March 9-15, 2023

Current School News

Current School News

March 9-15, 2023

Parent Education Corner

We have entered into the season of Lent on the liturgical church calendar. As Advent is the time of preparation before Christmas, so Lent is the penitential preparation for Easter. The Scriptural origin for the observance of Lent (and its surrounding traditions) is found in the Gospels, particularly in Matthew and Luke. After he is baptized, Jesus undergoes a series of temptations by the devil. In each case, he "denies himself" and resists the different temptation offered to him. Consider the first:

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
– Matthew 4:1-4

Jesus' self-denial isn't merely a negative renunciation of bodily pleasure. It is a positive affirmation of life in God who is his father. In this season of Lent, how can we look at our moments of self-denial or temperance not as a negation of our being but instead as an embrace of true freedom in love of the Lord?

Oaks Family '22–'23 Bible Reading Plan & Scripture Memory

All School

Evenings of Hope - Volunteer Opportunity

The Oaks Development Team is hosting several "Evenings of Hope" over the next month as they continue fundraising for the building project. Events Coordinator, Beth Schultz, is seeking volunteers for each of these small events. If you would like to help please sign up on the Evenings of Hope Volunteer Sign-up.

Basketball Skill Development - Saturdays, Mar. 11 & 18

The Oaks' varsity basketball coach, Mr. Jeff Schlect, is offering skills development for any 3rd–8th grader. This is a fun opportunity to spend time shooting hoops with your child while receiving coaching; it is not a drop-off event. Coach Schlect will be facilitating this open gym time at The Oaks from 9–10:30am Saturday, March 11 and 18.

Mid-term Grades Available on Jupiter - Wed., Mar. 15

Mid-term grades will be available to view on Jupiter Wednesday, March 15. Grades may be viewed on the first screen ("To-Do") in Jupiter. Click on the individual class/subject to see details of those grades.

Coffee Bar News for Wed., Mar. 15

The Gathering Place, The Oaks' coffee bar, will be open next Wednesday, March 15 but will not be serving donuts. Stop by for coffee or a special drink next week.

Parent/Teacher Conferences - Mar. 15–17
*sign-ups available online now!

March '23 Parent/Teacher Conference Sign-ups

Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences are just around the corner. This is a great opportunity to partner with your child's teacher as you seek to raise your child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Grammar School conferences are mandatory for all families and are scheduled for Thursday & Friday, March 16 & 17. Sixth grade conferences follow the Logic & Rhetoric School schedule.

Logic & Rhetoric School conferences are highly encouraged and are scheduled for Wednesday evening & throughout Thursday & Friday, March 15–17. Conferences in the Logic & Rhetoric School are done in a group format where parents will meet with all of your child's teachers at one time. We ask that families sign up for no more than 3 teachers for each student so that all families have an opportunity to conference with teachers. Please let the office know if you need to meet with more than 3 teachers.

To sign up for conferences please select the desired time under each of your child's teachers' tabs. Please contact the school office if you need any assistance.

No School - Thurs. & Fri., Mar. 16 & 17

There will be no school on Thursday March 16 or Friday March 17 so that parents and teachers have the opportunity to conference with one another.

Last Open House of the Season - Tues., Mar. 21
*RSVP online

Open House Flyer

The last open house of the current enrollment season will be held on Tuesday, March 21. Feel free to invite friends and family who are interested in The Oaks. To RSVP please use the Open House RSVP Form or for more information call the school office at 509-536-5955.

Mother/Daughter Tea - Sat., Mar. 25 [8:30am]

Save the date for the Mother/Daughter Tea Saturday, March 25 at 8:30am in The Oaks' Gymnasium. Mrs. Judy Palpant, mother of Mr. Ben Palpant and grandmother to Oaks students and alumni, will be speaking at this year's tea. Bring your favorite tea cup and come enjoy good conversation on what it means to be a woman, while enjoying delightful refreshment.

RSVP
Volunteer SignUp
Mother/Daughter Tea Flyer

Upcoming Financial Aid Meetings for 2023-24 School Year
* Attendance required for '23-24 tuition assistance
* RSVP to Anya Schnell

If you are interested in receiving financial aid for the 2023-24 school year, Mr. Dowers will be hosting four informational meetings regarding The Oaks' tuition assistance program at the end of April/beginning of May (dates & times below). Attendance at one of these meetings is required in order to apply for financial aid in the 2023-24 school year. Please RSVP to Mrs. Anya Schnell, so that we can plan accordingly. These will be the only meeting times available prior to the end of the school year and your family's first tuition payment for the upcoming year.

2023-24 Financial Aid Meetings
Wednesday, April 26 [7:15–7:45am] Thursday, April 27 [4:00–4:30pm] Wednesday, May 3 [4:00–4:30pm] Friday, May 5 [7:15–7:45am]

First Semester Honor Roll

Congratulations to those Oaks students who made the Honor Roll for the 1st Semester of the 2022-23 school year!
Honor Roll - 1st Semester

2023 Talent Show Postponed to 2024

Due to minimal interest, The Oaks' 2023 Talent Show has been postponed to 2024. We look forward to hosting this fun event again next year.

Text Message Announcements
**Opt in on Jupiter**

Urgent announcements, such as snow closures, are announced via Jupiter text messaging as well as emails. If you would like to ensure that you receive these text messages you will need to opt in on Jupiter. To do so:

  1. Log into your parent portal on Jupiter.
  2. Select Settings from the menu.
  3. Check the appropriate boxes under Text Msg for the types of texts you'd like to receive (you will need to select Emergency alerts and Messages to ensure you receive snow closure announcements).
  4. Each parent will need to log into their own account to complete this process.

Note: If you received the school delayed message via text the other day you are already opted in to this.

Prayer Requests

Please keep the following staff members and their families in your prayers as they maneuver health issues.

Scott Welch underwent surgery to remove cancer found on his pancreas on Monday, March 6 and will be home recovering for the next month. For further details and specific prayer requests please see his Surgery & Recovery Updates Doc. A meal sign-up has been created for those who would like to bless the Welch family with a meal - The Welch Family Meal Sign-up

Gary Woodroof severely injured his right leg over mid-winter break and is home recuperating.

Teri Woodroof's chronic headaches associated with her neck and back pain have intensified again recently.

Upcoming Dates

Office Hours
Mon.–Fri. [8am–4pm]

September 29

  • Weekly Formal Uniform
  • Cantabile [3pm]
  • Family Night

October 2

  • Cantabile [8:15am]

October 3

  • College Brown Bag - Dordt University [12:35pm]

October 4

  • PSAT Prep - Virtual Presentation - 11th grade [11:30–12:30]
  • College Brown Bag - George Fox Honors College [12:35pm]
  • PSAT Prep - Virtual Presentation - 9th & 10th grade [3:15–4:15]

October 5

  • College Brown Bag - New Saint Andrews College [12:35pm]

October 6

  • Weekly Formal Uniform
  • Cantabile [3pm]

October 9

  • Cantabile [8:15am]
  • College Financial Aid Scholarship Meeting [7pm]

October 11

  • College Brown Bag - Eastern Washington University [12:35pm]

October 13

  • Weekly Formal Uniform
  • College Brown Bag - Colorado Christian University [12:35pm]
  • Cantabile [3pm]
  • Family Night

October 14

  • Father-Son Breakfast [8am]

October 16

  • Cantabile [8:15am]

October 17

  • College Brown Bag - University of Idaho [12:35pm]

October 18

  • Mid-Term Grades Posted
  • College Brown Bag - Gonzaga University [12:35pm]
  • Cantabile [3pm]
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences Begin [evening]

October 19–20

  • No School
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences

October 21

  • Jr High Volleyball Tournament

October 23

  • Cantabile [8:15am]

October 25

  • PSAT Test

October 26

  • College Brown Bag - Whitworth University [12:35pm]
  • Instrumental Concert [7pm]

October 27

  • Half-Day of School
  • Grandparents' Day
  • Weekly Formal Uniform
  • Cantabile [12:15pm]
  • Family Night

October 28

  • JV Volleyball Tournament

October 30

  • Cantabile [8:15am]
  • Grand Tour Meeting [7pm]

November 2

  • College Brown Bag - Carrol College [12:35pm]

November 3

  • Weekly Formal Uniform
  • Soccer Tournament
  • Cantabile [3pm]

November 3–4

  • Varsity Volleyball Tournament

Grammar School

Parents, please be sure to read your child's class newsletter which is sent home in backpacks weekly for class specific news items.

Classroom Speech Meets
Mon.–Wed., Mar. 13–15

This year's Grammar School Classroom Speech Meets will take place Monday through Wednesday, March 13 through 15 (schedule below).

MONDAY, MARCH 13 [1pm] 6th Grade (CE3)

TUESDAY, MARCH 14 [8:45am] 3rd Grade–Kimball (Classroom)
5th Grade–A (Sanctuary)

TUESDAY, MARCH 14 [1pm] 1st Grade–Rickert (CE3)

TUESDAY, MARCH 14 [1:45pm] 4th Grade–Tim Szymanowski (Classroom)

TUESDAY, MARCH 14 [2pm] 2nd Grade–Liimakka (CE3)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15 [8:45am] 3rd Grade–Mewes (Classroom)
5th Grade–B (Sanctuary)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15 [1pm] 1st Grade–Holland (CE3)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15 [1:45pm] 4th Grade–Linda Szymanowski (Classroom)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15 [2pm] 2nd Grade–Jones (CE3)

Speech Meet Assembly
Tues., Mar. 21 [1pm]

Speech Meet Finalists from each class will have the opportunity to share their piece with the entire grammar school and guests at the Grammar School Speech Meet Assembly on Tuesday, March 21. Parents and guests are welcome to join us in the sanctuary at 1pm to enjoy the presentations and congratulate our finalists.

Secondary Siblings Attending Speeches
*parent note due 1 day prior

Parents who would like their secondary child to attend a grammar sibling's speech must turn in a note to the secondary teacher(s) whose class(es) they will be leaving at least one day prior to the speech. Please note that notes will not be accepted the day of. Notes are required for both the classroom speech meets and the speech assembly.

Logic & Rhetoric Schools

ACCS Blakey Prize in Fine Arts Competition
*Entry deadlines: Mar. 14 & Apr. 7

High school students (grades 9–12) from ACCS member schools are invited to compete with their peers from other ACCS member schools in a national visual arts competition. This competition has four categories, drawing, painting, apparel, and greeting cards, in which students may enter. For details please visit the ACCS Blakey Prize in Fine Arts Competition website and contact Mr. Trotter if you are interested in submitting an entry.

SAT School Day for Juniors – Wed., Mar. 22

Juniors and their parents, please read the SAT School Day Flyer from The Oaks College Advisor, Mrs. Lynn Gibson regarding the upcoming SAT School Day on Wednesday, March 22, in which all juniors are required to participate. Please contact Mrs. Gibson for questions.

Upcoming Activity Schedule Days

The Logic & Rhetoric Schools will be following an activity schedule (see the posted schedules) on the following dates. Students will follow the modified schedule throughout these days with the activity being denoted in the list below.

Mon., Apr. 24 – AM Activity Schedule
Senior Thesis Presentation

MARCH SCRIPTURE MEMORIZATION

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
- Ephesians 5:1–2

Grammar School

Parents, please be sure to read your child's class newsletter which is sent home in backpacks weekly for class specific news items.

Classroom Speech Meets
Mon.–Wed., Mar. 13–15

This year's Grammar School Classroom Speech Meets will take place Monday through Wednesday, March 13 through 15 (schedule below).

MONDAY, MARCH 13 [1pm] 6th Grade (CE3)

TUESDAY, MARCH 14 [8:45am] 3rd Grade–Kimball (Classroom)
5th Grade–A (Sanctuary)

TUESDAY, MARCH 14 [1pm] 1st Grade–Rickert (CE3)

TUESDAY, MARCH 14 [1:45pm] 4th Grade–Tim Szymanowski (Classroom)

TUESDAY, MARCH 14 [2pm] 2nd Grade–Liimakka (CE3)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15 [8:45am] 3rd Grade–Mewes (Classroom)
5th Grade–B (Sanctuary)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15 [1pm] 1st Grade–Holland (CE3)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15 [1:45pm] 4th Grade–Linda Szymanowski (Classroom)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15 [2pm] 2nd Grade–Jones (CE3)

Speech Meet Assembly
Tues., Mar. 21 [1pm]

Speech Meet Finalists from each class will have the opportunity to share their piece with the entire grammar school and guests at the Grammar School Speech Meet Assembly on Tuesday, March 21. Parents and guests are welcome to join us in the sanctuary at 1pm to enjoy the presentations and congratulate our finalists.

Secondary Siblings Attending Speeches
*parent note due 1 day prior

Parents who would like their secondary child to attend a grammar sibling's speech must turn in a note to the secondary teacher(s) whose class(es) they will be leaving at least one day prior to the speech. Please note that notes will not be accepted the day of. Notes are required for both the classroom speech meets and the speech assembly.

Logic & Rhetoric Schools

ACCS Blakey Prize in Fine Arts Competition
*Entry deadlines: Mar. 14 & Apr. 7

High school students (grades 9–12) from ACCS member schools are invited to compete with their peers from other ACCS member schools in a national visual arts competition. This competition has four categories, drawing, painting, apparel, and greeting cards, in which students may enter. For details please visit the ACCS Blakey Prize in Fine Arts Competition website and contact Mr. Trotter if you are interested in submitting an entry.

SAT School Day for Juniors – Wed., Mar. 22

Juniors and their parents, please read the SAT School Day Flyer from The Oaks College Advisor, Mrs. Lynn Gibson regarding the upcoming SAT School Day on Wednesday, March 22, in which all juniors are required to participate. Please contact Mrs. Gibson for questions.

Upcoming Activity Schedule Days

The Logic & Rhetoric Schools will be following an activity schedule (see the posted schedules) on the following dates. Students will follow the modified schedule throughout these days with the activity being denoted in the list below.

Mon., Apr. 24 – AM Activity Schedule
Senior Thesis Presentation

Upcoming Dates

Office Hours
Mon.–Fri. [8am–4pm]

September 29

  • Weekly Formal Uniform
  • Cantabile [3pm]
  • Family Night

October 2

  • Cantabile [8:15am]

October 3

  • College Brown Bag - Dordt University [12:35pm]

October 4

  • PSAT Prep - Virtual Presentation - 11th grade [11:30–12:30]
  • College Brown Bag - George Fox Honors College [12:35pm]
  • PSAT Prep - Virtual Presentation - 9th & 10th grade [3:15–4:15]

October 5

  • College Brown Bag - New Saint Andrews College [12:35pm]

October 6

  • Weekly Formal Uniform
  • Cantabile [3pm]

October 9

  • Cantabile [8:15am]
  • College Financial Aid Scholarship Meeting [7pm]

October 11

  • College Brown Bag - Eastern Washington University [12:35pm]

October 13

  • Weekly Formal Uniform
  • College Brown Bag - Colorado Christian University [12:35pm]
  • Cantabile [3pm]
  • Family Night

October 14

  • Father-Son Breakfast [8am]

October 16

  • Cantabile [8:15am]

October 17

  • College Brown Bag - University of Idaho [12:35pm]

October 18

  • Mid-Term Grades Posted
  • College Brown Bag - Gonzaga University [12:35pm]
  • Cantabile [3pm]
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences Begin [evening]

October 19–20

  • No School
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences

October 21

  • Jr High Volleyball Tournament

October 23

  • Cantabile [8:15am]

October 25

  • PSAT Test

October 26

  • College Brown Bag - Whitworth University [12:35pm]
  • Instrumental Concert [7pm]

October 27

  • Half-Day of School
  • Grandparents' Day
  • Weekly Formal Uniform
  • Cantabile [12:15pm]
  • Family Night

October 28

  • JV Volleyball Tournament

October 30

  • Cantabile [8:15am]
  • Grand Tour Meeting [7pm]

November 2

  • College Brown Bag - Carrol College [12:35pm]

November 3

  • Weekly Formal Uniform
  • Soccer Tournament
  • Cantabile [3pm]

November 3–4

  • Varsity Volleyball Tournament