The Ottawa Hills Board of Education is now taking applications for an open seat starting in January. The vacancy was created by the resignation of board member Lisa Brown, which is effective Dec. 31, 2020. Mrs. Brown announced her resignation at the conclusion of Tuesday's board meeting (Nov. 17).

As we complete our 12th week of instruction in this most unusual school year, I want to share an important change coming to our buildings' instructional schedules. This change is being adopted for three main reasons:

Earlier today, the Board of Health for the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department issued a temporary stay-at-home advisory to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Until the advisory becomes a mandate, however, Ottawa Hills Local Schools will continue to offer in-person instruction and follow our current model.

Parents and guardians of K-2 students are invited to a special online presentation about the district’s new math program at the Elementary School. The 90-minute Zoom meeting is Monday, Nov. 30, starting at 7 p.m.

The Class of 2020 earned nearly $7.5 million in scholarships and institutional aid and 98 percent are attending four-year colleges and universities. And among those institutions, The Ohio State University continues to be the biggest draw, with 37 of the class’s 61 graduates applying and 11 ultimately enrolling this fall. Indiana and Tennessee tied for the states with the largest number of enrolled 2020 graduates (three each).

Attention parents of 9th graders: The Junior/Senior High School is hosting a 9th Grade Virtual Parent Night on Thursday, Dec. 3 starting at 6 p.m. A Google Meet link will be sent prior to that evening.

Just in time for the holidays, the Bear Cave has expanded hours. It is now open today and Friday from 3:15-5 p.m. AND every Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon (except Nov. 28).

With the theme "Book Fair Time Machine: Reading Can Take You Anywhere!," the annual fall Scholastic Book Fair returns to the Elementary School starting Nov. 24. This year's event is online only and runs through Monday, Dec. 7.

See the Early Release Wednesday schedule for 2020 at the Jr./Sr. High School:

The 2020 boys' and girls' cross-country teams wrapped up very successful years last weekend, culminating in appearances at States. Here is a list of achievements earned by this squad:

Visitors, volunteers, and vendors seeking to enter school buildings will soon need a valid government ID to do so.

The Elementary School again honors the nation’s military heroes through its annual Veterans Day Program. This year’s event, which takes place on Veterans Day (Nov. 11), features an address by Trevor Heidenreich, a village resident and parent.

Freshman Class officers are sponsoring a mitten-and-sock drive to donate to Family House, a support organization for Toledo-area families.

Congratulations to 34 Green Bear athletes for earning honors on All-TAAC teams during the fall season. The teams have been announced over the past couple of weeks as TAAC seasons end. 

The people have spoken. And to that, we say “THANK YOU” for supporting Our Schools … Our Community … and helping to define Our Future!

For the first time in Green Bear history, the girls' cross-country team qualified for States!

The Junior/Senior High School is glad to welcome Hanna Fotsch as its new student assistance coordinator. She begins the role Nov. 9.

The second fall session of Acting Out! begins Friday, Nov. 13. The acting training and leadership development program is for students in grades 4-12 and taught by Darrin Broadway.

Senior Ella Langenderfer won the Ohio Turnpike's "#W82TEXT High School Video Contest," which promotes safe driving habits. Watch the video

In its first major competition of the school year, the Ottawa Hills Quiz Bowl Team finished third among 14 teams at last weekend’s (Saturday, Oct. 24) virtually-held Oklahoma University Early Fall Tournament. Leading the Green Bears was senior Ishan Khare.

Ottawa Hills Local Schools celebrates Red Ribbon Week Oct. 26-30. Red Ribbon Week is the largest drug-abuse prevention campaign in the nation. It started in 1985 and is run by the National Family Partnership. Here are the details for families in both buildings.

It's time to cheer on freshman Catherine Rhegness as she competes in the Ohio High School Athletic Association individual state tournament starting Friday. She then joins the rest of her girls' tennis teammates Sunday as they enter the Ohio Tennis Coaches Association Tournament!

Missed the Oct. 18 Fall Collage Concerts? You can relive the moments!

As the Nov. 3 election draws closer, voters in Ottawa Hills likely have questions about school funding. Here is information to help understand how schools are financed and the role of levies and property taxes in that financing.

The Elementary School is planning its annual Halloween Parade for 2020 for Friday, Oct. 30. Due to COVID-19, some processes will be different than in past years. The building is again excited to again have Superintendent Dr. Adam Fineske joining the celebration; he will be wearing a costume that received the most votes by students in the 6th Grade.

For the second consecutive year, Ottawa Hills Local Schools is the No. 1 school district in the Toledo area and Lucas County, according to research company Niche. In addition, Ottawa Hills High School this year has been named the No. 1 high school for the same areas.

Congratulations to the newly appointed leadership team for Teen PEP (Peers Educating Peers):

Congratulations to the girls' varsity volleyball team for winning its first-ever title!

Congratulations to October's amazing "Students of the Month" at the Jr./Sr. High: Petar Isailovic (12), Ben Burke (10), and Olivia Bridges (8).

The OH High School Gay-Straight Alliance and This is OH will host a Village celebration of "National Coming Out Day" Wednesday, Oct. 14.

The OH boys' and girls' varsity soccer teams host a "Kicks for a Cure" event Oct. 12 to benefit Susan G. Komen Northwest Ohio at Niedermeier Stadium.

A new free tool is available to Ottawa Hills parents to help children with their social-emotional learning (SEL).

This year, there will be two Fall Collage concerts on Sunday, Oct. 18, to help share the music with our community!

As a further step toward safety, the Elementary School recently installed two hand-washing stations near the main doors used for access to the playground.

In order for a senior to be featured in the senior section of the yearbook and composite image posted annually in the hallway, he or she must have a "yearbook only photograph" taken at Prestige Photography by Lifetouch in Levis Commons, before Dec. 18, 2020.

Congratulations to the girls' volleyball teams, their friends and families, and coaches for a successful "Volley for a Cause" event Tuesday (Sept. 22).

Congratulations to our athletes and fans for receiving a very, very positive report from the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) for the Sept. 18 home varsity football game.

Congratulations to the boys' varsity golf team for this week (Monday, Sept. 21) winning its 12th consecutive Toledo Area Athletic Conference (TAAC) title.

The Ohio Department of Education this week released its 2020 Ohio School Report Cards but without assigning districts an overall grade due to the cancellation last spring of state testing because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Senior Keefer McClure this weekend not only won the Freedom Invitational cross-country event, but he broke a 33-year school record. His time of 16:35.67 eclipsed the mark of 16:36 set by then-senior Steve Summers (’87) in 1987.

The Elementary School has prepared these important reminders for both remote and in-person learners:

The Junior/Senior High School offers guidance and clarification to parents and guardians regarding absences and changing models under the in-person and remote-learning options.

The scheduled National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society induction ceremony for Sept. 16 has been postponed.

The Junior/Senior High School will host a virtual open house Wednesday, Sept. 16.

Congratulations to five OH seniors for being named 2021 National Merit Scholarship Corporation Semifinalists. The students are Shiraz Hasan, Petar Isailovic, Ishan S. Khare, Danielle Sun, and Mattingly S. Wilson.

On Sept. 8 and 9, only half the students will be in the Junior/Senior High School at one time so students and staff can conduct the proper training required to ensure the safe return of students to the building.

The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department and other area medical professionals have expressed concern about the potential for the spread of the virus over Labor Day weekend if people fail to follow health guidelines.

Sixteen teachers and staff from Ottawa Hills Local Schools have received The Governor’s Thomas Edison Award. Ottawa Hills was the only district in northwest Ohio selected for the honor.

Darcy Browne has agreed to serve as interim assistant principal at the Junior/Senior High School for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year. She will be recommended for approval formally at the Sept. 3 Board of Education meeting.

In compliance with Ohio health orders, attendance will be limited at Ottawa Hills sporting events this fall. To allow OH families and other fans to attend in person, the district has developed the following ticket guidelines.

We are excited to get the 2020-2021 school year started. Your teachers and the entire district, staff, teachers, and administration have been working tirelessly to prepare both in-school and remote-learning environments to make this a fantastic year for your children.

One of the many legacies of COVID-19 will be a rethinking of learning models for the 21st century. In fact, signs of classroom change were present even before the virus: the increased role of technology, a growing need for personalized learning, greater collaboration among learners, and an embrace of new teaching and curriculum strategies.

While we know that not all students will return to the in-person classroom environment Sept. 8, it is important to provide you with information about the return to in-person school that day. This communication includes information you will need if you plan to send your child to school in person Sept. 8.

As school gets ready to resume, it’s time to again start using The Kadens Family Fitness Center.

As the "official" start of this academic year draws near, I want to share several important updates.

Ottawa Hills Local Schools has invested in new health, safety, and other hygiene protocols as the return of in-person instruction approaches.

For students taking the SAT exam on Saturday, Aug. 29, here are important details to remember:

This communication provides updates on your child’s schedule for remote learning (Aug. 24-Sept. 4) and to let you know that we will need to gain an updated confirmation from you soon if your child(ren) will continue remotely starting Tuesday, Sept. 8, when in-person instruction begins.

This evening, the Ottawa Hills Board of Education agreed to follow the local health department's strong recommendation and delay the start of in-person instruction for Ottawa Hills students.

The Junior/Senior High School begins the 2020-2021 school year with a staggered start to allow students to have a proper orientation and learn about our new Restart and Reopen plan approved by the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department.

The first-ever “virtual” Back to School 5K is coming to the Village of Ottawa Hills Aug. 9-15. Because of COVID-19, the annual in-person race – a fundraiser for After Prom – is changing its format.

Attention, OH students and families: If you are going to be on a team this fall, the district's Athletic Department is asking everyone to check on physicals that may have expired or are expiring soon.

Ottawa Hills Junior/Senior High School was one of only 14 high schools statewide this year to earn the Harold C. Shaw Memorial School Award.

The Ottawa Hills Board of Education also on Tuesday unanimously passed resolutions by 5-0 votes beginning the process to place two tax issues before Village voters Tuesday, Nov. 3.

The Ottawa Hills Board of Education today (June 16) approved a general fund budget for the coming school year that assumes a future cut in state aid due to the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on state revenue.

As reported recently by multiple national media outlets, a Rhode Island student who attended an NBA game had contact with the same player as two of our students (on the following day). That Rhode Island student has now been diagnosed with COVID-19. All the students were in close proximity to the player, who has since been diagnosed with the virus.

These are remarkable times and so remarkable steps are required. In response to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's announcement this afternoon, Ottawa Hills Local Schools will follow the schedule below:

As you know, there have been many new announcements at the state and local level regarding the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our country. The latest information we have is that there are still only 3 confirmed cases in Ohio (all in the Cleveland area).