The Owl

Wednesday, August 5th, is the first day of class for our new freshmen! Our tardy bell is at 9:30 AM every day, and we dismiss at 4:30 PM. A few items to keep in mind:

1. Schedules will be handed out as students arrive on August 5th.

2. We will also distribute back-to-school forms, student laptops, and new login information (OCS updates passwords this week). We will distribute wireless mice (and more) during the first week of class.

2. All freshmen will enter the Ragsdale lobby upon arrival to school and then make their way to R105 (The Big Room). Staff members will be around to help guide them in the right direction.

3. If students are using the hub bus system, there is a small hub bus sign at each of the high schools for pick-up/drop-off. The hub times are attached below. Your hub driver will have a transportation form for you to fill out.

4. If students are being dropped off in the morning, please utilize the covered drop-off area by the Continuing Education Building. If you are picking up your student, please park in the large parking lot by the buses. The students will walk out to your car at the end of the day. CCCC Security will be on site to help direct you through the process. Please steer clear of the bus loading zone! Our office opens at 8:00 AM officially, but a staff member will be present by 7:00 AM for any early drop-offs.

5. If you ever have any transportation changes or need to pick up early, you can call Ms. Peterson in our office (910-938-6702) and use your password to check your student out or make changes.

6. We utilize the Northside High School cafeteria for breakfast and lunch. Students can purchase OCS lunch, bring their lunch, or order from a restaurant. If ordering, it must be delivered to our office in Ragsdale 102A (and paid for in advance).

7. You can pay your school fees online! All students pay $25 for the school laptop fee and students in a science class must pay a $5 lab fee. There is a fee waiver form that will go out in our back-to-school paperwork on the first couple of days of school. Please see the QR code found below to pay online!

8. Even though 9th grade classes start on the 5th, CCCC classes will not begin until August 17th. We will utilize the time they would normally be in college classes for team-building activities during the first two weeks.

We are excited for the first day of school and are ready to walk this journey with you!

-James Strope, Principal

Are you planning to participate in sports at OECHS this coming school year? 🏃‍♀️🎾 If so, it’s time to get started on your athletic registration with some required items:

1. Get a sports physical. This can be completed by you family physician or you can go to a clinic or business that specializes in physicals.

2. Create (or update) your Dragonfly account. Dragonfly is the online tool that NCHSAA uses to manage all required paperwork. You will need to upload your completed physical into Dragonfly and complete all required components, including permission slips and the concussion awareness video.

⏳ Please complete this as soon as possible, especially if you’re interested in Cross Country (XC) or Girl’s Tennis. All required components—including the Concussion Video and other documentation—must be completed before you can try out or begin practice.

🎾Girls' Tennis tryouts are on August 4th from 5:00-6:30PM. Report to the CCCC Tennis Courts, unless you still need to turn in athletic paperwork! Upload you paperwork and complete the concussion protocol video in Dragonfly prior to tryouts!

👟There are no cuts for Cross Country. The first mandatory practice will be on August 6th at 7:45 AM. Upload you paperwork and complete the concussion protocol video in Dragonfly prior to the first practice!

📎 Check the attached PDF for step-by-step instructions on how to create your Dragonfly account.

📎Physical forms are also attached below. You will complete part of the form before your exam.

Let’s make this a great year for OECHS athletics—Go Owls! 🦉

Email any athletic questions to our Athletic Director at brandon.stallard@onslow.k12.nc.us.

Hello Juniors and Seniors,

As we're preparing for classes to begin, I would like to remind you that you can check your Coastal Course Schedule by going to your MyCCCC Portal (coastalcarolina.edu > MyCCCC > and Log In) > SelfService > Student Planning or Plan and Schedule > and ensure you're looking at the Fall 2026 Term.

If you see any conflicts with your schedule, a course you wanted was cancelled, or would like to make any changes before classes begin, please create an appointment with me using this link. Select Success Coaching > Meet with a Success Coach > Meet with Coach Cayla. You're also welcome to email me at farrisc@coastalcarolina.edu .

If you have tested out of a Math course, please check your Coastal email if we haven't already discussed your changes, and consider making an appointment with me to adjust your 2-year plan to account for these updates.

Hope you are having a great summer, and can't wait to see you all soon!

-Mrs. Farris

910-938-6703

farrisc@coastalcarolina.edu

If you are interested in music classes through CCCC (Chorus or Jazz Ensemble), please contact Mrs. Cayla Farris at farrisc@coastalcarolina.edu or 910-938-6703 so we can get you registered! Both classes are year-long and are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00-2:15 pm in the Fine Arts Building at CCCC.

Our friends at White Oak High School and Northside High School also allow our students to cross-enroll as visiting students in their Orchestra class. The class at WOHS is held from 7:05-8:27 am and NHS has their class from 7:12-8:32 am. After class, our students can then ride the hub bus from either school to OECHS. Parents will need to provide transportation to either WOHS or NHS, and students will need to arrive prior to 7:00 am to go through security screening each morning. Thank you White Oak and Northside for providing this wonderful opportunity!

You can also check with other high schools to see if they have a first period orchestra. If they will allow it and it works with everyone's schedules, then we need to get signed up!

If you are interested in orchestra, email Ms. Peterson at nancy.peterson@onslow.k12.nc.us or call our main number at 910-938-6702.

Onslow County Schools updates Office 365 login information every school year. OECHS students will have new logins by August 5th. When freshmen arrive, they will be issued a new laptop and will receive a sheet with their new login information. 10th graders will receive their new login information on August 6th. Juniors and Seniors can pick up their login information, beginning August 6th (or they can wait until first classes begin at CCCC on the 17th).

All sophomores, juniors, and seniors will need a new login sheet. We will have those on hand and ready to hand out when they arrive for class. An OCS technician will also be on hand on the 17th from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm to add Proctorio for any students in SPA111/SPA112 or Respondus for students in MAT 271/272/273. Those programs are lock-down browsers used for testing in certain CCCC classes.

CCCC utilizes "inclusive access" for the majority of the college textbooks. Students will have a digital version of their college textbook that they can access via Canvas and their CCCC student account. This is included in the fees that OECHS pays each semester, and there is no charge to OECHS students or families.

For any physical college textbooks that are required, students will check in the OECHS office to see if we have a copy. If we do not, the students will go to the CCCC Bookstore (with their CCCC ID and identify themselves as an OECHS student), and the book will be billed to OECHS. Be sure to bring the receipt to Mrs. Peterson!

Rising Seniors,

Since 2020, all North Carolina 12th graders have been required to have the Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (two doses) by the first day of school (12th grade). Please see the attached flyer and get the vaccine prior to the start of the school year!. You can find more information at https://immunization.dph.ncdhhs.gov/schools/k-12.htm.

Summer break is over and we are resuming regular office hours (Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm). Our office is located in the Ragsdale Building at Coastal Carolina Community College in Room 102A.

From time to time, there will be inclement weather that impacts our area (and OECHS). Our students, parents, and staff must monitor communications about closures and delays from both Onslow County Schools and Coastal Carolina Community College. Our school follows all delays or closures from Onslow County Schools for 9th and 10th grade classes, as OCS supplies us with lunches and hub transportation. Our 11th and 12th graders follow the delay and closure announcements from Coastal Carolina Community College, as they are primarily in college classes.

For any weather-related issues, we will send out any possible delay or closure information via Blackboard Messenger (telephone message), Remind, Teams (students have access), website, and social media.

Driver's Education will begin on September 1st and end on September 24th. The class will run from 7:15 AM until 9:15 AM in R109, so parents will need to drop Driver's Ed students off at school on those days. Students must be 14.5 years of age by the start of the class, and attendance is mandatory. We will begin signups for class on Thursday, August 6th. Students can stop by the office to sign up, or parents can call our front office, beginning on Thursday(at 8:00 am). There is space for 25 students!

For juniors, seniors, and their parents/guardians, we will hold important assemblies to review expectations, rules, and college preparation. These will take place in the Room 104 at the CCCC Skills Building:

• Juniors: August 12 at 5:30 PM
• Seniors: August 13 at 5:30 PM

As we kick off the school year, students should mark their calendars for the OECHS Club Rush on Friday, August 21st. That afternoon, leaders from our many clubs will be on hand to answer any questions and sign you up for their club! Clubs typically meet once or twice a month at lunchtime or the afternoons (House Time).

Want to start a club? Email Mr. Strope with your proposal!

Rising Seniors and Families:

Please take note of the immunization requirement for rising seniors (scroll up for more information). Also, mark your calendars for senior portraits on August 26th!

Students should have asked for recommendations for college applications, emailed resumes to their recommenders, and sent thank-you cards to their recommenders. If not, they need to complete those three steps over the summer break.

Next year, we will apply to colleges and universities, as well as scholarships and other financial aid. We will primarily focus on college applications and FAFSA through November. It will be a busy time, but students have access to their CommonApp accounts for college applications and can be working this summer to get their applications ready to submit!

Students have also been working on SAT Inc (Sponsors for Academic Talent) community service hours. If students have a 3.5 weighted GPA, and score a 23 or higher on the ACT, then they only need to complete SAT service hours for a $750 (75 hours) or $1500 (100 hours) scholarship! Details on the SAT Scholarship can be found at https://www.onslow.k12.nc.us/Page/1336. The goal for every student should be to qualify for an SAT scholarship!

All rising seniors will be enrolled in Economics and Personal Finance Honors. This is their last official high school class, and it is year-long. We are combining it with Senior Seminar, so students will be meeting in person once or twice weekly. There will also be assignments outside seated class time to make sure we are all on track! The EPF/Senior Seminar schedule is posted in the Class of 2027 Team.

Students will continue to have a daily sign-in sheet by the main office in the Ragsdale Building. This is the official attendance in Infinite Campus, so do not forget to sign in!

**Prior to the start of the 2026-2027 school year, we will have a back-to-school session with our rising seniors and their parents on August 13th at 5:30 in Room 104 of the Skills Building at CCCC.

CCCC classes begin Monday, August 17th.

Rising Juniors and Families:

You are almost finished with high school classes (just one more Personal Financial Literacy course during senior year), but all of those upcoming college classes count towards high school graduation and your high school GPA. This is where you can get a serious boost to your GPA!

This year, you will have a mandatory seminar (once or twice per week) where we will spend over half the year preparing for the ACT and PSAT. Both are important exams that are used for college admissions and scholarships. We will also spend time researching different colleges and universities, as well as beginning the college application process. The Junior Seminar schedule is posted in the Class of 2028 Team!

Students are encouraged to be active in OECHS Clubs/Teams, CCCC organizations, and outside activities for a well-rounded college admission application. We will also have a daily sign-in sheet for all juniors and seniors next year to make sure students are on track (and to take daily attendance). The sign in sheet is located on the desk by the OECHS office.

Rising juniors are reminded that they should be working on SAT, Inc. Scholarship community service hours. If students have a 3.5 weighted GPA, and score a 23 or higher on the ACT, then they only need to complete SAT service hours for a $750 (75 hours) or $1500 (100 hours) scholarship! Details on the SAT Scholarship can be found at https://www.onslow.k12.nc.us/Page/1336. The goal for every student should be to qualify for an SAT scholarship!

**Prior to the start of the 2026-2027 school year, we will have a back-to-school session with our rising Juniors and their parents on August 12th at 5:30 in Room 104 of the Skills Building at CCCC.

CCCC classes begin Monday, August 17th.

Rising Sophomores and Parents:

Our rising sophomores are encouraged to step up and be leaders next year! OECHS and the early college experience is what you make of it! Future universities and employers are looking for leaders. Hone your skills now!

Rising sophomores can accrue SAT Inc. Scholarship community service hours this summer! If students have a 3.5 weighted GPA, and score a 23 or higher on the ACT, then they only need to complete SAT service hours for a $750 (75 hours) or $1500 (100 hours) scholarship! Details on the SAT Scholarship can be found at https://www.onslow.k12.nc.us/Page/1336. The goal for every student should be to qualify for an SAT scholarship! Be sure to turn in your SAT Inc. volunteer hours to Mr. Strope.

**Your first day back at school will be Thursday, August 6th.

Welcome to OECHS!

Almost all of our new Owls have been added to the Class of 2030 Teams page. Once you get your school computers, Teams will be crucial for your success!

Rising freshmen can accrue SAT Inc. Scholarship community service hours this summer! If students have a 3.5 weighted GPA, and score a 23 or higher on the ACT, then they only need to complete SAT service hours for a $750 (75 hours) or $1500 (100 hours) scholarship! Details on the SAT Scholarship can be found at https://www.onslow.k12.nc.us/Page/1336. The goal for every student should be to qualify for an SAT scholarship! Be sure to turn in your SAT Inc. volunteer hours to Mr. Strope.

**Your first day of class will be Wednesday, August 5th, for a freshman-only day.

Looking for some OECHS merch? If so, you have come to the right place as our online school store is now open! Click on the following link or use the QR code in the flyer below to shop today!

https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/stores/onslow-early-college-high-school

Along with Blackboard, emails, the OECHS website, and social media, our school uses Remind to inform parents of weather bulletins, weekly newsletters, and more. If you are the parent or guardian of an OECHS Owl, please join the appropriate Remind group!

Class of 2027: https://www.remind.com/join/7ag9b99

Class of 2028: https://www.remind.com/join/3944fh

Class of 2029: https://www.remind.com/join/oechscl

Class of 2030: https://www.remind.com/join/fd373c

"North Carolina House Bill 769 became effective December 1, 1997 and reflects a coordinated statewide effort to motivate and encourage students to complete high school. This legislation requires that a student's driving permit or license be revoked if a student is unable to maintain adequate progress or drops out of school. Adequate progress is defined as passing 70% of all courses and is determined by first semester grades and second semester grades for schools on block scheduling. For schools on a traditional six-period day schedule, grades are determined by first semester grades and end-of-year grades."

Students need to maintain "adequate progress" to remain eligible for permits and licenses while in high school. Each semester, we are to notify students (and the district) when any students are not making adequate progress at the end of a semester/year. Students will then have to earn back the ability to have a permit or license after the next semester's grades are complete (and pay $50 to the DMV to have their permit or license reinstated). Bottom line: Keep your grades up in your high school and college classes or you will lose your driver's permit or license!

August 4th- Tennis Tryouts (5:00 PM-6:30 PM)

August 5th-First day of school (Freshmen Only)

August 6th-Cross Country 1st Practice (7:30 AM)

August 6th-High school classes for 9th and 10th grade

August 12th-Junior Parent Meeting (Skills 104 @ 5:30 PM)

August 13th-Senior Parent Meeting (Skills 104 @ 5:30 PM)

August 17th- CCCC Fall Semester Begins (college classes start for all students)

August 21st- OECHS Club Rush

August 26th- Senior Portrait and Cap & Gown Photos

August 26th- 9th-11th Grade Yearbook Photos

September 1th-24th- Driver's Ed

Email: james.strope@onslow.k12.nc.us
Website: https://oec.onslow.k12.nc.us/
Location: R109A, 444 Western Blvd., Jacksonville, NC 28546
Phone: 910-938-6702
Twitter: @OnslowECHS