Newsletter August 18, 2023

Welcome Back Oshkosh North Students and Families!

As quickly as we entered into summer, we are now transitioning back-to-school.  A new school year is filled with excitement, anticipation, and a few nerves.  These feelings are 100% normal.  We are here to help with any questions or concerns you have.  Please feel free to reach out if there is anything we can help you with!

At North, we have had a few changes within our administration. Our new Principal is Michelle Last and our new Assistant Principal is Mrs. Robin Speidel. AP Umentum will be the administrator for 9th and 11th grade students and Mrs. Speidel will be the administrator for the 10th and 12th grade students.  We also will have the Spartan RISE which is a suspension referral program. Spartan RISE is our version of the Phoenix RISE program which was housed at Vel Phillips Middle School. This program will be led by Dean of Students Mrs. Speidel, Ms. King (social worker), and Ms. Summers  (supervisory assistant). 

At North, we have been busy preparing for the return of students and staff.  Some major changes for this school year include the addition of the secure entrance at Door 1, hydroponics stations, and updates in the auditorium.  We also have been busy cleaning, painting, and sprucing up the building. A huge thank you to our custodial staff for working so hard!
 
I hope this summer break was filled with rest, rejuvenation, and lots of memories.   We are looking forward to the start of the 2023-2024 school year. Flexibility, adaptability, and perseverance will continue to be the keys to success this year.  The one predictable thing is that all staff are ready and willing to help support each student.  What we need from students is for all students to be willing to ask for help and do their best each day.  This includes their showing Spartan Pride and being Spartan Strong. 

As we prepare for the fall and to welcome all students and families, there are few dates to be aware of:

-Schedules Students should have received an email on August 14th with the most up-to-date schedule.  Please be patient as we finalize schedules. Schedule changes will not be taking place this year unless there is an extenuating circumstance.  If they need a schedule change, in accordance with OASD board policy, students cannot drop a class to add a different class unless there is an error, valid medical reason, or extenuating circumstance.  If your students meet the error, medical reason, or extenuating circumstance category, they can contact their grade level counselor below. 

-School pictures/ ID / Yearbook pictures will be held on August 30 & 31, students will also be able to pick up their new chromebooks in the media center during this time, please make sure to bring your student ID with you.  Picture retake day is October 5th.  

-Open house is August 30th from 4:30-6:30PM at Oshkosh North High School.  You will be able to meet your teachers, walk your schedule, and connect with friends.  

 9th grade- Mrs. Andrea Holdorf- andrea.holdorf@oshkosh.k12.wi.us
10th grade- Mrs. Kaitlin Stindt- katilin.stindt@oshkosh.k12.wi.us
11th grade- Mrs. Lisa Plonsky- lisa.plonsky@oshkosh.k12.wi.us
12th grade- Mrs. Erickson- sarah.erickson@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

School Year Items 
We want each child to be successful at Oshkosh North.  In order to be successful it starts with being present and engaged in the classroom.  Please help your child be successful by having them here consistently and stressing the importance of being on time each hour.  All students receive 10 days in a calendar year to be excused for any reason. Attendance Number: (920) 424-0288.  Please call this number for all absences, appointments or attendance issues. 

1. Beginning September 1, 2023, middle and high school students must have a new GO Transit Student Bus Pass (printed bus pass with photo ID) for the 2023-2024 school year. GO Transit will be at Oshkosh North in person on August 30th for North Open House and during picture days. If you want to take care of this before school starts Middle/high school students must complete the GO Transit Bus Pass Form:

    -STEP 1: Fill out the form. (If a student is under the age of 18, the form will need to be signed by a parent or legal          guardian.) The form is available online and forms are also available at the GO Transit Offices. 

    -STEP 2: Return the form to a GO Transit Office. (Form will be verified by GO Transit. GO Transit will take a photo of      the student for ID. ID will be printed and given to students.)
    -Office Locations and Hours for Student ID Processing:
    -Dempsey Trail Office (926 Dempsey Trail): Monday, Tuesday,    
    Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
    -Downtown Transit Center Office (110 Pearl Ave): Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

2. Our Daily Schedule now runs from 8:10am-3:36pm. Zero Hour will begin at 7:15am. All students will report to their first-hour class on September 1st. Zero Hour Students will report to their Zero Hour class.  During first hour they will receive an up-to-date schedule.  All students will also be welcomed by Administration and go over new procedures to North and other information throughout the day. 

3. Door 1 is now our Main Entrance during the school day. All students and visitors arriving during the school day must go to Door 1 to be buzzed in. *Before school and returning from lunch, students may enter through Door 1 and Door 7*.  All visitors will need to present a valid photo ID and fill out the Visitor Check-In Form

4. We believe that students need to be ready to learn and that includes having breakfast.  Breakfast will be available from 7:10 am - 8:05am.  All students are welcome to breakfast at school during this time. All students are welcome to free breakfast regardless of economic status.  We still encourage families to complete the free and reduced application for benefits such as reduced CAPP fees and athletic fees. Free/Reduced Application

5. The building is expected to be cleared out by 3:50 pm, unless students are working with a teacher or coach.  Students must be supervised.  Please plan accordingly.  Know the bus schedules and have a planned place to drop off and pick up.  

6. All students will have an open campus lunch hour. Lunch will be 35 minutes, which is not a lot of time. If students abuse this open campus privilege it will be revoked. 

7. If students choose to leave the building during the school day and are unexcused to do so, they will not be allowed back in the building for that day. This will count as an unexcused absence. 

8. After school, doors will remain locked.  Please plan accordingly. 

9. Starting this school year, North will be piloting a version of the RISE Program which was very successful this past year at Vel Phillips Middle School. The Spartan RISE Program provides an alternative to traditional suspension options when addressing student discipline issues.  Spartan RISE leverages best practices from multiple disciplines in order to build respect and responsibility, integrity, safety, and engagement in our students while establishing a sense of belonging to our school community. Building these skills and a sense of belonging works to change student behavior in meaningful ways and affect long-term growth. For more information on the Spartan RISE program, please visit the Student Manual by scanning the QR Code to the right.

We look forward to a great school year. Thank you in advance for your support in communicating these changes to your student. As always, if you have questions please feel free to contact North at 920-424-7000.    #spartanpride

Hello North students and families,

I hope you had a great summer and are as excited as we are to return to school to begin the 2023 - 2024 school year!
Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself as the new Assistant Principal here at North.  The last two years I have served as one of the deans at North and previous to that I taught World Cultures and AP World History.  I am married and have two children; my youngest is a professional percussionist in the Milwaukee area and my oldest serves in the U.S. Navy.  I am honored to serve in this new role to support students, families and staff making the North the best place to be!  Please reach out to me with any questions or needs!

Highest regards,
Mrs. Speidel (pronounced spy-dell)

Welcome to Oshkosh North - Class of 2027!
Please click on the link below to read a letter from Oshkosh North Administration:

Letter to Freshmen 8.4.23 - from North Administration

"Link Crew"
Oshkosh North is excited to have the program called Link Crew!  Link Crew is a group that is present at many other high schools across the nation, and the goal of the program is to ease the transition for incoming freshmen students, while also providing a leadership opportunity for upperclassmen. They will be assigned a small group of freshmen based on homerooms in which they will be checking in with them throughout the semester.  These upperclassmen are peer contacts for freshmen students to help answer questions that 9th graders may have as they transition to a new building and routine.  Oshkosh North is an amazing school, and our Link Crew leaders want to get the 9th grade class off to a great start!
Link Crew - Letter to Freshmen

Welcome Oshkosh North students and families to the 2023-24 school year! There will be an Open House on August 30th from 4:30-6:30PM for all Oshkosh North students and their parents. Please click on the flyer below for more information, we are looking forward to beginning the new school year with you!

Oshkosh North Open House Flyer 

Please click on the link below for important information regarding school picture days in August, purchasing a yearbook, senior pictures and senior ads for the yearbook. 

Picture Day/Yearbook Ordering/Senior Ad Information
School pictures will be taken on August 30 from 7:30AM-4:00PM & August 31 from 7:30-11:30AM in the North Auditorium for the yearbook and for student ID cards. You may use the link below to order your student's pictures and pre-pay online for them. This option allows you to order directly from your home. The all-in-one pdf has the picture date(s), online ordering link, and order form embedded in it.
Network Photography is asking that parents place a pre-paid order for photos on or before the initial photo shoot dates regardless of when their student is photographed in the school year. They will not be re-opening the pre-paid online link before retake dates.  Picture orders must be placed by September 4th to get free shipping to the school.  Any orders mailed, called in or turned in to their office after the initial photo shoot date are subject to a shipping/handling charge and will be mailed directly to the home.
Any questions regarding picture day please contact Network Photography at  info@networkphoto.net or call 262.677.8662.

Network Photography Picture Day Information - August 30 & 31, 2023

Oshkosh North School Picture day schedule - August 30 & 31, 2023

QR Code Picture Day

North Students and Families,
School pictures will take place on Wednesday, August 30 from 7:30-4:00PM and Thursday, August 31 from 7:30-11:30AM.  After your school picture has been taken, bring your student ID to the media center to check out your brand new chromebook for this school year. All students are required to use a district-issued chromebook. This year we have brand new devices with snap-on cases. 

Please see the attached Student Parking Permit registration form and rules for parking for Oshkosh North. You may bring the completed form and $45.00 permit fee with you to registration on August 8 from 7:30AM-7:30PM at Oshkosh North. 

Student Parking Permit Registration Form

Rules for Student Parking 2023-24

If your student is interested in playing sports in college, please be aware of the following (from page 16 of the OASD Course Guide): "NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Clearinghouse Student athletes wishing to participate in athletics at a Division 1-3 college or undecided should see their athletic director to obtain a list of the NCAA approved core courses. Courses meeting Oshkosh Area School District graduation requirements may not satisfy NCAA eligibility guidelines." At the beginning of junior year, students should notify their school counselor of their desire to play college athletics, and register at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net and follow all instructions, including checking to ensure all needed courses for division qualification are met.

The Oshkosh North Counseling Team looks forward to seeing you soon! Please see below for individual counselor messages:

Counseling Team - Get to Know Us!

Attached you will find a letter, handout, and brochure with more information about the ACT Test Prep Course offered through UW Oshkosh Continuing Education.  The next session for high school sophomores and juniors will be held Saturdays, Oct. 7-Nov. 18, 2023, on the UW Oshkosh Campus, Lincoln Hall.  Students who participated in recent courses have seen an average increase of over 2 points on their ACT score.  For students and parents who feel more comfortable from home, we also have an online option for students to consider. 

Here is the link for more information and to register: www.uwosh.edu/go/actprep.

ACT Prep Letter

ACT Prep Handout

ACT Prep Web Brochure

Please click on the link below for Oshkosh North Athletic Department news and important information.  Thank you for your support of Oshkosh North Athletics!

Oshkosh North Athletic Department News and Information 

High School Athletics and Activities forms 

Athletic "School Store" Directions in a glance

Oshkosh North Athletics Brochure 2023-24 

Oshkosh North Clubs and Organizations 2023-24 

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL CALLS REGARDING ATTENDANCE SHOULD BE MADE DIRECTLY TO THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE AT 424-0288. PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE MAIN OFFICE NUMBER WITH YOUR ATTENDANCE CALLS. The Attendance office receives a high volume of calls particularly in the morning. If your call is not answered please leave a message. For ATTENDANCE messages after 3:30PM, dial 424-0288 and leave a voicemail message. Students who anticipate an upcoming absence from school should also contact the Attendance Office.

Please click on the link below for Attendance Office procedures and reporting an absence:

Oshkosh North Attendance Office Procedures and Reporting an Absence

North Students and Families,

The Oshkosh North administration regularly reviews safety procedures in order to continue to make the safety of our students a top priority. In reviewing, we are making a change to our entry procedures for students and guests. We value the collaboration with guardians and visitors, however safety is our first priority. Please read the following information carefully: 

Student Entry Procedures: 
Currently, students are able to enter school through Doors 1 and 7. The doors are unlocked at 7:00am and 7:45am respectively and then locked once first hour begins. Students are able to enter after open lunch to Doors 1 and 7 after showing their student ID. Starting Friday, September 1, 2023, there will not be any doors unlocked at any time before or during the school day. As our door monitors see students approaching the school, they will “buzz in” all students they identify as approved to be in the building. If a door monitor is unsure of the status of a student, the student will ring the doorbell and speak with the door monitor for approval to enter. 

Guest Entry Procedures: 
Currently, when guests arrive at North, the door monitors unlock the door and then ask guests who they are and the reason for their visit. Starting Friday September 1st, Guests must ring the doorbell and wait for the door monitor to permit entry into our secure vestibule. Guests must check in using the Visitor Form and present a valid photo ID. Once checked in, our Door 1 monitor will radio for the appropriate individual to meet the guest and proceed to their designated meeting area. It is helpful to have scheduled appointments in order to confirm the staff are available to meet. 

We realize that these new procedures may be perceived as inconvenient for students and guests, but we are committed to putting safety before convenience for the sake of our students. If you have any questions about the new procedures, please contact any administrator at North. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep students safe.

Please click on the link below to view the Oshkosh North High School bell schedule for the 2023-24 school year.

Oshkosh North High School Bell Schedule 2023-24

Please take a moment to click on the link below to review the Oshkosh North Student Handbook for 2023-24.

Oshkosh North Student Handbook 2023-24

Oshkosh North is looking for interested parents to join the Oshkosh North Parent Advisory Committee.  Advisory members are particularly focused on how to increase parent and family engagement to ensure student academic success and to build Spartan Pride within our community.

This panel will meet 3-4 times a year, starting in October.  The hope of this panel is to share exciting updates from our North Community and hear feedback from families on new policies, projects, and changes that impact students and their families. The dates we will be meeting will be: October 11; December 6 and February 7 in the North Auditorium and April 24 in room 125 at North. Please enter door #7.

If you are interested in joining the Parent Advisory Committee at North, please contact Mrs. Last, Oshkosh North Principal.

In an effort to improve safety and overall efficiency of traffic flow during before school and after school we ask that parents/guardians pick up their student in either the East or West parking lots. Please do not use the circle drive on Smith Ave as Kobussen school buses use this area to pick up and drop off students. We thank you for your understanding as we continue to work to ensure student safety during the before school and after school pick up times. 

This section will be updated with important senior class information throughout the school year. 

Senior Pictures
Senior pictures are due to Ms. Klein, the yearbook advisor, by October 31, 2023. Pictures can be sent as a jpeg file to oshkoshnorthyearbook@gmail.com. If it is not possible to send the pictures digitally, a hard copy can be brought to Ms. Klein’s classroom, which is Room 235. 

Senior Ads for Yearbook
Parents are also encouraged to purchase senior ads for their graduating sons or daughters. Ad purchasing is being accepted now until February 14, 2024. Full page ads are $200, half page ads are $120, and quarter page ads are $75. See enclosed ad contract for more information!

If there are any questions at all, please email Sara Klein, Reflections yearbook advisor, at sara.klein@oshkosh.12.wi.us or call at 920-424-7000 ext. 6982.

After June 2, 2023 all work permits will be issued online and the Oshkosh North School Bank office will no longer issue work permits. The State of Wisconsin Dept of Workforce Development has implemented a new system that will allow parents of minors under the age of 16 to access an online application to obtain a work permit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from any computer, tablet, smartphone or similar device.  The application is live now and can be accessed by clicking this link -  https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/er/laborstandards/workpermit/.  The new application does not require minors to provide paperwork. It is up to the parents to provide correct information. Minors should receive a written intent to hire letter with the employer's correct mailing address to ensure that: a) the minor has been hired by the employer, and b) the minor has the employer's correct mailing address. 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.

North Students and Families,

Please read the letter below for an update to our free city bus ride program for K-12 students: 

OASD Update 7.26.23 - Free City Bus Rides for K-12 Students - Updates for 2023-24
Timely action is needed by middle and high school students. Beginning September 1, 2023, middle and high school students must have a new GO Transit Student Bus Pass (printed bus pass with photo ID) for the 2023-2024 school year. 

Any questions about the student bus pass can be directed to GO Transit at 920.232.5340. As a reminder, all OASD students are able to use GO Transit every day of the week during all hours of service and on any route for any purpose, including school, work, social activities, and appointments.

If you have any questions concerning the City Transportation available, please visit www.rideGOtransit.com or contact them at 232-5340.  Any other transportation questions should be directed to Jane Mathe at the District Office at 424-4055.

GO Transit Rider Policy

Please click on this link to view community events shared by the Oshkosh Area School District.

HIGH SCHOOL MEAL SERVICES 2023-24

The Food Services Department encourages students to purchase Combo meals using the student’s food service account.  The account is accessed by the student’s pin number.  Combo meals provide the best value both nutritionally and economically.  

1.    All students are required to know their pin number.  Knowing this number moves the line faster. 
2.    In the Food Court, all students purchasing a combo meal will enter their pin number to access the student’s food service account.  
3.    Students paying full price for their meals will have the cost of the combo meal deducted from the student’s individual food service account.  They may also pay cash for the combo meal.  There must be money in the student’s food service account to eat.  If there is not money in the student’s account the student must pay cash to eat.  
4.    Students eligible for free meals will enter their pin number to verify they are eligible to receive a combo meal at no cost.  
5.    Students eligible for reduced meals will enter their pin number and the cost of a reduced price combo meal will be deducted from the student’s individual food service account. They may also choose to pay cash for the reduced price combo meal. There must be money in the student’s food service account to eat.  If there is not money in the student’s account the student must pay cash to eat.  

The Student’s food service account may be used to purchase a la carte items.
Parents / guardians may choose to disallow a la carte purchases.

MEALS THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL:  Any student that was receiving or was eligible for free or reduced price meals at the end of the last school year will be temporarily eligible in the beginning of the school year until a new application is received.  The student must have been in the school district last year for this to occur.  

***At this time, all students will receive free meals again for the 2023-2024 School Year. However, we still highly encourage families to fill out free and reduced applications in order to qualify for other benefits.
 

APPLICATIONS FOR FREE AND REDUCED PRICE MEALS will be available online on the Infinite Campus Parent Portal in mid-July and will also be mailed out in the US mail to all households in mid-July.  Please return your completed application to the Food Services Office, Oshkosh West High School, 375 N. Eagle St., Oshkosh, WI  54902, or the School Office your child attends on or before the first day of school.

LIMITED LUNCH SERVICE AT THE HIGH SCHOOLS:  Students who have a negative Food Service Balance will be allowed to eat a limited lunch.  The limited lunch will consist of a cheese sandwich (as the entrée) and then will be allowed to have the fruit, veggies and milk offered and the account will get charged accordingly for the limited lunch.  They will NOT be able to have their choice of an entrée.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM

The food service department is seeking individuals to work for our department serving breakfast and/ or lunch. The majority of these positions available are 1.5 - 2 hours in length and are during the breakfast and lunch service time, which varies with the school.  Opportunities for longer shifts and additional hours may also be available.  Please see the WECAN at https://wecan.education.wisc.edu website for employment opportunities along with applying for positions within the Food Service Department.

Please call 424-4936 with any questions.

FOOD SERVICE
BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND MILK PRICES
FOR THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR
                                   Breakfast             Lunch
High School                 $1.65                     $2.95
Reduced Price             $0.30                     $0.40
Milk                              $0.40                     $0.40      
Adults                          $2.50                      $4.00  

Please click on the link below to view the Oshkosh Area School District Teacher and Student calendar for 2023-24:

OASD Teacher and Student Calendar 2023-24

Please click on the link below to view the OASD High School Planning and Course Guide for 2023-24:

OASD High School and Course Planning Guide 2023-24

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students who are 18 years of age or older (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are:
1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day a written request is received.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
3. The right to provide written consent before the school discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
4. The right to know that school districts can disclose education records to each other without parent consent if student is enrolling or transferring to another district.
5. The right to file a complaint with the US Department of Education concerning alleged failures by a school to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202

Note: For a review of additional details for each of the above items, please go to the following website: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa.index.html

OASD Visitor Management System - effective September 1, 2023
● A universal procedure for visitor check in/check out will be implemented at all OASD schools
starting September 1, 2023.
● All visitors will check in at the Chromebook kiosk station where they will submit their name,
reason for visit, and location they are reporting to in the building.
● All visitors will be issued a badge that will be returned upon check out.
● All visitors will check out at the Chromebook kiosk station.
● Students will also check in/check out at the Chromebook kiosk station during the school day.
● This new procedure gives accurate information and location of visitors in the building,
provides a listing of all adults in the building, and provides a list of students checking in/out in
one document.
 

We appreciate your willingness to volunteer your time. Please work directly with the school you would like to volunteer regarding any questions you may have about your application and its status. Please note that a volunteer application only needs to be filled out one time per school year regardless if you want to volunteer in multiple schools. If you are selected to volunteer, please let the school secretary know that you have completed this form. By completing and submitting this form you agree to the following statement:

"I authorize the Oshkosh Area School District to conduct a full and complete criminal background check. I understand that any misrepresentation on this statement may result in immediate disqualification for any volunteer service within the Oshkosh Area School District. I understand that the District reserves the right to decline permission to serve as a volunteer. I hereby release the District and its employees and agents, and providers of information from any liability related to furnishing and receiving information related to arrests and convictions or other offenses."Volunteer Application Link