Knightly News

Each year, the administration and Board of Education make changes to the handbooks as a result of changes in legislation as well as procedures and policy updates. We highly encourage you to review the handbooks in their entirety; however, to simplify things and provide transparency, I've included some changes that we feel need to be highlighted.

Excused Absences:

• The below items are included as excused absences. The changes are underlined.
• Physical or mental illness of the student (a physician’s verification is required after three (3) consecutive days of absence for illness)
• Severe weather if approved by the building principal or his/her designee.
• Medical appointments for the student if a doctor’s note is received in the office no later than 10 days following the absence
• Death or serious illness of the student’s family member
• Attending a funeral, wedding or graduation of a family member
• Appearance at court or for other legal matters
• Observance of religious holidays of the student's own faith
• College/military planning visits and/or job shadow opportunities approved by the principal or his/her designee. The number of excused days will be listed in the student handbook.
• Personal or family vacations (Up to 3 days will be excused)
• In school suspension, providing that all work assigned during the suspension is completed by the end of the suspension period or the deadline directed by the teacher.

Making Up Absences

• When a Jr. & Sr. High student receives 10 absences (excused or unexcused) in a single class period or the hourly equivalent in any semester, the student shall be required to make up those absences for that specific class. Absences shall be made up at a rate of 30 minutes for every period exceeding 10 absences in that subject area. The principal or his/her designee will set up a plan for the student to address missing time to be served outside of school hours.

Loss of Credit

• Once a student reaches 10 absences in a junior or senior high class during a semester, they will receive only partial credit for the course, regardless of the reason for the absences. The following is a list of the credits a student may lose for excessive absences:
• 11-15 absences = 1 credit
• 16-20 absences = 2 credits
• 21-25 absences = 3 credits
• 26-20 absences = 4 credits
• 31+ absences = 5 credits
• Approved doctors notes and court excused absences may be considered in maintaining credits.
• Once a student misses over 10 absences for a class, the principal or his/her designee will create a plan for retaining credit at the rate of 30 minutes per missed class. Once the student has made up the time and missed homework, the absence will be considered excused. Accumulated absences time must be made up prior to participation in school activities.

Semester Tests:

• This practice has been removed from the handbook. We will no longer tie semester tests for the second semester to student attendance. Instead, teachers will determine if they will give a final test or final project at the end of each semester and all students will be required to participate.

Dress Code:

• There were a few slight changes in the student dress code. The full list of prohibited items are included below.
• Clothing displaying indecent, suggestive or profane writing, pictures or slogans
• Clothing that advertises or displays alcohol, tobacco or any illegal substance
• Caps, hats and bandannas during the school day
• Bare feet (some type of footwear must be worn)
• Short-shorts
• Hairstyles which distract from the learning process or the health and safety for either the student or others
• Any clothing that could cause damage to others or school property
• Clothing that is torn, ripped, or cut and show undergarments
• Shirts, blouses, or other clothing worn unbuttoned, unzipped, or otherwise purposely unfastened
• Costumes and/or those clothes intended only for entertaining or special occasions

Student Devices/1:1 Technology:

• Jr.-Sr. High students have the option to participate in our technology insurance program as these students are required to take their school issued devices home to complete homework. The cost to participate in the insurance program is $35 per student.

Oakland-Craig Public School offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast costs $1.85; lunch costs $3.05 for elementary students and $3.25 for secondary students. Your children may qualify for free or reduced price meals. Reduced price is $0.30 for breakfast and $0.40 for lunch. If your child(ren) qualified for free or reduced price meals at the end of last school year, you must submit a new application by September 1 in order to avoid an interruption in meal benefits. The eligibility requirements for free or reduced meals as well as the application are included below.

Oakland-Craig Public Schools is not responsible for any accidental injuries that occur to students while under the school’s supervision or participating in interscholastic sports.

Our School District has partnered with Student Assurance Services to give families the opportunity to purchase accident insurance for their student(s). When enrolled, this coverage provides financial assistance with your out-of-pocket medical expenses should your student sustain an accidental bodily injury.

Reasons to consider coverage for your student:

1. Your primary health insurance has a high deductible – copay – coinsurance.

2. No other insurance on your student.

3. Your student participates in a sport where unexpected injuries commonly occur.

If you have any questions regarding this voluntary student accident insurance program, please contact Student Assurance Services at (800) 328-2739. You will speak with a live person who can assist you with your questions.

Over the past six months, we’ve shared multiple updates regarding the upcoming Oakland-Craig football season, but we recognize the importance of keeping our community fully informed. While it remains uncertain how this season will unfold, we want to address some of the most frequently asked questions we've received.

Why Are We Suddenly Struggling to Field a Football Team?
We are experiencing a significant decrease in the number of male students compared to previous years in our Sophomore through Senior classes. While overall enrollment remains steady, the proportion of boys is lower, and many have limited or no prior football experience. Additionally, we have experienced several unanticipated injuries that have further reduced the number of available players heading into the season.

Was this communicated with participants and their players in advance?

Yes. In April, the administrative team formally notified all male students and their parents of concerns regarding projected low participation in the football program for the fall of 2025. Students were encouraged to consider joining the program, and families were informed of the potential inability to field a varsity team. Additionally, information regarding transfer and option enrollment protocols and associated deadlines were provided.

Why Didn’t We Switch to 8-Man Football Sooner?
The Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) schedules football classifications on two-year cycles. In order to play 8-man football this season, we would have had to voluntarily opt out of 11-man competition last year—even though our enrollment at that time required us to remain in 11-man. Choosing to switch early would have made us ineligible for postseason play, despite having a strong senior class and a talented group of juniors ready to compete for another championship.

Beginning in the fall of 2026, Oakland-Craig will be eligible to transition to 8-man football under updated NSAA enrollment guidelines. While this change won’t immediately resolve every issue, it is expected to alleviate many of the roster challenges we are currently facing.

Did We Consider a Football Coop with Other Districts?
Yes. We recently met with Lyons-Decatur to explore the possibility of a football cooperative for after the 2025 season. The conversation with Lyons-Decatur was positive, and we value our strong relationship with their district, including our existing Junior High football coop. Ultimately, their school board determined it was not in the best interest of their students to move forward with a football coop at this time.

Any football cooperative agreement would require a long-term commitment, which means Oakland-Craig would remain in the partnership even if our numbers rebound in the future. While we were open to the idea with Lyons-Decatur due to our close proximity and strong relationship, we do not plan to pursue cooperative agreements with other districts at this time.

What Will Happen This Year?
Just a couple of months ago, we had commitments from 19 boys planning to play this fall—enough to remain competitive against much of our schedule. Unfortunately, that number has declined to 13 in recent weeks due to injuries and other unforeseen circumstances.

Our coaches will be at the field on the first day of practice, and we have a full schedule in place. Ultimately, what happens this season will depend on how many students choose to participate. No one is being pressured to play, and we respect each student’s right to make the decision that feels best for them and their families.

Even if we begin the season with sufficient numbers to field a varsity team, our ability to compete each week will be carefully evaluated. The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. Each game will be assessed based on several factors, including player injuries, academic eligibility, participation levels, player experience, and physical matchups with opposing teams.

Looking Ahead
While this season presents undeniable challenges, we are optimistic about the future. Based on current enrollment trends and the athletic potential of our younger classes, we anticipate these difficulties will be temporary. As numbers begin to stabilize, we believe Oakland-Craig football will return to a stronger and more sustainable position.

We hope this information provides greater clarity regarding the current state of our football program. If you have additional questions, we welcome them.

Every year we are required to submit data to the state regarding student access to technology as well as the internet in their homes. In order to provide accurate data, we ask that you complete the survey linked below. Please complete one survey for each child you have in school. It will only take a couple of minutes of your time. Thank you for your help!

*You can complete the survey right in this newsletter or click the arrow in the bottom right corner to access an external link.

August 7 - New Teacher Orientation

August 11 - Teacher Inservice

Board of Education Meeting (8:00 p.m.)

August 12 - Teacher Inservice

Elementary Back to School Night (4-6 p.m.)

Elementary Student Pictures (4-6 p.m.)

7th Grade Orientation (7:00 p.m.)

August 13 - Teacher Inservice

August 14 - First Day of School (Noon Dismissal, No Meals Served Today)

August 18 - First Day of Preschool

August 27 - Board of Education Budget Work Session (7:00 p.m.)

September 1 - No School, Labor Day

September 2 - School Pictures for Jr.-Sr. High Students

Superintendent

Email: jessbland@ocknights.org
Website: www.ocknights.org
Location: 309 N Davis Ave, Oakland, NE, USA
Phone: 402-685-5661