Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School Wildcat Weekly: November 30, 2025

A Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians of Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School Students,

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are ready to focus on the final weeks of the second quarter. There is a lot happening between now and our next break. Winter sports are gearing up, and we’re excited to see our teams in action. We also have upcoming band and chorus concerts, as well as final exams.

Warm regards,
John Vander Meer
Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School Principal

Building Spotlight

Remembering Zach Smith

On Monday, November 24, we held a Bench Dedication Ceremony at the front of Crawford Auditorium to honor and remember Zach Smith. Zach passed away this past summer and would have been a senior this year at Deer Park. The ceremony provided our school community with a meaningful space for reflection, remembrance, and celebration of his life.

Through the generosity of The Miracle League and Benkens Garden & Florist, a permanent memorial bench and beautiful floral arrangements were donated in Zach’s honor. During the ceremony, guests placed carnations into vases on either side of the bench, creating a heartfelt display of support, unity, and collective remembrance.

This memorial will serve as a lasting tribute to Zach’s enduring impact on Deer Park and the many lives he touched. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us and supported his family and our school community during this special moment.

Building News

Fall End of Course (EOC) Testing 

Starting Tuesday, December 2, Fall End-of-Course (EOC) Make-Up Testing will begin. Students who need to test have already been notified, and parents have received an email with details.

Testing will start each day at 8:15 a.m. We encourage all students scheduled for make-up testing to arrive on time Tuesday.

Any student who is not testing should report to school at their normal time, as we are not running an adjusted schedule.

If parents have any questions regarding EOC testing, please contact the High School Front Office.

Winter Exam Week (This is different from the EOC Testing Listed Above)

Please see this  Document for schedule and we will have more information to come.

School Closing Information Reminder

As we enter a season of unpredictable weather, we want to ensure all families are prepared in the event of a school closing or delay. Deer Park Schools will share any schedule changes through multiple communication channels, including:

• Text and phone call alerts

• Email notifications

• The district website

• Local news stations

• District social media accounts

Please take a moment to verify your contact information is up to date and make sure you are connected to the platforms that work best for your family. With potentially hazardous weather in the forecast over the coming weeks, staying informed will help ensure everyone remains safe and prepared.

Attendance Matters

Sandy’s Closet & Family Resources

As the weather turns colder, Sandy’s Closet is fully stocked with winter coats, socks, and other warm clothing items — all free for our Deer Park families! The closet is open every school day from 8:00 AM–3:30 PM. If you need an alternate time to visit, please email Patty Hadden at hadden.p@dpccsd.org to arrange a convenient pickup.

In addition, simple, ready-to-make meal packs are available through Student Services at Holmes. Families may stop by the office any school day or contact us directly for support.

We encourage all families to take advantage of these wonderful resources — they’re here to help keep our students and families warm, supported, and well-fed this season!

On Tuesday, November 18, Sandy's Closet will be open from 4:30-6:30 p.m. for Deer Park residents looking to shop for winter clothing for children of all ages. 

No appointment is needed. The entrance to Sandy's Closet is located along the Southeast side of the Holmes Building, toward the back of the parking lot.

For any questions, individuals can contact Pam Gilreath.

Free & reduced Lunch Form

This is an important reminder that Free and Reduced Lunch forms must be completed every school year. Benefits do not roll over from the previous year.

Please log in to Final Forms and complete a new application so your child can start or continue receiving free or reduced lunch and breakfast.

If you have any questions, please contact Traci Day at day.t@dpccsd.org.

We want to ensure every student has what they need to be successful at school. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any additional questions.

Counselor's Corner

Click HERE for the Counselor’s Corner!

Looking Ahead

• JH Girls Basketball vs. Reading: Monday, December 1 | 4:30 p.m.
• Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Norwood: Monday, December 1 | 6:30 p.m.
• JH Girls Basketball vs. Finneytown: Wednesday, December 3 | 4:30 p.m.
• Boys/Girls Varsity Bowling vs. Wyoming (Madison Bowl): Thursday, December 4 | 4:00 p.m.
• Boys JV/Varsity Basketball vs. Reading (Stock the Bus): Saturday, December 6 | 11 a.m./12:30 p.m.

In Case You Missed It

Schoology and FinalForms

Please be sure your FinalForms are updated. Please check your previously entered information for accuracy. You may click here to access the forms and get started.

Secondly, as a reminder, teachers use Schoology to keep grades and assignments up to date. Schoology’s platform offers a tremendous amount of information in a user-friendly version. You will be able to communicate with your child’s teachers and check homework and grades through Schoology. If you need your Schoology login information, please contact the main office at 513-891-0010.

Bell Schedule

For the Jr./Sr. High School  Schedule please click here Click Here 

A couple of things to keep in mind regarding the daily schedule:

• The school day will be 8:10 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Doors will open at 7:30 a.m Students may buy breakfast during this time
• All students arriving prior to 8:00 a.m. will report to the cafeteria until the bell rings, releasing them to their lockers and class.

Update to Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School Backpack & Cell Phone Policy

Following the recent enactment of a bill by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, all schools are now mandated to implement cell phone policies. In alignment with this directive and our commitment to fostering an optimal learning atmosphere, Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School students will be required to put all electronic devices—including cell phones, headphones, AirPods, and similar items—in their backpacks or lockers. Students will be allowed to take their backpacks to class this year. This will enable all students to arrive to class on time and provide extra protection for their Chromebooks.

If a student is caught with their phone, headphones, or other electronic devices out anytime during the school day, they will be required to place the device in an assigned Yondr Pouch going forward for a determined period. Please see the student handbook for complete details. For any questions or further discussion, feel free to contact me directly at 513-891-0010 or via email at vandermeer.j@dpccsd.org.

Your support is crucial to the continued success of this expectation at Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School. Together, we can provide a more enriching and distraction-free learning environment for our students.

Attendance Reminders/Updates:

Please review the following instructions:

• When a student is absent, please call the attendance line at 891-2414 before the start of the school day.
• If a student will have a late arrival or early dismissal, please email DPHSattendance@dpccsd.org no more than one day in advance. Be sure to include the student's name, reason for leaving/arriving late, and the time the student will be picked up.
  • Ensure that all emails come from an address we have on file for a parent/guardian. If the email address is not on file, it will not be accepted.
  • If you send an email or a physical note for early dismissal, you do not need to come in to sign your child out; we will allow them to sign out on their own.
  • However, if you only call and do not provide written permission, you will be required to come into the school and sign your child out on the SafeId kiosk, located in the main lobby.
• Even if your child is 18, they will not be permitted to leave without parental permission.
• Any medical appointment or court appearance is excused and will not be counted against a student.
  • These appointments will only be marked as medically excused once documentation (e.g., a medical note) has been received to verify.

Dress Code Reminders

As we welcome everyone back for another exciting school year, we want to remind students and parents about the importance of adhering to our dress code, especially with the extreme heat we're experiencing. We understand that staying cool is a priority, but it's equally important to dress appropriately for the school environment. Please ensure that all clothing choices align with our dress code policy, which promotes a respectful and focused learning atmosphere. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. For your reference, dress code information can be found in the student handbook which is accessible through FinalForms.

2025-26 PDF District Calendar

Each year, the Deer Park Board of Education approves the district's yearly calendar, which can be found on the Deer Park Schools website. This calendar includes official school dates, holidays, and breaks. Additionally, a printed event calendar will be sent home with your student during the first week of school. For your convenience, you can access the PDF calendar using the link provided below.

View the Calendar

Staying Connected

There are multiple ways to stay connected to Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School. Please see the attached flyer for ways to stay connected through Email, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Text Messages.

• E-Mail: Newsletter: All parents who have completed FinalForms should receive Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School Weekly Newsletters. If you are not currently receiving them, please register for the e-mail communication. To register, simply go to www.deerparkcityschools.org and click on the button on the bottom of the page that says “Subscribe to District News”. From there, you will send an email requesting that you be added to future email communication from the district.
• X: Follow Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School for the most up-to-date news and happenings! @DeerParkHS, @DeerParkSchools, @dpcounselor, and @DP_Athletics
• Instagram: Follow @deerparkhs for photos featuring students, teachers and staff!
• Facebook: Follow us at Deer Park Community City Schools and Deer Park Jr/Sr High School.

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Inspiring & Empowering Lifelong Success

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