June 19, 2007 - Volume 16, No. 25

a Winkler Company publication

Also featuring photos from our monthly supplement...

'Willow Grove'

Glade in the Shade

Park visitor Erin Crooks enjoys a respite of reading in the green environs of Elizabeth Gardens. A guided tour of Oakwood’s three garden parks will be hosted by the Oakwood Historical Society on Saturday, June 23.

See events page for story and photos >

OGT reflects 96 percent passage rate

By Dawn Beigel

Oakwood City Schools can be proud their high school and Career Technology Center students had another progressive year with Ohio Graduation Test results.
“Overall, it’s quite good news—we’re very pleased with the results,” said curriculum director Kim Kappler upon presenting the data at last night’s board of education meeting.

The scores, which are now final, reflect a 96 percent passage rate (up one percent from last year) for the five-section test.

Of the sections, social studies show the most significant result. Seventy-eight percent of the students tested at its advanced level, up from 63 percent the previous year. Students also made great strides in math, with 74 percent of them at its advanced level. Advanced math saw a slight drop from about 82 percent last year.

“Math was phenomenal,” said Kappler following comments on math by the board members.

Kappler also noted a strength in the writing section, in which nearly 80 percent of students tested at its accelerated level, one level below advanced. “From our graduates’ perspective, writing is their biggest strength,” she said. Graduates recall helping their college peers in the field of writing, she added.

The reading section saw a drop this year at the advanced level, but made up for it at the accelerated level. In science, slightly more students tested at the advanced level.
Kappler also mentioned preliminary results of the Ohio Achievement Test, which she said thus far look quite good. This data will be published once the scores are final.
Among legislation, the board:

*Nominated board member Elizabeth Merritt for consideration to the All-Ohio School Board through the Ohio School Board Association.

*Accepted the resignations of Kevin C. Kless (Latin/social studies teacher, Latin Club advisor and seventh grade boys basketball coach) and Betty Wenzel (educational aide), both effective Aug. 17; and of Monica Brouwer (assistant swim coach), effective immediately.

*Approved a number of employments and new hires, including Barbara McCray as attendance secretary at the high school; Kristin Bull as intervention specialist at the junior and senior high schools; Sally Manley as high school science teacher; Kimberly Walther as fourth grade teacher at Harman Elementary; and Laura Green as high school social studies teacher.

*Accepted a number of donations—ping-pong equipment to South Connection from Jacqueline Miller; $100 to the high school film project from the Steven and Jacqueline Miller Family Foundation; five perennials to Harman Secret Garden from Mr. and Mrs. Pete Papadis; $750 to Harman Secret Garden from R. Bruce Benedict.

*Approved a note resolution authorizing the issuance of notes in anticipation of the collection of the proceeds from the 1.8-mill permanent improvement levy that passed in May.

The next Oakwood Board of Education meeting will be on Monday, July 9, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

Beautification Awards announced

The Oakwood Beautification Award Program is designed to recognize residential, business and rental property owners who have enhanced the beauty of our community through the use of flowers, shrubs, trees, and other landscape improvements; or by making architectural modifications or building improvements to exiting structures. Awards are given during the months of May, June, July, August and September. Monthly award winners will be selected by members of the Oakwood Environmental Committee and Property Maintenance Board, and will have a sign placed in their yard to recognize their beautification efforts. If you would like to nominate a residential, business or rental property for consideration, simply pick up a nomination form at either the Oakwood City Building or Community Center, call the city offices at 298-0411, or email to rich@oakwood.oh.us.

May Beautification Awards

Mr. & Mrs. David Rice
1930 Far Hills Avenue

Ms. Adrianne Oliss
351 Aberdeen Avenue

Lebanon Citizens Na’l Bank
2705 Far Hills Ave.

John & Gayle Workman
100 W. Peach Orchard Rd.

Ms. Sheila Finley
574 Hathaway Road

Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Conard
936 E. Schantz Ave.

June Beautification Awards

Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Kravitz
905 E. Schantz Avenue

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Jackson
118 Lonsdale Avenue

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Caskey
405 Hadley Avenue

Ms. Myra Herman
999 Harman Avenue

Mr. & Mrs. Chris Tzouras
325 Triangle Avenue

Congratulations to the owners of the above residential and business properties.

Relay For Life slated July 13-14

Have you heard about the Relay For Life in Oakwood on July 13 and 14?

This is the first year that this fundraising event to fight cancer will be held in Oakwood, at Mack Hummon Stadium at Oakwood High School. Relay For Life is an all-night event where teams of friends, family, and co-workers walk the track, recognizing that cancer never sleeps. The Relay starts off with a Survivor Lap, where we invite those who have survived their battle against cancer to walk the first lap of the Relay, and receive our congratulations and a special meal in their honor. At dark, we will have a Luminaria Ceremony, where luminarias purchased in honor of those who have survived, or in memory of those we’ve lost, are placed around the track and lit, and stay lit all night as we walk. The night will also include fun events, games for the kids, camping available in the practice field, food and drink, fun for the whole family!

If you are a cancer survivor, or are one of thousands of us in Oakwood who have been touched by cancer in some way, won’t you please come out on July 13 and help us fight cancer? If you would like to create a team, donate to the event, or volunteer in other ways, all the details can be found at www.oakwoodrelay.com

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