January 2023 Newsletter

A Message from Principal Thompson

Hello, Oak Creek East Middle School Families,

It is hard to believe we are near the close of the second quarter and beginning conversations with students regarding course selection for the 2023-2024 school year.

During the first week of January, East Middle School staff will be reviewing programming and course selection with all students during advisory. Please take a moment to review the materials your student will use to inform their course selections.

Programming presentations to current 6th grade: Beginning Jan. 3rd in Advisory classes.
Future 7th Grade Programming Resources:
7th Grade Course Descriptions
7th Grade Student Presentation
7th Grade Course Selection Sheet
Infinite Campus Course Registration step by step guide
Registration is due Jan. 16.

Programming presentations to current 7th grade: Beginning January 3rd in Advisory classes
Future 8th Grade Programming Resources:
8th Grade Course Descriptions
8th Grade Student Presentation
8th Grade Course Selection Sheet
Infinite Campus Course Registration step by step guide
Registration is due Jan. 16.

Programming presentations to current 8th grade: Beginning January 3rd in Advisory classes
Future 9th Grade Programming Resources:
Future 9th Grade Student Welcome Slide Show
Future 9th Grade Courses Slide Show
OCHS Academic & Career Planning Website
9th Grade Programming Menu
9th Grade Visual Scheduler
Summer School Information
Infinite Campus Course Registration guide - due January 16.

Your help throughout this process is essential in ensuring students select courses that make sense for them and help them explore new ways to grow and learn. All students will input their course selections through Infinite Campus which must be completed by January 16, 2023.

Parents & guardians, please set time aside during the upcoming week to review the programming information and assist your student in placing their course selections in Infinite Campus.

If you have questions regarding course selection and/or programming, please visit our school website to view the course catalog, utilize the resources listed above, or contact our school counselors:

Emily Splan, (last names A-L) at e.splan@ocfsd.org

Christine Ruz, (last names M-Z) at c.ruz@ocfsd.org

We are grateful for your unwavering support and partnership in supporting our students in their learning this school year. Your hard work and support are appreciated by the entire EMS staff. Thank you EMS families!

With gratitude,

Sue Thompson, Principal

Jodi Newell Associate Principal (A-L)

Casey Milroy, Associate Principal (M-Z)

Upcoming Events

Click HERE to see a full list of upcoming events!

January

Jan 16 (Monday) - No School

Jan 17, 18, 19 - Girl's Volleyball Tryouts (Grades 7 & 8)

Jan 19 (Thurs) - Choir Concert, 7pm

Jan 23 (Monday) - No School (Possible Snow Make-Up Day)

Jan 24 (Tuesday) 3rd Quarter Begins

February

Feb 3 - Student Read In Night - 3:45 - 6pm

Feb 10 (Friday) - Student Council Snow Ball Dance 4 - 6PM

Feb 24 (Friday) - No School (Possible Snow Make-Up Day)

Sports/Extra Curricular Activities Photos

On Tuesday, January 10th, photos for Sports/Extra curricular activities will be taking place during the school day. The following groups will be taking photos: Yearbook Club, Ambassador Club, Forensics, Lego League, Spanish & German Club, Jazz & Vocal Ensemble, Ski Club, Boys Basketball & Wrestling.

FESTIVAL OF BANDS 2023

The Oak Creek-Franklin School District will be hosting its 17th Annual Festival of Bands on Saturday, January 14, 2023.

All Band students in the district - nearly 800 students in Band grades 5 through 12 - will be performing two identical concerts.

The 1st concert will take place at 2:30 pm & the 2nd will take place at 5:00 pm, in the Oak Creek High School Main gym. Due to the large number of performers and the limited capacity within the OCHS Main Gym, this is a ticketed event.

The event will be streamed live via a link on the OCFSD website - tune in for details as the date approaches!

Choir Concert

The OCEMS Winter Choir Concert takes place on Thursday, January 19 at 7:00 pm in the EMS gym. Performances from the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade choirs, as well as the Vocal Ensemble, will be featured in the program. The students have been working hard on their music since late September and are excited to share their music with their families and friends!

HAPPENING AT EAST

German Christmas Market

Frau Davis’ 8th grade

German classes researched various Christmas traditions. Each student had a booth and presented what they learned to students in 6th, 7th & 8th Grade!

Writer's Celebration in 7th Grade

Students in Ms. Graham's 7th Grade Language Arts Class had a December Celebration. They had created videos to reflect what they learned about their self-selected author's tools and trademarks, interesting facts about the writer's life, and book talks about two of their works. They celebrated with an awards ceremony.

EMS IN THE COMMUNITY

Blankets for the Salvation Army

Ms. Tupa and Ms. Horner's classes worked in groups to research different local charities, and each group chose a charity to present about to their classmates. After all the presentations, we took a vote on which charity we would donate the blankets to, and the Salvation Army won!

After that, students asked family and teachers to donate fabric to make the blankets. Once we had all the fabric compiled, students learned how to cut and tie the fabric together to create fleece tie blankets!

When the blankets were done, Dana Bigelow came to East to tell the students about the Salvation Army, it's history, and it's mission. Students then had the opportunity to ask questions, take photos with Dana, and help her bring the blankets to her car!

Toys donated to the Sojourner Peace Center

Tech Ed classes from 7th and 8th grade built toys for a few weeks with the intention of donating them to children having a tough time this past Christmas season. On December 20, the toys were donated to the Sojourner Peace Center, a women’s shelter in downtown Milwaukee.

Students completed approximately 44 high-quality toys to make 22 boxed and wrapped presents. 2 toys in each. All that were donated were very nice and every student did a great job, but I think Jana E. wins the prize for 'nicest toy'. It was nearly perfect. No easy feat for kids who haven’t used tools before.

Mr. Granzow

Ambassador Club helps the Buddy Break Program

The Ambassador Club partnered with the Buddy break program in December. Buddy Break is a program at Hales Corners Lutheran Church where parents of children with special needs can drop off their child at the church for a fun day of crafts and activities. The Ambassador Club put together and wrapped a Christmas craft this past December.

Toy Drive to benefit Salvation Army

Ms. Furlough's 8th Grade Art Expressions class collected toys for the Salvation Army!

PARENT REMINDERS

GOLD SLIPS

Students who will be staying before or after school for clubs, extracurricular activities, tutoring sessions, etc... will need to have a signed Gold Slip until the activity coach or club advisor has the student fill out a code of conduct that is signed by both the student and parent/guardian (if applicable).

Gold Slips can be found in the office or on the Forms section of the EMS website under the Parents tab.

Click HERE to print and fill out a slip to return to the front office.

Cell Phone Free School

Click HERE to view our cell phone and headphones procedure

If you allow your student to bring a phone to school, it will need to be locked in the locker from 8:30 am until 3:45 pm.

As in the “olden days,” you can contact the office if you need to speak to or get a message to your child.

Absence Reporting

Please call the attendance line at (414) 768-6260 option “1” to report student absences and tardies. When leaving a message, please include the date, first and last name of your student, the spelling and grade.

Additionally you may email attendance information to our general office email address at office.eastmiddle@ocfsd.org.

Virtual Backpack

Don’t forget to check your student’s Virtual Backpack! The Virtual Backpack is our "eco-friendly" approach to distributing information supporting our district's educational goals and mission.

Virtual Backpack Link: ocfsd.org/parents/virtual-backpack

Background Checks

The District Volunteer Background Check Application is now online! We will no longer be accepting paper applications. Every volunteer must complete an online volunteer application form even if you were previously approved and are on the Volunteer Database. You will still need to submit an online volunteer application every five years after the initial online application. This new process will have results within 1-2 days!

The link can be found under the Parents tab on the district website.