Oak Hill Nuts and Bolts | March 7, 2019
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This week in our Church, we transition into the liturgical season of Lent, a time of penance and preparation. In this solemn season, we prepare our hearts to encounter the Risen Christ at Easter. At Oak Hill, we began our preparations with Mass yesterday and received ashes on our foreheads as an outward sign of our interior penance. They are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. Next week, our students in grades 2-6 will have the opportunity to receive God's mercy through the sacrament of Reconciliation.
The forty days of Lent commemorate the forty days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert. In this upcoming Sunday's Gospel reading, we will hear that "Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days" (Luke 4:1). In the desert, Jesus fasted. He was tempted, but he never sinned. We are called each year to unfold the mystery of Christ who was tempted just as we are, but conquered all sin so that we may share in the joy of the Resurrection.
For these forty days of Lent, let us look inward for ways to join ourselves to Christ in the desert, seeking the love and mercy of God our Father. If you are looking for inspiration of Lenten activities for your family, Busted Halo has some great ideas.
Dr. Peter M. Schroeder
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Thank you to some of our recent Mystery Readers: Jeff Block who spoke about banks around the world and different forms of currency; Christine Flavin who shared about teaching photography in an Iowa college; and Anthony Pulis who shared about the St. Louis Football Club.
GOOD NEWS
Kindergarten students get so excited on the days they have a Mystery Reader Skype with them in the classroom! On these days, they are read a book by a parent or grandparent and are able to ask questions about that person's job. And, of course, reading in general with friends is always fun!
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SPRING BREAK
Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School will be closed March 18-22 for Spring Break. Classes will resume on Monday, March 25.
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PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
Parent-teacher conferences will take place from 7:30 am to 6 pm Friday, March 29; Oak Hill classes will not be in session.
PE teachers Patrick Boyle and Chrissie Staley have a shared schedule and appointments may be made on Mr. Boyle's schedule. In addition to classroom and specialty teachers, Celeste Chappuis, Director of Counseling, and Christine Phillips, Student Success Specialist, will be available between 7:30-11 am in the Duchesne Building to discuss children's social, emotional, and academic development.
Register below with MyConferenceTime.com to schedule a conference. MyConferenceTime.com provides tutorial videos at the top of our registration page to assist parents in signing up for conferences. If you have additional questions, please contact Jaime Bergfeld, Assistant to the Principal JK3-6, at jbergfeld@vdoh.org
Acorn Club will be available for Oak Hill students throughout the entire day of parent-teacher conferences. Please email acornclub@vdoh.org if your child will be attending all or a portion of the day. Students attending the entire day are asked to bring a sack lunch.
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STUDENT HEALTH RECORDS
Parents are reminded that a current physical dated on or after February 1, 2019, is required for the 2019-2020 school year for all students entering grade 7 and grades 9-12 as well as all students new to Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School and those entering junior kindergarten 3, kindergarten, or grade 4. Each student's medical information should be entered or updated in Magnus by Friday, May 3.
For a list of all health care requirements, please view Health Care | Magnus Health in the Resource Center of the Parent Portal. You will receive emailed notifications from Magnus about incomplete 2019-2020 health record enrollment until you complete all required items. To get started, log in to Magnus Health using your vdoh.org website username and password. This is the same login information used to view grades, submit permission forms, check your billing status, etc.
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BOOK FAIR
This year's Scholastic Book Fair will be held March 26-29, with set-up on Monday, March 25. All students will have the opportunity to visit the fair multiple times. Parents may also shop the book fair throughout the school day Tuesday through Thursday and from 8 am to noon Friday, March 29, at which time the fair will close.
The success of our fair depends on our parent volunteers. Please consider signing up for multiple sessions. If you wish to volunteer when your child is attending the fair, please consult the classroom visit schedule below.
If you can't make it to the Fair, Scholastic offers online shopping beginning Thursday, March 14 through Wednesday, March 27. Remember, all purchases benefit our school. See you at the Book Fair!
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UPCOMING OUT-OF-UNIFORM DAYS
Oak Hill students have the option of being out-of-uniform on the following days:
- Tomorrow, March 8—Super Hero/Villain Day. No cost.
- Friday, March 15—Pajama Day. Contribute $1 for All For Books and your donation will double! Money raised will buy books for our classrooms, and Scholastic will match the amount we raise and use the funds for other schools or community organizations in need of books.
Please review the Student-Parent Handbook for appropriate out-of-uniform options and be sure that students wear athletic shoes for P.E.
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2019-2020 RE-ENROLLMENT CONTRACTS
Enrollment and Tuition Contracts for the 2019-2020 school year were due last week. Thank you to those families who have already submitted their contracts for next year. We ask that ALL families, even those not returning, submit their intent for the 2019-2020 year. Returning families are also required to send an enrollment deposit of $1,000 to the Business Office to complete the re-enrollment process. In addition, families who seek financial assistance must reapply each year. If you have any questions, please contact Financial Services Coordinator Alice Tuhro at atuhro@vdoh.org or 314.810.3531.
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FAMILY NIGHT WITH FRED BIRD
VDOH is teaming up with Cardinals Nation for a Family Night with Fredbird from 6:30-7:30 pm Wednesday, March 27. Come out, enjoy dinner, and meet Fredbird. Cardinals Nation will donate 15% of your bill back to VDOH when you mention the school.
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PARENT NETWORK: BULLYING 101
The Parent Network of Catholic High Schools is offering Bullying 101, Training Trusted Adults to educate participants about the types of bullying--physical, mental, verbal, and cyber--and how they impact both the person being bullied and the one bullying. This program will be presented by CHADS Coalition for Mental Health from 7 to 9 pm Thursday, March 28, in our Auditorium in the 1929 Main Building. No reservations are needed and all are welcome.
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JEANS FOR TEENS
As part of her Service Learning, sophomore Ally Bowers has launched a project that can help make a difference in the lives of foster kids and their families in the St. Louis area—"Jeans for Teens (and youth)." The ReFresh Boutique, run by the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition, has a need for gently worn jeans for boys and girls in grades K-12. The boutique's profits allow the FACC to support families and children in foster care across the St. Louis area, and the boutique offers deep discounts to children in foster care. A win-win situation! Ally's "Jeans for Teens" drive will run through March 29 with collections spots for gently worn jeans at both Villa and Oak Hill. Your small donation can make a huge impact in the life of the foster youth in need!
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PASSPORT TO SUMMER 2019
Our summer programs are filling up fast! Don't delay in registering. We offer day and athletic camps, service opportunities, and academic programs for students in JK3 through Grade 12. For more information, visit our website or contact Dominic A. Key, Manager of Community Engagement, at dkey@vdoh.org.
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WEDNESDAY MORNING MASS
Please join us Wednesday, March 13, when we will pray for people who are crucified by unjust societies. Mass begins promptly at 7:15 am in the Chapel and usually concludes no later than 7:35 am. Mass is celebrated most Wednesdays at 7:15 am in our Chapel when school is in session. Everyone in our school community is invited and encouraged to attend. View our 2018-2019 Mass Intentions list to see the specific intentions planned for each week.
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PRAYER INTENTIONS
Do you have a special intention or a loved one that you would like to be included in our Oak Hill Mass petitions? Please send an email to Katie Maxwell, Campus Minister, at kmaxwell@vdoh.org. We would very much like to remember the intentions of those in our community as we celebrate Mass together.
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Each Thursday, the Nuts & Bolts newsletters will highlight important information including upcoming school events, student achievements in and outside of school, forms to be completed, and program deadlines. Send your information for students and parents to news@vdoh.org to be included in either the Oak Hill newsletter, the Villa Duchesne newsletter, or both.
Please log in frequently to access personalized announcements and calendar items in your portal. Contact your Principal's Office with questions about your online account. For Villa Duchesne, email Judy Bertucci at jbertucci@vdoh.org. For Oak Hill, email Jaime Bergfeld at jbergfeld@vdoh.org.
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Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School
801 S.Spoede Road | St. Louis, MO 63131
314.432.2021 | www.vdoh.org