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Wright this way... The Scarecrow Building CWelcome to the Oakwood Registerontest was the most successful ever this year with 40 entries decorating “Scarecrow Row’ all along Shafor Boulevard. The winner of the contest, “First in Fright,” a very creative salute to the Wright Brothers, watches the children cross the street at Aberdeen Drive right by Smith School. The display was built by neighbors in the 400 block of Aberdeen. Second place went to “A Green Halloween” put together by Cub Scout Pack 101 is located at Triangle and Orchard. Third place went to the Back Under the Dome group who made the display “Ike’s Victims” and is located on East Drive. Last bu t not least, the Mayor’s award went to “Witch Way”, located at Harman and Dellwood and built by Maggie and Garrett Spikes and Emory Quinn.

Soccer Jacks make history and ring Victory Bell
First SWBL soccer title in 17 years

On Oct. 7, at 10 p.m., after a short speech by Athletic Director Mark Hughes, the Oakwood High School Victory Bell rang out as the Soccer Jacks huddled around their seniors and pulled the bell rope to commemorate Oakwood’s first SWBL Soccer Championship in 17 years.  

According to historian Chris Morris, this is the least losses in Soccer Jacks history and a tie for the best record and most wins during a regular season.  Their 0.56 goals against average (GAA), with nine shutouts, is the best in the league this year and apparently the best in all of Division II Miami Valley Varsity Soccer.  In fact, in all three divisions, this writer found that only Centerville had a better GAA (0.44) and more shutouts (11).  Beavercreek has also posted nine shutouts on the season (GAA= 0.60). Carroll had 10 shutouts (GAA = 0.75).

The Jacks have also never been shutout during the season, scoring in every game they played.  In comparison, Bellbrook’s record is 13-2-1 with eight shutouts with a GAA of 0.69.  Bellbrook was also shutout twice, once by Oakwood and once by Hilliard-Davidson, accounting for both Bellbrook’s losses. Bellbrook shares the SWBL title with Oakwood this year.

On Oct. 6, the Dayton Christian Warriors came to Oakwood. DC have a strong midfield and are a physical team and, as a result, they dominated stretches of the game.  Oakwood’s defense was strong.  Graham Roberts had a beautiful steal deep in the defensive corner.  Finally, 35 minutes into the game, Zach Hood threaded a pass to Philip Willie, sprinting down the right wing. A step ahead of the defender,

Wille zinged the ball across the face of goal, into the left ground nets for a 1-0 Oakwood lead. In the second half, DC tied the score. Few opportunities came either way thereafter. At the end, Oakwood exerted dominating pressure to win, coming alive and finally matching DC’s physicality. Tristan Schnader took a free kick from 20 yards which skipped wide of the left post. A 40 yard free kick from Schnader fell to Willie who found Tino Weckerling, who shot just wide of the right post. But the Jacks could not score again, and the game ended 1-1.

On Oct. 7, Oakwood went to Brookville for the regular season’s final game.  From the kickoff, Oakwood dominated the Blue Devils with many brilliant plays and generally more intensity from midfield than was played against DC. Weckerling had his best game of the season, showing tremendous physical presence, harrying the Brookville midfield and defense and sparking many Oakwood attacks. Andrew Dickerson had another beautiful, surgical steal in the Oakwood offensive half to keep a drive alive.

Zach Harmony had several defensive headers, one off a 60 yard punt, the norm from him. Schnader pounded a 50 yard free kick, saved by the Brookville keeper. The breakthrough came after 38 minutes when a ball was zipped into midfield, and Zach Rodabaugh popped it 10 yards into the air. Weckerling one-touched the ball out of the air to tap it with the outside of his right foot, directing it over the goal line, 1-0.

Oakwood dominated, but they still could not score after numerous goal attempts from Zach Hood, Willie, Andrew Morris, Schnader and David Shephard. Hood exerted tremendous intensity in midfield, spurring the team aggressively forward. Ryan McFarland had one tremendous save to preserve the Oakwood shutout at 1-0.  As the game ended, the announcer stated that jubilant Jacks had clinched the SWBL title for the first time in 17 years. Tournament play begins next week, and the Jacks hope the school will turn out in numbers to support them.

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‘Pizza & PD’ program started at schools

By Dawn Beigel

Oakwood School District has begun a new professional development program that compliments its existing PLC (professional learning community) groups and focuses on specific curricular topics one at a time.

Elizabeth Myers, first grade teacher at Harman Elementary School, discussed the new program – coined ‘Pizza & PD’ – at last night’s Board of Education meeting and the success it has already had with participating educators. Program attendants meet to discuss over pizza certain topics, such as pre-testing or goal writing, that apply in the classroom. Myers said the program started from core meetings as it has been discovered that educators need to be involved in the planning and evaluation of their own instruction.

The first program meeting was held recently at Harman School with a number of teachers from that school, Edwin D. Smith Elementary and the junior high in attendance, according to Myers.

“It went very good (with) some really positive response,” said Myers, who facilitated the meeting. “Just having that time and support was very helpful to them.”

One attendant at the meeting commented on the convenience of an in-service day just for this.

Myers said topic options for next spring will be planned, and that she sees technology and differentiation as a couple of future options.

‘Pizza & PD’ is expected to be offered twice a month, each one focusing on a specific topic, she said.

Among commendations at the Board of Education meeting, the school board recognized the following:

* High school seniors Michele Lynch, Chris Mudry, Sarah Shewell, Julia Sizek and Nathan Thomas on being named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists. They scored in the top one-half of one percent among college-bound high school students on the qualifying test, and are eligible to become merit finalists and possibly receive merit scholarships.

* High school seniors Virginia Fulford, Stephanie Hemmelgarn, Elizabeth Johnsen, Nora Murphy, Jeffrey Nagel, Shane Ricci, Claire Roess, Rachel Stock, Brent Turner and Christopher Wolcott on being named commended scholars in the National Merit Scholarship competition. They placed in the top 2.5 percent of college-bound high school students taking the PSAT.

* Lange School art teacher Peggy Schmitz who is receiving a 15-year Circa Recognition Award and being inducted into the Ohio Art Education Association Circa Honor Society on Nov. 8.

*High school students and teachers Jay Lane and Jim Slagel for being recognized by the College Board for achieving one of the highest student success rates in Ohio for the AP courses for calculus AB and chemistry.

Among legislation, the board approved the following:

*The Crisis Management Plans for each school, which are reviewed annually and reflect the contributions of the Oakwood Safety Department and faculty.

*The resignation of Linda Hart, aide at Smith Elementary, effective this past Oct. 9. She was with the district since 2004.

*The resignation of Tina Moore, clinic nurse at the junior/senior high school, effective Oct. 24. She has been with the district since 2002.

*Adopting the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 district school calendars, which do not reference waiver days approved or denied by the State Board of Education prior to the start of each school year.

*Acceptance of the donation of a vacuum and a snow blower from Dr. William Martin.

Oakwood Board of Education will hold its next regular meeting Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m. at the central office.

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