The Mental Zone station featuring reading and puzzles during Bobcat Community Day.
By Kate MacLeod
Oyster River Middle School (ORMS) celebrated Bobcat Week from February 16–20. Organized by the ORMS counseling team, Bobcat Week was a spirited, schoolwide event designed to celebrate what it means to be part of the ORMS community.
The Student Leadership Council (SLC) helped shape the week by selecting the themed dress-up days: Mismatch Day, Summer vs. Winter Day, Student–Teacher Swap Day, Decade Day, and Adam Sandler Day. Friday’s Adam Sandler Day was a huge hit, with students fully embracing his signature style — basketball shorts, Hawaiian shirts, oversized T-shirts, and backwards hats. SLC members also kept the energy high during lunch, assisting with activities such as Kindness Shoutouts, Guess the Stars in the Jars, Name That Song, Appreciation Stations, and Bingo.
The week wrapped up with Bobcat Community Day on Friday. Students followed a special schedule and rotated through four themed zones—Creative, Social, Mental, and Sensory. Each zone offered experiences students don’t typically encounter, thanks to engaging activities hosted by staff members and community volunteers. Some students arranged their own floral bouquets, while others explored slime-making. At the smoothie stations organized by the ORMS nutrition team, students blended their own healthy creations, and many showcased their talents during karaoke.
Community partners added to the excitement. The Durham Fire Department led a Firefighting 101 session, the Durham Public Library hosted bracelet and bookmark making, and Local B Studio offered barre classes.
School counselor Stephanie Kadden reflected on the week, saying, “Bobcat Week was a true team effort by the counseling department. We are thankful for the dedicated teachers, parent volunteers, and businesses who volunteered their time to host activities. Students had a wonderful time, and we are so glad it was a special experience for them!”
Bobcat Week gave students and staff a fun-filled lead-up to February break and plenty of opportunities to connect and celebrate what it means to be part of the ORMS Bobcat community.
The ORMS nutrition team hosts a smoothie-making station during Bobcat Community Day festivities.
Students face off in a game of Jeopardy for a Bobcat Community Day session led by ORMS counselor Sarah Gahm.