Owatonna Public Schools

Join Bob Olson, director of facilities, infrastructure and security, for a walk through the new Owatonna High School. Additional videos showing different sections of the building will be posted over the next few days on our Facebook page and on the website.

By Superintendent Jeff Elstad

Tests are over, desks and lockers are cleared out, and graduates have walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. We have so much to be grateful for as we end this school year! A special congratulations to the Class of 2023 as they embark on the next leg of their life journey.

I want to recognize our scholarship recipients, hard-working teachers, retirees, student artists, student athletes, and every student and staff person who bring their own unique contributions to our district. If you see an Owatonna Public Schools student or staff member on the street, please take a moment to congratulate or thank them for a great year.

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Nutrition Services invites all children and teens ages 1-18 to enjoy free breakfast and lunch this summer at McKinley Elementary and Owatonna Middle School (both serve breakfast and lunch) and Owatonna Public Library (lunch only).

No meals will be served on Monday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Congratulations to our 2023 Kyle DeKam Leadership Award winners at Owatonna Middle School: Ambrose Fernandez, Cooper Mottl, and Mariah Fox!

Kyle DeKam was a long-time community member and public school employee. His last tenure was as principal of the then Owatonna Junior High School. Kyle lost his battle with cancer in 2012, but his legacy lives on. This is the highest honor given to the seventh and eighth grade Owatonna Middle School students.

The OHS Athletic Hall of Fame committee is pleased to announce the 2023 inductees for the OHS Athletic Hall of Fame. This year, the committee will recognize six individuals who significantly contributed to OHS athletics.

2023 OHS Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

• Keith Bangs - Boys Golf Coach - 1982-2016
• John Cummings - Baseball, Basketball, Football, Track - Class of 1944
• Dave Furness - Owatonna Soccer Community Member
• Chuck Pribyl - Baseball, Football, Hockey - Class of 1972
• Kerry Shea - Basketball, Golf, Soccer - Class of 2002
• Cory Urban - Football, Track, Wrestling - Class of 2000

The induction ceremony will take place on Friday, September 15, at the new Owatonna High School.

Read about the Athletic Hall of Fame at the new Owatonna High School and how you can be involved.

Superintendent Elstad recognized OHS students and coaches for their accomplishments at the state and national levels during the Mission Moment at the May 22 School Board meeting.

The OHS Rebel Alliance robotics team (top left in photo) won the Northern Lights FIRST Robotics Regional Tournament, which qualified them for the national tournament for the first time in school history. They joined 608 other teams at nationals in Houston, Texas.

Our Knowledge Bowl Team (bottom left in photo) placed first at state, becoming state champions for the first time in Owatonna High School’s history. Their score of 157.5 is one of the highest point totals in the state meet's 40-year history. Over 800 teams from 290 Minnesota school districts participate in senior high knowledge bowl competitions.

The OHS Speech Team had another great year! Twelve students qualified for the State Speech Meet, to join a total of 672 students competing for Class A and AA championships. Two of our students advanced to finals, both in the same category of Discussion. Elijah Leon (bottom right in photo) placed 5th, and Kinzie Carlson (top right in photo) was named the state champion!

Congratulations to to Tiffany Walerius, fourth grade teacher at Washington Elementary, on being named Owatonna Teacher of the Year 2023!

All of the finalists are pictured, from left to right: Tiffany Walerius, Kari Wiste, Zack Kruger, Danielle Nystrom, Sarah Kaley

Lots of packing has been happening at the current Owatonna high School, in anticipation of the move into the new high school.

Visit the new high school construction website to view photos and updates of the progress.

• June 12: Special School Board Meeting immediately followed by School Board Work Session, 5:30pm
  Location: Owatonna Public Schools District Office, Board Room, 515 West Bridge Street (Door #1)

• June 26: School Board Regular Meeting, 5:30pm
  Location: Owatonna Public Schools District Office, Board Room, 515 West Bridge Street (Door #1)

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