Weekly District News March 29, 2024

Continued thanks to the Ottawa Hills community

The district would like express again our continued thanks to the Ottawa Hills community for approving the operating levy on the March 19 ballot. The levy will generate $2.3 million in funding, beginning in January 2025. This allows the district to plan for the 2024-2025 school year without making significant staffing changes that would have directly impacted the in-classroom experience for students. The district is committed to a mindset shift to continue to reduce expenses and seek alternative funding sources. Read the letter from Superintendent, Dr. Fineske, thanking the community here

Congratulations Students and Athlete of the Month

This week the Board of Education recognized the junior/senior high students and athlete of the month. Students of the month are chosen by a committee of faculty and staff at the JHHS for excelling in citizenship, community service, extracurricular, leadership, scholarship, sportsmanship, and/or commitment.

Congratulations to the March Students of the Month: Shivani Pindiprolu (grade 8); Chris Culler (grade 9); Nikhila Navaneeth (grade 11); and Griffin Best (grade 12).

The March Athlete of the Month is Chance Coy (grade 12), selected because of his sportsmanship, commitment, and/or leadership.

State Performance Audit Review

At the Board of Education meeting this week, the Board was presented with a review of the recently released State Performance Audit. See the presentation recording here and the slides here. The Board was also presented with the February financial report you can view here, or read the report in full here.

Chicago tickets on sale NOW!

Tickets are on sale now for the spring musical, Chicago. You can read the synopsis and view the cast list on the Ottawa Hills Music and Theatre website here. Please note this show is rated PG13. Show-times are:

Friday, April 12 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 13 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 14 at 2 p.m.

Purchase CHICAGO Tickets Here

Reminder on spring state testing

The district will soon be administering state-required tests to grades 3 - 11. These tests provide
teachers and the district valuable data that is used to inform our curriculum and instruction. At the high
school level, the tests also afford students the opportunity to meet graduation requirements.

Student attendance is very important during this testing period. See the spring state testing schedule here

A bridge to the past

Mrs. Sanderson's STREAM (science, technology, reading engineering, arts, and math) classes incorporated hands-on fun during Women's History Month. Students learned about Emily Warren Roebling, an engineer known for her contributions toward the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge, and were challenged to create a bridge of their own.

April 8 1 p.m. early release for solar eclipse
The Board of Education has added an early release for all students on Monday, April 8 at 1 p.m. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources states, "A total solar eclipse is a rare and spectacular event. The last total solar eclipse visible in Ohio was in 1806, and the next will occur in 2099." Tips for viewing the event safely can be found here.

The Little Green Bear Ball is back

The Ottawa Hills Schools Parents Association (OHSPA) invites elementary school families to the Little Green Bear Ball on Friday, April 12 from 7-9 p.m. in the OHES new gym. Tickets can be purchased here. See the impact that OHSPA fundraisers, like this Little Green Bear Ball, have made for our teachers and students in recent years here. Thank you OHSPA for your continued support!

Acting Out! spring and summer registration now open

Imagination, discipline, teamwork, truthfulness, and trust will continue to drive the Acting Out! program. Leadership development will be a focus as well as public speaking. Interested students in grades 3-8 can bring the registration form, one per student, to the first day of session. More information on the OHMTA here

Add your name to the potential host family list

AFS-USA honors the legacy of WWI and WWII American Field Service ambulance drivers who emerged from the wars with a bold mission: to help prevent future conflict through cultural exchange and understanding. If you would be willing to consider hosting an international exchange student, such as Nicolas from Chile who is currently seeking a host family, you can contact Ottawa Hills Schools AFS coordinator, Linda Sherry.

More news and resources:

2024-2025 School Calendar
Spring State Testing Schedules
Read the latest district publication Around These Hills Winter/Spring 2024
OHES grade card communication from Dr. Bauer
The Blade: 2024 TAAC baseball preview: Ottawa Hills primed to climb back to the top
Past Weekly District Newsletters (district news)
Past Jr./Sr. High News (weekly junior/senior high news)
Past Starting 5 (monthly junior/senior high news)
Past Green Bear Bulletins (weekly elementary school news)

Upcoming events:

For the latest event details, visit the district events calendar or the athletic calendar

April 2: DC trip parent meeting for incoming 8th graders 7 p.m. The Foundry
April 3: AGORA parent meeting 6 p.m. JHHS gym
April 8: Solar Eclipse Early release at 1 p.m.
April 8: This is OH meeting 6 p.m.
April 9: OH Booster meeting 6 p.m. in The Foundry
April 12: OHSPA meeting 8:15 a.m. in OHES community room
April 12: Little Green Bear Ball 5 p.m.
April 12-14: OHMTA Spring Musical Chicago
April 17: Board of Education meeting 4:30 p.m. at Village Green
April 17: Kindergarten information night 6 p.m.
April 25: Junior high cookout 3 p.m.
April 25: smART Show 6 p.m. at JHHS
April 30: Brown Bag Chorus Spring Concert 7 p.m. in auditorium
May 1: NHS/NJHS induction ceremony 7 p.m. auditorium

Our mailing address is:

Ottawa Hills Local Schools
4035 W Central Ave
Ottawa Hills, OH 43606-2204

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DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT:

In partnership with our community, Ottawa Hills Local Schools will inspire, challenge, and support each student to realize their unique and full potential; to embrace the joy of learning as a lifelong process; and to become an empathetic, responsible citizen.