Volume 44 Issue III January/February 2020

BLACKHAWKBULLETIN

OXFORD ACADEMY & CENTRAL SCHOOLS

Board of Education: Timothy O’Brien, President; Julie Gates, Vice President; Betsy Locke, John Godfrey, Nathaniel EmersonSuperintendent of Schools: John T. Hillis

Winter MonthsThese several months at school, are always exciting and cool.

And as our days grow shorter, we’re in the second quarter.

There’s so much going on.

When snowflakes finally fall, we all go decorate the hall.

And as the crisp winds whip, the school gets festive and hip.

And the chilly months pass on.

Students become excited, when all the wrongs seem righted.

And our staff and students smile, knowing all the while,

There’s a calmness that’s upon.

Next year’s being set, and the possibilities soon beget,

Opportunities that arise, of many shapes and size.

Our ambitions soon will dawn.

The buildings are constantly abuzz with laughter just because.

And the leaders plan with delightment, things of less excitement.

Using inspiration all along.

As our construction is beginning, our community will be grinning,

At the advancements that are planned, and the opportunities close at hand.

Moving into the future and beyond.

The District’s facilities at night, are busy and alight.

Hosting sports and events nonstop, with children, mom and pop.

A pride we pass on.

And as the snow will inevitably persist, the community should really insist,

That as the shorter days grow long, we can continue all along,

To make ourselves lead on.

An example of what can be, with advancements for all to see.

For excellence we will strive, and into each challenge we will dive.

Creating our community a lasting icon.—Mr. John Hillis, Superintendent

National Honor Society Inductions

NEW MEMBERS

CURRENT MEMBERS

Congratulations,

Everyone!

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Middle SchoolThe Middle School has been busy with new 5th

graders assimilating into our middle school commu-nity and our returning students settling into a new routine as they move to the next grade. Students and teachers have been working as a community to build strong relationships with each other and to create a positive atmosphere. At the Middle School, we strive to create a place where kids want to come to school, where they feel safe and supported, and they have certain freedoms to make choices and have options during the school day.

During November we held an incentive day where students could participate in a game afternoon if they had 90% attendance for the month. We had 98% of our students achieve this! Attendance is very important to everyone’s success; we strive to have our kids show up.

During the fall sports season we had 75% of our students participate in a modified or youth sport. Our modified sports were very successful; Girls’ Soccer and Volleyball were both undefeated and showed great sportsmanship. One of our goals is to have 75% or more of our students participate in extra-curricular activities. In addition to athletics, we have over 200 students signed up for clubs and school-sponsored activities. Please continue to encourage and support your child’s involvement in these activities.

Some upcoming events at the Middle School: State exams will be in March and April, we have an incen-tive event for January-February that will be tied to student behavior, and winter athletics will be in full swing with spring sports starting in March.

Please be sure to check out our weekly newsletter that is emailed home every Friday. Please contact the Middle School Main Office if you want to be added to the email list.

—Greg Lehr, MS Principal

Primary SchoolThe first trimester has finished and we have had so many great things

going on in the Primary School. These include: OPS News done by the 2nd grade during Morning Program, 1st grade did a presentation on the character education word of the month at Morning Program, the UPK Thanksgiving Feast, 2nd grade play The City Mice and the Country Mice, finding of the runaway Gingerbread Man, Book Fair, Holiday Door Competition, Holiday Spirit Week, Lego Club, the Veteran’s Day Assembly, and the Winter Choral Concerts.

If you had a chance to take part in any of these events in the Primary School I am sure you got to see the amazing things our students, faculty, and staff are doing. I want to thank everyone that came to any of these events and for all those that took part in our parent-teacher confer-ences. It is great to have such amazing support from the community for everything that happens in the Primary School!

Oxford Academy’s Fall Scholar Athletes and Teams

MAC League Scholar Athletes are the students from each varsity team with the highest first quarter average.

CONGRATULATIONS SCHOLAR ATHELETES• Varsity Girls’ Soccer: Hailey Fleury• Varsity Volleyball: Lili Horton• Football: Kaad’n Wakefield• Golf: Natalie Barrows• Girls’ Swim: Regan Finnegan

Oxford also participates in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Scholar Athlete program. That program recognizes all varsity level student athletes that maintain a 90 or above average during their sports season. We had 32 athletes recognized this fall.

NYSPHSAA also recognizes scholar athlete teams where the top 75% of the athletes on the roster maintain a 90% or above average. Our fall Scholar Athlete teams were:• Varsity Girls’ Soccer: top 75% had a 93 average.• Varsity Golf: top 75% had a 94 average.• Varsity Volleyball: top 75% had a 95 average.

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Veterans Day and Quilts of Honor Presentation at Post 376At the traditional “eleventh hour of the elev-

enth day of the eleventh month,” a Veterans Day observance was held at Fort Hill American Legion Post #376. Speeches ref lected on the service and sacrifice of members of the Nation’s armed forces. The event had an honorable service prayer, a special guest singer, ceremony, rif le salute, Taps, and light refreshments. Surprise quilt presentations were a major highlight.

Veterans Day has stood as an opportunity to pause and honor American veterans of all wars—and thus a day very close to the American Legion’s heart and mission. Two guests made the ceremony more special. Student Natalie Barrows set the patriotic mood leading a sing-a-long of America the Beautiful and the Star Spangled Banner. Brenda Crandall, of One Stitch at a Time, presented six honorary quilts to WWII and Korean Conflict veterans of Post 376; part of the Quilts of Honor Program, at the Veterans Day gathering. The quilts show veterans how much their sacrifice and service is appreciated with Quilted Hugs of Gratitude. Quilts of Honor provide comfort, love and healing to those who have given so much.

There were three WWII veterans of Post 376 who received a Quilts of Honor red, white and blue quilt. They were Robert “Buster” Lewis (Guilford), Peter Volk (formerly of Oxford), and John Whitbeck (Greene). Two Korean Conflict veterans of the Post to receive quilts that day were: John Roberts (Oxford) and Richard Chap-man (Oxford). It was a very special and moving event.

A sixth quilt was created and displayed for Korean Conflict veteran Gerald Wolfe. He is now in the NYS Veterans’ Home at Oxford, so his quilt will be presented at a later time.

The Quilts of Honor Program is looking for quilters to make lap size quilts honoring our vet-erans. If you would like to participate in the Quilts of Honor Program by making a quilt, please con-tact Trish Kane at (607) 674-9656 or via email at bobtrish68@twc.com. You can also contribute to the program by donating patriotic fabric or making monetary donations to purchase quilting products to make the quilts.

The historic Fort Hill American Legion Post 376 is on the web: OxfordLegion.com; (607) 843-8166.

—Jeanie Petersen

Robert “Buster” Lewis, WW II veteran,

receiving a Quilts of Honor quilt from

Brenda Crandall, and a handshake from

Post Commander Darlene Ardron.

Anna Stark shaking hands with quilter Brenda Crandall. Anna accepted the

quilt, on behalf of her Uncle, Peter Volk, a WW II veteran who

was unable to attend.

John Roberts, Korean Conflict

veteran, receiving a Quilts of Honor quilt from Brenda

Crandall (right) and a handshake

from Commander Darlene Ardron.

Natalie Barrows sang “Star Spangled

Banner,” to the delight of the audience.

(Photos by Jeanie Petersen)

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Homecoming 2019

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Homecoming CourtCongratulations!

2nd Prince—William Kelsey2nd Princess—Taylor Moore

1st Prince—Jacob Smith1st Princess—Zaya Friedel

King—Travis TefftQueen—Trinity Vargas

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Primary School Recognition—Students of the Month

OCTOBER

3RD GRADE—SEPTEMBER

3RD GRADE—OCTOBER

3RD GRADE—NOVEMBER

4TH GRADE—SEPTEMBER

4TH GRADE—OCTOBER

4TH GRADE—NOVEMBER

Eddie Ingraham, Uri Tracy, Garth Hinman

Jakob Rosa, Makiliah Depew, Haley Williams

Bray Barrows, Kyra Beadle, Raine Rovente

Emily Williams, Caleb Holbert, Cameron Brazee

Kendra Allen, Bodie Barrows, Sydney Ohl, Marissa Miles

Shane Ellis, Danica Fowlston’s, Lauren Sloan-Boice, Luke Bennett

STUDENTS OF THE MONTHO’Lynn Backus, Andrew Converse-Evans, Makenna

Knapp, Maelynn Ray, Stella Bickos, Abigail Ryan, Landon McWeeney, Ethan Baxter, Avery Demuth, Bentley Calvert,

Russell Cole, Emma Ryan, Siena Ellis, Macie Vincent, Zachary Towndrow, Brooke Fowlston, Hunter Ray, Rachael

Maynard, Natalie Stone, Sylvester Pierson

CITIZEN OF THE MONTHTalon Fritschler, Addison Williams, Adrianna Naber

CHARACTER EDUCATION AWARDSTalon Fritschler, Amelia Hinman, Rachael Maynard,

Calista Kappauf, Jamison Golden, Hunter Doolittle, Kynzie Tompkins, Amelia Moroch, Aidan Kelly, Paisyn Maynard

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DECEMBER

CITIZEN OF THE MONTHHunter Ray, Ethan Baxter, Teagen Seiler

STUDENTS OF THE MONTHLucas Potter, Arianna Arasim, Crystal Fellows, Lyle

Robinson, Luke Chesebro, Edison Rodriguez, Adam Muller, Gauge Culverwell, Jamison Golden, Adriann Ballard,

Brynley Bauder, Rory Canfield, Reid Leach, Ariana Matos, Colten Constable, Sophia Utter, Joey Locke, Emily Sabines,

Kaydence Bush, Braelynn Rogers

CHARACTER EDUCATION AWARDSChase Ryan, Logan Cluff, Killean Franklin, Ethan Baxter,

Ayden Bensley, Addison Williams, Reid Leach, Adrianna Naber, Brie Fowlston, Troy Stone

Middle School Students of the Month for November

Elizabeth Vincent Dixie Gray

Evelyn Emerson Grace Ingraham

Madison Laskowski Victor Richette

October HS Students of the Month

9th Grade—Aiden Rogers 10th Grade—Madison Richardson 11th Grade—Samantha Emerson

12th Grade—Sarah Camiel

NOVEMBER

STUDENTS OF THE MONTHJulianne Chesebro, James Barrows, Makenzie Olinski,

Madilyn Williams, Mattison Donnelly, Teagan Crandall, Kynzie Tompkins, Haley Barber, Abygail Huchings, Mila

Tucker, Thomas Lord, Ryker Rhodes, Isaiah Frasier, Calista Kappauf, Ryker McWeeney, Grace Hodge, Madelyn Locke,

Logan Cluff, Killean Franklin, Emily Williams

CITIZENS OF THE MONTHPayzlee Bauder, Madison Thomas, Emmalyn Winter

CHARACTER EDUCATION AWARDSRayann Beadle, Madelyn Locke, Anthony Baker, Landon

McWeeney, Abygail Hutchings, Deliah Shaw, Chase Jacquette, James Barrows, Makenzie Olinski, Trinity Lehmer

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The first 15 weeks of school have been very artistically productive! The Studio Art II artists created the traditional 3D haunted houses and displayed them in the library. Another October highlight was HS student chaulk designs created for the Homecoming tailgating party.

November artwork included the poster design for the fall play Arsenic & Old Lace.

Later in the month, I attended the New York Art Teachers Conference and was one of 25 art educators chosen to show artwork created by my students this year.

December artworks included the winter concert and art show program cover by Trinity Vargas and the annual Clyde Cole Wrestling Tournament signs. This year Studio Art I classes painted the background colors of each school participating in the wrestling tournament with the lettering of each school created by Naiomi Smith and Ms. Eaton.

An impressive display of high school artworks was hung for the December winter concert and art show. (Photos to follow in the next newsletter).

Artistically Yours,Ms. Joni EatonHS Art Educator/ Yearbook Advisor/ Photography Coordinator

High School Art

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The Oxford High School Drama Club is excited to announce their 2020 musical production. The Drama Club will present Barnum on Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14, 2020 on stage in the Oxford Academy Performing Arts Auditorium.

In order to get this circus extravaganza onto the stage, the Drama Club is seeking patrons to give extra financial support. For a donation of $10, you can become a Silver Patron and receive your name in the program. For a donation of $25, you can become a Gold Patron and place a short message along with your name in the program as well. For a donation of $50, you can become a Platinum Patron and have a copy of your business card or a message, business card size, appear in the program. For $100, you can become a “Greatest Show on Earth” patron and have a whole page to display your message. This money will be used to help cover the costs of costumes, props and scenery. If you would like to become a patron, please complete the form below and send it with your contribution to:

Oxford High School Drama Clubc/o Michael Moren

Oxford Primary SchoolPO Box 192

Oxford, NY 13830

Please send in the form and your contribution as soon as possible, but no later than February 24, 2020. Checks should be made payable to Oxford High School Drama Club.Yes, I would like to become a: _________Silver Patron for a donation of $10 _____________________________________________

(Please print your name as you would like it to appear in the program.) _________Gold Patron for a donation of $25 _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________

(Please print your name and message as you would like it to appear in the program.) _________Platinum Patron for a donation of $50(Please include your business card or message) _________ “Greatest Show On Earth” Patron for a donation of $100

(Please include a 5½”x8” message)Thank you for your contribution! Your support is

greatly appreciated!For more information contact Michael Moren at

mmoren@oxac.org.

High School Yearbook• The cost of the HS yearbook from December 21, 2019 until

February 14, 2020 is $50 plus tax = $54.00• There is an extra charge for personalization (your name) and

added icons.• Please see Mrs. Gross in the library or Ms. Eaton in the art

room for order forms and details or stop by the yearbook sales table outside of the HS cafeteria on Wednesdays.

• A $20 deposit will hold your book at the current price until distribution day in June.

• Cash or checks are acceptable. Please make checks payable to Oxford High School Yearbook.

• You may also use a credit card to purchase the yearbook by following the link on the Oxford Academy’s website.

• We continue to accept business ads and senior recognition ads.

BUSINESS AD PRICESBusinesses wishing to advertise may purchase ads at the

prices below:1/8 page (business card size) ......................... $501/4 page ........................................................$1001/2 page ........................................................$120Full page ......................................................$150

SENIOR STUDENT RECOGNITION AD PRICESParents and guardians interested in purchasing a senior rec-

ognition ad for their 2020 graduate should turn in their orders soon. Please include payment with photos and wording desired.

Prices are:1/8 page (business card size) ......................... $251/4 page ......................................................... $451/2 page ......................................................... $70Full page ......................................................$140

Respectfully Submitted,Ms. Joni Eaton HS Art Educator/ Yearbook Advisor/ Photography Coordinator

Important DatesJANUARY

16 PS Maker Faire, PS Gym/Cafeteria, 6:00-7:30 p.m. 20 No School, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 21-24 Regents Week 25 All-County Winter Festival, UV, Concert at 4:00 p.m. 27 8th Grade Orientation 29 UPK Information Night

FEBRUARY 3 Board Meeting, MS Board Room, 6:00 p.m. 11 Marching Band/CG Kick-off, HS, 5:00-8:00 p.m. 17-21 No School, Presidents’ Day & February Break 24 Board Budget Meeting, MS Board Room, 6:00 p.m. 27 Music and Art Booster Pulled Pork Dinner, HS Caf-

eteria, 5:00-6:30 p.m.

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Sixteenth Annual Recycled Holiday Ornament Contest WinnersThe Oxford Holiday Committee’s 16th annual Recycled

Holiday Ornament contest winners were announced by the honorable Oxford Village Mayor Terry Stark at the Holiday Festival of Lights on Sunday, December 1. All 29 ornament entries from Oxford Academy Primary School are considered winners, and will receive Certificates of Recognition as a show of gratitude; however, place awards in each grade were selected.

Gift certificate prizes from Oxford merchants were spon-sored by the Oxford Holiday Committee: Blueox Neighborhood Market gift certificates, Roma’s/Stadium, and Hoppie’s. In addition, the DEC donated NY Recycles calendars, recycled bottles/cups, and totes for prizes.

The students, along with their families, who showed out-standing creativity among their peers and an exceptional understanding of the concept of recycling are:

In Pre-Kindergarten (UPK), 1st Place: from Mrs. Cirello’s class, Bill Steinert for his plastic snake-haired person with pink drinking straw legs ornament.

2nd Place: also from Mrs. Cirello’s class, Bennett Brizzee for his metal can snowman with big plastic hat.

In Kindergarten, 1st Place: from Mrs. Kappauf’s class, Lilliana Gipp for her angel with plastic knife wings, aluminum and paper mâché.

2nd Place (Tie): from Mrs. Seiler’s class, Anthony Baker for his plastic bottle person in red and white lace; and, from Mrs. Kappauf’s class, Henry Bogardus for his plastic bottle angel.

3rd Place: from Mrs. Kappauf’s class, Logan Gauthier for her glued paper snowman.

In First Grade, 1st Place: from Mrs. Breck’s class, Calista Kappauf for her red egg carton sleigh with wood Popsicle stick runners.

2nd Place: from Mrs. Emerson’s class, Addison Williams for her styrofoam egg carton snowman.

3rd Place: from Mrs. Locke’s class, Landon McWeeney for his metal bottle caps ornament.

In Second Grade, 1st Place: From Miss Morrison’s class, Delaney Carey for her plastic bottle penguin. (No 2nd or 3rd).

In Third Grade, 1st Place: from Mrs. Chrystie’s class, Ethan Trombley for his glass jar “snowglobe” styrofoam snowman with aluminum and paper.

2nd Place: from Mr. Kappauf’s class, Korbin Sampson for his lightbulb Santa with cardboard reindeer.

3rd Place: Also from Mr. Kappauf’s class, Raine Rovente for her shredded paper snowman with plastic fork arms.

In Fourth Grade, 1st Place: from Mrs. Williamson’s class, Taliena Lupinetti for her dog pulled sleigh with lightbulb head people, wire, Styrofoam, fabric, wood, plastic and cardboard.

2nd Place: from Ms. Glozik’s class, Nickos Spyratos for his “Special Christmas Tree” with spark plugs, plastic creamers, egg carton, and metal pulltabs.

3rd Place: from Mrs. Pizza’s class, Lily Karn for her Santa riding on a plastic bottle and cardboard reindeer.

Students will receive their personalized ‘Certificates of Recognition’, gift certificates and DEC gifts in school. The document states that, “. . . while you were having fun creating something from waste materials, you were also learning that if you’re clever, sometimes trash can be reused. This is what environmental conservation is all about.”

The DEC generously donated pencils (of recycled materials), issues of Conservationist for Kids magazine, and “I Recycle” tattoos, for all entering students.

Don’t miss seeing these Recycled Holiday Ornaments. They will appear on the internet at http://www.oxfordny.com/com-munity/schools compliments of Woollybear Web. All entries are were on display for the month of December in the window of 6 On The Square, a performing arts center and gallery in Oxford at 6 LaFayette Park.

The Oxford Holiday Committee gives a very big thank you to the Oxford Mayor who proclaimed November as Oxford Recycles Month, to the DEC for giving this contest statewide recognition, to the supportive Oxford businesses, to all the Oxford Academy Primary School students for participating in this contest, and to principal, Brian Collier; librarian Renae Ruff, and to the teachers and families for all their help and support. Thank you all for making this such a success!

Taliena Lupinetti’s sleigh (pulled by their dog,

“Ewok”) takes off while five

plastic bottle cap snowmen by Bill Steinert look on.

Lilliana Gipp’s angel flies over two snowmen below. The shredded snowman is

by Raine Roventi and Logan Gauthier made the glued and

rolled paper snowman.

Ethan Trombley’s “snow globe”, Bill Steinert’s plastic

snake-haired person, and Lilliana Gipp’s plastic bottle gingerbread house all show

great imagination.(Photo credit: Jeanie Petersen)

Non Profit OrgU.S. Postage

P A I DPermit #18

Norwich, NY13815

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Oxford Academy & Central SchoolOxford, New York 13830

Current Resident Or

ECRWSSBOXHOLDER

Pulled Pork

DinnerTHURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020

DINNER 5:00-6:30 P.M. Featuring Performances and Art Displays

by our High School Music and Arts Students

You will need to PRE-ORDER your tickets!

Dinner music provided by student musicians! Tickets will not be sold at the door.

The dinner is $10 and includes Pulled Pork, Salt Potatoes, Coleslaw, Roll, Dessert, beverage.

Tickets for the dinner are now on sale. Don’t wait . . . only 100 tickets sold!

Please submit your order with money to Joni Eaton at the Oxford High School by Tuesday, February 25

or email your order to jeaton@oxac.org and pay at the door.

PULLED PORK DINNER ORDER FORMTake out orders available!

I would like to purchase _________ ticket(s) for the Oxford Music & Art Boosters Pulled Pork Dinner on Thursday, February 27, 2020.

Name: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Phone No. _________________________________ Email Address: _______________________________(*Checks should be made payable to The Oxford Band Boosters.)