February 27, 2016
 
Elective Choice Forms for 2016-2017
CURRENT 6th and 7th grade MCMS students will receive their 2016-2017 Elective Choice Form in their MATH class starting on March 14th.

On Thursday, March 3th Janet Svoboda, 9th grade counselor from Oak Park High School, will be sharing a presentation about 9th grade: schedule possibilities, activities and high school life. 8th graders will be joining Ms. Svoboda in the Library during their humanities classes.
 
Oak Park Unified School District: Special Event for Parents
Childhood & Adolescent Anxiety: A Parent's Guide for Understanding and Support 

On Monday, 2/29 7:00 - 8:30 pm Red Oak Elementary School, Multipurpose Room
Repeat presentation: Tuesday, 3/1 8:30 - 10:00 am at Red Oak Elementary, MPR
 
It has been said that anxiety is the new epidemic of our time, especially for children and adolescents. From school refusal to social phobias, from panic to separation anxiety, students today are struggling to cope with the high-stakes and high-pressure of daily life. Parents can help by gaining an understanding of the roots of anxiety, learning the do's and don'ts of supporting anxious kids, and knowing the warning signs of anxiety disorders. We'll discuss the major types of anxiety that affect kids today, how to help anxious children and adolescents, and when to ask for help. Presented by Holly Baxter, OPUSD Elementary School Counselor -  Red Oak Multi-Purpose Room 4857 Rockfield Street, Oak Park
Click here to view complete flyer about this event.
PFA Meeting this Thursday, March 3rd
Please join us for the March PFA meeting this Thursday from 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. in the faculty lounge. In addition to our regularly discussed items, Katie Cohen, MCMS Science teacher, will speak about Medea Creek's proposed Science Garden to support the Next Generation Science Standards. We hope to see you!
 
Notes from the February 16, School Board Meeting

At the regular monthly meeting of the Oak Park USD Board of Education held on February 16th, the Board recognized Melissa Stone and Shary Trux with the Partners in Education Award.  
The Board heard information about Student Enrollment and Absences and heard a report from Tom Clifford of Clifford Moss, the District's Bond Consultant, about process and timeline for a possible bond election in November. Click here to read more...
History Day Update 
Olivia Dods _ Mina Jung First Place Winners
The winners of the History Day Competition were announced after a  truly a remarkable event where students presented to judges their projects related to the theme "Exploration, Encounter, Exchange."  Students in all three grade levels are invited to take part.

Thirty- four groups participated in this annual event in which 8th graders may earn the designation of "History with Honors" upon graduation. 
Winners were:
  • First Place: Olivia Dods and Mina Jung (6th Grade)  for "Encountering Two Worlds at the Berlin Wall" A documentary
  • Second Place: Alex Goldbeck (8th Grade)  "The Cuban Embargo" An exhibit
  • Third Place: Rhea Bhutada, Logan Prince, and Johnny Neville (8th Grade)  "The Black Death" An Exhibit
  • Honorable Mention:  Kaitlyn Lee and Celina You (8th Grade)  "Gold Rush of 1849" An exhibit
Great job to all those who completed projects this year.
A Note of Thanks
This years Jump for the Heart took place on Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 23rd & 24th.  Our middle schoolers, led by our dedicated PE Coaches, raised money for the American Heart Association.  Thank you parents and families!  We would like to send a big thank you to the following volunteers for their time and effort towards this worthy cause:
Janet Chiu, Erika Owens, Tanya Tong, Lisa Shaevitz, Lesley Gran, Gretzel Iglesias, JoLynn Khordodi, Marci Brooks, Kelly Parnas, Ivonne H, Elizabeth Iremonger, Rose DeMattia, Jeanine Kennedy, and Stephanie Sandler.

Thank you again to all who participated and donated. 
Natalie Friedman & Julie Prince Co-Chairs.
International Festival 2016
Oak Park's International Festival 2016 will take place on Friday, April 8th from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm at Oak Park High School.

This 2nd Annual, District-wide Event will include International Country Booths & Demonstrations, Cultural Performances & Fashion Show, and Food for Purchase. 

This is a great opportunity to celebrate cultural diversity and promote global citizenship!
We are encouraging students from all schools in the Oak Park Unified School District to participate! There are many ways to get involved, so sign up now!

Parents & Students interested in creating/working on a Country Booth, please contact Angela Wells at angelawells805@aol.com for details. Deadline March 21.

Cultural Performers of all ages are welcome to Perform!   Please Contact Binky DeMetre at bdemetre@hotmail.com to sign up.  Deadline March 11.

Community Service Volunteers on the day of the event are also needed!  Please contact Caroline Sabey at csabey@msn.com. 
8th Grade - Information 

Breakfast and Dance 
  • 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
Not Going to Oak Park High School?
  • If you know that your 8th grade student will not be attending Oak Park High School, please make sure you email Loretta Brown at lbrown@opusd.org in the MCMS office as soon as possible.
OPHS Registration Volunteers Needed
  • Freshmen Registration is August 4th from 8:00 am - noon. Plenty of parent volunteers are needed to run the registration process in a smooth and efficient manner. You may help on the same day or a different day from your students' registration day. Registration volunteers are needed on August 1,2,3 & 4 and shifts run from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Please sign up here.
Upcoming Events and Information
  • All important information for Culmination and other 8th grade related events is posted on the Medea Creek Website under the Information Tab. Or click here.
Medea Creek Parent Faculty Association Needs You

Medea Creek Middle School (MCMS) is operating like a "well-oiled machine" and has been for many years. This is the proof of a fantastic collaboration between Administration, Faculty members, Staff, Volunteers, Parents and Students. MCMS has a strong Parent Faculty Association (PFA), with current members that have many years of experience between them in organizing events and providing financial funding for activities that best benefit the students and faculty of MCMS.

The majority of the PFA board members are leaving this year and moving on to the Oak Park High School and in order to keep up the high standards that the students and parents are used to at Medea Creek, parents of current 6th and 7th grade students are encouraged to take over the reins.

The PFA meets the first Thursday of every month in the Teacher's Lounge at Medea Creek Middle School. There are only two scheduled meetings left during this school year: March 3rd and April 7th . All interested parents/caregivers are warmly invited to attend the meetings and choose what areas of your children's experiences at MCMS you would like to get involved with. It would be hugely beneficial to "train" with the current parent holding the position you would be interested in

For the 8th graders parents: Congratulations! What a journey Middle School was, your little children grew up and now you will soon have High School Students. For the parents of 6th grade students: didn't the first year of Middle School go by quickly and smoothly? For the 7th grade students' parents: Now you know how everything works at MCMS and are comfortable with navigating all the activities and exciting events offered to the students.
The PFA gets to help with many fun events and activities. We get to vote on how to best spend the funds collected. In the past the PFA has been able to provide: stage curtains, robotic kits, a storage shed, blinds, tables and chairs, as well as classroom teaching material for every subject and much more.

Please help the Medea Creek Middle School PFA stay strong by getting actively involved.
You are welcome to contact Julie Hearst, MCMS PFA Parliamentarian if you would like more information. 

Thank you! 
Save the Dates
  • 3/3                 -   PFA Meeting in the Staff lounge - 8:30 am 
  • 3/10               -   5th Grade Parent Information Night 6:00 pm
  • 3/12               -   STEM Conference at Cal Lutheran. Details here
  • 3/25-4/1         -   No School - Spring Break
  • 4/8                 -   International Festival
  • 4/10               -   Oak Park's Music Festival
  • 4/18-4/21       -   8th Grade CAASPP and Science STAR Testing 
  • 4/25-4/28       -   7th Grade CAASPP Testing 
  • 5/1                 -   Big Sunday Day of Service
  • 5/2-5/5           -   6th Grade CAASPP Testing
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