August 25, 2023
Oxford Elementary School
Go Otters!
It was so fun to see our entire community gathered together this morning! The students had the opportunity to meet all of our staff, learn the Oxford Chant and sing a few songs together. The purpose of the event was to have fun and welcome everyone into the Oxford family. Below you can see our fifth graders leading the Oxford Chant and Mr. Della Penna’s 3rd grade class teaching us some fun new songs! Parents and caregivers are welcome to join us in all future community meetings! If you would like to see pictures of the staff members as well, you can view our powerpoint here.
Beyond the Community Event, the students dove right into academics this week. As I visited the classrooms, I saw book bins being filled, students starting their journals, math talks taking place, musical instruments being chosen and lots of laughter and play during recess. Throughout all of it, the teachers are reminding everyone that we all have unique skills and talents. We will find parts of the day to be very easy and other parts to be challenging. It’s when we get to a challenge that our brains and bodies truly grow, so let’s embrace them!
Looking forward to seeing you all at the Community Picnic and Back to School Night!
Beth
Community Picnic: Tomorrow! 11 - 2 on the Oxford Yard
Back to School Night: Thursday, August 31st
5:30 - 6:00 K - 2nd Grade Classes will meet in the students’ classrooms
6:00 - 6:20 ALL Grade Gathering: Courtyard by the yellow gate
6:30 - 7:00 3rd - 5th Grade Classes will meet in the students’ classrooms
We look forward to seeing you! This is an adult only event where you will have a chance to visit your child’s classroom and hear all about what they will be learning this year! If you are unable to find childcare, we will have childcare available (PTA provided), but please keep in mind that it is limited. If you are fortunate enough to have a babysitter, grandparent or friend, we’d appreciate you asking them!
From the PTA
Join us tomorrow at the Community Welcome Picnic: Saturday, August 26 11-2
The PTA will provide pizza, popcorn, and drinks for all (and plates, napkins, utensils), and we want you to bring a potluck item! Please include a card or Post-It with your family's name and any ingredients that may trigger an allergy. Picnic blankets and lawn games encouraged!
We need Classroom Coordinators and volunteers for fall events (Harvest Fair, Walk-N-Roll to School, Math Game Night, Read-A-Thon) and event leads for the Auction and Otterpalooza. Events cannot happen without volunteers! Email PTA@oxfordelementary.org.
Want some Otter Swag?
Families have been asking where they can buy new Oxford Otter gear. We have tie-dye shirts ($20), solid red and yellow shirts ($15) and totes/water bottles ($5) available on campus. We’ll have them at the Welcome Community Picnic and Back to School Night or you can Email Mimi Ohta at mimiohta@gmail.com to coordinate. Want more choices? Shirts, hats, teddy bears and more are available at the following website. All profits go directly to the PTA fund! https://oxford-elementary.myspreadshop.com/
Lunchtime Help is Always Welcome!
Want to see how things run at lunchtime? We could use some helpers from 11:15 - 12:15 (end time can be flexible). K/1 and maybe our 2nd & 3rd grade students at lunchtime with the salad bar and cafeteria! Drop-ins are welcome.
Attendance & Absences
School starts at 8:00am. If they want breakfast, it’s better to come at 7:55. If your child is tardy or late, they must go to the office to get a late slip. Once there are three unexcused absences or lates, they are considered truant. That will trigger an attendance letter from the district. If that pattern continues, you will get another letter and will be required to meet with me and district attendance staff.
Anything before 8:30, is considered tardy.
Anything after 8:30 is considered late.
Unless your child is ill, absences are considered unexcused. If your child is out sick, or is absent for some reason, please email oxfordattendance@berkeley.net.
School Site Council, SSC
You can have a direct impact on your child’s education. Join the dynamic group of parents, teachers & staff on the School Site Council, working to meet the learning needs of ALL students, improve school climate, and forge a strong Home-School Connection. The SSC helps write our annual School Site Plan and determines funding priorities for Oxford Elementary.
Please nominate yourself here to be on the Oxford SSC ballot. It's a two-year term and three parents/guardians are needed. We will meet via Zoom, at 4pm (day of week to be determined). The deadline for nominations is Thursday, September 15. Contact Elizabeth Cornwell elizabethcornwell@berkeley.net if you have questions. The first official meeting with the 2022-2023 Committee will be on October 19th.
Oxford Representation Needed
It’s very important to have someone from Oxford representing our school on the following district committee. No expertise is required - just an interest in supporting the development of our BUSD schools. (The job can also be shared.)
We need a P & O Representative (Planning and Oversight) Committee. This District-wide committee, with representatives from every BUSD school, reviews and weighs in on the annual expenditures of two local taxes supporting education (BSEP &
BERRA). BSEP and BERRA provide about 25% of the BUSD budget. BSEP funds smaller class size, school libraries, music, site program funds, technology, and much
more. BERRA supports teacher recruitment and retention. Contact elizabethcornwell@berkeley.net or email bsep@berkeley.net.
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