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OV Update 8/28

Posted Date: 08/28/26 (03:53 PM)
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A graphic banner with the text 'Welcome Back! OV UPDATE' in green and black.
 

First Day of School

We're excited to see our students next week!

First Day of School:
6th Grade = Tuesday, September 1st
All Grades = Wednesday, September 2nd

ALL STUDENTS NEED TO PICK UP THEIR FINAL SCHEDULES ON THEIR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!
  • Final schedules will be printed on green paper.
  • Schedule tables are under covered area by gym and are passed out by LAST NAME.
**Please note--schedules will be posting today (8/28) at 4pm on Qmlativ Family Access. However, our counselors are still finalizing them, so there may be changes.**

School Hours:
8:05am - 2:45pm Mondays-Thursdays
8:05am - 1:30pm Fridays

Required School Supplies (bring on 1st day):
2" 3-ring binder
Backpack (large enough to carry laptop, charger & books)
3-5 Composition Notebooks
--The school district provides the rest of the items needed. Donations of pencils and boxes of Kleenex are always appreciated.
OV School Supply List for 2026-2027, featuring a pirate mascot and essential school items.
 

HAVE YOU MOVED?

If your family has moved over the summer and your student will NOT be attending OV, please email our registrar, Patricia Mejia:
MejiaMP@mukilteo.wednet.edu or message her in ParentSquare.
 

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM LAURA BREEN (ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL)

CELL PHONE POLICY UPDATE

Dear Olympic View Families,

As we begin the new school year, I want to share an update regarding our student cell phone expectations.

Students will be expected to keep their phones stored in their backpacks during the school day. While current research suggests that more restrictive approaches, such as locking phones away for the entire school day, may provide the greatest academic and mental health benefits, we recognize that families value their child's ability to have their phone available before and after school. Our backpack policy represents a thoughtful compromise that balances family needs with our commitment to creating the best possible learning environment.

As educators, we have a responsibility to consider what research tells us about student learning and well-being. Increasingly, studies are finding that frequent access to cell phones can negatively impact attention, memory, learning, and mental health. Even when students are not actively using their phones, simply knowing the device is nearby can make it more difficult to focus and retain new information. Educational neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath summarizes research suggesting that reducing access to phones during the school day can improve focus, learning outcomes, and student well-being. 

I encourage you to watch and discuss this short video as a family:
Why Cell Phone Bans in School Work (and Restrictive Policies Fail)
The video provides a science-based explanation of how continuous access to phones can affect learning, attention, memory consolidation, and healthy brain development. It also explains why schools around the world are exploring ways to reduce phone distractions during the school day. 

HOW FAMILIES CAN SUPPORT PHONE-FREE LEARNING

Research and experience tell us that the greatest impact occurs when schools and families work together. Here are a few ways you can support healthy technology habits at home:
  • Delay texting during school hours. Unless there is an emergency, encourage your child to focus on learning throughout the day. If you need to reach your child, please contact our main office.
  • Create phone-free routines at home. Consider establishing screen-free times during homework, meals, family activities, and before bedtime.
  • Use overnight charging stations outside bedrooms. Many families find that charging phones in a common area improves sleep quality and reduces late-night screen use.
  • Ask about learning, not just grades. Encourage conversations about what your child learned each day rather than focusing solely on assignments or scores.
  • Model healthy phone habits. Children notice how adults use technology. Demonstrating periods of focused attention and device-free interactions sends a powerful message.
  • Discuss the purpose of technology. Help your child learn to use technology as a tool for learning, creativity, and connection rather than as a constant source of entertainment.
  • Encourage face-to-face interactions. Time with friends, participation in activities, and family conversations help strengthen social and emotional skills.
Our goal is not to eliminate technology. Rather, we want students to develop healthy habits that allow them to be fully present, engaged in learning, and connected to the people around them.

We recognize that this transition may require adjustment for some students and families. Thank you for partnering with us as we work to support both the academic achievement and mental well-being of every student at Olympic View Middle School.

We are excited for a great year ahead and appreciate your support.

Sincerely,
Laura Breen
Assistant Principal
Olympic View Middle School phone policy reminder with illustrations of backpacks and phones.
 

Questions?

If you have any questions, please call our office at (425) 366-5200 or stop by between 8am-2pm through Aug. 31st. Starting on 9/1, our regular office hours are 7:30am-4pm on weekdays.

You can also email our office manager, Jamie Wright, at WrightJL@mukilteo.wednet.edu.

OV's website is also a great resource for families. It has lots of important info you can use throughout the year. Check it out!
 

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK, PIRATES!