A roar is slowly building across the Oxford School District. For the moment, the sound is a deep rumble, but slowly, over the next week, the growl will overshadow the gravel haulers that travel down M-24.
No, this is not the roar of the construction equipment at the new Oxford High School. Nor is it the preparatory chant of the many fall sports teams. No, this is something much closer to home.
This is the roar of cheering parents as the first day of school approaches; ultimately culminating in a scream of triumph as August 25 arrives!
Yes, students of all ages, after more than a year of construction spanning across the district, Oxford Area Community Schools will open their doors for the 2004-2005 school year on August 25 ? and this school year will be record-setting (especially for high school and middle school students). So here is a list of important items parents at OHS and OMS need to know:
Oxford High School
At Oxford High School, the construction is past the 80 percent mark and the move has been made. The new Oxford High School, located on N. Oxford Rd., is open and functioning. The most important change for high schoolers to be aware of is their new start time. OHS will now begin about 20 minutes later at 7:50 a.m.; and the day will end ever so slightly later at 2:40 p.m.
For those students concerned about losing their way in the new building, have no fear! Oxford High School will be holding class registration on August 23-24 from 3-8 p.m. each day. In addition to turning in important forms, students will be given the opportunity to pick up their schedule and ‘tour? the building.
‘After completing registration, the students will be able to walk their class schedule,? said OHS Principal Mike Schweig. ‘That way they can find their locker and have an idea of where they’re going.?
Also, on the first day of school a time is being provided for students to meet with their mentor teacher. The teachers will take the time to give a general tour of the building, and any student unable to attend registration will have a chance to ‘walk their schedule.?
Another important change for students to note is that pass time between classes has been increased from six minutes to eight, ‘because of the increased distance in the building,? explained Schweig.
Phone numbers for OHS have changed. The main office line is now 248-969-5100. The attendance hotline is 248-969-5130. The athletics department can be reached at 248-969-5110.
‘I’m looking forward to having all the teachers and students in the classes and ready to go,? said Schweig. ‘We’ll have to put the finishing touches on everything once we’re up and going, but that will be the major accomplishment. Getting everyone here and learning.?
Oxford Middle School
Parents beware! Oxford Middle School is currently a fightening sight to behold – but don’t let the stacks and stacks of boxes or hanging electrical wires with workman pounding and drilling fool you. OMS will be more than ready for August 25.
‘Schools going to open on time, I promise,? joked OMS Principal Dr. Karen Sage.
Not only will school open on time, but the updating being done on Oxford Middle School is actually three weeks ahead of schedule. In fact, the only room left to complete is the Large Group Instruction (LGI) facility.
‘I really can’t say enough about the workmen here and the great job they’ve done,? said Sage.
Like OHS, the most important change happening at the middle school is the new school day start time. In order to ease bus routes and scheduling, OMS will now be starting at 7:30 a.m. The plan is for buses to be able to pick up the middle schoolers first, since more of them ride the buses than at the high school, thereby limiting the number of students having to wait for their bus to arrive. Also, the move allows the bus routes to be set so drivers can make a right hand turn at the four-way stop of E. Burdick and Glaspie streets.
In order to assist students with becoming familiar in their new surroundings, OMS will be hosting a Howdy Day on August 23. Similar to the OHS registration day, the event will give students a chance to turn in important paperwork, pick up additional information and tour the building.
A special session has been scheduled just for sixth graders from 6:30-8 p.m. on that same day. The youngest middle schoolers will also be turning in important paperwork and touring the building, but they will also be meeting their new principals and some of their teachers for the first time.
In addition to all this, students will receive their own maps of the building and be given extra time between classes on the first day of school. Teachers will be holding special meetings with their teams (student homerooms) and giving the students encouragement about finding their way around.
‘The first few days this year will be getting the students comfortable with their new school,? said Sage.
She added that the new number for OMS is up and working. Parents and students can now reach the main office by dialing 248-969-1800.
So what is Dr. Sage looking forward to the most for the upcoming year? That’s a simple one to answer.
‘Having a school building that is not under construction,? Sage laughed. ‘One room isn’t so bad. I can handle the one room. I can shut the door and forget it. No more worrying about kids climbing on dirt mounds and going into hard hat areas.
‘One room, that’s it, just one room,? she smiled.