Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year. I welcome back our current sixth, seventh and eighth grade students and extend a special welcome to the newest members to the Oxford Middle School, our fifth graders. We will also welcome two new faculty members, Miss Kappauf and Ms. Edwards. I am pleased to share that Mr. Dorman joined the 8th Grade team from the high school and will be teaching math in the middle school.
I hope everyone had a fun-filled and relaxing summer and are ready to begin a new year at the middle school. We continue planning for the upcoming school year and seeking out opportunities for our students to become responsible self-directed learners.
Middle School is an exciting time full of new responsibilities and challenges. Students will begin to gain academic independence and assume new responsibilities as learners. Students at the middle school are given student planners (agenda books) at the beginning of the school year. The purpose of the planner is for students to record their daily homework assignments and future/long term projects. It helps them to gain independence by knowing when things are due and what needs to get done each night. Students are expected to bring the planner to EVERY class. The agenda book also enhances school to home communication. This gives students and their families an idea about what needs to be done (or is going on) in each class. The planner helps students to manage their time, stay organized and set goals. We recommend that each night you go through the planner and discuss what assignments are due. At some grade levels a parent signature is required.
The days here will be busy and filled with a variety of activities. We encourage students to explore all the activities, clubs, teams and organizations that they can become involved in. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, students can meet with individual teachers from 2:30-3:15 to receive additional help and support along their middle school journey. Bus transportation is provided to students that sign up by noon, in the Main Office, on those days.
Programmatically, we will focus on meeting the needs of students at each grade level incorporating the essential elements of standards-focused middle-level schools and programs. All students will be participating in the New York State 3-8 Grade Testing Program in Math, English/Language Arts, Science and Social Studies. At their June meeting, the Board of Regents made a policy decision to implement a new administration schedule for the Grades 3-8 English Language Arts and Mathematics Tests to start in this upcoming school year. As a result, the 2009-10 Elementary and Intermediate-level testing schedule has undergone several changes. We will do our best to keep the district calendar up-to-date so you are aware when the assessments will take place.
I am excited for the 2009-2010 school year and continuing to work with students and parents in the Oxford community. I look forward to many successes at the middle level. Please feel free to stop in the office or email me at khansen@oxac.org with any comments or concerns.
Kathleen Hansen
Middle School Principal
