Happy New Year and welcome to 2026! I hope this message finds you wrapping up your December break feeling rested and rejuvenated. As we enter this section of the school year, I always find it a time where students flourish and engage deeply with their learning. The stretch of time between now and February school vacation week includes a lot of learning activities for students with few breaks in the school calendar, providing opportunities for consistency and predictability with learning routines.
As we head into this section of the school year, we find quarter two wraps up at the end of this month and we begin thinking and planning for next school year. Later this month, rising sixth through ninth grade students will select courses for the 2026/2027 school year. At OMS, this will take place during advisory class on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Gibbs students (our rising seventh grade students) will also select courses during advisory the week of Jan. 26 - Jan. 30. I will be sending out separate communication to each grade level within the first two weeks of this month. Course selection varies depending on each grade level and this year we have been refining our specials and elective course offerings. Rising 7th through eighth grade families can expect communication from me regarding the choices students will be able to make on Tuesday, Jan. 13. Rising ninth grade families (our current eighth grade students) will begin receiving communication directly from AHS regarding the course selection process. We will hold a special education information session for rising 6th - 8th grade families in February - date TBD.
