Principal Notes

The 2026–27 school year is off to an incredible start at OHS! The energy in our classrooms, hallways, stands, and House events has been amazing, and our Red Devils are already making this year one to remember.

In just a few short weeks, we’ve selected our Red Devil Reps and Student Leadership Officers, connected students with opportunities through Club Rush sign-ups, packed our student sections as OHS students enjoy FREE admission to home events, brought the energy during a spirited House Party, celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of our AP students and staff, sent our seniors across the community for Tour de Owensboro, and completed our first round of benchmark assessments to help guide teaching and learning.

And we’re just getting started.

As we move into September, let’s keep building on that momentum—Lead with Purpose. Serve with Heart. Grow Through Experience. Together, we’re creating the kind of school experience that makes OHS a special place to learn, lead, belong, and grow.

Bring on September. Go Devils! ❤️🖤

At OHS, the Red Carpet Welcome is about more than how we greet people at the door. It is about how we make people feel welcomed, valued, seen, and connected. This September, we are taking that commitment one step further by making kindness our school-wide focus.

Kindness is contagious. One small action can change someone’s entire day. A smile in the hallway, an invitation to join the group, a word of encouragement, or simply taking the time to notice someone can make a lasting difference.

Throughout September, our Red Devils will be challenged to complete 30 Days of Kindness using the OHS Kindness Calendar. Each day features a simple act students can complete at school, at home, or in our community. Our goal isn't simply to check off 30 activities, it is to build habits that strengthen relationships, create belonging, and make kindness part of who we are at OHS.

The Red Carpet Experience belongs to all of us. Every Red Devil has the opportunity to roll out the red carpet for someone else through the way we welcome, include, encourage, help, and serve.

We invite our students, staff, and families to join us this September. 30 days. 30 acts of kindness. Countless opportunities to make someone's day better.

Let's make kindness part of the Red Carpet Experience at school, at home, and throughout our community.

The rivalry continues! Your Owensboro Red Devils are once again squaring off against the Daviess County Panthers in the annual Big Red Battle Blood Drive! For the 6th consecutive year, OHS is teaming up with the Western Kentucky Regional Blood Center (WKRBC) and our National Honor Society to rally Red Devils and our community around a life-saving cause.

And this year, the mission is simple: KEEP THE TROPHY AT 1800! 🏆❤️🖤

The WKRBC Bloodmobile will be at Owensboro High School on Wednesday, September 2, from 9am to 4pm. Donations can also be made anytime at the WKRBC office at 3015 Old Hartford Road during normal business hours. Just be sure to say you're donating for Owensboro High School. Students, staff, families, alumni, and community members are encouraged to roll up their sleeves, donate on behalf of OHS, and help the Red Devils defend the title!

For every successful donation, WKRBC will contribute $5 to OHS National Honor Society, so every donation makes an even bigger impact.

This is about more than a rivalry. It's an opportunity to Serve with Heart, save lives, support our students, and show what the Red Devil community can accomplish together.

Give blood. Save lives. Keep the trophy at 1800. 🩸🏆

GO DEVILS! ❤️🖤

OHS Parent-Teacher Conferences are Thursday, September 3, from 4:00–7:00 p.m., and we invite all Red Devil families to join us at 1800!

Of course, families will have the opportunity to meet with teachers, discuss student progress, ask questions, and strengthen the home-school partnership, but Parent-Teacher Conference Night at OHS is about even more. We’ve planned several opportunities to help families stay connected, informed, and prepared.

Stay Connected with Infinite Campus - 6pm in Room 131

Our OHS School Counselors will provide an interactive session showing parents and guardians how to use the Infinite Campus Parent Portal to stay connected to grades, attendance, assignments, and other important student information.

Getting In & Paying for College - 5pm in Media Center

Seniors and their families this one's for you! Mr. S, our OHS College & Career Planner, will present “Getting In & Paying for College.” Families can learn more about navigating the college process and preparing financially for life after OHS.

OHS Youth Service Center Open House - 4-7pm in Room 147

Stop by Room 147 anytime between 4:00–7:00 p.m. for the OHS Youth Service Center Open House and meet Mr. Hogg and Ms. Hall. Learn more about the resources and support available to OHS students and families. Haven't completed your Educational Benefit Form yet? This is the perfect opportunity to get it done!

Stock Up on Red Devil Gear at the Red & Black Shack - 4-7pm in Cafeteria

The Red & Black Shack will be open in the cafeteria! Stop by and grab your OHS spirit gear so you're #REDy to represent the Devils all year long. Don't forget the Red & Black Shack is cashless.

Come for the conference. Stay for the experience. Connect with teachers, learn something new, access resources, and get even more connected to OHS.

We’ll see you Thursday, September 3, from 4:00–7:00pm at 1800!

At Owensboro High School, supporting the social-emotional well-being and mental health of our students remains an important priority. During September, our school counselors, Student Assistance Coordinator, and Youth Service Center staff will provide all OHS students with important information, strategies, and resources focused on suicide prevention and seeking help when it is needed.

OHS students will learn that depression is treatable, how to recognize warning signs and risk factors, and how to use the ACT strategy: Acknowledge, Care, Tell a trusted adult. Students will also identify trusted adults and resources available to them at OHS.

Following the presentations, students will have the opportunity to request an individual conversation with a school counselor for additional support or questions.

We encourage families to review the resources provided by our OPS District Counseling Director, including a Parents Infographic, to learn more about the program and ways families can reinforce the ACT message at home.

Need immediate support? The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988.

Together, we can continue building a school community where every Red Devil knows they belong, they are valued, and there are people ready to help.

At OHS, we believe EVERY day should be High Attendance Day! Being at school matters. Every day a Red Devil is at 1800 is another opportunity to learn, connect, participate, and experience everything OHS has to offer.

But on Wednesday, September 9, we’re making attendance a little more fun as we celebrate Kentucky High Attendance Day!

Red Devils can roll out of bed and come straight to 1800 in their favorite school-appropriate pajamas! We’ll also have some special breakfast items waiting to help everyone start the day right.

Kentucky schools will be competing for the highest percentage of students in attendance and you know Red Devils love a little competition! Our goal? PACK 1800 and shoot for 100%!

So set the alarm, grab those PJs, bring your Red Devil energy, and SHOW UP!

And remember, High Attendance Day may be September 9, but at OHS, EVERY DAY is High Attendance Day.

Get those smiles REDy! OHS Picture Day is Friday, September 11, for all students in grades 9–11.

Every student in grades 9–11 should have their picture taken—even if you are not purchasing a photo package! These photos are important and will be used to update student photos in Infinite Campus (IC), create future student IDs, appear in the OHS yearbook, support school records, recognitions, and much, much more!

Families who would like to order pictures can visit mylifetouch.com and enter Picture Day ID: EVTNZKRPN, or simply scan the QR code provided to view ordering options.

SENIORS: Senior pictures will NOT be taken on September 11. Information regarding senior picture opportunities will be communicated separately.

Red Devils in grades 9–11, bring your smile and get picture REDy on September 11!

The OHS Class of 2027 is continuing to explore the possibilities beyond 1800! On Wednesday, September 16, all OHS seniors will attend the Regional Senior College Fair at Kentucky Wesleyan College.

With representatives from more than 30 colleges and universities in one location, seniors will have the opportunity to explore programs and majors, learn about admissions and scholarships, ask questions, and connect directly with college representatives.

Whether students already have a college in mind or are still considering their options, this experience is another important opportunity to Grow Through Experience and make informed decisions about life after graduation.

Class of 2027... ask questions, explore your options, and discover what could be next!

September 21–25 is Ag Education Week. Our Red Devils are joining the celebration as we recognize the important role agriculture plays in our community, Kentucky’s economy, and the many career opportunities available to students.

Throughout the week, OHS students are encouraged to go ALL IN by participating in Ag Spirit Week! Watch for the daily themes, dress up, show your Red Devil spirit, and help us celebrate agriculture at 1800.

We’ll cap off the week on Friday, September 25, when all OHS 9th grade students participate in the Freshman Ag Exploration Experience at the Owensboro Regional Farmers Market. Students will have the opportunity to Grow Through Experience as they connect with community partners, explore agriculture-related careers and pathways, and discover just how broad and important the agriculture industry is to our region and beyond.

From the classroom to the community, Ag Education Week is about creating experiences that inspire curiosity and open doors for the future.

Red Devils, let’s go ALL IN for Ag!

Student voice matters at OHS! This year, each Advisory has selected a Red Devil Rep to serve as a connection between students and school leadership.

Red Devil Reps will meet regularly with OHS administrators and staff to share ideas, provide feedback, discuss the student experience, and help shape opportunities at OHS. Just as importantly, they’ll take information back to their Advisory and help classmates stay connected, involved, and informed. Red Devil Reps will listen, represent, communicate and encourage.

Our Reps are more than messengers. They are leaders and models of what it means to be a Red Devil, helping build school spirit, strengthen belonging, and make the OHS experience even better for every student.

Together, we’re working to make OHS the best high school in Kentucky!

OHS families, we need your help! Every household is asked to complete the Educational Benefit Form by September 30. It only takes a few minutes, but completing this form helps ensure your student AND Owensboro High School receive all of the resources and funding available to support our Red Devils.

One Educational Benefit Form must be completed per household even if you don't think your family will qualify for benefits.

Depending on eligibility, the Educational Benefit Form may provide your family access to valuable benefits, including:

• Waived or reduced school fees
• ACT, SAT, AP, and other testing fee waivers
• Reduced or waived dual-credit course fees
• College application fee waivers
• Future P-EBT benefits, if available
• Family Resource & Youth Service Center services and support

Completed forms help determine state and federal funding available to our school. That funding can support classroom resources, technology, academic intervention, tutoring, student support services, programs, and enrichment opportunities.

Simply put: When every household completes the form, we help ensure OHS and our students receive every dollar and resource for which we are eligible.

Your information is confidential and secure and is used only to determine eligibility for educational benefits.

Complete one Educational Benefit Form for your household by September 30 by visiting hif.tradition1871.com or scanning the QR code below.

If you have questions or need assistance completing the form, please contact Debbie Long at 270-686-1000.

Thank you for helping us ensure every Red Devil has access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed!

Scan the QR code for the OHS Fall Sports Schedule.

Go Devils!

Wednesday, September 2

WKRBC Big Red Battle Blood Drive @OHS

Thursday, September 3

OHS House Party

OHS Parent-Teacher Conferences 4-7pm

Friday, September 4

No School for Students

OPS Professional Learning Day

Monday, September 7

No School - Happy Labor Day

Tuesday, September 8

Red Devil Reps Focus Group - Seniors

Suicide Prevention Awareness - Juniors & Freshmen

Wednesday, September 9

Red Devil Reps Focus Group - Juniors

Suicide Prevention Awareness - Seniors & Sophomores

Thursday, September 10

Red Devil Reps Focus Group - Sophomores

Special Education Department Meeting

Friday, September 11

OHS Picture Day for Grades 9-11

OHS Club Day A

Saturday, September 12

SAT at OHS

Tuesday, September 15

Red Devil Reps Focus Group - Freshmen

Wednesday, September 16

Regional Senior College Fair @KWC

Friday, September 18

No School for Students

OPS Professional Learning Day

Saturday, September 19

ACT at OHS

Monday, September 21 - Friday, September 25

ALL IN for Ag Education Week

Tuesday, September 22

K4C Construction Event

Friday, September 25

Freshman Ag Exploration Experience at Owensboro Regional Farmers Market

OHS Club Day B

Monday, September 28

OHS SBDM Council Meeting 4pm