Worldclass Wildcats Review
January 2024
Update from Dr. Vickie L. Markavitch
Welcome to this March newsletter filled with Oxford examples of teacher and student accomplishments. Author Brian Herbert said “The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice.” In this issue you will see many gifts, skills, and choices that are moving learning forward in our classrooms – student essayists, diploma programs, career technical education, academic explorations, arts, athletics, and representatives of our outstanding teaching staff. Behind these accomplishments are efforts that sometimes get overlooked. Supporting the classrooms and programs where these achievements take place, is a system that provides support to both teachers and students. Professional development is taken very seriously by this district. Teachers are given time and opportunities to stay on top of their profession, to collaborate with one another, use data on student learning to make instructional decisions, and be supported in their own workplace well-being.
Student support systems are also in place at Oxford schools. Mental health staff are in every building including Family School Liaisons, counselors, social workers, and school psychologists. These professionals provide specialized support to students in their learning/growing journey. Add to that other support services that keep the learning wheel turning - transportation, food service, office supports, para-professional assistance, technology, maintenance, security, and custodial. Oxford Community Schools provides and supports rich opportunities for students to exercise their learning capacity, expand their ability to learn, and explore their many choices. Thank you Team O!
Oxford Community Schools is a PreK-12 IB Authorized World School District, offering the IB Diploma Programme. The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
Leonard Elementary Students are Risk-Takers
At Leonard Elementary, the Learner Profile focus was a risk-taker. In Ms. Ashley’s second grade class, students expanded their knowledge on a topic of their choice, by reading three books about the topic. As they read, students made connections in the texts. Once they completed their reading, they created posters about their topic and presented it to Mrs. Kage’s first grade students. It takes being a risk-taker to share your work and knowledge with other students. With this project, students grew their knowledge and practiced social/self-management skills while presenting their posters.
Diploma Programme Week at Oxford High School
Current sophomore students at Oxford High School had the opportunity to shadow their peers enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP). The IB DP is an academically challenging and balanced education, preparing students to succeed in a global society. During the shadow week, students were able to attend a few IB DP classes, ask their questions, and gain insights from their peers. This week gave students the opportunity to see how the IB DP may fit into their life and academic goals.
Field Trip to the Future
Oxford High School Advance Computer Programming students had the opportunity to visit the Microsoft Tech Center in downtown Detroit. Students learned about how artificial intelligence is integrating into the world and workplace. They also heard from employees about finding your passion and how to earn a job in computer programming.
Clear Lake Elementary PTO Sponsors STEM Night
The Clear Lake Elementary PTO organized a fun filled educational event in collaboration with the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum; family STEM night! Families gathered at Clear Lake Elementary on February 23, 2024, to participate in 20 different STEM activities provided by the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. In addition to the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, our very own Oxford High School Team 2137: Robocats were at the event showing families their practice robot for the upcoming season.
Hair Off for Humble Design
Students crushed their fundraising goals of $1,000 and raised a total of $1,648! Our partners at FORTIS, were so inspired by O.E. that they decided to match the amount fundraised. In total, $3,296 was donated to Humble Design!
At the end of the week, Mr. Brown, Mrs. Shafer, and Mr. Ryan (FORTIS Group) shaved their heads in front of the entire student body. The display of compassion and solidarity was beautiful. Mrs. Bartlo was even able to FaceTime in, to watch the assembly and say hello to everyone!
Black History Month at Oxford Community Schools
Throughout our district, many of our classrooms complete individual projects and class projects to celebrate Black historical figures. At Lakeville Elementary, students decorated the halls with art work of who they learned about during Black History Month.
National Merit Scholarship Program Finalist
Congratulations to Oxford High School senior, Sean Wilson for moving on in the next round of the National Merit Scholarship Program. The selection process of the 7,140 scholarship winners is underway. Beginning in April, the winners will be announced. Good luck Sean!
Winterfest Professional Development Retreat
Teachers and staff at Oxford Virtual Academy (OVA) spent their Martin Luther King Jr. Day at “Winterfest” professional development. This year OVA met at the Subiaco Retreat House right here in Oxford, MI. Staff discussed the school improvement plan, held reflection sessions about OVA’s writing course implementation, and teachers identified learning priorities for the second semester.
In addition to professional development, OVA gave back to the Oxford community. Staff members collected canned goods and boxed food to put together grab-and-go meals for Oxford Open Handed. Throughout the day staff decorated the bags and then packed the meals all together. The meals were then taken to Oxford Open Handed and at the OVA hybrid sites for anyone to take- no questions asked.
LINK at Clear Lake Elementary
Clear Lake Elementary has added a new peer-to-peer program with the special education classrooms. At Clear Lake, students have a “LINK” buddy from their grade level classroom. The students meet weekly to practice skills, participate in social reciprocation, and overall have fun together. This program has benefited all students involved.
