On Friday, March 7, students from across Northwest Washington met at the Northwest Educational Service District 189 headquarters in Anacortes for a student-led leadership conference, focused on empowering current and future student board representatives. This was the first conference of its kind in Washington and could serve as a blueprint for other regions.

Oak Harbor Public Schools is proud to recognize Oak Harbor Intermediate School Counselor Chandra Mays for being named a School Counselor of the Year Finalist for the Washington School Counselors Association (WSCA). This honor highlights her outstanding efforts to make a difference in the lives of students in Oak Harbor Public Schools.

On Saturday, January 18th, a record-breaking 18 Oak Harbor High School (OHHS) drama students competed in 32 events of the International Thespian Excellence Awards ("Thespys"). The record-breaking results were recently shared with students and staff.

Oak Harbor High School CTE Students Excel at Regional SkillsUSA Competitions

Oak Harbor High School science teacher Zac Sawhill recently returned from a trip to the edge of the earth, Antarctica, as part of the Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship through Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic.

AESD Accreditation is a rigorous process that takes about a year to complete. It provides and external review and validation of the School Improvement Plan and serves as a statement of accountability to the public. The accreditation establishes that OHHS "has demonstrated an exceptional ongoing commitment to data-driven, student achievement-focused, research-based, and collaboratively developed school improvement planning and strategies."

The Wildcat NJROTC Battalion presented for their Annual Military Inspection on Tuesday, December 17. It included an inspection of the Battalion as a whole, as well as a presentation and review of the several teams, events, and things that Wildcat NJROTC does. Several awards were also presented to cadets for their achievements.

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Kuss-Cybula and Assistant Superintendent Dwight Lundstrom immersed themselves in the student experience by shadowing two students. Spending the entire day walking in their shoes gave these district leaders a powerful lens through which to see the incredible ways that the student vision of Oak Harbor Public Schools is lived out in our classrooms, hallways, and learning spaces.

The Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL) and the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) recently awarded Hillcrest Elementary with the 2024 Culture Kickoff Award, recognizing their efforts to foster positive school culture and community.

Crescent Harbor Elementary families recently participated in the Prime Time program, offered annually in partnership with Sno-Isle Libraries and Humanities WA. The Prime Time Library program is a free, six-week program that supports elementary-age readers and builds connections among families in our schools. Local schools are chosen for the partnership each year.

Oak Harbor Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Kuss-Cybula and the Communications Department took home the top awards at the Annual Washington School Public Relations Conference (WSPRA) in Spokane on October 28.

The Oak Harbor Public Schools is proud to announce Olympic View, Hillcrest and Oak Harbor Elementaries recently earned state recognition for closing opportunity gaps and student growth in academic achievement as part of the Washington State Recognition Program.

The Oak Harbor Police Department's School Resource Officer vehicle is set to hit the streets with a fresh new look, thanks to the creative talents of Oak Harbor High School student Emelyn Payne. The design was part of a partnership with the Oak Harbor Police Department, Oak Harbor Public Schools and the Oak Harbor High School Career Technical Education (CTE) graphic design program.

Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic Society announced two Washington educators are among the 35 educators nationwide selected to be a part of the 2024 Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship (GTF). Oak Harbor High School teacher Zac Sawhill and Sky Valley Education Center teacher Sabrina Shaw of the Monroe School District were selected for their commitment to preserving the environment and shaping the next generation of planetary stewards.

Students and teachers of Norway will learn a little more about America in the coming year from North Whidbey Middle School teacher Donald Jenkins. Jenkins was awarded a Fullbright Scholarship, administered by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The Oak Harbor Public Schools' Communications Department is proud to announce it is the recipient of a 2024 Golden Achievement Award and a Publications & Digital Media Excellence Award from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). A record number of entries from across the nation were submitted for the awards program this year and Oak Harbor Public Schools is honored to receive this national recognition.

School districts across the State of Washington, including Oak Harbor Public Schools, are facing budget reductions going into the 2024-2025 school year. Despite our best efforts and the successful reduction of approximately $5 million in expenditures last year, we continue to grapple with long-term budget impacts due to declining enrollment, increasing operating expenses, and insufficient state funding.

The Oak Harbor Public Schools is pleased to announce the reopening of Veterans Memorial Stadium (formally known as Old Memorial Stadium) after months of renovation work to rentals. The fields are located off E Whidbey Ave behind the district’s transportation department and will provide more centrally located public playing fields to the community. Additionally, the stadium includes lights to allow for additional playing time for youth sports.

Oak Harbor Public Schools received the prestigious State Auditor’s Stewardship Award, which was presented by State Auditor Pat McCarthy during the regular school board meeting on Monday, March 25, 2024. The award honors public entities for outstanding stewardship and responsible management of public funds.

Oak Harbor Public Schools congratulates the school board members elected to serve another term and newly-elected member Josh MacLean.