Frequently Asked Questions

OHI INFORMATION SHEET

We are the Home of the Panthers!  School colors are Scarlet & Gold.

Our Panther Family is excited to welcome you and your family!

OHI CONTACT INFORMATION

☎️ ATTENDANCE LINE: (360) 279-5303  / ohisattendance@ohsd.net

Office Phone: (360) 279-5300  /  Fax:  (360) 279-5399                                                        

Office Hours: 8:30 a.m - 4:15 p.m.  /  Email: ohis@ohsd.net  

UNDERSTANDING THE SCHOOL SCHEDULE:  

8:40 AM early arrival - 9:00 AM First Bell  -  9:10 AM Tardy Bell -  3:40 PM Dismissal (2:40 PM on Mondays)

Your child’s team teachers will guide them daily on  where to go throughout the school year. 

• 9:10 AM: Each morning will begin with daily announcements while preparing for the day.
• Math / Science / English Language Arts / Social Studies: Core content will be covered daily per district adopted curriculums with team teachers.
•  Electives: Your child will be enrolled in general music, art, or band. These classes alternate with PE on an A/B schedule that is posted on our website. 
• Every Tuesday and Thursday are A days; Every Wednesday and Friday are B days  
• A/B days alternate on Mondays.  First Monday is an A day.  See our website for A/B schedule.
• Fifth Graders will be assigned to a trimester each of Intro to Band, Art and Music
• Sixth Graders will be assigned to an all-year course of Band, Music or Art.  
• Double Core: A daily, school-wide period where students receive leveled instruction—from Highly Capable enrichment to Panther Plus intervention and IEP support (SDI)—based on i-Ready and classroom assessments.
• Connection Time: Daily lessons build community and academic habits. Using our CharacterStrong curriculum, students develop relationships, communication, and conflict-resolution skills. Lessons also cover essential practices like binder organization, grade checks, and focused note-taking. 

RECESS/LUNCH: Your child will enjoy 30 minutes of recess and then 20 minutes of lunch each day.

ATTENDANCE (360) 279-5303: Please schedule student appointments outside school hours when possible. If your student  is absent, notify attendance by 9:30 AM via (360) 279-5303 or ohisattendance@ohsd.net to avoid automated calls. Send a written note with the date and reason upon their return. Full policies are available online and in the office.   

BUSSING/TRANSPORTATION (360) 279-5570/transadmin@ohsd.net : Find bus info at www.ohsd.net (Resources > Transportation). Returning families with no changes do not need to reapply. New students or families with changes must submit a new request online (requires up to 5 days for processing). 

CAMPUS OPENS: For the safety of your child, adult supervision and access to buildings will be provided only during school hours. Please ensure your child is dressed for the weather if they are early and waiting outdoors.

At 8:40 AM :

• Your child may go to the cafeteria for breakfast or to designated outdoor areas for physical activities.
• Your child may be allowed to go to a teacher’s classroom only with permission/pass from the teacher.

At 9:00 AM: The school bell will ring to prompt your child to report to their homeroom classroom. 

At 9:10AM: Tardy bell rings and tardy students must report to the attendance office for a tardy slip to class.

CELL PHONE POLICY: To prioritize learning, phones must be turned off and put away in backpacks all day, including in the courtyard and bus lines. Confiscation and disciplinary action will follow violations. A designated office phone is available for necessary student calls. 

COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR CHILD: Messages to your child must be communicated to the office by 2:00 PM, unless it’s an emergency. After 2:00 PM, we cannot guarantee delivery of the message.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: After school clubs and intramural sports are offered based on student interest, advisor availability, waitlist and signed permission slip. Students are notified of openings by school announcements. Availability may change as spots open up -when in doubt, join the club!

FOOD SERVICE: Healthy meals fuel healthy minds!

• Payments: Drop checks/cash (labeled with student name and account number) in the black box near attendance window, or pay online via Skyward Family Access (details on District website).
• Free & Reduced: Applications must be submitted every year via Skyward (Food Services tab).

Details: www.ohsd.net (Resources > Nutrition). Nutrition Office: (360) 279-5192 | Payment Help: (360) 279-5015.

FOOD/TREATS POLICY: Per District Policy (6000/6700P) and to keep students with severe food allergies safe, food treats for celebrations cannot be accepted or distributed. We love recognizing students, so non-food alternatives like pencils or stickers are welcomed! Thank you for protecting our learners. 

HEALTH ROOM & MEDICATION: Contact our school nursing team at (360) 279-5340.

• Communication: Please notify nurses of any student medical conditions or medications before school starts.
• Updates: Inform nursing staff immediately if health needs change during the school year.

LOCKERS & PE UNIFORMS: Lockers are not used and PE uniforms are not required at OHI. Your child should dress appropriately for activities and the weather, including appropriate footwear for PE and recess.

LOST & FOUND: You are strongly encouraged to check our lost & found regularly for your student’s personal belongings. Unclaimed items are donated to charity quarterly or sooner based on space limitations. 

PICK UP AND DROP OFF: 

• Photo ID Required: For student safety, you must present a photo ID at the front office for every visit—even if staff recognizes you.
• Authorized Pick-Up: Students will only be released to individuals as indicated on their approved guardian or emergency contact list.
• Parking Lot Safety: Please drive slowly and respect our Student Safety Patrol's directions. (Traffic maps are available online or in the office.)

SUPPLIES: Please supply your student with pencils, colored pencils and glue sticks. Recommended supplies include a backpack, reusable water bottle & headphones. Helpful supplies for classrooms include tissue, hand sanitizer, and fine-tip dry erase markers.

TRIMESTER SCHEDULE: The OHI academic calendar runs on the school district trimester schedule. Trimester 1 Sept 1 - Dec 2; Trimester 2 Dec 3 - March 11; Trimester 3 March 12 - June 17. Report cards are posted in Skyward approximately 1 week after the trimester ends. 

VISITING & VOLUNTEERING: All guests must sign in/out via SafeVisitor in the front office. Visitors scan a driver's license and must be escorted; volunteers must scan and wear their valid OHPS badge (apply online 3–5 days prior). All classroom visits require teacher and office approval 24 hours in advance. 

GO PANTHERS!