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

🏫 Our space is stretched to the limit. 😠

📣OTHS Smiley Campus is currently at 95% space utilization, far above the 80% standard recommended by ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education). This impacts everything from classroom size to daily scheduling and even teacher/faculty workspace.

🤯Many teachers don't even have their own classrooms. OTHS has some rooms that are shared among 3 or more teachers.

💙We’re committed to being transparent with our community as we explore solutions to ensure our students and staff have the space they deserve. You have a great opportunity to join us on December 8th to have your voice heard.

PTAC Meeting - December 8th - 6:30pm - Smiley Panther Center

 

Our hallways tell the story.

OTHS was built for a different time, a different enrollment, and a different community size. These photos show the strain on our current space, hallways packed shoulder-to-shoulder during passing periods.

Our students number 1 complaint about our facilities, navigating our hallways. If you have ever tried to navigate from one classroom to another during passing periods, you know their struggle.

We are actively exploring facility solutions, and community input will be essential as we move forward. Come join us on December 8th as we seek community input on our facility needs.

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE – FALL SEMESTER 2025

FINAL EXAM DAY 1: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17

 

HOUR	MILBURN	SMILEY
1ST	7:30 – 9:00	8:00 – 9:30
2ND	9:10 –10:40	9:40 – 11:10
3RD	10:50-12:20	11:20 – 12:50

Students with unscheduled time, study hall, PE and/or lunch/advisory during 1^st or 3^rd hour need not be present. All students present during unscheduled time should report to the cafeteria.

FINAL EXAM DAY 2: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18

 

HOUR	MILBURN	SMILEY
7th	7:30 – 9:00	8:00-9:30
6th	9:10-10:40	9:40-11:10
EARLY BIRD	NA	11:20-12:50

Students with unscheduled time, study hall, or PE during 7^th hour need not be present. All students present during unscheduled time should report to the cafeteria.

FINAL EXAM DAY 3: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19

 

HOUR	MILBURN	SMILEY
4TH	7:30-9:00	8:00-9:30
5TH	9:10-10:40	9:40-11:10

Students with unscheduled time, study hall, PE and/or lunch/advisory during 4^th or 5^th hour need not be present. All students present during unscheduled time should report to the cafeteria.

NOTE: If there is an emergency day on any of the three scheduled exam days, further instructions will be provided.

 

BUSING INFORMATION

·         Buses will run at the conclusion of finals on December 17 and December 19. Buses will run after 6^th hour on December 18. Buses will NOT run after the early bird final on December 18.

·         The Milburn Activity bus will run at the conclusion of all Milburn finals.

 

ATTENDANCE AND OTHER INFORMATION

·         Lunches are not served on final exam days.

·         It is mandatory to give semester exams to all classes on the days that they are scheduled. Under no circumstances will final exams be given in advance of the first regularly scheduled day of finals.

·         A doctor's excuse or other third-party documentation, as approved in advance by the administration, may be required for students to miss final exams.

·         If a student misses 1st Semester final exams, they will be expected to make up these exams no later than the first school day of the second semester.

·         It is mandatory that students not be dismissed early from any final exam period.

 

ATHLETICS

·         Sports practices on exam days will be determined by individual coaches.

You’re Invited: Community Conversation on the Future of OTHS Facilities
Monday, December 8 • 6:30–8:00 p.m. • Panther Center, Smiley Campus

We invite all OTHS parents and families to join us for an important community meeting to discuss the future of our school facilities. Your voice plays a key role in shaping long-term improvements that will support our students, staff, and community for years to come.

Over the past year, OTHS has been conducting a large-scale facilities assessment to better understand current needs across our campuses. Last spring, we gathered input from faculty and staff through interviews and surveys, and staff members visited other area high schools to learn from their spaces. At the start of the 2025–2026 school year, we also collected feedback from parents and students.

What We’ve Learned So Far
OTHS has partnered with FGM Architects to conduct a comprehensive assessment of our current facilities. Key findings for the Smiley campus include:

• Overcrowding in corridors
• Lack of storage space for all departments
• Insufficient classroom and office spaces
• Academic departments are spread throughout the building, making collaboration challenging
• 75% of instructional spaces do not have access to daylight
• General education classrooms average 749 sq. ft., compared to the ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education) recommendation of 840 sq. ft.
• Science labs average 1,054 sq. ft., below the ISBE recommendation of 1,440 sq. ft.

Staff interviews and surveys identified several priority areas, including:

• Right-sized classrooms and better department consolidation
• Additional storage
• More gymnasium and large meeting spaces
• Increased natural daylight
• A larger cafeteria
• Additional parking
• Expanded spaces for Special Education, Alternative Education, CTE, IMC, Student Services, Security, and Office Spaces

Student feedback has also been valuable. Over 1,000 completed the student facilities survey.

• Milburn students rated their facilities 4.17 out of 5
• Smiley students rated their facilities 3.45 out of 5
• Across both campuses, building safety received the highest ratings. Smiley students identified hallways, restrooms, and parking/traffic flow as the lowest-rated areas.

Join the Conversation
On Monday, December 8, we will host a joint Parent Teacher Advisory Committee and Conversations Over Coffee meeting in the Panther Center on the Smiley Campus from 6:30–8:00 p.m. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the assessment, ask questions, and share your perspectives as we plan for the future of OTHS.

We hope to see you there and look forward to hearing your ideas!

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. 

We are proud to share that a new City of O’Fallon flag is now flying proudly in front of the OTHS Milburn Campus!

Thank you to Mayor Van Hook and the City of O’Fallon for being such strong and supportive partners to our school community. Your continued collaboration helps us create a campus environment where students feel connected, supported, and proud to call O’Fallon home.

 

OTHS Students and Families, 

O'Fallon Township High School District 203 is aware that families in our community are currently facing financial challenges. Please know that OTHS is committed to ensuring that all students have access to nutritious breakfast and lunch each school day.

If your family’s financial situation has changed recently, you may wish to consider completing the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application. At this time, the District is not aware of any disruptions to the National School Lunch Program. Breakfast and lunch will continue to be served as usual.

Additionally, we have attached a list of local food resources compiled by the OTHS Social Work staff and the O’Fallon Police Department. These resources include food pantries, community meal programs, and other local supports available to families in need.

We would also like to highlight that the OTHS National Honor Society (NHS) will be holding a Food Drive  next week to support local families. Please see the flyer below for additional details on how you can participate or contribute.

 

Reminder that tonight's Board of Education meeting will be hosted at the Milburn Campus. This is a great opportunity to have your voice heard and be a part of positive change at OTHS. See you at 7pm at the Milburn Campus.

 

The meeting can also be viewed by visiting - https://www.youtube.com/live/VPVtNT2TIg8

 

It’s Principals Appreciation Week!

A huge "THANK YOU" to our amazing OTHS principals for leading with passion, purpose, and Panther Pride every single day! Your dedication keeps OTHS moving forward and makes a difference in the lives of our students and staff.

Mr. Howe, Dr. Coley, Mr. Cozad, Dr. Heavens, Mrs. McNichols, Mr. Prindable and Mr. Wallis, we thank you for your incredible leadership and we thank you for all that you do for OTHS! #PantherPride

 

The OTHS Wellne

ss Club is hosting its Annual Blood Drive on October 29th in the MPR!
Step up, roll up your sleeve, and help save a life. 💙💛
#PantherPride #WellnessClub #GiveBloodSaveLives

Leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about heart, vision, and commitment, and we have one of the best at the helm. It is "National Boss's Day", but "boss" isn't quite fair to who she is as a person and leader.

Today we recognize our District 203 Superintendent, Dr. Beth Shackelford, for the countless ways she leads, supports, and inspires our district. Thank you for being the heart of OTHS and for guiding us forward with strength, compassion and dedication.

OTHS Students and Families, 

Through Public Act 101-0012, the State of Illinois allows school districts to implement e-learning days in place of emergency days that would otherwise require the closure of school operations. When utilized, e-learning enables students to receive virtual instruction on those emergency days, reducing the need to extend the school year with make-up days. Over the past year, members of the OTHS Faculty and Education Committee have explored the feasibility of adopting e-learning at OTHS. Through a collaborative effort, they have developed an e-learning plan for the Board of Education's consideration. If approved, the plan would allow OTHS to utilize up to five e-learning days per school year.

The Board of Education will hold a public hearing on the proposed e-learning plan on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at approximately 7:00pm, prior to the start of the regular board meeting. Please note that the October board meeting will take place at the Milburn campus (650 Milburn School Road). 

Click here to access the proposed ELearning Plan for OTHS.

Thank you, and have a wonderful weekend! 

Dr. Beth Shackelford, Superintendent

OTHS Picture Days are near!!! Students, keep a close eye out for your specific dates posted outside of your advisory classes.

NEXT WEEK - October 6th - 9th

Smiley Campus - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

Milburn Campus - Wednesday and Thursday

Hey OTHS Panthers,

Homecoming Week is next week — September 22nd through September 27th! Below is an overview of key dates and information. For details and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit oths.us/homecoming.

Ticket Sales Close at 3:30pm on Thursday, 9/25: https://omella.com/v0eh9

All ticket sale details, answers to frequently asked questions, and guest forms are available at oths.us/homecoming. 

 

Dress-Up Days: Dress up each day to earn spirit stick points for your class 

• Monday 9/22 – Biker vs. Surfer
• Tuesday 9/23 – USA Day
• Wednesday 9/24 – Class Distinction: Music Genre

• Seniors: 2000’s Throwbacks

• Juniors: Country

• Sophomores: Disco

• Freshmen: Techno

• Faculty: Rock & Roll

• Thursday 9/25 – Jersey (Sports Attire) vs. Jersey Shore (TV Show)
• Friday 9/26 – School Spirit Day (Wear OTHS blue & gold!)

 

Homecoming Bash: Monday 9/22 from 5:00pm – 6:30pm

Bring your school ID to scan in at your class table for spirit stick points and bring money if you wish to purchase food. Join in the fun by participating in activities provided by clubs, vote on the student car show entries, and sign up to compete in the Panther Olympics. 

Panther Olympics: Form a team of 10 students with a faculty member sponsor. Your faculty member will sign up your team on the link in their email. We hope to see you at 4:50pm on the band practice field off Smiley on Monday, September 22nd. For any questions regarding Panther Olympics, please email Ms. Hattan: hattanj@oths.us or Mrs. Greene: greenek@oths.us

 

Parade: Wednesday 9/24- Starts at 5:45pm

Scan your ID in the lobby from 5:15pm-5:40pm to get spirit stick points for your class. If you do not have a sport or club to walk with in the parade, join your class float! 

 

Pep Rally: Friday 9/26-- 11:30am – 12:30pm. All students will be dismissed from the Smiley campus and we will follow the modified bell schedule below:

	MILBURN	SMILEY
EB	N/A	7:30 – 7:55
1st Hour	7:30 – 7:55	8:00 – 8:25
2nd Hour	8:00 – 8:25	8:30 – 8:55
3rd Hour	8:30 – 8:55	9:00 – 9:25
4th Hour	9:00 – 9:25	9:30 – 9:55
5th Hour	9:30 – 9:55	10:00 – 10:25
6th Hour	10:00 – 10:25	10:30-10:55
7th Hour	10:30-10:55	11:00 – 11:25
Assembly	11:30 – 12:30

 

Homecoming Football Game: Friday 9/26 at 7pm 

 

Homecoming Dance: Saturday 9/27-- 7:00pm – 10:00pm

Doors are open from 7pm-8pm, Coronation begins at 8:15pm. No re-entry. No tickets will be sold after 3:30 PM on Thursday 9/25. 

 

For all homecoming week question, please email stuco@oths.us 

📣 Huge Congratulations goes out to Mrs. Tracey Ritzel! 📣

OTHS is proud to announce that Mrs. Ritzel has been honored with the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award, one of the St. Louis area’s most prestigious teacher recognition programs!

For the past 25 years at OTHS, Mrs. Ritzel has dedicated herself to student success through countless roles, including:

✨ Honors Night Co-Coordinator

✨ Graduation Co-Coordinator

✨ Running Start Program Counselor

✨ SLU 1818 Advanced Dual Credit Coordinator

✨ Chamber of Commerce Liaison

✨ 11th Grade College & Career Programming Coordinator

✨ National Honor Society Sponsor

💙💛 Her ultimate goal has always been to help OTHS students achieve success and prepare for their future—and this award is a well-deserved recognition of her impact. 💙💛

 

Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Ritzel on this outstanding honor! 👏

We are excited to invite you to OTHS Parent Connects Night and Open House on Monday, September 8 from 5:30pm-7:30pm at both OTHS Smiley and Milburn campuses. 

 

Parent Connects Night includes presentations from the Counseling Department, an Activity Fair to showcase OTHS clubs and activities, and an Open House Meet & Greet to give parents and teachers the opportunity to meet.

 

Schedule of Events and Session Descriptions:

 

MILBURN SCHEDULE

5:30pm-6:45pm – Activity Fair

6:00pm-6:30pm – Grade Level Presentation – Freshmen

6:30pm-7:30pm – Open House Meet & Greet

 

SMILEY SCHEDULE

5:30pm-6:00pm – Dual Credit Presentation

6:00pm-6:30pm – Grade Level Presentations – Sophomores, Juniors, & Seniors

6:30pm-7:30pm – Open House Meet & Greet

 

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

Activity Fair – 50+ OTHS clubs and activities will be on display in the Milburn Cafeteria for parents to browse and see what OTHS offers.

Dual Credit Presentation - OTHS School Counselors will present three specific programs offered at OTHS that allow students to earn college credit while enrolled in high school coursework.

Grade Level Presentations – OTHS School Counselors and Social Workers will share important information relevant to each specific grade level.

            Locations:

                        Freshmen – Milburn Auditorium

                        Sophomores – Smiley Multi-Purpose Room

                        Juniors – Smiley Panther Center

                        Senior Financial Aid – Smiley Instructional Media Center

 

Open House Meet & Greet – OTHS teachers will be available in their classrooms to meet, greet, exchange contact information, and briefly share information about the classes they teach.   The Open House Meet & Greet will be free flowing and will not follow a bell schedule.  Parents will be free to circulate around the buildings to meet teachers at their own pace.  Teachers will not be available for extended meetings or one-on-one parent-teacher conferences during this time, but parents are encouraged to reach out to teachers with any specific questions they have.

📣 Panther Connects Day is this Friday!!! 📣

 

💙Did you know? Students who join at least ONE club or activity at OTHS average a 3.23 GPA, compared to 2.60 for those not involved. 💡 Being connected matters, both for your success and your experience at OTHS! 🐾

💙When: Thursday, August 22

💙Where: During the school day

💙Bonus: We will end the day with a pep rally and it’s also an early dismissal day! All students will be dismissed at 12:00pm from the Smiley Campus.

 

Come explore clubs, teams, and activities, there’s something for EVERY Panther. Don’t miss your chance to find your place, make new friends, and level up your high school journey.

📢 Attention Panthers Athletes & Parents! 🐾

📅 Sunday, August 10
🏟 The Dome

⏰ 6:00–6:30 PM – MANDATORY Fall All Sports Meeting (Athletes & Parents)
⏰ 6:30–7:00 PM – Break into Individual Sports (locations TBD)

Let’s get ready for an amazing fall season! 💪⚽🏐🏈🏃‍♂️

📰 ICYMI: The Latest OTHS Update is Here! 🐾
We dropped our newest edition yesterday. Packed with important back-to-school updates, upcoming events, and everything Panther Nation needs to know!

Whether you're a student, parent, or proud supporter, make sure you're in the loop.

📬 Check it out now: www.oths.us/newsletter