March Academic and Career Planning Update

 Hi everyone!

As we rapidly approach the end of Term 3, I wanted to provide everyone with a few quick reminders and updates as we move into a fast-paced and busy few weeks. Please reach out to your counselor or me if you have any questions!

Go Raccoons!
Jason

Tuesday, March 10: Career, College, and Life Readiness Day (Adjusted Schedule - See Below)

• Juniors: Report to your assigned ACT Rooms by 7:20am.
• Seniors: Arrive for your Graduation Preparation and Life Ready Simulation at your assigned time. Remember to enter through the doors at South Campus (English Wing) to check in.
• Freshmen and Sophomores: No School

Click here to read the full communication that was sent to students and families in mid-February.

 

Wednesday, March 11: Class of 2027- The College Pathway and Direct Admit Overview Night (6:30pm - REC)
Juniors and their families are encouraged to attend this informational session on the College Application Process and Direct Admit Wisconsin. The college admissions process for many of our State schools has drastically changed over the last two years. If this is your first time navigating the college application process under these new changes, we recommend that you attend this night to learn more about the Direct Admit process. 

Click here to register.

 

Thursday, March 19-Friday, March 20: Term 3 Exams (Click here for adjusted schedule)
Term 3 exams will be administered on Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20. We anticipate that your Term 3 Report Card will be published by Thursday, April 9.

Term 4 classes begin on Monday, March 23.

 

Monday, March 23: Spring Safety Drill (Community Meeting at 8:55am)
Our Spring Safety Drill will occur on Monday, March 23. All students should report to Block B/Hour 3 for Pride. The drill will cover:

• Appropriate responses in case of an emergency situation on a bus or public transportation.
• Severe weather safety routines and procedures on Campus (including a tornado evacuation drill).

Families are welcome to tune in live or watch the recording of the drill through this link.

 

Spring Break: Monday, March 30-Monday, April 6 (Classes Resume on Tuesday, April 7)
Enjoy your Spring Break! Please note that our office will be closed during this time. Watch for additional information after Spring Break regarding:

• Class of 2026 Senior Celebrations and the Commencement Ceremony
• AP/IB Testing
• Registration for the 2026-2027 School Year

Quick Links and Reminders

• PROM! Tickets are on sale now. 
• Keeping Up with the Raccoons Podcast: Check out stories from our Raccoons as they share how we live our values of being grounded, committed, and accountable.
• Mental Wellness Resources and Supports

March 10 Career, College, and Life Readiness Day - Overview and Details

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Hi OHS Students and Families,

Our next Career, College, and Life Readiness Day is on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. On that day, only our Juniors and Seniors will report to campus for their designated Academic and Career Planning activities and the state ACT testing. Freshmen and Sophomore students do not have school. 

Outlined below are the details and activities planned for each grade level. Please review your grade level-specific information and reach out to your counselor or me with any questions.

Thanks!
Jason

 

Seniors - Life Ready Workshop: Graduation Preparation Meetings, Reality Check Simulation, and Industry Interviews
Seniors will enter through the doors of the South section of Main Campus (English wing) to check in at their assigned time and participate in three life-ready preparation activities. Mrs. Kyla Stefan and our counselors will meet with students in small groups throughout late February to explain details about the day, select topics they would like to explore, and prepare for the Reality Check simulation.

Click here for more details and for your assigned arrival time. Buses will operate on their normal schedule, so if you need to take the bus, you are welcome to arrive and leave at your normal time and work in the REC until your session starts.

Juniors - ACT Test and Direct Admit Overview 
ACT Test for all Juniors at 7:15am
Juniors will report to campus by 7:15am and will take the ACT exam. This exam is free of charge. All Juniors will register for the exam and learn more about the structure of the day at their assigned registration sessions in early March.

Click here to review a letter from Mrs. Anders outlining the details for the day and testing session. Buses will operate as normal. Juniors are welcome to work in the REC after the exam. 

 

Direct Admit Overview Night (Register Here)
Finally, we will have an information night about the Direct Admit process on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 6:30pm in the REC. This new process for college admissions has transformed the application process, and we want to make sure you are informed about this process and its benefits. 

 Click "Register Here" above to learn more and register for this information. 

 

Freshmen and Sophomores - No School
Freshmen and Sophomores have the day off. Your testing sessions will occur on our next Career, College, and Life Readiness Day, Tuesday, April 14. Watch for more details in mid-March.

Welcome to Second Semester: Term 3 Information and Details

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 

Hey Raccoons!

Whoa! Just like that, we are halfway through the school year! This week marks the start of the second semester and a major transition point in our academic calendar.  Outlined below are several key reminders and important information to make sure we are all on the same page as we roll through the upcoming winter months and look towards the Spring. Please reach out if you have any questions!

Go Raccoons!
Jason

Term 2/Semester 1 Report Cards

• Report Cards will be published on Wednesday, January 28, 2026
• Class rank will be updated on the report card. This will serve as the final and official class rank for our senior class, the Class of 2026. However, please note that the ranking on your Semester 1 report card will not be officially certified until Tuesday, February 10. 

Academic and Career Planning Support Opportunities
During the second semester, we begin the process of planning for the 2026-2027 academic year. There are several events to support students and families in this planning process. Mark your calendar for the following:

 

Wednesday, January 28 (Scholarship and College Credit Transfer Information Night)
6:30pm in the Raccoon Exploration Center (REC) - REGISTER HERE

This night is designed to give students and families an opportunity to learn more about the scholarships and financial supports available to seniors who are preparing to transition to 2 and 4-year schools. During the course of the program, our team will showcase our Scholarship Hub and highlight how to transfer college credit earned at OHS to the college of your choice.

This is an incredibly popular and informative night, and it’s recommended that seniors and families attend. However, juniors are welcome to attend, as they may gain some insight into this process as well. 

 

Wednesday, March 11 (Direct Admit Overview)
6:30pm in the Raccoon Exploration Center (REC) - REGISTER HERE
The Direct Admissions process has changed the college application process in the State of Wisconsin. At the end of a student’s junior year, a student's transcript and course sequence will be shared with the Universities of Wisconsin System, in which participating Universities may grant admission to our students without the student having to formally apply.

If you are unfamiliar with the Direct Admit procedures and how our team supports students through this process, please consider attending this important informational session. This night would be especially helpful for students and families who are sophomores and juniors

Additional information on Direct Admit can be found here.

 

Important Calendar Dates during Term 3 (January 20-March 20)
Mark your calendars for these important dates impacting our normal operations during Term 3.  Watch your email for more information. 

Date	Time	Event
Friday, February 13 & Monday, February 16	All Day	No School - Professional Development Day
Thursday, February 19	3:15-7:15pm	Semester 2 Family Teacher Conferences Registration will occur in early February.
Tuesday, March 10	All Day	Career, College, and Life Readiness Day (Click here) Specific Details will be shared in mid-February.
Thursday, March 19 & Friday, March 20	All Day	Term 3 Exams (Schedule) Please note: Unlike in past years, Spring Break does not occur during our transition from Term 3 to Term 4. Students will begin Term 4 on Monday, March 23.

 

Resources to Support Students and Families

• Incoming Freshmen Class of 2030 Transition Website
• Senior Class of 2026 Graduation Information  
• Counselor Assignments and Contact Information
• Mental health resources and supports offered by OHS to students/families

 

Reminders - Important January Dates and Programs

Monday, January 5, 2026

Hi Raccoon Community!

As we start the new calendar year and swing back into the routine after the holiday season, I want to put some important dates and information back on your radar. January is an incredibly important month when it comes to your Academic and Career Planning development, so please take note of these important dates and events and reach out to your counselor or me if you have any questions!

Thanks!

Jason

 

Wednesday, January 7 - Program Information Night (Session 1 at 6:00pm and Session 2 at 7:00pm)
OHS Main Campus (Enter through the Fieldhouse Doors)
REGISTER HERE 

In preparation for the course selection process at the end of January, families and students are invited to learn more about the following programs supported by OHS:

• Dual Credit and Start College Now(Future Juniors and Seniors)
• The International Baccalaureate Experience (Future Juniors)
• Workforce/Apprenticeships/Workplace Learning Opportunities (All Students)
• Global Scholars and the Wisconsin Seal of Biliteracy (All Students)
• ACT Prep Opportunities (Future Juniors and Seniors)
• Military Pathway Supports (All Students)

 

Thursday, January 15 and Friday, January 16 - Term 2 Exams and Report Cards
The end of the semester is already next week! Please take note of the following scheduled adjustments and details:

• Term Exam Schedule 
• Report Cards will be published on Wednesday, January 28, 2026
• Class rank will be updated on the report card. This will serve as the final and official class rank for the senior class. However, please note that the ranking on your Semester 1 report card will not be officially certified until Tuesday, February 10. 

 

Monday, January 19 - No School

There is no school on Monday, January 19. 

 

Tuesday, January 20 - First Day of Semester 2 and Community Meeting during Pride at 8:55am

The first day of the new semester is on Tuesday, January 20. Remember to check your schedules for any updates, including new teachers, class switches, and/or changes to room assignments.

We will have a Community Meeting during Pride on this day.

 

Wednesday, January 21 - College Admissions Panel (6:30pm)
Oconomowoc Arts Center 
REGISTER HERE
Admission officers from local universities, including UW-Madison, MSOE, Carroll University, UW-La Crosse, UW-Whitewater, and Marquette University, will provide insight into the college application process and what they seek in applications. This information might help you determine what courses you plan to select and programs you want to enroll in. This night is very popular and insightful for our students and families. You won’t want to miss out on this opportunity!

 

Monday, January 26 (Community Meeting during Pride at 8:55am)

Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors will begin to make their course selections for the 2026-2027 school year. All courses must be selected by Wednesday, February 4 at 3pm. As a reminder, here are some resources and quick links to help support you in this process:

 

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