October 29 - November 4, 2020

Current School News

October 29 - November 4, 2020

All School

Help Needed for Class Speech Meets - Wed., Nov. 4

The grammar school will be hosting their annual class speech meets Wed., Nov. 4. This year, due to COVID-19, we will need to have a health check-in set-up for parents and guests. Therefore, we are looking for a few volunteers who would be able to run the check-in station and issue visitor badges. If you are able to help with this or would like further information please contact the school office. 

Lost & Found - Wed., Nov. 4

Lost & found items will be set out in the MP foyer on Wednesday. Please stop by to see if anything belongs to your family. All unclaimed items, except uniforms will be donated at the end of the day.

Open House Month - November

November is The Oaks' Fall Open House Month. Due to COVID, our November Open House has been reformatted to encompass the entire month of November. If you know someone who is interested in learning more about The Oaks and would enjoy an Open House tour we would love to host them. To schedule a personal tour contact Anya Schnell at 509-536-5955 or anya.schnell@theoakscca.org. 

Open House Invitation

Conservatory Faculty Recital - Fri., Nov. 20, 2-3pm

Grammar school students and all parents are invited to The Oaks Conservatory Faculty Recital. 

The Oaks Conservatory Faculty Recital Invitation

Excused Absence Procedures

All parents should follow the excused absence procedures (found on page 45 of the Student Parent Handbook) when a student will be absent from school for various known or scheduled reasons. An Excused Absence Form should be filled out and returned to the school office three days prior to the scheduled absence. Parents are also responsible for contacting all the appropriate teachers in order to receive homework assignments due during the absence.
*9th-12th grade students and parents - please review the Off-Campus Event/Extra-Curricular Activity Policy for further information.

Excused Absence Form
(also available on the "Forms" page under the "Parent" tab)

Check-in Policy

Please remember to check in at the school office if you are planning to stay on campus for any length of time or arriving after school has begun.

Parking Lot Reminders

Thank you all for your courteousness in the parking lots at drop-off and pick-up each day. We could still improve in a few areas though! Please review the following details and the parking lot map. We also ask that you share this information with anyone who is driving your child. Thank you for loving our community and Valley Fourth well through your daily travels.

Please remember to:

  • Use the designated entrances and exits
  • Refrain from parking in the church designated areas
  • Pull completely into a parking space
  • Follow these procedures when dropping off or picking up at anytime throughout the school day

2020-21 Parking Lot Map

Have You Joined Friends of The Oaks?

Join a growing community of givers who make this kingdom work possible! For more info. -- Friends of The Oaks

Ladies' Prayer - Thursdays at 8:30am

The Oaks' Ladies' prayer group meets each Thurs. at 8:30am in CE#3. All Oaks ladies are welcome to attend. 

Moms' Prayer Walks - Fridays at 2:30pm

The Oaks' Moms' Prayer Walks take place each Friday at 2:30pm on The Oaks field. Bring your Bible and we will pray through the Lord's Prayer and a Psalm, lifting up our school and community. The prayer walks wrap up in time to join Cantabile. Please contact Mrs. Margaret Dowers with any questions (see the school directory for contact info). 

Volunteer Sign-ups

Thank you to our many volunteers! Many hands make light work and your help is greatly appreciated. If you would like to volunteer please sign up through the Google sheet (link below). 

Volunteer Sign-up Sheet

Upcoming Dates

Office Hours
Mon.–Fri. [8am–4pm]

November 30

  • College Brown Bag - Great Northern University [12:35pm]
  • Dessert Theatre [6:30pm]

December 1

  • 1st Quarter Report Cards Posted
  • PM Activity Schedule
  • Dessert Theatre [6:30pm]

December 2

  • Dessert Theatre [6:30pm]

December 8

  • Christmas Sock Day
  • Corporate Sponsor & Family Night

December 15

  • Christmas Sock Day
  • Family Night

December 16

  • Advent Celebration Concert [7pm]

December 18

  • AM Activity Schedule
  • Staff Ugly Christmas Sweater Competition

December 19

  • Christmas Concert Rehearsal at The Fox Theater [8:30am–1:00pm]
  • Christmas Concert at The Fox [6:45pm]

December 20–January 2

  • Christmas Break (No School)

January 1

  • Priority Applications Begin for '24–'25 school year

January 2

  • Teachers & Office Return to School
  • Office Hours are 11am to 4pm

January 3

  • Cantabile [8:15am]
  • Classes Resume

January 4

  • Mid-Term Grades Posted

January 5

  • PM Activity Schedule
  • Conservatory Winter Classes Begin
  • Family Night
Blessed Beyond Measure - Celebrating 25 Years
Blessed Beyond Measure - Celebrating 25 Years

Grammar School

Class Speech Meets
Wed., Nov. 4

The 1st-6th graders are getting ready for their class speech meets on Wed., Nov. 4 and are excited to welcome parents and guests to join. Please see the attached for a schedule and further information.

Speech Meet Schedule

Logic & Rhetoric Schools

Off-Campus Event/Extra-Curricular Activity Policy

All 9th-12th grade students and parents must follow The Oaks' Off-Campus Event/Extra-Curricular Activity Policy (found on page 48 of the Student/Parent Handbook) for any off-campus event or extra-curricular activity that would require a student to leave campus early or arrive on campus late. These activities may include such things as driver's education, sports programs, private lessons, work, etc. Below is some basic information about this policy, but we ask that you please read the policy in its entirety in the handbook (available on the "Forms" page under the "Parent" tab).

  • Complete and return the Off Campus Event/Extracurricular Form to the school office a min. of one week prior to the start of the activity. (also available on the "Forms" page under the "Parent" tab)
  • The Dean of Logic & Rhetoric Schools will review the activity request and notify both the parents and the school office of the decision.
  • Students must always check out in the school office when leaving early and check into the school office upon arriving late. 
  • When there are variances to the release time indicated on the activity form the student must bring a parent note to the school office prior to the dismissal time.

*Please note: This policy replaces the old method of bringing in a weekly note.

Absentee Homework

We are pleased to announce a new process to help students receive their school work when there is an unexpected absence. Parents, if your child will be tardy or absent, please call the school office (509-536-5955) between 7:45 and 9:00am to let us know. The office will then communicate with your child's teachers and request homework. Each of your child's teachers will then contact you via Jupiter by 2pm letting you know that the homework has been posted and if there are any materials to pick-up in the office. Please stop by the office to pick up any materials by 4pm.

Attention Grabbers

Although we have transitioned to using Jupiter instead of paper slips to notify you about attention grabbers, the purpose of them remains the same. Attention grabbers are a communication device. Since we are acting in loco parentis, we want you to be aware of what is happening with your children in the classroom so that you can assist and help them. AG's are our way of communicating struggles either with comprehension (failed assignments) or timeliness (missing assignments).

Uniform Notes - Shorts/Pants & Outerwear

Students are looking so sharp in their new uniform pieces! As we adapt to the new policy, both new and returning families should read the updated policy over carefully. Of particular note:

  • Shorts/Pants -- Secondary boys will be happy to know that they can now wear shorts all year long. We're not exactly sure why they would want to wear shorts in January, but we bet some will! In November, ladies may begin wearing pants if they so choose. November is also when the formal uniform for ladies changes to include black tights.
  • Outerwear -- As the current policy states, during the school day, secondary students may only wear outerwear items included in the uniform policy. "The school day" includes the time when students arrive on campus until they leave - unless they are changing into clothes for a particular extra-curricular activity that requires different attire after school. When the days become frigid such that warm winter coats are required, those may be worn into the school building and then stowed in students' lockers until the end of the day. 

*Update: To help accommodate students' transition to this policy, students have until the 1st day of the 2nd quarter to fully comply. Until that time, students will be allowed to wear non-uniform outerwear when necessary for being outdoors during the school day.

Grammar School

Class Speech Meets
Wed., Nov. 4

The 1st-6th graders are getting ready for their class speech meets on Wed., Nov. 4 and are excited to welcome parents and guests to join. Please see the attached for a schedule and further information.

Speech Meet Schedule

Logic & Rhetoric Schools

Off-Campus Event/Extra-Curricular Activity Policy

All 9th-12th grade students and parents must follow The Oaks' Off-Campus Event/Extra-Curricular Activity Policy (found on page 48 of the Student/Parent Handbook) for any off-campus event or extra-curricular activity that would require a student to leave campus early or arrive on campus late. These activities may include such things as driver's education, sports programs, private lessons, work, etc. Below is some basic information about this policy, but we ask that you please read the policy in its entirety in the handbook (available on the "Forms" page under the "Parent" tab).

  • Complete and return the Off Campus Event/Extracurricular Form to the school office a min. of one week prior to the start of the activity. (also available on the "Forms" page under the "Parent" tab)
  • The Dean of Logic & Rhetoric Schools will review the activity request and notify both the parents and the school office of the decision.
  • Students must always check out in the school office when leaving early and check into the school office upon arriving late. 
  • When there are variances to the release time indicated on the activity form the student must bring a parent note to the school office prior to the dismissal time.

*Please note: This policy replaces the old method of bringing in a weekly note.

Absentee Homework

We are pleased to announce a new process to help students receive their school work when there is an unexpected absence. Parents, if your child will be tardy or absent, please call the school office (509-536-5955) between 7:45 and 9:00am to let us know. The office will then communicate with your child's teachers and request homework. Each of your child's teachers will then contact you via Jupiter by 2pm letting you know that the homework has been posted and if there are any materials to pick-up in the office. Please stop by the office to pick up any materials by 4pm.

Attention Grabbers

Although we have transitioned to using Jupiter instead of paper slips to notify you about attention grabbers, the purpose of them remains the same. Attention grabbers are a communication device. Since we are acting in loco parentis, we want you to be aware of what is happening with your children in the classroom so that you can assist and help them. AG's are our way of communicating struggles either with comprehension (failed assignments) or timeliness (missing assignments).

Uniform Notes - Shorts/Pants & Outerwear

Students are looking so sharp in their new uniform pieces! As we adapt to the new policy, both new and returning families should read the updated policy over carefully. Of particular note:

  • Shorts/Pants -- Secondary boys will be happy to know that they can now wear shorts all year long. We're not exactly sure why they would want to wear shorts in January, but we bet some will! In November, ladies may begin wearing pants if they so choose. November is also when the formal uniform for ladies changes to include black tights.
  • Outerwear -- As the current policy states, during the school day, secondary students may only wear outerwear items included in the uniform policy. "The school day" includes the time when students arrive on campus until they leave - unless they are changing into clothes for a particular extra-curricular activity that requires different attire after school. When the days become frigid such that warm winter coats are required, those may be worn into the school building and then stowed in students' lockers until the end of the day. 

*Update: To help accommodate students' transition to this policy, students have until the 1st day of the 2nd quarter to fully comply. Until that time, students will be allowed to wear non-uniform outerwear when necessary for being outdoors during the school day.

Upcoming Dates

Office Hours
Mon.–Fri. [8am–4pm]

November 30

  • College Brown Bag - Great Northern University [12:35pm]
  • Dessert Theatre [6:30pm]

December 1

  • 1st Quarter Report Cards Posted
  • PM Activity Schedule
  • Dessert Theatre [6:30pm]

December 2

  • Dessert Theatre [6:30pm]

December 8

  • Christmas Sock Day
  • Corporate Sponsor & Family Night

December 15

  • Christmas Sock Day
  • Family Night

December 16

  • Advent Celebration Concert [7pm]

December 18

  • AM Activity Schedule
  • Staff Ugly Christmas Sweater Competition

December 19

  • Christmas Concert Rehearsal at The Fox Theater [8:30am–1:00pm]
  • Christmas Concert at The Fox [6:45pm]

December 20–January 2

  • Christmas Break (No School)

January 1

  • Priority Applications Begin for '24–'25 school year

January 2

  • Teachers & Office Return to School
  • Office Hours are 11am to 4pm

January 3

  • Cantabile [8:15am]
  • Classes Resume

January 4

  • Mid-Term Grades Posted

January 5

  • PM Activity Schedule
  • Conservatory Winter Classes Begin
  • Family Night