Friday, April 12, 2024
Hello OHS Class of 2024 and Families!
We recently started the last term of high school, and now it is almost time for the celebrations that will recognize you and your accomplishments as you graduate!
Spring is a special time at OHS because we get to spend time to honor each senior, reflect on the memories and experiences that have united friends and families over the years, and celebrate the legacy of the Class of 2024. I am so excited to lead us through each celebration!
Outlined below are details about all the events planned to celebrate our seniors. These include:
- Celebrate Your
Future Week
- Class of 2024
Send-Off Assembly and Grad Parades
- Academic,
Athletic, and Extracurricular Honors Events
- The Class of
2024 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, June 8, 2024
Please review the details below and reach out to me at CurtisJ@oasd.org if you have any questions. We will send additional reminders and details leading up to each event.
Wednesday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m. (OHS Gale Douglas Field House)
Our
Athletic Director, Mr. Flegner, will be in touch regarding this ceremony
honoring our scholar-athletes for this year. There will be a special
recognition for those seniors who have attained this status for all four years
of high school.
Wednesday, May 22 at 1:45 p.m. (OHS Gale Douglas Field House)
All
seniors will report to the Gale Douglas Field House on Wednesday, May 22 to
take their class photo, review the important details outlined in this letter,
and pick up their cap and gown. Seniors who are off-site should arrange to be
at OHS on Wednesday, May 22 at 1:45 p.m.
Students have the opportunity to decorate their caps to celebrate their chosen post-high school pathway or to honor a family, friend, or someone who has been influential in their education journey.
Designs must be approved by Mr. Curtis before Wednesday, June 5. To get your design approved, please send Mr. Curtis an email with an outline or description of what you plan to put on your cap.
Monday, May 27 at 8:00 a.m. (Live Event on Facebook Live)
Our
community will pause for a moment on Memorial Day to recognize the many
friends, family, community members, and alumni who have served in the Armed
Forces and honor those who have given their lives to defend our freedom. In
addition, we will briefly recognize the members of the Class of 2024 who have
made a commitment to serve in the military upon graduation.
Watch on Facebook Live at facebook.com/oconomowocschools.
Tuesday, May 28, Wednesday, May 29, and Thursday, May 30
We will
honor the chosen pathway of each graduating senior during three separate
ceremonies during Celebrate Your Future Week. Family and friends are invited to
join our school community and seniors at the event they will be participating
in.
- Military Commitment
Ceremony: Tuesday, May 28 at 9:00 a.m. in Rux Stadium
- Each member
of the Class of 2024 committing to military service will be honored by
our school in a special ceremony at Rux Stadium. Families participating
in the ceremony are asked to arrive by 8:30 a.m and report to the track
at Rux Stadium. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be
held in the Gale Douglas Field House.
- Seniors
committing to military services should contact Lauren Black (BlackL@oasd.org)
to confirm their participation in the event or if you have any questions.
She will also follow up with reminders and details as we get closer to
the event.
- Workforce and
Apprenticeship Recognition Event: Wednesday, May 29 at 9:00 a.m. in the Little
Theater
- Graduates
entering the workforce or continuing their education through a registered
apprenticeship will be honored in a ceremony on campus. Families
participating are asked to arrive in the OAC lobby at 8:30 a.m.
- If you want
to make sure your graduate entering the workforce or an apprenticeship is
recognized, please email Mrs. DeYoung at DeYoungN@oasd.org
to verify we have the correct information.
- 2-4 Year
College Parade: Thursday, May 30 at 9:15 a.m. in the Field House Lobby
- Graduates
attending a 2 or 4-year school will meet other Raccoons heading to the
same school and participate in a parade down Raccoon Runway as they
showcase their future school. Families are welcome to greet them in the
Field House lobby. Please arrive by 9:00 a.m.
Finally, throughout the week, we will honor our seniors with our now annual Senior Recognition Signs that will line Campus Drive from Memorial Day weekend through our Celebrate Your Future Week. These personalized commemorative signs will honor the legacy of each senior as we look forward to celebrating them and the next steps in their journey in life.
Wednesday, May 29 at 6:00 p.m. (Golden Mast Restaurant)
Our
Coordinator of Career Programming, Mrs. Kyla Stefan, will be in touch about
this ceremony that honors our seniors, families, and employers who were part of
the Youth Apprenticeship program. Watch your email for details.
Monday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m. (Oconomowoc Arts Center)
We will
honor and celebrate our seniors receiving scholarships specifically from local
community businesses, families, and organizations, in addition to those seniors
in the top 10% of their class, completing the IB program, and earning special
academic honors. Students and families should watch for more information from
Mrs. Susan Verhagen (VerhagS@oasd.org).
Special invitations will be sent in mid-May to the Class of 2024 students who
will be honored at this event.
Tuesday, June 4
Families
are invited to participate in our Senior Send-Off Say scheduled for Tuesday,
June 4. Details are below:
- Senior Sunrise
Breakfast (Rux Stadium) at 4:30 a.m.: Seniors are invited to kick the day
off with a sunrise breakfast starting at 4:30 a.m. Families willing to
donate food items should drop them off in the main office by the afternoon
of June 3.
- Senior Grad
Walks and Parades at 8:30 a.m.: Seniors will report to the Gale
Douglas Field House dressed in their academic regalia as we set out to
visit each elementary and intermediate school in the district. Our goal is
to visit old teachers, but also to inspire our future Raccoons. Therefore,
even if you didn’t attend one of our schools, please come be part of this
special day. Lunch will be provided. Families are welcome to wave and
greet us along the parade route or outside each school. Click here for the schedule (times are
estimated).
- Senior Send
Off Assembly at 1:30 p.m.: Our staff, underclassmen, and
families will gather in the Gale Douglas Field House at 1:30 p.m. to
reflect on the legacy and memories that define the Class of 2024. Families
are HIGHLY encouraged to attend this special event. Please arrive through
the Gale Douglas Field House by 1:15 p.m. If you are unable to attend and
wish to still view, you may tune in to view our livestream (View Here).
Wednesday, June 5, and Thursday, June 6
Despite
all the fun and celebrations, you still need to finish strong and pass your
classes! Final report cards and transcripts will be published on Monday, June
10.
Friday, June 7 (Times Below)
Seniors
must report at their assigned time to participate in graduation rehearsal. At
rehearsal, we will ensure that all fees have been paid and that school
materials and Chromebooks have been turned in. Please report to the OHS
Cafeteria based on your assigned counselor:
- Mr. Eidman
(7:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m.)
- Mrs. Fisher
(8:15 a.m.-9:45 a.m.)
- Mrs. Verhagen
(9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.)
- Mrs. Black
(9:45 a.m.-11:15 a.m.)
- Mrs. Schultz
(10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)
Saturday, June 8 at 10:00 a.m.- Rux Stadium
We will
gather one last time to celebrate at the Oconomowoc High School Class of 2024
Commencement Ceremony. There are so many details and logistics that help make
this event special. I will share specific details again in mid-May and again in
the weeks leading up to the ceremony. However, please take note of the
following important initial details:
- Seating: Seating is on
a first-come-first-serve basis. However, seating is unlimited and
graduates can bring as many family members as they want. The gates to Rux
Stadium will open at 6:00 a.m. In addition, we will livestream the
ceremony in the air-conditioned OAC, which will open at 8:00 a.m.
- Accessible
Seating: We
have seating available for those who cannot climb the bleachers. Families
are asked to make a reservation for accessible seating by emailing
Christine McCartney at McCartnC@oasd.org.
In addition, golf carts will be available to help transport guests with
limited mobility from the front entrance of Rux Stadium to the accessible
seating on the field.
- Commemorative
Flowers and Items on Sale NOW: Order flowers or other commemorative
items through this link.
Items will be available for pick up at the entrance to Rux Stadium on
graduation morning.
- Livestream: The ceremony
will be broadcast on our livestream link (click here) and will be accessible to
friends and family who cannot be with us in person.
- Inclement
Weather: In
the event of rain and thunderstorms, we will delay the start of the
ceremony. Our primary goal is to hold the ceremony on June 8, even if that
means the ceremony starts later in the day. However, if the day is a total
washout, we will reschedule the ceremony to be held on Sunday, June 9 at
1:00 p.m. If the weather cooperates, the ceremony will be held at Rux
Stadium, but if storms and rain are predicted for that time, we will move
the ceremony to the Gale Douglas Field House. Please keep these
contingency plans in mind when making travel arrangements and plans for
your graduation parties!