Owatonna Public Schools
Get Involved with Owatonna's Vibrant Community Education Programs
by Deb McDermott-Johnson, Director of Community Education
The Owatonna community has a long-standing commitment to education and holds its investment in the public school system in high regard. This investment holds value for every single resident. Owatonna applied its entrepreneurial spirit to creating community-based, life-long learning for adults as early as the 1930’s. As our community’s economic base began to shift from agriculture to a manufacturing powerhouse, the city population began to grow and conversations about needing skilled workers began…and interestingly enough, that same conversation continues today! Adult classes were provided by Owatonna Public Schools to meet the need with vocational and technical training, as well as business office skills as women began to enter the workforce in significant numbers. It strikes me as nothing short of amazing that Owatonna Public Schools continues today to anchor education and training to meet the current workforce needs, as well as position our community for growth and vitality.
Mission Moment
After increased incidents with TikTok-based vandalisms, three OMS students (Braylon Robbins, Landen Sturges, Logan Piotrowski) decided to make an app for classroom tablets to help track time out of a classroom.
The app tracks the student’s name, classroom, destination or reason for leaving the classroom, time checked out and time checked back in. This is stored in a google sheet formatted to document how much time students spend outside of the classroom.
Mr. Robbins, the students’ advisor, said, “My favorite part was watching the students work through their failures or having to rework their ‘working’ app to fill a need requested by the admin. Not only did the students write a program that fills a need in our school, but they learned how to work together to solve problems.”
And Principal Julie Sullivan stated that “the app these boys created is already making a difference for us at OMS. We have no doubt that as we set it up throughout the building, it will continue to help us keep students in the classroom for instruction! These boys met with administration a number of times to work out kinks and listen to what we were hoping to get from the app. They made it all happen! What a great experience for these students while helping make a difference in their school. Can't wait to see what these boys accomplish in their lives - the sky is the limit for them!”
Class AA Triple 'A' Award Winner
Congratulations to Owatonna High School Senior Connor Ginskey who was selected as the Minnesota State High School League Class AA Triple 'A' Award winner! Triple 'A' - Academics, Arts, and Athletics - Award nominees must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and participate in at least one League-sponsored athletic program and one arts/activity program.
Wellness Policy Feedback Requested
Owatonna Public Schools is in the process of conducting an annual review of the District’s Wellness Policy. The policy addresses school meal programs, nutrition education, physical activity, and foods available during the school day. Studies show a direct connection between a child’s health status and academic achievement. By continuing to improve our health environment and practices, we will be improving our students’ health and achievement.
If you have an interest in student health, we invite you to participate in the process by providing feedback and/or recommendations for updates to the existing policy. To review the current policy, click here. To submit feedback, click here. Any ideas or suggestions received will be considered by the ISD761 Student Wellness Committee.
Thank you for your interest and commitment to the health of our students!
Severe Weather Week
Each year, the state of Minnesota conducts Severe Weather Awareness Week in partnership with the National Weather Service. The week is designed to refresh, remind and educate everyone about the seasonal threats from severe weather and how to avoid them.
In Minnesota, the 2022 statewide tornado drills are scheduled for Thursday, April 7. Outdoor warning sirens will sound in a simulated tornado warning at 1:45 pm.
Due to testing and screening, not all buildings will have their drills at that time. Here is the tornado drill schedule:
April 7: Lincoln, McKinley, Washington and Wilson Elementary Schools, Owatonna High School, Alternative Learning Center
April 11: Owatonna Middle School (tentative)
Classes at the Owatonna Education Center and Roosevelt Community School will have individual drills during the next week.
State Tournaments
Congratulations to all of our students who qualified to participate in state tournaments for their winter athletics and activities!
And special thanks to all of the fellow students, families, and community members who supported them throughout their seasons!
Youth Skills Training
Owatonna High School students will now have the opportunity to get hands-on, paid experience with the introduction of a new program through Career Pathways, thanks to a grant received through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for the Youth Skills Training Program (YST). This program allows students to gain real-life work experience in an industry of interest to them.
Climate by Design International (CDI) is the first Owatonna business to have student workers as part of YST.
New High School Progress
April Dates
- April 10 - OMS Orchestra and Jazz Band concert, Owatonna Arts Center
- April 15 - No school, district closed
- April 21-24 - "The Farnsworth Invention," OHS spring play
- April 22 - OMS Activity Night
- April 26 - McKinley Elementary Concert
- April 28 - Washington Elementary Concert
- April 30 - OHS Prom
- View sports schedules
April School Board Meetings
Work Session: Monday, April 11 at 5:30 pm
Regular Meeting: Monday, April 25 at 5:30 pm
Location: Owatonna High School, Small Group Forum, 333 East School Street (Door #16)
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