Scheduling Details for 2026-2027 & Class of 2026 Initial Graduation Information

Fall 2025/Winter 2026

Hi Raccoons and Families,

Over the next two months, we will work to help students prepare for the transition to the 2026-2027 school year. Included below are grade-level-specific letters outlining the supports in place for this transition. This includes information regarding:

• Incoming Freshmen: Supports for helping our incoming freshmen (current 8th graders) learn more about the programs, classes, and community that they will be joining next year.
• Current Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors: The course selection process and informational opportunities about the various programs offered at OHS.
• Seniors: Initial information and details about ordering your cap and gown, senior celebrations, and the Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, June 13. 

Please identify the grade level-specific information for you and your family below, and feel free to reach out to me or your counselor with any questions!

Go Raccoons!
Jason

Current 8th Graders and Families (Incoming Freshmen)
The letters below outline the following important information and details about your transition to OHS. This includes:

• Opportunities to explore programming opportunities at OHS during our Future Raccoon Tech It Out and Family Check It Out Nights on Wednesday, December 10, and Wednesday, December 17.
• A link to the Class of 2030 Virtual Pep Rally on Monday, January 12 at 7pm, which will outline important details about the course selection process.
• Registration for our Class of 2030 Open House and Course Exploration Night on Wednesday, January 14.
• Contact information for your assigned counselor and associate principal.

Letters are linked below and personalized to students and families based on their last names and assigned counselor.  

Student Last Names A-D Counselor: Alex Eidman Associate Principal: Melissa Anders	CLICK HERE to view your letter and information about your transition to OHS.
Student Last Names E, U-Z Counselor: Carrie Schultz Associate Principal: Derek Nelson	CLICK HERE to view your letter and information about your transition to OHS.
Student Last Names F-K Counselor: Brianne McGuire Associate Principal: Nancy DeYoung	CLICK HERE to view your letter and information about your transition to OHS.
Student Last Names L-P Counselor: Susan Verhagen Associate Principal: Derek Nelson	CLICK HERE to view your letter and information about your transition to OHS.
Student Last Names Q-T Counselor: Lauren Black Associate Principal: Nancy DeYoung	CLICK HERE to view your letter and information about your transition to OHS.

 

Current Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors
CLICK HERE to view details about:

• The course request process for the next school year. Including dates for department-specific exploration opportunities during December.
• Registration for Program Information Night on Wednesday, June 7, 2026.

 

Current OHS Seniors: Class of 2026!
CLICK HERE to review details about:

• How to order your cap and gown.
• Preliminary information, dates, and times for Celebrate Your Future Week and the Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, June 13, 2026.

Resources and Quick Links

• Academic and Career Planning Guide
• Course Requests Sheets for:
• Class of 2030 (Incoming Freshmen)
• Class of 2029 (Current Freshmen)
• Class of 2028 (Current Sophomores)
• Class of 2027 (Current Juniors)
• Incoming Freshmen Class of 2030 Transition Website
• Senior Class of 2026 Graduation Information  
• Counselor Assignments and Contact Information

Term 2 Important Dates and Information

 Hi everyone!

The second term of the school year always flies by. With the upcoming holiday breaks, new routines with winter sports and activities starting, and with the concerts, musicals, and other events throughout the late fall and early winter months, it can be easy to lose track of time and miss important deadlines as we work towards finishing the first semester in mid-January. 

Outlined below are several important reminders to keep on our radar as we navigate the next few months. While it is an incredibly fun and exciting few months, don’t be afraid to reach out to me, your counselor (click here for contact information), or your Associate Principal if you have questions or need any help.

 

Go Raccoons!
Jason

 

Term 1 Report Cards
Report cards from the first term will be published on Wednesday, November 12.

Upcoming Holiday Breaks and Adjusted Schedules for Term 2

• Wednesday, November 26-Friday, November 28 - No School (Thanksgiving Break)
• Monday, December 22-Friday, January 2 - No School (Winter Break)
• Thursday, January 15-Friday, January 16 - Term 2/Semester 1 Exams (Schedule)
• Monday, January 19 - No School (Teaching Planning Day)

 

Scheduling for 2026-2027
Details regarding the scheduling process for next year will be sent home on Monday, December 1, 2025. In addition, seniors will receive initial information about the senior celebrations planned this spring and the Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, June 13. 

In addition, we will have several opportunities to support our incoming 8th-grade families and also families who are considering enrolling at OHS but do not attend Nature Hill or Silver Lake. Click here to check out our Class of 2030 information page, and feel free to pass on this information to any friends or family. 

 

Academic and Career Planning Supports
There are several supports in place to help with your Academic and Career Planning over the next few months. Watch your email for additional information as we get closer to each event.

• Wednesday, November 19 - Military Pathway Exploration Night at 6:30pm in the REC (Register Here)
• Wednesday, January 7 - Program Information Night at 6:30 at Main Campus (Register Here)
• Wednesday, January 21 - College Admissions Panel at 6:30pm in the REC (Register Here)
• Wednesday, January 28- Scholarship Exploration Night and College Credit Transfer Process at 6:30pm in the REC (Register Here)

Beyond that, every sophomore family is encouraged to sign up for their one-on-one Sophomore Family Meeting with their counselor. These meetings are vital to supporting each student's individual academic and career journey through high school. Click here to schedule your meeting. 

 

Follow and Like the OHS Podcast: Keeping Up with the Raccoons!
We are venturing into the podcast world and looking to share the stories, opportunities, and experiences that make OHS unique. Over the last few months, we have been able to showcase students and staff who are living our values of being grounded in our purpose and values, committed to our goals, and accountable to ourselves and each other as we work to accomplish our vision of helping each Raccoon become career, college, and life ready.

Check out the Podcast as Spotify, Apple, or by clicking here. Recent episodes include:

• Season 1 - Episode 1: Unstoppable: Five Seniors, Five Pathways
• Season 1 - Episode 2: Collecting That Diploma: Defining Moments of Your Journey
• Season 2 - Episode 1: Breaking the Myth: Homecoming Court as Leaders, Not a Popularity Contest
• Season 2 - Episode 2: Discovering & Inspiring “The Call” OHS Alumni who Teach our Raccoons Now…
• Season 2 - Episode 3: Finding Your Purpose

End of Term 1 - Information, Important Dates, Adjusted Schedules

Thursday, October 16, 2025

 Hi everyone!

Believe it or not, the first term of the school year comes to a close at the end of the month. As we approach the end of the grading period and our first set of term exams, I wanted to provide everyone with information about upcoming scheduled adjustments, report card distribution details, and other important events on our calendar. It’s a busy few weeks!

Beyond everything listed below, we have several exciting events scheduled at OHS: 

• Playoffs for our Fall Sports! 
• Combined Orchestra, Band, and Choir Concert to celebrate the City of Oconomowoc’s 150th Birthday on Wednesday, October 29 at 7pm in the Fieldhouse.
• Individual meetings for all sophomore families with their counselors.

Watch your email, school announcements (RCC), and our social media pages for more details.

Reach out to your assigned counselor or me if you have any questions!

Go Raccoons!
Mr. Curtis

 

Thursday, October 23 - Districtwide Early Release (Buses Depart at 11:47am)

• Schedule: CLICK HERE for the bell schedule for the districtwide early release on Thursday, October 23.
• WCTC and Off-Site Classes: Students with classes at WCTC or other off-site locations will be excused from OHS classes if there is a conflict with your OHS and WCTC class schedules.
• Work Release: Students with Youth Apprenticeships and Work Release must adjust their work schedules to be present for all of their OHS  classes. Absences from classes at OHS because a student is at work will be considered unexcused.

Friday, October 24 - No School

• There is no school on Friday, October 24. The OHS Main Office will also be closed.

Thursday, October 30-Friday, October 31 - Term 1 Exams

• Schedule: CLICK HERE for the bell schedule
• Thursday: After exams, students with transportation are released from school. However, if you want to study, make up any work, or stick around before practices/events, you are welcome to do so. Buses depart at their normal time, and we will serve a limited lunch and offer supervision in Cafeteria 150.
• Friday: This is a districtwide early release. Buses depart at 11:47am, and there will be no lunch served or additional supervision provided.
• Work Release/Off-Site Classes: Take note of the information explained as part of the early-release schedule for October 23 regarding excused/unexcused absences for scheduling conflicts related to off-site classes and work release during exam days.

Please note that exams are given at the end of Term 1 for term block, year-long block, and semester block classes. Year-long or semester skinny classes will just have normal class periods during the adjusted schedules on October 30 and 31. 

Monday, November 3 - No School: Professional Development Day

• There is no school on Monday, November 3. The OHS Main Office will also be closed so that our staff can attend training.

Report Cards
Teachers will finalize Term 1 grades by Tuesday, November 11, and we anticipate publishing report cards on Wednesday, November 12. Please watch your email for updates and important information.

 

November 4-January 16: Term 2
I will send another communication in early November with all the details and important dates to keep in mind during Term 2. 

Fall Career, College, Life Readiness Day: Tuesday, October 14 (Adjusted Schedule and Activities)

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Hi everyone!

We will host our annual Fall Career, College, and Life Readiness Day on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. On our Career, College, and Life Readiness days, we pause our normal class schedule and operations to provide grade-level specific opportunities for students as they build their Academic and Career Plans. An overview of each of these days and their purpose is outlined on our website, available by clicking here.

Below are details about each opportunity available to our students, broken down by grade level. Buses will run on their normal schedule, and information about lunch is included in the grade-level-specific letters. Please check out the information specific to you and let me know if you have any questions!

Go Raccoons!

Jason

 

Freshmen: Launching Your Academic and Career Plan
Freshmen will take time to pause, reflect, and consider their career interests as they begin their high school journey and prepare for course selection this upcoming winter. 

On Tuesday, October 14, all freshmen will report to OHS as normal at 7:20am and should pay attention to announcements and postings about where to report that morning after arriving at OHS. The day will be broken up into several parts:

• A meeting with counselors to review the Academic and Career Planning process.
• An opportunity to reflect on our core values and our first few weeks of high school.
• Engaging in interest meetings with local professionals to explore career ideas and opportunities.
• Participation in a service project associated with a career cluster interest of choice. Selection is currently occurring during Pride period (Click here to check out the options!).

CLICK HERE to check out the letter from our coordinators outlining more details about the day.

 

Sophomores: Industry/Career Visits and College Visits
Sophomores will report to OHS as normal and will be assigned a meeting location before heading out on their day-long field trip. Recently, all Sophomores had the opportunity to meet with their counselors in mid-September to review over 20 different field-trip options for them to explore (check them out here). Each trip is designed around a career cluster of interest and will bring students to local industry partners to explore first-hand job opportunities and career expectations in the workplace. In addition, on most routes students will get the opportunity to tour at least one 2 or 4-year school or trades union as they begin to explore post-secondary learning options and opportunities. Finally, sophomores should plan to dress in business casual attire for their visits. 

CLICK HERE to review additional details from our School to Career Coordinator, Kyla Stefan. 

Following this opportunity, counselors will reach out and offer each Sophomore family a one-on-one 30-minute meeting to reflect on their student's experience, make you aware of programs at OHS to help you continue to explore your career interests, and to map out potential course sequencing for the second half of your high school journey. Watch your email for more details in mid-October!

Juniors and Seniors: ACT Testing
Many of our upperclassmen have signed up to take the optional ACT test at OHS on Tuesday, October 14. Please plan to arrive by 7:20am. We anticipate the test will end at about 12:30pm. At that point, you are welcome to leave for the day. A light lunch will be provided in the Fieldhouse Lobby following the ACT exam.

CLICK HERE to view the letter from Mrs. Anders about the testing day and requirements. Continue to watch RCC and your email for specific room assignments and where to report when you arrive at 7:20am on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

Juniors and seniors who have decided not to take the ACT are not required to be on campus. Rather, it is our hope that you take the day to visit colleges or participate in a self-planned job shadow.

 

Seniors: College Admissions Day
On Tuesday, October 14, we have over 25 colleges and universities from across the country scheduled to meet with seniors for one-on-one college admission interviews. Students will be required to apply to the school ahead of time, then on October 14, they will have a one-on-one interview with an admissions counselor. At this meeting, students have the chance to bring their transcripts and applications to life, tell their unique story, and highlight their qualifications. At the conclusion of the interview, the admissions counselor will give you an update on your application status and perhaps, even admit you to their university. We have even had students earn scholarships based on academic performance.

In addition, students who have already been admitted to participating schools through the Direct Admit process can sign up to visit with the specific Universities of Wisconsin admissions counselor to ask any questions about financial aid, housing, and scholarship opportunities. Families are welcome to join these meetings as well to learn more about the next steps or discuss anything related to college admissions at one of the schools in attendance. 

This is an unreal opportunity for our students and families. Students who have signed up for College Admissions Day will get additional information and the exact schedule of their interviews by October 10. If you are interested in still signing up for this incredible opportunity, you can sign up by Friday, October 3 by clicking here. If you have additional questions, please contact Mrs. Jaime Regan at ReganJ@oasd.org.

Seniors not participating in on-site admissions or the ACT test are released from classes for the day so that they can work individually on their post-high school transition plans, including applying to schools, reviewing scholarship applications, visiting 2 or 4 year schools, arranging for a job shadow, or whatever else might help them prepare for life after graduation.