February 6, 2016
Blankets Needed for "Puppy Love"
SPAE (Students for the Protection of Animals and the Environment) is hosting "Puppy Love" . With MCMS's help, we will bring blankets, for warmth and comfort, to animals in our local shelters. Please donate blankets to the box in the MCMS Library through Thursday, February 11th!
Medea's Math Counts Team is Headed for the County Competition
On Saturday, February 27th Medea Creek will travel to Sycamore Canyon School in Newbury Park to compete in the annual Santa Barbara/Ventura County competition.  During January our club conducted a school competition to determine which students would make up our team and alternates.  All interested Math Counts members were encouraged to participate to earn a spot on the team.  After four weeks of stiff competition, points were tallied and our team was created using the same method as in the chapter and state competitions.  Many of the brightest young students in our area will be in attendance, and the competition is always tough.  Congratulations to our team members and alternates, and thanks to all the students that have been a part of Math Counts this year.
 
The competition information, along with all the math counts material used this year, can be downloaded at:  http://www.oakparkusd.org/Page/4704.
Notes from the January School Board Meeting
At the regular monthly meeting of the Oak Park USD Board of Education held on Jan. 19, the Board recognized Oak Park High School student Ashwarya Srinivas for receiving the 2016 National NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing.  College of the Canyons presented the Oak Park High School Robotics team a donation of $5,000.
 
The Board heard information about the Governor's 2016-17 Budget Proposal for K-12 Education and the development of the 2016-17 Local Control Accountability Plan.
 
The Board took action and/or approved the following:
8th Grade - Important Information and Reminders  


Future Freshman Night at OPHS
Monday, February 22nd
In the OPHS Gym at 6:30 pm
College and Career Center open from 6:00-6:30 in room C-6
Special Education Meeting 5:45 in room H-16
Click here for the flyer with more details 

Breakfast and Dance 
Keep an eye our for 8th grade dance and Breakfast information, coming home through your child's math classes. We need your help planning these events! Save the date for a parent information and planning meeting on March 1 at 3pm in the faculty lounge. If you are unable to make the meeting but would love to volunteer, please contact Malia Cadle at mcadle@opusd.org

Technology Award 
The 8th Grade Technology Award is given to students who demonstrate excellence in technology.  To qualify for this award, a student must have completed at least two technology-related electives in 6th, 7th and/or 8th grade, with a minimum of an A- in those classes and O's or S's in work habits and citizenship.  Additionally, students must create a Digital Portfolio demonstrating their excellence in technology. To get more information about this award, see Mrs. Wechter's website. Any 8th Grader who is interested in applying for the award must submit an "Intention to Apply for Technology" form. Students can get this form on Mrs. Wechter's website or at the Student Window. The form must be completed and returned by February 26, 2016.
History Day at Medea
History DayMedea Creek's  fourth annual History Day Competition will be held in the Library Wednesday, February 24, from 3 pm to 6 pm in the Library. Forty groups of students have signed up to research and present exhibits or documentaries on historical topics related to this year's theme Exploration, Encounter, Exchange. Everyone is invited to attend.  Participating eighth graders earn history with honors designation at graduation for taking part, however a large group of sixth and seventh graders participated this year as well.  Hope you are able to stop in. If you have any questions, contact Sharon Lavene  
Big Sunday
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Oak Park and Support Big Sunday!

The OPUSD Community Outreach Committee is excited to announce the production of the 50th Anniversary Oak Park-Opoly Board Game. We are selling Properties on the
board to businesses and families throughout our community. Individual Properties can be purchased starting at $250, Corner Spaces, Money & the Deck of Cards can also be purchased and imprinted with your family name or business logo. Four Special Spaces will be raffled off, one for each elementary school & one for Medea Creek Middle School, look for those opportunities at your school sites. All proceeds will benefit Big Sunday projects this year and for years to come. Spaces are limited, so if you are interested click here for more information. 
February is Attendance Awareness Month
Daily attendance at school becomes increasingly critical as students get older and move up in grade level. Schoolwork is more challenging and time spent in class collaborating, discussing, and researching with classmates cannot be made-up or replicated at home. 
Students need to make every effort to be at school daily and on time.  "Stay At Home Sick" for students includes, as rule of thumb, the following:
  • A morning temperature of 99.0 degrees or greater
  • Fever -free for 24 hours before returning to school
  • Vomit-free for 24 hours before returning to school
  • When a child has diarrhea
  • Severe coughing, green nasal discharge or severe earaches
  • Severe sore throat with trouble swallowing
Click here for the complete message....
Save the Dates
  • 2/9-10            -   Ability Awareness Fair 
  • 2/12               -   No School - Pupil Free Day
  • 2/15               -   No School - President's Day Holiday
  • 2/17               -   Demonstration Day - Details  
  • 2/18               -   STEAM Career Night in the MCMS GYM 7pm - 9pm
  • 2/22               -   Future Freshman Night at OPHS 6pm
  • 2/23-24          -   Hoops for Heart 
  • 2/24               -   History Day 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
  • 3/10               -   5th Grade Parent Information Night 6:00 pm
  • 3/25-4/1         -   No School - Spring Break
  • 4/8                 -   International Festival - Flyer with details
  • 4/10               -   Oak Park's Music Festival - More details here
  • 4/18-4/21       -   8th Grade CAASPP and Science STAR Testing 
  • 4/25-4/28       -   7th Grade CAASPP Testing 
  • 5/2-5/5           -   6th Grade CAASPP Testing
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