Monday, August 5, 2019
Hi OHS Students, Staff, and Families!
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and that you have had
time to have some fun, reconnect with family and friends, and recharge before
the exciting school year ahead! While we still have a month left in summer,
there are quite a few activities and events occurring in the coming weeks as we
begin to launch the 2019-2020 school year. This letter is meant to help ease
the transition into the new year and provide you with the following
information:
- Details
regarding the start of the school year
- Introduction
of new staff members and updates on other changes
- Preview
of our goals and vision for our school community and how we plan to build
on the momentum of last year’s successes
- Dates
and details for upcoming events
First Day of School for Freshmen Only: Tuesday, September 3
(7:20am-2:40pm)
This year, our freshmen will have their first day of school on
Tuesday, September 3 from 7:20am-2:40pm. This will allow our newest Raccoons to
learn their way around the building and integrate themselves into our
community. Attendance is required, and buses will operate on their regular
schedule. Students will have the chance to meet their teachers, but they should
not bring their Chromebooks or school supplies. The day is designed to help
students meet each other, learn about high school, and lay the foundation for a
fun and successful four years! Please note that students can either purchase
lunch in the cafeteria or bring their own.
First Day of Classes for All Grades: Wednesday, September 4
(7:20am-2:40pm)
Sophomores, juniors, and seniors will join our freshmen for their
first official day of classes on Wednesday, September 4 from 7:20am-2:40pm.
Please bring your Chromebooks and supplies. However, we will continue our
tradition of gathering as an entire community for our Second Annual All School
Cookout. Lunch is free for everyone, so there is no need to bring one that day.
New for the 2019-2020 School Year
Last year, we focused on
establishing community commitments and norms that helped to create a culture
and learning environment based on high expectations. Now, it’s time to build on
the energy and momentum from last year, and work to strategically support our
vision of helping every Raccoon build a post-secondary plan that allows
them to be ready for life beyond OHS.
In order to support that vision, I am excited to share the
following as we launch the 2019-2020 school year:
- This
year we have hired several new staff members who are committed to making
OHS a great place for each student. You can
click here to view a brief biography and introduction of the new
teachers joining the team.
- Thanks
to the hard work of our buildings and grounds crew and summer student
workers, our building is clean, refreshed, and ready for the new year. In
addition, we have completed a remodel of the front office and student
services area. Hopefully the new layout and updates will be more conducive
to creating a welcoming environment and providing everyone with quality
customer service!
- We
will be launching our automotive program this year and will be hosting a
ribbon cutting for the new classroom area in the renovated Ocon Ave
hallway. Community members, parents, and students are welcome to a small
ceremony prior to Open House on Tuesday, August 27 at 1:30pm in the staff
parking lot on the east side of Main Campus.
- We
are modifying our daily schedule and updating our protocols around Pride
Period to ensure that this flexible period is better utilized to support
and enhance the learning experience. You can click here to view the
adjusted schedule and review some key changes to Pride Period.
- This
summer, our school board approved a district-wide strategic direction. The
plan has been posted on the OASD website and is available by clicking here.
The plan includes direction around improving attendance and graduation
rates, ensuring each student’s post-graduation plans align to their
academic and career goals, and increasing performance on the ACT, Advanced
Placement and International Baccalaureate exams. In order to support this
plan, we will take time this year to:
- Evaluate the current block schedule to
ensure our schedule structure maximizes student achievement
- Continue to offer experiences and learning
opportunities for all students through our Career, College and Life
Readiness Days
- Provide targeted supports during Pride
Period to assist freshmen transition during the first term and
offer guidance to our juniors as they prepare to take the ACT exam in
March.
- Modify our scheduling timeline so students
have at least one month (or more!) to explore and schedule their courses
for the 2020-2021 school year.
It’s an exciting time to be a Raccoon, and these are just a few of
the ways we are working to make everyone in our community proud of the students
and staff of OHS.
Upcoming Events and Questions
At the end of this letter is a detailed list of the major events
that will help ensure a smooth transition into the new year. Even if you have
been through this before, please take a minute to review these details to make
sure we are all on the same page.
I look forward to seeing everyone at one of the many school-wide
events this August, and as always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at CurtisJ@oasd.org if
there is anything I can do to help support you as we start the school year!
It’s a great time to be a Raccoon!
Jason
2019-2020 Material Pick-Up Day
Wednesday, August 7 11:00am-7:00pm OHS Gale Douglas Field House
Students and their families are invited to OHS on August 7 to pick
up any materials that were purchased through online registration, receive their
2019-2020 student ID, take yearbook photos, pick up yearbooks from last year,
and receive their schedules.
Open House
Tuesday, August 27 2:00pm-5:00pm OHS Main East Campuses
Parents and students are invited to our annual Open House! This is
a fun way to kick off the year, see old friends, meet new teachers, and get
acquainted as a school community. This is also a great time for you to walk
your schedule, preview some of the assignments and expectations for your
classes, and get to know your teachers. Events include:
- A
cookout and spiritwear sale outside the Gale Douglas Field House
- A
chance to pick up any additional materials or complete any unfinished
tasks from Material Pick-Up Day in the Library. Including an opportunity for picture make-ups (not retake!).
- A
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in the transportation lab at 1:30pm to celebrate
the launch of our automotive program.
- Specific
seminars that focus on our goal to help each student have a successful
year. These 30-minute presentations occur at 2:30, 3:30, and 4:30pm, and
will cover:
New to OHS: What It Means to Be a Raccoon
OHS Main Campus Little Theater
Freshmen and new-to-OHS families are invited to join Associate Principals, Jose Frias and Krista Werchowski, to learn more about the systems, procedures, and traditions that define our community. You will also have the chance to ask questions and network with other families.
Academic and Career Planning Opportunities
OHS Main Campus North Cafeteria 122-123
Families and students are invited to join our School to Career Coordinator, Kyla Stefan, to learn more about our vision of preparing students to be Career, College and Life Ready. This includes an overview of specific academic programs available, off-site learning opportunities, and a variety of experiences that students at each grade level will encounter this year.
Students and families who are new to the district are invited to
meet representatives of our Student Council in the Lobby of the Oconomowoc Arts
Center at 2:00pm to help navigate the building and receive a tour.
First Day of School for Freshmen Only
Tuesday, September 3 7:20am-2:40pm OHS Gale Douglas Field House
See the start of this letter for details.
First Day of Classes for All Students
Wednesday, September 4 7:20am-2:40pm OHS Main and East Campuses
See the start of this letter for details.
Second Annual Raccoon Rally
Friday, September 6 4:00-7:00pm
OHS Fields and Rux
Stadium
Celebrate the start of the school year and show off your Ocon
Pride by joining us for the second annual Raccoon Rally before the OHS versus
Kettle Moraine football game. Our sport teams and club organizations will be
hosting games and activities for families and kids of all ages, including food
and live music! Proceeds benefit OHS Student Organizations and the Oconomowoc
Area Foundation.
There will also be an all-school Pep Rally at 1:30pm on Friday,
September 6 in celebration of Raccoon Rally and our football game against
Kettle Moraine. Parents wishing to attend are welcome to enter through the
entrance of the Gale Douglas Field House beginning at 1:15pm.
Homecoming 2019: There Is No Place Like Ocon
Sunday, September 29-Saturday, October 5
Be on the lookout for several events our Student Council is
planning to celebrate our community spirit during our annual Homecoming Week. A
brief rundown of events include:
Sunday, September 29 10:00am Window Painting Downtown ( Village Green)
Wednesday, October 2 6:00pm Powderpuff Game (OHS Rux
Stadium)
8:00pm Community Bonfire (JV Softball Field)
Friday, October 4 5:15pm Homecoming Parade (Oakwood
& Wilson)
7:00pm OHS Football vs. Waukesha North
(Rux Stadium)
Saturday, October 5 8:00pm Dance (OHS Upper Gym)
OHS Fall Athletic Competitions
As many of you know firsthand, our fall athletic events begin
before the start of the year. Below is a list of home varsity events occurring
between now and the first week of the school year so you can come join us in
cheering on our Raccoons. A comprehensive calendar of all sporting events at
every level is available by clicking here.
Friday, August 23 7:00pm Football vs. Catholic Memorial
(OHS Rux Stadium)
Tuesday, August 27 7:00pm Soccer vs. Racine St.
Catherine’s (OHS Soccer Stadium)
Thursday, August 29 4:00pm Tennis vs. Mukwonago (OHS
Tennis Courts)
Tuesday, September 3 7:00pm Soccer vs. Madison East (OHS
Soccer Stadium)
Thursday, September 5 7:00pm Volleyball vs. Waukesha West
(Gale Douglas Field House)
Friday, September 6 7:00pm Football vs. Kettle Moraine
(OHS Rux Stadium)
