Dear Green Bear Families:                                                                                            August 6, 2025

I hope your Green Bear is enjoying these final weeks of summer break and is excited to embark on the 2025-2026 school year! If your child is nervous about settling into the school year, rest assured that end-of-summer “jitters” are normal. Our staff will be here every step of the way to help our students feel comfortable, confident, and supported academically, socially, and emotionally.

At OHES, we strive for an atmosphere of academic excellence by working closely with our Green Bear families to meet the unique needs of each student. As your principal, I aim to build supportive relationships and positive morale throughout our school community. My door is always open to you.   

We had some changes and new additions to our staff…

Julie Pawlicki (formerly OHHS Secretary) will be our New OHES Administrative Assistant/Secretary

Rose Gaiffe (formerly OHES Interim Principal) will be our new part-time OHES Assistant Administrator 

Kerstyn Weaver ismoving from Kindergarten to 1st Grade

Claire Turski is moving from 2nd Grade to 1st Grade

Michelle Nakashima will be our new Computer Teacher 

Carolyn Durand will be joining us from the high school to help teach World Language

Mary Beth Ellison will be our new part-time OHES Counselor

From one Green Bear to another … let’s make it a great year at OHES! I welcome your feedback and encourage your participation in our school. If you have any questions, I encourage you to review the 2025 Back-to-School Guide. You may also reach me at 419-536-8329 or at jbauer@ohschools.org. I look forward to a safe and successful school year!

Sincerely, 

Dr. Jeremy Bauer

What will you see in the coming weeks?

• You will be receiving my weekly Green Bear Bulletin containing a video message, important dates, and snapshots of learning.

• You will see me out front before and after school greeting and fist-bumping students. Arrival and dismissal are two of the most important parts of my day.

• Your Green Bears will see me daily at recess and lunch. They will find that I am quite skilled at GaGa Ball and Four Square, but I need to work on my hopscotch technique.

• Your Green Bears will see me walking through their classrooms daily and, if I’m invited, they may hear me play a few songs on my guitar or see my origami skills in action.

• Ottawa Hills Elementary School will continue to shine in BIG ways this year! Working together, we will: 

Build positive communication and relationships among students, families, and staff

Improve student academic performance through data-based decision-making

Gain more school spirit through new and exciting activities and programs

Click here to view the Back to School Handbook 

Getting ready: Frequently Asked Questions

How and when do I find out my child’s homeroom teacher?

Starting on Aug. 11, you will be able to log in to your child’s PowerSchool account to obtain your child’s homeroom assignment. Whether you are a new family or a returning family, EVERY parent must update their child’s school information. To do this, please visit www.ohschools.org, click on PARENTS (MYOH), and scroll down to the PowerSchool tab where you will create an account or update your existing account. Please have this completed prior to Aug. 18, 2025. Due to confidentiality and privacy laws under FERPA (The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), we do not post class lists on the exterior doors. 

Is there an Open House this year?

Yes! We are happy to announce that we are hosting an Open House for our families the evening of Monday, Aug. 18. Your child can bring his/her school supplies to school that evening. The supply lists can be found at www.ohschools.org under the PARENTS (MYOH) tab. To help with parking and to minimize crowds inside the school, we have established two 45-minute waves according to the first letter of your last name:

Last names A-J: 5:30-6:15 p.m.

Last names K-Z: 6:15-7:00 p.m.

When is the first day of school, and is there a staggered start?

School begins on Wednesday, Aug. 20, for ALL students in grades 1-6. However, kindergarteners will have a staggered start and will attend school (based on last name) on either Wednesday, Aug. 20, Thursday, Aug. 21,  OR Friday, Aug. 22. The first full day of school for ALL kindergartners will be Monday, Aug. 25. We look forward to seeing our 1st-6th grade Green Bears on Aug. 20, and we are excited to welcome our kindergarteners on the staggered start days below: 

Kindergarteners with last names A-E: Wednesday, Aug. 20 

Kindergarteners with last names F-M: Thursday, Aug. 21

Kindergarteners with last names N-Z: Friday, Aug. 22 

*All Kindergarten students will be in session together starting Monday, Aug. 25.

Can I walk my child to the classroom?

For safety and security reasons, we do not permit parents and/or visitors to walk their child(ren) to the classroom. Only students are permitted to enter the building through the Front Pillar Doors. We know that the transition back to school can be hard for some of our students, particularly our kindergartners. Please know that we have several staff members supervising the hallways and helping students to their classrooms. We do not allow parents to walk the hallways during school hours nor make unannounced visits to the classroom. All visitors and parents are required to use the Raptor Security Check-in System located in the Visitor Entrance Vestibule (Door 1). 

What if my child is absent?

If your child is absent, please email ohesattendance@ohschools.org. In accordance with state mandates, parents must notify the school of their child’s absence each day by 8:00 a.m. on the day of the absence. If the school is not contacted of the child’s absence within the first hour of school, the parent/guardian will be notified via our automated messaging system.

My child takes medication. What steps should I follow?

• Please DO NOT bring or drop off any medication at Open House

• All Medication can be dropped off at the main office and checked in by our school nurse and/or office personnel Aug. 11-15 between 8:30-2:30 p.m. or during regular school hours. If you can not make this time work, please contact our office at 419-536-8329 ext. 2004 to schedule a different day/time.

• Please complete the Request for Administering Medication to Students form, which can be found at www.ohschools.org under the Health Services section.

• Kindergarten students must have immunization/dental records on file prior to Aug. 20.

• For questions about medication and/or other health-related matters, please email our School Nurse, Laura Baird, at lbaird@ohschools.org.

What are my school fees, and how do I pay them?

School fees vary by grade level and activities, and must be paid online by visiting www.ohschools.org. To see the fee schedule, click on the PARENTS (MYOH) and click on the Academic Fees tab. To pay your fees, click on PARENTS (MYOH), then Online Payments. We will NOT be collecting fees at Open House.

Is there an after-school program?

The YMCA of Greater Toledo offers an After-School Child Care Program inside the Elementary School Old Gym (small gym). The program follows the Elementary School building calendar and is open 2:45- 6:00 p.m.; it offers full-time and part-time options for families. The program’s first day is Wednesday, Aug. 20. If you have questions, please contact YMCA After-Care at 419-535-2999.

How do I get calendar updates from the school and district?

In order to receive communication from the school, you will need to visit www.ohschools.org to select your email preferences. Please go to the district webpage, select News & Resources and click on OH Connections. For calendar updates, please visit https://ohes.ohschools.org/calendars.

What if my child leaves something at home that s/he needs?

If your child leaves something at home (i.e., lunchbox, backpack, school supplies, project, etc.), we have a new “Student Drop-off Table” located in our main entry vestibule. In the past, parents dropped off items in the office. However, to minimize distractions in our main hallway and office, we will be implementing a new procedure. When dropping off an item, please press the intercom button to let our office know you are putting something on the table. We ask that you label the item with your child’s name/homeroom teacher. We will ensure that your child receives the item in a timely manner. Thank you for your cooperation.

What time is school in session?

         *Kindergarten students are dismissed from the Wondry side door #18 prior to the older students. 

Is there a lunch program?

We do not have a traditional lunch program. Instead, our Ottawa Hills Schools Parent Association (OHSPA) contracts with outside vendors and catering companies. The online OHSPA lunch program will not start until after Labor Day, so students should plan on packing their lunch until OHSPA releases the menu and sign-up information. To stay up-to-date on OHSPA meetings, events, and the hot lunch program, please visit https://ohspa.membershiptoolkit.com.

What time is lunch and recess?

What if I have a concern about a classroom incident, recess/lunch, or suspected bullying?

At OHES, we strive to create an atmosphere of academic excellence and are committed to maintaining a social climate that prohibits bullying and harassment. If your child is having a conflict, please bring it to the immediate attention of your child’s homeroom teacher. Oftentimes, the teacher can address the issue and communicate an action plan to resolve the issue. However, if the conflict remains unresolved or requires further investigation, it may require our office team to intervene (i.e., principal, counselor, etc). 

Can my child have a Cell Phone, Smartwatch, or Wireless Device in school?

Cell phones, smartwatches, and similar devices are not permitted during the school day and must be kept in backpacks/lockers during the entirety of the school day. Electronic devices of this nature are not permitted during instructional periods unless specifically stated in a student’s 504 or Individualized Education Plan. Please refer to the Board-approved handbooks for further information.

What is the process for dropping off and/or picking up my child at school? Please refer to The Circle diagram below: