A Message from Mr. McMurray... We are nearing the midterm of the third quarter. Powerschool and Google Classroom offer both students and parents the most up to date information regarding progress. As always, our faculty and staff are available to speak more in depth via email or phone.
We are looking forward to Sixth Grade Parent Night on February 23 at 6:00pm kicks off the transition and orientation process for incoming seventh graders. We look forward to meeting our newest parents and junior high school students. If you haven’t already, get your tickets for Newsies. As always, the show will be amazingly entertaining and fun for all. See below for ticket information. |
A Message from Mr. McMurray... We are nearing the midterm of the third quarter. Powerschool and Google Classroom offer both students and parents the most up to date information regarding progress. As always, our faculty and staff are available to speak more in depth via email or phone.
We are looking forward to Sixth Grade Parent Night on February 23 at 6:00pm kicks off the transition and orientation process for incoming seventh graders. We look forward to meeting our newest parents and junior high school students. If you haven’t already, get your tickets for Newsies. As always, the show will be amazingly entertaining and fun for all. See below for ticket information. |
 | 1. Tickets on sale now for Disney's "Newsies Jr." Extra, extra, read all about it! Congratulations to all 4th-8th grade students cast in Acting Out!'s production of Disney's "Newsies Jr.," coming to the Ottawa Hills Theatre stage in February. Show dates are: - February 6 at 7 p.m.
- February 7 at 2 and 7 p.m.
- February 8 at 2 p.m.
"Newsies Jr." is a high-energy musical inspired by the real-life Newsboys Strike of 1899. When newspaper publishers raise prices at the newsboys' expense, a spirited group of young newsies band together to stand up for what's right. Led by the determined Jack Kelly, the kids discover the power of friendship, courage and using their voices to make a difference. Filled with upbeat songs, lively dance numbers and an inspiring message, "Newsies Jr." is a fun, uplifting show for audiences of all ages. Rated G. https://www.ohschools.org/tickets Parking: Friday is going to be a busy night at Ottawa Hills Jr./Sr. High School. In addition to boys basketball, the junior high musical Newsies is also going on. To accommodate everyone, we are requesting that all of our student-athletes please park in the main lot between the Fitness Center and stadium to help leave spaces available on the street for our guests. |
 | 2. No School Monday, February 16 Presidents' Day Enjoy the long weekend! |
 | 3. Sixth Grade Parent Night Monday, February 23
6:00pm Foundry
Please save the date to attend the first of many events planned to ensure a smooth transition from elementary school to junior high. The Sixth Grade Parent Night will be an in person event for parents/guardians. |
 | 4. ACT-Grade 11Tuesday, February 24
All juniors are taking the ACT the morning of Tuesday, February 24. This is a state-funded opportunity for our students to take the test and have their scores sent to the colleges or universities of their choice. Attendance on that day is very important and students should anticipate a long morning with a delayed lunch hour. Good luck to our juniors! |
5. Scheduling 2026-2027 During the month of February, students will begin scheduling for the 2026-2027 school year. Counselors will be in classrooms and meeting one-on-one with students throughout the next few months. Students entering grades seven, eight, and nine will meet with Mrs. Tolliver. Students entering grades ten, eleven, and twelve will meet with Mrs. Burnworth.
Students and parents are encouraged to discuss their course requests and teacher recommendations. If students and parents have questions, please inquire the respective school counselors after March 1. We look forward to meeting our students' scheduling needs. |
5. Scheduling 2026-2027 During the month of February, students will begin scheduling for the 2026-2027 school year. Counselors will be in classrooms and meeting one-on-one with students throughout the next few months. Students entering grades seven, eight, and nine will meet with Mrs. Tolliver. Students entering grades ten, eleven, and twelve will meet with Mrs. Burnworth.
Students and parents are encouraged to discuss their course requests and teacher recommendations. If students and parents have questions, please inquire the respective school counselors after March 1. We look forward to meeting our students' scheduling needs. |
Send the Choraliers to serenade a special someone this Valentine's season! You may select songs from our setlist once you are booked. Email choraliers@ohschools.org to reserve your spot. $100-2 Song Personal Concert $150-4 Song Personal Concert |
Send the Choraliers to serenade a special someone this Valentine's season! You may select songs from our setlist once you are booked. Email choraliers@ohschools.org to reserve your spot. $100-2 Song Personal Concert $150-4 Song Personal Concert |
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A Magical Evening at the Snowball Dance More than 150 students enjoyed an exciting and memorable evening on Saturday at the annual Snowball dance. DJ Chad from Wildside Entertainment kept the energy high as the emcee, providing a fun mix of music to get everyone on the dance floor. A highlight of the evening came when Joe Davis was crowned Snowball King, marking a special moment of the festivities. This wonderful event would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of many individuals. A heartfelt thank you goes to Student Council co-advisor Nikki Tolliver and the members of the dance committee, including Mary Lathrop, Ashleigh Speakman, Trace Douglas, Yasmin Ayad, Maya Choksey, Stella Kuhn, Sharon Lim, and Dhalia Hajjar for their creativity and efforts in planning the event. Special recognition also goes to OHPD officers Sarah Motter and Jade Nelson, whose presence helped ensure a safe and enjoyable evening, as well as to faculty chaperones Nikki Tolliver, Gloria Kreischer-Gajewicz, Chris Gajewicz, Mandy Ricketts, Troy Brown, and Ben McMurray, for their invaluable support throughout the night. Special shout-out to custodian John Adamski for all of his help Saturday evening. Thank you all for making this year’s Snowball dance a truly unforgettable experience! |
A Magical Evening at the Snowball Dance More than 150 students enjoyed an exciting and memorable evening on Saturday at the annual Snowball dance. DJ Chad from Wildside Entertainment kept the energy high as the emcee, providing a fun mix of music to get everyone on the dance floor. A highlight of the evening came when Joe Davis was crowned Snowball King, marking a special moment of the festivities. This wonderful event would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of many individuals. A heartfelt thank you goes to Student Council co-advisor Nikki Tolliver and the members of the dance committee, including Mary Lathrop, Ashleigh Speakman, Trace Douglas, Yasmin Ayad, Maya Choksey, Stella Kuhn, Sharon Lim, and Dhalia Hajjar for their creativity and efforts in planning the event. Special recognition also goes to OHPD officers Sarah Motter and Jade Nelson, whose presence helped ensure a safe and enjoyable evening, as well as to faculty chaperones Nikki Tolliver, Gloria Kreischer-Gajewicz, Chris Gajewicz, Mandy Ricketts, Troy Brown, and Ben McMurray, for their invaluable support throughout the night. Special shout-out to custodian John Adamski for all of his help Saturday evening. Thank you all for making this year’s Snowball dance a truly unforgettable experience! |
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Superior Sounds: Ottawa Hills Students Shine at OMEA Solo & Ensemble Last Saturday, 10 Ottawa Hills students superbly represented themselves and their school at the OMEA Solo and Ensemble competition. This OMEA (Ohio Music Education Association) adjudicated event allows student musicians from band, choir, and orchestra programs to perform prepared pieces for professional feedback, promoting individual growth, confidence, and musical proficiency. Congratulations to the following students who dedicated the past several months to perfecting their solos: Maya Charpied, Dahlia Hajjar, Jasmine Hajjar, Molly Mullan, Emily Chen, Naomi Krohn, Sam Kapadia, Evelyn Sandretto, Miles Wharry, and Esah Hasan. Our performers brought home several Superior (I) ratings along with an Excellent (II) rating. A special shout-out goes to junior Jasmine Hajjar, who earned Superior ratings for both her piano and vocal solos! A Heartfelt Thank You to Director Hayley Hoss This success would not have been possible without the tireless dedication of our vocal music director, Hayley Hoss. We extend a huge thank you to Ms. Hoss for her expert leadership and for the countless hours she spent coaching these students to reach their full potential. We also wish to thank student teacher Noah Beasley for his coaching efforts and Mrs. Heidi Clausius for her beautiful piano accompaniment. Congratulations to all on a fantastic weekend of music. Sing on, Green Bears! |
Superior Sounds: Ottawa Hills Students Shine at OMEA Solo & Ensemble Last Saturday, 10 Ottawa Hills students superbly represented themselves and their school at the OMEA Solo and Ensemble competition. This OMEA (Ohio Music Education Association) adjudicated event allows student musicians from band, choir, and orchestra programs to perform prepared pieces for professional feedback, promoting individual growth, confidence, and musical proficiency. Congratulations to the following students who dedicated the past several months to perfecting their solos: Maya Charpied, Dahlia Hajjar, Jasmine Hajjar, Molly Mullan, Emily Chen, Naomi Krohn, Sam Kapadia, Evelyn Sandretto, Miles Wharry, and Esah Hasan. Our performers brought home several Superior (I) ratings along with an Excellent (II) rating. A special shout-out goes to junior Jasmine Hajjar, who earned Superior ratings for both her piano and vocal solos! A Heartfelt Thank You to Director Hayley Hoss This success would not have been possible without the tireless dedication of our vocal music director, Hayley Hoss. We extend a huge thank you to Ms. Hoss for her expert leadership and for the countless hours she spent coaching these students to reach their full potential. We also wish to thank student teacher Noah Beasley for his coaching efforts and Mrs. Heidi Clausius for her beautiful piano accompaniment. Congratulations to all on a fantastic weekend of music. Sing on, Green Bears! |
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A Powerful Message from the Hoeflinger Family Last week, our community experienced a profound moment of reflection and connection as we welcomed Drs. Brian and Cindi Hoeflinger and their son, Kevin. The Hoeflingers visited Ottawa Hills Junior/Senior High School twice this week, speaking to parents on Thursday evening for the Foundry Advisory Board’s Empowering Parents series and addressing our student body on Friday morning for OHbreathe. Thirteen years ago, the Hoeflingers lost their eldest son, Brian, in a tragic accident. On Friday, as they stood before our students to share Brian’s story, the atmosphere in the auditorium was pin-drop quiet. The power of their message didn't come from a place of lecturing, but from a place of genuine compassion. They shared the reality of how one night and one decision can permanently alter the trajectory of many lives. While the story began with tragedy, the Hoeflingers’ mission is rooted care and prevention. Their message was simple: make good decisions and maintain open communication with your parents. They emphasized the importance of pausing to consider the long-term consequences of a single moment and encouraged students to see their parents as allies. They stressed that having the courage to call home when a situation goes wrong is a sign of maturity, not weakness. During the Thursday evening session, the conversation shifted toward the practicalities of parenting through the teenage years. The Hoeflingers provided parents with perspectives on building a safety net of trust, ensuring that children feel safe coming forward with the truth before a crisis occurs. We would like to extend our deepest, most sincere thank you to the Hoeflinger family for their incredible vulnerability and for the gift of sharing their story with our community. Their dedication to keeping our students safe through such a personal mission is truly inspiring. Special thanks to Ohbreathe and the Foundry Advisory Board for inviting the Hoeflingers to speak. For those who wish to learn more about their work, more information can be found at BrianMatters.com. |
A Powerful Message from the Hoeflinger Family Last week, our community experienced a profound moment of reflection and connection as we welcomed Drs. Brian and Cindi Hoeflinger and their son, Kevin. The Hoeflingers visited Ottawa Hills Junior/Senior High School twice this week, speaking to parents on Thursday evening for the Foundry Advisory Board’s Empowering Parents series and addressing our student body on Friday morning for OHbreathe. Thirteen years ago, the Hoeflingers lost their eldest son, Brian, in a tragic accident. On Friday, as they stood before our students to share Brian’s story, the atmosphere in the auditorium was pin-drop quiet. The power of their message didn't come from a place of lecturing, but from a place of genuine compassion. They shared the reality of how one night and one decision can permanently alter the trajectory of many lives. While the story began with tragedy, the Hoeflingers’ mission is rooted care and prevention. Their message was simple: make good decisions and maintain open communication with your parents. They emphasized the importance of pausing to consider the long-term consequences of a single moment and encouraged students to see their parents as allies. They stressed that having the courage to call home when a situation goes wrong is a sign of maturity, not weakness. During the Thursday evening session, the conversation shifted toward the practicalities of parenting through the teenage years. The Hoeflingers provided parents with perspectives on building a safety net of trust, ensuring that children feel safe coming forward with the truth before a crisis occurs. We would like to extend our deepest, most sincere thank you to the Hoeflinger family for their incredible vulnerability and for the gift of sharing their story with our community. Their dedication to keeping our students safe through such a personal mission is truly inspiring. Special thanks to Ohbreathe and the Foundry Advisory Board for inviting the Hoeflingers to speak. For those who wish to learn more about their work, more information can be found at BrianMatters.com. |
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Strong Performance for Speech and Debate at Napoleon Invitational The Ottawa Hills Speech and Debate team competed at the Napoleon Invitational, bringing home several top honors as they prepare for the upcoming State tournament. In Original Oratory, Bismann Singh earned first place, while the Extemp Debate category saw strong results across the board. Anna Yang took first place, followed by Aurelia Cavalieri-Heller in second, Manal Zaidi in fourth, and Izzah Ali in fifth. With this win, Anna successfully maintained an undefeated record for the entire season. These achievements reflect the students' hard work and the steady guidance of Coach Willow Keller. The team also expressed appreciation for the Ottawa Hills Schools Parent Association, whose support provides the necessary resources for the program. Congratulations to the whole team and best of luck at States! |
Strong Performance for Speech and Debate at Napoleon Invitational The Ottawa Hills Speech and Debate team competed at the Napoleon Invitational, bringing home several top honors as they prepare for the upcoming State tournament. In Original Oratory, Bismann Singh earned first place, while the Extemp Debate category saw strong results across the board. Anna Yang took first place, followed by Aurelia Cavalieri-Heller in second, Manal Zaidi in fourth, and Izzah Ali in fifth. With this win, Anna successfully maintained an undefeated record for the entire season. These achievements reflect the students' hard work and the steady guidance of Coach Willow Keller. The team also expressed appreciation for the Ottawa Hills Schools Parent Association, whose support provides the necessary resources for the program. Congratulations to the whole team and best of luck at States! |
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Winter Sports Assembly Brings Fun, Spirit, and Friendly Competition Special thanks to Student Council co-advisor Nikki Tolliver and the entire Student Council for organizing the annual Winter Sports Assembly and the much-anticipated student/faculty basketball game. The event featured the introduction of the Snowball Court to the student body, which included Joe Davis, Jayden Dubois, Finn Genzman, Rohan Padhye, and Kaed Egan. In an exciting turn of events, the faculty team defeated the Snowball Court during the basketball game, adding to the fun and festive spirit of the assembly. A big shoutout to Student Council, emcee trace Douglas, and advisor Nikki Tolliver for putting together such a lively and memorable event. Special recognition goes to the faculty members who participated in the game and to Greg Neuendorf and Stacy Richards for serving as referees. Great job, Green Bears! It was an incredible way to celebrate winter sports and school spirit! |
Winter Sports Assembly Brings Fun, Spirit, and Friendly Competition Special thanks to Student Council co-advisor Nikki Tolliver and the entire Student Council for organizing the annual Winter Sports Assembly and the much-anticipated student/faculty basketball game. The event featured the introduction of the Snowball Court to the student body, which included Joe Davis, Jayden Dubois, Finn Genzman, Rohan Padhye, and Kaed Egan. In an exciting turn of events, the faculty team defeated the Snowball Court during the basketball game, adding to the fun and festive spirit of the assembly. A big shoutout to Student Council, emcee trace Douglas, and advisor Nikki Tolliver for putting together such a lively and memorable event. Special recognition goes to the faculty members who participated in the game and to Greg Neuendorf and Stacy Richards for serving as referees. Great job, Green Bears! It was an incredible way to celebrate winter sports and school spirit! |
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Senior Night for Swimming
At the St. Francis Invitational held in late January, coach Emma Sampson had the honor of recognizing our senior swimmers and their parents. This year's seniors include Audrey Nixon, Jasper Alred, Rafaela Marson, and Emily Timmerman. Thank you all for your dedication and leadership over the past four years. Our program is stronger because of you! Wishing you the best as you wrap up your final moments this season. Congratulations!
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Senior Night for Swimming
At the St. Francis Invitational held in late January, coach Emma Sampson had the honor of recognizing our senior swimmers and their parents. This year's seniors include Audrey Nixon, Jasper Alred, Rafaela Marson, and Emily Timmerman. Thank you all for your dedication and leadership over the past four years. Our program is stronger because of you! Wishing you the best as you wrap up your final moments this season. Congratulations!
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Save the Date Wednesday, February 4: OHBBO Meeting February 6-8: Newsies Tuesday, February 10: OHMTA Meeting Wednesday, February 11: State of the District Friday, February 13: Choraliers' Singing Valentines Monday, February 16: No School February 19-21: AFS Diversity Weekend Monday, February 23: Sixth Grade Parent Meeting Tuesday, February 24: ACT Test-grade 11 only Wednesday, February 25: OHPD E-Bike Presentation |
Save the Date Wednesday, February 4: OHBBO Meeting February 6-8: Newsies Tuesday, February 10: OHMTA Meeting Wednesday, February 11: State of the District Friday, February 13: Choraliers' Singing Valentines Monday, February 16: No School February 19-21: AFS Diversity Weekend Monday, February 23: Sixth Grade Parent Meeting Tuesday, February 24: ACT Test-grade 11 only Wednesday, February 25: OHPD E-Bike Presentation |
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