Oakland Mills School Happenings
May 10, 2021 | Issue 87
Oakland Mills High School
Graduating Seniors Dates
Senior Awards and Carnival: May 11th, 11:00 a.m. (awards) and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. (carnival)

Last day of class for Seniors: May 28th

Graduation: June 1st, 3:00 p.m. at Post Merriweather Pavilion
OMHS Food Pantry Distribution
May 26th, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
at OMHS (front parking lot)
Directions and procedures HERE. For donations, see the "Donate or Volunteer" box below.
Oakland Mills Middle School
OMMS Restaurant Night at NEO Pizza and Taphouse
May 11th, 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
8872 McGaw Rd, Columbia
MAP Testing
May 19th & 26th
OMMS Staff Appreciation Station
The OMMS PTSA has created a staff appreciation station as a way for our community to show the staff we care. To donate and have items shipped directly to the school: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2U1PX8Q21L9QH?ref_=wl_share
Stevens Forest Elementary School
Tune in Tuesday
Primary: May 11th, 6:30 p.m.
Intermediate: May 28th, 6:30 p.m.
MAP Assessments
May 18th: 1st Grade ELA
May 19th: Grades 2-5 ELA
May 25th: 1st Grade Math
May 26th: Grades 2-5 Math 
PTA Meeting
May 19th, 6:30 p.m.
Zoom Meet (see PTA for code)
Virtual Band & Strings Concert
June 3rd, 6:30 p.m.
Featuring budding Stevens Forest musicians performing on their instruments and some staff members as guest narrators! A link to the concert will be shared later. 
Stevens Forest Elementary School – Amazon Wishlist Supplies
The SFES PTA has created an Amazon Wishlist to send supplies directly to the school. The list will be updated weekly with new items needed by teachers and staff.
Thanks to the great SFES community!
Thank an SFES Staff Member! 
Hearing from families and students is an amazing token of gratitude. If you would like to thank an SFES Staff Member please fill out the form at this link. Your responses will be shared during our morning announcements on an ongoing basis. Thank you for taking the time to make our staff feel appreciated.
Talbott Springs Elementary School
MAP Testing
May 12th, 9:30 a.m. (Math)
TSES PTA Virtual Meeting
May 13th, 7:00 p.m.
Contact PTA for code.
TSES PTA Spirit Night Fundraiser at Red Robin
May 19th, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
8640 Snowden River Pkwy, Columbia
Thunder Hill Elementary School
MAP Testing
May 19th: Math
PTA Virtual Meeting
June 2nd, 6:30 p.m.
Email president.thespta@gmail.com or Amanda Muchmore at wageam@gmail.com for meeting code.
PTA General Membership Vote
June 9th, 6:30 p.m.
THES Parking Lot
PTA President Still Needed!
From the THES PTA:
At the end of our May 5th PTA meeting, we still do not have a volunteer to be president for next year. We have volunteers for vice presidents, treasurer, secretary, and delegate (anyone can still run for any of these offices), but we still don't have a president. Without a president we cannot have a PTA. We will hold elections on June 9th at 6:30 in the THES parking lot, and anyone can step forward until then. Since there are no current volunteers to be president and only 55 days left in our fiscal year, we are starting the process of legally disbanding the PTA. If a volunteer steps forward prior to June 9th we will stop the disbanding process, but for now this is the only direction the PTA can take. If you want to volunteer or have questions, please email president.thespta@gmail.com
Howard County Public School System
School Closure Dates
May 13th: schools closed
May 31st: Memorial Day, schools closed
June 8th: Last day for half-day pre-k
June 10th, 11th, &14th: Schools dismiss 3 hours early
June 15th: Last day of school, schools dismiss 3 hours early
Tobacco Awareness Program for Teens
May 19th, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Virtual session
Open to students, parents, educators, and the community, this free program will provide information about the risks of tobacco use, and enable students to assess their own usage patterns and to learn skills to adopt healthier lifestyles. Enrollment form and infor HERE.
Kindergarten Registration: Click HERE
Pre-K Registration: Click HERE
Kindness Pantry Partnership
The Howard County Public School System has partnered with The Kindness Pantry to support teachers and students by providing an inventory of school supplies to schools. Click HERE to donate.
Free Student Meals
Procedures for free students meals have changed due to hybrid instruction. Click HERE for info and pick-up times for virtual students.
Student Device Issues
If your student's device is having issues, take the device to:
Old Cedar Lane, Gymnasium (door on the left side of the building; follow the signs)
5451 Beaverkill Road, Columbia
(Building shares a parking lot with Harper’s Choice Middle School)
Hours of operation:
Mon., Wed., & Fri., 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Tues. & Thurs. from 2-5 p.m.
*Technology Support Centers are closed any day that HCPSS offices are closed .
Online Safety and Resources
Click HERE for HCPSS's online safety guidelines and resources.
HCPSS All in One Help Website
Answers to frequently asked questions HERE.
Board of Education Meetings
  • May 11th, 4 & 7 p.m. – Hybrid Meeting
  • May 27th, 3 p.m. – Hybrid Adoption of FY22 Operating Capital Budgets & FY23-27 Capital Improvement Program
  • May 27th, 4 & 7 p.m. – Hybrid Meeting
Hybrid meetings are virtual and in-person (more info) and will be streamed live/viewed on the HCPSS board website or on Comcast channel 95/Verizon 42 in Howard County.
Oakland Mills Board of Directors
Education Committee
school_supplies_desk.jpg
Virtual OMCA Education Committee meeting
Stay tuned for info about the next meeting.

The Oakland Mills Community Association's Education Committee supports and advocates for all Oakland Mills schools and county-wide on a variety of issues. All interested individuals are welcome to join the conversation!

For more information contact Oakland Mills Board of Directors member, Jonathan Edelson at jledelson.omca@gmail.com.
Community Resources
Oakland Mills Online (OMO) is an online social learning platform founded by Oakland Mills families to keep our community connected while we are socially isolated.

Family Fun Book Club (virtual)
TONIGHT, May 10th, 7:00 p.m.
Visit OMO for more info and a link to the club meet.
Oakland Mills United (OMU) is a community group started by recent OMHS graduates that advocates for the OM community and its schools and offers tutoring and college help. OMCA is a proud partner with OMU.
HC DrugFree provides resources and education on prevention, treatment, recovery, and health and wellness to help Howard County residents develop knowledge and skills to understand and address behavioral health (substance use and mental health) disorders. HC DrugFree website
Oakland Mills Local Leadership Team's mission is to make the village of Oakland Mills an inclusive, equitable and connected community that values and supports the healthy development of all children, youth and families.

OMLLT Community Dinner & Conversation
May 22nd, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Virtual Event

OMLLT Community Survey
Now through May 31st
This brief and anonymous survey will identify the needs and challenges that are being faced by families and youth in Oakland Mills through COVID-19, and guide the development of strategies and programs to address these barriers. Info and survey links HERE.
The Howard County Library System has taken an active stand against racism and hatred by launching a new educational initiative called Brave Voices Brave Choices. HCLS hopes to harness the power of storytelling to create ripples of understanding and positive action throughout Howard County. To learn more or to share your own story, visit HCLS's Brave Voices Brave Choices page.

Join HCLS in committing to and engaging in an educational pursuit for justice!
Need Help?
Columbia Community Care
Free Supplies & Food Distribution
Wednesdays 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Stevens Forest Neighborhood Center
6061 Stevens Forest Road, Columbia
Oakland Mills High School Food Pantry
May 26th, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Free, no contact. See the OMHS block for more info.
Free Student Meals
Due to hybrid learning, free meal pick up has changed. Click HERE for more info.
Oakland Mills United
Free tutoring and help understanding the college process HERE.
Catholic Community of Ascension and St. Augustine Free Food Distribution
Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Ducketts Lane Elementary School
6501 Ducketts Lane, Elkridge
The Howard County MultiService Center Free Grab-and-Go Meals
If you are in need of food and cannot get to the center please call 410-313-0220 to schedule an appointment.
Mons. & Weds.: Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Third Sat. of Each Month: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Howard County Government's List of Food Distribution Sites HERE.
Donate or Volunteer
Columbia Community Care
Donation drop off:
Donation bin inside LA Mart in the Oakland Mills Village Center
More donation drop-off sites and list of needed items HERE.

Volunteer Information
Volunteers needed to restock, translate, and shop/deliver. More info and sign up HERE.
Oakland Mills United
Tutors needed! More info HERE.
Oakland Mills High School Food Pantry
Donations always welcome! Donate in-person on the second Wednesday of the month, make a monetary donation, or order donations through the pantry's Amazon Wishlist. Visit the the OMHS Food Pantry Website for more info.
Blessings in a Backpack at Talbott Springs ES
The Blessings in a Backpack program continues to help TSES students this school year. Learn more HERE.