Oakwood Elementary Newsletter

Welcome Back, Oakwood Families!

What an incredible Open House! It was wonderful to finally meet many of our students and families and see the excitement as students walked into their classrooms.

As we begin the school year, construction on our new addition will continue. Because of this, our recess spaces will remain flexible throughout the year. Students will rotate between the field and designated paved areas, as we continue to make sure they have opportunities to play and move.

With the weather still nice, we would also love to get sidewalk chalk donations so students have more options while outside. If you are able to donate chalk, please drop them off in the office. We greatly appreciate any help!

We are also excited to welcome new staff to our Oakwood family this year:

• Sara Vollbrecht – Instructional Support Teacher- Literacy

• Renee Reszel – 5th Grade Long-Term Substitute

• Kelsey Penniston – Program Support

• Angela Keen – Paraprofessional

• Kristina Cartwright – Multi-Lingual Teacher

• Pachia Lee – Nurse

• Amanda Zenker – Elementary District Media Specialist

• Elizabeth Rynish - Art Teacher

Family Handbook

Our Oakwood Family Handbook is linked HERE. Please take some time to review the Arrival and Departure for before and after school to ensure our traffic flow goes smoothly.

I’m excited to start this school year together and look forward to a great first day with students!

Zong Vang
Principal, Oakwood Elementary

Parents-

It is very important that the Oakwood main office is notified of any student absences, late arrivals, or early departures. Calling/emailing your student's teacher is not the accepted procedure to report these absences.

The Infinite Campus Parent Portal is a fast and convenient way to report these absences.

To submit an absence request, simply log onto your IC Parent Portal account, choose "More" from the main menu, and then "Absence Request".

You may also call the Oakwood office at 920-424-0315.

Understanding i-Ready: A Family Guide for Elementary

Dear Families,

Throughout the school year, students will participate in the i-Ready assessment in Reading and Mathematics. We want families to understand the purpose of i-Ready and how the information can help support each child's learning and growth.

What Is i-Ready?

i-Ready is an adaptive assessment that helps teachers better understand each student's strengths and areas for growth in Reading and Mathematics. Because the assessment adjusts based on student responses, students may receive questions that feel easier and questions that feel more challenging.

Students are not expected to know every answer. The purpose is to understand what they currently know and identify skills they are ready to learn next.

How Can You Talk With Your Child About i-Ready?

Your encouragement can make a big difference! Before testing, remind your child:

• Do your best and take your time.

• Read and listen carefully to each question.

• It is okay if some questions are challenging.

• Do not worry about getting every question correct.

• This assessment helps your teacher understand how to support your learning.

Try saying: “Just do your best! This is one way your teacher learns more about what you know and how to help you grow.”

Understanding Your Child's Score Report

Your child's i-Ready score report provides information about their current performance and areas of strength and growth. The report can help teachers and families understand:

• Skills your child is demonstrating.

• Areas where additional support may be helpful.

• Progress and growth over time.

It is important to remember that one assessment score does not tell the whole story about a child or their abilities. Teachers use i-Ready along with classroom work, observations, and other assessments to understand each student's learning needs.

Our Shared Goal

The purpose of i-Ready is not simply to give students a score—it is to provide information that helps us work together to support student learning.

Our goal is to help every child grow, build confidence, and continue developing the skills they need for success.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support!

Together, we can help every child learn and grow!

Oakwood Picture Day is Tuesday, September 29th! Click here for all picture day and ordering information.

Re-take day is scheduled for Monday, November 2nd.

What Parents Need to Know: Our Updated Field Trip Process

We have updated our field trip procedures to streamline communication and improve the administrative process for families. Please review the key details below:

• One-Time Blanket Permission: Parents provide consent for all field trips during Annual Online Registration, covering the entire academic year (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027).

• Automatic Opt-In Status: Once online registration is completed, students are automatically opted-in for scheduled field trips.

• Managing Specific Trips: Upon receiving notification of an upcoming trip, log into the Infinite Campus Parent Portal and visit the School Store to submit payments or opt out of that specific event.

• Strict Deadlines: All payments and opt-out requests must be completed at least two weeks prior to the trip date. For extenuating circumstances, please contact your school secretary promptly.

• Mandatory Registration: Completing Annual Online Registration is required for field trip participation. Students with incomplete registrations will not appear in the School Store system.

Please check with your student's teacher for volunteer/chaperone opportunities at Oakwood. A background check must be completed at least one week prior to helping out. Please let the teacher know when you have completed the process.

Background checks are valid for 3 years.