Note: The smiles in the photograph above illustrate the difference between saying 'cheese!' and saying 'fromage!'

OJH LINX 20181005

A Note from the Principal

In opening this week, I'd like to express my thanks for the responses to last week's LINX survey. I know how busy parents' lives can be, and I very much appreciate it. If you didn't get a chance to complete the 5-10 minute survey last week but would still like to, you can click here. In this weeks' LINX, our second Staff Spotlight of the year will shine on OJH/OHS staff members Matt Salyer and Paul Stone.

Mr. Salyer is now in his 11th year as a health and physical education teacher in Oakwood. This year, his classes include 7th grade Health/Physical Education, high school Health, and Advanced Physical Education. Outside of the classroom, he also serves as department chair for practical arts, varsity girls' basketball coach, weight room coordinator, and OTA Scholarship Committee member. Mr. Salyer attended Wright State University to earn his degree in Health and Physical Education as well Adapted PE national endorsement. He has since earned his Intervention Specialist License through Grand Canyon University and is nearing completion of his Educational Leadership Licensure program through Indiana Wesleyan University. Prior to his time in Oakwood, he also served as an Intervention Specialist for one year at Carlisle High School.  

Matt and his wife, Molli, have been married for 12 years and reside in Carlisle with their 5-year-old son. When he is not in his professional role, Mr. Salyer appreciates all kinds of sports in addition to building/enhancing computers, hunting, fishing, and enjoying other outdoor activities. Mr. Salyer offers the following advice for OJH students: "Embrace the junior high experience. Sign up for every sport, club, and activity you think you might like. When kids are more involved, they are often happier and healthier and have better attendance and performance in school."

Mr. Stone is in his 24th year as a teacher in Oakwood. Most of this time has been spent teaching Honors Algebra I and Math 8, and he is presently teaching Math 8 and Business Calculus. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Mr. Stone also serves as the OJH Athletic Director  (3rd year) and the varsity boys' basketball coach (18th). Since beginning his career with two years teaching Geometry and Algebra II at Trotwood-Madison HS, Mr. Stone has also coached Oakwood's varsity girls' basketball (5 years), 8th grade basketball (1), and varsity football (14) over his time here. He completed his BS in Secondary Math Education at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania, and Mr. Stone has since added his Master's in Educational Leadership at the University of Dayton.

Paul and his wife, Annie, have been married for 18 years and have lived in Oakwood since 2008. They have three children, with one each attending OHS, OJH, and Smith Elementary. When he is not in his professional role, Mr. Stone loves golfing. He added, though, that he also loves coming to work every day and looks forward to helping impact our students in a positive way. When asked about advice he'd give to OJH students, Mr. Stone shared the following: "The kids in our JH who trust our teachers and let our teachers help them are successful at the secondary level. Effort now pays off in HS and beyond."

You are almost certain to see Mr. Stone or Mr. Salyer at some point during your child's progression through OJH and OHS, and I hope that you'll warmly greet them when you do!

Tim Badenhop
Principal
Oakwood Junior High

Other Items in This Week's LINX

• Sports Shorts with Mr. Stone
  
• OJH Athletics in the Week Ahead
  
• Gifted Identification Referrals Now Being Accepted
• 2019 EIGHTH GRADE WASHINGTON, D. C. TRIP
• College Promise Opportunity
  
• Next Week at OJH
  
   

Sports Shorts with Mr. Stone

JH Volleyball
7th grade lost to Brookville 2-0
7th grade beat Carlisle 2-0
8th grade lost to Brookville 2-0
8th grade lost to Carlisle 2-0

JH Football
Oakwood 22 Monroe 8

JH Cheerleading
The squad was outstanding with their halftime performance
at the game on Wednesday. A lot of time and effort produced
a great result. 

OJH Athletics in the Week Ahead 

• Volleyball vs. Valley View Middle School - Saturday (10/6) at 9:00am (8th) and 12:45pm (7th) AWAY
• Field Hockey vs. Columbus - Saturday (10/6) at 10:30am - Dublin and 12:30pm - Worthington AWAY
• Cross Country vs. Eaton - Saturday (10/6) at 11:30am (Girls) and 12:05pm (Boys) AWAY
• Football vs. Bellbrook Middle School - Wednesday (10/10) at 4:30pm AWAY

You can find more information at the OJH/OHS Athletics Page.

Gifted Identification Referrals Now Being Accepted

According to Ohio House Bill 282, all public school districts in Ohio are required to identify students for giftedness. This law, however, does not mandate any services for identified gifted and talented students.  Areas of gifted identification include: superior cognitive ability and achievement, specific academic (math, reading, science, and social studies), creative thinking, and visual/performing arts (visual art, dance, drama, music).

Assessment procedures vary for each area of identification.  Visual/performing arts assessments are offered throughout the school year on an annual basis.  All teachers, counselors, and administrators receive notification of students who have been identified as gifted in any of the domains.

If you would like your child to be assessed for gifted identification, referral forms are available in the school offices and through the building gifted intervention specialist (GIS).

The referral form can be completed by parents/guardians, teachers, or peers of children who perform, or show the potential for performing, at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment (state definition). If your child has been identified as gifted in one or more of the above domains, additional referral/assessment for that domain is not necessary.  Once a student has been identified as gifted in a domain, the student maintains the gifted identification throughout his/her schooling in Ohio.  To maintain the eligibility for services, scores attained within the previous 24 months are used. Matrices for gifted services are available online on the Gifted Intervention Specialists' websites or at your child's school. 

Whole-grade gifted assessment is regularly completed throughout a child's school career.  In grades, 2, 4, and 6, students take the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and the Cognitive Abilities Test.  These tests can be used to help identify students as gifted in the domains of Superior Cognitive Ability and Specific Academic Ability.  The SAT and ACT can also be used to identify giftedness. Additionally, our Gifted Intervention Specialists coordinate assessments based on parent/teacher referrals.

2019 EIGHTH GRADE WASHINGTON, D. C. TRIP

We are continuing to plan for the 2019 Washington, D.C. trip.  There is still time to register for the trip.  If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Simpson at simpson.jennifer@ oakwoodschools.org.  We look forward to having your student join us on this trip.

Three ways to register your child:

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.

If you have financial concerns, WorldStrides has information on a number of need and merit-based scholarships on their website.   

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!

College Promise Opportunity

College Promise The Montgomery County Ohio College Promise Program is open to all 8th grades students in Montgomery County to provide mentoring and, upon completion of high school, award scholarships to allow them to attend college at little to no cost.Eligible students must demonstrate a strong academic record and meet the financial requirements listed below. Accepted students pledge to maintain strong academic profiles, be good citizens, and remain drug free.

HOUSEHOLD SIZE ANNUAL INCOME
1 - 22,459
2 - 30,451
3 - 38,443
4 - 46,435
5 - 54,427
6 - 62,419

For each additional family member, add 7,992 Applications are available in the Junior High office.

Deadline - November 15, 2018

Website: http://mcocp.org/

Next Week at OJH - Special Events

• Looking ahead:  Friday, October 12th - End of 1st Quarter

For a full calendar of OJH activities, go to the OJH Webpage and view the Special Events.