Image Above: Our Academic Team faced a teacher/principal team this Wednesday. Great match, everyone! OJH LINX 20190510
A Note from the Principal
As we close out Teacher Appreciation Week, National Nurses Week, and the week that included passage of Oakwood's levy and bond issue (THANK YOU!), there certainly is a lot of appreciation to go around. While our teachers, our nurses, and our community remain worthy of many more words, I wanted to go a different direction with the LINX this week and send some praise to another group of people who far too infrequently receive it. First, though, I'll share a story.
Like many children, my oldest daughter likes to know where her boundaries are. Though she can buck back as deftly as your child, she not-so-secretly craves structure and consistency. Preschool and Kindergarten were very difficult adjustments for her, but she hit her stride midway through Kindergarten thanks largely to a wonderful teacher. It took a lot of work on her teacher's part and a lot of communication from us, but isn't it wonderful to witness growth in your child?
Moving into first grade, my daughter had a much less consistent experience. Her teacher had welcomed her first child that summer, so a freshly-minted long-term substitute began the year in the classroom. Two weeks in, though, the substitute found a full-time job. Fortunately, another long-term substitute was available to step in…for three days. For the six weeks that followed, my daughter had a carousel of teachers and sometimes no teacher at all – in which case the class was divided into sevenths and sent into other first grade rooms as 'spies.' I probably have a pretty high threshold for when it's time to reach out to the principals of my children, but suffice it to say that I reached my threshold that year. Simply put, though, the district could not find substitute teachers to fill its daily needs.
As you have likely concluded by now, we are SO fortunate in Oakwood when it comes to having excellent options for substitutes. There are still times when it is difficult to find enough people, but I can assure you that our general expectation that we will find a person who has been a substitute teacher for 15 years, retired after a 40-year career in education, grew up as a native speaker of the foreign language covered, or is otherwise overqualified for the role is such a luxury not afforded to most districts. When life happens and your child's teacher is absent, you can generally have confidence that learning and growth are still going to happen in the classroom that day.
When I began writing this, I did not know that there was a Substitute Teacher Appreciation Week or that this week has been it (sorry!). Now that I know, though, I'm happy to add our substitutes to the list of those formally appreciated this week. Thank you!
P.S. If you are interested in adding your own name to our list of great substitutes, we are always looking to appreciate a few more great people!
Tim Badenhop
Sports Shorts with Mr. Stone
Will return next year!
OJH Athletics in the Week Ahead
You can find more information at the OJH/OHS Athletics Page.
Cybersecurity Workshop Offered
Members of the Oakwood Junior High and High School CyberPatriot Team, with support from the Air Force Association, are offering two free Cybersecurity Workshop for Oakwood residents Sunday, May 19 and Sunday, June 2 from 6 - 8 p.m.
Each workshop covers basic cybersecurity issues such as password management, common internet threats, internet scams and fraud, and social media safety. Each session is two hours long, with 90 minutes of training and 30 minutes for more personal help.
Space is limited to 25 slots per workshop so sign up is necessary. You can sign up by contacting Debbie Madison at 937-297-5325 ext. 10129 or by registering at http://bit.ly/OakwoodCyber.
From Our Nurse
Sun Safety Tips for Kids
The Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that 80% of lifetime sun exposure occurs during childhood -- and that just one blistering sunburn can double the risk of getting melanoma later in life. Protect your children by following these tips from the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Academy of Pediatrics:
1. Limit outdoor playtime between 10a.m. and 4p.m. Avoid unnecessary exposure when the sun's rays are at their strongest. Even on cloudy or cooler days, ultraviolet (UV) rays remain strong. Shady spots can be just as tricky because of reflected light. If your child is playing outdoors during these hours, make sure to apply sufficient sunscreen.
2. Apply sunscreen properly. Generously apply sunscreen 30 minutes before your child goes out in the sun. Choose a sunscreen with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 15 or higher. Scented and colorful sunscreens appeal to some kids and make it easier to see which areas have been covered well. Don't forget nose, ears, hands, feet, shoulders, and behind the neck; lips can also burn, so apply a lip balm with SPF protection. Reapply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours, or after sweating or swimming.
3. Cover up. Wearing protective clothing and hats is one of the most important ways of warding off UV damage. When wet, light-colored clothing transmits just as much sunlight as bare skin. Keep your kids covered with dark colors, long sleeves, and pants whenever possible. And don't forget the accessories: sunglasses with UV protection to guard against burned corneas, and hats to prevent sunburned scalps and faces. Protective clothing, hats with brims, and sunglasses are just as important for babies. At the beach, bring along a large umbrella.
4. Keep watch on medications. Some medications increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun, so make sure to ask your doctor whether your child may be at risk. Prescription antibiotics and acne medications are the most notorious culprits, but when in doubt, ask.
5. Set a good example for your kids. If your child sees you following sun-safety rules, he'll take them for granted and follow suit. Skin protection is important for every member of the family, so team up with your children to stay protected when venturing out in the sun.
8th Grade Washington DC Trip
Attention 7th grade parents: Are you worried that you missed your chance to register for the 8th grade Washington DC trip? There is still time to get the special price.
Easy ways to sign up Contact Jennifer Simpson with questions.
Exam Schedule
Exams are scheduled for May 28, 29 and 30. All junior high students will take semester exams in their academic classes. Examinations will be a minimum of one hour in length; however, teachers may choose to extend their exams up to two hours. No student will be dismissed from the examination room before the end of the first hour. Those students dismissed at the end of the first hour must leave the halls immediately in order to maintain silence in the building. Teacher-supervised study halls will be held in the cafeteria and LMC before and between examinations.
Tuesday, May 28 First Period Subjects 8:00 - 10:00 Monitored Study in Cafeteria (voluntary) 9:00 - 1:00 Fourth Period Subjects 10:10 - 12:10 Monitored Study in Cafeteria (voluntary) 1:15 - 3:15
Wednesday, May 29 Second Period Subjects 8:00 - 10:00 Monitored Study in Cafeteria (voluntary) 9:00 - 1:00 Third Period Subjects 10:10 - 12:10 Fifth Period Subjects 1:15 - 3:15
Thursday, May 30 Sixth Period Subjects 8:00 - 10:00 Monitored Study in Cafeteria (voluntary) 9:00 - 1:00 Seventh Period Subjects 10:10 - 12:10 Make Up Subjects 1:15 - 3:15
The LMC is open all three days from 8:00 to 3:30 for quiet study time. The cafeteria will not be open for lunch on May 28, 29 and 30.
Still Need to Order Your Yearbook?
Orders are still being taken for JH yearbooks? To order a book, send a check made out to OJH Yearbook to Mrs. Madison with your child's name in the memo line. JH yearbooks are now $50 and will be delivered in August. If you buy a yearbook and move, please leave a forwarding address and we will send it on to you.
Oakwood Sports Physicals - May 21, 2019
Physicals are once again being offered at Oakwood JR/SR High School for those who are planning on trying out for a sport during the 2019-2020 school year.
You MUST have a FinalForms account and print off your Pre-Participation Physical Form and bring that with you for the physician to fill out. If you do not have an account you must create one by going to the following link:
https://oakwood-oh.finalforms.com/
Current 6th & 7th graders 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Current 8th-11th graders 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Please report to the Oakwood Jr/Sr High School library during your time slot, with your physical form signed by a parent. Cost: $15 donation cash or check (made payable to Oakwood Athletics).
Questions: Call the Athletic Office at 937-297-5342.
Next Week at OJH - Special Events
For a full calendar of OJH activities, go to the OJH Webpage and view the Special Events.
|