New opportunities for all grades!

Upcoming Holidays -

•  February 11 - Early Release Day


• February 12  and 15 - Winter Break

 Grade 9-12 – Kohl’s Kids Who Care

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Kohl's Kids Who Care Scholarship Program. This year, Kohl's plans to recognize 2,100 kids ages 6-18 with prizes ranging from $50 Kohl's gift cards to a total of $10,000 in scholarships.  Please visit www.kohlskids.com for complete details. If you meet the criteria and are interesting in being nominated, please see Mr. Guthas in the guidance office. The nomination deadline is March 15, 2010.

 Grade 11 – Capstone Business Academy of the University of Alabama

The Capstone Business Academy of the University of Alabama is a 10-day residential summer program designed for academically exceptional rising high school seniors interested in obtaining an education and pursuing a career in business. Participants interact on an individual basis with University professors and working professionals through a variety of presentations and experiences. In order to apply, students must be current juniors and have a 3.4 GPA. You must also have either a 27 on the ACT, 1210 on the SAT or a 140 on the PSAT. The total cost is $350 for all fees. 

For more information and to apply, please visit www.cba.ua.edu/summeracademy. The deadline to apply is March 15.

 Grade 12 – New Scholarships

 Body by Milk - America's Milk Processors and USA TODAY are pleased to bring you the 13th annual "Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year" (SAMMY) 2010 Award Program.  The SAMMY 2010 Award Program recognizes outstanding senior scholar athletes from high schools throughout the U.S. An athlete from OCHS can win a $7,500 college scholarship from the Milk Processor Education Program. Please visit www.bodybymilk.com for complete application information. The deadline to apply is March 5, 2010.

 Oconee Pilot Club - The Pilot Club of Oconee County is sponsoring the Helen Parrish Scholarship in the amount of $1,500 for seniors. Applications can be picked up in the guidance office. Applications are rated based on need, GPA, letters of recommendation and extra curricular activities. Applicants must also not be children of Pilot Club members. Completed applications are due by March 31 to Mr. Guthas.

 Oconee Lions Youth Citizenship Award - The primary purpose of the Oconee Lions Youth Citizenship Award is to recognize the achievements of an OCHS graduating senior who provides evidence of the following: (1) good citizenship (2) active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community and (3) has a record of service to the community without financial reward. The amount of this scholarship is $1,000. The student must provide evidence of acceptance to an institution of post-secondary education to receive the award.  Applications may be picked up in the guidance office and must be turned in to Mr. Guthas by April 16 at 3:00 PM.

 Moore’s Ford - The Moore's Ford Memorial Committee offers endowed scholarships to commemorate George & Mae Murray Dorsey and Roger & Dorothy Malcolm. These scholarships encourage community service, social justice and racial healing.   Eight annual awards of $1,000 each are given to graduating seniors from the eight public high schools in Athens-Clarke, Morgan, Oconee and Walton Counties. Applicants must be graduating seniors who have applied for vocational school or college and must take an active interest in community service.   Applications can be picked up in the guidance office and must be postmarked no later than March 16, 2010.

 Grades 10-11 - SAT and ACT Test Prep is being offered Oconee Education and Prep and begins on February 7.  Contact lbarrett@oedprep.com for more information.

2010-2011 Registration

Students in grades 8-11 will be registering for classes for the 2010-2011 school year.  They received their registration forms on Friday.

On Tuesday students will get signatures from current teachers during class and will have the opportunity to have former and elective teachers approve classes during Warrior Period.

Students will enter their course selections in the computer on Thursday, January 21.  Students taking Advanced Placement courses will need to turn in their completed contracts at that time.

Registration information, including course offerings, course descriptions, the course catalog, and graduation requirements can be found at

http://www.oconee.k12.ga.us/ochs/index.php?module=pagesmith&uop=view_page&id=56

Grades 9-11 – Upcoming Dates

 Tuesday, January 12 - AP Parent Night at OCHS (6pm)  For students who are considering taking Advanced Placement Courses next year and their parents.

 Thursday, January 14 -  FYI Fair at OCHS (6-8 pm) - For students in grades 8-11 and their parents.  Come see what courses OCHS has to offer, hear from college admissions reps, learn about NCAA recruiting, and pick up PSAT scores.  More information can be found at http://www.oconee.k12.ga.us/ochs/files/filecabinet/folder6/FYI_Fair.pdf

 Grades 9-12 – Best Buy Scholarship

 Students in all grades who are involved in volunteer work or have work experience may be interested in applying for a Best Buy scholarship. Please visit www.bestbuy.com/scholarships for complete details.

 Grade 12 – Financial Aid Night, January 14 at the Civic Center (6pm)

For seniors and their parents who will navigate the Federal Financial Aid form and HOPE.  We will have a speaker from the Georgia Student Finance Commission and information about College Goal Sunday where you can get help with the application.

 Grade 12 – New Scholarships

 Oconee Volleyball, Inc. honors senior volleyball players who are pursuing a college degree and recognizes them for their discipline and hard work in the classroom as well as on the court. Scholarships will be based on character, need, and merit.   Applications can be picked up in the guidance office and are due no later than April 15, 2010.

 The Georgia District Civitan Foundation invites senior students to apply for the Alice Dodd and Bobby Scholarships for Outstanding Community Service. The Bobby Dodd scholarship is awarded to a physically challenged student.  The first place recipient for each scholarship receives a $1,500 award. Although academics and financial need are important and will be reviewed, the overriding criteria will be the applicant's community service involvement. Applications can be picked up in the guidance office and all applications must be postmarked by January 31.

 Senior students interested in the agriculture or natural resources related fields of study may be interested in applying for the Polly Hardigree Ward Memorial Scholarship. Applications may be picked up in the guidance office. Applications must be postmarked by April 5, 2010.

Seniors whose primary residence is served by Walton EMC are invited to apply for the Walton EMC Operation Round-Up scholarships. Each scholarship will be worth $2,500 and will be non-renewable. Applications can be picked up in the guidance office and are due to Walton EMC by February 19.

EXAMS ARE COMING – Please refer to the information in the previous blog

 Secret Santa – A note from our coordinator, Leslie Rogers

 Secret Santa is well under way in Oconee County.  Our cluster is serving a 105 families totaling over 250 children.  Several clubs and students have already made a huge impact on our families this year.  Many community members and churches have also adopted families. 

 This year, however, Santa's list is long. The needs are many and are basic necessities in many cases.  Even in tough times, we are blessed to have a job, a house, transportation.... Please consider being one of Santa's elves this year.  It isn't hard.  Starting tomorrow, there will be ornaments on the tree in the front office listing a specific gift requested by an Oconee County child (a family number is provided as well).  Maybe pick up an extra gift this year or honor that person for whom it is always difficult to buy a gift by giving in their name.  All your donations will remain in Oconee County.

 Some gently used items Santa is always happy to receive: coats, clothing, PS2 games (the ones our kids beat eons ago and don't play anymore), PSP, Nintendo DS.  Some of these families have received used gaming systems from us in the past and were so excited.  The requests for food or "anything" are more numerous than I have ever seen before so any kind of gift card is wonderfully appreciated.

 Grades 9-12 – New LG Ads targeting inappropriate texting and messaging

 LG has developed a series of ads aimed at kids encouraging them to “give it a ponder” before sending text or pictures.  Although the following article specifically mentions “sexting,” several ads focus on cyber bullying behavior.  The article (with a link to the ads) can be found at: 

http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thehumancondition/archive/2009/12/08/sexting-in-america-the-medium-the-message-and-the-truth-about-teens.aspx

 Grade 9-11 Air Force Day

 Is you student interested in the Air Force Academy and an Air Force Officer career? If so, you may be interested in attending the annual Air Force Academy Candidate Orientation Program.

 The dates for the program are Sunday, December 27 in Marietta and Monday, December 28 in Fayetteville. For more information, please contact Lt Col Vince Compagno at (770) 631-9410. You may also visit the website, www.airforceacademy.net

Exam information for all grades

 Exams will begin on Tuesday, December 15 with all “B” day exams.  All regular block and “A” day exams for 1^st and 2^nd blocks will be Wednesday, December 16.  All regular block and “A” day exams for 3^rd and 4^th blocks will be Thursday, December 17. 

 Students will receive exam exemption/permission to check out forms on Monday, December 14.  If a student is eligible to exempt an exam, they will ask the teacher to sign off on the exemption form.  Please ask your student to keep up with this form; no replacement forms will be issued.

 Seniors may exempt up to four exams, juniors three, sophomores two, and freshmen one each semester.  Teachers may add additional criteria or have the option not to allow students to exempt.  Please read the exemption criteria in the student handbook (posted on the OCHS homepage) for details.  Students owing debts, cafeteria or media fines will not be allowed to exempt.  Students may clear fines during lunch on December 9-11.   All fine fines must be paid before 2:00pm on Friday, December 11^th for students to exempt exams.

Students will be allowed to leave after exams are over on December 16 and 17  if the parent permission to leave for is turned in.  Student or parents must provide transportation on these days; busses will not pick students up from OCHS until 3:30.

 Grades 9-12 Essay Contest

 The Optimist International Essay Contest is now open to all students under the age of 19.This essay contest awards a first place $2,500 college scholarship at the district level. For complete rules, regulations and applications please see Mr. Guthas in the guidance office. Essays must be received by the Optimist Club by January 11, 2010.

 Grade 12 – New Scholarships

 The Savannah College of Art and Design is accepting nominations for the SCAD Distinguished Scholars award, a prestigious scholarship in the amount of $18,000 per year. Students may be nominated who have at least a 1220 SAT score or at least a 27 ACT composite score. Also, you must have at least a 3.75 GPA and leadership experience through extra-curricular involvement.  If you meet the criteria and are interested in being nominated, please see Mr. Guthas by February 1, 2010.

 Walton Electric Membership Corporation is pleased to offer one senior student at OCHS a scholarship opportunity. In 1987, a scholarship fund was established in honor of Walter Harrison. Harrison was nationally known for his lifetime efforts to make electricity available to every home in Georgia.

 The criteria for selection are:

1. Recipient's primary residence must be the household of an EMC member or employee

2. A combination of financial need and academic ability will be used in determining the recipients.

If you are interested in being nominated and meet the criteria, please see Mr. Guthas in the guidance office by Friday, December 11.

 Scholarships sponsored by the American Legion can be found at www.legion.org/needalift.

11/19/09 - Holidays, Cookbooks and Baby Pictures

Students will be out of school for the Thanksgiving Holidays from Wednesday, November 25 through Friday November 29.  Classes resume on Monday, December 30

 Grades 9-12 – Recipes wanted

Got a great recipe that everyone always wants? Then contribute the 2010 OCHS Cookbook!!

The Athletic Department invites faculty, students, and parents to submit a recipe to the 2010 OCHS Cookbook.

Publication date is April 2010 in time for Mother's Day.

The process is simple and here's how to submit a recipe:

1. Go to www.fundcraft.com. 


2. In the upper right hand corner, type the web id: 16941-09JU -- no password.


3. Login.


4. On the next page in the center, several inches down, is a large orange box that says "short-cut/online" -- click on this.


5. Next page is a recipe card. Fill it out.


6. Put your name and submit the recipe(s) of your choice.


7. If you have any trouble with it, contact Joyce Oliver or Cindy Sellers.

Thanks for contributing and we look forward to some great recipes!!

Grade 12 – Senior Baby Photos for the Yearbook

 Please remind your seniors:

It's time to dust off the photo albums and pull out the baby photos! Please submit a copy, NOT THE ORIGINAL, of your baby picture, along with a TYPED senior quote of ten words or less to Ms. Voyles in C-8. Quotes and baby pictures are due MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2009! Any quotes or photos without names will not be used.

November 11

Grades 10 -12

 Outstanding students may be nominated to attend the 2010 Congressional Student Leadership Conference sponsored by LeadAmerica. For complete details on this program, please visit www.cslc2010.org. If you are interested in being nominated after visiting the website, please see Mr. Guthas by November 20.

 Nominations can now be taken for the National Youth Leadership Forum. This program is open to 10th and 11th graders. For complete details, visit www.nylf.org. After reviewing the website, please see Mr. Guthas if you are interested in being nominated. The nominations must be completed by November 20.

 Grade 12 – New Scholarships

 Seniors interested in attending GA College and State University may be interested in participating in the President's Scholarship Competition for high achieving students. The event will take place Dec 3-4. Please visit www.gcsu.edu/psc for more information and to submit an interest form. If selected to compete, confirmation of attendance and registration fee of $20 is due by November 24.

 The Ronald McDonald House Charities is sponsoring a scholarship program for graduating seniors. Please visit www.rmhc.org for complete program details and eligibility.

 The Epsilon Sigma Alpha Foundation Board of Directors offers about 150 scholarships a year for deserving United States and International students who meet the criteria of individual endowments. The information about the scholarships, requirements and applications is available at www.esaintl.com/esaf. The completed application with all of the documentation must be submitted by February 1, 2010.