The Eagle Eye
Oak Hill United School Corporation - November 2020
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT'S DESK
Dear Oak Hill Families,
November is a month for giving thanks, and we are extremely grateful for all of you. We thank you for helping stop the spread of the virus that has turned our world upside down. Also, we thank you for your grace, flexibility, and understanding during these unprecedented times. Finally, we thank you for trusting us with your children. Thank you for the opportunity to serve your family.
Thank you to our fantastic Oak Hill teachers who go above and beyond to provide not only a quality education, but also a safe place for our students to grow and learn. Our teachers have had to adapt on the fly, accept many new and different changes, and overcome new challenges to which they have received little to no training on how to handle them. Yet, despite these overwhelming odds our teachers bring their very best every day. Thank you teachers!
Thank you to our outstanding support staff; we simply would not be open without your hard work that goes on behind the scenes. We want you to know that it does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. Thank you to our bus drivers, instructional aides, custodians, administrative assistants, cooks, and everyone else who assists in maintaining the tradition of excellence that Oak Hill United School Corporation is known for.
Finally, thank you for the opportunity to serve our community as the Superintendent of Oak Hill United School Corporation. It is an honor and a privilege to be the Superintendent at Oak Hill and I take the responsibility very seriously. During these crazy times it is easy to focus on the negatives, yet there are too many positive things happening at Oak Hill everyday. Thank you for all of your hard work that goes into making Oak Hill a great school district and community.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chad C. Cripe
Covid-19 Update
As you may know, Grant County is now at level orange (2.5) and we have seen an increase in the number of positive cases, especially at the high school, over the past 14 days. Since the beginning of school through Monday, November 9, 2020, OHUSC has had 21 confirmed positive Covid cases of students and staff members. We are continuing with our school safety plans (see link below), deep cleaning schedules, and closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with the Grant County Health Department and the Indiana State Department of Health
When a positive case has been confirmed, our policy will be to notify the community via a Skylert. Due to HIPAA laws, we are unable to give out the identification of the person who has tested positive or any information regarding people who have been determined to be close contacts. In order to be as transparent as we can legally be, we will continue to let the community know if the positive test was a student or a staff member and what building they attend.
Once a positive case has been confirmed, we immediately begin the contact tracing process. It is our policy that if a student or teacher in grades PK-4th grade tests positive then the entire class will be quarantined for 14 days. If a student or teacher from grades 5-12 tests positive, the administration team with assistance from the proper health agencies will conduct the contact tracing process. Any person who was within six feet for more than a combined 15 minutes of a person confirmed to have Covid is considered to be a close contact, and therefore will be quarantined for 14 days.
We are being extremely precautionary and thorough regarding the contact tracing process. Due to this policy, we will have healthy students quarantining who were determined to be close contacts, but never get sick. Furthermore, this policy may make it appear that there is a bigger problem than what actually exists.
Please continue to assist us by following CDC guidelines, washing your hands, and wearing a mask. Additionally, if your children are not feeling well, please keep them home from school. I am confident that our fantastic teaching staff will do whatever it takes to keep our students on track with their learning.
Thank you for your grace, flexibility, and understanding during these unprecedented times. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to contact me at chadcr@ohusc.k12.in.us.
Thank you and be safe!
Dr. Chad C. Cripe
Happy November from Converse!
We are busy learning and growing! Lots of fun and exciting things happening around the building! Our teachers know how important it is for students to have hands-on activities to help us learn critical skills so our students can become problem solvers and THINKERS! Check out what we have been doing: Kindergarten stations and technology labs, and 1st graders working on STEM projects!
What's Happening at Sweetser Elementary
We socked it to drugs with our crazy sock day!
Oct. 26-30 was red ribbon week. Our students participated in dress up days each day to spread awareness of making positive choices. Our school social worker Mrs. Henson made videos and planned activities for the classes to participate in throughout the week focusing on making safe choices. Mrs. Smith read a story to each class and talked about peer pressure and using refusal skills. The 3rd grade classes had a visit from local law enforcement officers that shared messages about making safe choices. Teachers also planned activities all week long. Our students did outstanding participating and learning of ways to say no and stay safe.
On Nov. 4th and 5th all students got to participate in an Accelerated Reader celebration hayride because of all the hard work they did during the 1st quarter with their reading. Thank you to the Mills family for providing the hayride around the Sweetser Elementary campus so that our students could enjoy the beautiful weather and still meet all Covid safety protocols. We are so proud of all of our amazing readers and are working to set goals for the 2nd quarter.
Our window for NWEA testing will be from Nov. 9-20th. All students are working hard to set and meet their goals to show growth in all areas. We look forward to celebrating our accomplishments before Thanksgiving break.
Team Swayzee Welcomes Mr. Bannach
Swayzee Elementary is thrilled to have Mr. David Bannach as our new 5th grade Science teacher. He has proven to be a valuable addition to our team. His enthusiasm for Science, concern for students and collaboration with staff are noticed and appreciated. Here is a brief message from Mr. Bannach:
My name is David Bannach. I have been married to my wife, Becky, for almost 30 years. We have three "adult" children (Tirzah - 24, Ben - 21, and Josiah - 19) and a 100-pound "mutt" (mastiff, pit, rottweiler) named Cali who is convinced she is only 10 pounds. I grew up in Holland, Michigan, and enjoy road bicycling when I have the opportunity. I am a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. After more than 20 years serving as a Pastor & Worship/Music Director, I transitioned into a second career in teaching starting in the Delcom School District teaching Technology and then with Muncie Schools teaching 4th grade. This new path has brought many exciting challenges and I am thoroughly enjoying my time at Swayzee teaching 5th Grade Science as the students discover some of the mysteries of the world for the first time.
Inspired by the book Slacker, Swayzee students collected and donated various items to the Grant County Humane Society:
Four Oak Hill Junior High Teachers Awarded Grants
Brynley Thomas "Literary Ornaments"
Beth Boswell "My Life"
Lisa Belcher "Encouraging a Community through Book Advertisements"
Kari Johnson "Author Engagement"
High School Highlights
1. Rising Stars of Class of 2022: Congratulations to Jacob Morgan, Seth O'Blenis, Weston Seybold, and Abigail Malott on being selected for the Class of 2022 Rising Stars of Indiana! They are being honored for their academic achievements.
2. Distinguished Young Women of Grant County Nominees: Congratulations to Jessica Hobbs, Tara Hershberger, Colbie Furnish, and Lydia Welch , these four individuals for being finalists with the Distinguished Young Women of Grant County! Best of luck to each one of you!
3. Lori Goff received a $500 Via Credit Union Teacher Grant for her "Eagle Cafe" project.
4. In honor of Kathy Luzadder, Ms. Willis’ students wanted to help by collecting donations for Let Your Light Shine. Students were encouraged to speak to friends, neighbors, and family members, and see how many donations they could earn for this wonderful cause. The students wanted to show their support for Mr. Luzadder since this will be in honor of his wife's passing. This Class goal was $500. They ended up raising $1,180!
Teacher Grant Winner Lori Goff
Distinguished Young Women of Grant County Finalists
Tom and Kathy Luzadder
ELECTION DAY 2020
Converse students got the full voter experience: They created voter ID's, registered to vote, and stood in line for their chance to vote for either Oreos or Chips Ahoy cookies. After filling out their ballots and receiving their stickers, the votes were tallied: Oreos won in a landslide!
End of Soccer Seasons Brings Recognition
Weston Seybold
Seth O'Blenis
Daniel Jackson
Girls Soccer Academic All-State:
Carlee Biddle
Ruthie McDivitt
Tegan Phillips
1st Team All District:
Dalian Leach
Coach of the Year: Joel Garverick
Boys Soccer 1st Team All District
Girls Soccer Academic All-State 2020
Carlee Biddle
Tegan Phillips
Boys Soccer Coach of the Year
Congratulations to OH Football CIC All-Conference selections:
1st Team OG Silas Jones
1st Team DB Kian Hite
Honorable Mention RB Kyle Turanchick
Honorable Mention LB Blake Fox
Honorable Mention DB Braden Wagner
Oak Hill Special Education Fundraiser
You will also get a coupon for a FREE Texas Roadhouse appetizer with any purchase.
Purchases can be made in any OH school office or through any Special Education teacher.
JOIN US AT OHUSC!
We are currently hiring:
Instructional Aides
Bus Drivers
Substitute Custodians
Substitute Teachers
A Message from Scott Deaton, School Board Member - At Large
Scott Deaton
UPCOMING EVENTS
School Board Meeting: December 14 at 6:30PM
NO SCHOOL Christmas Break: December 21 - January 5
First Student Day/2nd Semester Begins: January 6