Special Christmas Project...

Once again the Xerox Corporation is sponsoring the "Lets Say Thank You" project where we can go to a special web address and leave a holiday thank you card for an American soldier stationed around the world. You can't leave one for a specific soldier, however, any thank you that you create will be sent to a soldier. Awesome idea! Xerox has been doing this since 2006 and has sent out millions of cards over the years. Please join the movement and send a card.

The web address is: www.LetsSayThanks.com


If I don't get a chance to type up another blog entry before we break for the next week or so, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! School will be out from December 24th and we will be back on Monday, January 3, 2011!

Till next time...

The Monday before Christmas...

will be here tomorrow, and I just finished reading some ideas about how to slowly build the excitement in the house as the holiday draws nearer. The number one item on the many lists I looked over was to try to ensure that the kids routine is the same as the days before Christmas go by. The same bed time, cut back on sugars, not too much television and keeping up with the school work will all assist in settling students into a routine in the crazy dash to Christmas. Good luck!

Till next time...

What an Extravaganza!

In my last entry I wrote about the hard work and effort that the students had been putting into their concert preparations. I guess I was not kidding! Wow, that was a great show and I am so thankful that almost 600 people saw the show! Thank you for coming out and supporting the arts!

Till next time...

The Big Holiday Extravaganza

is on tap for tomorrow evening! The students have been working very hard to make this the best show ever! Many of our older students are participating this year by playing the guitars and serving as readers and in the important role of stage crew! Another role the older students fill is by helping out with the "troop movements" during the show. Many students are needed to assist the younger students with getting up on stage and off stage quickly and quietly, operating the curtain, running back and forth from staging areas, etc... Thanks to thise volunteers!

Remember the show will start at 6:00 pm. I sent home a note to all parents hoping to drum up some more donations of non-perishable food items that the K-Kids could donate to the Oxford Rescue Squad's annual food drive. Please think about bring an item or two, or three, to the concert tomorrow night.

As we head into next week's activities, I want to remind everyone that we have an early dismissal next Thursday, December 23. Student will be dismissed at 12:30. Please be sure you have made arrangements for their arrival.

Till next time...

Holiday Charity

I know that this year we are all faced with especially tight budgets and that the economy is not making it any easier, however, I want to urge everyone to look around to see if they might be able to donate to help out others who are in more dire straits this year. Next Friday we will hosting a great opportunity for our students and community to come together to assist in helping others...

The Kids for Kids Holiday party!

This event was started by two of our students Noah and Jacob White (and their parents) when the boys wanted to turn a birthday party into a way to help others by collecting toys for the holidays. With the help of the PTA and the school we were able to provide space to expand this program even further. Children can come for the evening, participate in crafts, have fun in the gym and take part in this worthy event! All that is asked of those who come for the evening is that children bring an unwrapped toy that will be donated to a child in need here in our community.

What a great idea that Jacob and Noah came up with and I am proud to make donations to assist with their brainchild project.

The event starts at 7:00pm and ends at 9:00 next Friday, December 10th, here at OCS!

Till next time...

Back to the Swing...

of things!

An early Happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate the annual Festival of Lights! I believe I am correct in saying that the holiday starts this afternoon at sundown.

There are many activities going on here at OCS over the next few weeks that will keep the building busy after school hours and even on the weekend.

The Student Council here at the school is sponsoring a dance for students in grades 6-8 this Friday, December 3. The students are going to charge a little more for admission so they can donate money to the charity they chose, Darfur Education. A worthy cause that helps students get an education in this war-ravaged part of Sudan. They talked me into letting them have an extra hour for the dance... I guess I am getting to be an old softy!

Sunday, December 5th, we are happy to host the annual OYA holiday festivities for our students and they community. The extravaganza starts at 12:00 pm and will be held in the school cafeteria until 3:00! Hope to see you there!

Next Tuesday, December 7th, is going to be the next Spirit Day. In honor of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day we are all going to be wearing Red, White and Blue.

Next Friday, December 10th, will be the THIRD Kids for Kids Party here at OCS. This wonderful event is the brainchild of some of our students, Noah and Jacob White, and we are proud to offer the school for the second year in order to help continue to build this great event. All of the toys that are donated will benefit families here in our community!

That will keep us busy for a while!

Don't forget the Holiday Concert is December 15th!

Till next time...