WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR DEPARTMENTS AT OHS
The 2018-19 school year is in full swing. Please enjoy December News from our departments.
ENGLISH: The English courses and teachers not only prepare students to critically read texts and craft literary arguments, but they also encourage them to hone their skills through extra curricular experiences like field trips and writing contests.
The Journalism students, for instance, attended the JEA/NPSA National Journalism Conference in Chicago in November. Students learned journalistic skills and received feedback on their publications. The yearbook, Acorn, which was inducted into Walsworth's Gallery of Excellence, was on display at the conference.
In addition, the department commends the 7th-9th grade students who submitted essays to the Dottie Yeck Good Life Essay Writing Contest facilitated by the Washington Township-Centerville Library.
Five students deserve special recognition for placing in the top 30 out of 986 essays. Receiving a two hundred and fifty dollar prize, 9th grader Janie Woods, earned third place. Awarded a one hundred dollar prize, 9th grader Sylvia Vanderburgh won 4th place. 7th grader Collin Weckstein and 9th grader Abbey Menza earned twenty-five dollars for placing in the top ten. Zimin Qian, a 9th grader earned an Honorable Mention Award.
All of the students will be honored at a ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 29th at the Washington Township- Centerville Library. Congratulations!
FINE ARTS: This past November both of the high school a cappella groups participated in the Kettering National A Cappella Festival. Both groups had a chance to work with some of the nation's leading a cappella performers and educators. Among close to 70 groups participating, Synergy was selected as one of the top 8 groups at the festival and had the opportunity to perform at Trent Arena in front of 1,000 festival participants.
The high school choir will have their annual holiday concert on Thursday Dec. 13 at 7pm. This concert will feature the Symphonic Chorale, Concert Choir and both a cappella groups.
The OHS Band has completed another successful marching band season, and now concert band is in full swing. The concert season kicked off on November 17th with the Oakwood Jazz Project, featuring the OJH and OHS Jazz Bands as well as the Sinclair Community Jazz Ensemble.
The band will be performing next at the OCC Festival of Lights on December 9th. We are also looking forward to our Winter Concert on Wednesday, January 23rd at 7:00 pm. This concert will feature the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, and Jazz Ensemble.
Pep band is just around the corner as well, and we are excited to bring some great music and energy to both boys and girls basketball games this winter!
The Oakwood Fine Art Students will have work on display at the Wright Library again this December. There will be a closing reception Monday January 14th from 6-7:00 PM.
Be sure to stop by to see our beautiful artwork!
GUIDANCE: All guidance communications are relayed by way of announcements, emails, and Naviance. Parents are strongly encouraged to subscribe to the emailed daily announcements and to add their email address in Naviance under the "About Me" tab, profile, add a new parent.
Senior parents are encouraged to complete the FAFSA fafsa.ed.gov. Every college has their own FAFSA deadline; please consult the financial aid office of your college to determine the specific deadline. Better to be safe than sorry. File the FAFSA as soon as possible.
One of our most popular need-based scholarships, the Dayton-Montgomery County Scholarship (DMCS), requires a completed FAFSA as part of the application. The DMCS application site will open in December, and the deadline is March 8, 2019, 4pm. It is imperative that you submit your FAFSA in order to be eligible for the DMCS. More information about the DMCS and the Oakwood Foundation Scholarships will be shared with all seniors prior to Holiday Break.
Juniors and seniors are invited to attend a panel discussion with recent Oakwood graduates on Friday, December 14, at lunch in the library. Several members of the Class of 2018 will be present to discuss college transition and general issues that college freshmen encounter. Juniors and seniors should mark their calendars to have pizza with us!
11th Grade Students and Parents: The school counselors will call juniors to the guidance office for an individual conference starting in January.
Parents, if you would like to schedule a junior parent conference, please call 297-5326 starting in February. We will discuss your student's plans for life after their high school graduation.
10th Grade Students and Parents: Representatives from the Kettering and Centerville High School Career Tech Programs will be here to talk to the entire class of 2021 about the opportunities available for them their junior and senior years. A letter containing more detailed information will be sent to the parents of sophomores prior to Holiday Break.
INTERVENTION/PREVENTION COUNSELOR: The Freshmen Challenge
Oakwood High School's annual Freshmen Challenge Day will be held Wednesday, January 9, 2019.
The goal of this daylong session is to promote good relationships and a caring attitude toward others. Team building activities will help students to foster awareness of others, and to allow them to interact with their classmates in a healthy, positive setting.
In other sessions, students will have opportunities to give positive feedback to their peers, as well as discuss negative judgments and stereotypes. In addition, one session will focus on the importance of avoiding alcohol and other drugs.
Our overall goal is to have a positive day where we can partake in activities that promote good attitudes and choices, discuss the importance of being tolerant and non-judgmental, and build good relationships within the current freshmen class.
Seniors, who receive mandatory training, will facilitate each of the freshmen groups. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Mrs. Bline at bline.joan@oakwoodschools.org or call 297-5325.
LMC NEWS: Teen Read Week 2018, "It's written in the stars: READ!," was celebrated the week of October 15th.
Mrs. Bengson, the Teen Services Librarian at Wright Memorial Public Library, collaborated with Mrs. Ashworth in the Library Media Center to provide a week full of fun and educational activities for students in grades 7 - 12.
On Tuesday, students cozied up and read under the stars. On Thursday, students had great fun making bibliophile buttons and chocolate books. All participating students received advanced reader copies (ARCs) of up-and-coming young adult books.
Book Squad, the book club for students in grades 7 - 12, is going strong. Students meet monthly over snacks to discuss books they're reading.
OJH students meet from 11:45-12:10 and OHS students meet from
12:15-12:40 in room 106.
For more information and upcoming events, please visit Mrs. Ashworth's website:
http://ohs.oakwoodschools.org/ oakwood-high-school/library.
MATH: Math Club has seen an increase in popularity this year, with about 15-20 kids attending each week.
We have looked at a variety of different types of math problems this year, including riddles from the TED Ed Youtube channel, variations of Sudoku puzzles, and unusual problems involving number theory and probability.
Students participated in their first "contest" this past week, with about a dozen students tackling six problems during the lunch hour.
Math Club has introduced four officers this year to help with the leadership of the group.
One of the highlights of the year was when officer Grace Almoney led the club in solving puzzles called "CryptoPics", which involve using logic to shade in certain parts of a graph, revealing a hidden picture at the end, such as a moose.
Students are always welcome to stop by Math Club - meetings are most Fridays at lunch in room 307.
NEWS FROM THE NURSE: Stress Management for the Holidays
Stress and depression can ruin your holidays and hurt your health. Being realistic, planning ahead and seeking support can help ward off stress and depression. The holidays present a dizzying array of demands ~ parties, shopping, baking, cleaning and entertaining to name a few. But with some practical tips, you can minimize the stress that accompanies the holidays.
1. Acknowledge your feelings. If you have lost someone close recently it is normal to feel sadness and grief.
2. Reach out. If you feel lonely and isolated, seek out community and social events.
3. Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year. As families grow and change, traditions and rituals often change as well.
4. Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don't live up to all of your expectations.
5. Stick to a budget. Before you go shopping, make a list and decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget.
6. Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for baking, shopping, and visiting friends.
7. Learn to say no.
8. Don't abandon healthy habits.
9. Take a breather.
*With a little planning and some positive thinking, you can find peace and joy during the holidays.
PRACTICAL ARTS: Our Business Basics students visited the retail shop, Lula Bell and owner, Amy Gantt. The visit was to incorporate our in-class study of entrepreneurship.
Mrs. Gantt shared her beginning, the days of working in her attic and the risk she took to own and operate her own business. As a former teacher, and family therapist, she is now living out her dream of illustrating and designing her own work.
Our Business Basics students also visited the retail shop, Ashley's Pastries and owner, Theresa Hammons. The visit was to incorporate our in-class study of entrepreneurship.
Mrs. Hammons shared her prior career background as a Product Manager for Proctor and Gamble. She spent her early days strategizing where particular products should be displayed or on which shelf in order to generate the greatest demand, thus the greatest profit.
Mrs. Hammons now uses that strategizing skill in her bakery. She encouraged the students to work hard and to find a job that is satisfying and rewarding. The students were able to learn that although there are great rewards to owning your business, there is a lot of hard work that goes on behind the scenes.
Mrs. Hammons' bakery is open 20 hours out of 24 hours in order to run efficiently; in addition, she works almost 7 days a week. Mrs. Hammons baked the students' cookies to enjoy while visiting her bakery.
Law and Your Life students visited the courtroom at the Montgomery County Courts. The students sat in observance while the judge worked through the docket for the day. The students were able to learn what the court process looks like, watch the interactions with the State, attorneys, criminals and those not yet convicted as well as watch the judge issue sentences.
SCIENCE: On Tuesday, December 4, the science department will host Dr. Sam Rhine of Indiana University as well as several other Miami Valley AP Biology classes to Oakwood.
Sam Rhine has crossed the country for 30+ years presenting the latest genetic information for high school students and their teachers. He has also spoken to audiences in Toronto, Montreal, Tokyo, Vienna, Prague, St. Petersburg, Russia, and Nairobi, Kenya. This one-day conference is designed to teach the latest in genetic advances, hot research areas, and career opportunities.
Dr. Rhine takes biology concepts from the textbook and makes them come to life by posing ethical dilemmas each will face as technological advances continue. He shares his knowledge and his excitement and focuses on the myriad of career opportunities for bright, motivated students.
Dr. Rhine will speak with the students this year regarding genetic causes of cancer and groundbreaking therapies. His visit will include discussions of: Genetic disorders, Stem Cells, Cancer statistics, Genes and Cancer, Cancer Stem Cells, Mitosis and Apoptosis in tumor development and therapy. These are just a few of the topics Dr. Rhine will touch on in his visit, which always proves to be a tremendous learning experience for our students.
This is an extraordinary opportunity for our students and undertaking to plan by our AP Biology teacher, Mrs. Kim Hobby.
SOCIAL STUDIES: In October, Senior High Social Studies teachers participated in professional development on Apportionment and Redistricting for Elections using National Geographic's Giant Maps.
Rebecca Theobald, Assistant Research Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of Colorado Springs, visited Oakwood and presented her materials.
The Giant Maps employ a variety of teaching methods, including inquiry and kinesthetic learning, to get students involved with the social studies. Using a map of Ohio measuring almost the size of a classroom, teachers looked at population trends, geographical influences, and their political impact. The professional development extended into using Geographic Information Systems for students to analyze current census data to solve real-world problems.
The Social Studies Department is examining how these Giant Maps can be used across grades throughout the district, and they will be pursuing funding for a Giant Map to house here at our schools.
On Monday, November 12th, Mr. Miller's Civics courses hosted a Take A Vet to School Day activity in recognition of Veteran's Day. The event was sponsored by Charter/Spectrum and the History Channel. We hosted local State Representative and Veteran, Jim Butler, as well as several other veterans in the building for a panel discussion and question and answer session in order to both honor our veterans and to remind our students of the sacrifices that veterans and their families make.
SPECIAL EDUCATION: On Wednesday, December 5th the junior and senior Multiple Disabilities (MD) classes along with Circle of Friends will host the Kettering Transition class for a Holiday Party/Luncheon. The group will play games, make a craft, and share a meal together.
Events of this nature are great opportunities for our students to interact with peers who have diverse ability levels.
WORLD LANGUAGE: In October, the World Language Department teachers attended the Miami University Conference on the Teaching of Languages.
Session topics focused on current trends in curriculum, theory and practice. As an added benefit, OHS teachers were able to spend the day networking with their peers.
Both French & Spanish Clubs are in full swing as they provide cultural experiences outside the classroom. Breakfasts, luncheons, music, dance, & holiday celebrations are bringing French & Spanish culture to life in fun and delicious ways for Oakwood students!
Please look for more news from our OHS Departments throughout the school year.
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