Fall 2026 - Building Our Culture, One Day at a Time

Greetings Parents, Families, and Community Members:

As we complete the first weeks of the school year at Omak Middle School, I want to express my appreciation to our staff, students, families, and community for helping us get off to a strong start.

After more than 33 years in education, including 27 years as a school administrator, I continue to believe that great schools are built on relationships, high expectations, and a shared commitment to student success. At Omak Middle School, our mission is simple: ensure every student learns, grows, and feels connected to our school community.

During these first weeks, our staff has been focused on establishing routines, teaching expectations, building positive relationships, and creating safe, supportive learning environments. These efforts may seem simple, but they form the foundation of a successful school year. When students under-stand expectations and experience consistency from adults, they are better positioned to thrive aca-demically, socially, and emotionally.

This year, we are continuing our commitment to strengthening systems that support all learners through our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Whether we are addressing attendance, behav-ior, academic achievement, or social-emotional needs, our goal is to ensure students receive the right support at the right time.

One of the most important lessons in school improvement is that positive culture is not created through programs alone. Culture is built through the daily actions, interactions, and commitments of everyone in the building. When students and adults consistently do the right things for the right rea-sons, great outcomes follow.

As we move forward, our focus remains clear: fostering a safe, respectful, and engaging learning environment where all students are held to high expectations and supported in meeting them.

Thank you for partnering with us as we continue building a culture of excellence at Omak Middle School. Together, we are creating a school where every student belongs, every student matters, and every student can succeed.

Gerald Chouinard
Principal
Omak Middle School
"High Expectations, High Support, Success for All Students"

Hello! As a graduate of Omak High School in 1986, it is with great appreciation for the Omak Community that I return to work in a School District that gave so much to me. I was born and raised in Omak, with my parents owning an apple orchard north of town. After graduating from OHS I enrolled at Washington State University and received majors in History/Social Studies and Education with a minor in English. GO COUGS! After graduation from WSU I spent a few years teaching in the Olympia area before returning to Omak in the summer of 1998.

Since returning, I have coached for Omak High School, completed a Masters in Administration/School Leadership, worked in the community and eventually found my way back to teaching. After several years of teaching ELA and Social Studies at Omak Middle School I took the Middle School Vice-Principal position and have been serving the school district as the Assistant Principal for Omak Middle school for the last 5 years.

I am excited for the beginning of my 6th year in this role and look forward to working with our staff, students, parents and community members here in Omak. Please feel free to reach out to me through email or phone if you have any questions or schedule a time to meet with me if you would prefer to talk face-to-face. Let’s continue to work together as we support all students in creating a pathway for success!

Lance O’Dell
Assistant Principal
Omak Middle School