Owen Valley Middle School

The 2024 OVMS Veterans Day Program will be on Monday, November 11th at 10:45 AM. OVMS would like to honor the veterans of our families. The veterans will be honored during the final song by our OVMS Choir. To have your veteran honored, please complete the form by following the link below. To be included in the program, all entries should be submitted by October 31, 2024 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXdN9sMdEx8j6kQbUwfs2uxNxLG1sr4Wj5PAYiTl0I7_vIzw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Mr. Beckwith's CTE Carpentry class are working on their birdhouses. The birdhouse project is an annual project that students have to read the blueprints, measure and cut the wood, and then assemble the pieces. These will no doubt be collector's items in each household.

Tuesday, October 8th School Picture Retake Day 1 PM

Michael Spradlin will be visiting OVMS on Wednesday, October 9th. In preparation for Mr. Spradlin's visit, they have been reading his book, "Prisoner of War". Morganstern Books will also be at OVMS on Wednesday, October 9th for students to purchase a copy of Mr. Spradlin's other books. The books that will be available at OVMS are listed below.

One of the academic goals this year is to improve our mathematical problem solving skills. ILEARN questions can be difficult to decipher what they are asking us to solve. Teachers have begun an emphasis on problem solving questions. These questions go beyond the traditional word problems. They require students to determine the best mathematical strategy to solve it (sometimes multiple strategies), it is multi-steps, and challenges them to think beyond the traditional worksheets. As a former math teacher, Principal Arthur couldn't resist joining in the fun. The kids even loved using the new collaborative space from the old Middle School Library. There may have even been dry erase markers used on the windows. Can you solve the question?

It has been an exciting time at Owen Valley Middle School. The 7th and 8th Grade classes have been reading "Prisoner of War" by Michael Spradlin. The book shares the story of a World War II Marine who is captured by the Japanese. It has been riveting, and it has been great watching how the students have been engaged with the book. On October 9th, Mr. Spradlin will be at OVMS to visit with our students to discuss Prisoner of War and details about his new book. Prisoner of War has been a great way to blend history and literature.

OVMS has begun making plans for the 2026 Washington DC Trip. The 2026 Washington DC Trip is open to students currently enrolled in 6th and 7th grade only. Mr. Arthur will host a Parent/Caretaker Informational Meeting on Tuesday, September 24th at 6 PM in the OVMS Cafeteria. This is only an informational meeting and you are not required to make a commitment. To learn more about the 2026 Washington DC Trip please visit our trip website at: https://worldstrides.com/custom/2026-owen-valley-ms-dc-218372/. For more information, please check out this YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibdZMN3hVnM. If you have any questions, please email Mr. Arthur at tarthur@socs.k12.in.us

OVMS is hosting a donation drive to pay for the 7th and 8th grade field trips this year, as well as 8th grade t-shirts with your graduation year and signatures on the back. Our goal is to raise $10,000 to pay the expenses for everyone. There are four incentives when we, as a school, reach certain levels: 25%: Extra 10 minutes at Lunch 50%: Ice Cream Sundae Bar 75%: Students can wear Halloween costumes on Oct 31 (no masks) 100%: Mr. Arthur will wear a chicken suit and do the chicken dance when it’s played over the intercom. Information was handed out during your 8th period class today on how you can participate. ​ To sign up and send pledges to your family and friends, please visit: https://pledgestar.com/ovms/? ​ To make a one-time donation, please visit: https://pledgestar.com/ovms/pledge/?LgAdGRVZegEBHX9WX39ZQUc-

The girls’ shoes came in today, and we had a “walk off” in the hallway to learn how to walk in them! OVMS Show Choir is preparing for the 2024-2025 school year.

After School Tutoring begins next week (August 26). Math--Mondays Room C216 (Yeryar) ELA--Thursdays Room B212 (Kennedy) 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Principal's 8.19.24 Update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoEcev3-bpg Aug 27: Picture Day Tp pepper visit: mylifetouch.com code: EVTJGH6H8 Aug 29: Evacuation Drill more information will be sent via Parent Square

School Picture Day is August 27th for more information, please visit www.mylifetouch.com to preorder using picture ID EVTJGH6H8 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FLLrBusrRdqYZurZxjJxDp7H4tAsL8mS/view?usp=drive_link

Principal's 8.11.24 Update. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnzjPcrXW04 Fall Sports Parent Meeting is Thursday, August 15th at 6:30 (OVMS Gym) Picture Day is 8.27 We will send information on how to order through Parent Square. Let's have another great week, Patriots!

Owen Valley Firefighters were dispatched to OVMS this morning around 11:30 AM. A smoke alarm was triggered by movement causing dust near one of the alarms. Firefighters determined that it was a false alarm due to the dust.

We really appreciate everyone's patience as we work to make improvements to our building. We are excited for the first day of school and are working hard during these final hours. Drop off and Pick Up will be the same as it has been in the past. Parents/Caregivers will utilize the front parking lot along State Road 46 to drop off and pick up their student. Students may enter the building at 7:15 AM (7:55 AM for bus riders). When students arrive, they will be required to have a seat in the cafeteria until the 7:55 AM bell. Students are not permitted in other part of the building until 7:55 AM. For the first day of School on Wednesday, August 7th, students will report to the gym for an all student convocation, pick up their schedules, and meet their first period teachers. Students will be dismissed with their first period teacher at the conclusion of the convocation. We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow.

Owen Valley Middle School will once again participate in Silent Sustained Reading Time. The SSR Time takes place the first 10 minutes of Patriot Pride Time (4th Period). This is an opportunity for student to read anything of their choice, including a repair manual for their dirt bikes, a novel, or a school appropriate magazine of their choice. This time is reserved for the students to find a passion for reading, and it is our hope to encourage reading by allowing them read anything of their choice. Here's were we need your help! We are encouraging students to bring anything their interested in reading from home. We have access to our library titles, but with the library under construction, those titles are limited. Thank you in advance for your support!

OVMS is working hard to prepare for tomorrow evening's Back-To-School Night. For those attending the event, please enter through the athletic entrance on the south side of the building. The Back-To-School Night is Thursday, August 1st, 5 PM - 7PM. Students and families will be able to pick up schedules, find their classes, and practice opening their lockers. In addition: Families can explore opportunities from various student groups, purchase Chromebook Insurance for the year, enjoy a refreshment with Cup of Joy food truck (cost associated), and tour the Hidden in Plain Sight trailer. We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow evening. Remember: Due to construction, open toe shoes are not permitted at OVMS.

Reminder: Back to School Night is Thursday, August 1 from 5 PM - 7 PM. Students will be able to pick up their schedule, tour the building to find their classrooms, meet some of the teachers, and practice their lockers as many times as they like. We are also happy to announce we will have representatives from a variety of student groups including: FFA, Band, and Student Council In addition: Owen County Health Department (handing out hygiene supplies and socks). Families can purchase Chromebook Insurance for their student. Representatives from Insurance Pros will be at OVMS on August 1st. This is a great way to protect their device. Cup of Joy Food Truck will be at OVMS. Cup of Joy specializes in coffees (hot and iced), teas, and fruit refreshers, and Thanks to the generosity of the Owen County Purdue Extension Office, the Hidden in Plain Sight Traveling Trailer will be at OVMS Back to School Night. This will give parents and guardians a look at where our teenagers may be hiding illegal substances. You won't want to miss this event! Come see us from 5PM - 7 PM.

For the safety of our staff and students, due to construction, open toe shoes will not be permitted at OVMS this year. Staff and students will need to wear closed toe shoes until our construction project is completed. Thank you for your assistance.

The Owen Valley Middle School Administration Offices will officially open on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. The office hours will be 7:30 - 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Staff will be available in their temporary office in Classroom 118 (across from the gym). Parents/Guardians can access the office through Entrance #10 (Athletic Entrance) on the southside of the building. The main entrance is expected to reopen when school starts on August 7th. Thank you for your understanding as we make improvements to our facilities.