Swimming takes the plunge as a varsity sport
After eight years as a club sport, swimming is now a varsity sport at Ottawa Hills Junior/Senior High School. The Board of Education on Tuesday (Feb. 18) voted unanimously to add swimming based upon recommendations from a committee that analyzed the sport's growing appeal and potential costs. While the sport is being added for boys and girls in grades 9-12 (giving each 10 varsity sports), athletes will compete on a co-ed team under one coach.
The district's expense is expected to be about $6,000 annually, which covers the cost of a shared coach and pool access. Students and their families have paid participation fees and other associated costs to keep the club going. Read more
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The community and students cast votes Thursday (Feb. 20) on concepts developed so far for the proposed "Learning Commons" at the Junior/Senior High School. Everyone had a chance to cast ballots via stickers to indicate which design and environment options they liked best.
View more images on Facebook
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District seeks to fill 2 teaching positions
Ottawa Hills Local Schools has two full-time teaching positions open at the Junior/Senior High School. Both start Aug. 14 at the beginning of the 2020-2021 academic year. The positions are:
- Vocal music teacher (grades 7-12): Experience in teaching junior concert choir and Honors high school concert choir is helpful. There is a potential opportunity for supplemental duties in leading two vocal groups: the junior Chorale and the high school Choraliers.
- English/language arts teacher (grades 7-12): This is a new position; ideal candidates will hold a current Professional Teaching License issued by the State of Ohio in Adolescent to Young Adult (7-12) Education in English.
To view and/or apply for these and other positions within the district, visit ohschools.org/careers. Direct questions regarding the application process to Karen Mayfield, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, at kmayfield@ohschools.org or 419-536-6371.
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District receives state auditing award
Ottawa Hills Local Schools received a prestigious award Tuesday (Feb. 18) for how well it kept financial records and tracked taxpayer money for the fiscal year ended 2019. "The Auditor of State Award" is given to less than 8 percent of the approximate 5,900 entities across Ohio that spend taxpayer money. Read more
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Elementary Art Fair salutes Seurat
The Ottawa Hills Elementary Art Fair is next week (Feb. 24-28). Georges Seurat (SUR-ah), the French artist who invented Pointillism, is this year's theme: "Sunny-Side Up with Seurat!" K-6 students will be introduced to his life and art in coming weeks.
This year's show will be the debut of the new Art Fair banner (pictured above), funded by the Ottawa Hills Schools Parent Association. It was designed by artist/villager Anne Urfer using student art! The banner will be displayed at the new gym entrance to welcome families to the Art Fair.
Also new this year: All first-place winners as picked by judges will receive a $20 gift card to The Art Supply Depo. Owner and Village resident Jules Webster has been an OHES art juror for several years and has kindly donated the cards: "I thought it might be a fun way to encourage kids to continue down their artistic path." Read more
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Q: What arrives Feb. 26? A: The ACT exam
All juniors will take the ACT Wednesday morning (Feb. 26). This is a state-funded opportunity for students to take the test and have scores sent to colleges or universities of their choice. Attendance is very important; students should anticipate a long morning with a delayed lunch hour. Students should bring a lunch to eat in the Multipurpose Room after testing.
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(From left): Race Kowalczyk, Sophia Heidenreich, and Deepta Paramasamy
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Meet February's Students of the Month
Congratulations to our amazing Students of the Month: Race Kowalczyk (7), Sophia Heidenreich (10), and Deepta Paramasamy (12). The students were recognized Tuesday (Feb.18) at the Board of Education meeting. Every month during the school year, a faculty and staff committee at the Junior/Senior High School chooses at least three students for excelling in one or all of the following areas: citizenship, community service, extracurricular, leadership, and/or scholarship.
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Pep Band: A hoopster's good luck charm
Since 2007, the Green Bears' basketball teams (boys and girls) are a combined 98-22 (82 percent winning percentage) when the Pep Band performs. "Fans of both sides have commented on the fine job our young musicians do and the energy we bring to the games," said Michael Leeds, instrumental music director. Read more about the Pep Band and its playlist
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And the Oscar goes to ... everyone!
The Annual Elementary School Variety Show with its Oscar-themed decor featured 43 acts, from singers and magicians to dancers and gymnasts. The 90-minute show on Friday (Feb. 21) has become highly competitive as students in grades 1-6 audition to make the final cut. Thanks to Gráinne Kulka, 4th-grade teacher, for leading this year's efforts; Michael Leeds, instrumental music director, for serving as deejay; and Brooks Spiess, associate director of technology, for keeping the mic and associated tech systems in perfect working order. See more photos on Facebook | View 'The Entertainer" performance by 3rd-grader Seth Jun
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40 items up for grabs at 'Lucky You' auction
Forty items are up for bid at the upcoming "Lucky You, It's a No-Show Auction." Many of the "experience" items available during the March 6-17 event are familiar to OH families, since they appeared at past Green Bear Ball events. Those auction items include coveted parking spots, VIP seating at signature district events, and VIP packages to district events. But this year’s event (a fundraiser for the OH Boosters Association) also features new items, including:
- Being a Jr. Grand Marshal at the 2020 Homecoming Parade.
- A one-hour personal fitness session for a student and two of his/her friends with Michael Yuschak at The Kadens Family Fitness Center.
- A deadline-extension pass for those who miss the Elementary School hot-lunch ordering deadline.
- A fast-pass to all rides at the 2020 Fall Festival and Marketplace.
See the full list of auction items | Register your mobile phone today
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Tickets on sale for Community Wait Night
Gather your friends and come out April 18 for a fun evening of games that supports Ottawa Hills Local Schools. The Ottawa Hills Schools Parent Association and Ottawa Hills Music & Theatre Association are co-presenting "Community Wait Night." The Saturday event starts at 6 p.m. at the Inverness Club. Tickets are $75 each; you can choose your waiter or have one chosen for you. Purchase your tickets
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Students attend opera performance
Students in the 4th, 5th and 6th grade took a field trip Thursday (Feb. 20) to hear the Toledo Symphony perform as part of its "Young People's Concerts" program. The symphony performed the children's opera "Brundibár" in partnership with the Toledo School for the Arts. The event took place at the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle Theater.
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Upcoming district and building events:
- Monday, Feb. 24-Friday, Feb. 28
- Art Fair Week at the Elementary School
- Wednesday, Feb. 26
- Art Fair Breakfast for students whose last names end in A-K, 7:30 a.m. Elementary School new gym
- Elementary School: End of second trimester
- ACT test for juniors, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Junior/Senior High School
- Thursday, Feb. 27
- Art Fair Breakfast for students whose last names end in L-Z, 7:30 a.m. Elementary School new gym
- Parent-teacher conferences, noon-8 p.m. Junior/Senior High School
- Monday, March 2
- This is OH meeting, 6-7:30 p.m. Junior/Senior High School library
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Upcoming Green Bear sporting events
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Mission
In partnership with our community, Ottawa Hills Local Schools will challenge and inspire each student to realize his or her unique potential; to embrace learning as a lifelong process; and to become an active, responsible citizen.
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