Ottumwa High School
BULLDOG NATION NEWSLETTER
Learn
Lead
Belong
FEBRUARY - MARCH 2017
From the Desk of Mr. Hanson
Hello Bulldog Parents:
OHS is almost finished getting next year’s schedule put together. Students have been meeting with their
counselors and selecting their classes for 2017-18. While it may sound strange that we’re already thinking
about next year’s schedule, it is still the most efficient way to get things squared away for the new year.
Speaking of new, the Ottumwa Community School District will be initiating its e-Registration starting this
summer. While there may be some initial bumps in the road, this will be an efficient, accurate, and
eventually user-friendly way to register for school. Please continue to read about e-Registration on our
website and in future mailings.
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES are coming up soon. Please make sure that February 28th and
March 2nd are free on your calendars. We will be operating on the same times as in the fall. Our February
28th conferences will be from 4:00 until 7:30. Our March 2nd conferences will go throughout the school day
in teachers’ classrooms and then in the evening from 4:00 until 7:00. Please make it a point to attend parent
-teacher conferences. As I have said many times before, if any parent feels the need for a conference with a
teacher or administrator at any time, please feel free to give the school a call. I would be glad to set this up
for any family.
With four months of school remaining, our seniors are now getting ready for graduation and hopefully,
some type of post-secondary education. I am asking all parents of seniors to be an active participant in this
process throughout the spring. Many students need assistance applying to a college, applying for a scholarship, or just having the courage to talk to a college representative. Please encourage your seniors to get
moving on this RIGHT NOW. If a parent or student has any questions about any part of the process,
Ottumwa High School would be glad to help. It is the school’s goal to get as many of our seniors enrolled
in a post-secondary program as possible. If the school and the family can work together toward this goal,
more and more of our students will take this next step.
I always look forward to the spring. I’m hopeful that our students will have a great 2nd semester academically and really put themselves in a good position for next fall. Best wishes to all Bulldogs and their parents
this spring.
Sincerely,
Mark S. Hanson, Principal
Tuesday, February 28 & Thursday, March 2
Ottumwa High School and ACA Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Tuesday,
February 28, from 4:00 PM - 7:30 PM and Thursday, March 2, between 8:00 AM to 3:30
PM and from 4:00 - 7:00 PM. There are no classes for students on March 2 and 3
On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, parents should sign in at the table outside the
Welcome Center door (Room 105) to pick up report cards and sign the Conference
Contact Information sheet. Teachers will be available at tables in the OHS cafeteria; no
appointments are necessary.
OHS teachers will be in their classrooms for 10-minute drop-in sessions on Thursday
from 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM and 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM. Parents need to pick up their
students’ report card and sign the Conference Contact Information sheet at the table
outside the Welcome Center door (Room 105) prior to visiting classrooms.
ACA parents need to call 683-1342 for an appointment. ACA conferences will be held at
the Indian Hills airport location, 15260 Truman Street.
Ottumwa Schools encourage all parents to take advantage of this opportunity to meet with
teachers to discuss their child’s academic and social progress.
OTTUMWA HIGH SCHOOL
2016-2017 ACT-SAT TEST SCHEDULE
Fee Waivers are available for eligible Juniors and Seniors who qualify for the Free/Reduced Lunch
Program. See Mrs. McKinnon, Registrar, in the Guidance Office for more information.
ACT
Test Date
Registration Deadline
Late Fee
Required
February 11, 2017
January 13, 2017
Jan 14-20
April 8, 2017
March 3, 2017
Mar 4-17
June 10, 2017
Mary 5, 2017
May 6-19
Register online www.act.org – Fee $42.50/58.50 (Plus Writing). OHS Test Center Code =175640
SAT
Test Date
Registration Deadline
Late Fee Required
March 11, 2017
February 10, 2017
February 28, 2017
May 6, 2017
April 7, 2017
April 25, 2017
Register online www.collegeboard.com – Fee $45.00 / SAT with Essay $57.00/ 26.00 (each Subject Test). 26.00 (each
Subject Test). OHS Test Center Code=16190
SENIORS ATTENDING COLLEGE NEXT YEAR (2017-2018)
COMPLETE YOUR FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
www.fafsa.ed.gov
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the first step in the financial aid
process. Apply for federal student financial aid, such as the Pell Grant, scholarships, student
loans, and college work-study. In addition, most states and schools use the FAFSA information to award their institutional financial aid.
Pay attention to the deadlines! There are federal and state deadlines, and your choice
college may also have a deadline. For more information, please refer to www.fafsa.ed.gov/
deadlines.htm .
SCHOLARSHIPS
Please review scholarships online at www.ottumwaschools.com/ under the Schools tab
choose Ottumwa High School. Click on OHS Guidance on the menu on the left, and then
click on the Scholarships and Financial Aid link. Newsletters are updated mid-month; they
provide detailed descriptions of current scholarships, along with links to various websites
for applications. In addition, many local scholarship applications can be downloaded from
this site.
FAFSA WORKSHOP @ OHS
Senior parents and students are invited to attend help sessions for FAFSA completion.
Representatives from ICAN (Iowa College Access Network) and EOC (Educational Opportunity Center) will be available at OHS on February 28, 2017 from 5-7 PM.
If you are a dependent student, you will need to bring your parent’s 2016 tax information,
W2s, asset information, and/or any other sources of income. Students who worked in 2016
will also need to bring a copy of your most recent Federal and State Income Tax Return or
your W2s if you did not file.
For more information, contact the Educational Opportunity Center 641-683-5130.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ
CHANGES IN IOWA IMMUNIZATION LAW
Dear Parent/Guardian:
The Iowa Department of Public Health has made changes to the Iowa Immunization law for the start of the 2017-2018 school year. This change requires that all students
entering 12th grade to have the Meningococcal vaccine before school starts this fall.
Meningococcal disease is a life threatening illness that is caused by bacteria that
infects the brain, blood, and spinal cord. It easily spreads in crowded settings and typically affects older teens and young adults.
All students entering 12th grade must have proof of having the Meningococcal
vaccine before school starts in August 2017, unless the student has a Certificate of Immunization Exemption. There will no NO grace/extension period for the implementation
of this requirement.
Now is a great time for your child to receive these immunization requirements
and beat the back-to-school rush by making an appointment for you incoming 12th
grader. You can take you student to their primary health practitioner, or to the immunization clinic provided by Wapello County Public Health on the 2nd Tuesday of every
month. This free clinic is on a first come first serve basis from 3:00 to 5:00 PM each
month. Their number is 641-682-5434.
If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact me at 641-683-4444, extension
2216. Thank you for your attention to this requirement.
Sincerely,
Angela Shultz, RN
Ottumwa High School
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OTTUMWA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT
Art Show
2016--2017
2016
You are cordially invited to the opening
reception of the 2016-2017 Ottumwa High School
Art Exhibit on Monday, April 10th from 7:00 to
8:30 p.m. at Indian Hills Community College Art Gallery.
OHS students’ art will be on display from
April 10 through April 20
IHCC Art Gallery Hours are
Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM
& Sunday from 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
STEPPING TOWARD SUCCESS AWARD BANQUET
MARCH 16
The Stepping Toward Success Award Ceremony is coming up on Thursday, March
16 at 6 PM in the OHS Cafeteria. The progress of selected students will be celebrated with a banquet. This event honors students who have made significant
progress in his or her academics, behavior, attitude, or various struggles in life.
Students were nominated by teachers. Congratulations to all students who were
nominated!
COMEDY TEAM ROCKZ
OTTUMWA HIGH SCHOOL IMPROVISATION TEAM
FEBRUARY 27 @ 7:30 PM
$4
$4
OHS AUDITORIUM
Ottumwa High Drama Dept.
Presents
The Importance of Being Earnest
Written By Oscar Wilde
April 21 & 22
7:30pm
OHS Auditorium