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OTHS Celebrates Assistant Principals Week

🎉Shoutout to our incredible Assistant Principals who help keep OTHS running strong every single day! 🎉

🤩From supporting our students and staff, to solving problems before most of us even know they exist, you are the positive force behind so much of what makes OTHS great.🤩

💪Whether it’s in the halls, at events, or behind the scenes, you show up for our Panthers in a big way every day.💪

💛💙Thank you for all you do to make OTHS a place where students can learn, grow, and thrive. We appreciate you this week and always! 💙💛

April is School Library Month, and today we’re giving a special shoutout for School Librarian Day! 📚✨

⭐Our OTHS IMC's are so much more than books, they are a hub for curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and connection. Whether students are diving into a new story, researching their next big project, or finding a quiet place to think, the IMC is at the heart of it all.

💙A huge THANK YOU to our incredible IMC librarians for inspiring a love of reading, supporting lifelong learning, and always going the extra mile for our students and staff. Your impact reaches far beyond the shelves!

Be sure to stop by the IMC this month on either campus and show your appreciation! ❤️📖

Today we celebrate the incredible paraprofessionals who make a difference at OTHS every single day! 🍎

💪Your patience, compassion, and unwavering support help create an environment where all students can learn, grow, and succeed. Whether you're offering a helping hand, a listening ear, or that extra encouragement at just the right moment, you are truly a blessing to our Panther community.

🤩Thank you for the countless ways you show up for our students and staff. Your impact does not go unnoticed, and we are better because of you!

Happy Paraprofessional Day! 👏💙

We’re proud to share that the O’Fallon Township High School District 203 Board of Education has been awarded the IASB Excellence in Governance Award!

This honor places OTHS District 203 among just 42 districts across Illinois recognized for outstanding leadership, student-focused decision-making, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Over the past two years, our Board has:

Set clear, measurable goals aligned to student success

Completed a full update of all Board policies

Expanded opportunities in CTE, STEM, and advanced academics

Increased transparency and community engagement

Demonstrated exceptional teamwork and leadership

This recognition reflects the collective effort of our Board, staff, students, and community partners. Together, we continue to empower students to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens.

Pictured are OTHS Board of Education Members (left to right)

Rob Brown, James Huff, Keith Richter, Donna Johnson, Heather LoBue, Dennis Isom (Not Pictured: Blake Corners)

OTHS Students and Families, 

Along with warmer weather, spring brings assessment season at OTHS. All students will have an early release day on Wednesday, March 25th; Milburn students will be completing the PreACT9. Please see the schedule for March 25th below:

MILBURN
PreACT9	7:30am-10:30am
PreACT9 (for students with extended time)	7:30am-11:55am (may conclude earlier)
Bus Transportation	Buses will run from the Milburn campus at 10:30am and 12:00pm. Activity buses to the Smiley campus will not run on testing days.

Information has been communicated to all Milburn students regarding what to bring for test day, testing locations, and whether they are required to bring their school-issued Chromebook.  Milburn students should get a good night’s sleep and be ready for testing on Wednesday, March 25th.

SMILEY
Early Bird	7:25am – 7:55am
1st Hour	8:00am – 8:30am
2nd Hour	8:35am – 9:05am
3rd Hour	9:10am – 9:40am
4th Hour	9:45am – 10:15am
5th Hour	10:20am – 10:50am
6th Hour	10:55am – 11:25am
7th Hour	11:30am – 12:00pm
Bus Transportation	Buses will run from the Smiley campus at 12:00pm

The testing date for sophomores and juniors is April 15th. For more information on testing, please visit: https://www.oths.us/academics/assessment-information.

Thank you, and have a wonderful weekend!

Dr. Beth Shackelford, Superintendent

🚧 Calling All OTHS Juniors & Seniors! 🚧

We’re excited to share an incredible opportunity for our students, the OTHS Skilled Trades Career Fair!

📅 Thursday, March 19th

📍 Smiley Campus – Panther Dome

⏰ During Advisory Periods

This event is designed specifically for our junior and senior students and will feature a variety of vendors showcasing high-demand skilled trades careers and training programs. It’s a great chance for students to explore hands-on career paths, ask questions, and discover opportunities that could shape their future.

💡 Students will also participate in a planned activity to help them engage with vendors and make the most out of this experience.

We’re grateful for your support in encouraging your student to take full advantage of this meaningful event!

We’re looking forward to an exciting and impactful day in the Panther Dome! 🐾

Head over to www.oths.us/prom for your 2026 OTHS Prom Tickets.

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