Oakland Mills School Happenings | October 31, 2025 | Issue 169 | | |
If you are experiencing hardship because of the government shutdown (or for any other reason), please visit the "Need Help" section (second to last below) for a list of available local food resources and other services. And if you are in a position to help, please consider donating to a local charitable organization. We are also still taking food donations at The Other Barn for the OMHS food pantry.
We hope you have a great evening with lots of ghoulishly delightful fun. Remember if you're out driving, watch out for trick-or-treaters. Happy Halloween!
Brigitta Warren, Village Manager
Amy Carpenter, Events & Administrative Coordinator
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Oakland Mills High School
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WBAL Concert for Kids - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Concert date:
December 6, 1:00 & 7:00 p.m.
The deadline for volunteers to sign-up is NOW, so don't delay! Ticket scanners and concessions sales volunteers especially needed, along with Sponsors/Advertisers.
Volunteer Sign-Up Form
Advertisement/Sponsor Form
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OMHS Craft Fair
November 1, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
See flier below. More info
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FAB Restaurant Night at the Big Greek Cafe
November 3, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
8874 McGaw Rd, Columbia
Dine in or carry-out. Flier/code not required.
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OMHS Fall Play: Trap
November 13 & 14, 7:00 p.m.
November 15, 2:00 & 7:00 p.m.
OMHS Auditorium
Tickets available November 1
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OMHS Food Pantry
November 19, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
OMHS
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OMHS Shredheads Fall Concert
November 19, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
OMHS Auditorium
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Be Part of Mock Interview Day!
December 18
Join the OMHS Counseling team for this day as a volunteer. If you are interested in being an interviewer, please complete the Google Form.
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FAB Fundraiser for OMHS Auditorium Sound System
Ongoing
Consider supporting FAB's effort to replace the sound system in the auditorium. All Sound System Supporter donations are earmarked for the sound system. Learn more.
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Help with Concessions!
The OMHS Boosters need people to held with concessions during games. More info and signup HERE.
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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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PTSA Restaurant Night at Chipotle
November 8, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
9851 Broken Land Parkway, Columbia
Online ordering code: AF3HWE9
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OMMS Wellness Night
November 11, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
OMMS
This will be a great event for the whole family to attend. Participants will rotate through stations with activities including yoga, meditation, and breath work, as well as more physical activities in the gym. There will be a suggested minimum donation of $5/family to attend.
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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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OMMS PTSA Givebacks
Want to donate to the OMMS PTSA? Visit the PTSA's Givebacks page to find out how.
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Stevens Forest Elementary School
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SFES PTA Turkey Trot
November 22, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
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SFES Judy Center
The Judy Center at SFES is now open! Learn more about the Center and what it offers.
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Talbott Springs Elementary School
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TSES Trunk or Treat
Postponed to November 6, 6:00 p.m.
(5:00 p.m. setup)
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TSES Restaurant Night at Noodles & Company
November 20, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
6191 Old Dobbin Ln, Columbia
Mention TSES PTA when ordering in the restaurant. Online & app coupon code: “GIVING25”.
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Trot for Talbott
November 21
During Related Arts Classes
TSES
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Thunder Hill Elementary School
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THES Thunderbirds 2 Mile Color Fun Run
November 8
9:00 a.m. - check-in/sponsorship
10:00 a.m. - race starts
THES Blacktop
9357 Mellenbrook Rd, Columbia
Registration/sponsorship 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
November 12: 3-hour Early Dismissal
November 24 & 25: 3-hour Early Dismissal
November 26 - 28: Schools closed for Thanksgiving
Emergency/weather closings info
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Board of Education Meetings
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November 6, 4:00 & 7:00 p.m. – Regularly Scheduled Meeting
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November 13, 7:00 p.m. – Virtual Work Session
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November 20, 4:00 p.m. – Regularly Scheduled Meeting (no evening session)
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 | | | |
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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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.
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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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School Supports for Families During Federal Government Shutdown
As many Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) families are impacted by the federal government shutdown, we understand that many people in our community may experience financial hardship or uncertainty. HCPSS remains committed to supporting all students and families during this time.
Howard County families who have lost pay due to the shutdown may apply for the Free and Reduced-Priced Meals (FARMs) program and the HCPSS Food and Nutrition Office will determine their eligibility status within 24-48 hours. Families that would not ordinarily qualify for the FARMs program could be eligible for the remainder of the school year because of the current loss of income.
Families that are adversely impacted, including those who do not receive FARMs assistance, will have the remainder of the school year to pay off any meal balances incurred during the government shutdown.
Additionally, many students may be suffering fear or anxiety about their family’s current financial situation. Student Services staff at each school are prepared and available to assist students at any time during the school day. Numerous resources are also available for families on the HCPSS website, and other supports are available through the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services.
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HoCo's Help for Those Affected by the Government Shutdown
Click HERE
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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
November 19, 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 United
Free tutoring and help understanding the college process HERE.
| | | There is currently a great need for donations for food pantries and other charitable services. Please read our recent email regarding places taking food donations to see how you can help. | | |
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! 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. 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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Oakland Mills United
Tutors needed! More info HERE.
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