December 2021 Newsletter

A Message from Principal Thompson

Hello, Oak Creek East Middle School Families,

During this holiday season, we want you to know how much we appreciate your support of our EMS learning community as we work together to engage, challenge and inspire every learner every day with much needed unwavering support. Please continue to reach out to your student’s teachers, counselors or administration with any questions or concerns you may have. Your partnership in supporting all learning at EMS is a strength of our EMS community.

East students continue to thrive this school year in their academics, fine arts, clubs, athletics and other activities over the past month. It feels so good to see students and families at games and at concerts celebrating our students' many talents. During the month of November we recognized the academic achievement of 561 in-person and OC Virtual students earning the first quarter honor roll. In addition, we recognized 654 in-person and OC Virtual students earning Middle School Outstanding Knights for their behavior, attendance and academic accomplishments. Click here to view recognition criteria. We are very proud of our students' academic, athletic and activity accomplishments!

During the second quarter we continue to challenge ourselves and our students to set goals for continued improvement with a focus on academics, self-care and positive social interactions. Our PBIS area of focus for the second quarter is about being physically safe at school. Students will engage in advisory lessons and be expected to demonstrate keeping their hands, feet and bodies to themselves along with avoiding play-fighting at all times, as it often leads to physical danger. We appreciate your support in reinforcing these skills with your students in all areas of their life.

Again, thank you for working with us to make a positive impact on all students as they continue to develop their social and academic skills as well as getting better at getting better.

Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,

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!

December

Dec 09, (Thursday) - 6th, 7th, and 8th Gr. Choir Concert 7:00 p.m.

Dec 10, (Friday) - Student Council Activity Night 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.

Dec 14, (Tuesday) - Coffee with the Principal 8:45 – 9:45 p.m.

Dec 23, (Thursday) - Start of Winter Break

January

Jan 03, (Monday) - Return from Winter Break

EMS Honor Roll and Outstanding Knights

Announcing our Quarter 1 Outstanding Knights and Honor Roll Students! - We are thrilled to recognize the following students for their outstanding academic achievements and growth during our first quarter.

Visit the following link to view the list of honored students for both East Middle School and OC Virtual

Q1 - HONOR ROLL AND OUTSTANDING KNIGHTS LIST

Coffee with the Principal

Join Ms. Thompson on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 for Coffee with the Principal from 8:45 am to 9:45 am in the East Middle School Office Conference Room. See you there!

9th Grade Freshmen Orientation

Dear Families of Future Freshmen:

On Thursday, January 6, 2022, from 5:30 p.m to 7:30 p.m., Oak Creek High School will host orientation for incoming freshmen.

Incoming freshmen and their families are invited to attend an information meeting regarding course selection for freshman year in the NGC gym. There will be one presentation at 5:30 p.m. and one at 6:15 p.m. Families can choose which presentation to attend, but we recommend last names beginning A-L attend the first presentation, and last names beginning M-Z attend the second presentation, if possible. Families of incoming freshmen are also invited to tour the Ninth Grade Center (NGC), talk with content teachers, and sign up for sports, clubs, and extracurricular activities during the timeframe of 5:30 to 7:30 as well.

We look forward to meeting the class of 2026 on Thursday, January 6!

If you have any questions, please call the NGC at 414-570-3840.

Sincerely,

Laura Westcott

Principal, NGC

EMS Giving Tree

Winter Spirit Week

Student Council Blood Drive Update

Thank you to our EMS community members for jumping on board to support our blood donation drive. Your support means so much and we could not do it without you!

There were 34 lifesaving blood donations made and we are told that each donation could save up to 3 lives. That's up to 102 possible recipients!! Such a wonderful impact made by the Oak Creek East Middle School community, especially during these difficult times and leading into the holiday season! Thank you for your support!

EMS Culture Tree

Gold Slips (Parent Permission Consent Form)

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.

EMS Winter Choir Concert

Performers: 6th Grade, 7th Grade, and 8th Grade Choir Students

When: Thursday, December 9th, 2021 @ 7 PM

Where: EMS Gym

The EMS 6th, 7th, and 8th grade choirs will present their winter concert on Thursday, December 9 at 7:00 pm! The choir students have been working hard the past two months to prepare for this performance. Parents/guardians should have received a concert information letter to sign and return to Mrs. Baker. The choirs look forward to seeing friends and families at their first performance in two years.

Social-Emotional Learning Lessons

Dear Families,

In December we will finish up the Bullying and Harassment Lessons in Second Step. In the last lessons students will learn how to recognize gender-based harassment. This is when people are bothered, teased, or bullied because of their sex, or because they look, act, or have interests that are different from male and female stereotypes. Lessons will help students understand how they’re protected from harassment at school and their responsibility not to harass others.

The week before break we will begin Unit 3: Emotions Matter. Students will learn how their brain handles strong emotions and brainstorm positive and negative decisions they might make when they feel a strong emotion.

Reminder - Masks Required for the Bus

This is a reminder for students who take the bus to and from school. Remember, masks are mandated on the school bus and MUST be worn. Please be prepared and have your mask out before arriving to the bus at dismissal. You may not get on your bus without a mask. It is also expected that you wear your mask the entire time you are on the bus. This includes to and from school and any athletic or extracurricular event. This is required by a January 2021 federal order issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human Services. Thank you!

EMS Yearbook Sale

Haven't ordered a yearbook for this school year? Don't sweat it, we have you covered! Online sales can be made by visiting the Jostens website.

Click HERE to order your yearbook today!

Veterans Day Celebration Photos

Thank you to our amazing IMPACT Club students for their colorful and patriotic artwork to help celebrate Veterans Day

Ambassadors Helping in the Community

Our EMS Ambassadors have been busy helping out in the Oak Creek Community. Some students worked at the Packer Party/Chili Cookoff at the Community Center in November and some will be helping out at two community Breakfast with Santa events in the upcoming weeks. You might also see some Ambassadors as bell ringers at Pick n Save for the Salvation Army. Thank you to all of the student leaders who have volunteered!

Artist: Olivia Karakis

Grade: 7

7th grade artist Olivia Karakis completed a version of Jen Stark’s “Drip Art” piece. We researched the bright and colorful world of Jen Stark before students were challenged to create a piece inspired by her work. Olivia did an awesome job creating a sense of movement in her work! Great job, Olivia!

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 [email protected].

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.