Ockley Green Middle School

Hello Ockley Green Families & Partners -

Next week we will host Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 21st, 5:30 - 7:30.  We are looking forward to seeing you and sharing more about Ockley Green.  This year, we will start out the night with a couple of options prior to the Welcome and Classroom Visits.  Please join us for one of the offerings at 5:30.

TAG and ESL Family Meetings 5:30 - 5:55

If your student receives ESL services or is identified as Talented & Gifted, then please join us at 5:30 for a Family Meeting.
 

ESL Family Meeting -  Room 113                         TAG Family Meeting -  Library

Gym Reception 5:30 - 5:55

This is an informal reception where you will be able to learn about attendance, Liveschool, our restorative justice practices, Cafe Latino, and ParentVue. We will also have a classroom wish table where you help a teacher collect all the materials they need to have a successful year. Plus we will have a photo area where you can snap a picture with our Dragon.

Please see below for some important updates!

Chargers for Chromebooks

Last year, Rachel Manter led the effort to fully update our Chromebook records and implemented a system for managing repairs to Chromebooks.  In June, we collected all Chromebooks to ensure that they were updated and cleaned.  Students have received their Chromebooks, however, we currently have only about half of the needed Chargers.  The PPS IT Department is no longer providing chargers to schools.  Thus, I needed to determine how to fund an order of chargers, which was made this week for the additional 250 Chargers needed.  We will distribute those as soon as we receive them.  Please note: We are keeping a record of every charger given out.  If a student loses their charger, then it will not be replaced by the school.

Pest Control Update

Pest Control has isolated what they believe to be the remaining source & access that needs to be addressed.  They are taking aggressive measures, including creating physical barriers in addition to ongoing chemical treatment.

We will continue to hold the expectation of hot lunches being consumed in the cafeteria and are communicating to staff about the steps they can take to aid in pest prevention.  The presence of rodents is concerning for multiple reasons and we will continue to work on creating a school facility that is conducive to learning.

Lunch Time

We have been closely monitoring lunch time to ensure that students have time to eat and get in some movement.  We have made alterations based on feedback and observations.  We have noticed the time to get through the line has decreased and most students have 15-20 minutes to eat.  

Some have asked about the possibility of 2 lunches, but our modified block schedule makes this challenging to achieve.  With the improved lunch line times, we will continue with only one lunch period.

The library is now available at lunch time.  Students can collect a library pass in the morning before the first class of the day.

We are organizing our Lunch Clubs and will soon have options out for students.  Students can suggest a club! They can talk with Mr. Chavez to learn about that process. 

Bus & Pick Up

Please help us in creating a safe area for our buses in Montana by making pick-ups before and after school on Ainsworth Street.  We have already observed students darting out from behind buses, so your help with keeping car traffic on Ainsworth is greatly appreciated.

Stay Involved through ParentVue

ParentVUE is a secure website and mobile app which offers parents and guardians real time access to:

• School Messages, Calendar, Attendance, Grades, Class Schedule, Course History, Grade Book, and School Information.

User ID and password remain the same each year. If you have not set up your account or have any questions, contact Ian Palu, ipalu@pps.net . 

Important Dates

• September 20th: Back to School Night 
• September 27th: Picture Day
• October 4th: 2-Hr Late Opening for Students
• November 20th & 21st: Conferences

Please take a moment to find and bookmark our school website to become more familiar with programs and information.  

In Partnership,

Julie Rierson

Pronouns: she/her

Principal, Ockley Green Middle School