September 1, 2023
Oxford Elementary School
Go Otters!
NO SCHOOL - Monday, September 4 - Labor Day Holiday
5th Graders - Remember to bring your instruments on Tuesday!
Thank you to everyone who attended Back to School Night. It was a great turnout and I know that students were very excited to have their parents see the classrooms and meet their teachers! In response to all of the amazing caretakers that asked how they could help at school, I ask you to consider joining one of our school committees. More information on how to join is listed below.
I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend!
Beth
Upcoming Dates/Events
Monday, September 4 - Labor Day Holiday
Tuesday, September 12 - PTA Meeting, 6 PM via Zoom
Wednesday, September 13 - Committee Nominations (SSC & ELAC) are due. See below for more information on how to get involved!
Friday, September 15 - Community Meeting 8:15 am - 8:45 am Latinx Heritage Month Kickoff!
Community Meeting - Join us!
Caretakers are welcome to attend our Community Meetings! On September 15th, we will be gathering together to kick off Latinx Heritage Month. If you choose to attend, you can simply stay at drop off. When the students go to their classrooms to put their bags away, adults can enter the auditorium. We ask that caretakers sit in the back as students will be seated with their classes.
Attendance Awareness Month:
September is attendance awareness month.
Attending school every day possible helps student learn and stay on track.
This year, you may receive mailed letters or texts from your school about your student's attendance.
To ensure you receive these updates, please contact your school to make sure your contact information is up to date.
If you n eed attendance support or have questions about these communications, we're here to help: call 510-519-5167 to connect to our Family Support Team.
PTA News
For decades, researchers have pointed to one key success factor that transcends nearly all others: parental involvement. Students whose parents stay involved in school have better attendance and behavior, get better grades, demonstrate better social skills and adapt better to school. Parental involvement also more securely sets these students up to develop a lifelong love of learning, which researchers say is key to long-term success. Join the PTA! The Parent Teacher Association (with its dues of $10 per year sliding scale, no one will be denied due to funds) allows you to have your voice heard and we can bring your talents and interests to the community. Everyone has a gift to bring to this community. No amount of time is too little. Everything helps to build a strong vibrant community where ALL our children thrive.
September 1st kicks off Campaign for Oxford! This is our direct ask fundraiser for the Oxford Fund and our biggest fundraiser of the year. Each year’s fundraising supports PTA’s funding, programming, and activities for the next school year. The Oxford Fund pays for Art and PE teachers for all grades, full-time classroom aids for kindergarten classrooms, classroom supplies, field trip support, and more. Our goal is to raise $140,000 or $550 a student. One useful guideline is ONE MONTH of what you budgeted for preschool, child care, or summer camp. Donate online at https://givebutter.com/campaignforoxford or check made out to Oxford PTA.
Want to help your child win a class party? Complete the Campaign for Oxford survey - either turn in the form you received in your Thursday folder, complete the online survey, or answer the optional question on GiveButter campaign site. Classes with the highest level of participation, measured by survey completion, will be eligible to win a class prize. You do not need to donate to help your child(ren)’s class in the contest, but if you are able to give, all Oxford students will benefit—no contribution is too small, and every dollar makes a difference!
We need classroom coordinators and volunteers to help join the Harvest Fair, Otterpalooza, Winter Dance, and Toast for Oxford planning. Email us at PTA@oxfordelementary.org
School Site Council, SSC
You can have a direct impact on your child’s education. Join the dynamic group of parents, teachers & staff on the School Site Council, working to meet the learning needs of ALL students, improve school climate, and forge a strong Home-School Connection. The SSC helps write our annual School Site Plan and determines funding priorities for Oxford Elementary.
Please nominate yourself here to be on the Oxford SSC ballot. It's a two-year term and three parents/guardians are needed. We will meet via Zoom, at 4pm (day of week to be determined). The deadline for nominations is Thursday, September 15. Contact Elizabeth Cornwell elizabethcornwell@berkeley.net if you have questions. The first official meeting with the 2022-2023 Committee will be on October 19th.
Oxford Representation Needed
It’s very important to have someone from Oxford representing our school on the following district committee. No expertise is required - just an interest in supporting the development of our BUSD schools. (The job can also be shared.)
We need a P & O Representative (Planning and Oversight) Committee. This District-wide committee, with representatives from every BUSD school, reviews and weighs in on the annual expenditures of two local taxes supporting education (BSEP &
BERRA). BSEP and BERRA provide about 25% of the BUSD budget. BSEP funds smaller class size, school libraries, music, site program funds, technology, and much
more. BERRA supports teacher recruitment and retention. Contact elizabethcornwell@berkeley.net or email bsep@berkeley.net.
Amazon Wish List
We keep an ongoing Amazon wish list for Oxford, in case you want to make a donation. We encourage everyone to sign up for Amazon Smile as a portion of what you spend goes to the school, helping our fundraising efforts. We revise and add to our list periodically. Here it is! Amazon Wish List
Private Bar Class for Oxford Community
We have some spots available for our amazing auction item from Bar Method - a private group class just for US! This is a fun way to connect with other Oxford parents, get some exercise, and raise some funds for Oxford. Champagne toast to celebrate. $40 suggested donation, all proceeds go to the Oxford PTA. Email our amazing Auction maven Christine at cgrulermayer@gmail.com to sign up.
Shop at Sport Basement - Discount for You, Money for Oxford
We have our first dine/shop out for Oxford. Did you know that if you’re a Sports Basementeer you can select a charity to get a portion of your spending!!! Choose Oxford Elementary. They have offered us a coupon code to help with all our back to school shopping! So get some new gear and help raise money for Oxford! See the coupon attached below.
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