Dear OHS Families,

It was a busy end of the week with our 100^th day celebrations leading into the Sweetheart Dance on Saturday. 

Sweetheart Dance Thank You

Our APR was beautifully transformed into a winter landscape on Saturday for the Sweetheart Dance.  It was a fun night of dancing, treats, crafts, games, and a photo booth.  We had many volunteers, including family members and high school volunteers, who handled all the setup, provided treats, worked all the stations, and ran the photo booth.  The organizers, Rebecca Hasiotis, Marcia Lyman, Livia Gillespie, and Eva Elinskas, had it all under control, ensuring a magical evening for our students and their families.  We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the Sweetheart Dance, making it a memorable experience for all.

School Dismissal Manager for Absences

School Dismissal Manager is new for us this year and you have done a wonderful job in transitioning to it for reporting dismissal plans.  It is also possible to report absences in the same system if you prefer that to calling our absentee line.  Feel free to use it that way as well!

Chronic Absenteeism Reminder

On the topic of absences, we will be sending out chronic absenteeism letters this week for students who have missed 10% or more of school days so far this year.  Since we just passed the 100^th day, it will be for students who have missed 11 or more school days.  As of this weekend, we have 9.4% of students at the chronically absent level. Last year we ended the year with 6.6% of students at this level.  We are trying to lower that to 6.0% by the end of this year.  Since we have 182 school days in the year, once a student is absent 19 or more times, they are chronically absent for the year. Here is the Attendance Policy Handbook with more information (page 4 has a nice summary). Thank you for your efforts in making sure our students are here for instruction as consistently as possible.  

Have a great week,

David

Chiefs or 49ers? Root for your favorite team while helping your community at our Souper Bowl canned food drive Thursday, February 8! 

During morning arrival we'll have cars in the lower loop of the parking lot decorated with football gear. (You don't need to make a special trip to OHS - send your kids with their cans on their normal arrival routine and we'll have helpers directing them to the right place!) Place your donated items in the bin of the team you think will win the big game.  We'll tally up the donations and Mr. H will announce the winning team that day! NEW this year is a donation box for anyone "just here for the half time show"!

Donations will benefit the Bridgeport Rescue Mission.  They are appreciative of anything you can give, but mentioned these items are in highest demand:

• Canned fruit 
• Jelly in plastic containers
• Peanut butter
• Tuna
• Canned corn
• Pasta

Questions? Contact Kate Quas and Lauren Wilke

We had a blast dancing the night away with two successful Sweetheart Dance sessions on Saturday.  Thank you to our committee chairs Rebecca Hasiotis, Marcia Lyman, Livia Gillespie, and Eva Elinskas for creating such a magical night. We're grateful for all who donated their time with a volunteer shift, to those who baked for our dessert table, and those who sent in their extra Halloween candy back in the fall! Thanks to Mr. Hudspeth, Mrs. Day, Mr. Bill and his team for all their help transforming the APR into a winter ballroom.  

There were so many picture-perfect moments at the dance - if you have any candids you'd like to share with the Yearbook committee, email them to ohsottersyearbook@gmail.com.