Image

Oak Hill Nuts and Bolts | March 28, 2019 

Image

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break. Here at Oak Hill, our Scholastic Book Fair is bustling with the excitement of new book purchases.

We are also busily preparing for tomorrow's parent-teacher conferences. The discussions held at our conferences can provide tremendous insights on how you can best support your children in their progress in their studies and personal growth. This information is crucial when helping your children reflect upon their own strengths and successes as well as which areas they should improve and where more practice is needed.

We encourage you to speak with your children regarding their report cards and teacher conferences. Remember, that while we are here to guide and support the children throughout their learning and growth, the ownership for their learning and other choices in life ultimately lies with them. Research has shown that students are more likely to succeed when they take ownership for their learning and are surrounded by parents, teachers, and other adults who share a consistent message of high expectations and support for their success. I invite you to read more about the power of self-efficacy below.

 

Blessings,

Dr. Peter M. Schroeder

THE POWER OF SELF-EFFICACY

 

For decades, research has shown that students who have developed a high sense of self-efficacy (the belief that you are capable of successfully performing a particular task) are much more likely to persevere in the face of challenges and develop or adopt effective strategies to meet these challenges and succeed. In fact, some studies suggest that a student's perceived self-efficacy contributes more to their academic performance than their level of intellectual ability and correlates strongly with positive academic outcomes.

What can you do to help your children develop self-efficacy? You can remind them how they have been successful during challenges in the past and tell them stories about how you have worked hard to accomplish something. You can also help them develop positive thinking when they are worried about something and teach them meaningful strategies that can be used to overcome whatever task they face. These are some simple strategies that can easily be added to the other great habits you have been instilling within your children.

Image

Third Grade teacher Chris Palazzolo and students Abigail Morgan and Quinn Tacony proudly display Oak Hill's newly earned Gurian Model School plaque.

GOOD NEWS

 

We are pleased to announce that Oak Hill has earned the designation of a Gurian Model School! Oak Hill faculty and staff have learned much in the past year about brain-based teaching with a focus on how to best reach each student. Since Oak Hill began this program, we have seen positive improvements in academic and school culture, with increased teacher effectiveness and student engagement. Mrs. Chris Palazzolo has taken on the extra role of in-house trainer and, in doing so, will lead faculty in continuing to explore the latest research and trends in this field. Our work with the Gurian Institute has helped us build on our already powerful teaching model to fulfill our commitment to being a school of excellence for both girls and boys.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

 

Parent-teacher conferences will take place tomorrow, March 29 from 7:30 am to 6 pm; Oak Hill classes will not be in session. Students who have registered for Acorn Club should bring a sack lunch if attending the entire day.

BOOK FAIR

 

Tomorrow, March 29, is also the final day of this year's Scholastic Book Fair. Please drop by between 8 am and noon or shop online through Tuesday, April 2.

JEANS FOR TEENS

 

Tomorrow, March 29, is the final opportunity to donate to "Jeans for Teens (and youth)." Sophomore Ally Bowers is wrapping up her project that benefits the ReFresh Boutique, run by the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition. Please drop off gently worn jeans for boys and girls in grades K-12 in the designated box at Villa or Oak Hill. Your small donation can make a huge impact in the life of the foster youth in need! 

Image

MIDDLE SCHOOL | THE KIDS ON KLICKITAT STREET

 

Please join us as the middle school presents The Kids on Klickitat Street. Come enjoy the adventures of Beverly Cleary's Beezus and Ramona Quimby and their friends on Klickitat Street. Performances begin at 7 pm Wednesday, April 3, and Thursday, April 4, in the Auditorium of the 1929 Main Building. Admission is free. 

CARDINALS' DAY | APRIL 4

 

In the spirit of community, Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill students, faculty, and staff will celebrate the Cardinal's home-opener on Thursday, April 4, with an out-of-uniform day. All are encouraged to wear red or dress in their favorite Cardinals gear! Students should wear athletic shoes for P.E. 

BOOK DRIVE | ST. LOUIS CATHOLIC ACADEMY

 

The next First Friday book drive for the St. Louis Catholic Academy in North St. Louis is Friday, April 5. New and gently used books are needed for all grades and reading levels, from children's books to chapter books. Donated books will fill "treasure chests" in classrooms at St. Louis Catholic and will be awarded to students for good behavior, birthdays, and academic successes. Bins for donations are at the West Door and at the Duchesne Building. Contact Maria Adamitis '20 at madamitis2020@vdoh.org if you have any questions. 

Image

LITTLE BIT OF STEAM | APRIL 6

 

Current and prospective families with boys and girls ages 2 1/2 to 12 are invited for a Little Bit of STEAM at Oak Hill. Join our Admissions Team from 9-11 am Saturday, April 6, for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math activities. Register with Kathy Meyer, Assistant Director of Enrollment Management, at kmeyer@vdoh.org. Please share our STEAM flyer with family and friends and join us April 6.

JOIN US AT THE MOVIES

 

Please join us for Movie Night on Thursday, April 11. We will be showing Incredibles 2 on the Front Lawn beginning at 7:15 pm with The Cheese Shack, a food truck, arriving at 6:30 pm if you want to purchase dinner. All VDOH students and their families as well as all news students and their families and Passport to Summer families are invited. Learn more and register below.

FATHERS' CLUB SPRING SOCIAL

 

Head of School Michael F. Baber and the Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School Fathers' Club invite all dads to join us at BrickTop's for drinks and appetizers Tuesday, April 16, between 6:30 and 8:00 pm. Register below and contact Dominic A. Key, Manager of Community Engagement, with any questions at dkey@vdoh.org.

STUDENT HEALTH RECORDS | DUE MAY 3

 

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.

MOTHER-CHILD MASS AND BRUNCH

 

Head of School Michael F. Baber invites all Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School mothers and their children to join us for Mass and Brunch, Sunday, May 5, beginning at 10 am in our Chapel. Please register below if you will be able to join us. Contact Manager of Engagement Dominic A. Key at dkey@vdoh.org or 314.810.3454 if you have any questions about this event.

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 tonight, March 28, in our Auditorium in the 1929 Main Building. No reservations are needed and all are welcome.

2019-2020 RE-ENROLLMENT CONTRACTS

 

Thank you to those families who have already submitted their 2019-2020 enrollment contracts. 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.

PASSPORT TO SUMMER 2019

 

All eight weeks of Passport to Summer Day Camps are full! However, seats are still available for athletic camps. For more information, visit our website or contact Dominic A. Key, Manager of Community Engagement, at dkey@vdoh.org.
Image

WEDNESDAY MORNING MASS

 

Please join us Wednesday, April 3, when we will pray for children's rights. 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.

FIRST FRIDAY MASS & EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

 

On Friday, April 5, Oak Hill will celebrate First Friday Mass at 8:15 am followed by Benediction and exposition of the Eucharist until 3 pm. All are welcome to join the Oak Hill students for Mass or to visit anytime during the day to spend time in prayer and adoration with Our Lord. This is the final Eucharistic Adoration date for this school year.

 

While students, faculty, and staff will make visits throughout the day, parent volunteers are needed to ensure that the exposed Blessed Sacrament is never left unattended. For more information about serving, please contact Kelly Adamitis at kellyjadamitis@icloud.com.

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.

Image
Image
Thursday - March 28, 2019
All day
 
Friday - March 29, 2019
All day
 
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
NO SCHOOL (JK3-6)
 
Tuesday - April 2, 2019
All day
8:55 am (JK3-6), 8:45 am (7-12)
 
7:55 AM - 8:30 AM
 
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
 
Wednesday - April 3, 2019
7:15 AM - 7:35 AM
 
12:55 PM - 1:15 PM
 
Thursday - April 4, 2019
12:55 PM - 1:15 PM
 
Friday - April 5, 2019
All day
 
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
 
9:15 AM - 3:00 PM
 
12:55 PM - 1:15 PM
 
Saturday - April 6, 2019
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
 
Image

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.

Image

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.

Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School

801 S.Spoede Road | St. Louis, MO 63131

314.432.2021 | www.vdoh.org

Unsubscribe from this eNotice.