The Eagle Eye

Welcome Back, Oak Hill Families!

We hope you are as excited for the 2026–27 school year as we are! We’ve officially completed our first full week of school, and things are off to an amazing start.

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Elementary Swim Program

This year, Oak Hill is once again partnering with the Grant County Family YMCA for swim classes for students in grades K–4. Students will be bused to the high school for an hour of swim instruction each morning for two weeks, taught by a YMCA instructor. The elementary swim program will be taught by Maggi Austin and will begin the week of August 17, 2026 with our Sweetser Elementary kiddos.

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Keep Contact Information Updated

Accurate contact information in Skyward is essential for good communication. Many breakdowns occur when outdated phone numbers or emails prevent us from reaching families.

• Update Info: Log in to Skyward from our website www.ohusc.k12.in.us.
  
  

• Forgot Login? Click “Forgot your username and password?” to receive a reset link.
  

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Stay Informed

• Website: Updated daily with news, events, and resources.
  
  

• Student Handbooks: Posted online for all five schools and updated yearly.

• Elementary Schools

• OHJH and OHHS Schools
  
  

• 2026–27 School Calendar: Available on the district website.
  
  

• Mobile App: Get documents, updates, and emergency notifications.
  
  

• Android: Download Here
  
  

• iPhone: Download Here
  
  

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Transportation Updates

Thank you for your patience as we worked through some early-year transportation challenges. Bus and shuttle information should now be visible in Skyward under the “Transportation” tile.

• Questions? Contact Kim Yeary at kimberlyye@ohusc.k12.in.us or 765-395-3341 ext. 1106.
  
  

• Minimize Last-Minute Changes: Last-minute transportation changes often lead to students ending up on the wrong bus or at the wrong location.
  
  

• Bus Rider Expectations: Please go through with your children if they ride an Oak Hill bus at any time during the school year.
  
  

Student Drop off and Pick up at the Junior High & High School Reminders:

• Drop off and Pick up of junior high/high school students only at:
  
  

• JH Door 23 (back of building)
  
  

• HS Doors 19 or 15 (back of building)
  
  

• Do not use the front of the schools for drop-off or pick-up—this creates safety concerns and interferes with our buses loading and unloading in the front of the school.
  
  

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Food Service Information

Free and Reduced Meal Benefits—30-Day Carryover Ends September 17

In Indiana, students who received free or reduced-price meal benefits during the previous school year may continue receiving those benefits for up to 30 operating days into the new school year. However, families must submit a new application each school year to continue receiving benefits after the carryover period.

Oak Hill’s 30-day carryover period ends on Thursday, September 17, 2026. If a new application has not been submitted and approved by that date, the student’s meal status will change to paid beginning Friday, September 18. Other benefits associated with free or reduced status, including certain college testing discounts, will also end.

Applications may be submitted through your Skyward Family Access account by selecting the Food Service Applications tile. Please note that completing the application on a smartphone is not supported. Families who need access to a computer may use one at any of our five schools.

For assistance, please review our How to Complete a Free and Reduced Lunch Application guide or contact Dana South at danaso@ohusc.k12.in.us.

Updated Meal-Charging Procedures

We encourage all families to regularly monitor their students’ food service balances through Skyward and add funds before an account reaches a negative balance. Timely payments help our food service program continue providing quality meals to students while preventing families from accumulating larger balances.

Beginning this school year, students will not be permitted to charge meals or a la carte items once their account balance reaches negative $10.00. In previous years, students were allowed to continue charging beyond this amount, which has contributed to significant outstanding negative balances across the district that become difficult for families to pay once they have accumulated such a high amount.

Please keep the following in mind:

• Students receiving free meal benefits will always be able to receive a complete reimbursable meal, but they may not charge a la carte items or additional meals.

• Students receiving reduced-price or paid meals whose accounts reach negative $10 will need to bring a lunch from home until a payment is made to bring the account above that limit.

• A la carte items and additional meals may not be charged when sufficient funds are unavailable.

We understand that families may experience unexpected financial hardships at any time throughout the school year. If your family is experiencing hardship or needs assistance, please contact us. We will do everything we can to work through the situation with you to help or connect your family with any available support or resources.

We will also work and do a better job to communicate with families as balances become low or negative so there is time to add funds and avoid an interruption.

Please review the district’s updated food-charging policy for complete information.

If you have questions, are experiencing a hardship, or need assistance with any food service matter, please contact Food Service Director Dana South at danaso@ohusc.k12.in.us or 765-395-3341, ext. 6018.

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Building Strong Home–School Connections

We believe open communication between parents, students, and teachers is essential to student success.

• Share important information about your child’s needs with teachers.
  
  

• Contact teachers or principals directly with concerns so we can address them promptly and work together toward solutions.
  
  

Our dedicated staff works hard to ensure each child has a positive school experience. If you ever feel that’s not happening, we want to hear from you right away.

School Administration Contacts

Converse Elementary (PK-2)
Anne Liddick, Principal
anneli@ohusc.k12.in.us
765-395-3341 ext. 2001

Sweetser Elementary (Grades 3-4)
Christine Myers, Principal
christinemy@ohusc.k12.in.us
765-395-3341 ext. 3001

Swayzee Elementary (Grades 5-6)
Dawn Collins, Principal
dawnco@ohusc.k12.in.us
765-395-3341 ext. 4001

Oak Hill Junior High (Grades 7-8)
Shawn Means, Principal
shawnme@ohusc.k12.in.us
765-395-3341 ext. 5001

Oak Hill High School (Grades 9-12)
Brad Smith, Principal
bradleysm@ohusc.k12.in.us
765-395-3341 ext. 6001

School Start and End Times
Elementary Schools - (Converse, Sweetser, and Swayzee)

• School Begins: 7:55 a.m.

• School Ends: 2:55 p.m.

Junior High and High School

• School Begins: 8:10 a.m.

• School Ends: 3:10 p.m.

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Here’s to a Great Year!

We hope your family has had a smooth start to the year and that before/after-school routines are settling in. We look forward to making 2026–27 the best year yet for our Oak Hill students!

Yours in Education,

Dr. Sheri Hardman
OHUSC Superintendent

August is National Immunization Awareness Month!

Make sure your student is up to date on school required immunizations. We will be having our Immunization Clinic September 21 4:30-6:30 in the high school cafeteria. More information to follow closer to the date.

WELCOME BACK!

Our Converse staff was ready and eager to welcome back our students and families for the 26-27 school year! We are excited to partner with our families for another great year of learning and growing!

FIRST WEEK SUCCESS!

Smiles all around on our first week back! Lots of practicing procedures so we have a successful year, learning about bus safety and everyone's favorite...LUNCH! We are so happy to have all of our tiny people back in the building!

Welcome back, Eagles! 🦅

The first days back to school are some of our favorites! From meeting new students and families to getting back into routines and the swing of school, it is such an awesome and vibrant time at Sweetser Elementary School. We are so excited for the year ahead and grateful to have our students and families back with us!

🚗 Arrival & Dismissal Reminders

A few things have changed this year, so we appreciate everyone's patience and flexibility as we get into our new routines.

Morning Arrival

Our Sweetser Elementary shuttle hub has many students being dropped off each morning, so thank you for your patience as we work to keep arrival safe and efficient.

• Drop-off does not begin until 7:25 a.m.

• Please drop off all students in the front of the building at the same time.

• Students riding a bus may walk along the sidewalk to the buses, while Sweetser students may head into the building.

• Buses 20 and 7 (Swayzee) leave a few minutes early. Please make sure students riding these buses are dropped off by 7:32 a.m.

• All other buses will leave at 7:35 a.m.

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Thank you for helping us make morning arrival safe and smooth for everyone!

Afternoon Dismissal

Dismissal has been going pretty smoothly, and we appreciate your help! The Sweetser shuttle also has many students to drop off, so thank you for your continued patience.

4th Grade Car Riders:
Please line up at the back of the north parking lot along the basketball goals. Please be careful not to block the entrance, as our buses need to exit through this area. If you need to make rows, please do so. Shuttle cars have designated parking spaces and can pick up their kiddos after buses leave.

• All 4th grade car riders should be picked up by 3:15 p.m.

• Shuttle students should be picked up by 3:30 p.m.

3rd Grade Car Riders:
Pick-up is in the front parking lot. Please have all car riders picked up by 3:15 p.m.

Thank you for helping us keep dismissal safe and efficient!

🏊 Swim Begins Next Week!

We are excited to continue this wonderful Oak Hill tradition! Third grade swim begins next week.

Please check your child's folder or contact the main office if you would like additional information. We are so excited for our students to have this opportunity! Fourth grade swim will begin next month.

🍫 World's Finest Chocolate Fundraiser

Our World's Finest Chocolate fundraiser will run from September 1–16.

Money raised through this fundraiser goes directly into our student activities fund, which supports a variety of activities throughout the year, as well as items such as student shirts, recess equipment, and more.

Thank you in advance for supporting our students and our school! It’s going to be a great year!

❤️ Our Theme: Small School, Big Heart

Our theme for the 2026–2027 school year is:

SMALL SCHOOL. BIG HEART.

Being a smaller school is one of the things that makes Swayzee special. Here, students are more than a name on a roster. We know our kids. We celebrate their successes, notice when they need a little extra encouragement, and work together to help them grow.

This year, we will challenge our students to show what having a BIG HEART looks like through kindness, courage, responsibility, perseverance, leadership, and service to others.

Our goal is simple: Make Swayzee a place where everyone knows they belong.

👋 Welcome to the Swayzee Family!

We are excited to welcome several new staff members to Swayzee this year!

Jordan Bieber
Special Education Instructional Assistant

Breanna Stuttle
Behavior Skills Instructional Assistant

Megan Bishir
6th Grade Language Arts Teacher

We are thrilled to have Jordan, Breanna, and Megan joining our team. Please help us give them a warm Swayzee welcome as they get to know our students, families, staff, and community!

📚 Ready to Learn

The transition into 5th and 6th grade brings new opportunities and new responsibilities. Throughout the year, we will work with students not only on academics, but also on the skills that will help them become successful young people.

We want our Eagles to learn to advocate for themselves, solve problems, manage their responsibilities, learn from mistakes, and understand that growth sometimes requires doing things that aren't easy.

We have high expectations for our students because we know they are capable of great things—and we will be right beside them as they work toward those expectations.

🤝 School + Home = A Great Team

Families are an important part of our Swayzee team. One of the best things we can do for our students is maintain open communication between home and school.

Questions will come up. Mistakes will happen. There may even be a forgotten assignment, misplaced Chromebook, friendship problem, or mysterious missing water bottle along the way!

When something happens, please reach out. Teachers and staff want to work with you to help your child have a successful year.

🦅 Be an Eagle Every Day

We want Swayzee students to be known for how they treat others and how they respond when things don't go exactly as planned.

This year, we will continue encouraging students to:

• Be Kind — Your words and actions matter.

• Be Responsible — Take ownership of your choices.

• Be Respectful — Treat people and our school well.

• Be Brave — Try something difficult and don't be afraid to ask for help.

• Be Present — Showing up matters!

• Be an Eagle — Make choices that make yourself, your family, and your school proud.

📅 Attendance Matters

One of the simplest and most important ways families can support student success is by making regular attendance a priority.

Every school day matters. Missing school means missing instruction, classroom conversations, practice, activities, and time with classmates and teachers that cannot always be recreated.

And this year, students may discover that you never quite know when being at school might pay off! We have a few surprises planned throughout the year to celebrate students who show up and make attendance a priority.

Our advice? Be here. You don't want to miss it.

🕵️‍♀️ Underground Attendance Days

You never know when showing up might pay off!

This year, we're introducing Underground Attendance Days at Swayzee! At least one random, unannounced day each month, every student who is in attendance will receive a special reward. What will the reward be? When will it happen? We're not telling. That's what makes it underground!

We know that no one can be at school every single day. Kids get sick, appointments happen, and sometimes being absent simply can't be avoided. But we also know that attendance matters, and we want to encourage our students to be here whenever they can.

And let's face it—some mornings you wake up and you're just not feeling it. You'd rather stay in bed. You don't particularly feel like tackling math, reading, or whatever else the day has in store. But getting up, showing up, and doing it anyway teaches something that goes far beyond academics:

You can do hard things—even when you don't feel like doing them.

Trust us, kids... sometimes the adults feel exactly the same way. 😄 We get up, grab the coffee, and show up anyway!

So get up. Get ready. Get to Swayzee. You never know...

TODAY MIGHT BE AN UNDERGROUND ATTENDANCE DAY. 👀

Want to know what the prize is? BE HERE. 🦅💙💛

💻 Growing Good Digital Citizens

Technology is an important learning tool at Swayzee, and with that privilege comes responsibility. Throughout the year, we will continue talking with students about making smart choices with technology—both at school and at home.

That includes using school devices appropriately, protecting personal information, communicating respectfully online, thinking before posting or sharing, and understanding that our digital choices can have real-world consequences.

Our goal isn't simply to teach students how to use technology. We want to teach them how to use it wisely.

Here are a few simple facts about screen time and the developing brain:

• 🧠 The brain is still under construction. At ages 10–12, areas involved in attention, planning, decision-making, and self-control are still developing.

• ⚡ Screens provide quick rewards. Games, videos, notifications, and social media can repeatedly activate the brain’s reward system, making slower activities like reading, homework, or conversation feel less exciting.

• 🎯 Heavy screen use can compete with attention. Frequent switching between apps, videos, messages, and other digital content can make sustained focus more difficult.

• 😴 Screens can interfere with sleep. Using devices near bedtime can delay sleep and displace needed rest. Sleep is especially important for learning, memory, mood, and healthy brain development.

• 🗣️ Brains need face-to-face interaction. Real conversations help children practice reading facial expressions, tone of voice, empathy, cooperation, and handling disagreements.

• ❤️ Social media can affect self-worth. Preteens are particularly sensitive to social feedback. Likes, comments, appearance-focused content, and comparison with others can influence how they see themselves.

• 🏃 What screen time replaces matters. Time on a device can take the place of physical activity, outdoor play, hobbies, sleep, family interaction, and time with friends—all experiences that support healthy development.

🌟 There's a Lot to Look Forward To!

The school year is about much more than assignments and tests. Some of the moments students remember most happen outside of a regular lesson.

Throughout the year, students can look forward to special activities, celebrations, programs, spirit days, student recognition, attendance surprises, field trips, and plenty of opportunities to make memories with their classmates.

We can't promise every day will be perfect.

We can promise that it won't be boring!

💛 A Note from Mrs. Collins

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve as principal of Swayzee Elementary and to spend another year with our students, families, and staff.

There is something very special about this little school and the community that supports it. We may not be the biggest building, but what happens inside these walls is pretty remarkable. Our staff cares deeply about kids. Our families support us. Our students bring energy, personality, humor, and heart into the building every single day.

My hope is that when our students leave us at the end of this year, they are a little smarter, a little more confident, a little more independent, and a little kinder than when they arrived.

Here's to a wonderful 2026–2027 school year.

Welcome back, Eagles!

Small School. Big Heart.

And a pretty great place to be.

Mrs. Collins
Principal
Swayzee Elementary School

First Week of School

• Official Start Date: Thursday, August 6th

• If you have any questions about transportation/busing, please check your Skyward Family Access account under Student Info or call 765-395-3341, ext 1106.

New Cell Phone Legislation

• There is new legislation regarding personal electronic devices.

• The Rule: Students must have cell phones and smart devices (including smartwatches) put away for the entire day.

• The Timing: This policy is strictly "bell-to-bell (8:10am to 3:10pm).

• Enforcement: This policy will be enforced with fidelity.

• Action Item: Please start the conversation with your children now about leaving devices in their locker or at home during the school day.

Student Handbook

An electronic copy will be available for you to view as part of the online registration process. Please make sure you and your son or daughter review it because it contains important information about the daily routine at Oak Hill Junior High School.

Communication

If you have any questions or need to talk to an Oak Hill Junior High staff member, please do not hesitate to contact us. Email, phone calls, notes, and face-to-face conversations are strongly encouraged. Our staff will often send important information home via email. Communication will be key to your child's success at school. Along with keeping a school calendar updated on our website, we also are on Facebook.

Attendance

Regular, consistent attendance is very important for a student to get the most out of his/her educational opportunities. We ask that you as parents make every possible and reasonable effort to ensure your child is at school on a daily basis. However, if it is necessary for your child to miss any part of a school day, please call the school prior to 9:00 AM to let us know.

Oak Hill is lucky to have great students and parents and I am positive Oak Hill Junior High School will have an outstanding 2026-27 school year.

All Oak Hill Junior High staff members are looking forward to a great year for you and your son or daughter!

Sincerely,

Shawn Means

Principal

Oak Hill Junior High School

As we begin the 2026-2027 school year, we wanted to reach out and communicate the JH parking lot traffic patterns in the AM and PM. Please read below as well as refer to map diagrams. This is a continuation from last year’s expectations.

AM student drop off (doors #19 and #23 will be unlocked at 7:35 am with school starting at 8:10 am):

• Student drivers will enter from Highway 18 on the southeast side of the property. All student drivers will park in the east parking lots (east of HS and behind the football field). They will enter main HS entrance (door #5) as early as 7:45 am.

• Busses and staff will enter campus from Highway 18 into the south parking lot.

• Parents/guardians dropping off students will enter campus from Highway 13 on the northwest side. JH students may be dropped off at door #23 (up the hill near the back JH entrance) and high school students at door #19 (near the gymnasium and wrestling room back entrance). Parents/guardians will then exit back towards Highway 13.

PM student pick up (school lets out at 3:10 pm):

• Student drivers will exit south through the lots to Highway 18.

• Busses will exit the south lot onto Highway 18.

• Parents/guardians picking up students will enter campus from Highway 13 on the northwest side. Students may be picked up in the parking lots north of the JH or the pool entrance. Parents/guardians will then exit back out onto Highway 13.

We appreciate all adhering to these adjusted procedures. We continue to focus on the safest and most efficient way for students to be dropped off in the morning and picked up in the afternoon. We will monitor and adjust if necessary as the school year progresses.

Oak Hill High School Picture Days:

Wednesday, September 2 - It will be with Sheldon Photography, so there will be a link sent to parents and guardians the day of pictures for orders. Please make sure your skyward email is up to date if you wish to receive this link.

Retakes: Thursday, October 15

Both will be held in the Upper Gym

The high school has a fall delivery for yearbooks. If you ordered a 2025-2026 yearbook, please keep an eye on your email for pickup information in the next month. I will send out information as soon as I get a ship date. - Mrs. Conrad

INvestEd Presentation:
See attached flyer. This presentation is for all grade levels and helps students and families focus on their priorities regarding post-secondary education and paying for education. It is never too early or too late to start this process.

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 from 6:00-7:00pm
Lecture Area

Indiana College GO Week September 21-25

Angela Hicks - Special Education Teacher

This will be my 13th year in education. A few years ago I completed my masters in special education. Not sure if I want to pursue another master's degree or get a doctorate. Our family coaches swimming for the Special Olympics. During the Indiana State Special Olympics, our family was awarded a gold medal for 26 years of service. I have also coached basketball for the special olympics team. My husband and I enjoy camping with our dog Lucy. Dale Hollow quickly became a new favorite location this summer. Our adult children keep discovering new ways to flourish and love life. I am so grateful to be joining the Oak High School team and community this year. Looking forward to helping students and families.

Brock Massey - Strength and Conditioning Teacher

Hello, my name is Brock Massey, and I am excited to join Oak Hill as the new Strength & Conditioning Coach and Teacher. I earned my undergraduate degree from Indiana University - Kokomo in 2011 and completed my Transition to Teaching program through Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) In 2025 I was selected to be on the NHSSCA-IN Advisory Board to help promote and carry on the mission of the NHSSCA, which is to Empower, Educate, and Equip other S&C coaches.

I have taught Strength & Conditioning since July of 2020 at Madison-Grant, where I developed and led the school's S&C program. My passion is helping student-athletes become stronger, faster, healthier, and more confident while building a culture centered on discipline, accountability, and effort.

My wife, Collette, and I have three daughters: Aida Sites, who will be a sophomore at IU Bloomington; Savannah Sites, who will be a sophomore at Madison-Grant; and Quinn Massey, who will be a freshman at Oak Hill this year.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to join the Oak Hill family and look forward to working with our students, staff, and athletic programs.

Rick Alexander - Director of Choirs

Hello! My name is Rick Alexander, and I am excited to have the opportunity to work with your child this year at OH!

Research consistently shows that students involved in music education often perform better academically across a wide range of subjects. Because of that, I believe our mission extends far beyond teaching music. Every rehearsal is an opportunity to develop skills that support success in English, mathematics, foreign languages, science, and many other areas. Music teaches discipline, critical thinking, teamwork, communication, and perseverance—skills that benefit students for a lifetime.

One philosophy I share with my students is that while talent is not distributed equally, opportunity is. Some of the greatest lessons I've learned came through challenges and disappointments in my own musical journey. Those experiences taught me that preparation is the foundation of success. Students who commit themselves, work consistently, and prepare thoroughly create opportunities for themselves. While talent is important, dedication and effort are what allow that talent to flourish.

Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to perform and work with outstanding organizations, including:

• The United States Army Chorus ("The Singing Sergeants")
• Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
• Indiana University Kokomo (Music Chair and Director)
• Indiana University Marching Hundred Alumni
• Indiana University Vocal Scholarship recipient
• Indianapolis Opera
• Butler University Choral Program

I share these experiences simply to reassure you that your child will be learning in an environment led by someone with extensive performance and educational experience who is deeply committed to helping every student grow.

My door is always open, and I welcome communication from both students and parents throughout the year. I look forward to building a positive, challenging, and rewarding musical experience for your child. I can't wait to get our ensembles started!

Sincerely,

Rick Alexander, MS

Karen Jimenez - Spanish Teacher

Hola! My name is Karen Jimenez and I am the Spanish teacher at Oak Hill High School! I love spending time with my boyfriend Shane, his son Saylor, and our beautiful dogs, Grace and Chloe. I enjoy watching many athletics, mostly soccer and volleyball and bike rides/walks on the riverwalk. Overall, I am excited to start my educational journey at Oak Hill!

HOMECOMING 2026

Homecoming is September 18 vs. Alexandria. More information will be available next week, but the t-shirt order form is up and running. Click on the link below to order your shirt. Deadline is September 4. Shirts will be delivered by September 16 to your child's classroom.

Red Cross Blood Drive - September 9

Zero Hour and Strength & Conditioning

High School Zero Hour will be Monday - Thursday starting at 7am. Our performance days will be Wednesday. After School S&C will be Monday - Thursday as well up to 3:45-4pm. The purpose for Zero Hour and After School S&C is to provide the students who are not in S&C Class the opportunity to get their workout in.

Junior High Zero Hour and After School S&C will begin Monday, 8/17. The JH will operate on Mondays and Wednesdays, which will be a performance day as well.

**** NOTE: After School S&C would be for off season athletes. In season athletes will need to go to their practice after school.

The Oak Hill High School Agriculture Advisory Committee is a broad based group with representatives from education, the agricultural industry and our community. Members are knowledgeable and interested volunteers who represent our community, industry, and families.

The purpose of this advisory committee is to advise, not to develop policy, and may include:

* Evaluate goals and objectives of the program, the course(s) as related to the stated goals and objectives

* Determine the needs of the business, industry or labor which are directly related to the specific education program

* Assist in the development of a program that better relates to the needs of the business, industry and labor by presenting current trends and needs in the field of agriculture

* Aid the program in those activities that will lead toward progress

* Review instructional strategies and make suggestions

* Offer recommendations to improve the facilities, instructional materials or equipment

* Serve as an advocate for the program between the school, the community and business, industry and labor

* Develop a communication network with the workforce, management, and the Chamber of Commerce

* Other, as specifically requested by the school and agreed upon by the committee

Please note: filling out an application does not guarantee a position on the Ag Advisory Committee.

Once applications are submitted, applicants' information will be reviewed to select the best fit for the open positions.
Please email your interest to: jayma@ohusc.k12.in.us
Please submit your application by the deadline of 8-24-26

No School: Monday, September 7 - Labor Day

School Board Meeting: Monday, September 14

Fall Break: October 19-23

We are currently hiring for the following positions:

Custodians (Full-time and Part-time)

Substitute Cafeteria Workers

Substitute Teachers

Bus Drivers

Substitute Bus Drivers

Substitute Bus Aides