Accept each other just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
    Romans 15:7

Updated May 28, 2010

Dear Parents,

Thank you so much for the privilege of being your child’s principal for the 2009-10 school year. As I have said many times, I find much joy in my job. I learn so much from your children and have the opportunity to laugh along the way!

In lieu of a hard copy end-of-the-year letter, I have chosen to send this communication to you electronically. Doing so will allow you to easily access the links mentioned.

Report Cards – Your child’s final report card was mailed today. Please take time to carefully review and to praise your child for a job well done. Also, critically look at the grades to determine if there is an area of concern. This will help guide you as you review skills this summer.

Summer Review – I believe it is very important to rest and relax with family and friends over the summer. However, I do encourage academic review to keep those skills learned during the school year extra sharp. Generally speaking, fifteen minutes per day is a good guide and more beneficial than waiting and spending several hours just prior to the beginning of school.

Most importantly, students should read over the summer. The good folks at the Edmond Public Library joined us the last week of school for a Summer Reading Rally. Students heard about their fun summer program, complete with plenty of incentives and rewards. I encourage you to check it out if you haven’t already done so. Linked is an article published in Metro Family Magazine telling you about this plus many more summer reading programs in our community:

www.metrofamilymagazine.com/2010-summer-reading-programs

The mastery of basic math facts is a very critical part of your child’s success in the upcoming grade level. It is impossible to continue with more advanced math if students are still struggling recalling basic facts. Resources are available wherever classroom supplies are sold (locally Mardel or Lakeshore Learning). Look for things such as Math Wrap-Ups, CD’s with multiplication fact songs, three-cornered flash cards, etc. Many children who have difficulty mastering facts using traditional methods need a more kinesthetic approach. Some children find that bouncing a ball while saying the fact helps “connect” it in their brain. Or, try shooting some basketball hoops. For example, say “3” (bounce ball), “times” (bounce ball), “4” (bounce ball), “equals” (prepare to shoot hoop), “12” (while shooting hoop). Or, try jumping on a mini-trampoline and saying facts while bouncing. Parents often let me know these suggestions have helped tremendously! The following is our minimum expectation for students completing each grade level.

• Completing 1st Grade – Mastery of addition facts
• Completing 2nd Grade – Mastery of subtraction facts
• Completing 3rd Grade – Mastery of multiplication facts
• Completing 4th Grade – Mastery of division facts

Fun math websites such as: www.mathplayground.com are easy to find. Electronic flashcards are available on this site. Simply click on the ‘flashcards’ link at the bottom of the page. This site is also a treasure-trove of other math activities. Also, take a look at one of the best-ever math sites at: www.aaamath.com. This site allows parents to access math activities by both grade level (top toolbar) and skill (side toolbar).

SAT Results – Included with the report card mailing are the results of your child’s Stanford Achievement Test. The many scores and percentiles can make the analysis of these tests a bit daunting. Therefore, the review of your child’s SAT results will be a discussion item during our parent/teacher conferences next fall. Until then, I am recommending the following journal article for those who would like to have a better understanding of what the various scores mean.

http://pareonline.net/getvn.asp?v=1&n=1

Our students who just completed first through fourth grades also took the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) with their Stanford Achievement Test (SAT). Taking the two tests together is a critical piece in evaluating whether or not a child is reaching his/her potential. An OLSAT score is similar to an IQ score in that it measures ability. The average range is 90-110. It is unlike an IQ test in that the test isn’t individually administered and only an individually administered test can give a true IQ score. Rather, the OLSAT tests the student’s ability to perform in a school/group setting under school conditions.

An important column on your child’s report is the AAC Range. This is the Achievement/Ability Comparison. Your child’s OLSAT percentile is compared to their achievement percentile. You will note a measurement of “low,” “middle,” or “high.” A child scoring “low” on a particular subtest is performing below their ability. A child scoring “middle” on a particular subtest is performing at their ability. A child scoring “high” on a particular subtest is scoring above their ability.

As a faculty, we will set goals for continuous curriculum improvement based upon group reports received. We will also spend time analyzing individual student scores to determine why a child may not be working up to their potential. Again, remember this data will be a discussion topic during our parent/teacher conferences held next fall.

Parents of all PK-4th grade students will have a scheduled parent/teacher conference on one of our two conference days: Friday, October 22nd or Monday, October 25th. We never want to forget that behind test scores are real children with specific needs. Our job as professional educators is to take these scores and utilize them to help a child reach his/her full potential.

Summer Mailing – Due to increasing postage, coupled with the ability we now have to convey information electronically, we will NOT have our traditional summer mailing. Instead, parents will have back-to-school information available on our school’s website and will receive email updates as the beginning of school approaches.

Class Lists Posting– Class lists will be posted on RenWeb on Friday, August 6th. Additionally, a hard copy will be posted in windows near the front door of our elementary school on this date.

Elementary Office Summer Hours - Our elementary office will be closed for the months of June and July. In order to save on school utility bills, I will do most of my summer work from home this year. I will check our elementary school's voicemail periodically and will return phone calls as needed. I will be available to you by email at dleadford@ocssaints.org and will do my best to stay on top of your questions and/or concerns. However, please understand I also need rest and will take some weeks to recharge so that I may be my best for the 2010-2011 school year!

New First Grade Classroom - After much thought and prayer, the leadership of our school is unified as we move forward and add a first grade classroom for the 2010-11 school year. The goal of our school has never been to grow for the sake of growth. In fact, for many years, we have considered ourselves ‘full’ with the three classes per grade level in grades 1 – 4. However, this year it became evident God was leading us to add a fourth first grade classroom. The teacher has been hired, the classroom space secured, and students enrolled. The new first grade class will be located in the classroom that has been our elementary technology lab. The room is already being transformed and will contain all of the furniture and fixtures (including a SmartBoard) associated with a first grade classroom.

Our 1st – 4th grade students will continue attending weekly technology classes. The technology lab is being relocated to the second floor of our Student Center near the fifth and sixth grade classrooms.

Personnel Updates – I have just completed my fifth year at OCS. I hired a few teachers immediately after coming to our school, but since that first summer, the teacher retention rate has been extremely high. In fact, two consecutive years, I did not have any positions to fill. This high teacher retention has allowed me to build upon what was already a strong staff. This year, I have hired more than has been typical. One of the new hires was the result of the additional first grade class, as explained in the previous section.

It is never easy saying 'good-bye' to staff we all love. However, it is always exciting to see teachers follow God's plan for their lives. Watching as God brings His choices to our school has been an incredible experience for me. Our staff has a new energy, as we have seen God work out details in ways we would have never dreamed! The easiest way to explain the changes is to go through each grade level with you. Over the summer I will update you with more detailed bio information, outlining the credentials of all of our staff.

• PreK - no changes. Connie Faulkner, teacher; Amy high, teacher’s aide
• Kindergarten – Leslie Whittington is leaving elementary and will teach 6th grade language arts at our middle school. Britni White is moving upstairs to teach 1st grade. Leah Howlett, former kindergarten aide (and certified early childhood teacher), will be a kindergarten teacher. Heather Van Curen, a beloved OCS substitute teacher and mom of two OCS middle school students, will teach kindergarten. Beth Gilbow, mom to three OCS elementary students will be a kindergarten aide. (Ok…I can’t wait to share her credentials…Beth has two degreed fields of study. She is both a math teacher as well as an occupational therapist!)

So...kindergarten team: Teachers: Amy Abernathy, Dianne Weber, Leah Howlett, Heather Van Curen Aides: Jill Dugan, Beth Gilbow

• 1st grade – Aimee Amen is leaving our elementary to spend more time with her family and wait for God’s next assignment. Amy Aduddell is leaving our elementary to work alongside her husband at the church he pastors. Jessica Martin is a new hire who recently relocated to Oklahoma from California; her husband is a pastor at People’s Church. The Martins will have three students at OCS next year – one at the middle school and two here in the elementary. Alexis Martel will teach first grade. (Again…can’t wait to share her credentials…She was recently awarded the Outstanding Student Intern 2010 at the University of Oklahoma.) Britni White will transition from kindergarten to first grade; her knowledge of our OCS procedures and this particular group of students is extremely valued as we move into the new school year.

So...team: Carol Nelson, Britni White, Jessica Martin, Alexis Martel

• 2nd grade – no changes o Rebecca Easterly, Annette Smith, Linda Parsons

• 3rd grade - no changes o Chelsi Nelson, Nyla Warden, Shana Howland

• 4th grade - no changes o Carol Anderson, Julie Troester, Kelly Frankfurt

• Enrichment teachers - no changes Janet Bass – library; Lois Roselle and Beth Nix – music; Cynthia Martel – art; Elizabeth Clower and Charissa Brown – physical education; Mary Norman – academic support lab

• Office staff – no changes o Patty Woodbridge, administrative assistant o Vicki Linville, receptionist

Mark Your Calendars – Please make note of these back-to-school dates:
• Wednesday, August 18th – Meet the Teacher Day for our elementary students from 10:00 am – noon. During this come-and-go event, all PreK – 4th grade students and their parents are encouraged to come to school and meet their new teacher. Locating the classroom, sitting at their new desk, and hugging their new teacher really helps make the first day of school smoother. (This date will serve as the first day of school for OCS 5th – 12th grade students.)
• Wednesday, August 18th – Popsicles on the Playground – This new event, sponsored by our SPO (Saints Parents Organization) will allow an opportunity for students to greet each other on the playground and enjoy a popsicle while their parents have an opportunity to visit and find out about volunteer opportunities for the upcoming year.
• Thursday, August 19th – First day of school for the elementary! Our school hours will remain 8:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Once again, thanks for a great year. You have continued to show your support in countless ways. May you and your family have a restful summer, spiritual renewal, and a great time of just being together!

Donna Leadford