Oak Hill Nuts and Bolts | September 3, 2020
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
In my Back-to-School Night video, I shared a thought about this year's theme – Wonder and Awe. After what seemed like a difficult spring semester and a world of real uncertainty, we want to capture the essence of an actualized childhood. We want your children to experience, once again, the grandeur of life even with social distancing, masking, and hand hygiene. Our children have had to grapple with much these past 6-8 months; often, it drew them away from the magic of childhood. While these accommodations are absolutely necessary, it saddens me a bit. I believe, then, that it becomes our responsibility to guide them back into that ethos of childhood which is characterized by wonder and awe.
I share this quote from Rachel Carlson, an American Biologist, who had a real sense of connecting to the outdoor world around us (a passion of mine, as you know). She says:
As parents, I think this is what we crave most for our children at this moment. I commit to you that we – Oak Hill and you as parents – will work together on this.
Dr. Peter M. Schroeder
Mrs. Molly Hobbs spent the past six years gaining experience teaching kindergarten through sixth grade while living in Australia. She loves that Oak Hill reaches out to families of all backgrounds and works hard to provide interesting learning experiences for all students, such as the chicken coop and the makerspace. This year, she is excited to get to know the American education system and for Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill to become her home away from home! Mrs. Hobbs grew up in the Australian outback where she cared for orphaned, young kangaroos and ringtail possums until they were strong enough to go live on their own in the wild. She wants to remind students that school is a wonderful time to find out what makes you so unique and that your special skill is waiting to be found!
BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT VIDEOS
In case you missed our virtual Back-to-School Night, Oak Hill teachers have created informational videos to introduce their classroom expectations and curriculum to you. The videos are listed on slides by division and grade level. Videos from our specialty class teachers, campus minister, instructional specialist, and from Mrs. Bergfeld are on the last two slides.
LUNCH ORDERS
Each week, students who wish to order lunch from school should select lunches for the following week using our Lunch Order Form. Place lunch orders by 9 pm each Tuesday for lunch the following week. Order forms will be updated on Wednesdays.
EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES | HOW-TO VIDEOS
Parents, do you need a little help learning to navigating the new educational technologies being used by our teachers and students? Check out the how-to videos posted in your Parent Portal.
ACORN CLUB ASSISTANT NEEDED
Acorn Club, our after-care program for students JK3-grade 6, is looking for a part-time assistant to work from 3-6 pm on all full school days. Acorn Club provides our Oak Hill students time for supervised play, snacks, activities, and homework. If you have an interest in working with children or want to refer someone else, contact Donna Toedebusch, Assistant Director of Acorn Club, at dtoedebush@vdoh.org to learn more. Due to the bifurcation set in place between Oak Hill and Villa during the pandemic, we are unable to accept applications from Villa students.
2020-21 SCHOOL DIRECTORY
Parents, if you would like a printed copy of our 2020-21 School Directory, please complete the brief form below. Or, if you prefer to 'go green,' you can elect to use our online Directory Search available on the Bulletin Board of your Parent Portal. Please note, for the privacy of our families, you must be logged in to access this feature. Printed school directories will be available by mid-September.
PRAYER OPPORTUNITY
"Could you not spend an hour?" Christ asks, and we, like the apostles, must somehow rouse ourselves and respond. If you offer God 12 minutes each day before you begin your commute or the same time at the end of your work, in a week, you'll have spent 60 minutes outside of Mass, contemplating Our Lord. You'll also find this becomes easier, as you enter deeper and deeper into the mystery of being in Christ's presence. The Mission Committee welcomes you to stop by the Carmelite Chapel this First Friday, September 4, as Villa and Oak Hill parents pray, during the day, for our community. Come. Let us adore Him.
PRAYER REQUESTS
The Parent Association Mission Committee has established a special intentions prayer group. If you have a prayer request for yourself or a loved one, we have a dedicated group to pray for your need. Please send your request to vdohmission@vdoh.org. Prayers are confidential if requested.
ROSARY | EACH WEDNESDAY
The Potawatomi gave St. Rose Philippine Duchesne the name of "Kwah-kah-kum-ad," the Woman Who Prays Always. Join us as we try to follow in her footsteps praying always the Rosary together on Wednesday mornings, rain or shine, at 8 o'clock at the Marian grotto in the Front Bowl. All are welcome. Please be sure to wear a face mask and maintain proper social distancing. If you have any questions about this or other opportunities to get involved with the Mission Committee, please contact Molly Pollnow Kraeger '92 or Ellen Reis Weis '97 at vdohmission@vdoh.org.
NO SCHOOL | SEPTEMBER 7
Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School will be closed Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.
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 content 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 | news@vdoh.org |