OHS Newsletter
455 Fox Trail, Omro, WI 54963 920-303-2300
May 17, 2024
A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
ALICE Drill
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Student safety is a top priority at Omro High School. In order to help our students be prepared for emergency situations at school, we regularly conduct safety drills. These drills include fire, tornado, and ALICE drills. We have also been fortunate to have worked with local and county safety personnel to use common language and procedures.
We will continue to utilize ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate) as our response to active intruder situations. All of our staff have been trained in this model. We will be having a drill the week of May 20, 2024. These drills involve discussing classroom/school scenarios of an active intruder and a discussion between teachers and students of appropriate response(s). ALICE focuses on empowering students to make informed decisions if an intruder situation arises. More information on ALICE is linked below.
I have also linked below the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) that Winnebago County is utilizing in emergency situations. Many communities and organizations in our county, and throughout the state, have adopted this as a means to have a common vocabulary and procedures in emergency situations.
SRP Parent Information (Spanish)
More SRP Information (iloveyouguys.org)
KUDOS
Student of the Month
Each month a student in the senior class is chosen to be the OHS Student of the month. The student is selected based on scholarship, citizenship, leadership, and co-curricular activities. The May Student of the Month is Drew! Congratulations!
A Night of Sweet Jazz
A night of jazz music under the direction of Wendy Fisher, and sweet treats prepared by the Omro High School Advanced Culinary Arts class was held in the high school cafeteria on Wednesday evening. 70's Disco selections included September, Brick House and We Are Family, with solos performed by Felicity, Nona, and Tyler R, with an intermission of delicious desserts that included a no bake strawberry cheesecake bar, sweet jazz chocolate poke cake and a fresh fruit cup with whipped cream. It was a great night of jazz and sweets!
Student Completes Eagle Project Benefitting the Omro Community Center
Sophomore, Grayson Whiteaker completed his BSA Eagle Project in May, supporting the new Omro Community Center. When asked why he chose this project, Grayson stated that the Omro Community Center does a lot for Omro, as well as our local Scout troop. Grayson and his group of volunteers made benches and flower boxes and refurbished 3 water troughs that will be used in front of the handicapped parking. Volunteers also added edging and mulch along the fence line, added a space to relax and reflect, and planted flowers. From the start of planning to final completion, Grayson’s project took over 200 hours to complete!
Completing an Eagle Scout Project is one of the final steps in obtaining the Eagle rank. It challenges the Scout to use the leadership skills that Scouting has helped them develop (Grayson has been an Omro Scout since he was six years old!) One of the last requirements is completing a significant project that serves the community in some way and requires careful planning. The scout must develop the project, raise funds for it, and then execute it while leading a group of volunteers. Well done, Grayson!
Exploring Strawberry DNA in Biology Class!
Mrs. Ransom's Biology class opened their genetics unit by extracting DNA from strawberries. It was fun to be able to see DNA with our own eyes!
WBAY News "Hometown Stories" - Bike Shoppe
Jeff Alexander of WBAY Action 2 News stopped by the Omro Community Bike Shoppe on Thursday! This interview featuring our Middle School Bike Shoppe students will air Thursday, May 30th during the 6 pm news segment. Be sure to tune in!
IN THE KNOW
Competitive Cheer Meeting, Thursday, 5/23!
All 8th-11th grade students who are interested in competitive cheer there will be a meeting on Thursday, May 23rd in the High School Commons at 3:45 PM.
Driver's Education Class Cancelled For This Summer
Unfortunately, due to insufficient interest, Cruisin' Safely will not be able to provide the Driver's Ed course at Omro High School this summer.
Last Day to Order is May 31!!
Have you ordered your yearbook? Preserve your high school memories with the purchase of a 2024 Omro High School yearbook today! Last day to order is May 31, so get your orders in now!
OoMPA Golf Outing! Join Us!
Come join the fun at OoMPA's 13th annual golf outing! Your support for the K-12th grade music programs in our district is greatly appreciated! Here is the link to register!
Martial Arts Classes
Join Omro Tae Kwon Do! 6:00pm-7:00pm Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at HB Patch Elementary School. $25 per month.
Ripon Area Community Theater...2024 Summer Musical: The Wizard of Oz
The Ripon Area Community Theatre (RACT) will be holding open
auditions for its summer musical production of, “The Wizard of Oz,” June 14th- 17th at the First Congregational Church, 220 Ransom St., in Ripon.
~Auditions are open to ages 8-Adult.
~Performances are August 16th-18th at the Ripon High School.
~Children's Auditions are Fri. June 14th from 4:30-7:30 pm, and Sat. June 15th 2-5 pm.
~Adult Auditions are Sun. June 16th & Mon. June 17th 6-9 pm.
~Primary roles include: Dorothy Gale, Aunt Em/Glinda, Uncle Henry, Mrs.
Gulch/Wicked Witch, Scarecrow, Tinman, Lion, and many chorus roles for
various ages. Auditioners should prepare up to two minutes of a vocal audition, choosing a song suitable to their voice and appropriate for general audiences. The song may be from the show or in a similar style.
The RACT will be holding an audition workshop for ages 8 and up on Sunday, May 19th from 2-4 pm,
also at the First Congregational Church; where they will go over expectations for auditions, answer questions about the upcoming production and do some practice audition scenes.
Questions about the musical can be sent to: riponareacommunitytheatre@gmail.com. The Ripon Area Community Theatre is a sponsored program of the Ripon Noon Kiwanis.
Sources of Strength is looking to collect new/gently used toys, stuffed animals, books, or games to use as prizes at the Waukau Chicken BBQ on June 9. If you have anything you are willing to donate, please drop off at OHS/OMS Main Office or to Mrs. Morse (Room 1408) We appreciate your support.
We Want Your Old Yearbooks!
Are you wondering what to do with your old yearbooks that are just collecting dust in your attic or basement? Please consider donating them to the Middle School/ High School Media Center! We are specifically looking for older yearbooks from the 1940's-1970's to complete our collection, but would be happy to take in any you would be willing to part with. We have some gaps in years we'd like to fill. Feel free to drop off those old yearbooks in the office!
Attention Omro Foxes
Show your Omro pride and spirit by ordering a MilisStrong Elementary Track Meet t-shirt! This year’s annual track meet will take place on Friday, May 24th. T-shirts will be delivered the week of the track meet so they can be worn on the 24th! All proceeds will go towards helping to cover the costs for the “Forever Foxes Outdoor Learning Classroom” at OES.
Omro High School Attendance Line
Work Permits Are Available ONLINE ONLY
A parent can access the the work permit site using these instructions. Payment is made directly to the department through the application, using a credit or debit card or by ACH direct withdrawal. Once the permit application process is complete, the Department mails a paper copy of the permit directly to the employer. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact by email at workpermits@dwd.wisconsin.gov.
ATHLETICS
Spring Sports and More! You can find it all in The "O"!
For the latest athletics information and news, you can read the "O" here!
Basketball and Volleyball Summer Camps Available
Summer camps for Basketball and Volleyball at Omro are now available for sign up! Go to blaze365.com/omro to register!
UW-O Summer Basketball Camp
We look forward to another fun summer of basketball! Campers can sign up by mailing in the attached flyer or registering online at the link here.
2024 Equestrian Team
Are you interested in joining the OHS Equestrian Team? Recruitment is now underway for the 2024 Equestrian season. See more information at omrofoxesathletics.com and go to the Equestrian page under Fall Sports for the 2024 Fact Sheet and Recruitment Form.
OEF GOLF OUTING COMING SOON! REGISTER TODAY!
Registration for the OEF Golf Outing is now open! OEF helps support Omro Athletics and Activities. They have contributed nearly $10,000 this year alone! Helping a wide range of clubs and teams from wrestling to solo ensemble.
May Library Newsletter
Happy May!
Take a look at the fun things happening in the Library this month! There is a new guessing game, a summer reading challenge, and the winner from last month's bookmark challenge was announced!
Don't forget to check out the Library Tips & Reminders to see when Library book and Chromebook check-in will take place.
COUNSELOR CORNER
Summer Jobs Listings
Please click on the following links for more job listings for 9-11 grade and Seniors!! If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Williams.
School District Summer Help
Students, are you looking for a summer job? Come work for us at the school!! Job duties are custodial, maintenance and grounds. Pay is $13.50/hr. up to 40 hours per week (flexible) starting June 10th (flexible on start date) through mid-August.
Must be at least 16 years old. Pick up an application in the office!
Help Wanted!!
An elderly Omro couple is looking for a high school student to take care of their lawn this summer. The couple lives on Rivermoor Road and would need the HS student to bring their own lawn mower and weed wacker to their property. If interested in learning more about this summer job, please contact Ms. Williams (rwill@omro.k12.wi.us) in the guidance office.
Miss Rural Winnebago
Each year in Winnebago County a female is selected as a year-long ambassador for “rural” Winnebago. This year we are crowning our 56th Miss Rural Winnebago and I would love your help and support in spreading this opportunity across the county!
This position is open to:
A person interested in attending local events to learn about and promote the “rural life” of Winnebago County.
Females ages 13-17 years.
Resides in or attends school in Winnebago County, WI.
No agricultural background or related experiences are required.
A person willing to volunteer a year of service as MRW.
Miss Rural Winnebago is not a pageant program, and the election process includes a formal interview with two judges on June 8th. The elected Miss will have the opportunity to develop interpersonal skills and professional connections that will go beyond her year of service. 2024 MRW applications are due May 31st.
To learn more about the program you can also visit www.missruralwinnebago.wixsite.com/mrwwi.
FVTC Spring 2024 Newsletter
Please see this newsletter from FVTC Educational Support Services if you are a senior planning on attending FVTC and will be utilizing Educational Supports.
MENTAL WELLNESS
Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month
For Mental Health Awareness Month, we have an opportunity to break the stigma around mental health in our campus by talking openly, compassionately, and kindly to each other. No one should ever struggle alone.
School staff are the backbone of student well-being, but remember that you also can’t pour from an empty cup.
During Mental Health Awareness Month, NAMI joins the mental health community to reaffirm our commitment to building our understanding of mental illness, increasing access to treatment and ensuring those who are struggling know they are not alone.
If you or someone you know wants to be connected to a mental health care provider, contact Care Solace, a complimentary and confidential mental health care coordination service provided by School District of Omro:
- Call 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365.
- Visit www.caresolace.com/omro and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help, use the resources around you, and never give up hope.
Care Solace
Care Solace helps you find mental health care providers and substance use treatment centers. They're available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and 365 days per year to quickly connect you to carefully verified providers in our community. You can:
● Contact your child's school counselor, to ask for assistance for a referral
● Call (888) 515-0595 at any time. A dedicated Care Companion will help you every step of the way to research options, secure appointments, and follow up to make sure it is a good fit.
● For an anonymous search, answer a few questions to get matched with an extensive list of care
providers at https://www.caresolace.com/site/omro
Care Solace is available at no cost to our students, families, and staff members. They will connect you with providers accepting all medical insurances including Medicaid, Medicare, and sliding scale options for those without insurance. All information is completely confidential and securely stored.
Please note: This service is an optional resource available by choice and is not mandatory to use. Care Solace is not an emergency response service or mental health services provider. In the event of a life-threatening emergency:
Dial 911 or the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or
Dial 988 - for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
If you are interested in counseling-related services for your child, yourself, or another family member, please contact Care Solace directly, or reach out to your school's counselor:
● HB Patch/OES : Tracy Rees, trees@omro.k12.wi.us , 920-685-3100 ext.2683
● Omro Middle School : Carrie Sabel, csabe@omro.k12.wi.us , 920-303-2301 ext.2207
● Omro High School : Rachel Williams, rwill@omro.12.wi.us , 920-303-2319
Mental and Behavioral Health Resource
Well Badger Resource Center is an information and referral (I&R) service for Wisconsin individuals and families. Information and referral services create and maintain databases of programs and services, and then make sure, through a variety of channels and outreach, that you and others in your community know about those services.
Well Badger is a one-stop connection to community, social, health, and government programs and resources — so you can find what you need, when you need it.
The Navigator is a free, confidential, online tool designed to help parents, caregivers, and professionals navigate mental and behavioral health services for children, adolescents, and young adults under the age of 21! Just answer a few questions about the child, and the Navigator provides a customized guide to connect the child with the resources and support they both need and deserve.
Children’s Mental & Behavioral Health Resource Navigator (Navigator)
A QUICK HOW TO: CHECKING IN WITH TEENS ABOUT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH
"It’s difficult for us to think about our kids struggling — especially when we may be struggling ourselves. However, it’s important for us to know that we can make a difference." Click on this link for some helpful information about checking in with your child regarding their mental health from the Wisconsin DPI Student Services/Prevention and Wellness team and DPI ConnectEd.
STRIVING & THRIVING
An opportunity for teens to build skills and make positive connections that will assist them in overcoming adversities. Individuals will have the chance to learn coping skills, how to better understand their emotions and build healthy relationships. Emphasis will be put on empowerment of strengths and finding healthy supports in order to foster growth and change. Mondays from 4-7pm at 206 State St., Oshkosh. 920-232-3320
Click HERE for the flyer.
MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE USE COUNSELING
Collaborative Wellness offers in-school counseling services for all ages as well as in-clinic. For information click HERE.
Crisis Help is Just 3 Numbers Away
Please call 911 IMMEDIATELY in the event of a medical emergency, fire, disaster response, reporting a crime or any life-threatening situation.
Please call 211 if you need contact information for community resources such need of food, housing/ shelter, utility assistance, healthcare services or government services, substance abuse or mental health resources, transportation, legal services, counseling, support services or disaster aftercare.
Please call 988 for help with thoughts of suicide, mental health crisis, substance use crisis, or emotional distress or you need support handling a crisis.
RESOURCES
School District of Omro Family Resources
Looking for health forms? Bus pass/ change request forms? Skyward help? There is all kinds of information on our Family Resources page on the district website! Resources for Omro High School students and families can be found here!
SKYWARD/GOOGLE CLASSROOM
Stay in touch with how your child is doing in class by checking Skyward and Google Classroom. Here are some resources from the Family Resources page to help you:
School Store Apparel - Year Round!
Just a reminder that our school store is available ALL YEAR LONG! The school store will be on the Omro School District webpage. When you order you can pay right on the website and orders are shipped directly to you. There is a shipping and handling fee of $8.95 for any order.
There is so much to choose from. Please take time and look at the store catalog.
https://www.omro.k12.wi.us/families/school-store.cfm
Happy Shopping!
There's an App for That!
Check out the School District of Omro App. We have made some improvements recently as well to include our daily announcements, newsletters and lunch menus now right at your fingertips!
Download for Android https://bit.ly/3Vi7WxT
Download for iPhone https://apple.co/3LF4wC5
UPCOMING EVENTS & CALENDARS
May 22, 2024- Senior Scholarship Night, 6:00pm
May 24, 2024- Milis Strong Track Meet
May 27, 2024- Memorial Day-School Closed
May 29, 2024- Last Day-Seniors
June 2, 2024- Graduation Ceremony, 2:00 p.m.
June 5, 2024- Student Last Day
June 6, 2024- Teacher Last Day
Find the School Calendar here.
Find the rSchool sports schedule here.
Find the HS/MS Lunch menu here.