Principal Notes Summer Edition

We hope our Red Devil families are enjoying a fun, relaxing, and safe start to summer!

While students are enjoying a well-deserved break, Owensboro High School is still buzzing with activity. From summer camps and facility improvements to planning for the 2026-2027 school year, our staff is already hard at work preparing for another amazing year.

Be sure to check out this month's Principal's Notes for summer updates, important dates, and a look at what's ahead for the Red Devils.

Enjoy your summer, stay safe, and don't forget to mark your calendars for our upcoming events. We'll see you soon at 1800!

Go Devils!

Owensboro High School continues to make important improvements to our campus through an ongoing roof construction project. For the safety of our students, families, staff, visitors, and contractors, we ask everyone to strictly follow all construction area restrictions.

Please do not walk, park, or drive in any fenced or restricted construction zones. These areas contain active work sites, equipment, and materials that present safety hazards.

When visiting OHS, all students, families, and guests should enter the building through the main entrance on Frederica Street by the flagpole. Parking is available in the lots adjacent to the Owensboro Public Schools Board of Education.

We appreciate your patience, flexibility, and understanding as we complete these important upgrades to our campus. Together, we can help ensure a safe environment for everyone while making Owensboro High School even better for current and future Red Devils.

The safety of our students, staff, and community remains a top priority at Owensboro High School. One of the most important ways we prepare for emergencies is through our strong partnership with the dedicated professionals of the Owensboro Police Department and Owensboro Fire Department.

From June 15–26, OHS will once again serve as the site for annual collaborative critical incident training exercises involving local law enforcement and first responders. These realistic training opportunities allow emergency personnel to practice coordinated responses, strengthen communication, and become even more familiar with our campus and facilities.

During the training period, families and students may notice an increased presence of police officers, firefighters, emergency vehicles, and training activity on campus. Some exercises may include sights, sounds, and communications associated with emergency response scenarios. Please be assured that these activities are planned training events designed to enhance preparedness and safety.

We are incredibly grateful for the commitment of the Owensboro Police Department and Owensboro Fire Department. Their willingness to train together, year after year, reflects a shared dedication to protecting our students, staff, and community. These exercises help ensure that if an emergency ever occurs, our first responders are prepared to act quickly, confidently, and effectively.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to make Owensboro High School a safe place to learn, grow, and thrive. We are proud of the strong partnership we share with our local first responders and appreciate their service to our school and community.

Owensboro Middle School and Owensboro High School student-athletes are invited to receive a FREE KHSAA Sports Physical on Thursday, June 18, 2026, thanks to the generous support of Advanced Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.

The event will be held in the Owensboro High School North Gym from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Student-athletes must arrive and be inside the facility by 6:45 PM to receive a physical.

Important Requirements:

• A parent or guardian must accompany the student-athlete.
• Parents/guardians must be present to complete all required KHSAA paperwork and consent forms.
• These physicals are open to all OMS and OHS student-athletes planning to participate in athletics during the 2026-2027 school year.

Parking & Entrance Information:

Due to ongoing construction at OHS, parking is limited. Participants may park:

• Along Frederica Street, or
• In the parking lots adjacent to the Owensboro Public Schools Board of Education.

All participants must enter through the OHS Bus Loop Doors. Please do not park in the bus loop during the event.

Alternate Physical Opportunity:

If you are unable to attend the June 18 event at OHS, free sports physicals will also be available on:

Tuesday, June 23, 2026
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Advanced Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
2780 Frederica Street

Take advantage of this free opportunity and make sure you're ready for the upcoming athletic season!

Each summer, all Kentucky high schools participating in athletics follow a mandated shut-down know as the KHSAA Dead Period, established by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA). KHSAA Dead Period runs from June 25 through July 9 each year.

During this two-week window, no athletic activities are allowed between student-athletes and school staff, including:

• Practices or training sessions;

• Use of school athletic facilities;

• Team meetings, camps, or conditioning; and

• Communication related to athletics between coaches and players.

The KHSAA Dead Period is designed to:

• Give students and coaches a much-needed mental and physical break;

• Encourage family time and personal rest; and

• Level the playing field for all schools in the state.

KHSAA Dead Period is an essential component of a healthy athletic culture. It gives student-athletes a chance to recharge, explore other interests, or simply enjoy summer without the pressures of competition or training.

Parents can support this time by encouraging relaxation, ensuring student-athletes follow the guidelines, and using the period for family vacations or downtime.

OHS Athletics will resume on July 13, refreshed and ready for a strong start to the fall season... Go Devils!

Attention, Class of 2027! Senior year is right around the corner, and that means it's time to take your official senior picture.

Drape and tux photos will be taken at Owensboro High School on Thursday, July 23, and Friday, July 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Students should enter through the main entrance by the flagpole upon arrival.

Students having a drape photo taken should plan to bring or wear a tank top for the session.

These photos are an important part of your senior year and will be used for the OHS Yearbook, #REDy Senior Shout-Outs, graduation recognitions, senior celebrations, and other Class of 2027 features throughout the year.

Can't make it on July 23 or 24? No worries! A makeup picture day will be scheduled during the school year, so you'll still have an opportunity to have your senior photo taken.

We can't wait to celebrate the OHS Class of 2027 and all the memories that will be made during your senior year. Get #REDy... your final year at 1800 is almost here!

Don't forget to complete Online Registration for the 2026-27 school year! Families in the Owensboro Public Schools district must visit startolr.com to complete their registration for the upcoming school year. All returning families must update the information that is currently in the student information system and confirm all data is correct to complete online registration.

Families who are new to the district and wish to enroll a student at OHS or need assistance with ORL will need to contact Jessica Sandefur, OHS Registrar, at 270-686-1110 or jessica.sandefur@owensboro.kyschools.us.

For additional information and assistance with OLR, see graphic below. Click button below to register today!

If your child currently attends Owensboro Middle School, iMiddle or Owensboro High Schools as a nonresident student and wishes to enroll at Owensboro High School for the 2026-2027 school year, it is time to submit the Nonresident Student Transfer Request form.

Nonresident students are those students who reside with their legal parents/guardians outside the boundaries of the Owensboro Public Schools District. Residency cannot be established through living with a relative or friend within the District.

Nonresident applicants can be considered as long as enrollment at Owensboro High School does not exceed maximum class size. The following criteria will be utilized to evaluate each nonresident student request:

• Grade Point Average;
• Attendance; and
• Behavior.

Out of state students will be required to pay tuition as determined annually by the Board of Education. Tuition charges for each semester must be paid in full prior to the beginning of the semester.

Nonresident students wishing to enroll or re-enroll for the 2026-2027 school year must submit the Nonresident Student Transfer Request form. To access the required form, click the button below.

This form should be completed and returned to Owensboro High School no later than Wednesday, June 24 to avoid delays in enrollment and scheduling.

Thank you for your interest in Owensboro High School!

Owensboro Public Schools is participating in the US Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program, providing free breakfast and lunch meals to individuals 18 and under throughout the summer.

Food service is available at the Mobile Feeding Stops and Summer Feeding Sites through July 24. There will be no meals provided on June 19 or July 4.

Meals are served Monday through Friday on-site and through mobile stops. Children must be present to receive a meal and must remain on-site during meal service to consume the meals. Family members are no longer allowed to pick up meals and take them away from the food service locations according to new guidelines.

This service is completely free for anyone 18 and under regardless of which school district you attend or your household income status.

Check out the Summer Food Service Location Flyers for specific site locations and times.

Summer break is the perfect time to relax, recharge, and dive into a great book with Sora, your next read is only a click away!

Owensboro High School students have free access to thousands of eBooks and audiobooks through Sora, our digital library available 24/7. Whether you're lounging by the pool, traveling with family, working a summer job, or simply enjoying some downtime, Sora lets you take a library wherever you go.

Why You'll Love Sora...

📱 Read Anywhere – Access books on your phone, tablet, Chromebook, or computer.

🎧 Listen on the Go – Prefer audiobooks? Sora has you covered.

🌟 Find What Interests You – From bestsellers and mysteries to sports, history, and fantasy.

🏆 Track Your Progress – Create wish lists, earn badges, and discover new favorites.

Getting Started

1. Download the Sora app or visit soraapp.com.
2. Select Owensboro High School.
3. Log in with your school account.
4. Start reading!

Challenge yourself this summer to read something new, explore a different genre, or listen to an audiobook during a road trip. A few minutes of reading each day can help keep your mind sharp and get you #REDy for another successful year at 1800.

This summer, carry a library in your pocket and let your next adventure begin!

Monday, June 15 - Friday, June 26

OPD/OFD Critical Incident Training at OHS

Monday, June 15

OHS SBDM Council Meeting at 4pm

Thursday, June 18

FREE Sports Physicals at OHS 4pm to 6:45pm

OHS Boys Basketball Parent Meeting 5:30pm in Cafeteria

Friday, June 19

Juneteenth - OPS Closed

Thursday, June 25 - Thursday, July 9

KHSAA Dead Period

OHS Closed to All Activities

Friday, July 3

4th of July Holiday - OPS Closed

Monday, July 13

OPS Coaches Meeting

Thursday, July 23 - Friday, July 24

OHS Class of 2027 Senior Pictures 8:30am to 3:30pm

Friday, July 31

OHS Safe School Training Completion Day