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Happy National Oreo Day!

Our teachers had a sweet surprise today thanks to some of our amazing OTHS parent supporters! They stopped by with some delicious Oreo treats to help celebrate the day.

Small gestures like this mean a lot and remind us how lucky we are to be part of such a supportive Panther community.

Thank you to our wonderful parents for always finding ways to lift up our staff!

 

Dear OTHS Seniors and Parents/Guardians,

As we approach the culmination of your high school journey, we want to ensure you have all the necessary information for a smooth and memorable Commencement ceremony on May 30^th, 2026. Please carefully review the details below. 

Class of 2026 Commencement Details
For comprehensive information, including ticket distribution, graduation practice, attire guidelines, and spectator viewing, please visit this link to the website: OTHS Graduation Information. 

 

Senior Exit Survey: All seniors are required to complete the Senior Exit Survey

Access the survey by clicking here: Senior Exit Survey.

Please note the following:

• Submission: Each student may submit the survey only once. (Note: only students may access the survey using their OTHS email)

• Purpose: Completion ensures timely receipt of graduation tickets during the week of May 11^th. Please note that while students who do not complete the survey will still be included in the graduation line-up, their ticket distribution may be delayed.

• Content: The survey consists of 17 questions, including several used for the College and Career Readiness Indicator (CCRI), a data collection system mandated by the Illinois State Board of Education. It should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

• Requirement: All questions must be answered for the survey to be considered complete. 
• Deadline: The survey must be completed by Friday, May 1^st .

Graduation Cap & Gown
For essential details about commencement attire, including guidelines for approved cap decorations and graduation stoles, please click here: Graduation Attire Guidelines

For seniors who have not yet ordered a cap and gown:

• Contact Jostens:
  • Website: Jostens.com
  • Phone: 800-854-7464
• Orders can be submitted through the end of March. 
• If you experience any difficulties with purchasing a cap and gown, please contact Mrs. Lugge in the School Counseling Office for assistance.

We encourage all seniors to promptly complete the Senior Exit Survey and follow all graduation-related instructions to ensure a seamless transition into this significant milestone. Should you have any questions or need further assistance, please reach out to the School Counseling Department.

Congratulations on reaching this milestone. We look forward to celebrating your achievements at the May 30^th Commencement ceremony!

 

Warm regards,

Tiffany Lugge
Director of School Counseling

🤖⚙️ OTHS Robotics: Building the Future, One Bot at a Time

 

The OTHS Robotics Team is where innovation meets teamwork. Our students design, build, program, and compete with custom-built robots that take on real-world engineering challenges. From brainstorming and CAD modeling to wiring, coding, and competition day strategy, every member plays a vital role.

Robotics at OTHS isn’t just about machines, it’s about problem-solving, creativity, leadership, and collaboration. Students gain hands-on experience in engineering, programming, and project management while developing skills that prepare them for high-demand careers in STEM fields.

Whether they’re troubleshooting code late after school or celebrating a successful match, our Robotics team represents Panther pride through innovation, perseverance, and teamwork.

🔩 Driven by curiosity.
💡 Powered by creativity.
🏆 Built to compete.

Robotics Team (aka Team 1208, aka the Metool Brigade): The OTHS Robotics Team participates in the First Robotics Competition (FRC). We design, build and operate a 140 lb, 5-foot-high robot. Each competition season presents a new challenge for robot design. Students have the opportunity to work in computer programming, electronics, mechanics, construction, graphic design, and administration. Our team and robot participate in a worldwide competition with over 2600 teams. All students are eligible to participate in Robotics. Robotics team sponsor is Mr. Malvik (malvike@oths.us)

OTHS Principal, Mr. Dan Howe, gives a presentation to the OTHS District 203 Board of Education on Vaping and it's impacts on OTHS.

 

🎬✨ Celebrating Black History Month at OTHS ✨🎬

💙This month, we were proud to host several events including Moments in Black History in the Panther Center, a special event bringing powerful stories and pivotal moments to life on the big screen.

📣Our IMPACT Step Team also hosted an event called "Stepping Into Black History" where students had the opportunity to learn about the history and impact of the Divine 9 and engaged in other activities.

💪Impact also took center stage at February Frolics with a powerful performance celebrating the history and pride of Black culture.

⭐From honoring trailblazers and change-makers, to reflecting on the struggles and triumphs that have shaped the Black experience, these events created space to learn, reflect, and be inspired together.

Black History Month is a time to celebrate, to listen, and to grow, and we are grateful to everyone who took part in making this event meaningful.

 

📣 Parents & Guardians - We Need Your Voice!

Our school is participating in the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, and your feedback truly matters. This short survey helps us understand what we’re doing well and where we can continue to grow in supporting our students.

Your responses are confidential and provide valuable insight into:
✔️ School climate
✔️ Communication
✔️ Academic support
✔️ Family involvement
✔️ Leadership effectiveness

When families partner with schools, great things happen. 💙

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and help us continue building an even stronger school community.
https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/login/

 

🔥🏀 GAME DAY IS COMING! 🏀🔥
Catch every bucket, buzzer-beater, and big moment LIVE as OTHS Pantherbeat streams the Bank of O’Fallon Shootout this Saturday!

www.bankofofallonshootout.com

If you can’t be in the stands, we’ve got you covered.
📺🎙️ Tune in. Cheer loud. Wherever you are.

Dear OTHS Families and Students,

The attached newsletter provides important information regarding state-required assessments scheduled for March and April. We encourage you to review this information and mark the testing dates on your calendar to plan accordingly.

The newsletter is two pages in length. Page one outlines testing dates and the impact on the daily schedule at each campus. Page two includes anticipated dismissal times and bus schedules for testing days.

Additional details for each assessment will be shared as we get closer to the testing dates.

Thank you for your continued partnership. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lugge (lugget@oths.us)

Director of School Counseling

Assessment Coordinator

 

Attachment: Assessment Newsletter

💙 It’s School Counselor Appreciation Week! 💙

📣This week we celebrate the incredible school counselors who support, guide, and advocate for our students every single day. From academic planning to career guidance, their impact reaches far beyond the office door. Thank you for all you do for our students and families, we appreciate you more than you know! 💪

🗣️We will officially have an E-Learning day tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27th, 2026.

 

💙They say the sequel is never as good as the original, but let's prove them wrong.

 

💪You all crushed E-Learning today 👏 Let’s keep the momentum going and run it back tomorrow!

 

😎See you on Canvas tomorrow Panthers, same time, same place!

OTHS Students, Families, and Staff, 

Due to weather and road conditions, OTHS will utilize an E-Learning day on Monday, January 26th. Please visit the following link for E-Learning resources: https://www.oths.us/academics/e-learning-information

Student attendance is expected on E-Learning days. The class schedule is posted below. As a reminder, students must log in to Canvas Collaborate Live for each of their classes and remain logged in for the entirety of each class period.

Smiley Students	Milburn Students
Office Hours:                8:00 am	Office Hours:                7:30 am
Early Bird:                     8:25 - 8:55
1st Hour:                        9:00 - 9:30	1st Hour:                        9:00 - 9:30
2nd Hour:                       9:35 - 10:05	2nd Hour:                       9:35 - 10:05
3rd Hour:                       10:10 -10:40	3rd Hour:                       10:10 -10:40
4th Hour:                       10:45 - 11:15	4th Hour:                       10:45 - 11:15
5th Hour:                       11:20 – 11:50	5th Hour:                       11:20 – 11:50
6th Hour:                       11:55 – 12:25	6th Hour:                       11:55 – 12:25
7th Hour:                       12:30 – 1:00	7th Hour:                       12:30 – 1:00
Lunch:                           1:00-1:30	Lunch:                          1:00-1:30
Online Office Hrs:       1:30-2:00	Online Office Hrs:       1:30-2:00
Office Hours:               2:00-3:00	Office Hours:               2:00-2:30

If students have a technical problem, please contact the computer department through emailing computerdepartment@oths.us. 

Information regarding athletics and extra-curricular activities will be communicated through individual coaches and sponsors. 

Thank you, 

Dr. Beth Shackelford, Superintendent

OTHS Students and Families, 

As the winter season nears, so does the potential for inclement weather. In the event that school must be cancelled due to weather conditions, families will be notified through the email and phone number listed in the Skyward student management system. School closings will also be announced through local television networks and on the OTHS website. 

We are also pleased to share that an official E-Learning plan has been approved for OTHS. This plan provides the flexibility to use E-Learning days in place of emergency days that would otherwise require the full closure of school operations. We anticipate utilizing a combination of E-Learning days and traditional emergency days as needed throughout the school year. The plan allows OTHS to use a maximum of five E-Learning days per year.

For additional information about E-Learning, please visit http://www.oths.us/elearning or view the E-Learning Frequently Asked Questions. E-Learning day announcements will be communicated in the same manner as traditional school closings. 

Celebrating the life and legacy of one of a kind today. A trailblazer and man of character.

"The time is always right, to do what is right."

Do the next right thing today, and everyday!

🎉 Congratulations to our Fall 2025 Honor Roll students! 🎉
Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence are true to the OTHS way. We are proud of each of you!!! Keep striving, keep growing, and keep leading the way, Panthers! 🐾📚

 

You can find the complete list at www.oths.us/honorroll

We are pleased to announce that our 8th Grade Parent Night will be livestreamed. Visit the following link to view the stream.

https://www.youtube.com/live/882LQrlzK6M?feature=shared

 

🥳Please join us in congratulating the 107 OTHS seniors who have been recognized as Illinois State Scholars for the Class of 2026!

 

🎯This honor is awarded by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and is one of the state’s highest academic distinctions. Selection is based on a combination of ACT scores and sixth-semester class performance, placing honorees roughly in the top 10% of Illinois students.

 

💙We are incredibly proud of their hard work, dedication, and academic excellence.

 

Visit www.oths.us/honorroll for the complete list of students

OTHS Students, Staff, and Families, 

Final exams are right around the corner and will be held on December 17, 18, and 19. Please see the Final Exam Schedule on our website calendar.

Earlier this week, OTHS hosted a community meeting to discuss future facility needs and planning. If you were unable to attend the meeting, you can view a video of the presentation here: OTHS Facilities Planning Presentation. We are asking parents and community members to complete a brief survey after viewing the presentation. The link to the survey can be found here: OTHS Facility Improvement Community Feedback Survey Our community is an integral part of the planning process, and we appreciate your feedback!

Finally, winter break begins December 22nd. Students will return for second semester on January 6. 

Wishing you a happy holiday season from all of us at OTHS, 

Dr. Beth Shackelford, Superintendent

We see many comments about moving sophomores out to the Milburn Campus. This option is on the table, but we also wanted to share some considerations.

Things to Consider About a Freshman–Sophomore Campus (Just a few of the many)

Access to electives & specialized programs - Many upper-level courses and CTE/Art courses are now only available at the Smiley campus.

Increased transportation needs - More students may need to be transferred between campuses during the school day.

Split staffing & resources - Additional staff may need to travel between campuses.

A significant addition to the building and facilities would be needed to house another class at our Milburn Campus. The Milburn campus was designed for growth, and we do have space to expand.

We’re focused on the future. While it’s easy to look back and say, ‘We should have done this,’ our responsibility now is to work with what we have and continue building OTHS into the best environment for our students to learn and thrive.

This information and much more will be available tomorrow evening as we discuss our many options with the public at our PTAC Meeting. 6:30pm start time at the Smiley Panther Center