Newsletter September 8, 2023

Hello Oshkosh North!

This is Mr. Cheely your new Dean of Students. Some of you might recognize my name from being a Social Studies teacher in the building for the last 3 years.  A little bit about myself: I grew up about 40 minutes south of Chicago. Don’t worry I am not a Bears Fan! A little quirk about me: I am a huge Indianapolis Colts fan. In my free time, my fiance and I love to explore museums and local foods. I look forward to working with all of our students in this new role. Have a great school year! 

Hello, Oshkosh North Families - We are excited to announce an improved field trip process for families. Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, all field trip permission slips will be electronic and we are moving to cashless payments for field trips. This is a new process for our entire district and is meant to streamline and improve our service to families. 

Additional information will be shared by teachers as they plan for field trips. However, we want to highlight the following features: 

• Our new online field trip process must be completed via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. 
• All online transaction fees have been waived, including payments made by credit card, debit card, and checking/savings account. 
• If a field trip is sponsored by the district, the cost of the trip is waived for families who are eligible and approved to receive free and reduced priced meals. (This will be communicated to impacted families.)

Our school secretary will be available to assist families as needed and if a parent/guardian is unable to complete the online field trip process, we can provide support in-person or over the phone. 

We look forward to providing your child(ren) with enriching field trip experiences that contribute to their educational journey. We appreciate your continued partnership and engagement!

The NCAA Eligibility Center is hosting a free webinar for college-bound student-athletes and their families on Sunday, September 17 from 4:00-5:00PM.  Details are included in the attached poster, but any student athlete who thinks they may play college sports would benefit from attending!

NCAA Initial Eligibility Webinar - September 17

You are invited to enjoy a great meal at The Taqueria on Wednesday, September 20 from 11:00AM-9:00PM. 10% of all sales will be donated to help support Oshkosh North Athletic Programs. Please see the flyer below for more information. Thank you for your support!

Dine Out - Taqueria 

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 upcoming Love and Logic Seminars at South Park Middle School this fall.

Love and Logic Flyer

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 21 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.

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

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.

Please click on the link below for important information regarding purchasing a yearbook, senior pictures and senior ads for the yearbook. 

Picture Day/Yearbook Ordering/Senior Ad Information

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 note that a volunteer application only needs to be completed 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 submitted your criminal background check authorization at the link provided below. If you have any questions about your criminal background check, or its status, please work directly with the school you would like to volunteer with. 

By completing and submitting this criminal background check authorization 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."BIB Secure Volunteer Criminal Background Check