Andy’s Message

Dear Green Bear Families:

I am excited to begin my first year as principal at Ottawa Hills Elementary School. My wife and I had lived in the Toledo area for many years and were fortunate to build close relationships with many families in the Ottawa Hills community. Through those connections, we witnessed firsthand the outstanding families that make up this school district. The level of expectation and support poured into each child is clearly evident and has fostered a long tradition of academic excellence.

Looking at my career, this will be my 6th year as a building principal. I previously served one year at Holland Elementary in Springfield Local Schools, followed by 4 years at Holland Intermediate School. One of my most important positions towards my development was being a Social Emotional Learning coach for two years in Springfield Local Schools. That position solidified my focus on developing students as a whole child. I believe that developing a child’s emotional intelligence is equally important as developing their intellectual intelligence.

Prior to my time in Springfield, I taught second and fourth grade in Perrysburg Local Schools. This will always be a memorable experience, especially because I was able to have my children attend school with me at Frank Elementary.

As a leader, my responsibility is to create a positive and nurturing environment for both children and staff. When I refer to staff, I am also referring to secretaries, custodians, monitors, paraprofessionals, and volunteers. Students are most successful when positive and productive relationships are formed with the aforementioned staff members.

Building relationships with families is an equally important task, and I try to make myself available and visible. Families and students can expect to see me first thing in the morning for arrival and at the end of the day for dismissal. I expect my teachers to meet their students at their doors and begin each day with positive interactions. Students can expect to see me in the classrooms, hallways, lunchrooms, playground, and many after-school activities.

I look forward to my first year as a Green Bear! Please know I welcome your feedback and encourage your participation in our school. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at 419-536-8329 or aevans@ohschools.org. I look forward to a safe and successful school year.

Sincerely,

Andy Evans

Principal

Ottawa Hills Elementary School

Lunch Changes for 2026-2027

Next school year, we will be adjusting our lunch and recess schedule to allow for additional instructional time for our Wit & Wisdom ELA curriculum.

Students in Grades 1, 2, and 3 will have lunch and recess together, while students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 will share a separate lunch and recess period. Kindergarten will continue to follow its own lunch and recess schedule.

This updated schedule will provide students with more uninterrupted instructional time while still ensuring they have appropriate time for lunch and recess throughout the day.

Here is the New Lunch Schedule:

GRADES	RECESS	LUNCH
1st, 2nd & 3rd	11:05-11:30	11:30-11:55
4th, 5th & 6th	11:30-11:55	11:05-11:30
K	12:20 - 12:45	11:55 - 12:20

Getting ready: Frequently Asked Questions

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

Starting on Aug. 6, you will be able to log in to your child’s PowerSchool account to obtain your child’s homeroom assignment.

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. 17.

Please check the supply lists to confirm if you are to bring supplies on Open House or the first day of school. The supply lists can be found at www.ohschools.org under the PARENTS (MYOH) tab.
We will NOT be collecting fees during Open House
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. 19, 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. 19, Thursday, Aug. 20, OR Friday, Aug. 21. The first full day of school for ALL kindergartners will be Monday, Aug. 24. We look forward to seeing our 1st-6th grade Green Bears on Aug. 19, and we are excited to welcome our kindergarteners on the staggered start days below:

Last names A-E: Wednesday, Aug. 19

Last names F-M: Thursday, Aug. 20

Last names N-Z: Friday, Aug. 21

*All Kindergarten students will be in session together starting Monday, Aug 24th.

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.

Include:

- Student's FULL NAME
- REASON FOR ABSENCE
- DATE AND TIME LEAVING

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 about 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. 10-14 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. 19.
For questions about medication and/or other health-related matters, please email our School Nurse, Allison Burnett, at aburnett@ohschools.org

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

School fees vary by grade level and activities. You can find fees online by visiting www.ohschools.org. To see the fee schedule, click on PARENTS (MYOH) and click on the Academic Fees tab. To pay your fees, click on PARENTS (MYOH), then Online Payments, OR drop off a check made out to OHLS to the Elementary School Office.

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. 19. 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 visithttps://ohes.ohschools.org/calendars.

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

If your child leaves something at home (lunchbox, backpack, school supplies, projects, etc.), we have a “Student Drop-off Table” located in our main entry vestibule. 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 promptly.

What time is school in session?

DAILY SCHEDULE
8:00 a.m.	Doors open
8:10 a.m.	Classes begin
2:45 p.m.	*Kindergarteners & Loading Den Students Dismissed
2:50 p.m.	All Walkers (Grades 1-6) Dismissed

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.

Hot lunch services to grades K-6 will start on Tuesday, September 8th. Students should plan on packing their lunch until this day. Online ordering will open mid-August for the entire first semester!

September lunch orders are due August 24th before midnight.

To stay up-to-date on OHSPA meetings, events, and the hot lunch program, please visithttps://ohspa.membershiptoolkit.com

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 handbook 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:

P.A.W.S. to The Bear Path