Dear Oak Hill Families,
Mid-Term Feedback Forms: We are at the mid-point of the final trimester. Mid-term feedback forms will be sent home with your child this week; some went home last week. Please be sure to ask your child for these forms from most classes and return a signed copy to teachers.
Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6-10: Thank you to the PTO and parents who honored our talented and dedicated teachers with a scrumptious luncheon last Tuesday during Teacher Appreciation Week.
I continue to be so grateful to be working with each of our teachers, assistant teachers and specialists. I would like to extend my thanks to each one for their consistent efforts to support, instruct, and guide our students, making learning accessible and enjoyable. If you would like to recognize or thank your teachers a card, note, or email is suggested as an appropriate and much appreciated gesture. You may also want to make a contribution the Oak Middle School PTO to support our school community.
National School Nurse Day was May 8: This day of recognition has been set aside since 1972 to foster a better understanding of the role of school nurses in the educational setting. This specialized practice advances the wellbeing, academic success and life-long achievements of students. National School Nurse Day fell took place during National Nurses Week, May 7-11, ending on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of nursing. We are fortunate to have Sue Riley as our nurse! Proactive, supportive and so knowledgeable, Sue takes care of us in so many ways – thank you, Sue!
Warm Weather Clothing Expectations: As the warm weather approaches, we ask that you please support our expectations for appropriate dress at school. Spaghetti straps/tank tops, bare midriffs, low cut pants, short shorts and bare feet are not appropriate dress for school. If your child is not dressed appropriately, s/he will be asked to visit the nurse’s office where available sports attire will be offered or Nurse Riley will contact you to bring in a change of clothing. We appreciate your support in reminding your child of these expectations.
***Important Dates: Please make note of these dates!
Incoming Gr. 6 Parents:
Gr. 8: NSHS Sports Night: There will be an “Eighth Grade Sports Night” held on Wednesday May 15 at 6:30p.m. in the Field House at Newton South High School. This will be the time for students to meet coaches and sign-up for sports. This is an important meeting, because many of the fall sports begin at the end of the August. Eighth grade students and their families are encouraged to attend this event.
Gr. 6-8: No School: on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day.
Gr. 5-8: Step-up Day: Friday, June 7, 5th graders will be visiting Oak Hill, 11:30-2:20.
- Our current 6th grade students will “Step Up” to 7th grade to learn about the 7th grade experience with the usual 2:30 dismissal.
- 7th grade students will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m.; school buses will be available.
- 8th grade students will visit Newton North or Newton South with the usual 2:30 dismissal.
If you have any questions about next year’s program, please contact your child’s school guidance counselor at 617-559-9210.
Gr. 6-8: Field Day: Friday, June 14, rain date, Monday, June 17. Parent assistance will be needed. If you can assist with set up, clean up or manning water stations for an hour or two, please contact Kevin Drinan: kevin_drinan@newton.k12.ma.us
Gr. 8:
- ‘Decorate-Your-8th Grade-Tile’ Day: Friday, June 14, Periods 5 & 6, immediately following Field Day and lunch. Parent assistance will be needed. Please contact Amy Less, PTO Co-Chair: http://oakhillpto.org/
- Our “Celebrating Success” Ceremony for 8th grade students (and their families) will be held on Friday, June 21 at 8:30 a.m. in the gym followed by refreshments in the cafeteria. Eighth graders will remain in school for the duration of the day participating in end-of-the-year activities with their teachers and peers.
- Gr. 8 Canobie Lake trip: Monday, June 24, all day; cost and permission slips are coming.
Last Day of School: The Newton School Committee voted to establish the last day of school for students as Wednesday, June 26, 2013. Dismissal will be at 11:30 a.m. There will not be lunch in school on the last day.
As we approach these last weeks, know that teachers use every minute of this time to maximize the teaching and learning for your children; teachers want to ensure that students are well-prepared for next year. To that end, we ask that you continue to maintain school routines including age-appropriate bedtimes, a good breakfast, timely arrival to school, and time set aside for homework completion. Working in partnership with you, we can continue to help students reach their academic goals by the end of the year.
With warm regards,
Eva Thompson
