Newsletter - March 2025

Oakwood School Families,

This weather has been crazy.   From one extreme to the next.  If you carpool your student(s), please be sure to leave a bit early on bad weather days to ensure that you have them to school on time.  The back doors should be closed by 7:45 AM.  That is technically the second bell as the first one rings at 7:40 AM.  At 7:45 AM  students should actually be in their classrooms and ready to learn.  If the doors are closed then you will need to drive your student(s) around to door #6.   

There are some very exciting things happening here at Oakwood.  This first week of March is Read Across America Week.  Our theme this year has been award winners.  As classrooms are enjoying their books they are also learning about all the awards that books can achieve. A  HUGE thank you to the PTO for funding this project.  We are also hosting our own March Read Aloud Madness.  Look for the bracket and updates on our school facebook page.  This will all be followed by ONE SCHOOL ONE BOOK- this all school event will kick off after Spring Break.

Speaking of which, Spring Break is just around the corner beginning on March 24th  with a return date to school of March 31st.  

We are  beginning to plan and prepare for the Wisconsin Forward Exam.  These state level assessments are given to our 3rd through 5th graders and will take place from April 3rd  through April 25th.  Please avoid taking any trips during this time.  It is imperative that students are at school so they can test.  In addition, try to minimize late night events as students need to be rested so they can do their best.  We look forward to all the growth we'll continue to see in learners as the spring semester continues! 

Wishing you a wonderful month and a Spring Break!

Mrs. Susan L  Martin- Principal

 

Making an Informed Decision: April 1 School Referendum Approaches

We’re just weeks away from a significant moment for our schools—the upcoming vote on the Oshkosh Area School District’s (OASD) $197.8 million facilities referendum. This plan is about more than just buildings—it’s about creating better learning environments and opportunities for our students, improving safety and Americans with Disabilities (ADA) access limitations, and saving money through operational efficiencies, all while maintaining a $0 tax increase to the debt levy. This referendum represents the next step in our community-developed facilities consolidation plan, which began in 2017 and has already delivered significant improvements through Phase 1. 

As members of our school community, we know you may have questions or hear questions from others about what this means for our schools. We want to ensure you have the facts and an understanding of the plan before you cast your vote on April 1! 

 

What Will Your Vote Decide?

 

If the Referendum is Approved:

• A new consolidated middle school will be built at the Shapiro site (close South Park and Perry Tipler, reducing from three to two westside middle schools)
• Carl Traeger, Franklin, and Oakwood Elementary schools will be expanded and renovated (close Roosevelt and Shapiro, reducing from seven to five westside elementary schools)
• Perry Tipler Middle School will be converted into a pre-kindergarten center and recreation department
• A new auditorium will be added to Oshkosh North High School
• Air conditioning will be installed at Emmeline Cook, Lakeside, and Read Elementary schools
• The district will close and seek to sell South Park Middle School, Roosevelt Elementary School, and the downtown recreation center
• Non-district pre-kindergarten leases will be eliminated (approximately $550,000 annual savings)

 

WATCH! Here is a 3-minute video explaining the scope of our April 1 Facilities Referendum.

 

If the Referendum is Not Approved:

First and foremost, the OASD will seek community feedback to understand why it did not pass. After review, a process will be developed to adjust accordingly - with the next opportunity to go to referendum being April 2026. Additionally:

• South Park students will remain in a 120-year-old building located within a restricted flight zone
• Virtual learning would be required during emergency repairs at South Park due to insufficient space at other schools
• Shapiro STEM Academy will still close after the 2025-2026 school year due to low enrollment (Note: Shapiro will close regardless of the referendum outcome)
• Planned facilities improvements will not be made
• Annual operational savings from consolidation will not be realized
• Construction costs are projected to increase by 5% annually, potentially raising the project cost from $198M now to $242M by 2029

 

Upcoming Information Sessions

 

There are still several opportunities to learn more and ask questions before the vote. Visit oshkosh.k12.wi.us/referendum-2025/information-sessions for a list of upcoming dates - including information sessions and informal Q&A drop-in sessions.

 

WATCH! This 30-minute presentation is available for anyone who is not able to attend an information session. 

 

Voting Information

 

• Election Day: Monday, April 1, 2025
• Voter Registration: Visit Myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Voter-Registration 
• Early Voting Options:
  • Absentee ballots can be requested through Friday, March 28 by 5:00 PM
  • Municipalities will begin mailing absentee ballots no later than March 11
  • In-person early voting begins March 18 at your local municipal clerk's office (check directly for office hours)

 

Learn More

 

For more detailed information about the referendum, including FAQs, videos, floor plans and project details, visit the district's dedicated webpage: oshkosh.k12.wi.us/referendum-2025. You can also contact the district directly with questions at 920.424.0395 or referendum@oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

 

 

As we welcome the warmer days of March, it's the perfect time to "spring into bike safety!" Ensure your bike is in top shape, wear your helmet, and always stay alert on the road. Let’s make this season a safe and enjoyable ride for everyone!

 

 

The Yearbook Ordering window is open!  Orders will be placed directly with Network Photography.  The deadline for ordering is March 17th.  See the link below for details. 

Oakwood Elementary Virtual Flyer

 

Oshkosh Area School District

Oakwood General Music

February 2025

Dear Oakwood Parents,

 

The 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students are pleased to present their Broadway themed spring concert, “Oakwood ROCKS”, on Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 at 6:00 pm in the Alberta Kimball Auditorium inside Oshkosh West High School. 

The students have worked very hard throughout this semester and they are eager to share what they have learned. I have provided a program for the spring concert should your child want to practice outside of music class as well as a link to a Youtube playlist that you can access at home.

 

3rd grade:

“Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane/Rascal Flatts

“Burning Love” by Elvis (modified lyrics)

“Yesterday” by The Beatles

“Jukebox Hero” by Foreigner

 

4th grade:

“I’m a Believer” by The Monkees/Smash Mouth

“Don’t Stop” by Fleetwood Mac

“You’re the Inspiration” by Chicago

“Livin’ On a Prayer” by Bon Jovi

 

5th grade:

“Kyrie” by Mr. Mister

“Heartbeat” by The Fray

“You and Me” by Lifehouse (acoustic cover)

“Come Sail Away” by Styx

 

YouTube Link for practicing at home:  3/4/5 Concert Link

 

Dress for the concert: 

 Given the theme and music selected for the concert, I am requesting that students dress the part! If you would like to wear band T-shirts, jeans, denim, bandanas, leather jackets, etc., I think it would really bring the concert to life. If you would prefer to just wear something nice (collared shirt, khakis, a nice dress,etc.) that is perfectly fine as well. In all cases, whatever you choose to wear must be school appropriate. 

 

Before the concert:

Please arrive at the Alberta Kimball Auditorium by no later than 5:45 pm. At 5:45 pm, please find your child’s classroom teacher and have your child stay with their class. ALL students can find their teacher(s) inside the auditorium. After your child is dropped off with their classroom teacher, please find a seat in the auditorium and enjoy the concert! 

 

After the concert:

Please wait for your child to exit the stage and return to their class before taking them home. Each class will have a section of the auditorium where you can find your child with their classroom teacher.

 

Parking:

For family and friends attending the concert, parking is available on the north side of Oshkosh West High School.

 

Concert Specifics (please review)

1. No food or drink is allowed inside the auditorium.
2. Doors to the auditorium open at 5pm. If you would like to come and find a seat, you are welcome. 
3. Auditorium Etiquette

As we rehearse the songs for the concert, the students also learn about appropriate behaviors while they are in the auditorium; both as a performer and an audience member. Please help model these expectations as you wait for the concert to begin. 

1. Child(ren) must stay with their parents until they meet their teachers at 5:45pm in their designated spots. The auditorium is not a gymnasium, nor is it a place for running around and being out of control. 
2. If you’d like to bring a book, iPad, or coloring pages for your child while they wait, that is perfectly fine.
3. Thank you for helping set the example for these young musicians! 

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (920) 424-0315 ext. 4529 or samuel.joseph@oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

 

Sincerely,

 

Mr. Samuel Joseph

General Music Teacher

 

Hello OASD Families,

Summer School registration for 2025 opens Wednesday, March 5 at 8 AM. We encourage you to review our comprehensive Summer School information letter which includes:

• Registration dates and process

• Course offerings for all grade levels

• Program locations and transportation details

• Important dates and schedules

• Special programs like Camp Invention, and music and athletic camps

View the full Summer School Information Letter here: OASD Update 02.20.25 : Summer School 2025 Registration Opens March 5

Registration will be available through Infinite Campus from March 5 (8 AM) through April 2 (3 PM). Classes fill on a first-come, first-served basis, so early registration is strongly encouraged. (New this year, registration for summer camps will take place through the IC School Store!)

If you have questions, please contact our Summer School Office at 920.424.0395 x2693 or email our Summer School secretary, Nash Vandermolen, at  nash.vandermolen@oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

Thank you,

Oshkosh Area School District | 920.424.0395

The Oakwood 5th grade Promotion Ceremony is currently scheduled for June 4th at 3:30.  More information to follow.