Student Life

The Orono Middle School Parent Association hosts events throughout the year to foster connection among our students in grades 6-8. Thank you, parents/guardians, for donating funds, time, and talent!

Check back for upcoming events for the 2026-27 school year!

For a complete school year calendar, please visit the Orono Schools calendars webpage.

Please download the School Supply List for this school year. Students should also bring their device, paper, writing utensils and other personal items to school. 

OMS teachers have developed a Google site with information on staff, curriculum, schedule, and more for each grade level. This site is in progress through the first week of school. 

Visit the site!

If you wish to keep rescue medications at school in the health office, we will need the following items before school starts in the fall:

• Updated medical documentation of the student's diagnosis (signed by a doctor and a parent) every new school year. A school anaphylaxis/asthma/seizure action plan from the doctor is the best documentation to give us prior to school starting in the fall. 
• Medication(s) matching the anaphylaxis plan need to be in their original container(s) with pharmacy labels intact
• Double check that the medication you are providing to the school matches (drug and dose) the medical orders from the physician.

NOTE: Plan ahead when requesting asthma, seizure, anaphylaxis, or diabetes action plans from your medical provider. Clinics become extremely busy in late August and early September, so it's best to request this documentation as soon as possible.

For more information, please visit the Health Services webpage.

Technology is a crucial part of our teaching and learning program at Orono Middle School. Every student will need a working device for the school year. For middle school students, there are two options: bring your own device or reserve a school-issued device. If you choose to bring your own device, please view the recommended device webpage linked below.  Please click here for more information regarding Technology.

Recommended devices for OMS students

Locker numbers and combinations will be available in StudentVUE after 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 20.

The FirstView 1.0 app lets you track routes and opt-in to notifications. Details about the app and additional transportation information is available on the Transportation webpage. Your child's bus route is also available in ParentVUE.

Bus Passes

Students are typically not allowed to ride a bus other than their assigned bus. However a bus pass may be assigned to a student who needs to ride a different bus, as space permits.

Written permission from a parent/guardian is required. To request a bus pass, please download, print then complete the BUS PASS FORM and ask your child to bring the completed form to the OMS office before school starts. No requests will be accepted after 10:00 a.m.

The student will present the pass to the driver at the bus entrance.

Additional information about bus passes:

• Bus passes are not issued during the first or last two weeks of school.
• A request is also necessary if a student needs to get off the bus at a bus stop other than the assigned stop.
• OMS students may not ride elementary school buses.

OMS Picture day was Thursday, September 3. You can review the Lifetouch photo packages and pre-order on the Lifetouch website with ID number EVTQMPKXX.

OMS Picture retake day was Friday, October 9.  You are welcome to order pictures at the Lifetouch website with ID number EVTS3C3XP

Review the Yearbook flyer and then visit the Lifetouch website to order your 2026-27 yearbook. Use code: 15313427 

Cost of a yearbook is $25 through November 30, 2026.  The cost after November 30 will be $30.00.  Order deadline is April 16, 2027. 

There are a variety of opportunities for middle students to compete in athletics and participate in activities throughout the year. Please visit the Activities & Athletics (6-8) webpage  for the latest offerings and registration information. Engagement in activities and athletics is an important way for students to gain a sense of belonging, make friends, and explore their passions!

Orono Schools uses MyPaymentsPlus to collect fee payments. Please visit the MyPaymentsPlus webpage for details on setting up an account. Already have an account? Please sign in here. 

School meals

Please visit the district child nutrition webpage for more information or menus. Any questions related to school meals can be directed to jacklyn.deroma@orono.k12.mn.us or lauren.spoke@orono.k12.mn.us.

Student’s lunch pin

Parents may log in to ParentVUE for this information. Upon logging in, on the left side of the screen, click on "Student Info," scroll down to the bottom of the page and you'll find it listed there.

Please submit attendance in ParentVUE. If you need assistance, please call 952-449-8460. Please share details of your child’s symptoms or diagnosis so that our Health team may track illness in our school.

Arrival: School hours are 8:10 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. OMS student doors open at 7:45 a.m. for security reasons. Students should be dropped off no earlier than 7:45 a.m.

Dismissal: OMS students are dismissed at 2:50 p.m. to buses or waiting vehicles on the upper level. While we would love to have students be able to remain at school past 2:50 p.m., OMS teachers and administrators are in various meetings and there is no student supervision.

OMS Daily Schedule

Students may use a backpack or other type of bag to carry instructional materials and personal belongings during the school day.

As we continually work to enhance security we ask that all items are dropped off in the main office this year. 

All exterior doors are locked during the school day. If you need to drop off an item for your student please enter the upper level. The left hand exterior door will be unlocked to the vestibule. Once inside the vestibule, push the OMS doorbell (the silver button located on the left wall nearest the main entry door). A staff member will unlock the door, please report directly to the main office and a staff member will be happy to assist you.

Our water fountains have bottle fillers. Students may bring their own refillable water bottles to school. Students may also bring a light snack to eat prior to their lunch period. For more information about breakfast and lunch, please visit the Orono Child Nutrition webpage.

Students are encouraged to wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing and shoes suitable for the transition from classrooms to Physical Education settings and activities. Gym shoes are required.

For security reasons, we prefer that food delivery services are not utilized during the school day. They make it extremely hard to ensure a secure exterior for students and staff. We understand that there may be a rare, special occasion where food delivery may be desired. If you wish to have food delivered, please contact the Orono Middle School main office at 952-449-8450 to prearrange the delivery. Students are not allowed to arrange food delivery.

At OMS, we communicate with families in a variety of ways. Most important information can be found on our OMS website and OMS calendar. Please check both frequently for updates. This year we will be sending a monthly newsletter with a brief video to highlight important topics and events at OMS. Please also watch for School Messenger alerts for important updates and upcoming events.

Review and download the OMS Student/Parent Handbook.

New students and their families will have an opportunity to view a virtual tour of the building to familiarize themselves with the building design and classroom locations prior to the start of school.

OMS welcomes all visitors and volunteers. Visitors need to push the OMS doorbell, located on the left wall nearest the main entry door, and a staff member will unlock the door and assist you in the main office. Please contact OMSPA if you would like to volunteer at Orono Middle School through the OMSPA Website. 

Background check

The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. A one-time background check is required for adult volunteers who:

• attend field trips with students away from the Orono Schools campus
• supervise and work with students in a building on the Orono Schools campus (not required if inside the regular classroom setting)

The cost for a volunteer background check is $10 through our provider Trusted Employees. A background check will follow the parent through their childrens' years at Orono Schools. However, based on administrative discretion, volunteers may be required to complete an additional background check for varying circumstances. If you are unsure whether you need to complete a background check, please discuss with the staff member coordinating the volunteer position.

APPLY FOR A BACKGROUND CHECK

READ THE VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK