Healthy People 2020
In 1979, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) created a program that develops decade-long initiatives to improve the health of U.S. citizens.
The framework for the next decade, Healthy People 2020, was recently released. Now, the focus is on objective development. The tentative objectives cover a wide array of health topics, including physical activity and fitness.
To learn more about this initiative or to get involved, please visit http://www.healthypeople.gov/HP2020/

Busy Time of the Year!

It is hard to believe we are almost finished with 2009! Students in Family Life classes have been participating in lessons that deal with responsibility (our character education word for December). Students have learned that being responsible means that you finish tasks when they are given to you. As we mature we need to take responsibility for our own actions, which helps to build our self-confidence.

Physical education classes have been playing volleyball and newcomb as we learn to strike without an implement in our hand. This helps to build our hand eye coordination. We also have learned how to play a position on the court and which position is responsible for a specific area.

REBEL 2 students are planning their lessons to teach to our 4th and 5th grade students. Please encourage your 6th, 7th or 8th grade students to participate in our REBEL 2 program. It is a great way to get involved in an extra-curricular club and both Warren Hills and Warren Tech have the REBEL program for their students. It is never to early to think of how it looks to be involved with school programs. Our next meeting is scheduled for January 12, 2010. We are always looking for new members.
Mrs. Hart and myself wish everyone a Safe and Blessed Holiday Season!

Cold and Flu Season

Help to prevent the spread of germs by washing your hands often. Here are some tips from our Family Life Classes:

When should you wash your hands?
• Before preparing or eating food
• After going to the bathroom
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone
to the bathroom
• Before and after tending to someone who is sick
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After handling an animal or animal waste
• After handling garbage
• Before and after treating a cut or wound


Family Life classes will discuss ways to show adults that they are responsible. Students will be working on responsibility activities designed to help them "own up" for their behavior. Someone with a strong self-confidence is willing to take responsibility for their actions.

Physical Education classes have finished the first round of rubric scores for archery. These scores will be combined with another round of rubric scores to determine who is eligible to try-out for the archery team. Reminder that there is an open gym 7:30 am - 8:10 am for students to get extra practice with archery. This is open to any 6-8 grade student.

GASO

Many of you may have seen the fence at the back of the school with the letters GASO written in plastic cups. The letters stand for the Great American Smoke Out which takes place on the third Thursday of November each year. This year GASO takes place on November 19, 2009. Students in our REBEL 2 program decorated the fence, produced buttons from our new button maker, and wrote a proclamation that will be read and signed at the November 19th Board of Education meeting. All these efforts are to inform our students about the hazards of smoking. We encourage all smokers to take a 24 hour break from cigarettes and hope that they will prove to themselves that they can do it and begin the process of quitting cigarettes all together. The REBEL 2 students are wearing GASO pins, and when someone approaches them about the button, they explain what it means and why we are participating. After explaining, REBEL 2 students may present the other person with a pin to wear also. The idea is to get our information to spread throughout our school!

Archery Rubric

All Students in grades 6-8 will be assessed with following rubric during the archery unit. The scores from this rubric will be combined with arrow scores to determine the students who will have the opportunity to try out for the archery team. Please understand that the team is not picked solely on how well a student shoots a bow. Their understanding, knowledge of rules and ATTITUDE are just as important as arrow score.

Application of Strategy:
10 Adjust shots effectively based on previous results
8 Attempts to adjust shots based on previous results.
6 Demonstrates little evidence of making adjustments.
4 Makes inappropriate adjustments.
2 Does not demonstrate this concept at all

Application of Rules:
10 Demonstrates proper and appropriate etiquette, scores each end properly, and shows no errors in equipment care and retrieval of arrows.
8 Demonstrates minor errors in etiquette, rules, scoring, and equipment use.
6 Demonstrates a general understanding, but needs assistance in applying rules, etiquette, use of equipment and scoring.
4 Consistently demonstrates incorrect application of rules, and scoring.
2 Consistently demonstrates incorrect application of rules, and scoring, and demonstrates a total disregard for proper etiquette.

Personal and Social Responsibility:
10 Demonstrates proper and appropriate team work; fulfills duties; demonstrates respect and self control. Follows all safety rules.
8 Follows all safety rules and functions within the team with self-control and fair play.
6 Maintains self control; follows safety rules; but inconsistent with fair play.
4 Needs reminders and encouragement from others to participate in a safe manner.
2 Disregards the concepts of fair play, team work and safety.

All students will be assessed for the current school year. Prior archery experience is not a factor in determining the state tournament team. Even though a student made the team last year, they are not guaranteed a spot for the current year. The physical education staff feels that this is the fairest way to construct a team. As always any questions please contact us.

Gymnastics Ends... Archery Begins

Our gymnastics unit will be finishing up the week of November 2, 2009. When we return from our break we will be introducing archery in physical education classes grades 4 - 8. Archers in grades 6-8 will be assessed with a rubric designed to show their knowledge of the sport and safety procedures along with their score. This rubric will be completed twice in physical education class and used to determine the students who are eligible to try out for our competition team. Grades K-3 will be concentrating on cooperative games. Our focus in class remains on NON-COMPETITIVE games and we organize activities so all students can find a level of success.
In family life classes we will be focusing on RESPECT as our new character education word for November.

Great Job Mr. "D"

It is hard to believe that the first marking period is almost over! That means it is time for Mr. Doniloski, Mr. D. to move on to another placement. He will be student teaching in a high school for the next 8 weeks. We all wish him well, he did an outstanding job at Oxford Central and all of us at the school will miss him. It is rare that a student teacher makes such an impact on a school, but Mr. D. made our school a better place during his short time with us. We know that he will be successful and we look forward to having him visit us. Mr. Nucsis and Mr. Egan will be continuing to work with us two days a week and will student teach when we come back from winter break.

We are starting gymnastics the week of October 19! During this time students are encouraged to bring in a change of clothes that will enable them to move freely. We will be working on our gymnastics unit until parent teacher conferences. In order to give the older students, grades 4-8, the opportunity to complete their contracts for gymnastics we will not be meeting for Family Life during gymnastics. We look forward to this unit every year and anticipate success for all of our students.

ABCDEFG...........

and finally H. We would like to welcome to the physical education department, Mr.E(Egan) and Mr. N(Nucsis). Both gentlemen are here from ESU fulfilling their requirements as Professional Development Students. Mr. E is working with Mr. C and Mr. D. Mr.N is working with Mrs. Hart. Mr. E and N will be at OCS on Mondays and Wednesday's until December. In January, both will return as student teachers working with Mr. C and Mrs. Hart. Say "hello" and welcome them to OCS.
In PE, students will be finishing soccer/rip flag units. Our archery program will be starting in mid-October. Gymnastics will follow in November. In health, students are finishing their courage activities. They will begin to focus on hygiene, germs, and the importance of handwashing.

The seasons are changing!
Just as we move into fall, we are bombarded with a sports bonanzas on television. Baseball is approaching the playoffs, football has begun, hockey is in pre-season and basketball is just around the corner. In physical education classes, students are participating in both soccer and flag football activities. Mr. D. is completing his unit in flag football by having the students experience a variety of "rip flag" games that utilize football skills. Six ball soccer has again surfaced and the students have been doing a great job learning the nuances of both offense and defense.
In family life classes we have been concentrating on the word COURAGE and discussing the many definitions of courage and how we can show it in our daily lives. We also have been discussing all three aspects of health: physical, mental and social. Keeping ourselves clean is a major focus for the health and physical education department. We are constantly reminding students of the importance of an extra shirt for physical education classes as well as a stick of deodorant. Also a change of sneakers for those students who have physical education classes in the morning.
Kindergarten Soccer has begun and we have a full field of small and energetic athletes kicking the ball around. We run the soccer on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, (weather permitting) from 3:05pm to 3:35 pm. If you get a chance come out and watch, you will truly enjoy yourself.
Any questions please feel free to contact us via phone or email.

Welcome Back!

We hope everyone had a safe and happy summer! Now it is time to get back to the hard work of another school year. We would like to welcome Mr. Jason Doniloski (Mr. D.) who is joining us from East Stroudsburg University. Mr. D. will be teaching classes along with Mr. C. as he finishes his college education.
Please remember that students in grades 3-8 should try and bring in an extra shirt for physical education classes. We have talked to the students about the importance of good hygiene and keeping themselves fresh throughout the day. Deodorant and Anti-Perspirant are also encouraged for these students. Students having physical education classes before lunch, may also wish to bring in an old pair of sneakers to wear outside when the field may still be damp.
Physical education classes will be concentrating on soccer and flag football skills. Family life classes will be concentrating on COURAGE lessons and building positive self-esteem.

State Champs 2009

The Oxford Archery team once again were named state champs last week. This is a great honor for the students and community of Oxford. The archers will be heading to Louisville, Kentucky to represent the state of New Jersey at the national tournament. This year the national tournament is expected to be the largest tournament in United States history with close to 4,000 archers competing.
A huge THANK YOU to everyone for their support of our program. The dedication of the archery families is second to none, and the support from our administration and board of education make it possible to participate in a quality program. The archery team will be reaching out for donations to offset the cost of the trip. We have been very successful in the past raising the money needed to cover the cost of the trip. Thank you to everyone who contributes time, talents and funds for our team.
The archery team is having a flower fund raising sale. Please contact the main office at school if you are interested in purchasing some beautiful flowers for your home, or also a great Mother's Day gift.
Our 6th - 8th grade students are currently studying Human Growth and Development in Family Life classes. Our younger students are getting ready to begin studying about nutrition. We are getting ready to get outside again with our Physical Education classes now that the weather is starting to cooperate. Please remember that students should bring in dry socks and a change of shirt for Physical Education classes. We also recommend roll-on deodorants for students in grades 4-8. If we are outside in the morning the grass could be damp and we want the students to have dry socks and/or shoes to put on after class.
We are hoping everyone has great Spring Break and look forward to busy but fun end of the school year.

Happenings this week.......

Health
K-4
Students will be completing dental health activities. The second graders continue to work on completing their human body posters.

6-8
All students, remember to get the parent permission slips for the puberty unit signed and returned to Mr. C and Mrs. Hart as soon as possible!!!!!

In PE, students continue to participate in cooperative games, station work, the rock wall, physical fitness, floor hockey, and tchoukball.

February Is Dental Health Month!!!

Students in grades K-4 have been learning about their teeth in health. They also have been learning about the importance of brushing properly and flossing. We also talked about what to expect when they go for a dental check-up.
Grade 5 students continue to learn about drugs and alcohol with our DARE officer.
Students in grade 6 are learning about the dangers of tobacco. Finally, grades 7 and 8 are learning about alcohol from Ms. Napoli.

In physical education, students have been participating in cooperative games, floor hockey, and basketball activities this month.

2008-2009 Archery Team

Sixth through Eighth grade students participated in the National Archery in the Schools Program(NASP) in physical education classes. The students were scored twice on a rubric designed to focus not only on their individual score, but their behavior, attitude, and knowledge of the sport. The top 40 students received letters inviting them to shoot off for a spot on the state competition team. The top 24 scores from the shoot off qualified for the team. Congratulations to all the students who were invited to try outs. The success of the program is based on the commitment of the students and parents. Thanks to everyone for their continued support. We will do our best to prepare our team and represent the town of Oxford at the state tournament.

No Name Calling Week

January 26, 2009 begins No Name Calling Week. Students will be discussing how name calling can be hurtful. The old saying that "sticks and stones can break my bones but names will never hurt me!" is not really true, and name calling can hurt someone. Students will be participating in lessons designed to teach them about the seriousness of name calling and bullying. No Name Calling Week is recognized nationally, and we want Oxford Central students to participate in No Name Calling the rest of the school year. If parents would like additional information about No Name Calling Week, they can visit the following website:
http://www.nonamecallingweek.org
If any parent has questions regarding the lessons we will be teaching please contact us at school. Also please check out Ms. Napoli's news letter attached to the Friday bulletin.

It's QUARTERLY ASSESSMENT TIME!!!!! Students in grades 5-8 will be getting their study guides this week. Assessments will be given next week during pe/health classes. End of 2nd marking period is January 27th.

This week in phys.ed. students will continue work within the basketball unit.
In health, work will continue on body systems, nutrition, tobacco, and the DARE program for the 5th graders.

Have a great week everyone!

GO EAGLES!!!!!

Happy New Year!!!!

We want to welcome to the Health and Physical Education department, Ms. Dawn Napoli. Dawn is a former student of OCS and a resident of Oxford who will be student teaching with Mr. C until early March.

Students will be participating in basketball activities during physical education this month. Students in grades 6-8 will also complete the final rubric scoring for archery. Mr. C and Mrs. Hart will be compiling scores from first marking period with the current scores to put together the schools try-out team. Letters will be coming home soon to eligible candidates. Good luck everyone!

In health, students will be learning about body systems, nutrition, tobacco, drugs, and alcohol.

Our 5th grades started DARE last week with Officer Malcolm. The students are very excited and enjoying their weekly lessons with Officer Malcolm.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns- please contact us by phone or email.
Mrs. Hart and Mr. C