Aloha!

It is wonderful to watch our first graders present their PowerPoints! They display such confidence and pride...speaking on front of a crowd of about 75 people! This is just one example of the emphasis we place on communication, creativity, and collaboration. I am so proud of their work!

Are we a 21st Century School?

The Oakhill Day School faculty and administration had an opportunity to share, grow, and connect on Monday, January 28^th.

My colleagues – other heads of school in the KC area – from St. Paul’s, Pembroke Hill, The Barstow School, Bishop Seabury, Topeka Collegiate, St. Teresa’s Academy, Notre Dame de Sion, Rockhurst High School, Kansas City Academy, Horizon Academy, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, and Cristo Rey of Kansas City strive to bring professional development opportunities to our schools.

Although the Heads of Schools get together each month to chat, discuss, and share, our communities had not gotten together for the past five years. We were excited to meet at St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School on January 28^th. We began by hearing from Pat Bassett, President of the NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools). His presentation focused on 21^st Century Schools – what needs to be taught and emphasized. The skills needed in today’s world and beyond are: creativity, character, communication, critical thinking, collaboration and cultural knowledge. 

As Pat discussed each of these skills, of course, my reaction was to say to myself… is Oakhill cultivating these skills as well? And, the answer is yes! These skills can be hard to measure, yet our “products” – our graduates and alumni truly “measure up”! If you came to Fly Up Night, you were able to hear from a few of our alumni – their confidence and presence in front of a large crowd were amazing!

Our teachers then went to breakout sessions with their divisions. For instance, the Early Childhood teachers were able to share and interact with other Early Childhood teachers…the Lower school…the Middle School…and, the Specialists. Pat Bassett did a second presentation for the school administration. This presentation focused on the importance of managing and leading a school to greatness. As he pointed out, a strong community is essential to a school’s overall success.

Finally, Mr. Bassett presented to the Board of Trustees from the various schools. He focused on the commonalities of great independent schools – it was exciting to see how well Oakhill “scored” according to his rubric!

I feel we are great…but, of course, there is ALWAYS room for improvement! We will continue to reach for the stars, to be better, to be stronger, to stay true to our mission! Being good is not enough – being great is expected!

Setting Us Apart

Each year, I watch the 8^th graders blossom and transform…from middle school students to high schoolers! There are many things they take with them – confidence, character, the ability to clearly communicate, written expression, mathematical abilities, the understanding of our past and present, the ability to hypothesize, and so much more. I know Oakhill provides a solid foundation for what is to come.

When I watched the 8^th grade perform at last month's Holiday Concert, I watched their unique personalities come out on stage. In many middle schools, there are a select few who choose to participate in drama and music…maybe they choose this as an elective and maybe they don’t! Maybe they are chosen by the music and drama teacher, and maybe they aren't! At Oakhill all of our 8^th graders have the opportunity to shine on stage…to share their talent in front of family and friends…to let their confidence grow even more. Those moments are important to me as an administrator…we are producing students who believe in themselves and know who they are!

Of course, hard evidence is just as important. As parents, I know you are always looking for evidence of value…and, you should be!

I want to take this opportunity to share with you some remarkable statistics. On Wednesday, November 7^th the eighth grade students took the EXPLORE test, which is part of the ACT family.  It is written for the 8^th or 9^th grade level with a goal of getting a head start on ACT testing and making sure students are on track for high school.  Via an inventory, it also suggests careers and course direction that match the student’s interest.  The test consists of a section in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science with a high score of 25.  The English section has two components, usage/mechanics and rhetorical skills with a high score of 12.  Each student also received a composite score with 25 being the highest.  The charts below show how our students at Oakhill compared to the national norm group. Quite impressive AND expected!

Some interesting points: (For each of the following the high composite score is 25.)

In English our students average composite score was 21.6 compared to a national average of 14.7.

In Mathematics our students average composite score was 20.8 compared to a national average of 15.5.

In Reading our students average composite score was 21.1 compared to a national average of 14.6.

In Science our students average composite score was 20.8 compared to a national average of 16.6.

Overall composite:  our students averaged 21.2 compared to a national average of 15.5!  100% of our students scored ABOVE the national average!

We are excited to share our results with the entire community.  We understand that Oakhill is an investment.  The performance of our 8^th grade students on the EXPLORE is just one of many way we can show you the dividends.

Suzanne

The Next Generation of Field Trips

I love to travel! I truly believe traveling, whether near or far, is such a powerful experience for children of all ages. We can learn so much from road trips – culture, economics, map reading, independence, budgeting, geography, geology, ecology, and the list goes on and on!

When I was eight and had to get in the back of a hatchback for 10 days (no seatbelts back then were used), I probably didn’t realize the impact those travels would have on me. My family spent 10 days each summer driving around the US…hitting every state except for Alaska and Hawaii by the time I was in college (are we there yet?). Since then, my own family and I have made a point to mark those last two states off the list. Our past travels, similar (in a less exaggerated way) to those in Chevy Chase’s Family Vacation, have brought back many laughs and memories.

The power of travel motivates Oakhill to offer opportunities each year for our students whether it be in Kansas City, Hermann, MO, or Omaha, NE. Our middle school students are afforded the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. in 5^th and 6^th grade and the Florida Keys in 7^th and 8^th grade (every other year). On the off years, we have taken a Spanish Immersion trip to Minnesota’s Concordia Language Village and hope to head to northern Arkansas to visit Heifer International’s camp this Spring.

And, now…thanks to the passion of former Senora Herman and our 1^st-4^th Science specialist, Dena Cole, our 5^th-8^th graders are now going to have the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica this coming summer (completely optional). Last summer, Senora Herman and Mrs. Cole spent eight days in Costa Rica on a school tour for teachers who might be interested in bringing students to the Rainforest. I just watched Mrs. Cole’s presentation to the Middle School and WOW! I am excited!!!

Why are we going to offer a trip to Costa Rica? I thought I would do a Q & A with Mrs. Cole for the answers…

Mrs. McCanles: Why Costa Rica?

Mrs. Cole: It is such an authentic experience with a very professional tour company created to cater to school groups. Costa Rica has such a vast rainforest and the country spends a great deal of its money on education and ecotourism.

Mrs. McCanles: Why take 5^th – 8^th graders?

Mrs. Cole: A great mix of Spanish and Science. The students have the background necessary to appreciate the rainforest and the problems that exist. The students will have the opportunity to use their Spanish skills as they feel comfortable. And, most importantly, the students who were here in 3^rd grade spent a great deal of time on their rainforest projects and animals. Now, they get to go back with their “old” science teacher to bring those projects to life.

Mrs. McCanles: What are the top three things the students will take away from the trip/experience?

Mrs. Cole: 1) seeing the animals up close and personal in their natural habitat is incredible 2) just experiencing the rainforest is something pictures and videos cannot replicate and 3) the bonding and team building is unforgettable – the white water rafting and zip lining are icing on the cake.

Mrs. McCanles: What might you say to the parents to help them make a decision about this trip?

Mrs. Cole: As a parent, I sent my children on trips and I worried most about their safety and comfort. I’ll start with safety. I will be going on the trip and if we get 20 students another teacher will accompany me. We will also have parent chaperones with us. The tour guides are amazing – trained in first aid and ready to cater to your every need. The tour company was created just for school groups and the adventures are so well planned and organized…they thought of everything! The hotels were very nice and, the food is incredible – so many varieties to choose from; you will never go hungry!

As you can see from many of the pictures, a whole new world awaits us!

Do I have spinach in my teeth?

About a year ago, I was given an article called “Spinach in your Teeth”. At first glance, I thought…”maybe I have green stuff in my teeth often” and this parent is giving me a hint! But after reading on, I realized the catchy title took me much deeper…

You know, kids truly say the darndest things – they are so honest…sometimes brutally so! I love the days when a middle schooler says, “I like your shoes” or when a Kindergartner says “you have a pretty dress”. But, there are some days when I have to laugh (instead of cry or hide) when a Second Grader says “your shoes don’t match” or when a Preschooler says “why is your hair like that?”

After reading this article, it makes me realize that the children tell me these things because they care about me (or maybe their filter isn't completely developed), but regardless, I feel better knowing they are being honest with me.

I liked the comparison of feedback to criticism. As the article states, few of us have an easy time either giving it or receiving it! We know that in our heads we need feedback; but our hearts don’t want to hear it. Feedback is truly a caring gesture!

So, if you and I are having a wonderful chat or simply saying hello…please let me know if I have toilet paper on my shoe, marker on my face, or spinach in my teeth! I’ll know the feedback is meaningful and important and that you care!

Enjoy the article!

Spinach in your Teeth Messages: The Art of Giving (and Receiving) Honest Feedback By Beth Keane, BA, MA, Studer Group National Speaker

Marshmallows and self-discipline? A new kind of s'mores!

I have to admit, I do love chocolate and most things made of chocolate. If someone put a Hostess Ho-Ho or a chocolate doughnut in front of me...look out.

But, what if someone put one of these items in front of me and told me I could either eat it now, or wait until they returned (45 minutes later) and THEN I could have two! What would I do? Choose the fun, fast, immediate, now? Or take the “good things happen to those who wait” route?

In the following video clip, four year old children were given the same self-discipline test. 

The implication is that children who learn to wait are more self-disciplined in life. They can forego the “I need it now” and appreciate what comes “to those who wait”.

In today’s world, we are used to immediate satisfaction – no time to wait, too much traffic, very little time between one activity and the next, too many toys in the playroom, and the list goes on and on! Sometimes giving in is easier than the alternative! After watching this video, and reflecting on my own life in Elementary and Middle School (watching Gilligan’s Island, climbing trees, playing outside until dinner, knowing that when Mom or Dad said no…they meant it), I realize there are some changes I would like to make in my own family! There are parameters that should be more firmly set and adhered to.

Maybe I’ll start with this marshmallow test for the entire family!!!!

The First Day of School... It's Not Just for Kids Anymore!

There is simply nothing like the first day of school! For some, it is the VERY first day of school and for other students it may be their 13^th first day of school! It is my 20^th first day as an educator, and I still get butterflies…I can’t sleep…I dream about being late or lost…I am truly a mess! But, as soon as I get to school and watch the parents and children come through the doors, the nerves go away and IT all begins (the journey, the growth, the development, the fun, the mistakes, the learning)!

The faculty and staff spent several days meeting prior to the first day…not just about logistics, procedures, and information, but about relationships…about academics…about who we are as an institution…about our hopes and dreams for the school year! Our theme this year is “Above and Beyond”! Whether we are talking about relationships, partnerships, communication, lesson planning, events, etc… - we will go above and beyond this year!

(Enjoy the little bit of flight humor I shared with my faculty)

This summer, the faculty read a book relating to the hopes and dreams of Independent School parents called, "Understanding Independent School Parents." It is important that all educators, new to the independent school world or not, recognize the choice you have made as a parent! You have chosen to send your child to Oakhill Day School and the like! As much as we talk about individualization for our students, at Oakhill, we truly want to individualize the best we can for each family. Each family comes to our school with their own expectations, hopes, dreams, perceptions, and needs. We hope to know and understand each of our families so we may help guide them through this journey! (Want to read a little for yourself? Check out an excerpt here!)

As I enjoy the laughter in the hallways, the excitement in the air, and the energy that is Oakhill, I am thankful to be here! I hope to be a predictable Head of School (in a good way)! I want our families to know that it is my job to see the big picture and make sure all decisions are made for the right reasons…the students…the children! Everything we do and every decision we make is based on what is best for the children and their educational journey!

I am off to enjoy the rest of our big first week of school! IT has all begun, and IT is a great thing!

For more Independent School information and resources, check out NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) and ISACS (IndependentSchools of the Central States) online!