Okemos High School

Family Update 8/2/21

Okemos High School Families,

We are excited to begin the 2021-2022 school year at Okemos High School! Our Leadership Team and Staff are looking forward to welcoming all of our students back to the Okemos High School building. Our first day together on August 24th will be a half day (7:45 am- 10:55 am). Please review the newsletter below for important dates, events, and safety protocols as we prepare for the 2021-2022 school year. Please feel free to contact any of the Leadership Team to answer questions.

Sincerely,

Okemos High School Leadership Team

Okemos High School Leadership Team

Dr. Daniel Hyliard, Principal Email: [email protected] Office Phone: (517) 706-4901

Mrs. Andrea Hallead, Assistant Principal Email: [email protected] Office Phone: (517) 706-4903

Mr. Lamanzer Williams, Assistant Principal Email: [email protected] Office Phone: 517-706-4905

Mr. Brian Fuller, Athletic Director Email: [email protected] Office Phone: (517) 706-4930

Student Class Schedules Update

Students’ schedules will be available to view on PowerSchool beginning 8/2/21 at 5:00 pm. Please log in to your PowerSchool account to view your student/s schedule for the 2021-2022 school year. Student schedules will not be mailed home. Student locker assignments will also be available to view on PowerSchool beginning 8/2/21 at 5:00 pm. Please log in to your PowerSchool account to view your student/s locker assignment for the 2021-2022 school year.

Drops/Adds - Student Schedules

Thursday, August 12 Senior Class of 2022 only 8:00 am- 10:30 am Thursday, August 12 Junior Class of 2023 only 12:00 pm- 2:30 pm Friday, August 13 Sophomore Class of 2024 only 8:00 am- 10:30 am Friday, August 13 Freshmen Class of 2025 only 12:00 pm- 2:30 pm

Please refer to the OHS Student-Parent Handbook for specific information about the OHS Drop/Add policy. (OHS website-Parents & Students tab- section titled “Classes”)

There will be no drop and add period after August 13 or once school has begun.

Okemos High School Kick Start

Students have the opportunity to “Kick Start” the school year by attending grade level sessions on August 12th and 13th! Please plan to attend as students will complete the following activities during the event:

● School picture taken by LifeTouch (click on link to order pictures) ● Receive student ID ● Pick up school computer ● Attend the OHS Club Fair to learn about the various ways to get involved in student life at OHS

August 12th

Seniors 8:00 am- 10:30 am Juniors 12:00 pm- 2:30 pm

August 13th

Sophomores 8:00 am- 10:30 am Freshmen 12:00 pm- 2:30 pm

Be Involved - Clubs/Activities at Okemos High School Students please notice the clubs offered at OHS (click on the link below). There will always be an adjustment to include staff changes and club (adds and deletions) at the start of every school year. Please contact Assistant Principal Mr. Williams ([email protected]) with any questions you might have about clubs and groups at OHS. Please note masks will be required for all OHS clubs that meet in-person and district COVID-19 protocols must be followed.

OHS Student Clubs

Okemos Athletics

Fall athletics will begin on August 9th.

To participate, every student will need to have created and completed their account on PlanetHS.com. Each student and parent will need to create separate accounts that are linked, with signature spaces for each to complete, and directions are embedded on the website. Questions should be directed to Athletic Secretary Melissa Biel at [email protected]

Okemoschiefs.org has all of the athletic schedules, bus times, and rescheduled dates will be posted on the site. Each sport has different means of communicating results, with many available on https://www.mhsaa.com/Schools/okemos

For additional information for each sport, please contact the varsity coach of each of the following programs:

Cross Country- Brian Harrod: [email protected] Football- Brad Lilly: [email protected] Soccer- Brian Guggemos: [email protected] - Jamie Ianni: [email protected] Girls - Dan Stolz: [email protected] Boys - Karim Jelassi: [email protected] Cheer- Lakeka Pruitt: [email protected] Dance- Alana Reome: [email protected] Girls - Patrick Saucedo: [email protected]

Note- Boys Water Polo was moved to the Spring for the 2021-22 season. Contact Coach Andrew Olesnavich at [email protected] or Coach Greg Kohler at [email protected]

Class of 2025- Freshmen Connect

Tuesday, August 17th 8:15 am- 11:30 am Meet in the Wood Gym

The CONNECT ORIENTATION PROGRAM for freshmen will take place in the OHS Wood Gym. Please read the CONNECT Orientation Program flyer for more details. Class of 2024 and New Student Orientation

Wednesday, August 11th 6:00 pm- 7:30 pm

Meet in the OHS Auditorium

Current sophomores (Class of 2024) and students newly enrolled at Okemos High School of all grade levels are invited to attend orientation. Students will tour the building and attend a presentation that will answer frequently asked questions. Please park in the Student Lot off Hulett Road. Safety Protocols/Mask Protocols Okemos High School Please note that OPS district guidelines for COVID-19 must be followed at all times when on the campus of OHS. Masks must be worn at all times whether vaccinated or not. Please click the link below to get more information on OHS safety protocols and expectations. CDC Safety protocols OHS Safety protocol refresher Okemos Resources/Important Information

Okemos High School Website – www.okemosk12.net - Visit our district/school website to stay updated on the school calendar, activities, curriculum guide and handbook, athletics, Parent Group, etc. and learn more about Okemos High School in general.

Attendance Policy – Please review the summary of our Attendance Policy included in this mailing. I encourage you to read this document carefully. If you have any questions, please give us a call. A complete text of the policy is included in the OHS Student-Parent Handbook, which is available on our website (Okemos High School> Parents & Students> Curriculum Guide/Handbook).

Financial Need - We want to ensure all students are able to seize opportunities and fully participate in activities at OHS. If your student has a financial need (athletic gear, homecoming shirt/tickets, parking pass, school supplies, etc), please contact your student’s counselor. If you would like to make a donation to support students with financial need, please look for information regarding our group, “OHS Cares”, in future communications. Parent/Guardian/Student Safety Network – Research tells us that all students must make a decision about the use of alcohol and other drugs at some point. Therefore, every parent/guardian is needed to aid students in making healthy choices and resisting the pressure to use. Alcohol/drug use can be successfully attacked and conquered if all of us work collaboratively on behalf of our students. Neither the home nor the school can be victorious over alcohol/drug use without the partnership of the other. Our district’s Okemos Substance Abuse Prevention committee (OSAP) will provide educational materials/programming throughout the school year in the hopes of creating and maintaining a supportive school community and an on-going communication network. Look for information via the school’s weekly emails. Remember to: Supervise (all teen gatherings at home) and Call/Text (the parents/guardians of those who host a party).

State of (Single Record Student Database system) - As you complete the REGISTRATION/ EMERGENCY FORM for your son or daughter, please be aware that the State of Michigan has implemented a Single Record Student Database system. This requires that, on all official school records, the school will use each student’s last name as it appears on a birth certificate or legal document and the student’s first name given at birth, baptism, naming ceremony or through legal changes. We are no longer allowed to use nicknames or abbreviated names. The school is also required to list each student’s racial/ethnic category and place of birth.

Creating and Maintaining a SAFE Learning Environment - The faculty and staff are preparing the school and the academic program, anticipating the start of the school year. Faculty and administration are committed to promoting the welfare of each student and wish to be among the resources to whom students turn when there is a need. It is my strong desire that students view Okemos High School as a safe, positive, and productive environment in which they are respected, valued, challenged and encouraged. I know each student will do his/her best to contribute to that atmosphere. And, I know parents/guardians will also foster, model, and encourage respectful and safe behaviors. Moreover, it is a team approach in creating and maintaining the tradition of excellence at Okemos High School. If there is ever a concern, please do not hesitate to contact me, our administrative team and/or faculty.