December 2025 Family Newsletter

Dear OES Families,

Thank you for a wonderful month of November. This month has gone by quickly, and it is hard to believe we are already preparing for December. In just a few short weeks after returning from Thanksgiving break, we will head out for Christmas break and soon after, welcome you back in 2026!

This year has been incredible. Your students are truly amazing human beings, and I look forward to seeing all the wonderful things the rest of the year will bring. I also want to thank our dedicated teachers and staff. OES is full of leaders. Our teachers encourage students to grow as leaders, and we have students who are stepping up and using their creativity and unique gifts to make our school a better place.

Thank you, parents, for your ongoing support. Your involvement in October and November activities, from Trunk or Treat fun, donating to the canned food drive for our FISH food pantry, and contributing to our Giving Tree to help families in need, has made a real difference. The love, care, and generosity in our community are truly inspiring.

Please take a moment to read this newsletter for important information and updates. December is a short month, but it will be filled with celebrations and memorable moments.

Thank you again for being such an important part of our OES family.

With gratitude,

Marie Murphy

Principal

Oxford Elementary School

We have a busy month ahead! Please reference the Month at a Glance calendar below for a quick view of what is happening at OES!

It’s that time of year again where we work hard to provide support for families that may need it during the holidays.

There is a giving tree in the OES lobby where our student council has created ornaments with a QR code on them that will take you directly to a sign up genius to select items to donate to help our local families so if you’re in for conferences this week, please check it out!

The link to the sign up is also below. If you are donating an item, please do not wrap the gifts. Send the donated item(s) into the school and to the giving tree outside the OES office in a bag and labeled with the family #. All items are needed by Friday, December 12th.

Virtual Giving Tree Link

If you would like to donate anonymously, please just write "Anonymous" as the alternate name you would like displayed next to the slot you are taking.

We appreciate all of the love and support you give as we help our OES children realize once again the joy of helping others.

We are excited to celebrate our students’ positive behavior this December with a special ornament decorating activity. Some classes will decorate ornaments on December 8th and others will decorate on December 11th. Please contact your child's teacher for the exact date their class is signed up for.

If you would like to volunteer for our Santa Shop, please sign up using the link below. Thank you for supporting our school community.

On Sunday, November 30th, Oxford will observe Wildcat Remembrance Day. There will be a special event at Hana's Garden where you are invited to bring an ornament to decorate a tree in Hana's garden at Seymour Lake Park.

We are excited to announce that robotics for DK through third grade will be starting soon. Registration opens on Monday, December 1st. For more information, please contact Shannon Shafer at shannon.shafer@oxfordschools.org.

The snow has arrived, and temperatures are dropping quickly! As a reminder, we aim to have students go outside for recess to get fresh air and exercise, as long as the "feels like" temperature is above 10 degrees.

Please ensure your child comes to school prepared with the following (LABELED) winter items every day:

• Warm Coat

• Boots

• Hat

• Gloves or Mittens

• Snow Pants

Thank you to all the students and parents who shopped at our book fair! Your support helps our media center and promotes literacy development for our students. Most importantly, you are helping to foster a love of reading in our school community. 📚

Bubbles at Drop Off, hosted by our PTO, brought extra joy to the morning as a special OES reward for raising money during our annual Fund Run. Thank you to our PTO for helping make this celebration possible and to everyone who supported our fundraiser.

Thank you to all the families who attended conferences. We are so grateful for our involved parents and the time you dedicate to supporting your child's education. Our partnership is essential to the success of our school and helps create the best possible learning experience for every student.

December 19th: Early Release- Teacher PD Day

No School- Holiday Recess: 12/22/25-1/2/26. School resumes on 1/5/26

PBIS SCHOOL STORE! The students look forward to spending their hard-earned Paw Bucks at our school store! We need your help to make these exciting days happen!

Click here to help run our PBIS School Store

Please take some time to read our Student Handbook with your child. It contains important information about school policies, expectations, and resources to help ensure a successful year. Thank you for your support!

Marie Murphy
Principal
📧 Marie.Murphy@oxfordschools.org

Katy Horton
Administrative Assistant
📧 Katy.Horton@oxfordschools.org

Bri Overholt
Family School Liaison Substitute
📧 Jill.Millard@oxfordschools.org

Non-Discrimination Clause: The District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, military service, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or any other legally protected basis, and prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment and retaliation, in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admission and employment. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, 775 W. Drahner Rd., Oxford, MI 48371, (248) 969-5004.