Dec. 11, Backpack & Personal Item Pick-up Schedule

Dear OHS students and parents -  

As you may be aware, more than 1,400 student backpacks and coats were left behind at OHS following the recent tragedy. A small team of Oxford Community Schools staff has been identifying and sorting student items by their 5th hour class. The fact so many backpacks were left behind is a testament to our students’ quick and effective action following the shooting and a testament to our school safety training and protocols.

This Monday, December 13 through Wednesday, December 15, we will begin the process of working with our families to allow students to retrieve their personal belongings including backpacks and coats, based on each student’s 5th hour teacher/class.

Each 5th hour teacher/class has been assigned a 30-minute time slot for pick up. We ask that parents and students use both the parent and bus loops in the north parking lot near the main office (see map below with blue and gold directional lines/arrows). 

We understand this may be extremely emotional for our parents and students.  We will have many of our OHS staff members assisting and will have a police presence on campus and at pick up. 

Important notes:

  • To promote safety and an orderly pickup, we ask you to arrive during your designated time slot if possible. We understand some people may be unable to do so during the assigned time and may not be available during that time, in which case arrive when you can and we will arrange for a pickup.
  • We also understand if parents/students do not want to return to the school grounds to retrieve student backpacks/coats. We will work with you to determine an alternative method to return your student belongings by the end of the week. 
  • Please use the loop at the north end of the building per the map below. Please do not exit your vehicle. We will bring your belongings out to you.
  • Upon arrival in one of the north loops please provide the name of the student and 5th hour teacher to the staff member, who will be utilizing  a walkie-talkie to communicate with people inside the building. A different staff member will then bring out the student belongings to you. 
  • Please understand that our primary focus is to return student backpacks and winter coats. We will try our best to locate other materials (i.e., water bottles, shoes, etc.) at a later date.
Backpack Pickup Schedule

Pickup Route

We want to thank Gary van Staveren and Lisa Butts for helping to coordinate this process.  We also look forward to seeing our students and parents again. 

Mr. Nuss, Mrs. Gibson-Marshall, Mr. Wolf