Oakland Mills School Happenings | April 15, 2026 | Issue 180 | | |
Only a little over a month of school left for OMHS seniors. Woot! We're so excited for you! You've got the whole world laying out there waiting for you. Seize the day!
Lots of fun events coming up, from restaurant nights to concerts to the OMMS spring musical, Newsies. Explore each school's box below to see what's going on.
And THIS FRIDAY, April 17 at 10:30 a.m. at The Other Barn, we'll have our last Lively Arts for Little Ones concert for the season, with Pam the Kindersinger (always a favorite!). See the flier below for info. Tickets $5 for ages 2+, available on Eventbrite or day-of at the door.
Happy (early) Earth Day!
Brigitta Warren, Village Manager
Amy Carpenter, Events & Administrative Coordinator
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Oakland Mills High School
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Adjusted Start Time for High Schools
Beginning Monday, May 4, the high school student day will begin at 7:48 a.m., two minutes earlier than the current 7:50 start time. This will add a total of 1 hour and 4 minutes to the school year for high schools. The bus pickup schedule will remain unimpacted, and middle and elementary schools will not have an extended student day.
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OMHS Restaurant Night at Crimson Coward
TODAY, April 15, until 9:00 p.m.
7090 Deepage Dr., Columbia
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OMHS Parent Night
April 16, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
OMHS
Free, though donations for the OMHS food pantry welcome. Topics will include:
- Vaping Awareness - Understanding the risks from the Howard County Health Department
- Online Safety - Protecting your teen online; presentation from HCPD
- Luminus Program
- And more!
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Spring Band/Guitar Concert
April 21, 7:00 p.m.
OMHS Auditorium
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Spring Choir/Orchestra Concert
April 22, 7:00 p.m.
OMHS Auditorium
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OMHS Student Choreography Showcase
April 23, 7:00 p.m.
OMHS Auditorium
Free!
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OMHS Food Pantry
April 29, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
OMHS Front Entrance
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OMHS Spring Dance Concerts
May 1 & 2, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
OMHS Auditorium
Tickets $7, available on Booktix
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OMHS Spring Performing Arts Showcase
May 8, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
OMHS
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PTSA Non-event Fundraiser
Now through May 1
The PTSA's goal is to raise $6,000 by May 1st to support field trips, After Prom, Senior graduation activities, college dorm prizes, teacher appreciation, and more. Every dollar counts, and your donation is 100% tax-deductible. Give what you can—together, we can make a difference! Donate here
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OMHS After Prom
May 9, 11:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Dave & Busters
7000 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover
Want to help out with After Prom? Click HERE for info and signup!
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Juniors and Seniors: Save the Date!
OM Prom 2026
May 9, 7:00 to 11:00 p.m.
The Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel
202 E Pratt St., Baltimore
Ticket Info
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OMHS Graduation
May 28, 3:00 p.m.
Merriweather Post Pavilion
More info
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Sports Schedules
Visit County Sports Zone for schedules and results.
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Oakland Mills Middle School
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OMMS Renovation Information Session
April 16, 6:00 p.m.
OMMS
Have you seen the renovations underway at OMMS? Join the Howard County Public School System for a brief design presentation and to gain details on what to expect during construction.
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OMMS Spring Play: Newsies, Jr.
April 15, 16, & 17, 6:30 p.m.
Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
OMMS Cafeteria
Tickets available on Booktix. The PTSA will again be selling concessions. If you are able to help please reach out.
Sign up to help with concessions!
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OMMS Restaurant Night at Big Greek Cafe
May 18, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
8874 McGaw Rd., Columbia
No flier needed, just a big appetite!
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OMMS PTSA Givebacks
Want to donate to the OMMS PTSA? Visit the PTSA's Givebacks page to find out how.
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OMMS Music Department Donations
Feeling generous? All donations support the OMMS students of the arts including OMMS band, orchestra, and vocal music programs. Any contribution is greatly appreciated and is tax deductible. Donate HERE.
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Donate to the Falcon Store
The PTSA is looking for donations for the Falcon Store. Students are able to purchase items with the Falcon bucks they earn for good behavior. Email the PTSA for suggestions or if you are interested in staffing the store during student lunch periods.
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Stevens Forest Elementary School
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International Night
April 16, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
SFES
For SFES students & their families. Celebrate the SFES community's multicultural and international diversity. Please sign-up for a table, activity, or performance to share about your countries and cultures, including North America and regions/states in the US.
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SFES Spring Fun Run
April 18, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
SFES
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PTA Yard Sale Fundraiser
May 2, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
SFES Parking Lot
Time for spring cleaning! Rent a spot at SFES's community yard sale to get rid of your junk! Rain date: May 16.
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Restaurant Night at Chipotle
May 12, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
9851 Broken Land Pkwy, Columbia
Pickup only (delivery does not count). Online order code TM7JP77 (must pick up).
More info & flier
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SFES Bingo Night
May 21, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
SFES
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SFES Judy Center
The Judy Center Early Learning Hub connects families with high-quality, comprehensive, full-day, full-year early education services, promoting school readiness for children ages 0 to 5. Its goals are to serve students and families within the school's boundaries. Would you like to learn more about the SFES Judy Center? Call 410-313-8245, or fill out this form or in Spanish - Spanish Interest Form
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Talbott Springs Elementary School
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TSES Preschool
Will your child be 3 years old by September 1, 2026? If so, they can be part of TSES's Learn Together Program. Preschool classes are 4 days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday) from 8:35 to 11:15 a.m. More info. Questions? call the front office or email Mrs. Lauer at alauer@hcpss.org.
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TSES Garden Work Days
April 18 & May 16, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Help get the TSES Garden ready for a season of growth! Families are invited to come dig, plant, and help prepare the garden for the months ahead. No gardening experience needed—just bring your enthusiasm! Sign up
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TSES Spring Concert
May 4, 6:30 p.m.
OMHS
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TSES International Night
May 6, 6:00 p.m.
OMHS
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TSES Sunshine Cart Donations Needed!
The Sunshine Committee would love your help in showering TSES's amazing staff with monthly treats! Please consider donating individually wrapped snacks and/or drinks. Donations can be dropped off at the front office Prefer not to shop? Monetary donations are also welcome. Please send checks or money orders (payable to Talbott Springs Elementary School) in a sealed envelope marked Attention: Sunshine Committee. If you have any questions, please contact patricia_cristiani@hcpss.org.
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Thunder Hill Elementary School
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Thunderbird Night
April 17, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
THES
For the THES school community. Enjoy a community potluck and share your family traditions (food, performance, and crafts).
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THES Spotlight Concert
April 29, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
THES
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THES Day of Excellence
April 30, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
THES
The Science Fair will be part of the Day of Excellence.
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THES Restaurant Night at Pub Dog
May 19, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
8865 Stanford Blvd #101, Columbia
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Thunder Hill Career Fair - Volunteers Needed!
May 20 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
THES
Sign up to volunteer HERE.
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Thunderbirds SOAR Cart: Donations Needed!
The THES Thunderbirds are working hard this year demonstrating THES's SOAR behaviors! They are earning many DOJO points for Showing Kindness, Including Others, Showing Respect to Others, and Being Responsible. They can use DOJO points to shop at the SOAR cart every other week. We are looking for creative ways to replenish items on the cart. If you would like to donate an item, you can use this Amazon Wish List to have items sent directly to our school.
Thank you for your consideration and generosity! -- THES SOAR Team
https://a.co/240ihGJ
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Howard County Public School System
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School Closure Dates
New closures and openings due to inclement weather days.
May 14: OPEN full day (early dismissal before)
May 25: CLOSED (Memorial Day)
May 27: CLOSED
June 8: OPEN full day (early dismissal before)
June 11-15: OPEN full day (early dismissal before)
June 16-18: 3-hr EARLY DISMISSAL (was closed)
Updated Last Day of School: June 18
Emergency/weather closings info
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HCPSS Pre-K Application Period Open
HCPSS’ full-day pre-k program is open for applications for the 2026-27 school year. Families of children who turn 4 on or before September 1, 2026, are eligible to apply. Additional information, including a link to the application, is available online.
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Volunteers Needed for Battle of the Books
April 24, 7:00 p.m.
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Get ready for the 2026 Battle of the Books!
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Board of Education Meetings
Upcoming Regular Meetings:
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April 30, 4 & 7 p.m. – Regularly Scheduled Meeting
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May 19, 4 & 7 p.m. – Regularly Scheduled Meeting
Board meetings may be viewed live or on-demand online, and during and after each meeting on Howard County Comcast channel 95 or Verizon channel 42. Upcoming Public Hearings can be found online.
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Oakland Mills Board of Directors
Education Committee
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OMCA Education Committee meeting
Next meeting: TBA
The Oakland Mills Community Association's Education Committee advocates for and assists our schools to ensure students attending schools in the Oakland Mills Cluster have top-quality educational opportunities in diverse, enriching settings. New members always welcome!
For more information contact Oakland Mills Board of Directors, Jonathan Edelson at jledelson.omca@gmail.com.
| | | Community Resources & Announcements | | | |
Host Families Sought for AFS Exchange Students
Last year there was an AFS student from Moldova at OMHS and next year there will be a student from Brazil! Next school year, around 15 AFS exchange students from around the world will come to Howard County, Baltimore County and Baltimore City for a life-changing year. You can help your family to learn about another part of the world! Host families volunteer to provide room and board for a student and get to know a great kid. Exchange students attend your local high school. Students are available from countries around the world, such as Germany, Italy, Chile, Spain, Thailand, China, and many more. You can pick kids who enjoy hobbies such as soccer, volleyball, photography, crochet, singing, running, baking, drawing, or playing piano or a band instrument.
If you would like to hear more about the process of becoming a host family or any other aspect of our program, please contact Christina McGarvey at AFSBaltimore@gmail.com.
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Volunteers Needed to be Mentors
OhanaHC matches students from OMHS and three other Howard County high schools with adult mentors there to help them reach their chosen goals. More mentors are needed for OMHS students! Interested in helping? Click the button below to find out more.
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Oakland Mills Online (OMO) is an online social learning platform founded by Oakland Mills families to keep our community connected.
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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.
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CAREAPP makes it easy to find and connect with over 2,500 Howard County programs for food, health, housing, transportation, education, employment assistance, and more.
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The Grassroots Day Resource Center at Leola Dorsey is located at:
10390 Guilford Road, Suite A
Jessup, MD
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FindHelp.org's Listings of Food Pantry Programs in Columbia
Click HERE
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CAREAPP
Find services for food, health, housing, transportation, education, employment assistance, and more. Click HERE for info.
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Howard County Food Connections Map
Interactive tool to help you find low-cost, accessible food and nutrition resources in the County. Also find transit routes/stops. Click HERE.
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Howard County Food Bank
Shop for the Foods YOU want at the Howard County Food Bank. All shopping trips are family-choice. Fresh items such as milk, eggs, hygiene products, meats, produce are all on hand each time. Families who may qualify should visit www.CAC-HC.org (Community Action Council website) or call 410-313-6440 for more details.
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Howard County Multiservice Center Food Pantry
9900 Washington Blvd, Suite 1, Laurel
Mondays & Wednesdays
12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Third Saturday
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
More info: English, Spanish
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What to Do If You Are Laid Off
Losing a job can be a devastating experience. What to Do If You Are Laid Off is a new resource from the Office of Consumer Protection which provides helpful tips and links for people facing job loss. Howard County is offering resources for people affected by federal job loss - reach out to hocohelp@howardcountymd.gov for assistance.
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Columbia Community Care
Free food and goods for those in need. Volunteers and donations welcome. For food distribution dates and location and other information please visit the CCC website for details.
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Oakland Mills High School Food Pantry
April 29, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Free, no contact.
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Free Student Meals
Click HERE to learn more and apply.
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Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland
Meals on Wheels provides nutritious meals once a week for seniors, as well as support and safety-net services. To learn more about services or to donate/volunteer, click HERE.
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Community Action Council Assistance
Community Action Council offers housing assistance, energy assistance, food assistance, and early childhood education. Visit www.cac-hc.org to learn more. Get support or get involved now by calling 410-313-6440.
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Discounts for Food Deliveries
This article by the Associated Press/WBALTV lists companies offering discounts and/or free delivery for SNAP beneficiaries, including free delivery from food banks.
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Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center
8990 Old Annapolis Road, Suite A , Columbia
Call: 410-531-6677 or 410-531-6006
24 Hour Hotline: Dial 988
grassrootscrisis.org
Telephone counseling, free walk-in counseling, a 24-hour suicide hotline, Mobile Crisis Team, and a Runaway Teen Program that provides crisis intervention for runaway youth and their families. The emergency shelter will still be open at its location, 6700 Freetown Road. All services are free. Marylanders with mental health or substance use issues are encouraged to call 988 to reach help.
National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988.
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Oakland Mills High School Food Pantry
Donations Accepted at The Other Barn, Mondays through Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
See details, including a list of needed items HERE. Donations always welcome! No expired food please! Items can be dropped off in the front office during school hours, 7:30 am - 3:00 pm. Monetary donations are also welcome or order donations through the pantry's Amazon Wishlist. More info.
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AOK Mentoring & Tutoring: Tutors Needed!
Would you like to be a volunteer mentor-tutor who supports Howard County elementary and middle school students? Are you a trustworthy adult who can commit to one school year of service for a student? A-Ok would love to meet you! Find the next A-Ok info session on the A-Ok website.
AOK News: A-Ok Mentoring-Tutoring, Inc. has rebranded and has a name and logo! The new name is AOK Mentoring & Tutoring, with a new tagline for the AOK acronym: All Our Kids.
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