The Indian Post
Director of Schools - Parent Issue 3 - October 2022
Directors Corner
As we begin the Fall season, please be reminded that Parent Teacher Conferences are right around the corner. Please start gathering information that you would like to share with your child's teacher. Remember communication is so important!
I'd like to mention a new volunteer tutoring resource that Oneida Schools' will be incorporating, called "A One Room School House on Wheels." Taught by retired teacher, Sandra Litton, Ms. Litton will be offering free tutoring to all K-12 students in the subject area of their choice. Tutoring will take place on Monday's, Tuesday's & Thursday's from 4:00pm-6:00pm at the Senior Citizens Center in Oneida.
We also have some exciting things happening in our OMS/OHS cafeteria! Our School Nutrition Department would like to introduce our newest breakfast option…MOO BREW! This is an iced coffee that is made with 8 oz of milk, 2 oz of decaf coffee, 2 pumps of sugar free syrup and ice. It has 8 grams of protein and is part of a reimbursable breakfast. Since incorporating MooBrew, our students' daily milk consumption has nearly doubled! This ensures that more students are eating breakfast and beginning their day happy and healthy! Lastly, School Nutrition is also providing after school snacks at Oneida Elementary for each of our clubs and tutoring classes!
It is hard to believe that October is here! I hope things are settling in. As a district, I want you to know that we want to support you in any way we possibly can. Always feel free to email, text or call with any questions, comments or concerns. So many great things have been happening at Oneida, and I wanted to share with you what we've been working on district-wide!
Academics
- NIET (National Institute for Excellence in Teaching)
- Academic support coaches for educators
(Denise May, Amanda Terry, Sherri Terry & Selena Mayberry)
-Updated Administrative Procedures
-Enhanced career options through CTE, Edgenuity (a leading K-12 curriculum),
and Dual Enrollment courses
- AP courses offered through the Niswonger Foundation
- Pre-K classroom for non-income eligible parents and employees
- Advisory Boards in each of the schools
- After school programs and tutoring offered at every school
- Researching and assisting with the TISA funding process
- Secured grants for non-funded programs
- Student Centered District Philosophy
Technology
- Additional technology specialists readily available for improved student/teacher assistance
- Deployed about 200 new devices to classrooms this school year
- Updated district-wide servers, labs, and software
-Incorporated innovative IT services to OSSD technology users
- Enhanced social media coverage and community involvement
- Installed high quality Avigilon camera system across the district
- Updated metal detectors in the middle and high school
- Every classroom will have a wifi access point installed this school year
- Working on a new customized lockdown procedure for each school
- Continuing to add more cameras throughout the district as needed for safety and security.
Athletics
- "A Better Way" Athletics Program
- JayCee Ballpark renovation (Please drive by and take a look!)
- New flag poles at the soccer and football fields
- Addressed drainage issues on soccer field, walking track, and JayCee Ballpark
- Beginning stages of new OES Gymnasium construction
- All district athletics fields have been upgraded and continually maintained
- New P.A. Systems for the soccer and football fields
Grounds
- Updating safety and security across the district
- Updated outdoor lighting
- Parking lots paved and sealed district-wide
- Updated stucco at OHS football stadium with rock accents
- Updated guttering at OMS Football Stadium
- New Greenhouse constructed for OHS students
- Updating outdoor equipment, top dresser, mowers etc.
- Updated all aesthetics of the district
- Painting updates at all buildings
- Updated painting within classrooms throughout the district
- Fencing of OHS outdoor area for students
- Installation of new OES playground
- Gym floors will be refinished during Fall Break
- OHS Gym walls, doors, and locker rooms repainted
- Update roof OHS Field House
- New heat and air units installed at the football fieldhouse, classrooms/buildings district-wide
Food Services
- Diverse quality food options for all students
- MooBrew! for OMS and OHS students
- Updated and improved cafeteria equipment and cookware
- Innovative and efficient meal disbursement protocols for lunches
I am very thankful we've had the opportunity to make positive changes across our district. Our staff will continue to strive to make OSSD a great place for our students. With your support, our schools can continue to be a safe and healthy place for our students to learn and grow!
- Dr. Jeanny Phillips
Mark Your Calendar!
October 10th - Personal Development Day for educators
(NO SCHOOL for students)
October 31st - Happy Halloween!
2022-2023 Grading Scale Update
Just a reminder, due to recent changes in state legislation, the OSSD grading scale has changed. We opted for consistency and changed the scale district-wide.
The 10 Point Grading Scale is as follows:
A - 100% to 90%
B - 89% to 80%
C - 79% to 70%
D - 69% to 60%
F - 59% and below
COVID-19 Update
The continued safety of our students and staff is of the utmost importance as we begin the new school year. The CDC updated recommendations regarding Covid-19 on August 11, 2022.
CDC Current Recommendations:
- Positive cases isolate for a 5 full days, and may exit isolation on day 6 as long as symptoms are improving and have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, such as Tylenol or ibuprofen.
- For those individuals who have been in contact with a positive case, it is recommended that the contact wear a mask for 10 days and monitor for symptoms. It is recommended that contacts be tested on day 5 or if symptoms do develop.
Please remember, these are best practice recommendations from the CDC and not mandates.
Covid-19 testing is available at each of the schools. These tests are sent to a lab and results are typically received the next afternoon. Anyone who is tested in the school clinic will need to isolate until results are received. Each of the schools will also have masks available in their offices for anyone that wishes to wear one.
Telehealth - A Children's Hospital Partnership!
The office of Oneida Coordinated School Health is pleased to announce a continued partnership with Children’s Hospital!
What is School Virtual Health?
Students can be seen by an East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Provider from the school nurse’s office. If your child becomes sick while at school, they’re in good hands! With parent permission, Telehealth allows your child to connect remotely to an East Tennessee Children’s Hospital pediatrician for a quick diagnosis and recommended treatment.
Strep, flu, and Covid-19 PCR testing can also be done through the school nurse's station. If needed, the East Tennessee Children's Hospital Provider can then send a prescription to the parent's pharmacy of choice.
For more information about this service,
call Oneida Schools’ lead nurse, Marilynn Seabolt at 423-569-8340
Well-Checkups & Immunizations!
Well-Checkups and Immunizations
are important, especially now!
Please remember to visit your
primary care doctor for a checkup at least once and year,
and visit your dentist every 6 months for a dental checkup.
Contact your child's physician today to learn about
important vaccinations, including the flu vaccine!
Do you need insurance?
Apply for TennCare or CoverKids.
It's FREE Health Insurance!
Visit tenncareconnect.tn.gov to apply online
or call 1-855-259-0701 to apply by phone.
Oneida Schools Attendance Policies and Procedures:
- Only five (5) days, whether consecutive or not, can be excused by a parent note OR doctor’s note per semester. (Semesters will run August – December and January – May).
- Sign Ins and Sign Outs are considered parent notes. Every day of absence equals one note.
- Notes should include the student's name, date(s) of absence(s), reason for absence, signature of parent, and a phone number where a parent can be reached.
- All parent and doctor notes must be presented to the office the day the student returns to school.
These Policies can be found in the school handbook,
or by contacting the District Attendance Supervisor, Jason Terry.
Examples of Excused Absences:
- Personal illness/injury
- Illness of immediate family member
- Death in the family
- Extreme weather conditions
- Religious observances
- Pregnancy
- School endorsed activities
- Summons, subpoena, or court order
- Circumstances which in the judgment of the principal create emergencies over which the student has no control.
Absences that do not meet any of the criteria listed above will be considered unexcused.
OSSD After-School Clubs & Tutoring!
OES
2nd Grade Math Club - Tuesday & Thursday 3:15pm-4:15pm2nd Grade Tutoring - Monday & Wednesday 3:15pm-4:15pm
3rd Grade Tutoring - Tuesday & Thursday 3:15pm-4:15pm
4th/5th Grade Tutoring - Monday & Wednesday 3:15pm-4:15pm
4th/5th Grade Tutoring - Tuesday & Thursday 3:15pm-4:15pm
4th/5th Grade STEM Club - Thursday 3:15pm-4:15pm
(Permission form required)
4th/5th Grade Drama Club - Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 3:00pm-4:00pm
(Permission form required)
Literacy Bridge Club - Tuesday & Friday 3:15pm-4:15pm
(Invitation Only)
5th Grade Safety Patrol (Invitation Only)
3rd-5th Ukulele Class - Thursday 3:15pm-4:15pm
3rd-5th Choir Class - Tuesday 3:15pm-4:15pm
5th Grade Band - Monday, Wednesday & Friday 3:15pm-4:15pm
4th & 5th Clover Bowl Club - Tuesdays from 3:15-4:15
3rd-5th EXPLORE Club - Thursdays from 3:15-4:15
OMS
Yoga Go-GO
October 12
October 17
October 24
November 1
November 7
November 14
November 28
December 5
December 12
December 14
Drama Club (Monday & Wednesday)
October 12
October 17
October 19
October 24
October 26
October 31
November 7
November 9
November 14
November 16
November 28
November 30
December 5
December 7
December 12
December 14
Hiking Club (2022-2023)
September 30
October 21 - Group Meeting
October 28
February 17 - Group Meeting
February 24
March 24 - Group Meeting
March 31
April 21 - Group Meeting
April 28
OHS
Math Tutoring (October 2022)
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 3:15 - 4:15
Time 4 Time (Fall 2022)
Thursday, September 29
Thursday, October 13
Monday, October 17
Tuesday, October 18
Thursday, October 20
Monday, October 24
Tuesday, October 25
Thursday, October 27
Monday, October 31
Tuesday, November 1
Thursday, November 3
Monday, November 7
Tuesday, November 8
Thursday, November 10
Monday, November 14
Tuesday, November 15
Thursday, November 17
Monday, November 28
Tuesday, November 29
Thursday, December 1
Monday, December 5
Tuesday, December 6
Thursday, December 8
Monday, December 12
Tuesday, December 13
2022 Fall Sports At A Glance!
The Indians are off to a great start to the 2022-2023 year!
These individuals have been working hard both in the classroom and on their respective playing fields as they exemplify what it means to be a student-athlete.
Let’s take a look at how they have been doing so far.
Oneida Middle School
· Football – The OMS Indians are undefeated currently with a record of 6-0 on the season. Coach Jason Terry and his staff have their team hitting on all cylinders and are on pace to make another deep run into the postseason.
· Girls’ Soccer – The OMS Lady Indians are currently 7-2 on the season with their only two losses coming as a result of penalty kicks after the teams were tied to end regulation. Oneida has outscored their opposition 57-12 on the year!
Oneida High School
· Cross Country – The Indians and Lady Indians have competed in numerous events so far this season with some solid finishes thus far. They will continue competition into October with the TSSAA State Championships on October 26th. For the girls’ team, Keelee Strunk ran a new personal best time at the McCreary County Meet on September 8th as she finished in fourth place with a time of 25:02.
· Golf – The Indians and Lady Indians have completed their regular seasons and had a very good year. In the district tournament on September 19th, the Indians’ George Kline and Aaron Lee along with Lady Indian Shelby Smith all qualified for the Region Tournament. That will be held on September 26th in Athens, Tennessee.
· Girls’ Soccer – The Lady Indians are currently 7-4-1 on the year and are making a statement in their way of playing. In their seven wins, five have been shutouts! Aliyah Douglas became the all-time leading scorer in OHS Girls’ Soccer history on September 6th against Harriman. The Lady Indians are currently outscoring their opponents 58-22 this season!
· Football – The Indians have been very competitive this year after battling some injuries early on in the season. After starting 0-2 with a pair of tough losses, they have bounced back, winning three of their last four contests on their four-game home stretch to move their record to 3-3 on the season, including a big Homecoming victory on September 23rd as Luke Barna would hit a 32-yard field goal as time expired for the 24-21 win!
You can continue to follow the progress of all Oneida Middle and Oneida High School athletics on Facebook and Twitter. We are also very close to unveiling an all-new athletics website that will be completely dedicated to Indians Athletics!
- Bo Kidd
2022 Fall Sports Schedules
September 23 - Home Game v. Northview Academy @ 7:30pm
October 7 - OPEN
October 14 - Away Game v. Monterey @ 8:00pm
October 21 - Home Game v. Sequoyah @ 7:30pm
October 28 - Home Game v. Coalfield @ 7:30pm
OMS Junior Varsity Football
September 29 - Home Game v. Cumberland Gap @ 7:00pm
October 6 - Away Game v. Burchfield @ 7:00pm
October 13 - Round 1 TBD
October 20 - Round 2 TBD
October 29 - Championship Game @ 3:00pm
Lady Indians Soccer
September 27 - Away Game v. William Blount @ 7:00pm/JV @ 5:30pm
September 29 - Home Game v. Scott High @ 6:00pm
October 1 - EUMSS Tournament @ Claiborne County
Fishing
October 8 - Norris Lake, White Bridge
November 12 - Cherokee Lake, Dam
Cross Country
September 29 - Cove Lake (Boys @ 6:15pm/ Girls @ 5:30pm)
October 6 - Oneida City Park @ 5:30pm
October 18 - York Institute @ 5:30pm
October 26 - TSSAA Championships @ Victor Ashe Park
Oneida Special School District
Website: https://www.oneidaschools.org/
Location: 195 North Bank Street, Oneida, TN, USA
Phone: (423) 569 - 8912