News about Oakland Mills Schools

Oakland Mills School Happenings

September 7, 2022 | Issue 114

Congratulations to Talbott Springs Elementary School on the opening of its brand new replacement school! This was a feat that took over a decade to accomplish, and we are so happy for the staff, teachers, and students of TSES! Read about the opening ceremony HERE.

In other news...for those of you who have little ones, our first Lively Arts for Little Ones performance of the season (with Mr. Gabe) is THIS FRIDAY, September 9th at 10:30 a.m. in the courtyard next to The Other Barn. More info HERE.

Also, mark your calendars for the annual Oakland Mills Fall Festival on Saturday, October 1st from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. As always, some of our local schools will be participating. We're still looking for vendors as well. Find out more HERE.

Have a marvelous day!

Sandy Cederbaum, Village Manager

Amy Carpenter, Administrative Assistant

Oakland Mills High School

Website

Craft Fair Vendor Info

OMHS Food Pantry Distribution

September 28th, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

at OMHS (front parking lot)

Directions and procedures HERE.

Donations accepted at The Other Barn, Mondays through Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. See donations box below for details.

Fall Sports Schedules

The OM Fall sports season is starting! Visit County Sports Zone to find schedules. Buy tickets online HERE.

OMHS PTSA

OMHS Boosters

Oakland Mills Middle School

Website

Back to School Night

September 8th, 6:00 p.m.

OMMS

Taharka Ice Cream Fundraiser

Order by September 19th, 7:00 p.m.

Group Coupon Code: FALCONS

More Info

OMMS PTSA Facebook Page

Stevens Forest Elementary School

Website

SFES PTA Meeting

September 12th, 7:00 p.m.

Back to School Night

September 13th

6:00 to 7:30 p.m.: Grades 1-2

September 14th

5:30 p.m.: Gifted & Talented/Band & Strings Presentation
6:00 to 7:30 p.m.: Grades 3-5

SFES 50th Anniversary

October 8th

The SFES PTA will be hosting a community event to celebrate 50 Years of Excellence at SFES! This event is for anyone in the community and/or who has had a connection to SFES in the past 50 years. More details to come!

50th Anniversary Spirit Wear

Order by September 14th!

Print the form at this link, mark your order, and return it with cash or check to SFES by September 14th, 2022! Spirit wear orders will arrive in time for students, staff, and community to wear to the anniversary celebration on October 8th!

There is an online payment option at this link; however, the order form above must still be printed, marked with exact order (sizing, shirt style, design, color, etc.) and returned to SFES prior to September 14th.

Contact Ms. Tatum ([email protected]) with questions.

SFES PTA

Talbott Springs Elementary School

Website

TSES Back to School Nights

September 13th: Grades 1-2

6:15 to 6:45 p.m. Open House Tour
6:45 to 7:30 p.m. Classroom Presentations

September 14th: Grades 3-5, Band & Strings

5:45 to 6:15 p.m.: Gifted & Talented Programs
6:15 to 6:45 p.m. Open House Tour
6:45 to 7:30 p.m. Classroom Presentations

TSES PTA Meeting

September 22nd, 7:00 p.m.

TSES PTA

Thunder Hill Elementary School

Website

THES Restaurant Night at Chipotle

TONIGHT, September 7th

4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

6181 Old Dobbin Rd., Suite 100, Columbia

Order online with code P3XBRFY or bring the flyer to the restaurant.

THES Back to School Nights

September 13th:

5:30 p.m. PTA General Meeting
6:00 p.m. Grades K-2 Back To School Night

September 14th:

5:30 p.m. Gifted & Talented Back to School Night
6:00 p.m. Grades 3-5 Back to School Night

THES PTA

Howard County Public School System

Website

School Closure Dates

September 26th: Closed

October 5th: Closed

October 21st: Closed

October 24th: Closed

School Bus Locator

Info on bus service, including bus routes locator HERE.

Free RTA Bus Passes for Students

Learn more HERE.

School Meal Information for the 2022-23 School Year

The federal government has not extended waivers allowing free meals for all students. Consequently, for the 2022-2023 school year, students whose families do not qualify for free or reduced lunch will be required to pay the Daily Meal Price .

Many HCPSS families are eligible to participate in the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program. Families must submit a new application every school year.

Details on the Free and Reduced Meals program, including a link to apply, are available online.

Complete Your Family File

Every year HCPSS parents must complete a Family File for each child. HCPSS utilizes Family File for parents/guardians to complete emergency information. Parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child, and can do so by logging in to HCPSS Connect PARENT ACCOUNT and selecting the MORE OPTIONS tab on the left and then clicking on Family File.

Helpful Links:

Family File Quick Guide

Family File Full Guide (Eng)

Family File Full Guide (Esp)

Board of Education Meetings

Sep. 8th, 4:00 & 7:00 p.m. – Regular Meeting
Sep. 22th, 4:00 & 7:00 p.m. – Regular 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.

Redistricting for the 2023-24 School Year

Keep on the latest steps in the process HERE.

Oakland Mills Board of Directors

Education Committee

Virtual OMCA Education Committee meeting

Next meeting: September 27, 2022

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 Chair and OMCA Education Committee Chair Jonathan Edelson at [email protected].

Community Resources

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

MORE INFO & REGISTRATION

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.

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.

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.

Need Help?

Oakland Mills High School Food Pantry

September 28th, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Free, no contact. See the OMHS block for more info.

Columbia Community Care

Free Supplies & Food Distribution

Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to Noon

OMMS

More locations and info.

Oakland Mills United

Free tutoring and help understanding the college process HERE.

Free Student Meals

Click HERE to apply.

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.: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

MORE INFO ~ Spanish Flyer

Donate or Volunteer

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! Donate in-person at OMHS 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.

Oakland Mills United

Tutors needed! More info HERE.

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.

A-Ok Mentoring & Tutoring: Tutors Needed!

A-OK Mentoring & Tutoring needs YOU to help provide support to Howard County elementary and middle school students!

Check out upcoming information sessions: www.facebook.com/aokmentors/events

Visit the A-Ok website to learn more.