On behalf of the entire Oak Lawn Community High School administration, faculty, and staff, I’d like to officially welcome you to the 2024-2025 school year. To the families of our incoming freshmen and transfer students, we are happy to have you join our Spartan community. As a reminder, the first day of school for all students is Wednesday, August 14th.
Each new school year brings with it excitement, energy, and new beginnings. I am excited to serve our community this year as the proud principal of OLCHS. I am looking forward to a fantastic school year for all. I know we will continue to demonstrate Spartan PRIDE each day while fulfilling our mission of graduating students prepared for future success.
To ensure we build upon the proud traditions of achievement, involvement, and growth for all students, we respectfully ask for your partnership concerning three critical aspects of the high school experience: daily attendance, classroom engagement, and student involvement.
Attendance
I cannot stress enough the importance of being in school every day. Regular school attendance has a huge impact on a student’s academic success and social development. Even as teens grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and, later, on the job. Coming to school every day and being on time matters. A few missed days can add up quickly and result in significant lost learning time. Please prioritize your student’s attendance when scheduling appointments or planning travel. Additionally, if a student is healthy, they should be in school. I value your partnership in improving student attendance.
Engagement
In addition to being present, we want our students actively engaged in their learning. There are certainly many distractions in the world competing for everyone’s attention, but a major distraction for teens is cell phones. Although we will work to minimize this distraction by enforcing our cell phone policy and reinforcing appropriate technology usage, parents and guardians can assist as well by not texting or calling your student during school hours. If you must contact your child, please call the school and we will share your message. We ask for your help in allowing our students to remain focused on their learning while at school.
Involvement
Extracurricular involvement in clubs, sports, activities is an essential part of the high school experience. Students who participate in extracurriculars tend to have higher GPAs, better attendance, and fewer discipline issues than students generally. Participation in high school sports and clubs can be a predictor of later success in college, career, and general citizenship. We have 28 sports programs and over 40 clubs and activities. There truly is something for everyone, and we add new clubs and activities regularly based on student interests. Please encourage your student to get involved.
On behalf of our faculty, and staff, we are looking forward to a great year. We are excited to see our students and families back on campus this Fall. Please mark your calendars for the dates below.
Sharing high hopes for a great school year,
Dr. Lauren May, Principal