OAKS NEWS

Welcome to September! We’re off to a fantastic start this school year, and I’m thrilled to see our students settling into their routines and embracing the new academic challenges ahead.

September is a time of transition and growth, both academically and socially. As we move forward, I want to encourage all our students to continue striving for excellence, not just in their studies but also in their relationships with peers and teachers. It’s essential to build a positive and supportive school community where everyone feels valued and respected.

This month, we have some exciting events planned for the students throughout the school day.

As always, my door is open to you. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your partnership is vital to your child’s success, and I appreciate all you do to support our school.

Here’s to a successful and inspiring month ahead!

Mrs. Potter and Mrs. Newsom

Labor Day/No School: Monday, September 7th

Apple Festival/No School- Wednesday, September 23rd

Arrival:

• Morning School Start: 7:00 AM.
• Official Start Time: The school bell rings at 8:20 AM.
• Drop-Off Assistance: Three teachers will be available to assist students being dropped off at the front of the school between 8:20-8:45.
• Preschool Drop-Off: Preschool students can be dropped off at the preschool building after 8:30 AM.
• Tardy Policy: Students arriving after 8:45 AM will be considered tardy. Please ensure your child arrives between 8:20 AM and 8:45 AM.

Dismissal:

• Pickup Line Start Time: Dismissal for students being picked up will begin at 3:10 PM.
• Pickup Line: The front gates will open at 3:00 PM to begin the pickup line. Please refrain from parking in the streets prior to 3:00 PM to ensure a smooth and safe process.
• Bus Dismissal: The buses will leave the parking lot around 3:26. Please make sure you are waiting at the bus stop 5-10 minutes earlier than drop off time.
• Any changes to dismissal need to be made by 3:00. Please call the office to make changes.

Please use the example below when sending a dismissal change. Thank you

Dismissal Change Request

Date: __________________________

Student’s Full Name: ___________________________________________
Grade/Teacher: _______________________________________________

Dear [School Name/Office],

Please be advised of a change in my child’s dismissal for the date(s) listed below:

Date(s) of Change: ____________________________________________

New Dismissal Address:

Thank you for your assistance in ensuring my child gets home safely.

Sincerely,

Parent/Guardian Name: ___________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Phone Number: ____________________________________

OAKS Afterschool Program will begin Thursday, September 3rd. Please make sure if you have registered your child for the program that you have returned your child's calendar.

Have you filled out your Final Forms yet? Please check your email to access your account or click on the link below to get started. If you have any questions, please contact Christopher Jordan @ christopher.jordan@oakhill.k12.oh.us. Students must have these updated in order to participate in field trips.

The Importance of Regular Attendance

Consistent attendance is crucial to your child’s academic success and overall well-being. When students attend school regularly, they have the opportunity to engage fully in their education, build strong relationships with their peers and teachers, and participate in the rich array of learning experiences that our school offers. Research shows that students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform better academically, develop positive habits, and successfully graduate.

Ohio Attendance Policy and Chronic Absenteeism

In Ohio, chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year for any reason, including both excused and unexcused absences. This equates to approximately 18 days over the course of the school year. Chronic absenteeism can significantly impact a student’s academic progress and may lead to serious consequences, including intervention meetings, the development of an attendance plan, and potential legal action.

Our School’s Attendance Procedures

To ensure that every student receives the education they deserve, we closely monitor attendance and take the following steps if a student is identified as chronically absent:

1. Parent Notification: If your child reaches or exceeds any of the attendance threshold, you will receive a written notification from the school.
2. Attendance Intervention Meeting: You may be invited to attend a meeting with school staff to discuss the reasons for the absences and to develop a plan to improve your child’s attendance.
3. Attendance Plan: Together, we will create an attendance plan tailored to your child’s needs, with the goal of supporting their regular attendance and academic success.
4. Ongoing Monitoring: We will continue to monitor your child’s attendance and provide support as needed to help them stay on track.

How You Can Help

We understand that there are times when your child may need to miss school due to illness or other unavoidable circumstances. However, we ask that you make every effort to ensure your child attends school regularly. Here are a few ways you can help:

• Set a Routine: Establish a regular bedtime and morning routine to ensure your child gets enough rest and is ready for school each day.
• Communicate: If your child is experiencing difficulties that make it hard for them to attend school, please reach out to us. We are here to support you and can work together to find solutions.
• Schedule Wisely: Whenever possible, schedule appointments and family trips outside of school hours to minimize disruptions to your child’s learning.

If your child needs to be absent, please verify the absence with the front office.

Call the front office at 740-682-7096 to report an absence.

Send a doctor's excuse for excused absence or have them faxed to 740-682-7065.

These students were nominated for our Character Strong Kindness Award for demonstrating kindness throughout the beginning of the school year! ❤️ Through their caring words, thoughtful actions, and willingness to help others, they have shown what it means to make kindness a part of our school community. We are so proud of these students for being wonderful examples of kindness and helping make Oak Hill Elementary a positive place to learn and grow!

Website:

oakhill.k12.oh.us

Office:

Office hours during the school year are from 8:00- 4:00 daily.

Office: (740) 682-7096

Please be sure to call the school to report if your child will be absent.

School Hours:

8:20 a.m.-3:26 p.m.