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“2 COOL TO DO DRUGS!” Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country. It serves

as a vehicle for communities, schools, and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of our children through a commitment to drug prevention and education. This year’s theme was “Our School Is 2 Cool to Do Drugs.” Each of the schools participated, and all were

encouraged to make a personal commitment to live drug free lives with the ultimate goal being, the creation of drug free America.

Themed activities included: “Red Ribbon Kick-Off”-Wear Red; “Sock out and Cap off Drugs”-Wear Crazy Socks and a Hat; “Declare War on Drugs”-Wear Camouflage; “Nerd Day”-Too Smart for Drugs; and “Twins Day”-Two Against Drugs are Better Than One.

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TAR WARS In an effort to educate area youths about the dangers

of smoking, Cherice Greene, M.D., a family practice

physician at Stringfellow Physicians Network and

Oxford Elementary School parent, gave “Tar Wars”

presentations to fourth graders at Oxford Elementary

School. Tar Wars is a tobacco-free education program

for fourth and fifth graders from the American

Academy of Family Physicians. “I am a parent myself

and believe that deciding not to smoke is one of the

most important decisions our children can make about

their health,” says Dr. Greene. “In addition to arming

students with facts and information about smoking’s

effect on growth and development, I’m going to give those that pledge to stay away from cigarettes a special

Tar Wars arm band so they have a constant visual reminder of their positive health living choice.”

Dr. Greene is also spearheading the American Academy of Family Physicians’ Tar Wars poster and video

contest for students who choose to participate. Winners of the Tar Wars poster and video contest will be

determined by a panel of judges comprised of teachers from each school and healthcare providers from the

physician network. “I love using art for teaching and think the poster contest is a fun way to get our kids

involved in being a voice for public health,” says Dr. Greene.

Dr. Greene encourages parents to discuss the dangers of smoking with their children and provides these

important points to inspire the conversation:

Approximately 90 percent of tobacco users started at or before the age of 18.

One-fifth of our children are current smokers by the time they leave high school.

Children are twice as likely as adults to recall tobacco advertising.

More than five million children alive today will die prematurely from smoking-related illnesses.

Research also shows that the smoking rate is three times higher for children that live with a parent

who smokes.

“I want to protect as many children as possible from the many health problems that result from smoking,”

says Dr. Greene. “As parents, we must realize the impact we have as role models. If you currently smoke,

there are resources and local support groups to help you stop. I will help you find them.”

Fifth grade students in Mrs. Schwyn’s class at C.E. Hanna took a virtual roller coaster ride. As part of their science lesson they had to determine how to increase or decrease potential and kinetic energy. Students created a virtual roller coaster on their iPads and then were asked to create their greatest energies by using three given items with no directions: card stock sentence strips, tape, and one marble. The students soon realized that adjustments in the height of the roller coaster and combining two or three groups made a huge increase in kinetic energy. What a fantastic way to apply the principles of science, utilization of technology, and promote critical thinking skills!

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“Tutoring with Technology”

What if a school could develop a program that would engage and motivate students, increase literacy achievement, promote technology and enhance social skills? Oxford Elementary School has done just that! They will advance these skills by implementing the “Tutoring with Technology” project. It will employ the research-based, peer tutoring strategy linked with technology to improve early reading skills in phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency. Students in Mrs. Danielle Calvert’s fourth grade classroom will serve as tutors for kindergarten students in Mrs. Tammy Magee’s class. Technology is invaluable to young children and beneficial to their academic and social development and when combined with peer tutoring will further enhance students’ mastery of content, build self esteem, and develop interpersonal skills. Therefore, iPads will be used as learning tools in this student-centered program. Using AIMS data, OES principal, Mrs. Debora Nelson, and OES faculty members, Mrs. Calvert, Mrs. Magee, and Ms. Jones, Special Education Collaborative teacher, determined the kindergarten students need additional practice to address early literacy development skills which are critical to becoming fluent readers. The iPads will provide teachers and tutors with the engaging tools to individualize instruction and provide immediate feedback. The tutoring sessions will be 10-20 minute supplements to teacher-led instruction. Teachers paired fourth grade students with their kindergarten tutees. The tutor will be expected to evaluate the tutee’s response as correct or incorrect, and provide immediate feedback to the response. The tutor will also be responsible for maintaining records of tutee’s goals and progress. In this project, teachers will use numerous iPad applications such as PhotoTouch ABC and Preschool University ABC Spelling Magic Short Vowel Words. PhotoTouch ABC allows students through vocal/audio questioning to identify upper and lowercase letters with fluency. Preschool University ABC Spelling Magic Short Vowel Words application allows students to focus on the skill of learning to spell words using three phonetic sounds with short vowel words. This application works on sounds of the letters and allows the student to segment the word and select the correct sounds to blend together to make the word. The fourth grade tutor will monitor the applications and record letters and sounds that the tutee is slow or unable to identify. The “Tutoring with Technology” project, linking technology with peer tutoring, is certain to improve early reading skills!

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“A HOLIDAY OF MUSIC”

Some deserving OHS Choir and Band students were able to hear Chicago (the music group) perform on Thursday, October 13. Nominated by their teachers, Susan McCall and Chris Pennington, these students were able to attend the first performance of the 2 0 1 1 - 2 01 2 Kn o x Concert Series through a scholarship that was set up last year in

memory of the late Dr. Mally Moody, retired Oxford High School teacher and Oxford City School Board Member.

Coldwater Elementary School and DeArmanville Elementary School each celebrated the holidays with their annual Christmas musical. This year the third and fourth grade students at each school performed “A Holiday of Music” led by their music teacher, Holly Luke. Each performance featured exciting and upbeat holiday music in a variety of genres such as rock ‘n roll, swing, rap, and country. Several of the students displayed their skills in dance and gymnastics during the performance. The third grade students performed “Jingle Jive” using tone bells and metallophones, and the fourth grade students performed “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas” with their recorders. The finale “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” featured a guest appearance from Santa Claus!

Left to Right: Kiley Heflin; Taylor Goodwin; Morgan Erdman; Jessica Stringer; OHS English teacher, Mrs. Angela Dickert; Allie Plemons; Darricia Lewis; Alan Pennington; Trey Humphries; and Kayley Parker

DR. MALLY MOODY SCHOLARSHIP

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How Does Our Garden Grow?

Coldwater Elementary teachers, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Lott, and Mrs. Caulder, attended a gardening workshop sponsored by Auburn University. Their classes started a school-wide garden in their “Outdoor Classroom.” They planted and harvested carrots, broccoli, collards, and cauliflower. The teachers have integrated the hands-on learning experiences into their math and writing lessons.

Madame Abernathy’s sixth grade French culture

class at Oxford Middle School learns speaking,

language, cultural and historical skills. They

practiced these skills by caroling around the

school before the Christmas break singing "Mon

Beau Sapin" (otherwise known as "O, Christmas

Tree") and the traditional French carols, "Un

Flambeau, Isabelle" and "Il Est Ne, Le Divin

Enfant."

“Mon Beau Sapin”

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The excitement of Christmas, the wonder of the season, and the joy of smiling children’s faces were experienced by all at “Breakfast with Santa.” The morning was filled with visits with Frosty, Rudolph, Santa’s elves, Gingerbread man, Santa Grinch, the Christmas angel and of course Mr. and Mrs. Claus. The children and parents visited with the characters as they enjoyed breakfast provided by IHOP. In an effort to promote literacy, every child received a book from ‘Ole St. Nick. A special thanks to our sponsors and patrons. The event, hosted by the Oxford City Schools Education Foundation, raised over $10,000 for its “Technology Initiative” and will be used to purchase technology for students.

The Sound of Music The Sixth Grade Band is the Beginning Band at C. E. Hanna School. Curriculum for this course is an extension of the skills and concepts introduced in General Music classes. Beginning Band is open to all sixth grade students. Prior instrumental music experience is not required. Recruiting and enrollment registration occur in the spring of the fifth grade year.

This class is designed to teach the elements of music through the study and performance of a Woodwind, Brass, or Percussion instrument. The student will gain skills and acquire musical concepts through individual and group instruction. The goal of the class is to create a student who is able to perform music intelligently, make decisions about appropriate technique, and evaluate the performance.

Participation in this class enables the student musician the opportunity to perform in concerts and academic pep rallies throughout the school year. Beginning Band provides each student with the opportunity to develop into a fundamentally sound musician that wishes to further their musical experiences through continued participation in the Oxford Middle School Band and the Oxford High School Band.

Breakfast with Santa

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Amazing Art

GOVENOR’S SCHOOL

WALL OF CHAMPIONS

Amanda Parker and Kayla Spurling, seniors at Oxford High School, were selected to attend the Alabama Governor’s School held at Samford University in Birmingham. Funded by the State of Alabama and Samford University, the Governor’s School is a ten-day summer residential honors program designed to provide academic, creative, and leadership experiences for rising seniors from across the state who have demonstrated exceptional ability in their achievement and high school studies. The students had the opportunity to meet business, academic, and political leaders from Alabama and beyond. Amanda plans to attend Samford University and become a corporate accounting lawyer and Kayla hopes to pursue a veterinary degree from Auburn University.

1st place winner of OHS Homecoming Door

Decoration: Ms.Yevette Word’s class

Artwork designed by 10th grader Emily Fleming

Friends, classmates, and family gathered for the unveiling of a bronze plaque honoring Oxford alumnus, Mr. Bobby Pope. Mr. Pope is the first to be honored on the Oxford City Schools Education Foundation’s “Wall of Champions” for his $25,000 donation to the Foundation and the students in Oxford City Schools. Wishing to give back to the school that afforded him many opportunities and laid the foundation for his very successful banking career, Mr. Pope stated, “My heart is still in Oxford, and I am very proud of the schools and this city. I want to make a positive difference in the lives of these students.” We applaud you, Mr. Pope, for your investment in the education of young minds!

OHS teacher, Ms. Dana Webb, is recognized for her leadership in Special Olympics. Ms. Webb exemplifies the spirit of community service.

Spirit of Service

Amanda Parks Kayla Spurling

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OCS Elementary Choir

The Jacket Sing-Sations, Oxford City Schools System’s elite elementary choir has begun its fourth year. Under the direction of Holly Luke and Kristina Sisco, this 68 member, auditioned choir, is made up of 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students from all four elementary schools in the Oxford City School System. The students are selected based on their musician skills, self discipline, responsibility, and commitment to music. They act as ambassadors of their schools and the entire Oxford City School System. The Jacket Sing-Sations, have been invited to perform at the 2012 Alabama Music Educators In-Service Conference at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Convention Center on January 19th. The performance will be at the Montgomery Performing Arts Center. This invitation shows the commitment to musical excellence displayed by this young group of musicians. The 5th grade members of the Jacket Sing-Sations elementary choir attended the Jacksonville State University Honor Choir on October 1st. The guest clinician was Paige Mathis, director of the Atlanta Young Singers of Callanwolde. Two of the students, Chelsea Haynes and Sara Melton, were featured in a small ensemble at the concert that evening. The 4th grade members of the Jacket Sing-Sations elementary choir attended the Alabama Music Educators Association’s Elementary Music Festival at Samford University on October 7th. The students performed with over 300 students from various schools in Alabama, under the direction of clinician, Dena Byers, Associate Conductor for the Durham North Carolina Children’s Choir.

STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

It is the policy of the Oxford City Board of Education that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, disability, sex, religion,

creed, national origin or age, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under

any program, activity, or employment.