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By Jim Uphoff, Ed. D.
Another major news magazine has given Oakwood High School a very high ranking. The magazine U.S. News and World Report studied over 18,000 public high schools in the nation. The top 100 were awarded the Gold Medal. Only four schools in Ohio were among that “elite” group. Right behind was the Silver Medal cluster and Oakwood High School was among the national 405 at this level.
This study claims to focus on two key elements of a school. 1. The school must effectively serve ALL students, not just the academic cream-of-the -crop. 2. It must also strongly focus on preparing its students for post-secondary opportunities.
Some contend that this newest magazine ranking process is really just a competitive action to counter the Newsweek rankings which are based on the number of students who enroll (not how they test) in Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses. Oakwood High School has also been ranked among the top group by this magazine.
As a soon-to-be out-of-office Oakwood Board of Education member, I am very proud of the work our system has done to be found to be among the best public high schools in the nation on both of these studies. BUT I urge my fellow Oakwood residents to be sure we all have a good supply of salt grains on hand and not just for snow melting.
The education profession of which I have been a member for almost a half-century, has found elements of weakness and fault with both of these studies. For example the socio-economic status of the schools at the top of the rankings has them well-above average in family income. This only mirrors what many other studies have found - strong correlations exist between the wealth of families in a district and the success (or lack thereof) of its students on all kinds of testing and of the extent of the curriculum options which are provided to them.
The consistent positive school levy votes by Oakwood voters over the last two decades have been very tied to our district’s ability to reach out to all ability groups and to offer challenging curriculum programs both of which lead to solid preparation for college and other post-high school study. Does this mean that I am discounting these two magazine recognitions? NOT AT ALL—but it does mean that we must not let them “go to our heads”!
As we bask in these types of headlines, let us resolve on January 1st to be certain that we do not become complacent and rest on our laurels. Our educators and elected members of the Board along with the entire community must remain constantly searching for ways to become an even stronger school system. As a soon-to-be “regular” citizen, I promise to do my part!
Pictured, front row: Blake Nischwitz, Quinn Williamson, Justin Chu, Nathan Tong (Jr. PowerStacker), Angel Urbieta. Back row: Coach Terence Chu, Vincent Tong, Carlos Mendez, Eddie Deal, Taylor Lange, Steven Buckey, Assistant Coach Kevin Deal, and Team Mentor May Tong.
Eddie Deal, a Harman 3rd grader, along with his eight team members from the Miami Valley came away with the Championship trophy from this past Saturday’s First Lego League Competition at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. This year’s challenge was to explore energy and to learn how to preserve our natural resources.
Eddie’s team, the PowerStackers, performed an energy audit on the North Samaritan Health Center and the Englewood YMCA. The team researched many energy sources and visited the Future Energy & Conservation Center, Brookville.
After collecting information the team returned to both the North Samaritan Health Center and Englewood YMCA to present their ideas on how to save non-sustainable energy. The PowerStackers suggested that both health centers connect all the exercise equipment to generators to harness and utilize the human power. They gave them financial figures on the upfront costs and how they would recover those costs over a six-year time frame. Both facilities’ managers were impressed with their suggestions.
At Saturday’s competition they presented their findings to the judges, participated in a teamwork challenge, presented their technical solution, and competed in a Lego robot mission against the 12 other teams.
The PowerStackers also came home with the first place trophy for best robot, and have been invited to represent the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery at this year’s First Lego League State Competition held right here in Dayton at the Nutter Center on January 12 & 13.
More information about First Lego League can be found at www.firstlegoleague.org.
Students in Señora Elaine Long’s Spanish classes at Oakwood High School are making service learning a reality with several different projects. Kyle Rieger has lead the collection of used soccer cleats which will be donated to children in a local school in Costa Rica. He will distribute the cleats among his fellow, thirty student travelers who will transport the cleats to Costa Rica during February vacation. Kyle has collected more than sixty pairs of cleats and comments, “ I can’t wait to give all these cleats to the kids – and play a little soc cer with them too!” Caroline Amburgey is leading the collection of school supplies, which also will be donated to the school in Costa Rica.
Julia Goff’s project is collecting coats and other warm clothing for Salud, a clinic that assists local Hispanics. “Response has been tremendous, I need a truck to deliver all the items that have been donated.” Not to be outdone by her best friend, Jennifer Morris recently returned from a mission trip to Tijuana Christian Mission in México where she donated her time building houses and putting her Spanish to the test as she served as the translator for the group. Jennifer observed, “ This trip made me realize now how fortunate and lucky I am!”
“The essence of these projects is realizing that there is another world outside of Oakwood, and that when you have much, much is expected. I am extremely proud of all of these students,” said Mrs. Long.
Pictured, left to right: Spanish service learning students Julia Goff, Kyle Rieger and Jennifer Morris.
Lauren Sobel with Secret Smiles bear buddy.
As the 2007 holiday season is upon us, “Secret Smiles of Dayton” continues to bring smiles to children by providing beds, cribs and bedding to those who are without. In addition, each child receives a “Dream Big” pillowcase filled with books, art supplies, stuffed animals, games and small toys.
Oakwood High School junior, Lauren Sobol, is the Junior Representative to “Secret Smiles of Dayton” and has been responsible for coordinating and assembling these treasure pillowcases since 2002. To date Lauren has filled over 600 pillowcases bringing smiles and joy to many children
throughout Dayton.
Secret Smiles of Dayton always welcomes donations of new or gently used books, art supplies, stuffed animals, games and small toys. Please feel free to drop off items at 130 Wisteria Drive or call 299-4769. Your sharing will lead to many smiles!!
The “Secret Smiles of Dayton” Board consists of Tracy Janess, Stephanie Geehan, Molly Treese, Leslie Miller and Yvette Gregory.
For more information on “Secret Smiles of Dayton,” please visit their website at www.secretsmilesdayton.org.
Entries are now being accepted for the fifth annual MLK Breakfast Celebration Community Group Contest. Youth in Kettering and Oakwood are encouraged to submit original entries in a variety of categories including: Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Written Expression and Community Service. Deadline for entries is Dec. 19.
The contest makes the Kettering-Oakwood MLK Breakfast unique because it engages the youth of both communities. Winners are asked to attend the breakfast, and some are asked to share their entries with the audience. Cash awards are given to grade group winners at the breakfast.
Students may submit entries at their school, at the Kettering Government Center and at the Oakwood Community Center. Specific contest guidelines can be found at www.komlk.org. For more information about the contest, contact Shawn Fry at shawnfry@sbcglobal.net.
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