OUR SCHOOL
OUR SCHOOL
Basic Information
Oxford's Principal: Janet Levenson
The school is located between Oxford and Walnut Streets, with entrances from
both streets. The office is located off of Oxford Street. There are 14
instructional rooms, a science and music resource room, on-site library, combination
cafeteria and auditorium with stage, 3 resource rooms and teacher workrooms.
The outside play area is on two levels, with the baseball diamond and garden
on the lower level.
Oxford History
Oxford is one of the oldest schools in Berkeley, first opening its doors
in 1910. Originally it was a K-6 school, then a K-3 school, and now a K-5
school. In 1965 the old school was replaced with the current one and, in 1994,
thanks to support from the community, major improvements were made giving us a
new library, an elevator, two more classrooms to support class-size reductions,
a science resource room and teacher workrooms.
Want to know more about Oxford Elementary's history?
Click
here to read more about Oxford's History from the Class of 1955!
The Oxford Student Body
From our facility, nestled in the hillside, we provide a well-rounded
education to about 278 students from about 240 families.
Our school is diverse in many ways. Children come all the way from
homes neighboring Tilden Park in the Berkeley hills and neighborhoods close to
the San Francisco Bay as well as from homes near the school itself.
Oxford's Philosophy
Oxford's staff is committed to making sure that all of our students achieve and
flourish. We believe that all children can and will learn if given the
encouragement and instruction to do so. Since we are a very small school we
can focus on the needs of every individual child in terms of academic, social,
emotional, and physical needs. And we take very seriously the task of meeting
all students where they are, teaching them to think critically, and engaging
their minds and hearts in an effort to make them love to learn.
The curriculum at Oxford is aligned with the State grade level standards for
student achievement. The teachers use a variety of approaches in order to make
the standards accessible to all children, including individual projects, whole
class instruction, small group work and cross-age tutoring.
Our teachers work collaboratively with the families to support the children in
their learning. We encourage participation from parents, UC tutors and community
volunteers.
A top priority for all Oxford Staff is expressing and teaching a deep
appreciation of and tolerance for diversity and differences. We encourage positive
self-image and high self-esteem for all our students, we insist on respect for self
and others, and promote concern for our environment here and elsewhere. These
qualities that we strive to nurture in our children are apparent in the ways
students care for each other on the playground, in the classroom, and all
around the school.
Teaching at Oxford School
Oxford prides itself on the excellent teaching that goes on in all
of its classrooms. The teachers have weekly staff meetings to cross-fertilize and
share ideas about what is working and what needs improvement.
Many parents volunteer in their child's classroom to provide education around
specific skills such as bread-baking, paper making, "music mornings", pottery,
science experiments, and other hands-on activities.
Parental Involvement Makes a Difference
When researchers have compared the characteristics of high performing
schools with low performing schools, one of the main differences they have
found is the amount of parental involvement. High performing schools have
plans for involving parents and welcome parents as partners. Schools that
find ways to work well with families have improved teacher morale, higher
ratings of teachers by parents, more support from families and a better
reputation in the community.
This has been shown to be true in communities with both adequate and
inadequate resources. Research has also shown that students develop better
attitudes toward their school and school work when their parents are involved
in the school's instructional program. This effect has been found to carry
over to benefit all students, not just those whose parents volunteer
in the classroom.
How can Parents Get involved?
There are lots of ways for parents to get involved at Oxford, some of
which take very little time and effort:
These are just some of the ways you can get involved. Let your child's teacher know that you are interested or check in with the PTA, office, or other school committee about your ideas, interests, skills, or time available. Together, we can make a huge difference for all of the children of Oxford!
School Events
There are many events during the year that involve Oxford Students, their
friends and families and members of the community. Here is a partial list of events
at Oxford:
Click here to view the Calendar of Events for the year or see the New Families Section below for descriptions of the events.
Educational Enrichment at Oxford
Oxford Elementary's learning opportunities are enhanced by a variety of
enrichment programs, offered during the school day and after school (some afterschool
enrichment classes are for a fee).
Educational Enrichment Programs during the school day
Music Instruction
Every class at Oxford receives weekly music instruction. The Oxford PTA
pays for Kindergarten music instruction, and the District-wide music program
begins in the first grade. Kindergarten through 3rd grade students have music
instruction once a week. The 3rd graders learn to read music and play the
recorder. All 4th and 5th graders learn to play an instrument. In fourth grade
each student receives an instrument (wind, brass or string) and begins
instrumental instruction twice a week through 5th grade.
Music training continues into middle school, where students can participate
in band or orchestra.
Art Instruction
Every class at Oxford Elementary receives art classes for 11 weeks. A
professional art instructor provides age appropriate instruction and projects designed to
stimulate students to learn, experiment and create! This school-wide art program
is paid for by the Oxford PTA.
Gardening
All kindergarten through 3rd grade students participate in a gardening
program each week. Students learn about agriculture, nature, and nutrition as
they participate in all aspects, from preparing the soil, to planting, to
tending the plants, through eating the harvested crops. Please come visit the
Garden Patch, which is just inside the gate at the Walnut Street entrance.
Science Instruction
Students in the 4th and 5th grades have Science instruction three times a
week in the Science Room. They learn the grade level standards-based material but
also learn so much more -- from hot air balloons to solar cookers and more!
Physical Education
Every class has P.E. instruction once a week, and sports and games are organized
for students during recess. There are tournaments and ongoing games each month.
The results of friendly competitions and lessons in sportsmanship are posted in
the hallways.
Field Trips
Each class designs its own field trip opportunities based on what fits best
into the teacher's curriculum, but most teachers welcome ideas from parents.
In previous years, students have gone to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Oakland
Airport, on a ranger-led walk to understand more about butterflies at Tilden Park, to the
Chagall Art Exhibit at the Judah Magnes museum, and to the Steinhart Aquarium
in Golden Gate Park. The Oxford PTA subsidizes field trips for each class.
Weekly Library Visits
Each class goes to the Oxford Library once a week on a regularly scheduled
day to hear a story from our fabulous Library Media Technician and to check
out and return books. Children may check out one or two books
each week, and may renew books until they are completed.
Policies: Students must return a signed permission slip before checking
out any books. Parents will be charged for the replacement of any lost or damaged
books. Report cards will be held at the end of the year for any students who
have not cleared their library book accounts.
Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) Program
The nationwide RIF program promotes literacy through activities designed to
spark children's interest in reading, and through book distributions at which
each child gets to choose a new book to keep. Parent volunteers and the Oxford
Librarian coordinate four book distribution events each year, which are paid
for by the Oxford PTA.
Reading Coach Program
Oxford has started a program to provide Reading Coaches to help students
with their reading skills. This new program, begun in 2006, aims
to provide a Reading Coach for every Oxford student to advance their reading skills
at any level.
Oxford's After School Program - O.A.S.I.S.
The Oxford after school program is called O.A.S.I.S., which stands for Oxford
After School Inspires Students. O.A.S.I.S. is designed to provide after school
opportunities for all Oxford students. The program supports children in
reaching their potential by providing academic support, recreational activities,
and enrichment classes. Located at the school site, we provide a safe and
nurturing environment, which gives students a chance to explore their interests
and experience new areas of learning. By working directly with the teachers
and administration, we are able to advance student learning.
The Oxford After School Program runs Monday through Friday from the end
of the school day until 6:00 pm. There is a late bus that drops students off at
either Rosa Parks or Longfellow School. The after school program does not operate
during school holidays. You can register your student(s) during the first week of
school.
Note: There is no after school care during the first week of school (Wednesday through Friday).
O.A.S.I.S. Fees
Fees for O.A.S.I.S. are due monthly, and are on a sliding scale based on
gross monthly income and family size. We are committed to working with our
families to ensure that anyone who needs after school care can take advantage
of our program. The full Program Fee for the 2007-2008 school year is $360.00
per month (one child, 5 days per week, full cost). A second child would be an
additional $180.00 per month (50% sibling discount).
Enrichment Classes After School
O.A.S.I.S. offers a variety of enrichment classes after school, provided by program staff
and outside specialists. These classes include music (chorus, recorder, guitar), art,
language (Spanish), sports (including swimming at King Pool), and
drama. Some of these classes that are provided by outside specialists have an additional
fee for class materials (see below). There is also an After School Art Class offered for a
fee (not a part of O.A.S.I.S).
After School Fee Classes
After-School Art Classes (Grades K-3 and Grades 3-5)
The After School Art Class is taught by Laurie Polster,
who also teaches our Art Classes during the instructional day. This after school
class is not part of the O.A.S.I.S. program, and there is a fee.
There are two after school Art classes offered, one for students in grades K-3, and another
for students grades 3-5. There are two sessions, September - December and
January - June. The classes are designed to provide age-appropriate art
instruction to challenge and stimulate students' creativity through a series of
projects. Note that these classes are held on Wednesdays, which is the early-release day.
You can find out more from Laurie's informational flyer available in the office.
After School Chorus (Grades 2-5)
The After School Chorus is offered by the San Francisco Early Music Society, and
is part of the O.A.S.I.S. program. The Chorus rehearses weekly. There is a small
materials fee for this class (scholarships are available). The Chorus performs
at school functions, such as the Winter Faire and Spring Open house.
After School Recorder Classes (Grades 1-5)
The after school Recorder Classes are offered by The San Francisco Early
Music Society, and is part of the O.A.S.I.S. program. The classes are held on Thursday
afternoons, and there is a materials fee (scholarships are available). These small classes perform at school
functions, such as the Winter Faire and the Spring Open House.
After School Chess Class (Grades 1-5)
The Berkeley Chess School offers weekly classes after school, usually on
Tuesdays. These classes are offered through the O.A.S.I.S. program.
The sessions are 8 weeks long, and students may
participate in inter-school tournaments. There is a fee for these sessions
(scholarships are available). For more information you may call the Berkeley
Chess School at 843-0150.
Information for New Families
Before the start of the school year, new families will receive a packet
with useful information, such as supplies needed, drop-off procedures, the plan
for the first day of school, and descriptions of some of the major events for the
year.
Click here to read the New Families Information
for the 2006-2007 school year.
Click here to go to the Berkeley Unified School District web page on 2007-2008 enrollment
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Last updated on 9/9/07