WILDCAT NEWS

We can all agree that “teen years” are challenging ones– for pretty much everyone involved: parents, siblings, teachers, and the teens themselves. Somehow, however, the challenges our teenage students have had to navigate over the past couple of years have been what they might call “ a little extra”. This year has continued to test the malleability of the teenage mind and body. Prior to Winter Break, students, staff, and parents came together to problem-solve around vandalism and students’ aggression toward one another. We were so grateful when, through communication with families and direct mentoring, those issues were reduced to a simmer. As we moved into a new trimester, Omicron came along. It has caused bouts of absences, a couple of days with skeletal teaching staff, and it’s reminded us of how important it is to keep our Google Classrooms up-to-date!

Regardless, teachers and staff have worked through their planning periods to assist their colleagues, created lessons that can be accessed in-person, as well as remotely, and very intentionally approached each school day with big smiles and a lot of energy. Through the feedback, we’ve received from students’ Advisory lessons and surveys, we have confirmed what we already believed to be true: Oak Harbor’s student body is made up of a broad spectrum of personalities, but the most prominent traits among them are caring and compassion. Our staff recognizes that students thrive when they feel supported by the adults in their school, and we strive to be the invested, caring educators and school staff they deserve.

While we continue to work through this time where the future feels a little less certain to some than it once did, the staff at OHHS continue to believe in the promise our students represent. The conversations we have with them each day remind us that each moment we spend in the school building is worthwhile because we are (in partnership with families and other community members) shaping tomorrow’s citizens and leaders. Our students inspire us, and we hope to do the same for them.

Go Cats,
Nate Salisbury
Principal

If you/your student is out of school– due to COVID (close contact or COVID-positive) or any other issue, please be aware: It is imperative that students check in to their Google Classrooms for all of their classes as soon as possible to stay up on their missing classwork. Our staff has been working hard to keep their Google Classrooms up-to-date for students who are unable to attend school.

Some students have come back to school claiming they thought there was some exemption from missing coursework due to COVID. There is no such waiver. When a student misses school, all work must be made up. This work serves as evidence of students’ progress toward understanding essential concepts and standards and allows teachers to determine how to progress.

If you have questions regarding missed work/missing work policies, please feel free to call our Front Office.

February 8 | ASVAB Testing

February 11 | NO SCHOOL | Parent/Teacher Conferences

February 17-19 | Dracula, an OHHS Drama Club Production

February 21 | NO SCHOOL | President's Day

February 24-26 | Dracula, an OHHS Drama Club Production

We are fortunate to have a diversity of cultures represented at Oak Harbor High School. On March 25, we will hold a Multicultural Assembly to recognize and share some aspects of our different cultures. Can you dance an Irish step dance? What about singing an aria? Students are welcome to play instruments, dance, sing, or otherwise demonstrate their multicultural skills. Audience participation is welcome and encouraged!
Plan now for auditions during the week of February 14 - 18.
Contact Mr. Olsen or Ms. Grunewald with questions.

The OHPS 2022 Bond is unlike any measure previously voted on by the Oak Harbor community. With 43% of the project supported by the Department of Defense and State Match, this replacement Bond will build four new schools and a transportation center.

The previous bond from 2006, which built Oak Harbor High School, will be paid off this year. If this current bond passes, the collection won't begin until 2023, making this, not a new tax! Please watch this video or go to www.ohsd.net for more information to learn more about this opportunity! Remember to get your ballot submitted by Tuesday, Feb. 8!

Congratulations to our Oak Harbor High School 11th & 12th Grade Dean, Scott Thomas, for being nominated for Administrator of the Month.
Thank you for all your hard work & dedication to our school, students & community.

Shout out to our OHHS, Noah Allen & Chloe McNichols, for being featured in the Whidbey News-Times. Noah performed the Heimlich Maneuver on Chloe, November 22, when he saw her choking on her lunch. Check out the article Here.

January 11, OHHS had a Martin Luther King assembly with guest speaker, Christian Paige. Christian is a Washington native from Tacoma and uses his voice to inspire and encourage youth to see themselves as visionaries and leaders of today and the future.
Christian is a poet, speaker, and educator.
Thank you, Christian, for all that you do for our youth and our community. It was a pleasure to have you speak with our students.

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, OHHS Leadership hosted A Week of Service. January 24 - 28, we had a clothing drive with donations of gently worn clothes to support the Garage of Blessings, and a penny drive with donations of loose change or cash to support flood relief efforts in Nooksack School District in Whatcom County.
What a great way to give back to the community and those in need.
Way to go, Wildcats!

Attention students who want to get better grades, learn more, and boost their self-confidence: NHS Tutors will be offering free, amazing help, Tuesdays in A170 and Wednesdays/Thursdays in A182. This is open to all students, but you need to arrange your own transportation as there is no activity bus. See attached flyer for more information.

The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) will be on February 8. It is a multiple-choice test, administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command, used to determine qualification for enlistment in the United States Armed Forces. The test is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. You can take a practice test HERE.

Sign up HERE or sign up using the google form in your Xello Dashboard Resources.

Congratulations to our Cheerleading Team as they go to Nationals in Dallas.
Way to go Wildcats!

NJROTC Sporter Shooters went to Reno to compete in Area 13 Shoulder-to-Shoulder match with six other schools. Shout out to our coaches, Ian Gehrmann and Mia Gehrmann!
Sporter Shooters:
Jaedine Cabigting, Junior & Team Commander
Jermaine Denmon, Junior
Raegan Cantrell, Sophomore
Riley Pease, Freshman
Victoria Zarate, Freshman

Congratulations to our OHHS NNJROTC Precision team. They are traveling to Anniston, Alabama in February to shoot at the NJROTC Nationals!
Back row left to right:
Jameson O'Hara, Alexis Kunze, Theron Hull-Walton
Front row left to right:
Brianna Richard, Victoria Zarate, Audrey Hart
Coaches:
Ian Gehrmann & Mia Gehrmann

Female Athlete, Heidy Hurtado, Girls Basketball Junior Guard.
Male Athlete, Brock Boyer, Boys Basketball Junior Guard.
Congratulations, Wildcats!

Website | https://www.ohsd.net/Domain/8
Email | ohhsinfo@ohsd.net
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/oakharborhighwa
Phone | 360.279.5800
Fax | 360.279.5794