Ockley Green Middle School

Hello Ockley Green Families & Partners -

I sent this message out last week, but given the importance, feel it is relevant to share again this week.

PPS sent out a communication last night on 10.19.23.  I am also including it here for your reference.  As we approach the potential strike start date of November 1st, the most up-to-date information for families will be on the Family Resources During a Strike webpage.

Please know that I and our staff are committed to ensuring students continue to have a positive school environment and that the routines we have established remain strong up to and after their return after this potential loss of school days.  I have been in regular communication with our site-based PAT Representatives and we will continue to problem-solve how we best support students during this time.  

I continue to hope for an agreement prior to November 1st and our staff continues to stay focused on providing students a calm & positive learning environment through next Tuesday.  This will include our Harvest Festival at the end of the day on Tuesday which includes Face Painting, Volleyball, Cornhole, Haunted House Making and many more options for students.  

Please see below for some important updates!

Conferences are November 20th - 21st

One way that we are elevating student voice and supporting our students to grow as reflective engaged learners is to have them prepare for Student-Led Conferences this year.   These will occur during the Conferences scheduled for November 20th & 21st.  These will happen during 20-minute time slots and you will meet with a teacher and your student. During this time, your child will present a portfolio of their work completed thus far in the school year. This portfolio will provide an overview of their academic achievements, creative projects, and personal development. In addition, your child will share their academic, social, and behavioral goals for the remainder of the year. We believe that this self-assessment process empowers our students, encouraging them to take ownership of their learning and growth.

Our staff have prioritized their scheduling slots and teachers are beginning to reach out through next week directly to families to confirm a time.  Once priority scheduling is complete, teachers will send out an email with information on self-scheduling. See below for the overall schedule and for when Virtual options will be available.

Time	November 20, 2023	November 21, 2023
8:30-12:00	In-Person ONLY 20-Minute Conferences	In Person OR Virtual 20 Minute Conferences
12:00-1:00	Lunch break	Lunch break
1:00-4:30	In-Person ONLY 20-Minute Conferences	In Person OR Virtual 20 Minute Conferences
4:30 - 5:30	Dinner break	Dinner break
5:30-8:00	In-Person ONLY 20-Minute Conferences	In-Person ONLY 20-Minute Conferences

 

In addition to the 20-minute time slot that you schedule, you will be able to informally connect with other staff available during these days.

Road Closure October 30th

We received notification that on Monday, from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM, the following area will be closed to traffic:  Maryland to Montana/Rosa Parks to Holman.  Bus traffic will still be allowed through.

Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB)

Ockley Green will be participating in the Oregon Battle of the Books again this year!  OBOB is a fun reading competition that encourages students to read great books from many different genres and perspectives.  Interested students can get a form from the library.  They do not need to have a team, they can just sign up individually.  

Important dates:

• Interest forms are due Thursday, November 9: Turn in to Ms. Peacock or Ms. Rachel
• Mandatory OBOB meeting for all participants on Thursday, November 16
• School battles will begin in February, all during school hours
• Regional tournament is in March

We have copies of all of the OBOB books available in the library, and on SORA, so students should start reading now!

If you have any questions, contact Ms. Peacock at vpeacock@pps.net

PIL Youth Winter Sports Tryouts

JEFFERSON - Cluster Coordinator: Andre Lawrence alawrenc@pps.net  

Boys Basketball - Tryouts at Jefferson HS 

• Head Coach: Pat Strickland pstrickland@pps.net   
  • November 4th and 5th 
    • 6th grade 9am-10:30am
    • 7th grade 10:45am-12:15pm
    • 8th grade 12:30pm-2pm

Girls Basketball - Tryouts at Jefferson HS 

• Head Coach: Andre Lawrence alawrenc@pps.net  

• November 4th and 5th
  • 2:30-4pm

Wrestling - No Tryouts

• Head Coach: Montral Brazile mbrazile@pps.net  
• Youth Head Coach: Hiag Brown hiagbrown@gmail.com 
  • Practice beginning November 13th
    • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
    • 5:30-7pm in the Jefferson Mat Room

 

ROOSEVELT - Cluster Coordinator: Jaeger Vega jvega@pps.net

Sign Up Info

Youth Boys Basketball Tryouts 

• Wed Nov 8
  • 6/7th grade 6p-7:30p
  • 8th grade 7:30-9pm 
• Thursday Nov 9
  • 6/7th grade 6p-7:30p
  • 8th grade 7:30-9pm

 

Youth Girls Basketball Tryouts

• Saturday, November 4, 2023
  •  6th/7th grade 9:30-11am   
  • 8th grade 10:30-12pm  
• Tuesday, November 7th, 2023
  •  6th/7th grade 6-7:30pm
  • 8th grade 7-8:30pm      

 

Youth Wrestling begins on Nov 8 

 

Wreath Sale October 23 - November 3

OG Supporters annual Holiday Wreath Sale is here.  Please consider supporting their fundraising efforts with the purchase of a beautiful wreath.  OG Supporters Wreath          

OG Supporters Tamale Boy Fundraiser

Fundraiser Event!  Come on out to Tamale Boy, on NE Dekum on Thursday, 11/2 and they will be donating a percentage of all sales, dine-in or take-out.  Support a local restaurant, enjoy a great meal, and support OGMS!  No flier or mention of the event needed.

Garden Clean Up Volunteers Needed

Thank you OG Supporters and Bekki Sims for taking on the Garden Clean Up Project.  If you are interested in being part of the Garden Crew, then contact either admin@ogsupporters.org or bekki.jane@yahoo.com.

Important Dates

• November 2nd: Last Day of the Quarter
• November 3rd: No Students (Teacher Planning Day)
• November 8th: Picture Retake 
• November 10th: No School (Veteran’s Day)
• 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