The Scoop: Important Impact Aid Info & Celebration Opportunities

Posted Date: 9/27/24 (4:17 PM)

Superintendent of Oak Harbor Public Schools Dr. Michelle Kuss-Cybula

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope the school year is off to a great start for you and your family! We have an urgent request that will directly impact the funding and support Oak Harbor Public Schools receives to benefit all our students. Each year, our district relies on Federal Impact Aid to help fund critical programs such as special education and other essential services, and we need your help to ensure that Oak Harbor secures these necessary resources.

Starting October 1st, we will send out the annual Federal Impact Aid Program Survey Form through Parent Square. It’s quick, confidential, and absolutely essential that every family completes this form—even if you are not in the military or employed on federal property. The survey must be submitted no later than Friday, October 4th, and can be completed for multiple children at once, making the process as easy as possible for you.

This funding is vital for our district, as it offsets lost property tax revenue due to the presence of tax-exempt federal properties. Your participation ensures that Oak Harbor Public Schools gets its fair share of federal funding to support your child's education. The sooner we receive your response, the better we can prepare to meet the needs of our students.

If you have any questions or issues with the survey, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s school. Your prompt action makes a real difference in helping us maintain and improve the programs and services our students rely on.

Thank you for your time, your service, and your continued support of Oak Harbor Public Schools.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michelle Kuss-Cybula

Superintendent

A Message from Capt. Gammache

More About Impact Aid

Our Partners in School Safety

In recent years, schools across the country have been grappling with a troubling trend of unsubstantiated safety threats. Oak Harbor Public Schools takes every threat seriously and we are thankful for our ongoing partnership with our City of Oak Harbor safety officials who help us determine our course of action with these incidents.

Everyone plays a role in maintaining the safety of our school community. Please join us in coaching our students to immediately report any threats to safety to administration. It is important for students to understand that any threat can have serious consequences to themselves and others in our community. Threats of any kind are not tolerated and could result in criminal charges and disciplinary action, in accordance with school district policies and state law.

As we’ve recently shared, this year we adopted the “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol. We have also implemented new door intercom systems and visitor management systems in our schools for added security, and we continue to work on safety enhancements at our schools.

We have more information about our safety protocols and our safety hotline on our website.

Oak Harbor Public Schools will be participating in the 2024 Island County Emergency Preparedness Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 19 at North Whidbey Middle School. We hope to see you there!

School Safety Information

Highly Capable Referrals Open Oct. 1

Oak Harbor Public Schools provides a continuum of advanced learning that includes a variety of services and classes. An important part of the continuum is the Highly Capable Program, which serves eligible students in grades K-6 whose potential and/or performance is significant enough to require modifications to their instructional approaches. At the secondary levels, grades 7-12, advanced classes are offered to students looking for a challenge and who demonstrate prerequisite skills.

All Students in 2nd and 4th Grades are universally screened and considered for Highly Capable Services by completing the Cognitive Abilities Test Screener (CogAt). Since all 2nd and 4th grade students are screened and considered for Highly Capable Services, a referral is not necessary. If you do not want your child to be tested or considered for Highly Capable Services, please inform your child’s teacher by October 1, 2024.

Advanced Learning at OHPS

communication boards ribbon cutting oct 8

October is Disability History & Awareness Month!

This month we are celebrating with you!

Embrace Inclusion is a family & community event hosted by Exceptional Academy. The #OneOakHarbor community is invited to walk, ride, or roll from Oak Harbor High School to the district office in support of inclusion for all students.
New playground communication boards will be installed at each elementary school and Hand-in-Hand Early Learning Center. Join us for a celebration and ribbon cutting at Hillcrest Elementary at 4:30 p.m. on October 8.
We'll be at the Resource & Transition Fair at Coupeville High School from 5 p.m.-7:15 p.m. to provide information and resources tp individuals with disabilities and their families as they consider life in school and beyond.

Join Us for the Spook Harbor Trunk or Treat Event!

Families are invited to attend a free community trunk or treat event organized by Oak Harbor Public Schools, school PTAs, and Living Word Church on Saturday, October 26, beginning at 4 PM at Oak Harbor High School.

Seeking Trunks & Volunteers: We are looking for volunteers to support with the event and provide a trunk to distribute candy. Please use the link below to sign up to volunteer for the event!

Volunteers Needed! Sign Up Here

learning and fun happening in our schools

boy turning a cider press with all of his might

girl turning a cider press with all of her might

Pressing Apples is Hard Work with a Delicious Payout!

At Olympic View Elementary, Mr. Duhrkopf, Mrs. Lofgren's father, brought in his cider press to teach students how apple cider is made. The students were able to help make a batch and taste the cider.

Serving it Up

Oak Harbor High School student Emelyn Payne reports: On Tuesday, September 17, the Varsity Girls Volleyball team played an impressive five sets against Sedro Woolley. After losing the first set, the Wildcats pulled through with a remarkable comeback to end the night with a win.

Sophomore Macy Schmall shared that the thing she was looking forward to most for the rest of the season is “celebrating every single thing with my teammates, win or lose.” The student section showed their spirit by dressing for the game’s theme: Soccer Moms vs. BBQ Dads.

Good Sportsmanship and Conduct

Upcoming Events

Sept. 30: Focus on the Future @ OHHS | 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 30: Orange Shirt Day: Support for Indigenous Children
Sept. 30 & Oct. 14: School Board Meeting | 6 p.m.
Oct. 2: HomeConnection/Hand-in-Hand Construction Parent Information Meeting | 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 4: Embrace Inclusion @ OHHS | 4 p.m.
Oct. 8: New Communication Boards Ribbon Cutting @ Hillcrest | 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 8: Resource & Transition Fair @ Coupeville HS | 5 p.m.
Oct. 7-11: OHHS Homecoming Week
Oct. 16: District-Parent Advisory Committee Meeting | 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 26: Districtwide Spook Harbor Trunk or Treat | 4 p.m.

Show Your Support for Our Wildcats!

The Homecoming Tailgate, hosted by OHHS Student-Leadership, is on Friday, October 11th from 4pm-6pm. You're invited to participate by reserving an area at the Tailgate before the Homecoming football game.

Where: In the bus loop behind the stadium
When: Vehicles can arrive to set-up between 3:30pm-4pm *Tailgate officially begins at 4pm
Cost: Only $10! (Pay when you show up at the Tailgate with cash or check)

Follow this link now to reserve your spot: OHHS TAILGATE RESERVATION FORM

There are a limited number of spots available so act fast! This is a great opportunity to show your Wildcat Pride and get a prime spot before the Homecoming game while enjoying pre-game snacks and some games and entertainment!

The actually event is free - anyone can come and have a good time but if you want the prime Tailgating spot and would like to set up a gathering area for your friends and family - this is the link for you: OHHS TAILGATE RESERVATION FORM

Any questions can be sent to Erica Schulle, eschulle@ohsd.net

Visit the OHPS Newsroom