| | DATES TO REMEMBER: - December 6 | End of 1st Trimester
- December 7-8 | No School
- December 11 | School Board Meeting 6pm
- December 12 | Holiday Choir Concert | 7 pm
- December 14 | Band Concert | 7 pm
- December 18 - January 1 | NO SCHOOL
- January 2 | School Resumes
| Check the Lost and FoundAt the end of the trimester, we will be clearing out our lost and found. If you are missing something, be sure to check the rack between the counseling center and front office. Small items such as earbuds and jewelry are kept at the front desk.
All unclaimed items will be donated during winter break. | |  | |
Though the days are beginning to feel awfully short, cold, and dark, there is a particular energy and joy throughout Oak Harbor High School in the month of December. Students wrap up their first trimester and embark upon a fresh start. They get to know some new teachers and become familiar with new groupings of peers, broadening their network of friends and supporters.
Spirit abounds as winter sports begin to burgeon. Celebratory music can be heard in the SUB during Spirit Week lunches, as well as throughout the D-wing as our choir and band both prepare for holiday concerts. Many staff and students carry a little additional jubilation with them as they look forward to Winter Break and time with friends and family.
As we move into the Second Trimester, we do want to reflect on some of the hard work and positive behaviors our students have demonstrated when it comes to discipline. As you all know, we began the year with a new policy regarding personal electronic devices. Staff and students can attest to the positive effects that have resulted from this rule. We have seen a decrease in online/digital bullying, an increase in academic focus, and– as one student told us: “When I leave school in the afternoon, my phone’s battery isn’t dead!” The one place we have noticed phones and personal devices sneaking into students’ instructional period is when they take bathroom or drink breaks. For some students, it is almost a spontaneous and impulsive action– a seemingly “natural” thing to do while walking. We recognize that– whether intentional or not– is delaying students’ return to class and engagement in learning. For the sake of enforcing District policy, we will begin the new trimester by reminding students of the expectation that, if students leave the classroom during the class period, they will be required to leave their phones and personal electronics behind. Some students are already accustomed to exchanging their phone for a hall pass per particular teachers’ classroom policies, however now it will be enforced building wide. Students need to know that, if they are seen using a phone in the hallway, it will be confiscated by administration until the end of the school day. We ask that parents support us in continuing to assist students in learning phone etiquette suitable for the world beyond high school. Use of personal devices will still be permitted between classes, during lunch, and before and after school.
In addition to welcoming families and community members to come see our musicians perform during the week of December 11th, we also encourage all to check the OHHS Athletics page for updated schedules and game dates. As the weather outside becomes less hospitable, we hope Wildcat fans will find their way inside to see our wrestlers, basketball players, and swimmers show off their skills and grow as team members and as individuals.
Thank you all for a positive Trimester 1 experience. We’re ready to dive into Tri 2! | | | | Forefront Suicide PreventionForefront Suicide Prevention representatives Dr. Jim Mazza and Dr. Lizz Dexter Mazza are hosting a virtual presentation on February 7th, 7-8pm. Visit forefrontintheschools.org for more information or use this link to register today. | Visit our website to find information about scholarships.
| Who's My Counselor?Counseling Receptionist | Mrs. Schurr | 360.279.5717 9th Grade | Ms. Szilagyi 360.279.5714 10th Grade | Mrs. Smith | 360.279.5712 11th Grade | Mrs. Waller | 360.279.5716 12th Grade | Mrs. Chargualaf | 360.279.5713 New 12th grade students, Career & College, Foreign Exchange Students: Mrs. Kellison | 360.279.5710 | Student SupportRegistrar | Mrs. Dahl | 360.279.5711 Mental Health Counselor | Mrs. Weinsheimer | 360.279.5766 SAP Prevention & Intervention | Mr. Keck | 360.279.5715 Student Support Specialist | Mrs. Cushway | 360.279.5784 Assessment Coordinator & Graduation Milestones | Mrs. Danielson | 360.279.5782
| | There are many clubs and activities at the high school. Click here to find the one for you!
| Wildcat Robotics ClubThe Wildcats Robotics Club hosted a competition at the beginning of November. They designed, built and programmed 18" x 18" x 18" robots from scratch, and put their work on the field to compete with teams from Anacortes, Arlington, Everett, Mt. Vernon, Port Townsend, and Snohomish.
Our three teams placed 2nd, 4th and 13th out of 15 teams from Oak Harbor, Anacortes, Port Townsend and Chimacum.
If you want to see them in action, they will be hosting another competition on December 3rd in the Student Union Building. The competitions are free and open to the public. Come by, check out the amazing work by our wonderful teams, and show how well Oak Harbor supports our robotics programs. | | Chess Club TournamentEn Passant, castling, scholar’s mate, all foreign gibberish to those not inclined to chess, but to those who study this ancient game, these are keys to victory. On November 21st, after school in Mr. Richard’s room, A167, the Chess Club held a tournament to determine the best chess player in Oak Harbor High School. This event had a $5 entrance fee to pay for supplies, although walk-ins were welcome so long as they weren’t taking part in the tournament. Through a series of 10:00 minute matches, a victor was eventually weeded out. Gui Nobrega worked his way to the top, he states, “the chess speaks for itself,” and it certainly did. His hard won victory involved a two game match-up, featuring a tenuous draw, and a systematic checkmate that drew the game down to the wire. As far as future tournaments go, Hailey Jenzen, the chief officer of the Chess Club states, “our chess tournaments are really open, we take anybody who wants to play chess whether they are beginner or experienced, and the tournaments are great for beginners because it exposes them to many different skill sets. We hope to have more in the future.”
Text & Photography by Matthew Ackerman | | | Team Effort in Forensic ScienceOn Wednesday the 8th of November, 2023, flames licked at the cold air of the OHHS bus loop. Miniature houses, constructed by the students of Mr. Sawhill’s Forensic Science class, were systematically ignited. The goal: to experience how smoke moved in the event of a household fire. These “mini” burns were only the tip of the iceberg. The following Monday, the Oak Harbor Fire Department sent over two fire investigators in order to demonstrate and help the students , “observe a burn and learn how to investigate it,” according to Mr. Sawhill. In this larger burn, the structures, which were constructed by Mr. Deleuze’s Construction class, were outfitted with carpets donated by Linda Bushong at Floors Plus Carpet One. These carpets were ignited by students after being drizzled with various chemicals, which allowed the students to experience different types of fires and their respective hallmarks. This demonstration was not centered around random blazes, but arson. The purpose of this particular investigation is to prepare the next generation of forensic scientists and analysts, who will ensure a safer and more accurate future of forensic investigations.
Only YOU can prevent arson!
Article by: Matthew Ackerman
Photography by: Hanae Zakimi & Matthew Ackerman
| | Wildcat Student Chef Showdown Showcases Cuisine from Around the WorldTeams of culinary students represent countries around the world through amazing dishes and desserts at the 10th annual Student Chef Showdown on November 18. “It’s about a bunch of teams making different things from different countries and exploring different types of cultures,” says Yvonne Ventura ‘24. Hayden Strider ‘24, who made Brownie Flan Dulce De Leche representing Argentina, says she chose her dessert because “Dulce De Leche is like the heart of Argentina. You can’t have an Argentinian dessert without it.” All of the students put forth outstanding food to the about 70 guests and did an amazing job. Big congratulations to the overall winners … Team India consisted of Haily Hettenbach, Charlie Brady, Elias Henry, Gunnar Lutz, Sophie Chestnut, Revaleigh Seltveit, and Jeremy Williams! All proceeds of this event go towards sending students to the SkillsUSA National Competition.
Article and Photography by Zoey Spanos, 11th grade
Captions for the photos of the winning teams: Overall Winners: Team India (Charlie Brady and not pictured students: Haily Hettenbach, Elias Henry, Gunnar Lutz, Sophie Chestnut, Revaleigh Seltveit, and Jeremy Williams)
| | Art students presented their projects at the end of Trimester 1 art show on November 17th. C-Wing was opened for family and friends to admire the work of our talented students. | Fall Band ConcertOur new band director Katie O'Shea led our students in their first concert of the year on November 1st. The SUB was filled with music from "Moana", several patriotic selections to honor our Veterans and the Jazz band wrapped up the concert with arrangements by Peter Blair, Greg Yasinitsky and Erik Morales.
Be sure to mark your calendar for the Holiday Band Concert on December 14 at 7pm!
|  | Barbershop Quartet Visits ChoirOn November 2nd, barbershop quartet Under the Radar continued their ten year tradition of visiting our choir students to share their lifelong love of music and educate students about barbershop singing. Their message to the students: music is for everyone and ensemble participation doesn't have to end at graduation.
Thank you Under the Radar for sharing your talent and passion with our students! |  | DECA ConferenceDeca students visited Bellevue to attended the Fall Leadership Conference for the first time since 2008! At the conference, they learned about leadership, business and preparing for life after high school. The final day was practice for the competition in January and practice job interviews. Our kids did great and were super grateful to be able to attend this conference! | Drama FestDrama Club presented four student directed productions mid November at the annual Drama Fest. Two of the one act plays were written by students: "Dead House" by Linndsy Scheer and "No Clue" by Spencer Grubbs. Funds raised by the event will help pay for students to attend the WAshington State Thespian Festival in March. |  | | Come out and support our Wildcats at these upcoming home games! Scores and upcoming games can be found at ohhsathletics.com. Go CATS! December Home Games:
Monday, December 4 - 4:00pm Boys JV Baseball vs. Lynden
- 5:40pm Boys Freshman & JV Basketball vs Lynden
- 7:15pm Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Lynden
Tuesday, December 5 - 4:00pm Boys Varsity Swimming vs. Sehome
Wednesday, December 6 - 6:00pm Girls Varsity Wrestling vs. Blaine
Saturday, December 9 - 7:15pm Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Blaine, Lynden and Nooksack
Tuesday, December 12 - 6:00pm Girls Varsity Wrestling vs. Mount Vernon
Wednesday, December 13 - 5:40pm Boys Freshman and JV Basketball vs. Nooksack Valley
- 7:15pm Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Nooksack Valley
Saturday, December 16 - 5:40pm Girls JV Basketball vs. Sedro-Woolley
- 7:15pm Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Sedro-Woolley
Monday, December 18 - 5:40pm Girls JV Basketball vs. Mount Vernon Christian
- 7:15pm Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Mount Vernon Christian
Wednesday, December 20 - 5:40pm Girls JV Basketball vs. Anacortes
- 7:15pm Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Anacortes
Thursday, December 21 - 5:40pm Girls JV Basketball vs. Marysville-Pilchuck
For more updates about upcoming games, subscribe to Wildcat Sports Updates on ParentSquare.
| CONTACT INFORMATION: |  | OHHS Communications OHHS is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters |
|
|
|
|
|
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
