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S P R I N G , 2 0 1 2 V O L U M E 1 V I S S U E 1 1 I

THE NEW LOOK

The Character Education Partnership (CEP) has announced Oxford High School Freshman Academy as a winner of the National Schools of Character Promising Practices award. Only 235 schools or districts from across the United States, Brazil, Mexico, and Singapore received this prestigious award. The Promising Practices program recognizes schools and districts that have developed specific, unique, and effective educational practices that promote character development.

“These practices show what positive impact educators can have when they use high-quality character education strategies to bring out the best in their students,” stated CEP President and CEO Joe Mazzola. “CEP congratulates these educators for helping today’s students become tomorrow’s citizen leaders.” The winning practices include strong anti-bullying programs, service-learning endeavors, academic practices targeting at-risk youth, activities encouraging care for the environment, and programs promoting parent and community involvement.

The Character Education Partnership sponsors the annual program to showcase innovative best practices that are having an impact across the nation and abroad. CEP encourages other educators to learn from and even replicate these successful initiatives. The recipients will be honored at the 18th National Forum on Character Education to be held in San Francisco, California. In addition, winning practices will be featured in the CEP’s annual National Schools of Character publication and on the CEP website.

We are excited to spread the word about the success of the Freshman Academy and how they are successfully developing character education practices which will impact academic success and social responsibility.

Academy wins National award

Assistant Oxford High School Principal, Mr. Marty Livingston, proudly displays Character

Promising Practices award.

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The Oxford High School Marching Band received an invitation in March, 2011 to participate in the 2012 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship game at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 9. They performed to a sold-out crowd at halftime of the LSU vs. Alabama nationally televised game. Only a few bands from the across the country were extended this invitation. Selection was based on the outstanding record of the OHS Band: performances at the FedEx Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida; St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City, New York; Percy Grainger Wind Band Festival in Chicago, Illinois; and numerous superior ratings at marching competitions. The Oxford High School Symphonic Band has been also recognized for its seven Superior Ratings in state competitions over the past 12 years. Once the invitation was accepted, the band started fundraising and practicing for the trip. In November, the band had a week of band camp to revise the halftime show for the BCS trip. After band camp ended, they spent many weeks practicing after school, even in cold and rainy conditions. The band boosters spent countless hours helping to prepare props, food, and other necessities needed for the trip. The students participated in a field show competition, a performance at Jackson Square, and the BCS National Championship halftime show. The band was an instant attraction everywhere they went. The students represented Oxford with great pride, class, and character. This was an incredibly exciting and energizing trip the students will never forget!

OHS BAND PEFORMS AT BCS

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Every year on “Read Across America Day,” the imaginations of children across the country are ignited when they open up a good book.” Do you remember The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, or maybe Wacky Wednesday? The children in Oxford City Schools do. They enjoyed a day of reading and fun as they participated in ”Read Across America Day,” a national reading celebration that takes place each year on or near March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Now in its 15th year, the program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships and reading resources. Why Dr. Seuss? Dr. Seuss epitomizes a love of children and learning. Also, his use of rhyme makes his books an effective tool for teaching young children the basic skills they need to be successful. When we celebrate Dr. Seuss and reading, we send a clear message to America’s children that reading is fun and important!

“READ ACROSS AMERICA”

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F0CUS ON...Career Tech Business Department/Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)

The mission of FBLA is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through student leadership, community service, in-school service, competition, and career development programs. The goal is to develop competent, aggressive business leaders, strengthen the confidence of students in themselves and their work,

and develop character to prepare for useful citizenship. Students have planned and organized several fundraisers in support of the Salvation Army Angel Tree and March of Dimes. They operated a booth at the Oxfordfest, had a yard sale and car wash, sold Valentine’s Day flower grams and t-shirts. They will also host their 1st annual 5K run. Twenty-one students have qualified for the State FBLA competition.

Health Science/Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) The mission of HOSA is to enhance the delivery of compassionate, quality health care by providing opportunities for knowledge, skil l and leadership development of all health science technology educat ion students , therefore, helping students to meet the needs of the health care community. During the second semester, senior

HOSA students are given the opportunity to complete an internship at local hospitals, doctors’ offices, veterinary clinics, etc. After the internship is complete, students have a better idea of their future plans for college and career.

Collision Repair/SkillsUSA Collision Repair/Skil lsUSA assists students in establishing realistic career goals while promoting high standards in trade ethics, workmanship, and safety. Students work throughout the year on refurbishing vehicles. In addition, they are involved in service projects on campus such as installing corporate banners during sporting events and

security fences around cheerleader platforms. This year students restored an Oxford historical marker that will be displayed in the city. Students also participate in “Student Career Day” at the Talladega Superspeedway sponsored by the U.S. Army and World of Wheels.

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F0CUS ON...Career Tech

Engineering/FIRST Robotics

FIRST Robotics is considered "The varsity Sport for the Mind." FRC combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of 25 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team "brand," hone teamwork

skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. It’s as close to "real-world engineering" as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team.

FIRST Robotic students have the opportunity to learn from professional engineers; build and compete with a robot of their own design; learn and use sophisticated software and hardware; compete and cooperate in alliances and tournaments; earn a place in the World Championship; and qualify for nearly $14.8 million in college scholarships.

The Oxford High School robotics team, Team 3139, Oxford Omega, has been working diligently to design, prototype, test, and build their robot for the FIRST Robotics Peachtree Competition.

Graphic Arts/SkillsUSA

Graphic Arts/SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. The Graphic Arts Technology program provides classroom, laboratory, and school-to-career experiences. SkillsUSA leadership activities provide

many opportunities to enhance classroom instruction and offer a foundation for successful career development. Students are trained in all phases of digital imaging, layout, composition, camera operation, platemaking, press operation, finishing and binding, and other graphic arts skills used in industry. Emphasis is placed on safety, layouts and design, desktop publishing, camera operation, platemaking, imposition, offset press, paper cutting, finishing, and binding. Students are exposed to modern technology used in the graphic arts industry. Graphic Arts and Design is an elective course that expands student’s imagination and creativity. Successful completion of the Graphic Arts and Design program prepares the student for employment in commercial art, printing, advertising, screenprinting, and other related fields.

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COLDWATER RENOVATION

Renovations have begun at Coldwater Elementary School. They will include a new facade in front of the school. Students will be greeted with a new drop-off and walkway that will include a tower structure. A new digital sign will welcome students and parents to the school. New office suites will be created as well as a lobby decorated with Oxford logos. The entire school will be painted inside and new flooring put down in the entire school. Many of the classrooms will be remodeled with new heating and air conditioning units, new ceilings and casework. The school will get new student and teacher furniture throughout the building. The cafeteria will also be remodeled. A stage will be constructed in the lunchroom. New technology will be part of the renovations, this includes: computers, interactive projectors and teacher microphones.

Oxford High School teacher, Mrs. Jinks, is implementing a project, “Opening the Workplace for Mentally Challenged Students One iPad at a Time” as part of an ACEF grant. Students use iPads daily to simulate real world work experience during class such as: “Sky Burger,” “Burger Drop,” “Tap Pet Hotel,” and “Sunday Lawn” simulations. The project’s goal is to foster an increase in the quantity and quality of students' thinking and productivity by allowing students to follow a specific set of directions, organize tasks in number orientation and ordinal position, engage in appropriate communication skills, and test their skills in a simulated workplace environment. The project has been a catalyst for building community partnerships with area businesses wherein the students will have the opportunity to go to the job site and co-train with a job coach. The students will do community based training at ACE Hardware, Winn Dixie, and Cheaha Animal Hospital for the remainder of the school year. Students will continue to use the iPads daily in their Transition Services class to simulate work experience and refine their skills. The integration of this technology has provided work-based models to help these students transition and perform job-related skills, thus becoming productive members of society.

From iPads to On the Job Training

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Put Me In, Coach! Administrators and faculty members from all six schools and the central office gathered at Oxford Elementary School for a PLC meeting. A professional community of learners (PLC) is an approach in which the teachers in a school and its administrators continuously seek and share learning and then act on what they learn. The goal of their actions is to enhance their effectiveness as professionals so that students benefit. Oxford City Schools has adopted this staff development as a strategy to facilitate school change and improvement. These meetings occur approximately six times throughout the school year. The theme of the meeting was “Put Me in, Coach”, with the focus of the discussion on peer coaching. Peer coaching is a process where two or more professional colleagues work together to reflect on current practices; expand, refine, and build new skills; share ideas; teach one another; or solve problems in the workplace. It leads to professional growth and high student achievement. The schools are in the beginning stages of initiating peer coaching to match needs based on instructional rounds within the building. To share their experiences, the day started with team building activities among the participants to illustrate how working together is beneficial. Next, classroom teachers shared with the PLC about their experiences into developing a peer coaching process that works effectively. Then the PLC discussed the pros and cons to peer coaching in each building, including the various ways and types of peer coaching that are currently being initiated in the system.

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Oxford Middle School Honor Society Officers Left to Right: (top row)- Victoria Cochran, Brittney Roszell, Laura Davenport (front row)-Emily Robertson, Laurel Goldman

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Visual Arts Exhibit

C.E. Hanna held their annual non-fiction reading competition for the fifth and sixth grade students. Students were reminded about the elements of a non-fiction book and given strategies as to what to notice while reading. Students read Accelerated Reader non-fiction books and took quizzes on them. The goal was for a student to become the top reader in his/her homeroom by earning at least three points. Students had to score an 80% or higher on each test. The books read also had to be in their reading zone. The top three point earners with 80% accuracy in each homeroom were invited to the library for their reward. Waffle House cooked waffles and served the winners breakfast! The reading competition proved to be a huge success in promoting reading and an enjoyment for reading. The competition also sparked an interest in new authors, titles, and topics.

The Oxford Youth Wrestling team won 1st place at the Calhoun County Wrestling Tournament at Piedmont Middle School. The team is comprised of students in grades Kindergarten through 6th grade students. They also won 1st place in the Lincoln Wrestling Tournament held at Lincoln High School.

Oxford Youth Wrestling Team Wins

WaFFles for Reading

The Huntsville Museum of Art has opened its 25th annual Youth Art Month exhibit. The “YAM 2012: Exhibition for Youth Art Month” will display 17 Blue Ribbon Finalists from the Alabama State Council Visual Arts Achievement Program in Alabama’s District V. Jessika Smith, a senior at Oxford High School, is being recognized as one of the Blue Ribbon winners. These award winning works by middle- and high-schoolers will be on view in the museum’s Great Hall. The works will then be sent to Montgomery to be displayed at the Alabama State Council on the Arts along with other regional winners from across the state. The winning artwork from the Congressional Art Competition, selected from works by high school students in the

5th Congressional District, will be on view in the Salmon Gallery through April 29. The works will later travel to Washington D.C., for a yearlong display at the U.S. Capitol. “This exhibit is a major reminder of the value of art education for children,” said Christopher Madkour, executive director of the Huntsville Museum of Art. Oxford High School senior, Jasmine Hall, placed 3rd in the 2012 Governor’s Award for Visual Arts. These works are examples of the amazing artistic talents of the students in our state.

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A Recipe for Equality

DIRECTIONS First, you preheat your oven and set it for 350 degrees. Then, you get Rosa Parks and mix it in with 2/4 cup of faith because she had that in her beliefs. Next, add a quart of patience because she also had that during the Montgomery bus incident. Also, take Martin Luther King Jr., and add a quart of humanity because he believed in every man. Next, add 2/4 of a cup of faith because he had faith that all people, white or black, should be treated equal. Also, add two quarts of rights because he helped African-Americans have their rights today. Then, you mix these together and then you have a blend of those. You also sauté this mix too. Then you mash and chop up the love from a child’s heart and stir it in with the blend you already have because most things can’t be accomplished without love. Then you chill this for a little while, 10-15 minutes, and you grab the last quart of patience and sprinkle it around your mixture of equality because you have to have patience before you can have equality. After that, you take President Obama and 2 quarts of rights and separate that from the rest. Now get your mixture and put it in a pan and cook it for 45 minutes in your oven at 350 degrees. After it gets done you mix together President Obama and rights because he gives us our rights and helps protect them. Then you coat it over the earlier finished product and you are done. This can serve as many people as you want it to. There you have it, EQUALITY FOR ALL! Written by: Kimberly Brotherton, OMS 8th grader

Scenes from Oxford Middle School’s “Black History” program

Congratulations!! Mrs. Megan Caulder you are a National Board Certified Teacher!

National Board Certification promotes better teaching, better learning, and better schools. The process is regarded as a powerful professional development experience based on high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. By completing the National Board Certification process, Megan joins thousands of educators in an unprecedented effort to reshape the public’s perception of

educators, to create more professional educationally rewarding relationships among educators, to advance the knowledge base of

educators, and ultimately, to improve student learning.

Coldwater Elementary principal, Mr. Kenneth Gover congratulates 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Megan Caulder

1 quart of love from a child’s heart 1 cup of Faith Rosa Parks President Obama 2 quarts of Patience 1 quart of Humanity 1 gallon of Rights Dr. Martin Luther King

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Calvin Baker, son of Angie and Wesley Baker, has been recognized as the 2012 Class 6A/Area 14 Bryant-Jordan Scholar-Athlete Award winner. He is an academically superior student at Oxford High School, ranked third in his class of 287 seniors; in fact, his peers call him the “A Maker,” because of his innate ability to listen in class and score high marks on all his exams. He will graduate in May with an Honors Diploma, proving he has taken the most challenging courses at Oxford High School, while maintaining excellent grades, and his 32 ACT Composite Score and 4.17 GPA are strong indicators of the abili-ties of this young man.

Calvin is a member of the Oxford High School Chapter of the National Honor Society and the Société Honoraire de Français. He won a Certificat d’Honneur from the 2011 National French Contest. In

addition, as an accelerated college student, it is likely that when he graduates in May, Calvin will have earned as many as thirty-one college credit hours through Oxford High School’s Advanced-Placement and Dual-Enrollment Programs.

Calvin has not only excelled in academics, he has also excelled in athletics. In fact, he has demonstrated tremendous work ethic in whatever he is involved, and football is no exception. Because of Calvin’s relentless pursuit of becoming a great football player, he was named All-County Lineman. Calvin has signed with Jacksonville State University to play football, after receiving other offers from The University of North Alabama and The Air Force Academy. Oxford High School’s Head Football Coach, John Grass, states, “Calvin possesses a drive for excellence that few people are able to maintain. Calvin isn’t just a guy with a good ACT and GPA; he is a very driven young man who will excel in everything he does.” Calvin will pursue his undergraduate degree in biology and will continue on to medical school. Congratulations, Calvin, on your outstanding achievements!

Bryant-Jordan Scholar Athlete

Brenton Hall, C.E. Hanna Elementary School spelling bee winner is

congratulated by principal, Mr. Clint McCall. Brenton placed 9th in the

Calhoun County Spelling Bee.

Adam Anders, Oxford Middle School spelling bee winner is congratulated by assistant principal, Mr. Phillip Morrison.

Adam placed 6th in the Calhoun County Spelling Bee.

Thirty-four 4th through 8th grade students from public and private schools throughout the county participated in the Calhoun County Spelling Bee. Congratulations to Oxford City School students, Brenton Hall and Adam Anders!

Calhoun County Spelling Bee Winners

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Oxford City Schools were represented well at

the Alabama All-State Choir Festival at

Samford University in Birmingham.

Participation was determined by audition -

students had to learn a set of music, sing for

a judge, and be selected in order to take part.

At the festival, the students sat under the

instruction of nationally and internationally

known choral directors for 2 days of rehearsal

and a final concert presentation.

The biggest "name" director was Simon Carrington of London, England. He is one of the founding

members of the "King's Singers", and is in great demand world-wide for his compositions and

teaching expertise. Other directors were: Jerry Reed and Sandra Snow of Michigan, Joy Hirokawa

of New York, and Keith Hampton from Georgia. The students were truly blessed with superior

teaching and learning opportunities this weekend.

The festival culminates in 2 final concerts - middle school groups on Friday night, and high school

groups on Saturday afternoon. Both were some of the finest presentations ever heard!

Oxford High School had 17 All-State students:

Connor McCall, Judge Stringer, Will Austin, Mitch Lawhon, Curry Cates, Logan Adams, Tanner

Lloyd, Jacob Knighton, Matthew Tyree, Jaime Preston, Whitney Henson, Keianna Mickler, Jessica

Stringer, Regan Robertson, Carolyn Clark, Lindy Steward, and Alex Lambert.

Oxford Middle School had 13 All-State students: Emily Robertson, Zach Austin, Matthew

Bentley, Victoria Cochran, Ebony Kelley, Danielle Bentley, Shelby Parkhurst, Annabeth Mellon, Allie

Higgins, Chelsea Hill, Brittany Lee, Maddie Stephens, and Jaden Starr.

“All-State Choir Festival”

Oxford Middle School Scholar’s Bowl team

placed second in regular season league play.

Austin Osborn placed second in point average

for the division. The team competed in District

competition in Gadsden and placed first in

division. This award winning first place finish

qualified them for State competition at Hoover

High School. This is the sixth consecutive year

the OMS Scholar’s Bowl team has progressed to

state competition. We are proud of their

accomplishments and salute their hard work.

OMS Scholar’s Bowl

Oxford Middle School All-State students

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“STATE ACHIEVEMENTS”

Raven Boyd and Molly Charles

Oxford Middle School students Lauren Curry and Mario Madrigal were both recognized as semi-finalists for the Library of Congress "Letters about Literature" writing contest on the state level. Lauren wrote about the Bible which she said changed her life. Mario wrote to the author of Swindle and stated that the book gave him more self-confidence.

OMS MATH TEAM

Mrs. Anita Ambrister’s art students, Sarah Abernathy, Kaylyn Hendrix, and Leah Bobo represented C.E. Hanna Elementary School at the State Superintendent’s Visual Arts Exhibit in Montgomery. The

students created an Aboriginal design using symbols and dots like found in native dream paintings.

Oxford High School seniors, Molly Charles and Raven Boyd, placed 2nd and 3rd respectively in the 45th annual National Career Development Association State Poetry and Poster Contest.

Oxford Middle School Math Team,

consisting of 16 students, was

organized and competed for the first

time this year. They competed at

Hoover High School, Vestavia Hills High

School, and Pizitz Middle School.

Competition consisted of two parts; an

exam and ciphering. The problems

consisted of mainly high-school level

math concepts. Congratulations to

your successful year!!!

DeArmanville third grade students use automatic response devices to prepare for the high-stakes achievement tests. In the click of a button, students answer questions and the teacher collects the data. The teacher determines mastery of content instantaneously and offers immediate corrective feedback.

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“Dancing through the Decades”

Do you remember the jitterbug, twist, monkey or maybe “ The Thriller”, “Jailhouse Rock” or “In the Mood”? The Oxford City School students and faculty members along with community leaders rocked the night away at the Oxford City Schools Education Foundation’s first annual “Dancing through the Decades.” It was a delightful and entertaining evening filled with such amazing talent. If you did not attend, you missed a good time-better than the television program, “Dancing with the Stars.” In addition to being amused by the dance groups, the event raised over $23,000. Thanks to the overwhelming support of the community, the Foundation allocated $60,000 to Oxford City Schools for its Technology Initiative. Each school will receive $10,000 to purchase iPads.

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.

Oxford City Schools Education Foundation gives Oxford City Schools $60,000 to support the Technology Initiative. Each school receives $10,000 to purchase iPads.

$60,000-Oxford City Schools $10,000– OHS $10,000– OMS $10,000– CEH $10,000– CES $10,000– DES $10,000– OES

$60,000