November 2022 Newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE

South Park Mission Statement
Parent Teacher Conferences
Book Fair
New Item Drop Off Procedure
South Park Communications Folder
7th Grade Incentive
Weekly Bulletins
Student Handbook
Food Service Positions
Progress Reports
Infinite Campus Messenger
GoGuardian Parent
Moving?
In Need of Assistance?
Essential OASD information
School Safety/ Where to Drop Off and Pick Up
Whom Do I Contact?
Specialist Updates & News, Sports, and PTN Information

QUICK LINKS

CONTACT

Oshkosh Area School District 215 S Eagle Street Oshkosh, WI 54902 920.424.0395 info@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

South Park Middle School 1551 Delaware St. Oshkosh, WI 54902

Office Phone 920.424.0431 Attendance Phone 920.424.0431 ext. 2702

Fax 920.424.7513

South Park Mission Statement

At South Park Middle School, education is a continuous transitional experience, which promotes positive intellectual, emotional, social, and physical growth. Students are encouraged to maximize individual potential to function in a diverse society.

Please remember that you are always welcome at South Park. We want you to take an active role in your child's education. Your involvement in your child’s academics as well as extra-curricular activities will result in their success. If you ever have any questions regarding your child, please call 920-424-0431 to be directed to the appropriate staff member. We are here to help you and your child.

Attention All Parents & Guardians

There is an updated procedure when dropping something off for your student(s) in the South Park Office. For additional security, when buzzed in at the front door, please drop any and all items off on the table outside of the office door and put a post it note on it with your child's name and grade level. We will make sure your student(s) get the item(s) as soon as possible.

Thank you for your cooperation.

We strive to have a direct line of communication with our school families. Please check out our Google Drive Folder "South Park Communications" for any and all important information about upcoming events, parent forms, etc.

For any additional questions please contact our office at 920.424.0431

7th Grade Incentive: Donations Needed

Hello, we are excited to announce that we will be introducing our incentive program for 7th grade. The program asks that students are turning in work on time and have no missing assignments. As we navigate this new process, we are in need of pumpkins to allow this program to blossom. This will be an opportunity for those who are always doing what is right, and feel acknowledged.

Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated!

Thousands of Free Pumpkin Clip Art and Images

PBIS: Positive Behavior Intervention System

To celebrate our school family and build a positive fun community, our staff has organized a fun afternoon with our students on Monday, October 31. We allowed the students to dress up for Halloween and had a costume contest. We held a fun lock-in during this time in which students could do activities like: photo booth, karaoke, board games, yard games, table tennis, movie,or cooking a Halloween-themed treat. All students participated to promote our Panther Way of productivity, responsibility and safety. Ask your child how fun our day was.

Thank you to all the families that sold pizzas to support our PBIS initiatives and rewards. We appreciate all your help and the funds raised will go directly toward our activities to help our students lead the Panther Way each day.

GoGuardian - Brandeis Marin

GoGuardian Parent is a phone app that allows parents and guardians to limit Chromebook access outside of school. It also shows the top five websites and if teachers had to manage students on their Chromebook. To set this up, download the app and create an account with your email address that you used when you signed up for Infinite Campus. Here is a link with directions to install or learn more. Questions should be addressed to GoGuardianParent@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

The Panther Weekly

Every Friday there will be an updated bulletin for the week ahead. This will include the activities, special events and upcoming events. Make sure to check the "South Park Communications" folder for these updates!

Student Handbook

View the Student Handbook HERE

Are You Looking For a Part Time Position?

Food Service may be for you!

Please take a look at THIS for more information.

Progress Reports

Progress reports will be posted at weeks 7 and 15 of the semester. An email will be sent to tell you the grades have been posted since the district has gone paperless. Just as grades are dependent on the requirements in the classroom, progress report marks are too. If you have any questions about the progress of your child, please contact your child's teacher.

Infinite Campus Messenger

One of the benefits of our student information system, Infinite Campus, is the messenger program. Through the Parent Portal Inbox, via Email, Voice, and/or Text. in order to save paper, we will be emailing the link to the South Park Newsletter with a target date of the first of every month. Please check to see that your current email is listed in your contact information on the Portal. There may be times when we send out a message via phone or text as well, so it is important that we have current contact information in our system.

Are You or Someone You Know in Need of Assistance?

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance in one of the areas below, please contact Jodi Gunckel or Heather Wolters for specific organizations and phone numbers in the areas you need assistance.

Child Care/Day Care, Clothing Assistance, Employment Resources/Job Search, Energy Assistance, Financial Assistance, Food Assistance, Health Care/Mental Health, Home Repair, Housing Options & Respite, Information & Referral, Labor Related Resources, Legal Services- Mediation, Personal and Family Concerns, Refugee and Immigrant Services, Transportation, Veteran Services, Work-Related Services for the Disabled.

Having Difficulty Finding the Resources You Need?

To connect to community service, help is just 3 digits away. United Way 211 provides easy access to health and human services.

Dial 2-1-1 OR 1-800-924-5514 for help with information about food resources, counseling, employment, health care, child care, support groups, housing, clothing, after school programs, or legal aid.

It's FREE, confidential, and available 24/7.

Questions, Suggestions, Concerns

At South Park Middle School we are dedicated to providing the best educational program possible for our students. Should something occur that you have a question about or are unhappy about, please give your child's teacher a call first. If you are unable to resolve the issue call me at 424-1228 ext. 2703 so that we can work together to address your need. If you have a concern that you have been unable to resolve with me, you may call Dr. Andrew Jones, Director of Administration, at 424-0100. He will help you address your concern and/or connect you with others who can help.

Notice of Surveillance

South Park Middle School is using video surveillance/electronic monitoring to observe, monitor, and/or record the behavior and activity of all personal on school property or grounds, or participating in school functions

American Disabilities Accommodations

Upon request, reasonable auxiliary aids and services will be provided to individuals with disabilities. If assistance is required, please provide advance notice by calling the school office at 920.424.0431.

Non-Discrimination Statement

The Oshkosh Area School District, including all school buildings/sites/programs, does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, age, national origin, ancestry, orientation, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. Therefore, no student shall be excluded from participation in any curricular, extracurricular, student services, recreational or other program or activity. When separation by sex in education activities is appropriate for health and/or safety reasons, equal educational opportunities shall be provided for both sexes.

School Safety/Where to Drop Off/Pick Up During the Day

For safety reasons, all entrances are locked. A "buzz in" system is located at Door #1. If you need to drop off something or pick something up or drop off/pick up a child, please do so at Door #1.

Whom Should I Contact?

We hope these listings will assist you in getting your issues dealt with directly and efficiently. Go to the following link: Whom Should I Contact?

Specialist Updates and News

2022 Go Transit City Bus Routes

After School Program

Art News

Before School Program

Canvas Observer

Canvas Parent Observer Information

To check your child’s grades, see assignments, and other information, set up a Canvas account. This is different from Infinite Campus (IC) and will provide more detailed information of what students are learning. First, you will need your child to generate a pairing code. Each code is good for 7 days or one use. Follow instructions here. Reach out to the technology coach, Kathleen Stephany with any questions.

e-Academy

LEARN MORE! The Oshkosh Area School District eAcademy is a fully online school for grades K-12. eAcademy is partnered with the Wisconsin eSchool Network, which is a collaborative network of online programs throughout the state of Wisconsin. The program has been developed in collaboration with online learning experts and is based on years of research and best practices for excellence in virtual learning. Students who participate in the OASD eAcademy enjoy all the benefits of being a OASD student, including earning an OASD diploma and participating in extracurriculars, while receiving a customized, student-centered education that meets individual educational and social needs.

CONTACT US! If you are looking for additional information to further assist with your enrollment decision, feel free to reach out to the OASD eAcademy coaches / staff at each level:

Kim Groth - Elementary - kimberly.groth@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

Melissa Schiek - Elementary - melissa.schiek@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

Jean Framke - Coach West HS - jean.framke@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

Jennifer Thede - Coach North HS - jennifer.thede@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

Julie Ruck, SPED Virtual Support Teacher - julie.ruck@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

Lisa Lieder - Program Coordinator - lisa.lieder@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

Trina Anderson - Principal - trina.anderson@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

OASD No School Friday Dates

Guidance Office

Signs of Suicide (SOS)

September is National Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month. Signs of Suicide (SOS) is a curriculum designed for students to learn the risk factors and warning signs of depression and suicide, and more importantly, what to do when they recognize such concerns. Our district has adopted this curriculum for students in grades 6-12. All 6th grade students receive a comprehensive SOS lesson from their school counselor. Students in grades 7 will receive a follow up lesson in Health Class, and grade 8 will receive a follow up lesson in a class designated by the Principal. In the same manner, all freshmen students will participate in a SOS lesson during their health class. A brief follow up lesson/annual review will occur during homerooms in grades 10, 11, and 12. Much like our students participate in ALICE training each year, they need to be equipped with how to proceed if they notice a peer in a crisis situation. For more information on the information students will receive in this lesson, please visit: Signs of Suicide (SOS) ACT Parent/Guardian Information

Holiday Breaks

Food Service & Menus

Food Service Information for the 2022-23 School Year

FREE AND REDUCED MEAL APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR will be available online on the Infinite Campus Parent Portal in mid-July and will also be mailed out in the US mail to all households in mid-July. Please return your completed application to the Food Services Office, Oshkosh West High School, 375 N. Eagle St., Oshkosh, WI 54902, or the Middle School Office your child attends on or before the first day of school.

A LA CARTE SERVICE AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS is available to all students who have money in their food account or cash along to pay at the registers. A la carte items are NOT included with the meals and must be purchased using their Food Service Account (if there is money in their account) or with cash at the register. A la carte items include but are not limited to chips, juice drinks, ice cream, cookies, and PB & J uncrustables. Extra entrees would be included as an a la carte item. (example of an extra entrée would be an extra slice of pizza). All items sold from Food Service follow the nutritional guidelines put forth by the Federal Government.

LIMITED LUNCH SERVICE AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS are used when a student is very negative in their lunch account and the family has been notified by Food Service that service will cease if the account isn’t brought current. If the student doesn’t bring a sack lunch or cash to pay for the lunch the Food Service Department will allow the student to eat a limited lunch. The limited lunch will consist of 2 pieces of bread and a peanut butter cup (as the entrée) and then will be allowed to have the fruit, veggies and milk offered and the account will get charged accordingly for the limited lunch. They will NOT be able to have their choice of an entrée.

ORDERING LUNCHES AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Lunches are prepared fresh daily at North and West High Schools and transported to the Middle Schools. By 9:00 a.m. each day, a count of the number of lunches to be sent is required. Students eligible for free or reduced price lunches will not automatically have a lunch ordered for them. They must order a lunch through the school office, weekly is preferred. If they do not do this, no lunch will be ordered for them and they will not be able to eat. Students eligible for free lunches who have ordered lunches, then do not eat them even though they are in school, will not have a lunch ordered for them after the third day. Arrangements must be made with the school office for future lunches to be ordered.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE DEPARTMENT

The food service department is seeking individuals to work for our department serving breakfast and / or lunch. The majority of these positions available are 1.5 - 2 hours in length and are during the breakfast and lunch service time, which varies with the school. Opportunities for longer shifts and additional hours may also be available. Please see the WECAN at https://wecan.education.wisc.edu website for employment opportunities along with applying for positions within the Food Service Department.

Please call 424-4936 with any questions.

If you are interested in applying for Free/Reduced Lunch please go HERE for more information.

OASD meal menus and nutritional information are available on the District's Nutrislice Website or by downloading the Nutrislice App on your smartphone.

Menus are available for each OASD school. Additionally, a “Virtual Meal Menu” is available within the school menu listing. This menu also applies to the meals provided at our OASD community meal distribution sites. Menus are subject to change due to availability of products.

Media News

Digital citizenship:

Remember being a good digital citizen means that your online behavior is responsible and positive, you think critically about what you read online, and you make smart, safe, decisions.

Be extra polite to people online. They can’t see your expression or hear your tone of voice, so what you say can be easily misunderstood.
Remember that permanent means permanent. Only send or post things you feel comfortable with people seeing forever.
Be smart. Use social media for positive comments, kind words, and to support others. Choose positive discussions and communities to participate in.
There is a great deal of misinformation online, be sure to double check the facts.
Think independently and consider the motivations or bias of the author.
Do not put personal information online or meet face to face with someone you’ve met online.
Never send or share inappropriate photos or messages.

Most importantly, think for yourself. If something doesn’t feel or sound right to you use common sense and trust your instincts.

Access at home to databases:

Our school has access to a variety of eBooks (electronic books), digital audiobooks, and online magazines that can be read on any device with an internet connection (including Chromebooks and smartphones). These eBooks and online magazines can be read any time of the day, any day of the year! Click here

The Media Center has many fun activities going on in October including designing a bookmark, bookface selfies, and a fall ‘I spy” competition.. Encourage your child to take part in one or more of the activities. Battle of the books is being offered again this year. Students who join will read books from a list of 20 books. Practice games to review book plots and authors will begin after the end of the first quarter. If your child is interested in joining the battle please remind them to sign up in the library! Here are the 20 books that are part of this year’s WEMTA competition.

Digital Citizenship week is October 17-21st.. Digital Citizenship week will serve as a "kick off" for the OASD's digital citizenship curriculum. Our district uses lessons and concepts taught in Common Sense Media's K-12 Digital Citizenship curriculum. Check out a "sneak peek" of the first lessons here: 6-8 Digital Citizenship Scope & Sequence The six lessons per grade level will be incorporated into social studies classes. The OASD Media Specialists have created a Facebook page in hopes to provide up-to-date information regarding keeping our kids healthy and safe when living in our digital world. Please like or follow the page.

We are sensitive to having appropriate reading material in the library. That said, what is considered “appropriate” may vary from one parent to another. Please be aware that the selections in the library, just like any public library, range from elementary to high school level reading material. We don’t assume all books will fit all students, but we are confident that each student will find good fit books! We ask parents to remain aware throughout the school year of the books their child has chosen to read, and assist them in gauging appropriateness. Young adult books are books written both about and (primarily) for teenagers. These books are all concerned with coming-of-age themes like navigating conflicts with authority, first serious romantic relationships, mortality, suicide, or abuse are also common.

Reading for pleasure has many benefits. According to Common Sense Media, “It builds vocabulary and improves reading comprehension, writing, spelling, grammar, and knowledge of the world. It also boosts test scores.” Check out some of the media center books here.

BOB logo.png

Do you love to read? Mrs. Kese is looking for some voracious readers, who are willing to read five or more books before the end of January. Battle of the books involves students reading a total of 20 books as a team. Teams are 2-4 members so if a team of four divided the books equally each member would read five books. Battle questions will ask you about the plot, characters, and settings of the books. All questions will be answered with the title and author of a book. You will choose your answer from a drop down list of the 20 titles or authors. If you are interested let Mrs. Kese in the library know and start reading books off of this list!

Chromebooks

Students should bring it fully charged to school daily.

It should remain in the case at all times.

Chromebooks should remain free of personalization.

Students are responsible for the general care of the Chromebook and are responsible for the ethical & education use of it. (see OASD Student/Parent Handbook for more information)

Chromebook replacement if lost is $300. Chromebook chargers are $25 to replace.

Access at Home to Databases

Our school has access to a variety of eBooks (electronic books), digital audiobooks, and online magazines that can be read on any device with an internet connection (including Chromebooks and smartphones). These eBooks and online magazines can be read any time of the day, any day of the year!