July 17, 2007 - Volume 16, No. 29

a Winkler Company publication

Also featuring photos from our monthly supplement...

'Willow Grove'

Relay for Life - $53,000 and counting

The first Oakwood “Relay for Life” has raised over $53,000 for the American Cancer Society. The planning, which started months ago under the chairmanship of Oakwood resident Michael Vanderburgh, resulted in participation by over 1,000 citizens who met, walked the football track, picnicked, partied, entered contests, watched movies and played games over an 18-hour period from 6 pm Friday, July 13 to noon Saturday the next day. Many spent the night in tents. “I’m overwhelmed with the support of the Oakwood Community. It was an incredibly successful event. We look forward to doing it next year. And we’ll continue to do until there is no need, said Vanderburgh.”

See more photos in the photo gallery! For over 300 photos of the event go to www.pressbox.com.

25 percent of the proceeds from photos ordered from this event will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

Three teachers join Oakwood City Schools

By Dawn Beigel

The Oakwood Board of Education hired and introduced a new technology coordinator, Latin/social studies teacher and PE teacher for the upcoming school year at its regular meeting July 9.

Joining the district as the technology coordinator is William Randall Dorsey, who recently comes from San Diego Unified School District where he worked in network and media support. Prior to that he worked for Hughes Aircraft, the Department of Energy and Defense, and other private industries in a number of technology related jobs.

Dorsey has been touring Oakwood Schools to get a jump start on the district’s technology, noting, “We need to be sound and fiscal on what we need to buy.”

Joining the district to teach Latin/social studies at the junior/senior high school is Matthew Briddell, a graduate of Indiana University with a degree in classical studies.
“I’m honored to be invited to work in this district (and) I look forward to being a teacher here,” he said.

Joining the district to teach PE is Katherine Grunkemeyer, who will work at Harman Elementary School part time to cover a one-year leave of absence. A graduate of Hanover College, she has previously taught summer school PE for Oakwood Schools and middle school PE for the Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Community School District.

“I’m very honored and complimented to have been considered for this job. I hope to bring some new elements into the PE program and I look forward to working with the little kids,” she said.

Among other legislation at the meeting, the board:

• Accepted a $1,000 donation from Howard P. Hobby and Kimberly A. Hobby for the Women in Science Scholarship.

• Revised the effective date of retirement of Betty Wenzel from Aug. 18 to June 30 of this year.

• Approved new contracts for Gretchen Loper and Nancy Bradds as Harman and Smith elementary principals respectively, both effective this Aug. 1.

The Oakwood Board of Education will hold its next regular meeting Aug. 13, 7:30 p.m. at the board office.

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