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 2014 with a lot of hard work as the archery team begins preparing to defend the New Jersey State Title.

Guest Speaker!!!

We are very fortunate to have Ms. Carly Sopko working with our Family Life classes this year. Carly is the dietitian for the Washington ShopRite and has been giving us articles to post on our blog regarding eating healthy. Carly came in to present to our 2nd and 7th grade classes about Eating Healthy and Choose My Plate. The presentations consisted of a PowerPoint presentation and an activity. Thanks so much Carly!!!

Another Tip from our Friends at Washington ShopRite!

Hydrate with Water

Carly Sopko, RD

ShopRite of Washington

In order for our bodies to function at their best, we need to keep them hydrated. Drinking water is the best way to stay hydrated. Here are a few reasons why:

1. it’s inexpensive or FREE
2. it’s convenient
3. zero calories
4. zero sodium
5. zero sugar
6. it’s refreshing

Pick up fresh lemons, limes and oranges from the produce department at ShopRite of Washington to give your water a citrus twist!

THANK YOU!

On Monday November 11, 2013 the Oxford Volunteer Fire Department came to our school to talk with our students about fire safety. The students were very excited and learned some valuable lessons regarding fire safety. Many thanks to the fire department for continually supporting Oxford Central School. All 5 fire fighters who gave up their time to be here for the students were former students at OCS. THANKS, WAYNE, MIKE, KEVIN, FRANK AND RICKY. You guys are the best!

Catch Your Breath

Students in the upper grades participated in PE classes while wearing surgical masks. The masks help to simulate what it would feel to participate in activities if they smoked, or had another pulmonary disorder. The students found it difficult to breath and this allowed us to discuss the importance of being "smoke free". This theme was carried out throughout the school during our Red Ribbon Week, which finishes on October 31, 2013. Some of the comments from the students:
"This is way too hard!"
"How could someone do this?"
"I cannot catch my breath!"
We are hoping that this lesson can be shared with their families and will open up some great discussions.

Blue Pinky Day

Uniforms Are In!!!

The PE uniforms have arrived and have been distributed to the students. All 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students are required to change for PE classes and wear the approved uniforms for class. As per the new policy, a student not wearing the approved uniform will not participate for that class. Each student begins with 100 points at the beginning of each marking period. Failure to participate in PE class will result in a reduction of points. Students are expected to participate in class, have a positive attitude, be on time and perform to the best of their ability. Each of these factors is used to determine a students grade for the marking period. As always, any questions please E-mail Mrs. Hart or Mr. Causton.

"Based on staff and student input from the OCS Student Council, BEGINNING IN THE
2013-2014 SCHOOL YEAR all students in grades 6-8 will be required to wear a
separate uniform for gym. The school board, physical education teachers and
administration feel that changing clothes to participate in physical education classes
promotes positive hygiene and safety during the classroom activity. Students are
expected to change from their school attire to the gym uniform. The school attire should
be stored in the school locker room with the students’ own personal lock. The lock may
not be left on the locker when the student does not have gym. The locker is provided for
student use only when they have scheduled physical education class. Students who do
not lock their clothes in the temporary locker provided are doing so at their own risk and
the Oxford Township Board of Education will not be responsible for items lost or stolen.
All students in grades 6-8 are expected to change to the approved uniform for gym. If a
student does not have the appropriate uniform for physical education class they will be
determined to be unprepared for class and will lose credit for the day’s activities and
they will not be allowed to participate. The cost of the school-approved gym uniform will
be borne by the parent/ guardian. The school board will make every effort to assist
those in financial difficulties and these cases will be managed on an individual basis.
The school board will require the chief school administrator to show diligence in
providing the most costly options available each year. Furthermore the chief school
administrator is required to implement procedures and, as needed facility modifications,
to provide the highest level of personal privacy in the student locker rooms. At the end
of the school year, this policy provision will be investigated for efficiency by
implementing a community survey on the topic."

The uniforms are in....



Gym uniforms were handed out today.  All 6th, 7th, and 8th graders are required, by board policy, to wear a gym uniform for PE classes.  That's a whole lot of grey and blue in the gymnasium!  We suggest writing their names on the "tags" of their tops and bottoms, just in case things get misplaced or forgotten in the locker rooms.  We also encourage students to keep the uniform "as is".  Please do not cut the sleeves off or cut the neck lines of the t-shirt.  If you have any concerns with your gym uniform order please contact the business office.  Thanks again for your continued support of our program.

BLUE MONDAY.......RESPECT WEEK

 

As part of the STOMP OUT BULLYING campaign, OCS students and staff will celebrate Blue Shirt Day on Monday, October 7, 2013.  We are encouraging all of our students to wear a blue shirt on Monday.  Next week is also "The Week of Respect" in New Jersey.  In health, students will learn all about respect....what it means and how to show it.  Students are finishing up their soccer unit in PE this week.  This month in physical education students will begin football activities, cooperative games (K-3) and archery (4-8).  We are starting to get a collection of clothing left in the gym and locker rooms.  If your children are missing items, please have them check the lost and found in the main office.

Tips for Nurtrition

Hopefully everyone had the chance to meet Carly Sopko from our local Washington Shop-Rite. Carly is a Registered Dietitian and attended both of our back to school nights. Carly has developed some articles to post on our blog to help parents and students make healthy choices. 

 Dips for Fruits & Veggies

Carly Sopko, RD

Shop-Rite of Washington

Fruits and vegetables can be way more fun if you have something to dip them in! Try some of these ideas to pack in your lunchbox or to eat as an after-school snack:

·         Apples with peanut butter

·         Strawberries with peanut butter

·         Grapes with vanilla yogurt

·         Peaches with vanilla yogurt

·         Apples with cinnamon

·         Bananas with almond butter

·         Celery with almond butter

·         Bell pepper sticks with hummus

·         Sugar snap peas with hummus

·         Carrot sticks with low-fat ranch dressing

·         Cherry tomatoes with low-fat ranch dressing          

Look for Carly, the in-store Registered Dietitian at the Shop-Rite of Washington for helping finding these and other healthy snacks.

Brrrrrrrr.....

Fall is in the air.  With the changing weather conditions morning PE students should bring a sweatshirt or jacket with them to class.  Students in grades 6-8 that are changing, extra socks and an old pair of sneakers is recommended.  The field is wet in the morning.  Having dry socks and shoes for the rest of the school day is good for overall hygiene.  Extra socks and sneakers can be stored in the students locker.  As always, any questions please don't hesitate to contact us. 

Kindergarten Soccer

Hi Everyone,
Kindergarten soccer started on September 23, 2013. We have 27 students registered for the program representing 82% of our Kindergarten students. The first game was great and we had tremendous support from family and friends cheering on the players. The soccer players will be picked up at their homerooms after school and then travel to the gymnasium to get their team belt for the day. After soccer is over the players can be picked up on the patio in the back of the school next to the field. Please come out and cheer on the players as they develop their soccer skills.

Back To School Nights................

It was great to see so many parents last night!  It is a pleasure working with all of your children.  If you ever have any questions or concerns don't hesitate to contact us.  Email is the quickest way to get a response from us, rcauston@oxfordcentral.org, rhart@oxfordcentral.org.  Our phone extension is 1445.  Look for Mr.C at Back to School Night on September 24.  Until next time........

Kindergarten Soccer

We hope everyone is settling in and enjoying the beginning of another school year. Our PE classes have been working on cooperative learning activities along with our soccer activities. Our Family Life classes are learning the different aspects of health and how we can change things to make ourselves healthier. We are working with Shop-Rite to offer some nutritional alternatives for students, so they can snack better and have healthier meals. Please look for these updates throughout the school year. A great opportunity is available for our Kindergarten students. Please read the information below if your Kindergarten student is interested in participating.

 

 

Kindergarten Soccer

 

All Kindergarten students are invited to join an after-school, intramural, soccer program. Soccer is held Monday Tuesday and Thursday beginning at 3:05 pm and finishing at 3:35 pm. Your child does not have to attend all the days just when they are available. The program is designed to allow students from both Kindergarten classes to interact and play games. This NONCOMPETETIVE program allows students to learn more about soccer and the basic rules. Games are strictly for fun and we do not worry about the score. No special equipment is needed to participate, if your child has cleats or shin guards they may wear them, but please do not go and purchase these items for our program. We want the students to be active and have fun. Any questions please call me at school, 908.453.4101 or email rcauston@oxfordcentral.org. If the schedule changes or weather is questionable, you will be contacted before 1:00 pm. Thanks in advance for your support!

 

Mr. Causton (Mr. C.)

 

 

 

I give permission for my child __________________________________ to participate in the Kindergarten Soccer program. I will pick up my child at promptly 3:35 pm.

 

_____________________________________            ______________

                     (parent signature)                                                  (date)

 

Contact phone number _________________________________

 

Cell number _________________________________________