FALL 2013 We Got Game! Story on page 4 Alumni Coordinator ALUMNIBrooke Van Lear-Jones ‘97- ‘02 Dear Oakhill Alumni, I am amazed at what has happened in only 12 months. In just one year I have heard from 75 alumni, spoken with 200 alumni families, and we have moved from one to two issues of ROOTS. Starting this year we will be publishing both a fall and spring issue of ROOTS. Thank you, Panthers, for your support and dedication to our school. Several alumni attended the 2013 Annual Auction, the Alumni versus Faculty Basketball Game and the 8th Grade Graduation. I can’t wait to see more of you at these events this school year! As always, keep the updates coming. I love hearing from you. Go Panthers! Brooke Van Lear-Jones The Kalsu Society of Friends honors Oakhill alumni who make a gift to the annual fund. Inclusion in the Society will be renewed each year you make a financial gift to Oakhill Day School. Giving is easy! Cash/Check Corporate Matching Gifts Online Pledge a Gift oakhilldayschool.org/annual-giving.html 2 OAKHILL DAY SCHOOL EDUCATING THE MIND & BODY Education at Oakhill extends beyond academics. Our mission is to provide excellence in education by focusing on the “whole child” by addressing the importance of each students' intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development through our individualized curriculum and child-centered approach to teaching. We want to inspire and equip young leaders for both today and tomorrow through challenging each student to reach their personal best in all areas of development. Grade experience new ingredients and flavors while learning about healthy foods and cooking techniques during Chef Justin’s cooking class. Chef Brittani is new to Oakhill and leads our Middle School cooking elective which guides students on their own unique food adventure from week to week. Outdoor Classroom/Garden and Community Supported Agriculture @ Oakhill The CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Program is another addition to Oakhill’s healthy living initiatives. This program is an alliance between Good Natured Family Farms and over 160 other local family farms. The bulk of the products provided through CSA are seasonal produce, though meats, milk, cheese, eggs and bread are occasionally Physical Education @ Oakhill included. The CSA program at Oakhill runs 18 weeks, Physical development of children is equally as important as beginning in May and concluding in late September. that of the intellectual, social and emotional. The physical In addition to CSA, Oakhill hosted its first Farmers education curriculum at Oakhill Day School includes Market this fall. The market provided an opportunity movement and exercise, sports, nutrition and healthy living for all Oakhill families, not just those who participate instruction. Students in Toddler through Prekindergarten in the CSA program, to conveniently access farm fresh attend Physical Education class 1 to 3 times a week depending produce with the aid of our resident chefs who helped on how many days they are enrolled at the school. Kindergarten answer questions and offer cooking tips to market patrons. through 4th Grade students spend 25 minutes, 5 days a week The dynamic science duo of Dena Cole and Maggie in Physical Education class while 5th through 8th Grade Newhouse oversees the school garden. (Dena Cole is the students attend five days a week for a 40 minute class period. Science Specialist for grades 1st through 4th and Maggie Newhouse is the 6th Grade Advisor and Middle School Farm 2 School @ Oakhill Science teacher.) The school garden is an exciting, hands-on This is Oakhill’s 7th year providing Farm 2 School lunches in living classroom that teaches the students about nutrition, cooperation with Bistro Kids and Treat America. Partnering the life cycle of plants, how vegetables and fruit grow from with local farmers and food purveyors improves the the earth and not the grocery store, and how to care for a health of our students by introducing and reinforcing the garden. Students also learn how to create and use compost! consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, grass fed meats and hormone-free milk in their school lunches. Thanks to our wonderful Chef Justin, our entire student body participates in monthly cooking classes. Toddler through 8th ROOTS FALL 2013 3 2nd Alumni/Faculty Basketball Scores Big Thank you to all of our alumni and our current Oakhill Alumni Roster: families who supported the 2nd Annual Alumni versus Ben Becker - Alumni Coach Faculty Basketball Game in February 2013. The game Luke Becker was a huge success…and we had a ball! 23 Oakhill Leah Booth alumni returned to play basketball and it was wonderful Steven Brady Taylor Clevenger to reconnect with parents and families. We are so proud Alex Diaz of our alumni! Jacob Eisler Brianna Ely The final score was Alumni, 44, to Faculty, 31. Gabby Ferro Mitchell Henderson A special “shout out” to… Cole Koeniguer Coach Ziggy, winner of the half court challenge! Max Laney Ryan Roberts, the Alumni MVP! Andy Lee Steven Brady, the 2nd top Alumni scorer! Mitchell Manley Satchel Manley The Alumni versus Faculty Basketball game will take a Perri Miller Louis Reinmiller different shape this year. There will still be a basketball Ryan Roberts game, but there will be some new and exciting Patrick Robey additions… Alex Roney Bryce Wehling High School Alumni, you are invited to participate in Jack Yosel the ultimate alumni challenge…The Color Games! Maddy Yosel When you RSVP, you will be assigned to one of two teams and will be given a specific team color. You must Faculty Roster: show up wearing your team color. Special spirit attire Mrs. McCanles - Faculty Coach will be available to pre-order prior to the event if you Mr. Feagles choose. Mrs. Feaster Mr. Derrick Forbis Mr. Alex Hall The first team to win 3/5 games will be announced the Chef Justin winner of The Color Games. Mrs. Manley Mrs. Newhouse Oakhill faculty will be there to cheer you on and Mrs. Robertson participate in faculty challenges that will take place Coach Speer between the games. Mrs. Van Lear-Jones Coach Ziggy If you would like input on what games will be played, visit: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SHS9LVC May the odds be ever in your favor. 4 OAKHILL DAY SCHOOL MEET COACH ZIGGY This is Coach Tim Ziegler’s 4th year working at Oakhill Day School and his second year as the Physical Education Specialist for the Toddler through Kindergarten students. In previous years, Coach Ziggy has coached volleyball and basketball at Oakhill. Coach Ziggy played soccer at both Liberty High School and Park University and shared that he has always loved sports, gym class and working with children. Coach Ziggy said that choosing to be a P.E. Coach was simple because all of his interests “meshed together” in this position. The word he uses to describe himself as a coach is “spunky,” and Coach Ziggy’s students and fellow teachers would have to agree…he is indeed spunky and energetic! He loves to play with his students and he enjoys that P.E. is a place where children can use their energy to move and express themselves. Coach Ziggy commented that he loves working with early childhood children because they are always “super excited and want to participate in all class activities.” When asked why he thinks P.E. and health are important, Coach Ziggy responded, “It’s important for kids to learn lifelong skills that will keep them healthy and active for the rest of their lives.” What is your favorite part about coaching P.E? I played soccer. I love to move around with the kids. I like that P.E. is a place where kids can use their energy and are free to Why do you think P.E. and health are important? express themselves. It’s important for kids to learn lifelong skills that will keep them healthy for the rest of their lives. What do you love most about working with the early childhood children? They are always super excited and want to participate in everything we do in class. What is one word to describe you as a coach? Spunky! How did you know you wanted to coach P.E.? I grew up loving sports, loving P.E., and loving kids…so it all meshed together. What sports did you play in high school and college? ROOTS FALL 2013 5 Oakhill Day School Class Representatives By becoming a class representative, you agree to be the bridge between Oakhill and its alumni. Your job as class representative is very important. We hope that by accepting this duty, you will always be an advocate of Oakhill Day School to your fellow classmates/alumni, prospective families, and members of the community at large. Representative responsibilities include: Updating contact information, such as mailing addresses, telephone number and email addresses, of fellow alumni upon notification of such changes. Notify Oakhill of changes Encouraging communication and participation in Oakhill Alumni events Gathering alumni data on a per class basis (including college acceptance, honors and awards, marriage, birth, illness, death, etc.) Keeping Oakhill current on the needs of its alumni community, such as summer or after school work, volunteer opportunities and connections Assisting in future alumni fundraising and assist in various phases of planning for alumni events: ideas, planning and implementation Please contact Brooke Van Lear-Jones if you would like to be a class representative or if you would like more information. ([email protected]) Upcoming Events Calendar We are pleased to announce that the 2014 Annual Auction will be held off campus for the first time in 10 years.