Kids raise $1,600 for Special Wish Foundation

Paige Warren and Madison Dox were able to present the check for $1,600 to Sarah Hill, representing A Special Wish Foundation, on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008. The total amount raised, although not quite enough to cover a special trip, is enough to cover two shopping sprees for children unable to travel.

Oakwood kids enrolled in South Connection’s Enrichment Program demonstrated what they are made of this summer! Through a series of events, these kids raised $1,600 for the Dayton chapter of Special Wish Foundation.

South Connection helped make the community a more cheerful place by holding a dog wash where their clientele included sheepdogs named Brutus and Buckeye (die-hard Ohio State fans/owners would chant “O-H” followed by two
hearty “woofs” in response from the furry duo – “I-O” in dog language). The fundraising continued with a rummage sale where customer service skills, as well as money matters, were put to the test. Paige Warren and Madison Dox, both fourth graders at Smith Elementary School, were consistent in working hard throughout the rummage sale. “It felt like you were the boss of the business…all the money is going to charity” said Paige. “They have it worse than me…. it’s an honor to help,” commented Madison. The most important lessons learned, according to this diligent duo, are:

“No matter what we had to do, it was all worth it.  It actually means so much to me to help a child get their dream,”  said Madison Dox. “No matter what else you do in life, I think the best thing you can do is help someone get the thing they wanted their whole life.” said Paige Warren.

16 yr old saved by AED in Texas

By Jim Uphoff, Ed. D.

A Sept. 6 Houston (TX) Chronicle article had the following headlines:  School’s defibrillator saves Willis student:  Nurse revives 16-year-old who collapsed in gym.”  A very healthy and athletic young man suddenly collapsed in gym class.  A trainer in the room could barely detect any heartbeat but the school nurse used the school’s own portable Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to revive the young man.

In critical condition at a Children’s Hospital  it was determined that he had a previously undetected genetic condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. which is now being treated with success thus far.  More and more schools and public locations are now including such equipment as the AED as a regular part of a good safety tool.

Our own Oakwood schools have one AED in each building except Lange School and one AED with the athletic trainer at events. Funding for these essential safety tools came from both grants and district funds as each AED costs about $2,500.  

Training to use such critical equipment has also been stressed.  Each year such training is provided and training records are carefully kept.  Each school secretary, school nurses, athletic trainers and coaches, and administrators are all trained in the use of AEDs.

The Texas youth’s genetic mutation thickens the muscle wall between the two lower chambers of the heart.  As he ran in PE, his heart became over stimulated making it beat too fast.  Without enough blood flow to the brain he fainted and collapsed.  The AED helped restore a more normal rhythm for his heart.  Some 600 children in the US die from this condition each year according to his doctor. This time, those odds were beaten!

As an Oakwood citizen I am very glad to know that our district has such equipment and has key personnel trained in how to use it appropriately.  Thanks to all who made the decisions to have this be the case!

Junior/Senior Parent Nights announced

Junior and Senior parents are invited to attend a guidance information night on Sept. 22 in the OHS auditorium.  Junior parents are asked to come at 7 p.m. The senior parents meeting begins at 8:15 p.m. Mrs. Owens and Mrs. Jacques will discuss issues relevant to your student to include the college search, the application process, and introduce a new, exciting website available to our students and parents.

Freshman and sophomore parents are invited to an informational meeting on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. in the OHS auditorium.  Mr. Curlett, Mrs. Owens and Mrs. Jacques will present some very useful thoughts regarding your high school student and introduce a very exciting website available to our students and parents.

Nov. 10  brings a representative from the Financial Aid Office at the University of Dayton to the OHS auditorium.  This night is especially geared towards parents and students in the 11th and 12th grades.  Anyone wishing to learn more about financing college is invited to attend. 

Rotary Interact Club seeking student members

The OHS Interact Club is off to a great start! Interact is a new community and international service club for high school students sponsored by the Oakwood Rotary International.

This club approved the founding of our chapter this past spring and has continued to show support by generously donating club t-shirts.

If you are interested in joining Interact, look for signs posted around the school and attend our first meeting. If you have questions, feel free to ask any member or Mr. Mitch Miller, Rotary faculty adviser for info.

PTO hosting picnic dinner

On Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., the PTO will host a picnic dinner before parents begin following their student’s school schedule at the senior high open house.  

The dinner consists of a Pine Club burger, chips and a beverage. Tables will be set up at the Junior High entrance on Schantz Avenue. The cost is $6. “We thought giving parents and teachers the opportunity to socialize before parents visit the classrooms would be fun, ” explained PTO President Sara Feldmiller. Parents can send in their dinner orders along with their PTO membership form or pay at the door.  

Hosts sought for meetings

The Oakwood Board of Education is committed to staying in touch with our citizens. As part of that goal, the school district holds two neighborhood meetings per month. The main purpose of the meeting is to engage in conversation about our schools with our community members.

Neighborhood meetings are a unique chance for residents to meet in a comfortable setting with Dr. Mary Jo Scalzo, Superintendent of the Oakwood Schools, and board members. Dr. Scalzo usually asks one question for community input, but the focus of the rest of the meeting is an open discussion about our schools. We are looking for Oakwood citizens to host neighborhood meetings in their homes. There is minimal work involved.

Your task is to invite your friends and neighbors to attend the meeting and put out a plate of cookies. We do the rest! The available meeting dates and times follow. If you are interested in one of these dates, please contact Sandy Maresh at the Oakwood Board of Education Office (937) 297-5332.

Neighborhood Meeting dates for 2008-09:

9/17 at 9:30 a.m.
9/26 at 9:30 a.m.
10/9 at 7 p.m.
10/20 at 7 p.m.
11/6 at 7 p.m.
12/5 at 9:30 a.m.
1/8 at 7 p.m.
1/27 at 7 p.m.
2/3 at 7 p.m.
2/27 at 9:30 a.m.
3/24 at 7 p.m.
4/21 at 7 p.m.
4/27 at 7 p.m.
5/4 at 7 p.m.

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