Wildcat News
Information for OHS Students & Parents - - February 1, 2022
Table of Contents
- Message from Mr. Throne
- Safety & Security
- OHS Schedule for this Week
- Student Support this Week
- Attendance Line
- Lunch Time at OHS (Nutrislice is BACK!)
- Gathering Student Feedback
- National Compassion Fund Information
- Superintendent Search Information
- Fine Arts at OHS
- Athletics
Please note, this Wildcat News update is a work in progress. We will continually add information. When you open it, go to a new tab and hit refresh to ensure that you have the latest copy.
Message from Mr. Throne
Changes beginning January 31st
We have now created an additional safety procedure for students to enter our building each morning.
- Students will show their 2021-2022 school ID upon entry and have their clear backpack(s) visually scanned. Students should have their school ID ready when they enter the building to show security and administration.
- If a student does not have their school ID or they have lost it, we will check them in by using their PowerSchool account on their phones for the time being. We will review their account information and image on their phones within PowerSchool upon entry. We will also record names of students without a current ID so that we can purchase and provide them a new school ID.
- Please be sure that your student downloads the PowerSchool application this weekend if they do not have it to prepare for new entry protocols Monday morning. To login in, students will enter the OHS code: TKJK, then enter their username (school ID) and password (6 digit date of birth). Our staff will be available to assist with a laptop if students are not able to log in.
Doors Close at 7:48 a.m.
We will continue to have student entry each morning at main entrance doors #1 and #2, as well as pool entrance, door #17.
- Doors open at 7:10 am and will close and lock at the start of the school day, 7:48 am. During late starts, doors will open at 9:40 am and close/lock at the start of the school day, 10:20 am. Each designated student entrance will continue to be staffed with security, administration and additional staff. We will continue to have police presence throughout the school day, with police available on-site during student entry.
- If students arrive after the start of the school day, they will be required to enter our main entrance door #2, where they will be securely buzzed into the building. When the school day begins, access to our academic hallways are locked and closed.
- Students arriving late are monitored after being buzzed in and are required to check into the main office to sign in late. During this time, students will also be required to show their school ID (or Power School information) and have their clear backpacks visually scanned. We will continue to check non-clear athletic bags and performing arts instrument cases upon entry where they will be escorted by staff and security to the appropriate destination.
- It is prohibited for students to prop open doors or to allow entry to other students in doorways. Students who violate this rule may face discipline in accordance with our Student Code of Conduct.
After School Activities
As a reminder, our building is open for extracurricular activities after school hours. We will continue to staff a security position during the afternoon and early evening hours to monitor building safety.
January 31st to February 4th
Schedule Changes for 2nd Semester
As you know, our counseling department (in coordination with the Oakland County Health Network, Easter Seals, Oakland Schools) has been focused on supporting our students social-emotional needs. Therefore, second semester schedule changes may be delayed. We apologize for any inconvenience that this creates.
COVID Update
If your student is showing symptoms of COVID, any other illness or simply not attending school on a certain day, please call the OHS Attendance Line (248-969-5130).
Help us keep our lunchrooms less congested. Order your food in advance for a quick pick up when you arrive to the cafeteria.
Gathering Student Feedback
Our staff has begun gathering student input and feedback in their classes at OMS. Additional opportunities for students to provide formal feedback (i.e. permanent memorials, safety measures, supports, etc) are coming soon. This student feedback will help us better support our students and make adjustments as we come back to our building. We continue to encourage our students to share their thoughts, questions, and suggestions with their trusted teachers in classes. Any potential adjustments or updates that you see in the coming days/weeks are guided by the feedback that students have provided.
National Compassion Fund Steering Committee Members Needed
Over the past two months Oxford has received such outpourings of generosity in the midst of the unthinkable. So far, approximately $1.6 million has been donated to the Oxford Community Memorial and Victims Fund held at the Oxford Bank and Genisys Credit Union. These funds have now been turned over to the National Compassion Fund to manage.
The National Compassion Fund (NCF) was developed by the National Center for Victims of Crime in partnership with victims and family members of situations similar to ours, including those from Sandy Hook, Aurora, Virginia Tech, Oak Creek Temple, NIU, Columbine, and 9/11. The NCF provides a single, trusted way for the public to donate to these tragedies. It honors the intent of the donor as well as the crime victims by distributing donations directly to them, in a fair and transparent way.
There are many funds that raise money in the name of crime victims who are not under any legal obligation to give that money to the victims or their families. They may collect excessive administrative fees or conceal the amount donated or how it is distributed. Others are outright scams. The NCF was set up to address this lack of transparency and accountability. It is a subsidiary of the National Center for Victims of Crime, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and donations are tax-deductible to the extent of the law.
The NCF steering committee for the fund set up to support the victims of the tragedy at Oxford High School is currently being established by NCF. This committee will establish the eligibility for receiving funds. Anyone who was at Oxford High School on November 30, 2021 at the time of the tragedy is considered a victim. Victims, family members, donors, or concerned citizens who would like information pertaining to this fund must sign up for updates to become part of their contact list at this link: https://nationalcompassion.org/fund/oxford-hs-survivors-fund/. Everyone who signs up to be on this contact list will receive updates on the fund and its process.
Please know, Oxford Community Schools, Oxford Township and Oxford Village do not have oversight, connection or authority over these funds or how they are distributed. If anyone has specific questions, please email: Oxford@NationalCompassion.org.
Superintendent Search Information
The OCS Board of Education will be holding the first round of interviews for the five chosen candidates running for the Oxford Community Schools Superintendent position. The meetings will be held at Oxford Middle School in the Media Center and will be open to the public. Additionally, after hearing requests from numerous community members, the interviews as well as the finalist selection will be live streamed by OCTV. The links to view the meetings ban be found below.
In-person meeting attendees will have an opportunity to submit feedback forms on each candidate at the meeting, after the interviews. Those not in-person will not have the ability to submit feedback.
Below is the interview schedule:
January 31 @ 6:30 pm https://youtu.be/crwA3lUKM70
- John Bernia, Chief Academic Officer, Warren Consolidated Schools
- Ken Weaver, Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, Oxford Community Schools
February 1 @ 6:30 pm https://youtu.be/_3NbtNFAPX4
- Jill Lemond, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Oxford Community Schools
- David Pass, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Oxford Community Schools
February 2 @ 6:30 pm https://youtu.be/qCnPYUYPfgA
- Todd Bidlack, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services, Bloomfield Hills Schools
February 3 @ 6:30 pm https://youtu.be/VsUV2zM3YH8
- Finalists selected
See our website for further information regarding the Superintendent Search.
Oxford's Performing Arts Social Media
We are happy to announce that we now have social media pages designated for Oxford (Performing) Arts.
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OxfordArtsDepartment
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arts_oxford/
College Signing Day
Oxford Athletics is excited to host our College Signing Event on Tuesday, February 15th, 2022 in the OHS Performing Arts Center at 6:00pm.
Mr. Tony DeMare will speak to all athletes, and feature them as a group in the Performing Arts Center. We will then allow family and friends the opportunity to take photos with each athlete.
Following the ceremony in the Performing Arts Center, we ask everyone to attend the Varsity Boys' Basketball vs. Southfield A&T game. We will acknowledge our signees during halftime.
- Halftime should begin between 7:20pm - 7:30pm.
Please provide a list of your attendees for free admission to the basketball game.
We will need all attendees names by Monday, February 7th, 2022.
Non-Discrimination Clause: Oxford Community Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (sexual orientation or gender), disability, age, height, weight, marital status or any other legally protected characteristic, in its programs, services or activities, including employment opportunities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: David Pass, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, 10 North Washington Street, Oxford, MI 48371 (248) 969-5004.