Ottumwa High School

Ottumwa High School is a public high school located in Ottumwa, Iowa. It is part of the Ottumwa Community School District, and it is the district's only high school. It was established in 1923. The school sports mascot is a Bulldog.

Ottumwa High School
Ottumwa High School - 2015
Address
501 E 2nd St

Ottumwa
,
Wapello
,
Iowa
52501

United States
Coordinates41.015°N 92.406°W / 41.015; -92.406
Information
School typePublic
Motto"Engage, educate, and empower every student every day."
Established1923
School districtOttumwa Community School District
SuperintendentMike McGrory
PresidentAlexis Cook
AdministratorMadison Duncan
PrincipalRichard Hutchinson
Teaching staff71.50 (FTE)[1]
Enrollment1,275 (2017–18)[1]
Student to teacher ratio17.83[1]
Color(s)Red & White
MascotBulldog
Websitewww.ottumwaschools.com/highschool/

History

For several years, students in Ottumwa attended private classes inside area homes. Later, some students studied inside a local Methodist Episcopal church. In 1865, the first public school in Ottumwa—Adams School—was completed at "College Square", an area bounded by College, Fourth, Second, and Union Streets. The school, which utilized four classrooms on its top floor for the high school, cost $28,818.57[2] to build, and it sat on the same site as the present-day high school. It was declared unsafe in 1883. The school board voted to tear down the condemned building and build a new one at the same site. With more citizens coming to Ottumwa, an additional high school was constructed about a mile west of the Adams School site in 1899. This building later served as a junior high school until it was closed in 1982.

Schaefer Stadium

The Ottumwa High School football/track stadium, known as Schaefer Stadium, was established in the early 1920s in memory of a past student of OHS. Walter B. Schaefer graduated from the Ottumwa High School in 1903 with amazing athletic records and many college football opportunities. He went to the University of Chicago to play football under the famous coaching of Amos Alonzo Stagg, but Schaefer left college early to fight in the war. Schaefer was killed while serving in 1918. He was considered one of the greatest athletes in Iowa and especially in football, which is why the Ottumwa Stadium is now known as Schaefer Stadium. In 2018, Schaefer Stadium was updated. New bleachers for the home side and a new visitor exit were added.

Current Building
This building served as Ottumwa High School from 1899 to 1923.

To address the growing student population, the Ottumwa Community School District began construction on the current high school building at the same location as the Adams School in 1921. The "new" high school was designed by architects Croft & Boerner of Minneapolis. It was completed in 1923. As part of the construction, the Adams School was lifted from its foundation and moved east—it would serve as a building for vocational classes at the new high school.

Ottumwa High School as it stands today opened on August 29, 1923 to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. It reportedly cost just over one million dollars to complete.[2]

In the 1970s, an additional building was completed—the "Vo-Tech" building—for vocational and performing arts classes. The facility was connected to the main building via a skywalk accessible from the second floor hallway. This decade also saw the addition of a second gymnasium, often nicknamed the "Rubber Gym" because of its rubber floor, which was built behind the first gymnasium and replaced the Adams School, which was demolished.

Building Expansions

In the 1990s, a city property tax was levied to help fund a multi-million dollar renovation project. The original aim of the project was to renovate the school hallways and some classrooms, add additional basement classrooms, relocate the cafeteria and library to a new area adjacent to the original building and connecting to the Vo-Tech building, renovate and modernize the school's gymnasium facilities (locker and exercise rooms), and remodel the school's auditorium. The project went over budget, and the gymnasium and auditorium phases were scratched. The cafeteria and library projects were successfully completed, along with the basement, classroom, and hallway renovations, by the end of the century. The skywalk formerly connecting the Vo-Tech and main buildings was replaced by the new building.

Vision Iowa Grant Renovation

In spring 2001, the school received a grant for nearly $1 million from Vision Iowa to remodel the auditorium which is where they now hold all of their pep rallies, guest speakers, and drama productions.[3] During this renovation some plaster designs were removed from the original 1921-1923 ceiling and placed glass for viewing new the exits. The auditorium was closed from 2002 to 2003 for renovations. Its grand re-opening took place on November 23, 2003.[4] At the same time, additional renovations to the gymnasium facilities were completed with aid of a federal grant obtained with the help of Iowa Senator Tom Harkin.

Campus
OHS is situated on one of the highest hills in Ottumwa. This view from the roof is an impressive look at downtown Ottumwa.

The main campus of Ottumwa High School consists of a four-story building in downtown Ottumwa. The hill on which the building sits was once the site of Chief Wapello's tribal village. Legend suggests he originally called the area "Ottumwa" from this spot in 1838.

The four floors of the main building can be roughly divided by subject areas: the rooms on the bottom floor contain mostly social studies and foreign language classrooms; the second floor contains several offices, family and consumer science classrooms, and mathematics classrooms; the third floor is mostly mathematics and language arts classrooms; and the fourth floor houses science and language arts classrooms. The school's auditorium and gymnasium are usually accessed from the second floor, though the auditorium and gyms have entrances on the third floor as well.

The Vo-Tech building houses vocational classrooms, a JROTC room, and a fiber optics network room on its first floor. Performing arts classrooms are located on its second floor.

The two buildings are connected by a central cafeteria or commons; this building also houses a second-floor library with approximately 9,000 volumes.

Ottumwa High School does not hold any sporting contests on its campus; instead, the school uses other buildings, public facilities, or the stadium within Ottumwa. The school does maintain a parking lot for students, and three for faculty.

Faculty Awards

Mr. Hanson, the current principal of OHS, was awarded the "2015 Iowa Secondary Principal of the Year." on May 11, 2015 at a school wide assembly at Ottumwa High School.[5]

In 2001, anatomy/physiology teacher Gail Wortmann was named "Iowa Teacher of the Year."[6] She was also awarded the Milken Family Foundation Teacher of the Year award in that year.[7]

From 2000–2002, science teacher Peggy Steffen served as an Einstein Fellow for NASA.[8]

Extracurricular activities

Students at Ottumwa High School can participate in many extracurricular activities. In addition to 14 varsity athletic teams (archery, baseball/softball, basketball, bowling, cheerleading, cross-country running, football, golf, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, soccer, trapshoot, dance, and wrestling), OHS offers numerous clubs and other activities such as the JROTC program and Drama. The OHS Drama department presents several productions annually, and the band, choirs, and orchestra present several concerts. There is also a jazz band, which received its first first place ribbon in 2019 at a competition in Quincy, Illinois. There is a show choir - Sudden Impact - that competes in many competitions. Finally, there is a morning symphony which is a composed of both band and orchestra performers.

An Art Club, Debate Team, Speech Team, International Club, Best Buddies, Fellowship of the Rainbow, and Science Club are joined by local chapters of DECA, Family Career an Community Leaders, Future Educators of America, Human Rights Youth, SADD, and the National Honor Society (known at OHS as the "Torch Club") to extend opportunities for students. In addition, there is a Silver Cord program, which is an opportunity for students to be recognized for 200 hours of community service that they have completed during their four years of high school. There is also a student council with approximately 50 members, who run concession stands and plan homecoming (an annual tradition since 1938), Halloween/Christmas Events, intramural sports (basketball, dodgeball, powder puff football, and volleyball), and multiple "Spirit Weeks." Furthermore, the Student Council help set up shirt and ticket sales, as well as design T-shirts and decorate Shaefer stadium.

Annual intramural sports include basketball, volleyball, trivia, cornhole and dodgeball tournaments. Organized by Student Council, OHS students put together their own team and team name to compete.

Additionally, there is an out of school program known as First Tech Challenge. In this program, students learn about the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through hands-on learning in the field of robotics. Through the FTC program, robotics team members build and program robots. These robots then compete at the FTC Iowa State Tournament with the potential for qualifying for the World Championship Competition.

Students may also take a year-long course to help produce the "Argus Annual", an annual yearbook since 1904, the student newspaper (formerly the "Argus News", but is now the "Bulldog Bulletin"), or the student television show ("BNN"—Standing for "Bulldogs News Network"). A student-run café—with gourmet food cooked by family and consumer science students—offers bi-weekly meals to the community. Another class offers students interested in going directly into a field of work after graduation job shadowing experience.

Student traditions are observed around the week of homecoming, which is usually close to the end of September or early October. Students celebrate the school day with "dress-up days", (such as "duct tape day", "pink day", "black day", "Disney day", "Make-your-own t-shirt day", and "hat day"), a parade, a bonfire/local band concert, and a football game.

Drama and Debate

The OHS Auditorium was renovated in 2000. "Rumors" was the first play performed in the newly renovated auditorium, and "The Music Man" was the first musical in 2003. It was the first musical performed by the OHS drama department in fifteen years. The OHS Drama Department puts on two full-length shows per year, one in the fall and one in the spring. A musical is performed every other year. The Drama Department participates in speech contest during the winter months, competing in areas such as One Act, Ensemble Acting, Musical Theatre, Mime, Reader's Theater, TV News, Radio News, and individual events such as Poetry, Prose, Acting, Improv, and Public Address.

Thespian Troupe #615

The International Thespian Society of Ottumwa High School is Chapter #615. It is one of the oldest Thespian troupes in the state of Iowa. A Thespian Troupe is a National Honors Society for people who have invested over a hundred hours in two different productions with at least ten of those hours being crew hours. After they have done so they become a Thespian and a part of the Thespian Troupe in their area. Former teacher Natalie Dommer was inducted into the Iowa Thespian Hall of Fame for the class of 2017.[9]

Speech Competitions

Ottumwa High School regularly participates in speech contest at the State and All-State levels. This is a high honor for the students participating. Students regularly attend the State and International Thespian Festivals each year, sometimes taking individual events (like the ones performed at speech contest) and performing them for fellow Thespians of Iowa, or even of foreign countries at the International festival. There are two aspects of speech competition: large group and individual.

The Drama Department participates in the Iowa High School Speech Association speech events in mid November to the end of February, competing in areas such as One Act, Ensemble Acting, Musical Theatre, Mime, Reader's Theater, TV News, Radio News, and individual events such as Poetry, Prose, Acting, Improv, and Public Address.

Debate

The OHS debate team has been helping students since 1914 in teaching responsibility, research skills, and different communicative skills. Throughout the season the team competes in public forum debate; competing in various tournaments including annual competitions at Dowling-Catholic and the Districts competitions. Compared to other years the team is attending more tournaments and has implemented an extra Monday practice for novices to help them get to know the sport.

End of Year Banquet

At the annual End of the Year Banquet, awards are given out, new Thespians are inducted, and next year's officers and shows are announced. There are awards for best actor and best crew-person in each show, some director's choice and some student choice. There are also traditional awards unique to Ottumwa High School, such as Senior Drama Queen and Best Thespian.[10]

Curriculum

Ottumwa High School is a four-year comprehensive high school serving 1,300 students in grades 9-12. It is accredited by North Central Association and the State of Iowa Department of Public Instruction. The school year is divided into two semesters of 90 days in length. Class size averages 25 students with seven 50-minute periods.[11]

School Day

Ottumwa High School utilizes a seven-period school day, with classes beginning at 8:10 am and ending at 3:15 p.m. School is also dismissed at 1:00 p.m. every Friday for teacher professional development. All students are required to take several core academic classes, including three years of language arts, two years of mathematics, three years of social studies, two years of science, and two years of physical education to graduate and receive a diploma.

Graduation Requirements
  • Number of Credits for required classes: 30 Credits
  • Number of Credits for elective classes: 16 Credits
  • Minimum Credits for diploma: 46 Credits

Advanced Enrollment Options

Senior Year Plus serves as an umbrella for a variety of programs designed to provide high school students access to courses that have the potential to generate college credit.

Student Eligibility Requirements:

  • To participate in Senior Year Plus programming, students must meet the academic requirements of both the school district and postsecondary institution.
  • At the school district level, students must demonstrate proficiency in each of three academic areas — reading, mathematics, and science. This is primarily determined using the students’ most recent scores on the Iowa Assessment. Students are determined to be proficient if they score at or above the 41st National Percentile Rank in the subject area.
  • At the college level, students must meet any assessment requirements of the postsecondary institution including any placement exam requirements of the institution.

Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)

The Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act was enacted in 1987 to promote rigorous academic pursuits by providing high school students access to enroll part-time in nonsectarian courses in eligible postsecondary institutions. Now offered through Senior Year Plus, the program is available to eligible juniors and seniors as well as freshmen and sophomores who are identified as gifted and talented according to the school district's criteria and procedures. Additional criteria are listed below:

  • The courses are not comparable to courses offered by the high school.
  • The courses must be arts and science courses in the disciplines of mathematics, science, social science, humanities, music and art that include a component of history.
  • The student must file a P.S.E.O. intent to enroll form with his/her counselor during Spring registration and prior to the next school year for each course.
  • Each student's application must be reviewed by a school administrator, who will approve or disapprove the application.
  • The parents are responsible for transportation.
  • When a course is approved by the Superintendent or designee, the school board is responsible for the cost of tuition, textbooks, materials, and fees to a maximum of $250.00 per student for courses not comparable to those offered by Ottumwa High School.

If a student drops or fails a P.S.E.O. class, the student will be responsible to reimburse the district for course tuition. Grades earned in off-campus courses are not used in the calculation of Ottumwa High School grade point average. Maximum opportunity to use P.S.E.O. is specified by law: no more than 4 semester terms or 6 quarter terms unless identified as Talented and Gifted in 9th or 10th grade.

Concurrent Enrollment

The concurrent enrollment program, also known as district-to-community college sharing, promotes rigorous academic or career and technical pursuits by providing opportunities for high school students to enroll part-time in eligible nonsectarian courses at or through community colleges. Per Senior Year Plus, concurrent enrollment courses are offered through contractual agreements between community colleges and school districts within their service area.

There are classes taught at Ottumwa High School that earn college and high school credit. Approved college-level instructors who use college textbooks and course syllabi teach a "Contracted Class." The student must sign up for the class in the Spring during the registration process for their junior or senior year by using the application form provided and then seek approval by parent, counselor and administration.

IMPORTANT: College credit obtained may or may not transfer to a higher-level institution. Students and/or parents should contact the university or college choice to make sure that what they are planning to take will transfer to the specific major or particular field of study of the student.

Career Academies

Career academies are programs of study offered to high school students through an agreement or contract between their high school and a community college. They bridge high school and community college CTE programs. Career Academy programs typically are ½ day college block schedules on the Indian Hills Community College campus. Career Academy programs typically are ½ day college block schedules on the Indian Hills Community College campus.

Articulation Agreements

Based upon a mutual concern for the needs of students pursuing technical education programs, Ottumwa High School and Indian Hills Community College have reached several articulation agreements for classes in the OHS curriculum. Courses that qualify are indicated within the course description of this booklet. Courses that qualify are indicated within the course description of this booklet. Applicants for credit must meet all college admission requirements and be an enrolled student in good standing with the college.

In addition, the student must have satisfactorily completed the secondary course to be articulated with a grade of C or higher. In addition to classes that articulate to Indian Hills, a few classes are designated as State Articulated, which means that they transfer to participating community colleges throughout the State of Iowa.

Home schooling Program

Ottumwa High School partners with a local home schooling program to give students the opportunity to take both high school classes and home school-style classes. OHS currently has 25-50 participating in this program.

SparkTank

SparkTank is a project-based program that began in 2018. It allows students at the Ottumwa High School to gain work experiences by connecting with local businesses to provide a real work environment and a real work experience. The courses that SparkTank offers are engineering and design, building manufacturing, Ignite, communication and technology, building and construction, and school to work classes. Although this course is set up in a different manner than a classroom, students still use teamwork and collaboration to meet project deadlines. Students are working for  local businesses, expectations are higher to meet the business’ standard. SparkTank also helps students with their communication skills, technical skills, employability skills, and cooperation skills. SparkTank's ultimate goal is to give students the life lessons they need to find and career goal and find a job after graduation. The building that SparkTank is in is located on 325 east Main street, Ottumwa, Iowa 52501. SparkTank partners with the “Governor’s Stem Advisory Council”, “Iowa ALN”, and “Future Ready Iowa.”[12]

Ottumwa High's 10 Standards for Success
  1. Attending school regularly, arriving to class on time, and being prepared for class
  2. Dressing in a manner which is appropriate for school
  3. Addressing adults by using "Mr., Mrs., or Ms."
  4. Using school appropriate language at all times
  5. Listening to teachers, administrators, or to classmates when they are speaking
  6. Using technology appropriately and respectfully
  7. Not cheating, copying and/or plagiarizing
  8. Treating others with respect at all times
  9. Treating others’ personal property and school property with respect
  10. Actively participating in class, meeting deadlines, and making good use of class time[13]

Notable alumni

Ottumwa High School's current Alumni Association was founded in 2012. It hopes to provide a variety of activities for the school's alumni. These activities are an alumni choir, pep band, and sporting events. The Alumni Association also plans to be involved with Ottumwa High School, working with the student council, giving out scholarships, and also helping fund High School reunions.

There are currently 16 Ottumwa alumni working at the Ottumwa High School, roughly 9.6% percent of the whole faculty, in 10 departments.

Some of the future goals for the association are an alumni sports game, an alumni choir concert, an alumni pep band, and an official Hall of Fame. The Alumni Association would also like to reward the alumni by providing an Alumni Membership Card, which would provide discounts from local businesses in Ottumwa. The awarding of scholarships in the future and helping with class reunions is another goal of the association.[14]

Notes
  1. "Ottumwa High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  2. Meagher, G.; Munsell, H. Ottumwa, Yesterday and Today. p. 49 and 51.
  3. Ottumwa Courier (2001), Ottumwa to receive nearly $1 million for OHS improvements.
  4. Ottumwa Courier (November 24, 2002), Hundreds pack new auditorium.
  5. "Ottumwa Leader is Iowa Secondary Principal of the Year". SAI. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  6. "Iowa Teacher of the Year". Education Iowa. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  7. "Milken Educator Awards". Milken Educator Awards. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  8. "NASA". NASA Einstein Fellows. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  9. "Community Spotlight: Natalie Dommer". www.schooltheatre.org. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  10. Saunders, Natalie. "Thespian Troupe #615." Personal interview. 31 May 2013.
  11. "Ottumwa High School". Ottumwa School District. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  12. "SparkTank". www.ottumwaschools.com. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  13. "Ottumwa High Student Handbook" (PDF). Ottumwa CSD. OHS Student Handbook 2014-2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  14. Citation: Roemerman, Kyle. Personal interview. 31 May 2013.
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References
  • Taylor, J. Ottumwa: One Hundred Years a City. Chicago: Max Corp. 1948. p. 52.
  • Meagher, G., Munsell, H. Ottumwa, Yesterday and Today. Ottumwa, Iowa: Ottumwa Stamp Works. 1923. p. 48–52.
  • Sterling, R. Wapello County History. Montezuma, Iowa: Sutherland Printing Company Inc. 1986. p. 154–159
  • Baker, C. In retrospect. Virginia Beach: The Donning Company. 1992. p. 164–167.
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