Welcome to Orchard View Middle School

Dear Orchard View Middle School Families!

Orchard View Middle School (OVMS) is focused on making sure our students are developing the skills necessary to survive in the 21st century.  Students will be connecting what they learn to the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M).  The world our kids live in gets more and more complex every day. At OVMS, we strive to ensure that all students’ thinking is challenged in new, innovative ways. The following things are just a few of the things students can expect at Orchard View Middle School:

1. Every student will have a personal Chromebook computer to use daily in each class at school.
    
2. Along with the Chromebooks, science curriculum (IQWST) and math tools (MathXL) are used to support students as we challenge their thinking and help them learn. 
    
3. Project-based Learning (PBL) Academy is available for sixth and seventh graders
    
4. STEM is now STEAM – All students will be exposed to the arts:
   • Sixth graders will take their choice of music. They may choose band, choir, or a traditional grade school music class for the year
      
   • After sixth grade, they may drop music if they choose.
      
   • STEAM classes available to students in the encore wheel are:

     - Shark Tank (Entrepreneur training) - Engineering - Robotics - Rocket Science - CAD (Computer Assisted Design - Graphic Arts - Traditional Art - Medical Detectives (Forensics)

     - Personal Fitness - Physical Education - Mindfulness - Logic & Reasoning - Computers - Health - Careers

5. As part of our STEAM initiative, every student that did not receive a free T-shirt and backpack at orientation will be given one the first week of school.
   
   
6. The partnership between the Career Tech Center (CTC) and OVMS is growing
   • Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders now have the options of signing up and taking welding classes and engineering classes alongside ninth and tenth graders as part of the Third Session at the CTC.
7. All eighth grade students will take a Careers Class to help them connect their experiences and interests to potential occupations and job opportunities (and to OV high school courses).
    
8. After school programs will be built around student interests. Students will plan the after school programs. Programs are built by student participation, and in the past, have included:

10. Late Bus will continue to run. NEST (Needs Extra Study Time) will continue to be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays for students that need extra support or a place to study.

If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, don’t hesitate to contact the principal, Mr. Joshua Smith. Mr. Smith can be reached at 760-1501.

Yours,

Mr. Joshua Smith
OVMS Principal