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The Scoop: Homecoming Week & Celebrating Inclusion

Posted Date: 10/11/24 (5:59 PM)

the scoop newsletter image of ribbon cutting
district updates. stay informed
Seeking Candy Donations & Volunteers for Spook Harbor Trunk or Treat!
If you stop by the district office, you'll run into our new friend, Frank! He is collecting candy donations for our upcoming Spook Harbor Trunk or Treat event on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at Oak Harbor High School. You can also submit candy donations at several participating schools, including Olympic View Elementary, Broad View Elementary, and North Whidbey Middle School!
OVE Monster
Broad View Monster
North Whidbey Middle School monster
Frank monster
Volunteer for our Trunk or Treat
 
renderings of new schools
Upcoming Groundbreaking for Two New Grant-Funded Schools
You're invited! Oak Harbor Public Schools, in partnership with Construction Services Group, NAC Architects, Bayley Construction and Tiger Construction, will be hosting two groundbreaking ceremonies to kick off construction to replace Crescent Harbor Elementary and Hand-in-Hand Early Learning Center/HomeConnection Schools. 

  • October 22, 2024, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., 330 E. Crescent Harbor Rd
  • October 23, 2024, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., Park at Olympic View Elementary

Please note the event will be outside on an active construction site, attendees are advised to dress accordingly. Parking will be limited for both ceremonies. 
More About Grant-Funded Schools
community spirit oneoakharbor
SRO vehicle design
Oak Harbor High School Student Creates New Design for School Resource Officer Vehicle
The Oak Harbor Police Department's School Resource Officer vehicle is set to hit the streets with a fresh new look, thanks to the creative talents of Oak Harbor High School student Emelyn Payne. The design was part of a partnership with the Oak Harbor Police Department, Oak Harbor Public Schools and the Oak Harbor High School Career Technical Education (CTE) graphic design program. 

A special thanks to Student Emelyn Payne, Teacher Jana Jansen, Oak Harbor Police Chief Tony Slowik, School Resource Officer Tyler Adamson, Jeff Humphreys of Humphrey Signs, and Oak Harbor Public Schools Communications Officer Sarah Foy for making the project possible!

Check out the new design at tonight's Homecoming Tailgate and Game!
Read the Full Story
 
two therapy dogs post with their owners and staff members at nwms
Wagging Tails Bring Smiles to North Whidbey Middle School
Students and staff at North Whidbey Middle School (NWMS) were visited by Dogs on Call and this week.

Dogs on Call are a licensed therapy dog organization on Whidbey Island that provides services to hospitals, nursing homes and schools. The dogs are well-trained and are handled by their owners.

Mental Health Counselor Joycelin Vester escorted the team around the school to provide moments of interaction in several classrooms and common areas during their stay.

Studies show that benefits of therapy dogs may include a reduction in stress and anxiety, improved communication and trust, and encouragement of physical activity. The dogs will be visiting NWMS once a month for an hour to support students and staff. 
staff member laughing out loud and student smiling while being greeted by a black dog
students pet a therapy dog in the hallway
See More About the Visit
 
Demonstrating Inclusion
Exceptional Academy hosted Embrace Inclusion on Friday, which was attended by students, staff, families, and community members. They walked from the high school to the district office with motivational and inspiring signs that were created by students.
families and students walking from the high school
families stand in front of high school with signs
More About Embrace Inclusion
 
Playground Communication Improvements
Thank you to the families, staff, Oak Harbor Educational Foundation (OHEF), Island Thrift, Whidbey Community Foundation, and community for attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating our new playground communication boards on Tuesday! The new boards will allow students at each elementary school and Hand-in-Hand Early Learning Center to communicate better with each other and staff.
parents and two boys standing in front of playground
parents and son standing in front of communication board
superintendent dr michelle kuss-cybula and ohef
See More From the Event
learning and fun happening in our schools
It's Homecoming Week!
Students and staff at Oak Harbor High School are celebrating Homecoming Spirit Week! Show your support for your Wildcats at the tailgate and game tonight! Tailgate starts at 4 p.m. and the game kicks off at 7 p.m. GO CATS!
students dressed in red
students and principal nate salisbury in camo
students in sports gear
students in pink
 
OHHS Students Participate in Regional Poetry Festival
Last Friday 35 students from Oak Harbor High School attended a poetry festival in LaConner hosted by the Skagit River Poetry Foundation. Teachers Mark Strohschein and Linnell Gribble chaperoned the day of student-only poetry workshops. Schools from around Skagit Country, Whatcom Country, and OHHS participated.

"Some of the finest U.S. poets today - including Ellen Bass, Samar Abulhassan, CMarie Furhman, Carol Moldaw, and Chen Chen - hosted readings and inspiring poetry writing workshops," said Strohschein.

At the event, sisters Allie and Katie Sheppard from OHHS performed their poetry at an open mic during lunchtime
Junior Allie Sheppard
Junior Katie Sheppard
 
Walk to School Day
On Wednesday, Oak Harbor Elementary School participated in Walk to School Day. Even our own City of Oak Harbor officials got in on the fun!
families walking to school
city officials walking a student to school
 
Fire Prevention Week
For Fire Prevention Week Navy Region Northwest Fire and Emergency Services visited Hand-in-Hand Early Learning Center students to demonstrate fire trucks and introduce students to Sparky.
fire truck visiting preschool students
get involved
HOMECOMING GAME TONIGHT @ 7PM
homecoming football game poster
mother and son
Online Safety: Parenting Tips for Kids and Teens
Common Sense is our adopted digital citizenship curriculum for grades K-12. Our involvement with Common Sense's Family and Community Engagement (FACE) program provides access to exclusive webinars with experts and guests in English and Spanish throughout the year. We are sharing these free educational opportunities with our #OneOakHarbor community!

Upcoming Webinar:
Online Safety: Parenting Tips for Kids and Teens
Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 4–4:30 p.m.

In today's connected world, helping kids and teens protect their privacy and maintain a positive online identity is critical to their future and overall well-being. Join us for a 30-minute chat to get tips and tools on fostering a safer digital environment for your child, including actionable steps to empower them to make smart choices online.

Key topics covered for you to support your child:
  • The importance of protecting your privacy online
  • Responsible online sharing practices and the power of your digital footprint
  • Safe and healthy online behavior
Register for the Free Webinar
spook harbor trunk or treat october 25 at 4pm at ohhs
Upcoming Events
  • Oct. 11: OHHS Homecoming Tailgate | 4-6 p.m.
  • Oct. 11: OHHS Homecoming Game - #GoCats! | 7 p.m.
  • Oct. 14: School Board Meeting | 6 p.m.
  • Oct. 16: District-Parent Advisory Committee Meeting | 5:30 p.m.
  • Oct. 17: OHHS "Horizons" Choir Concert | 7 p.m.
  • Oct. 18: OHHS Football vs. Snohomish | 7 p.m.
  • Oct. 22: CHE Groundbreaking Ceremony | 1:30 p.m.
  • Oct. 23: HIH/HC Groundbreaking Ceremony | 4 p.m.
  • Oct. 26: Spook Harbor Trunk or Treat | 4 p.m.
  • Oct. 29: NWMS Fall Band Concert @ OHHS | 7 p.m.
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