OCHS Principal's Update
March 2026
The Role of Homework at OCHS
Dear Knight Families,
One of the many things that makes our school special is the strong partnership we share with our families. In rural communities like ours, we understand the value of hard work, responsibility, and neighbors helping neighbors. That same spirit guides the way we approach learning—both inside and outside the classroom.
You may notice that classroom teachers will often assign homework. We want to take a moment to share the “why” behind that practice.
Homework is not given simply to fill time. It serves an important purpose. It gives students the opportunity to practice new skills, review what they’ve learned, and build independence in their studies. Just as chores around the house or tasks in your family business teach responsibility and pride in a job well done, homework helps students strengthen habits that lead to long-term success.
Each student is expected to spend some time preparing for studies outside of school hours. The amount of time needed will depend on the individual student and the assignment. As a general guideline, students should plan to spend at least an hour each day preparing for an average day. Some days may require more time, while others may require less, but consistent effort is key.
We also believe in clear and respectful communication. If parents have questions about homework or concerns about class work, we encourage you to contact your child’s teacher first. Our teachers know their classrooms best and are committed to supporting every student. If questions are not resolved after speaking with the teacher, they should then be referred to the administration. We are always here to help and ensure every concern is addressed thoughtfully and fairly.
Thank you for your continued partnership, encouragement, and support at home. When school and family work together, our students thrive. We are proud of the strong values in our Oakland and Craig communities and the role they play in shaping the character and success of our young people.
With appreciation,
Mrs. Burton
Box Tops for Education Benefit OCHS!
View below on how you can help OCHS by participating in Box Tops for Education!
OCKD Earns 5th at State and NE Coaches Association Academic Excellence Award
ACT Day March 24th
The OCHS ACT Day is coming up soon! Please plan on the following for your student on Tuesday, March 25th:
7th and 8th Grade Students - NSCAS Bootcamp and Downtown Business Tours during morning classes
Freshmen - ACT 9 Test - Regular afternoon classes
Sophomores - Pre-ACT Test - Regular afternoon classes
Juniors - ACT Test - Regular afternoon classes
Seniors - Senior Workday - See below...
*Seniors that have P2T or work-based learning must report on this day. Seniors are also responsible for all Schools PLP and Dual Credit Online Coursework on this day. Seniors that are missing work, needing to make up attendance time, or failing a class must report on this day. Otherwise, it is encouraged that seniors take final college visits or conduct job shadows on Tuesday, March 24th. If you need help arranging these events, please see Mrs. Burton or Mrs. Magnusson for assistance.
Event Information
This dance is for all eligible 7th and 8th grade OCHS students. Out of district 7th and 8th grade students are eligible to attend, as long as they are students in good standings in their districts. Out-of-district date forms will be available two weeks prior to the dance. Please note that this is a change of date due to sponsor availability.
Upcoming School and Community Events
March 1st - Swedish Heritage Lunch
March 2nd- HS Spring Sports Practices Begin - JH Boys Wrestling @ Winnebago and JH GBB Home Tournament
March 3rd - FFA CDEs @ West Point, Art Club Meeting
March 4th- Girls State Basketball
March 5th - End of 3rd Quarter
March 6th - No School for Staff and StudentsGirls State Basketball and JH Boys Wrestling @ Fort Calhoun
March 7th - Girls State Basketball Championship Day
March 9th - JH Boys Wrestling @ West Point-Beemer, FFA Labor Auction, School Board Meeting
March 10th - JH Boys Wrestling @ Pender, Speech Exhibition Night
March 11th - WSC Junior High Music Festival, ESU 2 Quiz Bowl
March 12th - Close Up Parent/Student Meeting for 2026 Trip Attendees
March 16th - District Speech @ Twin River
March 19th and 20th - No School for Staff or Students
March 24th - ACT Testing Day and 7th-8th Downtown Business Engagement Day - See above for more information!
March 25th - FFA State Convention
March 26th - FFA State Convention
March 27th - FFA State Convention / State Speech
March 30th - JH Track at Wisner - Pilger Boys Golf @ West Point-Beemer
March 31st - HS Track at West Point - Beemer, HAL Restore JH Field Trip