Happy Holidays!!!

 

 

 

 

We would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!!! Hopefully everyone can find the time to relax and reflect on a great year. We will be welcoming in 2013 with a lot of hard work as the archery team begins preparing to defend the New Jersey State Title.

Good Luck Ms. Tobin

      We have been very fortunate to have Meghan Tobin teach as part of our PE and Family Life program over the last 8 weeks. Ms. Tobin will be graduating from East Stroudsburg University this Saturday with a teaching certificate in both PE and Health. We hope that she has gained some valuable experience here at Oxford Central School. She has made such a positive impact on the students of OCS, we know that she will become a valuable part of any PE program that strives for success.

Important Information for Families

Informed Families/The Florida Family Partnership teaches parents how to set boundaries and reinforce healthy messages to help kids grow up safe, healthy and drug-free. We inform and involve parents, while developing parent leaders, who work together to change unhealthy social norms in our homes, schools and communities. We hope you gain some insight from our eCATalyst newsletter and we welcome your comments!

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Message from the President

'Tis the Season For The Gifts That Keep On Giving

Ah the Holiday Season... Food, family, travel, events, parties, celebrating, shopping, and lots of stress. Actually the Holidays are really the season for GIVING. Did you know giving to others can make us healthier and happier?

According to Allan Luks, author of "The Healing Power Of Doing Good," helping others contributes to measurable health benefits such as:

•Diminishing the effects of diseases and disorders--specifically, lowering blood pressure, stomach acid and cholesterol count

•Helping to reduce stress, chronic pain and insomnia

•Increasing sense of self-worth, greater happiness and an optimistic outlook

•Reducing chronic hostility, feelings of helplessness and depression

This holiday season, we invite you to give back to the children. Children need to grow up in happy, peaceful, environments where there is laughter and fun…healthy environments are not determined by your financial statement but by your mental statement. How is your mental statement? Stressed, too busy, overwhelmed? Then slow down and take a deep breath and stop the monkey brain (a syndrome where your thoughts are so jumbled, you are overwhelmed and creating your own stress). Make a difference in the lives of others by smiling and laughing; it is good for your health. You can’t be successfully delivering drug-free messages to your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and the people you care about if you are a stress ball.

Informed Families needs your support. We have created a limited edition holiday ornament to those who give a donation of $1,000 or more. That equates to just $2.74 per day (the price of a cup of coffee, $83 per month).
Happy Holidays…People are Gifts!

Sincerely,
Peggy

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Parenting Tools

• Learn How You Can Protect Your New (Or Future) Teen Driver. Sign Up For The December 6th Webinar - On The Road To Safety: Tips For Parents Of Teen Drivers.
• Enlighten Your Friends And Protect Your Kids. Host A Viewing Party With Your Friends Or A Lunch & Learn At Work For Our Upcoming Webinar On Safe Teen Driving. Learn more.
• DEADLINE EXTENDED: Create the 2013 National Red Ribbon Week Theme. Will Your Idea Be Celebrated Across America Next October?
• Does Addiction Run In Your Family? Tips For Parents Of Children With Addicted Family Members.
• Protect Your Community's Children At The Pump? Stop Synthetic Drugs With A Quick Look Inside Your Local Gas Station Or Convenience Store.
• Did you know that more people die each year from prescription drug overdose than from car accidents? Sign up for our January 10th webinar - Lock Your Meds - A Prescription For A Safe & Healthy Family.

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Hunting For Health

Heather, the mother of the middle school student who won our 2012 Informed Families Did You Know Online Scavenger Hunt Game on November 15th thought it was "a great way to reach kids since many parents don't discuss the topic of drugs and drinking with their child." Students from 34 schools in 11 states participated in the hunt, which used texting for players to find the facts about the negative effects of underage drinking and drug use. Congratulations to our winner, Melanie, from Millenium Middle School in Central Florida. Melanie will be recognized in the coming weeks by the District Administrator of Seminole County Schools for this wonderful achievement.

Debbie Owens, Executive Director of the Seminole Prevention Coalition, brought the Online Scavenger Hunt Game to Seminole County when she purchased 400 posters for distribution in their Middle and High Schools. "The kids really liked the scavenger hunt. They liked that it was not a lecture. The texting component gave the kids a fun way to find the information on their own," says Debbie.

Read more about our Online Did You Know Scavenger Hunt.

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Donor Spotlight

Informed Families is incredibly grateful to the following recently received donations to help kids grow up safe, healthy and drug free. Thank you for your generosity and unwavering support:



$10,000 Donors
Carnival Cruise Lines
Harry Kramer Memorial Fund

$1,000-$2,500
The Ruth Anderson Foundation
Louis Wolfson & The Greater Miami Jewish Federation Foundation

$999 and below
Helen B. Bentley Family Health Center, Inc.
James Boink & Raphael Bastian
Enchanting Creations
Deborah Montilla
Westminster Christian Private School

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Limited Edition Holiday Ornament

In recognition of our appreciation for donors who contribute $1,000 or more during this holiday season, we have created a limited edition holiday ornament. For less than the price of a cup of coffee a day, you can make a difference in the lives of Florida's children.

The limited edition frame ornament is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your family photo or your favorite drug free child. Donate now.

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Educational Ambassadors Wanted

PTA leaders, Educators and Prevention Coordinators - Informed Families wants to help YOU spread the message of substance abuse prevention. Become a Red Ribbon Ambassador at your school and get FREE online access to announcements, events, pledges and contests for our four most popular Universal Prevention Campaigns. Learn how Informed Families can help your school, prevention organization, or coalition can deliver effective, year-round prevention in your community with our four universal prevention campaigns (Family Day, Red Ribbon, Lock Your Meds and Safe Homes Safe Parties) . Contact us today.

Open Gym Continues

     We are continuing to have open gym time for all eligible 6th-8th grade students. Open gym time is a chance for the students to get extra practice for archery both before and after school. Students are reminded that they must have their paper work in with the nurse and an approved physical by the school physician.
     Students in grades 6 - 8 have completed their first round of archery rubrics in physical education class. The rubrics will be done 2 times on each student and the students with the top 40 rubric scores will be invited for archery tryouts. We hope to have tryouts completed and a team organized by the middle of January. This will allow us enough time to prepare for the state tournament in March.

     Our Kindergarten Soccer ended with the Kindergarten's beating the coaches 3-1 in a well played game. The students demonstrated terrific teamwork in dissecting the coaches incredible defense. Congratulations to all the players on a terrific season.

"Open Gym", For Archery

Students in grades 6th-8th, who have all their paper work regarding physicals completed and on file at the school, will be able to participate in the our "Open Gym" time. This will take place before and after school (schedule to follow). This is an opportunity for the students to get extra practice in archery before we begin the process of putting together this year's archery team. The students in grades 6th-8th will be scored on the archery rubric during their physical education classes. Once the rubric scores are totaled we will begin the process of tryouts for the team. "Open Gym" allows students to get extra practice on the archery range. Rubric scores are NOT based just on the students ability to shoot, but take into account the students ATTITUDE, ABILITY TO SELF-CORRECT, and KNOWLEDGE OF ARCHERY RULES. Please contact us with any questions regarding the process of picking the archery team.

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS: Archery Rubric (2012-2013)

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.

 

End Number	Arrow Value			End Score	Running Total
1
2
3
4

 

 

Rubric Total ______X4 = _______+ Arrow Total ______   =     __________ TOTAL SCORE

Archery to Begin



Our introduction to the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) will take place beginning on November 12th. All physical education classes in grades 4-8 will have instruction in the archery program. The NASP program is open to all students, the Oxford Archery Team will be open to students in grades 6-8 who qualify with top scores on the archery rubric. Once all classes have been instructed in the basic archery steps and safety procedures, we will have open gym time for students who are interested in getting extra practice. Please contact Mrs. Hart rhart@oxfordcentral.org or Mr. Causton rcauston@oxfordcentral.org with any questions regarding the program.

Gymnastics Continues

With all of the changes in the calender resulting from Super Storm Sandy, we will continue gymnastics this week hoping to finish on November 9th. The gymnastic equipment will be put back in storage and the gymnasium will be very busy with basketball and archery.
We hope everyone stayed safe through the storms and want everyone to know that you are in our thoughts. If there is anything we can do to help families get back to normal please let us know.

Honoring our Heros

On Wednesday, October 24th our school community honored our local heroes as part of our Red Ribbon Week. Representatives from the Oxford Volunteer Fire Department, Army National Guard, Oxford Rescue Squad, Washington Township Police Department, United States Navy and the United States Army were honored and delivered powerful drug free messages. This event was very well received and we were also honored to have representatives from the "Oxford Young at Heart" club, who are considered Heroes and role models. After the assembly our guests joined us for an incredible lunch including Hero sandwiches. Many thanks to all of our guests and everyone who made this great day possible.

Welcome Miss Tobin

We would like to extend a warm welcome to Miss Meghan Tobin who will be teaching with Mrs. Hart and Mr. Causton. Miss Tobin is a senior at East Stroudsburg University who currently resides in New Jersey. Meghan has just finished a placement at Pocono Mountain West High School. She is energetic and seems very eager to work with our students. We are sure she will contribute to the success of our Health and Physical Education program.
Students are now participating  in our gymnastics unit in P.E. class. Students in grades 4-8 will be completing contracts where students pick from a number of skills and fabricate a routine to perform for their grade in P.E. We feel this is the best way for students to feel confident in their ability and demonstrate a knowledge's of the different skills in gymnastics.

Important Dates

The school physician will be at OCS on Tuesday October 2nd to sign all physical papers for our students. In order to participate in any before or after school athletic programs, students must have a current physical in file with the school nurse and verified by the school physician. Open gym for archery is quickly approaching and any  interested 6th-8th grade student must have all paper work and verified in order to participate. Any questions please contact Mr. C. or Mrs. S.

Kindergarten Soccer will begin on Monday September 24th at 3:05 PM. Interested Kindergarten students must have a permission slip signed in order to participate. This is a chance for the kids to experience a modified game and have some fun. The game is designed to be non-competitive and parents are encouraged to cheer on everyone.

Welcome Back!!!

 

As we prepare for the beginning of a new school year, we would like to offer some ideas that will help all students find success in our Physical Education and Family Life classes. Please consider the following things when preparing for the school year:

• ALL STUDENTS MUST WEAR SNEAKERS THAT TIE FOR ALL PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS!!!
• Students in grades 4-8 should minimally have a change of shirt for P.E. class. Changing into sweat pants or shorts is also recommended.
• Students in grades 4-8 should also have deodorant or anti-perspirant to use after class. (NO AEROSOL CANS)
• Students who have P.E. class in the morning should consider bringing in an old pair of sneakers and dry socks to help keep their feet dry when we are on the field in the morning.

• Students should have a small note book for Family Life class, as well as a folder for handouts and worksheets. We will provide folders for our 4th grade students from the Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding physical education or family life classes. We are looking forward to having a great year. Thanks in advance for your support.
Renee Hart - rhart@oxfordcentral.org
Rob Causton - rcauston@oxfordcentral.org

Field Day

Below you find the schedule for our annual field day. The events will take place on the field behind the school.The students have been divided into 2 teams Blue or Gold. All the events are designed to have the students cooperate and work together. Some events use water so the students may get wet. If the students are planning on wearing bathing suits for field day please remember that the bathing suits must meet the school's dress code. One piece suits for the girls are preferred. If a two piece is worn, the student must have a shirt to cover the suit. If you have any questions please call the school office. Hope to see everyone at field day to cheer on the students!


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	Water Can Relay On Blacktop	Spider Lift On Blacktop	3 Legged Race	Sack Race	Tank Treads	Tug  of War (3rd-6th) Popcorn (K-2)	Pipeline	Drop in the bucket	Giant Cup Stacking	Wet-Down
9:30- 9:45	K	1	2	3	4	5	6
9:45-10:00		K	1	2	3	4	5	6
10:00- 10:15			K	1	2	3	4	5	6
10:15- 10:30				K	1	2	3	4	5	6
10:30- 10:45	6				K	1	2	3	4	5
10:45- 11:00	5	6				K	1	2	3	4
11:00- 11:15	4	5	6				K	1	2	3
11:15- 11:30	3	4	5	6				K	1	2
11:30- 11:45	2	3	4	5	6				K	1
11:45- 12:00	1	2	3	4	5	6				K
12:00- 12:30	Snack and Dismissal From Homerooms