a supply list the first week of school. Sixth grade will report to the cafeteria, 7th grade to the blue gym, and 8th grade to the wooden gym. During the day, students will be introduced to their teachers, participate in discussions about their clases, hear program descriptions, and tour the building.
Lunch -- students will eat during one of the three scheduled lunches between 11:31 and 12:43. Basic lunch is $1.95 to $2.95, milk is $.60 and snacks are $.25 to $1.00. We will be offering a salad bar this year as well.
Dropping off and picking up -- Only school personnel are allowed to drive up the driveway in front of the main office to the parking lot. Parents may drive their child to the door only if he or she is handicapped.
Text Book List -- If you wish to purchase school textbooks, you may pick up a list in the main office. There may be changes as curriculum and materials are updated.
The cluster assignments have been listed in the Arlington Advocate.
Cluster assignments will be sent out during the week of August 28th and will also be listed in the 8/31 edition of The Arlington Advocate
School supply needs will be specified by cluster teachers once students arrive at school.
Please join us on either Tuesday, July 25 or Thursday, August 17 for a tour of the Ottoson Middle School. This tour will begin at 9:30am and last for a 1/2 hour ending at approximately 10:00am. You and your child will see the cafeteria, media center, classrooms, gymnasiums, family and consumer science rooms, technology rooms, etc. Any questions you may have will be answered at that time. If medical, grades or enrollment papers need to be dropped off, please use this date to do so. We look forward to meeteing with you on one of the above dates.
Stavroula Bouris
Principal
Summer reading lists are available on the town's school website, as well as here.
Note that all students should be reading a certain number of books, and keeping a log of those books. Details are included in the reading lists.
Click here for the 6th grade list. (Note the reading log at the end of the list.)
Click here for the 7th-8th grade lists.
Required reading for all students:
Incoming 6th grade -- Crash by Jerry Spinelli
Consider this question as you read: "Which of the two main characters would you choose for a best friend, and why? (Form an argument)"
Incoming 7th grade -- A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck
AND
A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck
Consider this questions as you read: "Is Grandma Dowdel a good role model? Why or why not? (Support your claim with evidence from the text.)
Incoming 8th grade -- Lizzie Bright and the Buckminister Boy by Gard D. Schmidt
Consider this question as you read: "How do Turner and Lizzie show the citizens of Phippsburg, Maine, that caring is an integral part of bettering the world?" Use the text to support your answer.
Happy warm/sunny Friday!
Upcoming events:
Monday, June 19th - 650 Field trip
Monday, June 19th - 800 Field trip
Tuesday, June 20th - 8th grade field day - meet at Arlington Boys and Girls club
Tuesday, June 20th - 750/760 special education field trip
Tuesday, June 20th - 8th grade rehearsal after the field day - 6th/7th period
Wednesday, June 21st - 8th grade rehearsal at 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, June 21st - yearbook distribution
Wednesday, June 21st - 650 field trip
Wednesday, June 21st - 760 field day
Wednesday, June 21st - 8th grade talent show - 6th/7th period
Wednesday, June 21st - Recognition Ceremony - 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 22nd - Canobie Lake - return between 3 and 3:30 p.m.
All 6-8th grade students were to bring home their writing portfolios - please be on the lookout!
The year is quickly coming to an end! There are many activities taking place over the next two weeks.
Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, June 13th - World Language Finals
Wednesday, June 14th - World Language Finals
Wednesday, June 14th - 8th grade Character Fair -6th and 7th period in the cafe
Thursday, June 15th - Cluster Finals
Thursday, June 15th - 640 Field Trip
Friday, June 16th - Cluster Finals
Friday, June 16th - 650 Field Trip
Friday, June 16th - 630 Field Trip
Monday, June 19th - Final Make-ups
Monday, June 19th - 800 Field Trip
Tuesday, June 20th - 8th Grade Field Day
Tuesday, June 20th - 8th grade Recognition - Evening rehearsal in the afternoon
Wednesday, June 21st - 8th grade Recognition rehearsal at 9 a.m.
Wednesday, June 21st - 6:30pm - 8th Grade Recognition/Dance
Thursday, June 22nd - Last Day - Canobie Lake
Permission slips and information regarding Canobie Lake were given out in homeroom Wednesday morning.
The spring edition of the Ottoson Chronicle is now available. You can view it in PDF form by clicking here.
Memorial Day Assembly
We had a wonderful Memorial Day assemlby today. We had great representation from our local Veterans. They were impressed with our students and I know the students were impressed with the Veterans.
Upcoming week:
Monday,May 29th - No School, Memorial Day
Wednesday, May 31st - 630 field trip
Thursday, June 1st - Performing Arts Concert and Art display
Friday, June 2nd - 750 field trip
Performing Arts Concert and Art Display
On Thursday, June 1st, the Ottoson performing arts department and fine arts department will present a music/art night. Student work will be displayed throughout the main lobby, media center and back entrance to the wooden gym. The art exhibit areas will be open at 6:00 p.m. Please join us for the band, orchestra and chorus performance which will begin at 7p.m.
Reminder on Parking Near School
I received a call from a neighbor who wanted to post a friendly reminder to parents who are parking and waiting for students - please try not to block entrance to the residential driveways.
Upcoming week:
Monday, May 22nd - May 26th - MCAS make-up for students who missed any or all of the MCAS this week.
Wednesday, May 24th - 640 cluster field trip to Museum of Science
Friday, May 26th - Memorial Day Program in the wooden gym - 1:00 p.m.
Friday, May 26th - "Dress-up" day - Students and faculty are encouraged to come to school dressed up. The girls are being encouraged to wear either a nice pant/top, skirt/top or dress. Boys are encouraged to wear dress pants and shirt (some wore ties last year).
Monday, May 29th - No School - Memorial Day
Thursday, June 1st - Performing Arts Concert - 7p.m.
Substance Abuse
The High school Students will be speaking to the 6th grade next week about substance abuse during first period and part of second period. Monday, Wednesday & Friday they will be speaking to the 610’s, 620’s, 630’s & 650’s and on Tuesday, Thursday & Friday to the 640’s.
Yearbooks
Yearbooks are on sale until May 23rd. Cost of yearbook is $12
Upcoming week:
Tuesday, May 16th - Math MCAS (6,7,8)
Wednesday, May 17th - Math MCAS (6,7,8) 7th/8th graders bring calculator
Thursday, May 18th - MCAS (7th - History, 8th - Science/Technology)
Friday, May 19th - MCAS (8th - Science/Technology)
All 7th and 8th grade student should bring a calculator with them to school on Wednesday for the Math MCAS.
Wellness Policy
SAVE THE DATE! Come read the Wellness Policy and provide critical feedback before the final draft is completed. Attend the Open Forum on the Wellness
Policy on Monday, May 22nd, 7:00-8:45pm, Robbins Library Community Room. Representatives from the Wellness Policy Committee will be there to answer
your questions. You can also view the Wellness Policy online and provide feedback at www.stand.org/MA (then click on Arlington). For more
information, contact Judy Neufeld, Stand for Children Arlington Organizer at judy@stand.org or call (781) 698-9448.
Enjoy the weekend! -Stavroula Bouris
Upcoming week:
Tuesday, May 9th - Early release - lunch served - dismissal at 1 p.m.
Tuesday, May 9th - School Council 4-5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 9th - OPAC - 6:30-8 p.m.
Bookfair
The bookfair will take place in the media center Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Students will visit during their English/Language Arts period.
Yearbooks
Yearbooks will go on sale after school the week of May 15th. Cost of yearbook will be $13 - more information will follow.
5-2-1 Afterschool Program
A message from the 5-2-1 prgram:
5-2-1 - “Let the Kids Play”
Activities are open to all students and are FREE! Reap the benefits of good healthy activities. After school activities are from 2:30 – 4:00 pm
Monday’s – World Class Wiffleball in Turner Field
Thursday’s – High Intensity Badminton in the Wooden Gym
Friday’s – All Wood Baseball (Ottoson Diamond) Students should bring in their own wooden bats (No Aluminum)
Walking Club
Walking Club, In-line skating and jogging club have begun.
MCAS
MCAS testing begins Tuesday, May 16th.
Enjoy the weekend! -Stavroula Bouris
The 8th Grade Recognition Night will take place on Wednesday, June 21st, at 6:30pm. More information will be forthcoming, but please save the night!
There is going to be a Book Fair next week (starting May 8th) in the Library Media Center. The books will be displayed on carts as they have benn in past years and are filled with titles recommended for now and summer reading.
Copies of titles selected by the English teachers for whole class reading will also be on sale for incoming 6th graders, those moving up a grade here at Ottoson and students going to Arlington High School.
Monday is 8th grade day, Tuesday and Thursday will be for 7th grades and Wednesday the 6th grade classes visit. Emails of the schedules were sent to teachers. Please remember to bring money on the day you are scheduled to visit fair.
Fair will also be open till 3 p.m. each day. On release day, fair will be open until 1:30. Listen for annuncements for other details or bring your questions to Mrs Ruddock in the Media Center.
Happy Friday!
Report Cards
Report cards are coming home today via backpack - please review, sign and return.
Honor Roll
We have submitted the corrected term 2 Honor Roll list to the Advocate for print. The Advocate has promised to publish the list.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Monday, May 1st-Friday, May 5th - Teacher Appreciation Week
Visit by Japanese Students
We will have fifteen students from our sister city in Japan visiting with us on Tuesday and Thursday. They will offer a few classes after school on Tuesday - more information will follow.
Suspicious Behavior
We have received two reports that a male in a dark SUV was seen around the school/St. Athanasius parking lot, around 3:30 p.m. ish, taking pictures of either students/surroundings. Reports have been filed with the police.
Parent Input Form Due
The parent input form, requesting information for next year, is due today, Friday, April 28th.
Upcoming Events
5th grade students will be visiting this week
Thursday, April 27th - Spring Open House for current 5th and 6th grade parents.
Friday, April 28th - Special education breakfast for 8th grade students/parents and Arlington High School staff.
Friday, April 28th - Report cards come home with students via backpack
Upcoming week:
Tuesday, April 11th - OPAC meeting 8:30-10 a.m.
Tuesday, April 11th - School Council 4-5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 11th - All town Chorus concert - 7 p.m. at Arlington High School
Tuesday, April 11th - Safe routes to School - Walk to School Day!
Thursday, April 13th - Third term ends - Report cards home on Friday, April 28th.
Friday, April 14th - NO SCHOOL
Vacation
Vacation begins after school on Thursday, April 13th. School opens again on Monday, April 24th.
High School News for 8th Graders
Arlington High School and Ottoson guidance staff will meet with our 8th graders on April 12th to begin scheduling for Arlington High School.
Honor Roll Corrections
We will print an up-to-date, corrected honor roll list in the Advocate. I appologize for names that were not on the list this past week.
Enjoy the weekend! -Stavroula Bouris
The Ottoson Book Sale will take place May 8, 9 and 10 in the Ottoson Library/Media Center. Stay tuned for more information!
Happy Friday!
Upcoming week:
Monday, April 3rd - ELA MCAS test (6-8 grade)
Tuesday, April 4th - ELA MCAS test (6-8 grade)
Wednesday, April 5th - ELA MCAS test (6-8 grade)/Long Comp. Make-up (7th grade)
Thursday, April 6th - 750 Art/Music field trip
Thursday, April 6th - 8th grade tours AHS - Meet at Lowe Auditorium at 8 a.m.
Important High School Info for 8th Grade
Ms. Udovicki met with 8th grade students today to hand out the program of studies and talk about courses at Arlington High School. Please remember to ask your eighth grader for the booklet. On Thursday, April 6th, the 8th graders will meet at Arlington High School - attendance will be taken in Lowe Auditorium. They will tour the building, sit in on a class, meet the principal/guidance counselors/deans and return via bus to the Ottoson at about 10:30.
Survey for 6th grade students
An after school survey was handed out to all 6th grade students earlier in the week- please make every effort to return your survey by MONDAY.
OPAC News
From OPAC: Attention 8th grade parents: The letter regarding 8th Grade Recognition Night should have arrived at your home by now(via mail). Please look it over and send in whatever donation you can make ASAP so the committee has an idea of what their budget will be. Questions? Contact Diane Briner 781-648-9032 or briner-family@comcast.net THANKS!!!!
5-2-1 - “Let the Kids Play”
Activities are open to all students and are FREE!
After school activities are from 2:30 – 4:00 pm
Monday’s – World Class Wiffleball in Turner Field
Thursday’s – High Intensity Badminton in the Wooden Gym
Friday’s – Floor Hockey In the Wooden Gym
Upcoming Events after April Vacation:
All Wood Baseball, Walking Club and In-line skating
Spring Open House current and future 6th grade parents
Mark your calendar - Spring Open House for incoming 6th grade parents and CURRENT 6th grade parents will take place on Thursday, April 27th - your invitation is in the mail!
Cluster info for 6th and 7th grade
A letter will be mailed home on Monday to current 6th and 7th grade parents requesting information for cluster placement.
Enjoy the weekend! -Stavroula Bouris, Principal
Happy Friday!
Upcoming week:
Tuesday, March 28th - All-town band concert - 7 p.m. in the wooden gym
Wednesday, March 29th - MCAS Long Composition - 7th grade
Thursday, March 30th - Exploration Evening 7-9 p.m.
Friday, March 31st - Latin field trip
Plan ahead- April 3,4,5 - English Language Arts MCAS for grades 6-8
High school transitions
Kini Udovicki, 8th grade guidance counselor, will meet with 8th grade students on Friday, March 31st. She will distribute the course of studies booklet we received from AHS. Teachers will be filling out the recommendation for course selection and the plan is to have 8th grade students registered for classes by April 13th. Charlie Skidmore, AHS principal, has invited our 8th graders to tour Arlington High and sit in on a class on Thursday, April 6th. Our students should plan to meet at AHS on the 6th at 8 a.m. - meet at the high school not Ottoson. After the tour and class they will return to the Ottoson (around 10:30 a.m.) A letter from Mr. Skidmore explaining the process should be coming home soon.
Special Ed Survey
There is a special education parent survey on the Arlington webpage - parents are encouraged to log on and complete the survey.
Youth at Risk Survey -- permission slips needed
We will administer the youth risk survey on Tuesday, March 28th during 1st period. If you would like your child to participate in the survey but have not returned the permission slip please sign and return before Tuesday morning.
Walk to School
A notice went home this week, via backpack, encouraging students to walk to school. The letter states "Activate Arlington Walking Routes to School program encourages children to walk to and from school. We are hoping to increase the amount of exercise for the children and decrease the congestion around the school area.
This year the OMS will be sponsoring an “Opening Day” walk to school event. On April 11, 2006 we are encouring all the students to try and walk to school. We have created a fun option called a “drop off point” where students from different neighborhoods can meet and walk together. The drop off point will be Park Circle. Students can then walk down Cedar St. to Fountain St., which becomes Quincy when they cross Gray St. It is approximately a 15-minute walk all down hill. All students who walk from this point will receive a Red Sox wristband.
Students who walk any distance to school that day and answer the Red Sox Trivia quiz will be eligible for additional prizes. Please make sure to ask your children about the notice, which will also contain a map for the walk."
Enjoy the weekend - Stavroula Bouris
The following note was sent home with students -- it is from Nate Levenson
Dear Parents,
There has been a report to the police of an alleged incident outside of St. Agnes School yesterday where a middle-aged adult Caucasian male solicited children by offering to give them candy if they’d come near his car, a yellow Cooper. In addition, there have been two reports of a person in a black SUV allegedly harassing middle school students before and after school near Ottoson Middle School. While we are not verifying the extent of these incidents, they do raise concerns for the safety of our children and remind us that we should periodically talk with our children about how to deal with and report such situations.
Having conversations with our children about what they should do if approached by any stranger is critical in preventing any incidents. Making sure your child walks with other children or knows how to approach an alternate plan if found to be alone are two ways to address such concerns.
We hope that this information contributes to promoting safety in our community and we stand committed to working with you for our children.
Sincerely,
Nate Levenson
Superintendent
Monday and Wednesday Wiffle Ball Blue Gym 2:30 – 3:30
Thursday Floor Hockey at Yost Arena opposite the stage 2:30 – 3:30
All 5-2-1 programs are free and you reap the benefits from the exercise.
Any Student who is interested in the Wednesday Afternoon art Club should purchase and AM/PM card. Applications are available in the main office. The first meeting will be on Wednesday 3/22 from 2:30 – 3:30 in room 322.
Deadline for next issue of the Ottoson Chronicle is April 16th see Mrs. Cummings in room 218.
The Cast of “Romeo to Go” should meet on Wednesday @2:30 in the Drama Room.
Happy Friday!
A reminder that Tuesday, March 21st, will be an early release day - dismissal at 1 p.m. - lunch will be served.
All school orchestra concert on Tuesday, March 21st - 7 p.m. in the wooden gym.
A notice came home via backpack regarding exploration evening scheduled for March 30th 7-9 p.m.
(Click here for complete flyer)
On Sunday, March 19, 2006, the AEEF will once again bring the community of Arlington together to participate in BEE ARLINGTON, the AEEF Brain Bee. Teams of three people, representing all facets of the Arlington community, will compete for the right to advance to the championship round. Themed teams, costumes and friendly competition are highly encouraged in the quest for the coveted title of "Brain Bee Champs."
This brain teasing event includes more than 20 teams made up of local businesses, schools and organizations. Boston-based comedian Emily Singer has agreed to host the afternoon's event and Nobel Prize winner Professor Roy Glauber has agreed to have lunch with the winners. Musical performances, games for children, refreshments and a raffle add more excitement to the afternoon!
Join us at Arlington's Town Hall on Sunday, March 19, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. for BEE ARLINGTON, the AEEF Brain Bee.
Any questions can be directed to mbriggett@yahoo.com.
Visit the AEEF website at: www.aeef-arlington.org
Happy Friday! I hear the weather is going to great - hope you get out and enjoy!
Congratulations and thank you to all who helped in making Aladdin Jr. such a wonderful performance. What a talented group!
Arlington High School will host a forum entitled "When Our Children Are in Danger: Getting Real and Reducing Harm" on Thursday, March 9, 7:00PM in Lowe Auditorium.
Speakers will include Arlington High School Principal Charlie Skidmore, who will describe what the Arlington schools are doing about the issue; Police Chief Fred Ryan, and Dr. James Hannon, Emerson Hospital.
Exploration Night 2006 will take place at the Ottoson Middle School on Thursday, March 30, 2006 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This school event is an opportunity for next September’s 6th grade students and their parents to visit and learn all about the additional programs offered at the Middle School level.
Click here for the full flier
Happy Friday!
Upcoming events:
Parent Forum "Innovative strategies to prevent bullying"
Tuesday, March 7th - 7p.m
Alladin
Thursday and Friday, March 9th and 10th - School play - 7:30p.m. in the Wooden gym - We will have an "in school" (one Act) showing on Thursday morning and Friday afternoon.
Incident
I received notice from the Arlington Police department that an Ottoson student was walking home on Wednesday. The student was on Water Street, just before the bike path, at about 3 p.m. when a car pulled up, said "Hi", took a picture and drove off. The police are looking for a dark (blue or black), compact 4-door SUV. The man was reported as in his 40's, white, balding with a black fleece shirt. If you have any information, please feel free to contact the Arlington police. We will make a general announcement to students regarding safety from home/school.
Activity Day
We are cancelling Activity Day this year. We did not have as many activities to offer as in years past. There were many factors that played into lack of offerings (cost, locations, date, etc.) We hope to be able to offer Activity day next year.
The OPAC meeting, scheduled for March 14th, will take place from 6-7 p.m. to accomodate parents who wish to attend the high school parent meeting. Please note the change in time.
The upcoming Parent Ed Forum will be addressing how to prevent bullying. It will be from 7-9pm on March 7th, in the Ottoson Cafeteria. For more information, check the district web site at www.arlington.k12.ma.us
The next OPAC meeting is scheduled for Tues., March 14th @OMS. To accomadate those who would like to attend the AHS PAC meeting scheduled for the same evening, the start time for the OPAC meeting has been moved one-half hour earlier, to 6PM. We hope to be done by 7PM and can then send those interested off to the high school meeting. A list of agenda items will go out to this same e-mail address (ArlingtonMiddleSchool@yahoogroups.com) a few days before the meeting. If you have something you'd like to put on the agenda, contact me: briner-family@comcast.net See you TUES. MARCH 14th @ 6PM!
Diane Briner--OPAC coordinator
Thursday, March 2, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
Hardy Elementary School
52 Lake Street, Arlington, MA
Presented by Donna Murphy of the Federation for Children with Special Needs.
Refresher on the IEP and changes resulting from IDEA. Sponsored by the
Arlington Special Education Parent Advisory Council, RSVP Trish Orlovsky
(781) 641-0182.
General meeting from 6:30-7:00. For information or to join our listserve,
send an emal to ArlingtonSepac@yahoo.com, with Subscribe, in the subject. or
email t_orlovsky@hotmail.com.
The Arlington Sepac strives to create better outcomes and learning for all
children. Our meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to
attend.
At its last meeting, the School Committee approved two early release days, March 21 and May 9, for Grades K-12. Dismissal will be at 1:00 p.m.
OPAC met Tues. Feb. 14th AT 8:30AM and discussed the following issues:
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
a.. Activity Day is scheduled for 3/24/06 but only 3activities have been officially proposed to Ms. Bouris--she hope to solicit MANY more firm plans from her staff within the next few
days--otherwise activity day will have to be cancelled--She and the parents in attendance expressed their hope that the activities were actually being planned, but that the paper work was just
lagging--Everyone in attendance agrees that this event is an important annual event at OMS
b.. Ms. Bouris was able to get the OK from the finance dept. to order enough paper and pencils through the SHAW'S grant for the entire year---and therefore free up the money normally budgeted
for these items to be used for other purchases.
c.. Aladdin will be presented Thurs. and Fri, evening--3/9 and 3/10
d.. 3/16--the trimester ends; keyboarding grades will appear on the next report card
e.. 4/11--slated to be Walk to School Day--possibility of defined walking routes being organized--Ms. Bouris and the Walk to School Committee will keep the OMS community apprised of suggested
routes if plans do go forward
f.. The OMS phys-Ed Dept. is encouraging us to" Shut off TV on Tuesdays" in an effort to promote physical activity and family bonding. Look for more info to come home soon about possible
incentive programs to encourage this program
g.. Field trip safety was addressed--it was brought to Ms Bouris' attentions that some field trips permission slips have had incorrect destination information on them---The standard pemission
slip used by all the schools town-wide has a section at top which asks for diestination. This should be filled in--correctly--- BEFORE the permission slip is Xeroxed and distributed. Ms.
Bouris will emphasize the importance of this at her next staff meeting.
h.. MS. Bouris would like the OMS community to try harder not to clog up the Benjamin Rd. drop off area by letting kids off in the middle of the street....there is a crossing guard at the
co. of Gray and Quincy--letting students off at the juncture would be preferable
SEPAC DONATION?
a.. Barb Tilson, representing the newly re-formed town-wide Special Education Parent Advisory Council(SEPAC), spoke to OPAC about what a contribution to SEPAC would go toward and about the
current needs of the organization--She ourtlined professional SPED journal subscriptions for our library and money for speaker forums to which all of the OMS community would be welcomed.
Parents noted that sometimes learning issues aren't identified until middle-school age and that raising the community's consciousness about the issue would be helpful. She noted that
supporting SEPAC would, in return, engender further parental support for OPAC by encouraging SPED parents to participate in OPAC activities, too. OPAC agreed to donate $250, as a one-time
donation, to SEPAC and to re-assess at budget time next year, what amount, if any, OPAC could annually donate.
BUDGET REPORT
a.. No current, complete budget was available for review, however, Trish Newman, Fund Drive coordinator did not the > $180 in donations had been received since our last meeing--It was
noted that donations have now slightly exceeded to budgeted amount.
b.. Teachers are encouraged to fill out Wish LIst Forms found in the main office--the new semester may have brought some new classroom needs to light
c.. Jane Ruddock's library budget will receive a check for $250 to help defray the cost of pizza eaten at her 3 book clubs(Boys', Girl's and 'lunch Bunch" with seniors).
AEEF BRAIN BEE
a.. The Arlington Education Enrichment Fund (AEEF) will hold its annual Brain Bee on MArch 19th, @3pm in Town Hall. OPAC has agreed to sponsor a team (admission fee $300). Ms. Bouris will
check with her staff--teachers interested in participating will be given first chance to join the OMS team....if not enough teachers choose to participate in the 3 person team, parents will be
solicited. Keep the date open and be ready to volunteer your friends and husbands for the team.
FITNESS FIRST FUNDRAISER
a.. Look for flyer coming home about at town-wide school fundraiser offered by Larry Cronin of Fitness FIrst in ARlington Center. Any new member who signs up for a month will get a
discounted of rate of $39 AND that $39 fee will be donated to the Arlington school of your choice! Teachers and staff are being offered a one month membership for free. Call Fitness FIrst
@781-643-4300 if you have questions. BIG thank yous to Larry for offering the schools this deal.
OLD BUSINESS
a.. OMS directory--all those in attendance agreed that the new directory was wonderful---NEXT YEAR: look for the directory sign up sheet in the August mailing you receive from
OMS---We'll try for earlier distribution in '06/'07
b.. OPAC meeting participants wondered about the status of the proposed after-school program presented to OPAC by Jan Jeffers last month. Ms. Bouris knew that the group was soliciting
parentsl opinions and expected to make a school-committee presentation soon
Happy Friday!
Upcoming week:
Tuesday, February 14th - OPAC meeting - 8:30-10 a.m.
Tuesday, February 14th - School Council - 4-5:30 p.m
February Vacation
February vacation begins at the close of school on Friday, February 17th.
School dance tonight
We are reminding students of the following expectations for tonights dance: appropriate/respectful attire; ONLY Ottoson students; if a student is coming to the dance after 7 p.m., a note signed by a parent is expected (some kids are coming late due to family/sport obligations, and that is fine); if a student is being picked up before 10 p.m. they must have a note dismissing them early from the dance and the parent please pick them up by the front door; there will be appropriate lighting! Please pick up your child at 10 p.m.
This past Monday, an eighth grade student was reported "missing". Since then I have received many phone calls and email messages asking for information, while trying to end rumors that were circulating. To respect the privacy of the family what I can share is that the eighth grade student returned from a field trip with her cluster team. She chatted with her friends and then started walking, choosing not to go home. She did connect with her family again later in the evening. Thank you to those Ottoson families who received phone calls for help.
Enjoy the weekend! -Stavroula Bouris
The winter edition of the student written Chronicle is out. Click here to read it online.
Happy Friday!
Upcoming events:
Monday, February 6th - 810 cluster field trip
Monday, February 6th - 820 cluster field trip
Friday, February 10th - Ottoson Dance 7-10 p.m. in the cafe for Ottoson students.
Report Cards
Report cards will be distributed today to students. Due to a technical glitch, keyboarding classes for sixth grade students who had keyboarding first term do not appear on the report card. We will send a letter with the grade to all students/parents in the next week and the grade will be reflected in the 3rd term report card.
Student Directory
The student directory was distributed in homeroom. Thank you to Josh Lobel and OPAC who put the directory together. Every family will receive a directory. According to Josh, the oldest child in the family received one in homeroom today, so please check the bookbags.
Friday Nights at the Rink
In talking with a few parents this week, it has come to my attention that there may be rumors/stories/actual accounts of inappropriate behavior at the ice skating rink on Friday nights. I share this with you as an FYI. It has been communicated to me, on more than one occasion, that parents are dropping off the kids at the ice skating rink on Friday night thinking that the kids are going to skate and some of the kids are leaving, going to another location (home,park,bike path, etc) and returning two hours later to be picked up by parents. Please know that this does not affect a majority of our kids and only a few students are unsupervised, but I thought it important to bring to your attention. As we hear and learn troubling/concerning information, please know that we are making every effort to contact parents to begin conversations.
The OPAC Parent directories are being distributed today (at long last). Each Ottoson family should get one -- if there is more than one student it should typically come home in the oldest's backback.
We have tried very hard to make sure the information is complete and accurate. With our new system, we achieved about 75% participation.
If your family was NOT inlcuded, we encourage you to enter your information right now, which will help you get on school email lists, and also potentially get you included in a directory supplement.
To register (or change your email addresses), please visit https://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/pto_directory
High School Intro Meeting for 8th Grade Parents
On Tuesday, January 31st at 7 p.m. Charles Skidmore, Principal of Arlington High School, will meet with 8th grade parents to talk about AHS and the transition from Ottoson to Arlington High. Department heads will be available to discuss class offerings. The meeting will take place in Lowe Auditorium.
Report Cards
We are making every effort to distribute report cards on Friday, February 3rd. Second semester begins on Monday, January 30th. Students will be switching some of their out-of-cluster classes (art/music, tech/FACS, etc.)
Japanese Exchange
Please log onto www.arlington.k12.ma.us to view a posting regarding the Japanese exchange program. We are looking for individuals who may be interested in visiting Japan and hosting exchange students.
Crossing Guard
Please be aware that we have a crossing guard at Quincy and Gray Street in the morning and afternoon. We are encouraging students to cross where the crossing guard is stationed. It is very dangerous when cars pull over on Quincy St, students jump out and try to cross the street as cars are driving up and down Quincy.
Under separate email I will send a copy of a letter Arlington High School distributed to students this morning.
Enjoy the weekend. -Stavroula Bouris
I'm happy to forward information on a program Ottoson students may
enjoy at the Robbins this Saturday for 1-4 p.m. The Russell Fund
sponsors many events for the younger students in town but this is
especially geared for the fans and readers of graphic novels and manga
books. I know they do exist here at 63 Acton Street. We have a small
collection that is dipped into frequently. Now's the chance to learn
more and meet an expert on the "art form"
Jane Ruddock, Librarian. Ottoson Middle School
Join local graphic novel, manga and anime enthusiast (and librarian)
Robin Brenner for a look into the world of Japanese manga (print comics)
and anime (animation). Learn about the history of the art form, the
elements that make each unique, where to find more information on it
all, discuss your favorite manga series, and watch clips of favorite
anime. If you're a long-time fan or just curious about this growing
pop-culture trend, please join us! Saturday, January 28th from 1pm-4pm.
Open to middle and high school students. Parents welcome as well. In the
Robbins Library community room, 700 Massachusetts Avenue.
Experience Japan with AHS tour this April. Spend 12 days visiting beautiful Osaka and Nagaokakyo, Japan during peak cherry blossom. This intergenerational tour features hotel stays in Osaka and home stays with carefully selected families in Nagaokakyo, Arlington’s welcoming sister city.The tour is sponsored by Arlington High School and departs Boston on April 12. Return date is April 23.
This trip is special for several reasons. Superintendent of Schools Nate Levenson will join the group, and hopes to establish a foreign-exchange study program to bring Japanese students to Arlington High School. The tour is open to students and adults.
The trip combines a four-day tour of Osaka, Nara and Kyoto followed by stays in family homes in Nagaokakyo for another five days. Students middle-school age and older are welcome to attend; two AHS faculty members will act as chaperones for every 10 students traveling. The inclusive cost for students and adults is $2,130 (flights, hotel, meals, private coach, tours).
For more information, visit the Arlington Public School website at www.arlington.k12.ma.us, then click on “International Travel” listed below “District Information.” Or contact Marie Raduazzo, AHS Travel Facilitator, at 781-316-3565 mraduazzo@arlington.k12.ma.us .
Sue Sheffler, the Chair of the Budget Sub-Committee of the School Committee, asked to have this information added:
As Chair of budget subcom, I would like to clarify that the superintendent
is paying his own way for this trip; a misconception I have heard is that
school budget dollars are being devoted to this event. They are not.
We hope the trip will faciltate some revenue-producing opportunities for APS
that also include cultural enrichment.
The Arlington Public Schools series of Parent Education Forums continues
tonight. The following is quoted directly from the flyer announcing these
forums:
HELPING OUR CHILDREN DEAL WITH STRESS AND DEVELOP CONFIDENCE
For parents of students in Grades K-12
Monday, January 23, 2006 - Brackett School cafeteria
7:00pm - 9:00pm
This workshop will look at how anxious children see the world and how they
view this anxious world. We will cover what happens to anxious children
internally and how to evaluate the typical stresses in certain situations
and the level of coping skill in your child. You will learn which responses
are parts of a child's natural coping processes and which ones indicate a
more serious level of anxiety. We will discuss language and techniques for
parents in helping children develop the ability to manage worry and also
ways parents inadvertently add stress. You will learn ways to minimize your
child's anxious responses, and to help them feel more confident in social
situations.
Presenter: Richard Irving, LICSW is a clinical social worker with over 28
years experience working with children, families, and schools. He graduated
from Brown University in 1974 and Boston University School of Social Work in
1976. For the last 26 years, he has worked in the Andover Public Schools
with students at all grade levels. Since 1982, he has also maintained a
private practice working with children with behavioral, emotional and
learning disabilities as well as consulting to parents about their
children's issues. In addition to Rick's direct work with children and
families, he presents many workshops and has been a keynote speaker at many
conferences.
The Select Chorus been chosen to perform for the Massachusetts Music Educator’s Conference. They are the only middle school ensemble to be selected as an exemplary performing group in the entire state! This is a great honor for all the members of this chorus.
Arlington Stand for Children is holding a Community Forum on Wednesday, Jan. 25, that will focus on two important issues for the community: state funding for our schools and improving nutrition and health among school children.
All are welcome to the forum, which will be held from 7-9 pm at the Calvary Church United Methodist at 300 Massachusetts Avenue.
For more information, please click here.
Happy Thursday! I will be at a conference tomorrow, so I hope you don't mind I'm sending this email out a bit early.
Friday, January 27th - Term ends - we plan to send report cards home the week of February 6th, if not sooner.
Tuesday, January 31st - Eighth grade parent orientation at Arlington High School from 7-9 p.m. in Lowe Auditorium. Parents of current 8th grade students are invited to listen to Charles Skidmore, AHS principal, and department leaders on AHS course offerings. It is a nice opportunity to learn more about what is offered at Arlington High School. Our 8th graders will tour AHS in March.
Enjoy the weekend! -Stavroula Bouris
For Parents of Students, Grades K-12
Wednesday, January 11, 2006 – Ottoson Middle School Cafeteria, 7-8:30 PM
(Snow date-Tuesday, January 31st)
A group of second graders decidedly agrees that boys who jump rope would get called sissies on the playground. A
high school junior describes how she and her friends routinely silence themselves in the face of conflict in
relationships for fear of being labeled "bitchy". A middle school boy describes being rejected by his friends for
expressing sadness about his cat dying. A husband tells of his fears about his daughter dating; his wife points out
how different his expectations are for their son.
In this dynamic workshop for parents, John Badalament (Director of the PBS documentary film, All Men Are Sons:
Exploring The Legacy Of Fatherhood) draws on the above scenes from his upcoming documentary film, Gender
Traps: How Marriage Problems Start In Kindergarten and his consultancy with schools to powerfully illustrate how
narrow versions of masculinity and femininity affect children's social emotional development, limit their educational
and career opportunities in the global community, and expose them to a host of fiasco factors such as bullying,
violence, and relationship problems. Participants will learn about a framework for understanding how contemporary
gender issues affect children and adolescents, three practical ways for parents to challenge stereotypes and raise
Gender Literate children, and current research about the impact of gender stereotyping on mental and physical
health.
Presenter: John Badalament, Ed.M., lectures nationally and internationally about relational psychology and the
critical role fathers play in children’s lives. In his acclaimed documentary film for PBS, All Men Are Sons:
Exploring the Legacy of Fatherhood, he powerfully illustrates how men’s relationships with their father – whether
present or absent – impact their own parenting and intimate relationships.
John holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. Over the last 12 years, he
has worked in clinical settings as a counselor for adolescents and adults, public and independent school settings.
Upcoming week:
December 23rd - 8th grade talent show - 6th and 7th period
8th Grade Basketball League Starting
We hope to start a basketball team for 8th grade students interested in playing other middle schools. With the help of Rob DiLoreto, Athletic Director, parent, teacher and community volunteers we want to get two teams together. We have three coaches - Mr. Sundstrom, Mr. Cooke and Mr. Saum. To date we have 38 students who are interested.
We will set up a "Lost and Found" table in the main lobby next week. We have many unclaimed coats, gloves, hats, backpacks, books and so much more!
Pictures taken during the picture make-up day were distributed to students yesterday.
We are still collecting coats for the Anton Cleaners Coat Drive. You can drop off children/adult coats in the box in the main lobby.
Ottoson Wins $10,000 in Supplies
Shaws supermarket in Porter Square along with the New England Dairy Council and OfficeMax held a contest for Shaws shoppers. It is my understanding that if a customer used his/her Shaws card for purchases, he/she would be entered in a drawing to give a school of their choice $10,000 in school supplies. An Arlington resident, Heidi Kim, was the lucky winner and she recommended the Ottoson! The president of Shaws and a representative of the New England Dairy Council visited the Ottoson and presented a "check" for $10,000. I have asked teachers and students for their ideas on how to spend the money. The supplies will be purchased at the Porter Square Shaws, from their selection of OfficeMax supplies. What a great treat!!
Enjoy the weekend! -Stavroula Bouris
December 2005
Dear Sixth Grade Parent/Guardian,
Several years ago a curriculum called Healthy Body Image: Teaching Kids to Eat and Love their Bodies Too became available to us. Aimed at students in the fourth through sixth grades, it is written by Kathy J. Kater, a licensed social worker with over twenty years of experience treating individuals with eating disorders. The curriculum is designed to promote a healthy body image and prevent eating habits that are known to be harmful.
This is a time in their lives when children should feel secure about their body's growth, and develop confidence in the habits that will help them to become healthy adults. Unfortunately too many boys and girls are worried that their bodies will not grow in ways that will be socially approved of - or even be accepted. By the time girls are in the sixth grade, the majority say they feel bad about their bodies, and think they are "too fat." Up to 70% of adolescent girls over the age of thirteen engage in unhealthy eating practices for the purpose of losing weight.
The mission statement of the Healthy Body Image curriculum is:
· To empower preadolescent students to form a foundation for acceptance of their bodies, based on recognition of what they can and cannot control in regard to their body size and shape.
· To prepare and empower preadolescent students to resist unhealthy and unrealistic cultural pressures regarding body image.
· To inspire students to develop a stake in healthy eating behaviors.
This five-lesson curriculum is being offered to all sixth grade students. I will be teaching the one-hour classes on Thursdays from 2:45 to 3:45, starting January 12 and running through February 9. The curriculum is available in the office if you wish to review it.
Class size is limited to 25 students. Sign up for the class is on a first come basis, through my e-mail at phassett@arlington.k12.ma.us. If more than 25 students are interested, another class may be run after the February vacation. Please e-mail or call 781 316-3745 x2107 if you have any questions about the program.
Sincerely,
Pat Hassett, R.N.
This notice is dated 12/9/2005
Happy Friday!
ALL after school activities have been cancelled for today (12/9). The SELECT CHORUS and CHAMBER ORCHESTRA rehearsals at the high school have been cancelled.
Upcoming Dates
December 12th - Early release - parent conferences
December 13th - Winter concert - 7th period in school concert (performers must wear concert attire to school) and 7 p.m. evening concert in the wooden gym.
December 14th - Seventh grade field trip
December 16th - Second mid-term
A reminder that we are still collecting coats for the Anton's Cleaners coat drive. The collection box is in the main lobby.
Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Pereira, METCO director and Ron Colossi, METCO counselor, we will begin a new after school bus for METCO students. The bus will run Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after school (3:30 p.m. pickup). The first late bus will run on Wednesday, December 14th.
Enjoy the weekend - be safe.
-Stavroula Bouris, Principal
A note from the nurses on 12/8/2005
We have recently been informed of a suspected case of whooping cough at the Ottoson. Whooping cough (pertussis) is a contagious disease spread through the air when infected people cough.
If your child has a persistent cough that becomes worse after two weeks please call their primary care provider for an evaluation. Antibiotics can be prescribed to reduce the contagion factor. If you have any questions, please call your physician for advice.
As the cold and flu gets going we would like to remind everyone to wash hands frequently, use tissues for coughs and sneezes, drink plenty of fluids and get adequate rest.
Pat Hassett
Claire Lewkowicz
School Nurses
Next in the series of Parent Education Forums
For parents of students in grades K-12
Thursday, December 8, 2005 7-8:30pm Bishop School Cafeteria
Susan Oakie will strategize with parents on how we as a society must work to
overcome the increasing rates of childhood obesity.
Click here for more information
Happy Friday!
December 6th - Dress rehearsal for winter concert - after school
December 7th - Early release - Parent conferences
December 8th - Evening conferences
December 9th - End of 1st trimester
December 12th - Early release - Parent conferences
December 13th - Winter concert - 7th period in school performance- 7:00 p.m. evening performance
We have placed a few boxes in the main lobby for coat drop-off. We are collecting used/worn coats for the Anton Cleaners Coat Drive. All coats will be collected, given to Anton Cleaners and then distributed to those who need them this season. Please consider donating used/worn coats.
LAST CALL FOR THE DIRECTORY! If you have not filled out the information for the student directory and wish to be a part of the directory, please do so asap! https://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/pto_directory (it's an underline between pto and directory)
-Stavroula Bouris
Dear Ottoson Parents:
* Starting Tuesday, January 3, the 2006 Ottoson Video Production Club
will be meeting at the 85 Park Ave. community access studio to create
productions to be cablecast on Comcast Channel 8; there may be an occasional
additional pre-production meeting scheduled separately. Sessions will be on
the FIRST TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH.
* Prospective video club members and other OMS students interested are
encouraged to take advantage of the free workshops available at the
Arlington Studio, where they can learn the basics of directing, scripting,
editing, lighting, camera work, control booth, sound mixing board, field
production, and many other aspects of videography. Once they have completed
a workshop, students can participate in any community production, as well in
the the monthly Ottoson Video Club productions.
* We may run another introductory club next fall in the OMS AM/PM
program.
Here's how to sign up for the Ottoson Video Production Club or confirm your
student's ongoing participation:
1. Call Jeff Munro & Dennis Heslet at the studio, 781-777-1115; or
reply to this email.
2. CURRENT CLUB MEMBERS, please continue coming to the Arlington Studio
every Tuesday from 3PM - 4:30PM through December as we will be working in
studio towards a surprise finale!!!! Next year, all Fall 2005 participants
will learn advanced portable production, as we provide video production
coverage of some Ottoson after school sports programs and or other
activities.
3. PROSPECTIVE CLUB MEMBERS, call Jeff & Dennis at the studio,
781-777-1115 to set up a training workshop so you can join the monthly
production sessions and pre-production meetings.
4. Starting in January 3, all monthly sessions will be on the second
Tuesday of the month from 3 to 4:30.
5. Students should always RSVP via email or call the studio at
781-777-1115 so we know how many will attend each monthly session.
6. Parents must sign release forms and the Comcast studio permission
form for their children to participate.
7. Students should try to attend all sessions, as the knowledge is
cumulative and the rewards are great!
The longrange goal of the Video Club is to train young crew and producers to
work on real productions at the studio and to get kids excited about
expressing their ideas via this medium. Students are always encouraged to
call Jeff or Dennis at the studio (781-777-1115) to schedule training
workshops and volunteer to work on ongoing productions like Arts Ala Carte,
Hola Arlington, Sustainable Arlington, Documenting Dissent, or Golden
Opportunities. Watch for the feature on the Ottoson Video Club in next
week's Advocate!
On December 14th the students will be attending a performance of A Christmas Carol at the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly. They will be traveling by chartered bus, which will leave the school promptly at 8:15am. They will return to school after the cafeteria is closed therefore they will have a pizza party lunch. Please send in a brown bag lunch if your child does not want pizza. Dismissal is at the usual time 2:25pm.
The cost of the trip is $25.00 per student, which covers ticket price, transportation and lunch. Checks should be made payable to Ottoson Middle School and were due on Monday, November 28th.
To all who will be visiting our school these next few weeks...
The 8th grade students studying Middle Ages with Mr. Sundstrum, Ms Conroy and Ms Keyes have masterfully recreated castles, cathedrals, monasteries and manor farms and their structures are on display in the Library/Media for all to see. I am very happy to host all these because the students started their research here using our books, online resources and suggested web sites.
Over the summer I was able to secure additional funding to purchase needed print material for the new 8th grade curriculum centered now on European History rather than the American History strand taught in past years. I really needed to update and find titles that would suit our student's reading level, have bright visuals and provide a more multi-cultural view point than what we owned already. It seems these acquisitions had some influence on the young scholars.
Often students start the research in the Media Center and I miss seeing the results. Not with the castles. If you drop by, you'll see why. Parents of 6th and 7th graders might want to take a peek at a part of their future. 8th grade families can be relieved that they've accomplished a major milestone. I just think I'm in the road company of Spamalot!
Jane Ruddock, Library/Media Specialist
Ottoson Middle School
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are able to relax, slow down and have some good quality "family time".
Dates of Note
November 29th - Evening conferences
November 30th - 750 cluster field trip
December 2nd - Conferences - Students dismissed at 12:15 - lunch will be served
If you have some free time before 12 p.m. today (Weds 11/23), feel free to come into the school and join the 8th grade students in the cafe. As part of our new world history curriculum, all 8th graders participated in making manors, monestaries, cathedrals.... The presentations are on display in the cafe. They are amazing and it is wonderful to watch the 8th graders so proud of their work - a very excited bunch of kids today! I know many of the parents were probably up late last night trying to figure out how to transport the projects to school! We will display the projects around the school so if you can't make it today look for them during your conference visit.
Happy Thanksgiving -Stavroula Bouris
This is a message from Ms. Bouris on 11/22/2005.
"Report cards will be distributed today. Please sign the report card and return to the homeroom teacher. Once the signed copy is received the student will be given a clean copy to bring home."
I have received a few calls already regarding report cards and attendance. On the report cards where absences/tardies/dismissals are written - the term number (1,2,3,25,etc) reflects the number of absences/tardies/dismissals for the first term. Year means up to the day we printed the report cards (11/22/05) so if your child was absent anytime from the end of first term up to today you will notice a difference in the numbers. Ottoson and Arlington High are using a new computer system this year. There are bound to be glitches. If you notice anything -names, personal info., etc. that is not correct, please email and we can make corrections. Thank you for your understanding. -Stavroula
Starting on November 21, you may register online for conferences by clicking here. There is also a link on the school department page.
Conference Dates are:
11/29 -- 6-8pm
12/2 -- 12:15pm
12/7 -- 12:15pm
12/8 -- 6-8pm
12/12 -- 12:15pm
There will be early release for the afternoon conference days -- 12/2, 12/7 and 12/12.
Dialogue
on AHS Youth Risk Behavior Survey results
For Parents of Students in Grades 8-12 All Parents are invited
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Arlington High School Cafeteria
7:00pm-9:00pm
This evening will be a follow-up discussion on the results of last year's
Arlington High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey results. Panelists will
present their professional viewpoints on the more alarming statistics (i.e.
Substance Use, Gambling, Sexual Behaviors, etc.). Parents will be given an
opportunity to dialogue with presenters.
Presenters:
Fred Ryan, Arlington Police Chief.
Susan Lovelace, Executive Director, Mass. Alliance on Teen Pregnancy.
Patsy Kraemer, Director, Arlington Youth Consultation Center.
Charles Skidmore, Principal, Arlington High School.
And a representative from the Mass. Council on Compulsive Gambling.
For a complete listing of all parent education forums for the year, click here.
We have added a link to the 810 Cluster home page. Over time, we hope that additional cluster information will be available. The 810 Cluster information is maintained by Ms. Keyes. Thank you!
National Education Week is November 14-18. If you would like to visit Ottoson to see classes in action, please contact the school office to make arrangements.
The non-musical, Romeo to Go, will be performed this Friday and Saturday (11/18-19) at 7:30 in the Wood Gym.
Those students interested in having their pictures retaken may do so on Thursday the 17th. Students need to bring in the original pictures, and there may be an additional $2 fee.
In order to create a complete and accurate directory this year, we need your help.
It takes less than 5 minutes to do this online. Open the site
https://wwww.arlington.k12.ma.us/pto_directory
First time users should create a new account on the left side of the page.
Please note that this is an OPAC project, and the information is intentionally maintained separately from your student information that you may have entered earlier.
Thanks for your help. Questions may be sent to Josh Lobel at jlobel@rcn.com
There will be an OPAC meeting in the Ottoson staff lunch room next Tuesday, November 8th at 8:30 AM.
The agenda will include a budget update, plans for the school directory, plans for a teacher appreciation dinner (catered) during conference time, and of course an update from the principal, Ms. Bouris on the numerous upcoming events at Ottoson.
We'd love to see you there--contact me if you have other items to add to the agenda.
Thank you --Diane Briner, OPAC coordinator
PS IF you haven't yet made your annual tax-deductible contribution to OPAC (OTTOSON PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE) it's not too late. Drop checks at the OMS office or conctact me at briner-family@comcast.net if you have further questions.
Conferences, OPAC and Directory
A mailing will be going home on Monday. The mailing includes information on the upcoming parent conferences, an OPAC reminder, and information on the directory which will be done on-line.
Recognizing Veterans - past and present
During the announcements next week, students will be recognizing family members/staff/community members who are currently serving in the armed forces or who have served. If you would like to email me names to be shared via the PA system, please email with the subject line "Veterans".
Thanksgiving Baskets for Arlington Youth Consultation Center
Homerooms are organizing Thanksgiving baskets for AYCC (Arlington Youth Consultation Center) which will be distributed the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Under separate cover I will email the notice which homeroom teachers shared with students. We are looking for food - canned items/gift certificates to fill the baskets.
Report Cards
We hope to send (via backpack) report cards home the week of November 21st.
Enjoy the weekend! -Stavroula Bouris, Principal
Dance Friday 10-28
The first dance of the year is tonight. The dance is from 7-10 p.m. and for Ottoson students only. We announced to students that appropriate school attire is expected and there will be appropriate lighting (so that chaperones can keep an eye on everyone). If a student arrives after 7:30 p.m. I ask that you send them with a note. A note lets me know that they were somewhere safe before the dance. If you are picking your child up before 10 p.m., please drive to the front of the school and we will send them out. I don't like to have kids waiting for parents, in the dark, in the different parking lots around the school. We usually escort students to the car/walking parent. Ottoson teachers will be chaperoning and we have two/three police officers chaperoning as well. For students that do not like to dance, we set up tables and chairs in the lobby so that they can hang out, relax and chat. We will provide a snack of pizza and drinks to students - no cost, no obligation to eat. Please plan to pick up your child at 10 p.m.!
November 1st - Professional Development Day - no school for students.
The following is from the Superintendent -- Goals for 2005/2006:
After four months in Arlington and over 100 meetings with a wide range of groups and individuals, I have developed 5 goals for the 2005/2006 school year.
I believe these goals reflect the input of teachers, administrators, parents, and community members. They all work towards helping every child achieve their full potential. Before I ask the School Committee to approve my goals, I would like to have your feedback.
Please join me for a brief overview of my proposed goals, followed by questions and comments. The following meeting has been scheduled to accommodate the school community and the community at large. I hope you can attend this meeting. Your input and participation will make a difference.
Date: Wednesday, November 2nd
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: School Committee Room
6th Floor - Arlington High School - 869 Mass. Ave., Arlington
From the webmaster: check the school system web page for a listing of the actual goals http://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/news/pdfs/apsdistrictgoalsdraft10-13-05.pdf
If you are interested in working on our student newspaper, The Ottoson Chronicle, meet Mrs. Cummings Wednesday 11/2 at 2:35 in room 218.
OMPAPA--Ottoson Middle (school) Parents of Performing Arts Association is in DIRE need of a "coordinator".
In the past, the group has helped out the various performing OMS groups by lending a hand to the directors on concert nights and by selling "refreshments" before/after performances. The few hundred dollars raised by these sales is the only financial support these groups receive. In particular, Ms. Kilgore needs some help with this type of organizational stuff for her upcoming play Romeo to Go . The play is set to be staged Nov. 18th and 19th at OMS.
ANYONE who can help please contact Diane Briner @ 781-648-9032 or briner-family@comcast.net
Happy Friday!
Our first Ottoson dance will be held on Friday, October 28th from 7-10p.m. Tickets will be on sale for $5 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after school. The dance is for Ottoson students only.
The school pictures should be back the second week of November.
A reminder there is no school on November 1st.
Enjoy the weekend. -Stavroula Bouris
You should have received progress reports this week - a few teachers
will be sending them home next week.
We are thinking about hosting our first school dance of the year. We
are looking at either October 28th or November 4th as the date.
“Romeo To Go” Rehearsal at 2:30 in the Drama Room (101) for selected students. Students should check the rehearsal schedule posted outside the Drama Room
7th & 8th grade chorus – There will be a very brief meeting for the following parts:
Part 1 – Tuesday Oct. 11th 2:25 – 2:45
Part 2 – Thursday Oct. 13th 2:25 – 2:45
Part 3 – Friday Oct. 14th 2:25 – 2:45
All Members should plan to attend
"5-2-1 - Let the Kids Play" program has begun. This is an after/before
school program funded through a grant from Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
Wednesday – Field Hockey Ms. Smith & Ms. Serefini Upper Field 2:45 – 3:45
Wednesday – Volley Ball Mr. Bartholomew Wood Gym 2:45 – 3:45
Friday – Flag Football Mr. Bartholomew Lambeau Field 2:45 – 3:45
Tuesday, October 11th - OPAC - 6:30-8:00 p.m. - On the OPAC agenda - Agenda will include an overview of upcoming activities and a chance to hear about how the teachers' wish list works.......We need volunteers to lead nearly all the committees.
If you have been looking for a chance to act in a play without having to sing, then here’s your chance to be in a non-musical comedy! “Romeo to Go “ is a hilarious comedy about a drama group that has to put on a 20- minute version of “Romeo and Juliet” Come to an introductory meeting on Monday to find out about auditions. Everyone is welcome, even actors who sing! A perusal script will be placed in the Media Center on Friday.
Picture makeups will be scheduled soon
The media center will be open during lunch periods for students who may feel uncomfortable in the cafe while observing Ramadan.
If there are any 8th grade female students and moms who are interested in particpating in a "Girls Night Out" with other 8th grade students/moms/faculty members, please email me soon. We are compiling a list for our first gathering.
We are planning to distribute student MCAS scores on Monday. The scores will be in a sealed envelope and students will bring them home via backpack this year.
Please return any emergency/health forms to the nurse as soon as possible.
We are still accepting the free/reduced lunch applications. If you need another form, please stop by the main office.
A box for collecting school supplies to send to children affected by Hurricane Katrina will be placed in the lobby starting today. Any kind of school supplies for children ages 5 - 15 would be helpful: binders, glue, pens, crayons, rulers, scissors, paper, old backpacks, etc. Think about what your sister or brother would like or need if they had to start school in a new location and could not bring anything. All donations will be sent to Project Backpack and handed out to children in the gulf coast region. The box will be available from Wednesday September 14th until Wednesday September 21st.
Thursday, September 15th - School wide lunch/community building activity
Thank you to all the parents who are volunteering to help with the ice
cream - we are set for volunteers. I will email all those who expressed
interest to let you know about time/location, etc.
- Rain date Friday - A reminder that students MUST bring a lunch and drink.
Each student received an Ottoson magnet yesterday with all the important OMS information. I hope it made its way to the refrigerator. I want to thank Ethyl Doyle and Cherly Villandry, school council members, for making it possible.
The first day of school for grades 1-12 is Thursday, September 8, 2005.
The first day of school for Kindergarten is Monday, September 12, 2005.
Incoming students to Ottoson Middle School are invited on a tour of the school on Wednesday, August 24, 9:30 -10:00AM
This page was last updated on Saturday, September 11, 2004
Bridge the Gap Fundraising Effort for Schools (entered on: 4/30/2010 8:00:33 AM)