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By Dawn Beigel
Oakwood City Schools has found no consistent trend in the data from their kindergarten screening this past spring when compared with the results from previous years.
There are approximately 140 incoming K students for next school year, according to Kim Kappler, curriculum director for the district. The number is up from 2006, yet significantly down from 2005 when there were over 170 K entrants.
Kappler said they determined 2005 was a “blip” year in which K enrollment had a big jump and was the highest it had been since 2000.
According to recent data, nearly 100 of the incoming K students are oldest or on-time in terms of age, while another 43 students are termed young (ones with summer birthdays).
A very small group of five students are early entrants (fall birthdays). “Early” kids must score in the 50th percentile of K screening and are subject to a psychological screening, according to Kappler.
“That helps us determine if they are ready (for kindergarten),” she said. Of those five students, only one they determined is ready, she added.
The district uses the KDI (Kindergarten Diagnostic Inventory) II model, which
provides an idea of a student’s visual and auditory short-term memory, said Kappler.
“We use it because we like to get a fuller picture (of their readiness),” she added.
The K test consists of 13 subtests, eight verbal and five non-verbal. Some verbal factors are memory for sentences, number skills and vocabulary. Some of the non-verbal factors involve body awareness, visual memory and visual discrimination.
Students averaged a score of 125 out of 180, compared with averages of 128 in 2006 and 123 in 2005. According to age, the oldest/on-time students averaged a score of 127, the young students a 119 and the early entrants a 118.
According to gender, the boys averaged a slightly higher score at 125 versus a 124 for the girls. Kappler noted this was reversed in 2006, but that it reflects no significant difference statistically.
“They’re usually pretty even according to our test data,” said Kappler.
The Oakwood City Schools are pleased to announce that two Oakwood educators have been selected for induction into the Sam Andrews Educational Hall of Honor this year on Sept. 14. They are:
Mr. Warner Simpson, who from 1981 – 1995 served as the school psychologist and Director of Educational Services. Mr. Simpson’s responsibilities included special needs students, personnel and testing. Mr. Simpson resides in Kettering, Ohio.
Mr. Ralph Furguson (deceased), who from 1968 – 1996 taught English at Oakwood High School. Mr. Furguson taught a variety of English courses, junior and senior high electives and even German I and II courses for one year. Mr. Furguson passed away in 1998.
A luncheon will be held at The Mandalay Banquet Center at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 14, 2007, where the new inductees, as well as previous recipients of the award, will be honored. The public is invited to attend the luncheon (cost is $15.00). To make reservations for the luncheon, please call or email Sandy at the Board Office at 297-5332 or maresh.sandy@oakwood.k12.oh.us by Friday, Aug. 31 .
Friday evening, (Sept. 14) at 6:45 p.m. recipients will be available to meet with well-wishers in the Alumni Terrace on the southwest corner of Mack Hummon Stadium. Prior to the start of the home football game with Valley View there will be a brief awards ceremony.
The Oakwood Schools Education Foundation (OSEF) is pleased to announce that grants in the amount of $23,310 have been awarded for the Spring 2007 cycle. Projects funded include:
Lange Kindergarten Reading Library
A matching grant to expand the current library of leveled readers and to add literacy games and manipulatives to accommodate all learning style/needs (ie visual, auditory, kinetic, and tactile). Lange has also received an OhioReads grant from the State of Ohio to coordinate volunteers to work individually with struggling readers.
Microscopes for Junior/Senior High Science
A grant to fund 20 classroom microscopes to alleviate a shortage due to increased enrollment, wear and tear from mobile classroom use and age. Microscopes will be used in Biology, AP Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Geophysics and Forensics.
Harman 1st grade Readers
A follow-on matching grant for nonfiction take home books with book marks containing reading strategies to support at home guided reading.
Weather Tracking Station
A matching grant to fund a multi-level, multi-building, multi-disciplinary weather tracking station. The grant funds roof-mounted hardware and software for real-time data collection, analysis and curriculum integration into Math, Science, Technology, Geography and GeoPhysics at the elementary and high school levels. Real-time community access is planned.
The Oakwood Schools Education Foundation (OSEF) appreciates the
outstanding vision of Oakwood teachers and staff who submit innovative
project proposals, and recognizes that while property taxes provide the major source of funding for a quality education, given state funding cutbacks, many high-quality initiatives would go unanswered without the Foundation’s discretionary funding.
OSEF awards grants twice a year: Spring and Fall. In 2006, the Foundation funded awards totaling $38,204 and over the past 15 years has broadened students’ learning opportunities by awarding over $330,000 in quality grants. OSEF seeks to fund innovative projects that: enhance excellence and enrich the academic opportunities of Oakwood students; extend above and beyond the district’s normal operating budget; and demonstrate partnership and collaborative efforts. OSEF also manages and awards 9 scholarships annually.
Founded in 1982, The Oakwood Schools Education Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization which accepts and disburses private charitable gifts contributed for the benefit of the Oakwood school system. In June 2007, OSEF launched the public phase of its “Visions for Tomorrow Campaign” to establish a $500,000 Permanent Endowment for teachers’ and administrative grants.
If you are interested in more information, in making an endowment and/or general gift, or in serving on one of OSEF’s committees, please contact the Foundation office at 297-5332.
Fairview’s Class of ’52 will celebrate its 55th reunion September 14-16. Classmates will meet on Friday, Sept. 14 at 7 pm at the Engineer’s Club of Dayton, 110 E. Monument St. On Saturday the class picture will be taken at Miami Valley Golf Club, 3311 Salem Ave. with dinner at 6 pm. The weekend ends with a Sunday brunch at the Courtyard U.D. Marriott, 2006 Edwin C. Moses Blvd.
For more information call Sally at (937) 299-1234 or Kathleen at (937) 435-2312.
Erica E. Heppner, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Erich & Edie Heppner of Oakwood, was conferred the degree of Masters in Education, with honors, in graduation ceremonies June 9 from Wright State University. Erica is a 2001 graduate of Oakwood High School and a 2005 graduate of The Ohio State University, where she received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in English Literature.
Erica has accepted a teaching position in the English department of Memorial High School in St. Marys, Ohio for the 2007-08 school year.
Megan Kelleher, a 2003 graduate of Chaminade-Julienne, has graduated Cum Laude from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind. with a degree in Modern Languages-French. In September, Kelleher leaves for Dijon, France where she will begin teaching in a grade school there.
She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Kelleher of Shafor Boulevard in Oakwood.
The University of Cincinnati has announced the students who have been honored by the University for their achievements during the spring quarter. Both graduates and those who have made the dean’s list are listed below:
Graduates are:
Nicholas Collucci, BS in Chemical Engineering
Paige Lipowicz, BS in Science in Education
Allyson Moyer, BA from the College of Arts and Sciences
Ryan Newman, Master of Architecture
Maddy Reasoner, BA from the College of Arts and Sciences
Oakwood students who earned placement on the Spring Quarter Dean’s List at the University of Cincinnati included:
Veronica Court, Oakwood Ave.; Tracy Hartzell, W. Schantz Ave.; John Lee, Irving Avenue; Emily Rogers, Irving Avenue; Kurt Auer, E Monteray Avenue.; Nicolas Collucci, E. Dixon Avenue; Jill Farris, Orchard Drive; James Glatz, Southview Road; Althea Harper, Forrer Boulevard; Andrew Heintz, Patterson Road; Amy Longo, Dell Park Avenue; Sean McGill, Harman Avenue; Brianna McSemek, Wisteria Drive; Allyson Moyer, Dell Park; Leah Ritter, Aberdeen Avenue; Rachel Surace, Shroyer Road; and Kevin Williams, San Rae Drive.
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