O'Fallon Township High School will change the traditional one-night "OTHS Connects" into two events: a student-day activity fair and a parent evening, and the board approved a calendar change so the student event can occur during the school day.
The change aims to boost student awareness and participation in clubs and activities after district data showed many students feel disconnected from school.
District presenters told the board that the evening-only Connects event draws good parent attendance but low student turnout, limiting recruitment for activities. The district reported that 53% of students were involved in at least one activity or sport in 2024–25, and that survey results used for a social-emotional grant showed only 57% of students said they felt like a real part of OTHS (43% said they did not). To increase connectedness, the district proposed moving the activity fair into the school day so every student rotates through counseling presentations, administration and club tables, followed by a pep rally and noon dismissal; the night event would be a Parent Connects open-house-style evening on Sept. 8 with counseling presentations, club displays and a one-hour teacher meet-and-greet.
To implement the in-school activity fair, the district asked the board to change a previously approved early-release day (formerly Aug. 29) to Aug. 22; district staff noted the Aug. 22 date allows a Friday schedule that feeds into evening activities. The board moved to approve the amended school calendar and the motion passed during new business (amendment approved; no individual mover/second recorded in the transcript).
District staff described operational details: student rotations would take place at both campuses, the Panther Dome would host club tables, and the evening Parent Connects would include activity fairs at the Millburn campus and counseling presentations at Millburn and Smiley. Staff said the goal is to expose every student to activities and to provide parents a streamlined meet-and-greet with teachers and counselors. The district also plans communications (advisory announcements, paper handouts, Skyward messages) and incentives to increase sign-ups while cautioning that sign-up processes should ensure genuine student participation rather than one-time sign-ups for prizes.
The changes were described as implementation planning; the board’s formal action approved the calendar amendment so the in-school event can proceed on Aug. 22 and the parent evening is set for Sept. 8.