Opelika Middle School CTE Expo

Career and Technical Education Month

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Opelika Middle School Career and Technical Education Expo

The time to start thinking about and planning for the 2016-2017 school year has already begun.  That means that every 8th grade student and parent of an 8th grade student is about to go through the transition from middle schooler to high schooler.  

One of the first things that happens to prepare 8th grade students for classes at Opelika High School happened on January 19 and 20.  We call it the OMS Career and Technical Education Expo.  We use this event to help all 8th graders experience some of the elective courses they can take as Freshmen.  Career and Technical Education Teachers from Opelika High School select student leaders from their classes to come to Opelika Middle School and make a short hands-on presentation to small groups of 8th graders.  It is a great opportunity for OMS students to see the many options available to them as they begin their high school experience.  It is also a great opportunity for Opelika High School students to practice the leadership skills they have been learning about in all of their Career Tech classes.  OMS students leave with a better understanding of what courses they are interested in as well as what those courses involve.  Our main goal with this event is to help students get interested and excited about coming to Opelika High School in hopes that they will take the classes that interest them the most.

The move from middle school to high school can sometimes be a little confusing, intimidating, and nerve wracking for both students and parents.  This is why Opelika City Schools offers a variety of opportunities for parents and students to make that transition a little bit easier.  For instance, on Tuesday, February 9 the OMS PAC Meeting will be focused on registration for 8th grade parents.  Staff from Opelika High School will be present to help fill out the documents needed to ensure upcoming 9th graders have the classes they need and want.  Parents will also have the option to sign up for an individual meeting with their child’s Guidance Counselor  to help ensure each schedule is correct.  For those that can’t make the February 9 meeting there will be similar meetings held on Thursday, February 11 at Carver Primary School on Carver Avenue and Thursday, February 18 at the Opelika Learning Center on Jeter Avenue.  

Prior to the start of the 2016-2017 school year, all upcoming Freshmen and parents can attend the “Freshman Orientation” held at Opelika High School.  This experience will provide parents and students a chance to get to know some of their teachers, see where their classes will be located, and gather information about life at the high school. 

As always, the staff at Opelika High School and Opelika Middle School are there to help answer any questions and provide any assistence to parents or students.