Friday Highlights
January 23, 2026
Mark your Calendar:
February 4: Parent College Information Evening 6:30pm
February 13: Early Dismissal - Professional Learning
February 16-17: February Break - No School
Next Week’s Schedule at OHS:
Monday: B Day
Tuesday: A Day
Wednesday: B Day
Thursday: A Day
Friday: B Day
📘🧑🎓 Yearbook is collecting important Senior information:
Seniors are encouraged to check Google Classroom for important yearbook updates.
A Parent Ad for your graduating Senior can be purchased through Jostens.com when you order your yearbook. Ads are available to purchase through 1/31!
- Yearbooks are on sale and have now increased to $80. Pre-orders close on 2/20, and availability is not guaranteed after that date. Click Here to order a yearbook!
OHS Athletics:
To view the list of athletic schedules, go to the OHS Website and select the tab for Athletics. Use the drop-down arrow and you will find schedules for each sport that is offered.
Jersey Mike’s Players of the Week: Congratulations to the following athletes for being selected as players of the week for their sport:
Sophia Curran
Dominic Gennino
Jordan Kurjiaka
OHS Health Office:
As a friendly reminder from Nurse Dani, please log into your student’s PowerSchool account and sign off on the use of Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen and Tums if needed while in school. When you log into PowerSchool, go to forms and check off the boxes if you would like your child to receive any of these medications when in need. These medications may only be administered if the forms are completed on PowerSchool. Verbal permission is not accepted. Lastly, please forward your student’s Medication Administration and Asthma Action Plans. Connecticut does not allow medication to be administered with an outdated form.
CT State law requires that all students in 10th grade have a physical assessment. This assessment serves to document adequate immunizations and any health issues that may impact your child while they attend school. The physical exam must be dated after January 01, 2025. The front of the HAR form must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian. The second page must have all *asterisks areas completed.
As a friendly reminder your child must be fever free (without medication) and has not vomited within 24 hours before returning to school.
Early Dismissal Procedure:
A friendly reminder of our procedure for early dismissals:
1 - Early Dismissal Note: If your student needs to leave school early, please send them in with an early dismissal note. This allows us to give your student a dismissal pass, enabling them to sign out on their own. There is no need for you to come into the school.
2 - In-Person Pick-Up: If you need to pick up your student in person, please bring your driver’s license. You will need to complete the dismissal process through Securely Visitor for security purposes.
3 - Contact Information: Ensure that your contact information in Powerschool is up-to-date, including who is permitted to pick up your child.
We appreciate your cooperation in making the early dismissal process smooth and secure.
School Counseling Department
Seniors:
Senior Mid-Year Grades to Schools:
Mid-year reports will automatically be submitted through SchooLinks to schools listed in the student’s accounts. The mid-year report includes Quarter one and two grades and excludes midterm exam grades.
Course Registration Process for the 2026-2027 School Year:
Teachers will be working on course recommendations for next school year throughout the month. Course Selection Day at Oxford High School is scheduled for Wednesday, February 4. This week, school counselors visited English classes to review graduation requirements. Students received a graduation checklist and were encouraged to begin thinking about courses for next year that align with their postsecondary goals. A grade-level elective options worksheet has been posted in each grade-level Google Classroom. More detailed information about course selection day will be shared with students and families in the coming weeks.
Juniors:
Save the Date: February 4th for our Parent College Information Evening
Please join the School Counseling Department for our College Information Session at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. We strongly encourage students to attend with their parents/guardians if possible. During this session, we will review our program’s procedures, policies, strategies, and resources to help make the college application process as smooth and successful as possible.
Junior Conferences:
Students may begin scheduling their conferences now through our calendar links during their free period. Appointments are listed as Post-Secondary Planning Conference and are scheduled for a 40 minute time slot. Parents are welcome to attend either virtually or in person. If a parent plans to attend, students should indicate this when scheduling the appointment.
Standardized Testing:
All Connecticut juniors will take the SAT during the school day on March 24, 2026. Only this test administration is FREE. No registration is required. Students who wish to take an additional Saturday SAT or an ACT exam can register directly through collegeboard.org or act.org. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school counselor.
Seniors:
Scholarships: All scholarships received by the OHS Counseling Department will be listed in SchooLinks. Students should check their SchooLinks accounts weekly throughout the winter and early spring for new opportunities.
The Legacy Award (National). $4,000. Deadline 2/2/2026.
The Connecticut Bar Foundation Essay Contest. $1000-$2000. Deadline 2/20/2026
College Board's Big Future Scholarship (National). $500-$40,000. Deadline 2/28/2026
New Haven County Tax Collectors' Scholarship. $500. Deadline 3/13/2026
Benevolent Order of the Elks Derby Lodge #571 Scholarship. $1000. Deadline 3/13/2026.
Milton Fisher Scholarship for Creativity and Innovation. $8,000-$20,000. Deadline 5/15/2026.
SCASA Memorial Scholarship. Deadline 2/13/2026. $1,000 award.
Connecticut Community Foundation, Isabelle Curtiss Scholarship. Deadline 2/17/2026. $5000.
*Please follow us on instagram @OXFORDHIGHSCHOOL_COUNSELING
Counseling Caseloads
Mancinone:
Grade 9: A - C
Grade 10: A - C
Grade 11: A - C
Grade 12: A - C
Angeley (Ms Schwarz) :
Grade 9: D - L
Grade 10: D - M
Grade 11: D - M
Grade 12: D - L
McRae:
Grade 9: M - Z
Grade 10: N - Z
Grade 11: N - Z
Grade 12 M - Z
The counseling caseload by grade level (above) and links to book appointments (below).
Mancinone - https://calendar.app.google/EtkksyPUk4ZUaVKo7
Schwarz - https://calendar.app.google/CnpzgxXGqKqgfPyA7
McRae - https://calendar.app.google/3mnufwcsCXqrgoL89
Support Services Spotlight
Managing the Winter Blues
As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, it’s common for students (and adults!) to notice changes in mood, energy, and motivation. During this time of year there is less sunlight and it’s much colder than usual, making it uncomfortable to get out and about. A lack of sunlight and exercise can directly impact a person’s mood. Just like plants need sunlight to survive, humans need the sun to produce balancing, feel-good chemicals in the body.
It is common for people of all ages to notice changes in their mood during this time of the year. The “winter blues” can show up as feeling more tired, less motivated, irritable, or withdrawn—but there are ways to support emotional well-being during this season.
What can I do about the winter blues?
After you’ve tried small steps to get more direct sunlight and fresh air, the next best thing you can do is start the conversation. Talking about what you’re experiencing with friends and family may help you- and others- realize that you’re not alone. Breaking the stigma around your mental health can leave you free to create partnerships with others and may help you get suggestions for coping.
You can also try these simple activities to boost your mood.
Open your blinds to get direct sunlight whenever you can
Crack the windows open to let in the some fresh air
Call a friend to talk
Get physical with your activities like taking a walk or playing with your kids at the park
Boost your mood with foods high in Vitamin D
Check something off your bucket list
Do a hobby that brings you joy
Listen to a new mood boosting playlist, bonus points for getting physical if you dance a bit!
Help others by volunteering or simply helping a friend or family member
Watch a funny show or movie to get the smiles and laughs going.
If you or your student are feeling persistently down, overwhelmed, or disconnected, support is available. Our school Support Services team is here to help students build coping skills, resilience, and emotional balance during the winter months and beyond.
Small steps can make a big difference—let’s take care of ourselves this season.
🎶 Important Updates for Choir, Band & Drama Families! 🎭
Please take a moment to review the attached calendar for important dates and details related to choir, band, and drama activities. It includes rehearsals, performances, and other key events you'll want to have on your radar.
Your support helps our students shine—thank you for staying informed!
Booster Club
🐾 OHS Families!
The Booster Club is excited to support our students, teachers, arts, activities, and athletics. Thanks for being part of the Wolverine family!
🗓 Booster Club Meetings
Join us at 7:00 PM in the OHS Café:
Feb 3
🎉 Upcoming Events
Co-Ed Swim - Dine In/Out - Oxford Pizza - 1/27
Performing Arts - Dine In/Out - Oxford Tavern 1/27
Gymnastics - Dine In/Out - Oxford Tavern 1/29
Baseball - Dine In/Out - Feb 12
OHS Swim Trivia Night – Join the Fun!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, Feb 21st, and join us at the Oxford Grange for an evening of trivia and fun!
When: Doors open at 6 PM
Where: Riverside Firehouse (151 Coppermine Rd, Oxford, CT 06478)
Cost: $25 per person (includes 4 exciting rounds of trivia!)
Details: Light refreshments provided, BYOB. Must be 21 or older to attend.
All proceeds will benefit the OHS Swim Team. Space is limited, so don't wait— to secure your spot!
Bring your brainpower and your friends for a night of friendly competition. We can’t wait to see you there!
Any questions please contact Amy Blackwell (amylegg423@gmail.com)
All proceeds will benefit the OHS Swim Team. Space is limited, so don't wait—
https://bit.ly/2026OHSBOYSSWIMTRIVIA
💙 Get Involved
Volunteer, share ideas, or become a member today: 2025 Membership
Thank you for your continued support—together we’ll make this year the best one yet!
Go Wolverines! 🐾
From the Principal’s Office:
Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to meet with our student body to discuss the new tardy expectations that were shared in last week’s newsletter. The purpose of this update is to reinforce the importance of arriving to school on time while clearly outlining expectations and appropriate interventions when those expectations are not met. A link to our updated tardy expectations is available HERE.
In addition to discussing the revised tardy expectations with the student body, I also met with the seniors to review the revised Capstone experience. OHS believes that providing students with purposeful, individualized opportunities to engage in authentic, real-world learning is an important part of preparing them for life after high school and aligns with Oxford High School’s Learning Expectations and Attributes of a Graduate: Critical Thinker, Collaborative Learner, Empowered Learner, Productive Citizen, and Effective Communicator. As seniors prepare for life beyond high school, it is essential that they continue to strengthen and apply the skills they have developed throughout their time with Oxford Public Schools. The revised Capstone offers students the chance to engage in hands-on, real-world learning that expands their perspectives and supports a smooth transition to college, careers, and beyond. A detailed communication outlining the experience as well as this year’s proposed timeline was shared with senior students and their families, but is also available HERE for anyone interested in learning more about Capstone.
Lastly, a reminder that all correspondence shared via FinalSite, including the weekly Friday Highlights newsletter, can be found on the OHS website. Please visit: https://ohs.oxfordpublicschools.org, and under the “Administration” tab click “Principal’s Press.” All communications are in order by date with the most recent communication appearing at the top.
Enjoy the weekend, Wolverines,
Heather
Attachments:
- Monthly Performing Arts Calendar