All students can learn. With this in mind, the mission of the

Oakfield-Alabama Central School District is to ensure all students acquire and

develop the skills and work habits to enable them to become productive members of society.

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HORIZONS October/November 2019

2019-2020 Link Crew Link Crew put on their Freshman Orientation on August 28th in the high school. The morning consisted of entire grade and small group activities led by the Link Crew Leaders. The goal for the day was to form relationships with their group to help every freshman have a successful transition into high school. Link Crew is a national organization and this is our fifth year of having it in our district. The entire freshman grade is split into groups of eight to ten students and mentored by two Link Crew Leaders, who are juniors or seniors, all year long. The Link Leaders must apply to become a Leader and go through several days of training.

Right picture: Link Crew Leaders Ava Flores and Derek McIntire participate in the ‘balloon pop relay’ with freshmen Jesus Arias Diaz and Brooke Reding.

Above Picture: This year’s Link Crew Leaders right before the start of Freshmen Orientation.

Meet Our Teachers

Hello, OA! My name is Hayley Lown and I am the new Library Media Specialist in the Middle High School. I'm originally from Brockport, NY, but I have lived in Alabama for several years. I graduated from Hartwick College with degrees in English and Anthropology. After college, I moved to New York City to work as an editor of books for children and teens. I worked on some wonderful books—Challenger Deep, Ella Enchanted, Dumplin'—but decided to return to school for my Master's in School Librarianship. I'm looking forward to finding the perfect book for each student who enters the OA library. Go Hornets!

My name is Leah Peca and I would like to introduce myself as the new elementary art teacher! I am looking forward to a fun year with my new elementary artists! I would like to share a few updates regarding procedures in my classroom.

In the past, art smocks were only required for grades UPK-2. I would like to request that students in all grade levels bring in an art shirt. Our projects can get messy and accidents can happen no matter how careful we are. I would like to keep the clothes of our students as stain-free as possible! If your child does not have an art shirt I do have a small supply of extras to lend out in my room.

This year I will continue to use Artsonia as a way to share your child’s artwork with you. Please be on the lookout for a letter coming home that will explain how to create or login to your account and how to order keepsakes of their work.

Thank you for your support and do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

My name is Kim Leupold. I am the new middle/high school art teacher. I will be teaching 8th grade General Art, Studio Art, Draw and Paint, and AP Art. For the past 8 years I have been teaching UPK – 6th grade art at Oakfield. I am excited about my new role and I have enjoyed connecting with past students as I have started this new school year. I previously taught middle school and HS art at Churchville-Chili and in Jamestown, NY so high school is not totally new to me. It is a pleasure to have the opportunity again to work with the older students and upper level artists. I am very excited about this year at Oakfield!

Our collaborative school-wide project from the first days of school—making a new sign for the entrance to the elementary art room

A Message from Mr. John C. Fisgus, Superintendent

Dear OA Families,

As we begin an exciting 2019-2020 school year, I want to share with you our

District’s goals. These goals set the mission and vision for our work ahead of us.

Goal 1: Academic Achievement

Our students will receive a well-balanced, rigorous education that prepares them to be productive, responsible, career/college-ready, and proper civic members of our ever changing global society.

To achieve this goal, the District will:

Support instructional programming that will maintain or increase cohort growth on NYS Assessments in ELA, Mathematics, and Science. Mastery levels on all Regents Exams will continue to rise.

Support initiatives that will increase the percentage of students receiving a NYS Regents Diploma. Graduation rates will continue to rise.

Oversee the instructional programs of the District, supporting the notion of providing a wide range of course offerings to our students while supporting and remediating struggling learners..

Support and encourage participation in annual educational experiences for all administrators, faculty, staff and parents.

Goal 2: Culture, Climate, and Community

Maintain a safe, healthy, and clean school environment that reflects high standards for learning and fosters district and community pride. Promote a high level of teacher collaboration and teamwork to foster constant academic improvement and experiences for all students.

To achieve this goal, the District will:

Support programs that empower students and encourages them to be leaders in the school and the community.

Recruit, train, and retain highly qualified employees that teach and model positive behaviors.

Continue to build positive relations with the community by exploring and implementing measures to improve two-way communications with families. To increase awareness of events and opportunities for the school community to use district facilities.

Support programs and services that provide student and family resources in mental health.

Implement time for teacher collaboration and discussions on academics, instruction, student achievement, and student wellness.

Goal 3: District Efficiencies

Increase efficiency in the delivery of non-instructional services throughout the District. To achieve this goal, the District will: Food Service

Encourage exploration of strategies to incorporate healthy foods with a wide variety of student choice with their meals.

Buildings & Grounds

Improve the functionality and aesthetics of current classrooms and facilities and oversee the educational environment our staff, students, and community participate and engage in.

Support the creation of a campus-wide facilities plan through our current Building Condition Survey and upcoming Capital Project(s).

Transportation

Support new technology and equipment in providing our students safe school transportation.

Encourage exploration of options to expand shared services with neighboring districts and others located within the region.

Goal 4: Fiscal Responsibility

Promote a fiscally responsible budget that maximizes the opportunities for students, parents, faculty, and staff while taking into account the long term financial viability of the District and potential burdens to taxpayers. Focus will sustain or add to the District’s current academic programs and services provided to all students. Prioritize items to address within each phase of the upcoming Capital Project(s). To achieve this goal, the District will:

Create a long range financial plan for the District.

Maintain a general fund surplus of less than 3% of the current year’s operating budget.

Continue to development a District-wide strategic plan.

Seek to enhance student opportunities provided within the District through the next Capital Project(s).

The District anticipates a multi-year Capital Project to begin in the spring/fall of 2020. The Board of Education will be soliciting input and feedback from our community members and various stakeholder groups to drive what the Oakfield-Alabama Schools and campus can potentially evolve into. We are all excited for what the future holds for our school community here in OA!

As always, please introduce yourself to me when you see me around town and at the numerous events throughout the year.

John C. Fisgus

Superintendent of Schools

A Message from Mrs. Lynn Gehlert, ES Principal

We are off to an exciting year of learning together! Our elementary Hornets have been busy learning classroom expectations and developing new relationships with their bus driver, teachers, staff members, and classmates. I’ve enjoyed walking the halls to see waving and smiling faces along with joining a classroom to participate with the learning activity. This year one of our goals is to improve our daily attendance; we would like our students to achieve a 90% attendance rate. This means your child should not miss more than TWO days of school per month. We understand illnesses happen but we ask you to assist our young Hornets with a healthy diet, being active, and getting a good night's sleep in an effort to reduce illnesses. Research has shown chronic absences can lead to lower performance in reading and math. Students who are absent more than twice a month may end up over a year behind their peers. As many of you know I am passionate about technology and having our students explore technology; however, I am also not oblivious to some of the concerns technology and social media can pose. In an effort to assist you please check out the following resources I’ve gathered:

www.commonsense.org

www.kidshealth.org

https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/social_media

Lastly, the elementary school has also partnered up with Jenny Staebell and her Project Stork School Health Programs. Mrs. Staebell will be working with Ms. Wilkosz and Mr. Jankowski throughout the year providing emotional and mental health lessons. These lessons will “promote and protect good emotional and mental health” for our young students. As always if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.

A Message from Mr. Matt Peterson, MHS Principal

Don’t sit on the sideline…get involved.

I loved sports while growing up (and I still do). Fortunately for me, I was able to play football, basketball and baseball throughout my high school years and it is an experience I will forever cherish. I still have close friends that played on those teams, and I strongly contend that I learned many valuable lessons about life from the coaches I played for. My wife broadened her exposure even more while in high school, participating in musicals, band, National Honor Society, as well as a variety of sports. Each one of us agrees that our high school experience was significantly enriched because we were able to find groups and activities that provided a sense of belonging.

The impact of joining a club, sport, or activity is universally agreed upon as having a positive impact on high school students. Most studies cite higher grades and improved attendance as the most significant benefits of joining a club, sport or activity. In addition, students who participate in one or more school activities have exposure to relevant social situations that can develop foundational values providing life-long benefits. Collaboration, inclusivity, leadership, and hard-work are among the many values that are reinforced through extra-curricular activities and sports, and here at OA we offer many different clubs/activities and athletic teams with which to choose from. There truly is something for everybody and we strongly encourage students to get involved.

For more information on these offerings please refer to the student handbook, visit the school website or ask the counselors. I’m confident that if you get involved, you will eventually look back on your time here at OA and remember the fun you had on a team or in a club as among your favorite moments of high school.

Dash in the Dark

Friday, September 6th was our cross country team’s tenth year hosting the Dash in the Dark. A total of 47 schools and 1,230 high school cross country runners from across Western New York and Pennsylvania came to compete on our campus. The annual kickoff to the cross country season was a big success with our own runners achieving some great times. Highlighting the night was the relay team of Derek McIntire, Zack Hall, and Jordan Schlagenhauf who combined for a first place finish in the Small School Division. Also receiving awards was the relay team of Donovan Sherman, Kyle Porter, and Randy McIntire who came in third place in the Small School JV Boys Division. The relay team of Fanny Venegas, Abby Gardner, and Kayla Harding finished fifth in the Small School Division. Also coming in fifth was Tatym Stack, Jadyn Brummert, and Brooke Kennedy in the JV Girls Division. Coach Beuler would like to thank the entire district and community for all their help and support in making the Dash in the Dark a successful event for our student-athletes. The Dash in the Dark is a unique cross country invitational. Instead of runners individually running the traditional 5K distance, runners combine into relay teams of three people and each run a total of two miles while passing a baton to their teammates at night in the dark!

Above picture: The start of the Boys’ Junior Varsity Race.

Above picture: The lead gator going through the finish line during the Girls’ Junior Varsity Race.

Above picture: Sophomore Malakai Martin leaping over several bales of straw during the Dash

Above picture: Our cross country team warming

up at the starting line.

Above picture: From left to right, sophomore Jordan Schlagenhauf, junior Zack Hall, and senior Derek McIntire celebrating their combined first place finish in the Small School Division.

Health Office News

Community Fitness Center Hours

Monday through Friday

5:30 pm until 7:00 pm

(Please enter through the front entrance)

Hello Parents/Guardians! We are in full swing of school and happy to see so many happy smiling faces of children. Please take a minute to read this short informational blurb from the Health Offices.

If your child is in grade 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 or 11 and does not have a current health appraisal on file, he/she will see the school physician on October 24th in the nurse’s office. Parents: please check with your physician as many doctor’s offices have not sent the physicals to the school. Sport physicals for the winter sports season will also take place on this date.

Please keep your child’s emergency/health information updated through the main offices.

All 6th graders are required to have the Tdap vaccination.

All 7th and 12th graders are required to have the Meningococcal vaccination.

The Elementary Health Office has seen many students with headaches and runny/stuffy noses. Please send a water bottle to school with your child if you are able.

OA will be hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Monday, October 28th from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. You may register for an appointment with Mrs. Starkweather in the HS Health Office, or online @ www.redcross.org. Online registration and completing a Rapid Pass will expedite your donation process.

The Need is Great! Please consider Donating!

Family ID: Updated Health Information is required through Family ID EVERY sport season. Registration for winter sports will open in mid October, and MUST be completed before sport participation. Thank you!

Activity Night

The OA Varsity Club will be holding an Activity Night on Friday, November 8th 1st-4th grades will be held from 3:30 pm—5:30 pm and 5th-8th grades will be held from 5:45 pm—8 pm. The gym will be open for basketball, soccer and other activities. The pool will also be available. Pizza, Gatorade and other snacks will be available for purchase. A donation of $5 each will be accepted. Watch for a flyer to come home as the date gets closer!

2019 School Tax Collection

Bills for the collection of 2019 school taxes will be mailed during the last week of August. If you do not receive your bill by the 10th of September, or if you have questions regarding your bill, please contact the District Office at 585-948-5211 extension 4231. Dates for this year’s collection are:

September 3rd through October 4th Penalty free October 5th through October 25th 2% Penalty October 26th through November 1st 3% Penalty

All taxes unpaid as of November 1st (postmark accepted) will be forwarded to Genesee County Real Property Services for relevy with an additional 7% penalty on your Town and County Tax bills. Payments may be made at: Tompkins Bank of Castile

Located at 90 Main St OR 408 East Main St in Batavia

OR

Any Tompkins Bank of Castile location

Or mailed to our lockbox: Oakfield – Alabama CSD PO Box 62 Ithaca, NY 14851 You can check the status of your school taxes online at www.taxlookup.net anytime throughout the year. This site may be used to print a copy of your bill, a receipt of your payment or to review previous years’ records.

3D Printing Mrs. Buczek's 3D printing class is starting off the year with eager enjoyment! The students in the class had the unique opportunity to build the machines that they will be printing with this year. None of the students had any prior experience, yet their enthusiasm to learn has helped them to successfully complete the construction of three Creality Ender 3, 3D printers that will be put to good use throughout the year. The class is eager to get started and enjoy the fruits of their labor creating their own 3D prints.

Elementary Red Ribbon Week

The purpose of the dress up days is to create a sense of unity among our students and staff as we encourage everyone to avoid the pitfalls associated with drug and alcohol use. Students are encouraged to have fun and get creative with their costume ideas.

Wednesday, October 23rd “Unity Day” - Wear orange to take a stand against bullying Thursday, October 4th “Mix and Match Day” - Wear mismatched clothing items and avoid getting messed up with drugs and alcohol Friday, October 25th “Wear Red Day” - in support of Red Ribbon Week Monday, October 28th “Pajama Day” - Don’t be a lazy bystander, be an upstander Tuesday, October 29th “Twin Day” - and stand together against drugs and alcohol

Social Studies 12

On September 12th nineteen seniors gathered in the high school library to watch the 2020 Democratic Party Primary Debate. The debate went from 8:00 to 11:00 at night, which made school the next day tough, but fun was had by all.

Above pictures: The nineteen seniors who came to watch the Democratic Debate on September 12th.

Opening Day Pics

10/1/19 Soccer-Varsity vs. Notre Dame at Elba 4:30 pm 10/1/19 Cross Country vs. Attica at Genesee Co. Park 4:30 pm 10/1/19 Football-Modified Home vs. Letchworth/Warsaw 5:00 pm 10/1/19 Volleyball-JV at Attica 5:00 pm 10/1/19 Volleyball-Varsity at Attica 6:30 pm 10/3/19 Soccer-JV at Alexander 4:30 pm 10/3/19 Soccer-Varsity at Alexander 4:30 pm 10/3/19 Football-JV 8 Man at Notre Dame 4:30 pm 10/3/19 Soccer-Modified Home vs. Byron-Bergen 4:30 pm 10/3/19 Volleyball-JV Home vs. Pembroke 5:00 pm 10/3/19 Volleyball-Varsity Home vs. Pembroke 6:30 pm 10/4/19 Volleyball-Modified at Alexander 4:30 pm 10/4/19 Soccer-Modified at Alexander 4:30 pm 10/4/19 Volleyball-JV Home vs. Kendall 5:00 pm 10/4/19 Volleyball-Varsity Home vs. Kendall 6:30 pm 10/6/19 Cross Country Home vs. Webster Schroeder 6:00 pm 10/7/19 Soccer-JV Home vs. Attica 4:30 pm 10/7/19 Volleyball-JV Home vs. Alexander 5:00 pm 10/7/19 Soccer-Varsity Home vs. Attica 6:30 pm 10/7/19 Volleyball-Varsity Home vs. Alexander 6:30 pm 10/8/19 Soccer-Modified at Pembroke 4:30 pm 10/8/19 Cross Country at Genesee County Park 1 4:30 pm 10/8/19 Football-Modified Home vs. Attica 5:00 pm 10/9/19 Soccer-Modified vs. Lyndonville at Elba 4:30 pm 10/9/19 Volleyball-JV at Lyndonville 5:00 pm 10/9/19 Volleyball-Varsity at Lyndonville 6:30 pm 10/10/19 Volleyball-Modified Home vs. Lyndonville 4:30 pm 10/10/19 Football-JV 8 Man vs. Cal-Mum at Elba 5:00 pm 10/11/19 Soccer-JV Home vs. Kendall 4:30 pm 10/11/19 Volleyball-JV Home vs. Wheatland-Chili 5:00 pm 10/11/19 Volleyball-Varsity Home vs. Wheatland-Chili 6:30 pm 10/11/19 Soccer-Varsity Home vs. Wheatland-Chili 6:30 pm 10/15/19 Volleyball-Modified at Wheatland-Chili 4:30 pm 10/15/19 Cross Country at Byron-Bergen 4:30 pm 10/15/19 Soccer-Modified at Wheatland-Chili 4:30 pm 10/15/19 Football-Modified vs. Hornell at Elba 5:00 pm 10/16/19 Volleyball-JV at Royalton-Hartland 5:00 pm 10/16/19 Football-JV 8 Man vs. CG Finney at Elba 5:00 pm 10/16/19 Volleyball-Varsity at Royalton-Hartland 6:30 pm 10/16/19 Soccer-Varsity at Pavilion 6:30 pm 10/17/19 Soccer-Modified Home vs. Holley 4:30 pm 10/17/19 Soccer-Varsity vs. Notre Dame at Elba 4:30 pm 10/18/19 Cross Country at Alexander 4:00 pm 10/22/19 Soccer-Modified Home vs. Attica 4:30 pm 10/22/19 Cross Country Home vs. Alexander 4:30 pm 10/22/19 Football-Modified at Pembroke 5:00 pm 10/22/19 Football-JV 8 Man at Holley 5:00 pm 10/22/19 Volleyball-JV Home vs. Pavilion 5:00 pm 10/22/19 Volleyball-Varsity Home vs. Pavilion 6:30 pm 10/23/19 Volleyball-Modified Home vs. Byron-Bergen 4:30 pm 10/24/19 Volleyball-Modified Home vs. Attica 4:30 pm 10/26/19 Football-Modified vs. Letchworth/Warsaw at Letchworth 10:00 am 10/29/19 Football-JV 8 Man Home vs. Dansville 6:00 pm

*Dates/Times Subject to Change Without Notice*

Please go to https://www.sectionvny.org for the most current information