Important End of the Year News and Notes!

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Hey Raccoons!

As we close out the end of a wild, different, but still incredibly fun year, I want to just take a minute to thank everyone for their support. 

• To our staff who goes above and beyond every day—You demonstrated the utmost professionalism despite the changes and challenges this year brought. You have been working since last spring to learn new programs, think creatively about how to engage students, and find ways to build community, and I’m thankful for your unwavering dedication.
• To our Raccoons who continue to impress us every day—I am inspired by your enthusiasm, perseverance, and positivity.  Get some rest this summer… you deserve it! 
• To our families and community—Thank you! I know the year has been filled with various stressors, disagreements, and frustrations, but at the end of the day I am thankful for your trust and support. I look forward to charging ahead in our journey together and working to ensure your child is ready for whatever the future holds.

As we close out the year, I wanted to remind you of a few key events in the next coming weeks and share some important details as we prepare to launch the 2021-2022 school year. Check them out below and email me at CurtisJ@oasd.org if you have any questions!

Jason  

Reminder: Memorial Day (Facebook Live Event)

As a reminder, there is no school on Friday, May 28 and, Monday, May 31, in recognition of Memorial Day. Everyone is invited to tune in to our Facebook Live event where we will honor our community’s veterans and recognize members of the Class of 2021 who have enlisted in our Armed Services. You can watch the event live at 8:00am on our Facebook Page (click here to access our page) or catch the replay at any time!

Class of 2021 Recognition Events and Graduation

Seniors and their families are reminded to continue to watch their emails and check this website for any updates regarding our end-of-the-year events and celebrations. 

Seniors, please remember that your email accounts will shut off on Friday, June 18, so be sure to transfer any files to your personal accounts as soon as possible!

Final Exam Schedule and Last Day of School

Final exams will occur on Wednesday, June 9 and Thursday, June 10. You can click here to view the modified schedule. Students needing to take the bus home are welcome to hang out in the cafeteria after exams end.

Please note that the official last day of school is Friday, June 11. This is also a scheduled half day with dismissal occurring at 11:38am. Buses will depart at 11:47am. This day is designed to be a celebration of the end of the year with fun activities planned in each class and an opportunity for students to make up any exams they may have missed earlier in the week.

Report cards will be posted on the morning of Monday, June 14. An email will be sent when they are available to view.

Summer Office Hours

Sometimes OHS is just as busy over the summer as during the school year! Our office will be open to help process work permits or assist you in any other way possible.

Beginning on Monday, June 21 and ending on Friday, July 30 we will be open from 7:00am-1:00pm. Please note that we will be closed on Monday, July 5. 

We will resume our normal hours of 7:00am-3:00pm on Monday, August 2.

Registration for the 2021-2022 School Year

Registration packets will be emailed to families at the end of May. Registration for the 2021-2022 school year will begin on Monday, July 5 and close on Wednesday, August 4, 2021. You can click here to access the Online Registration information.

2021-2022 Schedule Release

Your schedules will be released on Wednesday, August 4 around 9:00am. 

Save the Date

Please save the date and watch your emails for details about the following events:

• Wednesday, August 4: Registration and Picture Day (11:00am-6:00pm) 
• Tuesday, August 24: Open House (11:00am-6:00pm)
• Wednesday, September 1: Freshmen Only First Day of School (7:20am-2:40pm)
• Thursday, September 2: First Day of Classes for All Grades (7:20am-2:40pm)
• Friday, September 3: Welcome Back Pep Rally, Student Tailgate Party, and Football Game
• Monday, September 6: No School—Labor Day
• Sunday, September 26-Saturday, October 2: Homecoming Week!

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Graduation Ticket Request Change and New Information!

Monday, May 10, 2021

Hey Graduating Raccoons and Families!

As we learned over this last year, we need to stay flexible and proactive in our planning as we approach our end of the year celebrations! As our local health conditions continue to improve and guidelines from the Waukesha County Health Department are modified, we have been able to adjust our guidelines as well.  I am excited to share that we just learned that we can again adjust our Graduation plans to allow more guests than previously planned.  Let’s get ready to celebrate the Oconomowoc High School Class of 2021!

 

NEW Graduation Ticket & Seating Information

• Each student can now bring an unlimited number of guests to our Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, June 12.
• Seats will be on a first-come-first-served basis.
• Rux Stadium gates will open at 6:00 a.m. on June 12 for families to reserve seats.
• You no longer need a ticket to enter Rux Stadium and you are welcome to reserve seats, leave and come back. However, your personal belongings will not be supervised. 
• Handicap accessible seating will be available. Please call or email Christine McCartney (McCartnC@oasd.org) or 262-560-3105 by Friday, June 4 to request handicap accessible seating. 
• Additional seating will be added so that we can increase the seating capacity of Rux Stadium. These additional bleachers and seats will be prioritized for families who want to practice social distancing. 
• Students will be seated on the track, in front of the home bleachers, but will now be placed two feet apart instead of the six feet we had originally planned.  This will allow all guests to have a direct line of sight to the actual distribution of the diploma. 
• Facial coverings and masks are no longer required. However, we respect an individual's decision to wear one if they choose.

 

As a reminder…

• The Oconomowoc Arts Center will open at 8:00 a.m. for guests wishing to watch the live stream broadcast of the ceremony in an air-conditioned and socially distanced setting. Seating in the OAC is also on a first-come-first-served basis.
• While we are limited to 250 guests in the OAC, we will have overflow seating available in the Little Theater and OAC Lobby.
• Graduates are still expected to arrive at 8:45 a.m. and report to the Gale Douglas Field House for their professional photo, class photo, and for line up. 
• We will still be able to hold the ceremony in the event of rain. However, any chance of severe weather or lightning will delay the ceremony to later in the day.  If necessary, we will postpone the ceremony to 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 13 in Rux Stadium. However, to be clear, our goal is to host the ceremony on Saturday, even if that means moving the ceremony to later in the evening.

 

Graduation Rehearsal

It is imperative that our seniors attend Graduation rehearsal on Friday, June 11 in the Cafeteria at their assigned times. Breakfast will be served and seniors should report at staggered times based on their counselor assignments. 

• Bakkum (Last Name A-Fe) report at 7:30 a.m.
• Fisher (Last Name Fi-Kr) report at 8:15 a.m.
• Verhagen (Last Name Ks-Ro) report at 9:00 a.m.
• Black (Last Name Ru-Z) report at 9:45 a.m.

 

Yard Signs and Cap and Gown Pick Up!

Don’t forget to swing by our office to pick up our graduate recognition yard signs! It’s a fun way to recognize (and embarrass!) your senior as we celebrate their accomplishment! 

As a reminder, Cap and Gown Pick-Up will occur on Saturday, June 5 at the Gale Douglas Field House from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Please continue to check our graduation website for updated details.

As always, you can email me at CurtisJ@oasd.org if you have any questions.

Go Raccoons!
Jason

 

May Student Services Newsletter

Friday, May 7, 2021

Hey Raccoons!

Please take a minute to click here and check out this month's Student Services newsletter. Information in the newsletter include...

• Last minute scholarship opportunities for Seniors.
• Preliminary College Application information for Juniors.
• Mental health supports and resources.
• Summer school reminders.

Have a great weekend!
Mr. Curtis

Graduation Ticket Updates and Senior Recognition Signs

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Hey Raccoons!

We are just over one month away from Graduation Day! We are so excited to host our graduates and their family and friends to campus on Saturday, June 12! Check out two important updates regarding the ticket reservation process and commemorative yard signs to celebrate your Senior!

Ticket Reservation

As a reminder, families will be able to request up to 6 tickets per graduate for the 2021 Commencement Ceremony scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 12 at Rux Stadium. The ticket request window will open in Family Access on Monday, May 10, and close on Monday, May 17. Please take note of some important details:

• Families can reserve up to 6 tickets. Please follow this process to select tickets:
• Log into your Skyward Family Access account.
• Click on the Online Forms tab on the left.
• Click on 2021 Graduation Tickets in the pop-up box.
• Complete the form and hit SUBMIT.
• You may also select if you want to be entered into the lottery for up to 2 extra tickets. Families receiving extra tickets will be notified before May 25. 
• You will be able to indicate if anyone in your party will need handicap-accessible seating. If so, someone from our front office will follow up with additional information.
• Tickets can only be requested by the parent indicated as Family 1 in Family Access. We have allocated 6 tickets per student, not 6 tickets per parent. 
• Tickets will be distributed to graduates at Cap and Gown Pick-Up on Saturday, June 5 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in the Gale Douglas Field House.
• Seating is general admission and not assigned. We are reducing density and bringing in extra seating so that families can create appropriate distance between each other. 
• Gates at Rux Stadium will open at 8:00 a.m. on Graduation Day. Your entire party does not need to arrive together, but each individual will need to present their ticket upon arrival.
• Families who would like to reserve seats for their group can arrive at 8:00 a.m. to do so, however, a family member must remain by their seats. There will not be any re-entry to Rux Stadium.

Overflow Seating in the OAC

There will be about 250 seats available for overflow seating in the OAC on graduation day where the ceremony will be live streamed on the large screen. We will have additional seating in the Little Theater if the OAC reaches capacity.  Please arrive at the OAC at least 15 minutes before the ceremony begins. Seats will be distributed on a first come first served basis.  The OAC will open at 8:00 a.m. for people to begin seating.

If you need help with this process or have any questions, please call our front office at 262-560-3109. 

Yard Signs to Celebrate Graduates- Available Today!

We have ordered a commemorative Class of 2021 Yard Sign for each senior and they are available in our main office! Please show your support for our graduates by arranging to pick one up for your yard. We do have extra signs for students who travel between two homes, so please feel free to ask for two. Signs can be picked up in the office by seniors during the lunch period or by a parent between the hours of 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on school days. 

We will continue to send reminders about all the upcoming events and celebrations planned for late May.  Check the Updates from OHS blog and our Graduation website at: www.oasd.org/Graduation regularly for more information and details of all the important events we have planned.

Have a great day!
Jason