Jump in the Pool!
We successfully launched pool testing on Monday of this week. We had 133 students and 38 staff participating and everything went very smooth. We are hoping to get results back at some point tomorrow - and we are hoping for great news!
What are the benefits of pool testing? There are MANY!
1. Peace of mind - it is a weekly test for your student and you will know that they are free and clear of a positive COVID test.
2. It allows us to catch a positive case early - before the potential for more serious symptoms could develop.
3. It can really minimize the disruption for your student and possibly prevent them from missing academic classes at school or participation in their favorite sport or activity.
4. If your student is a close contact to someone with a positive test - they will not have to quarantine and can remain in school as a full participant, including all of their sports/activities - regardless of their vaccination status.
5. It is a chance to help our school and our community as well as be a part of the solution.
To sign up for Pool Testing:
To sign-up a minor child - here is the link:
https://testcenter.concentricbyginkgo.com/minor-consent/start
If you are 18 or older and signing up yourself:
https://testcenter.concentricbyginkgo.com/invite-by-code
Access Code: X67ZUZ
Lifetouch Pictures - TOMORROW!
Just a reminder, Lifetouch will be at OTHS for pictures on Wednesday, September 29th. To order, you simply need to go to www.mylifetouch.com and enter the picture day ID:
EVTN7KDRK
From there, you can order the package that best fits your needs.
The picture ID that we sent last week was incorrect - this one will work! Sorry about that!
Tardy to School/Tardy to Class
We have updated our Tardy Policy. Students who arrive late to school without a valid reason will head directly to class. If the student is late due to an appointment, they should stop by the office to get the Tardy Excused (students should have a note from a parent/guardian).
Please take a few minutes to read the entire policy - including consequences:
https://tinyurl.com/OTHS-tardy
College Fair at UMaine
UMaine is hosting the NEACAC College Fair on October 6th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm and October 7th from 9:00am to 11:00am. Masks will be required for all participants.
Seniors who wish to attend on the 7th with OTHS staff can pick up a permission slip from the guidance office or from Ms. Dow in the Career Center. We will be having lunch (free for seniors) on campus as well. Permission slips will be due Tuesday, October 5th by 3PM.
October 8th/11th
Just a reminder - per the RSU 34 school calendar - there is NO SCHOOL on Friday, October 8th or Monday, October 11th.
For Students out on Quarantine
Attendance
We are recording attendance for students who are out on quarantine as a means to know who is in our building and who is not. Students will not be penalized for these absences.
School Work
Just a reminder that students should be checking their google classrooms and doing any work listed. We do have a couple of staff members who are able to provide support with the logistics of keeping up on work and staying organized. Please reach out to Mrs. A. Ketch if you would like to be connected with our support staff.
PSATs
OTHS will be hosting the October 13th PSAT. This is an optional test, paid for by our MELMAC grant. Sophomores and Juniors who are interested in taking the PSAT must sign up by October 1st. This is a firm deadline as we will need to arrange coverage. The link to sign up is: https://tinyurl.com/OT-PSAT
Seniors - updates
Links to recording from our Senior Parent Night:
College Application Process: https://youtu.be/0eaVdMU8E_E
Financial Aid: https://youtu.be/uu5PgK4fsmw
Supporting Documents: https://tinyurl.com/w2vxh9eb
Yearbook Deadlines
All seniors have been invited to join Mrs. Turner’s google classroom to keep current on deadlines for the yearbook. If your student hasn’t accepted this invite yet, please remind them to. Here are the upcoming deadlines:
Yearbook Dedication Voting Due October 4th
Baby Picture Due October 10th
Senior Memories Due October 10th
Senior Photo Due October 15th
(Please reach out to Mrs. Turner if you need help arranging a senior picture)
Masking Update and Expectations
The RSU 34 School Board is requiring all staff and students to wear a mask while in school until further notice. To maintain the safety of all school personnel, students, and our community, we ask that students wear masks to school, wear masks appropriately (over the mouth and nose) while attending school, and respect the expectation that has been asked of us as a school community. OTHS administration has put in place a three-strike system to support the expectation of proper mask-wearing: 1 - conversation and a reminder to the student 2 - conversation and call home to the parent/guardian to reinforce the expectation 3 - Administration Dismissal for improper mask-wearing. We are in this together and the best way to move in a direction that does not require masks or whole-school shut down is to practice responsible mask-wearing.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us.
Thank you for all of your support.
We are doing the best that we can for our kids!
Scott Gordon
Amy Ketch
Jeremy Bousquet