The Eagle Eye
Oak Hill United School Corporation - October 2021
From the Superintendent's Desk
Dear Oak Hill Families,
We are fast approaching Fall Break and it has been a fantastic start to the school year. Fall weather seems to already be upon us, and I hope that winter stays away long enough for us to enjoy the fall season. Fall is my favorite season as I enjoy the changing of the leaves, sweatshirt and shorts weather, and getting the fireplace ready to go.
One of many things that has stood out to me this year is the dedication of our K-8 teachers with the implementation of the new English Language Arts curriculum. Our teachers have done an outstanding job of not only learning a new scope and sequence, but also buying into a guaranteed and viable ELA curriculum that is content based and rooted in the Science of Reading. Additionally, the amount of work and dedication that our teachers have devoted to planning, organizing, and professional development has been overwhelming, and we are already seeing the fruits of their labor.
Next, we are very pleased at the feedback regarding the return of Parent Teacher Conferences. Our goal is to have 100% connections to all of our families. If you are unable to attend, please contact your child’s teachers and they will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you teachers for providing this opportunity for our families.
Additionally, the building projects at the high school are getting closer to completion. Our hope was to have the new parking lot completed this week, but Mother Nature has prevented that from happening. The goal now is to have the new parking lot completed for round two of football sectionals, and the new baseball field is on pace to be finished by late November. We will soon begin the bidding process for the Junior High roof, and the plan is for that to be completed next summer.
Congratulations to all of our students involved in extracurricular activities! Once again we have witnessed a season of tremendous success, and we wish all our athletes good luck in their postseasons. Two more great opportunities to see our students in action is at the Oak Hill Choirs concert tomorrow night in the High School Lecture Area at 6:30 p.m., and at the Oak Hill Band and Orchestra concert in the High School Lecture Area on Thursday, October 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Finally, we wish you a Fall Break full of fun, family, and some much deserved rest and relaxation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chad C. Cripe
Elementary Swim is Back!
Note From The Director of After School Programming & RTI Coordinator:
Dear Oak Hill Families,
I am so happy to announce that we have rolled out a reading program during After Care that takes place once a week for an hour. Mr. Andy Horner is joining Sweetser and Converse to bring the love of reading to students. Mr. Horner grew up in the Amboy/Converse area and is an Oak Hill graduate. He then went on to college and graduated from Purdue. He is celebrating six years at the Converse Public Library this year.
During After Care, Mr. Horner has started reading the novel, Matilda, by Roald Dahl. Mr. Horner’s animated and enthusiastic reading has grabbed the students' attention. It has been fun to watch and listen as students giggle and excitedly retell parts of the story that they hear. Mr. Horner is also providing fun little incentives to encourage independent reading. Students get to spin a wheel and earn prizes as part of this reading program. We are happy to have Mr. Horner join us weekly, and make the love for reading contagious!
A little bit about the Converse Public Library: The Converse Public Library offers a variety of services, including circulations on books, movies, audio books, etc. They also do copies, faxes, printing, and have computers for patrons to use. They offer a variety of programs for kids and adults, such as summer reading, story times, knitting, book club, etc.
Thanks Mr. Andy Horner, for spending some of your time at Oak Hill with us!! It is much appreciated!!
Best,
Jennifer Switzer
Converse "CAUTCHA CARDS"
Have you heard your kiddo come home talking about CAUTCHA CARDS that they have earned at school? If so, you may wonder what they are for and what we are celebrating when they earn them! We are always working to promote positive behaviors from our kiddos as we work through our Social Emotional Learning curriculum (SEL) called Second Steps. Here are a few ways for us to "catch" them being Second Steps Superstars: using a skill for learning, showing empathy toward someone, managing strong emotions, solving a problem in a safe and respectful way and being a good friend. We are always excited to celebrate this when we see these things from students! When they get a cautcha card, they bring it to the office for a prize and then we get to announce their name and how they were caught on the announcements every morning!
Converse Staff Member and Student of the Month
Converse celebrates Jessica Zickafoose!
Mrs. Z is a 2nd grade teacher at Converse and we would like to celebrate her and the amazing things she brings to her classroom! When you enter this classroom, you feel instantly welcomed by the atmosphere that Mrs. Z has created for her students. There are many great things that I could share about how she creates this welcoming environment, but today I want to share how she brings daily positive affirmations to her students. Every single desk has a message for the student that calls that seat home to remind them about an amazing quality that she sees in them! She creates a family atmosphere that makes her students excited to be at school! Thank you Mrs. Zickafoose!
Converse celebrates Deborah Linn!
Deborah is a 1st grader in Mrs. Grinslade's classroom. She attended our virtual academy last year until the last 9 weeks of school. When she began in person at Converse, she came in so ready to meet new friends and learn new things! This year in 1st grade, her teacher reports that she is ALWAYS a great encourager to all of the students in her class. I have personally seen her cheering other students on when they are trying something challenging. She cares deeply for everyone and everything! In fact, she was quite worried about worms that were being stepped on at recess as they were trying to leave the wet grass. She cautioned her friends not to step on them because she knows that they are good for the soil. She is a ray of sunshine at Converse! We are so happy she is part of the Converse Family!
News from Sweetser Elementary
Parent teacher conferences at Sweetser are off to a great start. It has been great to partner with parents and share where students are academically, what we are doing in the classroom to help them learn and grow and how parents can support their learning at home. Thank you to all teachers and parents that have taken this time to connect and partner in the learning of our students.
4th Graders Go Back in Time
Sweetser 4th graders attended Mississinewa 1812 and were able to experience living history. We are incredibly thankful for our volunteer chaperones that attended this event. It was a unique experience to be able to step back in time and experience a glimpse of life in the early territories and witness a reenactment.
Sweetser Staff Member and Student of the Month
Emma is our new special education teacher. She has been an incredible addition to our team at Sweetser. She goes above and beyond to ensure that our students and staff have what they need to be successful. She handles tough situations with grace and advocates well for student needs. She also ensures that parents are partners in the learning process. We just want to thank Emma for the amazing contributions she has made to our team.
Sweetser Student of the Month - Remington Middlesworth
Remington goes above and beyond, both socially and academically. He is a good friend to all students, helping those around him and offering encouragement when students are struggling. Academically, Remington always gives his best effort. He works hard and asks to do extra work to help him grow. With such a positive and hard-working attitude, Remington is very deserving of student of the month.
News From Swayzee
Hello Swayzee Parents, Guardians, and Community Members
It’s hard to believe that we have finished the first 9 weeks’ grading period and fall break will soon be here. The teachers, staff, and students have been working hard to be successful at Swayzee Elementary. RTI is now in full swing and we are already seeing its benefits! Some parents have asked what is RTI? RTI (Response to Intervention) is a multi-tier approach to the early identification and support of students with learning needs. The RTI process begins with high quality instruction and universal screening of all students in the general education classroom. Struggling learners are provided with interventions at increasing levels of intensity to accelerate their rate of learning. Those students who are at or above grade level work are provided classroom enrichment activities during RTI. It is the hope that all students will continue to grow academically at Swayzee Elementary. Below are some examples of RTI in action.
Swayzee Elementary “Spirit Week”
Even though our staff and students have worked hard this past 9 weeks’ grading period, we still take time to have fun and promote school spirit. During the high school homecoming week, Swayzee Elementary had its own “spirit week”. Each day of the week consisted of a “school spirit” theme. The students did a great job showing off their school pride and many participated throughout the week. We even had staff get in on the fun! It was an awesome week of school pride!
After school Tutoring Program
Swayzee Elementary will be offering after school tutoring as part of the Oak Hill Tutoring Program for all 5th and 6th grade students. Tutoring will be held at Swayzee Elementary. We have had a really great turnout of families that would like to participate in this program. Any family still interested may contact Jennifer Switzer (RTI Coordinator) or Shawn Means (Principal) and we will get you signed up. Tutoring will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15PM-4:15PM after fall break. Students wishing to be tutored will be allowed to stay after school until tutoring begins.
Swayzee Staff Member and Students of the Month (and last month)
Denise is the front office secretary at Swayzee Elementary. There cannot be enough good things said about Denise. However, I will try to list a few. She is dependable, hard working, loyal, never gets upset, and does a terrific job. Mr. Means missed 3 weeks of school in early September and Denise kept the school running smoothly and handled the front office like a pro. Mr. Means truly appreciated that he had someone so capable to handle things while he was out. It is a privilege to recognize Denise as the Swayzee Elementary employee of the month for September and October.
Swayzee Elementary’s 5th grade teaching team is proud to nominate Tytan Ott for the student of the month. Tytan has been making impressive decisions that are affecting not only his education, but also the education of those around him in a positive way. He is courteous and helpful to all adults and his peers. He often assists other students who need help without being asked. His work ethic and effort set a good example for others to follow. Tytan is eager to participate in class discussions and takes responsibility for his learning. It has been an honor sharing our classrooms with Tytan.
Kamara is a good student and kind friend. She goes out of her way to sit with others at lunch who may need a friend and is always inclusive of others. Kamara was also identified as a Swayzee SecondStep Superstar this month by one of her teachers for helping another student without asking. She loves to participate in class and adds great ideas to conversations! Kamara’s positivity is contagious and she is a true asset to the school.
Wonder how to make a teacher’s day? Imagine a student whose manners are just a part of who they are? A student who is polite, agreeable, prompt, completes every assignment on time and to the best of their ability. A student who never argues, complains, or gets in disputes with classmates. Now imagine a student who says “thank you!” to each teacher at the end of every class. Too good to be true? Not at all, meet Kolbe Hunt, Swayzee September student of the month and maker of every teacher’s day!
Logan is a great kid with a big heart. It is very seldom you ever see Logan without a smile on his face. He is polite, respectful, and respected by the faculty and staff. It is not uncommon to find Logan helping the cafeteria workers pick up trash, aiding teachers, and helping classmates. Logan does the little things that most students won’t do without even being asked. His positive behavior does not go unnoticed and it is a true pleasure to have Logan walking the halls at Swayzee Elementary.
JH Book Posters Spark Interest in Reading
Last year as part of a VIA grant, seventh-grade literature students in Mrs. Belcher’s class created book posters to advertise great books they had read. These posters were created in Adobe Spark and Canva and were framed and placed in various locations around the junior high. As posters are replaced with new ones every two to three weeks, the purpose is to generate interest in the many wonderful books we have available in our library. Current seventh-graders will be creating all new posters second-semester. Thanks to the VIA Credit Union for funding this project!
OHJH Angel Tree Dress Up Days
All Days except Costume Day--$1.00
October
8th (Fri.)- Twin’s Day
14th (Thur.)- Hat/Hoodie Day
29th (Fri.)-Costume (Halloween)--$3.00
NO GORY COSTUMES, HALLOWEEN MASKS, OR FACEPAINT
November
5th (Fri.)- Disney/Marvel/Star Wars Day
12th (Fri.)- Fake an Injury Day
19th (Fri.)- Teacher/Student Swap Day
23rd (Tues.) - Pajama Day
All money raised will go to purchasing Christmas gifts for children on the Salvation Army Angel Tree.
Our goal=12 children, $100 per child.
8th Grade Outsiders Day
Students in 8th grade Literature read and studied The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton in October. After completing the unit, they participated in "Outsider's Day" which included dressing up as "Greasers" or "Socs", creating artistic sunsets, reenacting their favorite scene, or performing a song or poem based on the story. Thanks to parent donations of gift cards and candy, students in each project category were awarded prizes for a job well done. Students also had the opportunity to look at and learn about some muscle cars that were driven in and displayed. Students then enjoyed a sack of candy (popular to the time period) while watching the 1983 film version of Hinton's book. A big thank you to all of the parents for their donations! We couldn't do it without you!
OHJH Artwork from Mrs. Trejo’s 7th graders “Graffiti Tags”
Oak Hill Junior High Staff Member of the Month
Judy Ford, an Instructional Assistant, is a committed team member who cares tremendously about our students as is evidenced every day by her interactions with them. She gets to know the kids, understands where they’re coming from and works to help them grow academically, socially and emotionally. When asked what stands out about Judy, a fellow staff member said “She is willing to do whatever it takes!”
OHJH is blessed to have Mrs. Ford working for and with our students!
OHJH Students of the Month
Morgan Cates is our 7th Grade Student of the Month for September.
Morgan participates in volleyball, basketball, and track & field. Her favorite class is English. She is the daughter of Kevin and Jamie Cates and and has a younger brother, Mason.
Beckham Lamb, our 8th Grade Student of the Month for September, is the son of Bridget Lamb and Jordan Lamb. His favorite class is Science and he participates in football, basketball and baseball. He has one brother, Jackson and one sister, Brynley.
Oak Hill High School Updates
Hello Parents/Guardians of Oak Hill High School Students,
As all of our calendars are now showing the month of October, this means Fall Break is right around the corner. This time of year is an enjoyable one for many people who live in Indiana. One of the many reasons is because of the incredible display of colors that are slowly unfolding in and around the wooded areas of this region. My uncle spent most of his life living in California. He always told us how much he missed experiencing the seasons while growing up in the midwest. We are fortunate to be able to live in an area where we can enjoy these different displays from Mother Nature.
I always appreciate the subtle lessons that Mother Nature teaches us throughout the year. Why do the leaves on trees change color this time of year? Most of this is due to the days getting shorter. As days get shorter and temperatures begin to drop, trees produce less chlorophyll. Less chlorophyll means less green color in leaves. While the changing of colors is truly fascinating, it at times can take our attention away from what is actually happening. Trees are in the process of preparing themselves for what they sense will be dangerous conditions in the upcoming winter months. While the part of the tree we see above ground may appear to be dormant, the tree’s roots remain as active as ever to help the tree get through brutal winter conditions and into the spring growing season.
As we approach the second quarter of the current school year and beyond, there may be some proverbial “tough times ahead.” Just like a tree prepares itself to get through winter, we get through these tough times by relying on our human roots. One important tool we have is our ability to collaborate with our human network. One lesson the current pandemic has taught us is that humans are not designed for isolation. We are always better if we work as a team. There is nothing that cannot be solved if people ultimately put differences aside and work together towards a common goal.
Another important ability we have is the ability to show gratitude. Whether it is through television and/or social media, it seems we are surrounded by negativity. Difficult times should never overshadow all the positives in our lives. If we take a few moments each day for reflection, we will identify numerous positive areas in our lives that we normally take for granted. Food on the table. A roof over our heads. Shoes on our feet. Supportive relationships. The list goes on and on. Identifying all the areas in which we have all been blessed is an important human root that will help keep us positive during the tough winter months of life.
As we look ahead to the second quarter of the school year, we are thankful for the opportunities we have to work together for the benefit of our students. We are thankful for the upcoming break to spend time with family, friends, and loved ones. We hope you all have a blessed and safe Fall Break and we look forward to the second nine weeks of school and beyond!!
Upcoming Important Dates
October 12: Parent/Teacher Conferences. 5-8pm.
October 13: PSAT. 9am-12pm.
October 15: No School. Teacher Work Day.
October 18-22: No School. Fall Break.
October 26: PSAT Makeup Date.
October 28: ASVAB.
High School Staff Member and Student of the Month
Staff Member of the Month: Dawn Harvey
Mrs. Harvey is in her first year as Guidance Counselor at OHHS. Dawn is the School Testing Coordinator who is responsible for a great deal of planning and implementation of standardized tests. As the PSAT was quickly approaching, Dawn found herself in an unexpected position having to suddenly address the passing of her father. Despite these challenges away from school, Dawn's duties at school did not get neglected. She continued to ensure that students and staff were prepared and had the information they needed. Dawn modeled for students and staff how to remain professional during extremely difficult times.
Student of the Month: Parker Bailey
Parker Bailey is a Junior at Oak Hill High School and is the epitome of a student-athlete. Parker is a linebacker on the 5-2 Golden Eagle varsity football team. Even though being a member of a varsity squad involves a time commitment, Parker does not let that get in the way of his academics. He is currently on pace for honor roll recognition for the first nine weeks of the school year. The staff member who nominated Parker also mentioned the following: "He is kind to other students and an example for his peers." This was clearly evident earlier this school year. Parker's vehicle sustained damage from being hit by another car. Parker calmly approached the situation by showing grace for the other person involved, even moving this person's vehicle out of the way. Where other people might have shown a great deal of anger, Parker modeled how to handle a conflict like this with class. We are proud of the positive example that Parker sets for other students on a daily basis at OHHS.
Homecoming 2021
Fall Sports Enter Post Season
One Day, Two Sectional Wins
Unified Bocce Ball Team Competes at State
On September 25th, Oak Hill took a team of 3 students to the State Unified Bocce Ball Tournament. We won our first match, but lost our second and third. It was a fun time for everyone involved! Great Job Kyleigh White, Ethan Humphries, and Brandon Edgington!
We’re looking forward to our next Unified Sports, including bowling and basketball, this winter!
Community Bulletin Board
NHS Trunk-or-Treat
JOIN US AT OHUSC!
Bus Drivers
Cafeteria Workers
Substitute Bus Drivers
Substitute Bus Aides
Substitute Teachers
Substitute Cafeteria Workers
UPCOMING EVENTS
NO SCHOOL Fall Break: October 18-22
OHUSC School Board Meeting: November 8