OJH LINX 20180831
A Note from the Principal
Welcome to the 'LINX,' parents of OJH students! With this being the year's first edition of our weekly connector, I would like to spend this space sharing a little about myself, indicating intentions for the LINX, and then reflecting on the week that has been.
My name is Tim Badenhop, and I'm the principal at Oakwood Junior High. This is my 3rd year in this role, but it's my 6th year in Oakwood overall. My pre-principal career was spent serving as the school psychologist in Oakwood and elsewhere for a total of 10 years. I love the breadth of the principal role, and it's especially rewarding seeing the growth through the early adolescence years of Junior High. My own early adolescence years were memorable...but not necessarily in a positive way. I am here to help each student and staff member have a positive learning and growing experience - even on the bad days. My wife and I are celebrating our 11th anniversary Saturday 9/1, and we live in Monroe with our four children: Audrey (8), Jonathan (6), Heidi (3), and Greta (15 months). I try to balance being fully principal, fully husband, fully dad, etc. just like you, and my success rate varies (probably just like you).
In writing the LINX, I have a few key goals: 1. I will offer insight into what your children are doing while they are in our care and in our classrooms. We (like you) place incredible value on our time with students, and I hope that this can be one good vehicle for delivering evidence of that. I know that some of you will consistently hear "nothing" as an answer when you ask your child what s/he did in school each day, and I also hope that this will offer some conversation points for you at home. 2. I will include spotlights on our staff. Regarding staff, I know that the gradual transition from preschool to college also includes a shift from needing to know one teacher to needing to know many. Though I know the staff to be exceptionally available and responsive, it's not always easy for all parents to know the professionals teaching their children. One by one, we will work to improve that. 3. I will write about current topics and trends affecting our students. As parents and as staff, we owe it to our children to understand current issues like social media, vaping, tech access, and other divergences from 'when I was your age.' These aren't typically easy topics to address with kids, but they are undeniably important. It is my hope that some editions of LINX will spur conversations in your household, in your social circles, and amongst school staff. For my part, I always welcome your feedback and input regarding what I've written.
As for the week that's been, I doubt it will surprise you to read that it's been a difficult time at OJH. I had the great privilege of working with Dan Weckstein for two years, and no amount of writing here could capture what he and his family mean to this building, this staff, and this community. Dan shared with me as I transitioned into this role that his unwavering long-term career goal was to be the best principal in the history of Oakwood Junior High, and he worked tirelessly to this end as an instructional leader, a culture builder, and a character developer. While OJH already had a great staff, Dan was always searching for ways to make us better. While OJH already had pep rallies, Dan made them more inclusive and unifying. While three 'Rs' are enough for most schools these days, Dan brought five to OJH. One of those 'bonus' Rs? Well, that just happens to be resilience - perhaps the term most apropos to honor Dan and the Weckstein family. Dan was and is a great mentor and friend to me. Though he is sorely missed, his legacy at OJH will endure. I know that he would want each of us to show our own resilience in the weeks, months, and years ahead, and I hope that we can honor his legacy as we 'stand on the shoulders of a giant' and work to become better each day.
P.S. Mrs. Roeckner will be sending an OJH Parent FAQ email early next week to address procedural notes including student absences, parking, make up work, and the like, so please look for that on Tuesday.
Sports Shorts with Mr. Stone
Week of Aug. 27th
7th Volleyball
8th Volleyball
JH Football
You can find more information at the OJH/OHS Athletics Page.
Lucy Pine Edwin D. Smith Elementary 6th Grade Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher 1980-1994
Mary Jo Scalzo Harman School Principal Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Superintendent of Oakwood City Schools 1992-2013
The inductees, as well as previous recipients of the award, will be honored at a reception on Thursday, September 20, 2018 at 4 p.m. at the Dayton Country Club.
For reservations contact the Board of Education, Sandi Branham at 937-297-5332 or email at branham.sandi@oakwoodschools.org.
Any OJH student interested in running for Student Council should read the materials linked here: OJH Student Council Candidate Info. Videos and Commitment Forms are due by September 6 before 3:30 PM. Please email Mindy Hoffer or Bridget Fiore with any questions.
Fall Picture Day will be held this coming Thursday (September 13th). Pictures for Junior High students will begin during first period, with the first classes being called promptly at 8:20am. If your child is someone who takes extra time to get ready for picture day, an early bedtime on Wednesday and an early wakeup call on Thursday may help to make his or her life (and probably yours) a little easier. No picture form is needed at the time of the photo, as the order form will come home with the proof. Click here to view the picture day schedule.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
OJH will be hosting Parent-Teacher Conferences on: • Wednesday, September 26th from 5:00-8:30pm
Conferences at OJH are different from at Harman and at Smith in that not all students are recommended by teachers for a parent-teacher conference. Mrs. Roeckner or one of your child's teachers will contact you soon if there is believed to be the need for a conference. Additionally, parents may request a conference now or at any time throughout the school year by contacting the child's teacher via email (lastname.firstname@oakwoodschools.org) or by calling the school at 297-5328.
2019 EIGHTH GRADE WASHINGTON, D. C. TRIP
We are continuing to plan for the 2019 Washington, D.C. trip. Your child will receive a trip information packet in social studies class soon. If you are interested in learning more about the trip, we will be hosting a parent meeting on Tuesday September 11th at 7pm in room 223. We look forward to seeing you next week. If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Simpson at simpson.jennifer@oakwoodschools.org.
1. Online – go to www.worldstrides.org/register. Trip ID: 158923 2. By phone – contact WorldStrides' Customer Service Team at 1-800-468-5899. 3. By mail – send in the blue Registration Form using the envelope in your Registration Packet.
Families with an annual adjusted gross income up to $85,000 are invited to complete a confidential, easy application and may qualify to receive FLAG financial assistance (https://fundraising. worldstrides.com/flag- financial-assistance/). Call Customer Service to apply for FLAG today! Funds are limited!
For a full calendar of OJH activities, go to the OJH Webpage and view the Special Events.
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