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Fall Picture Day 10/9/2026
SY 2026-2027 |Q1. Issue 4 | October 2, 2026
A NOTE FROM THE ADMINISTRATION
A NOTE FROM THE ADMINISTRATION
one quarter in
one quarter in
Mustangs!
Can you believe we're already approaching the close of our first quarter? What began as a season of welcomes and first-day nerves has turned into a quarter full of growth. We are so proud of what our students, teachers and staff have built in just a few months.
Our enrollment growth has continued to be a genuine praise report this year, and we don't take it lightly. Every new face that's joined our halls since August 10 is a reminder that God continues to build something here, one family at a time.
Our theme for the 2026-2027 school year, Kingdom Builders - Building Character for the Kingdom, has come to life this quarter in ways big and small. Continue to keep us in prayer as we work to building on a solid foundation of:
Safety
Character
Community
Excellence
Equity
As we close out Quarter 1 and look ahead to Quarter 2, thank you for building alongside us. Enjoy issue 4 of Mustang News!
Blessings,
K - 12 updates
K - 12 updates
what we're learning right now in middle school
what we're learning right now in middle school
Our middle schoolers are deep into the work this quarter! Here's a quick look at what's happening across their core classes:
Bible & Social Studies | Mr. Harris's Class
In Bible, students are working through Bible Encounter, covering the stories of Joseph and Moses. In Social Studies, 7th grade is studying Chapter 5: Egypt, while 8th grade digs into Chapter 12: Roman Civilization.
Math & Science | Dr. Henry's Class
7th graders are in Fraction Bootcamp, working through adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing rational numbers, alongside a science unit on Motions and Forces and an art focus on color scheme and landscape lines. 8th graders are tackling exponents, scientific notation, real numbers, and the Pythagorean Theorem in math, with science covering UAH VEA STEM Technologies I and Contact Forces.
English Language Arts | Mrs. Freeman's Class
This month, 7th and 8th graders are strengthening reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary skills to build toward confident independent performance and to prepare for the upcoming November MAP assessment. Students are practicing central ideas, inferences, and textual evidence in reading; constructed responses and analytical paragraphs in writing; sentence structure and usage in grammar; and academic vocabulary through Wordly Wise 3000.
It's a full, focused quarter for our middle schoolers, keep up the great work, Mustangs!
fall parent-teacher conferences are coming
fall parent-teacher conferences are coming
We are quickly approaching Fall 2026 Parent-Teacher Conferences! This is a valuable opportunity to connect with your child's teachers and discuss their progress this quarter.
Please note the following conference dates:
High School (9–12): Tuesday, October 20, 2026 High School closed for grades 9–12
K–8: Thursday, October 22, 2026 — Elementary and Middle School closed for grades K–8
Next week, you'll receive an email with sign-up links to select your preferred time to meet with your child's teachers. Be sure to watch for that email so you can reserve your spot!
We look forward to seeing you soon and appreciate your continued partnership in your child's education.
co-ed 3v3 volleyball tournament, sign up now!
co-ed 3v3 volleyball tournament, sign up now!
Game on, Mustangs! OAASA is hosting a Co-Ed 3v3 Volleyball Tournament, and it's time to get your squad together.
Date: October 4, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (players should arrive by 1:45 PM)
Location: Brahan Spring Park
Sign up using the link below and grab your teammates and get ready to spike, serve, and have some fun !
A family affair: mr. & mrs. ross team up for fish dissection
A family affair: mr. & mrs. ross team up for fish dissection
Talk about a Kingdom Builders moment and this one runs in the family! Our HS Math and Science teacher, Mr. Ross, recently teamed up with 2nd grade teacher Mrs. Ross, who also happens to be his mother, to co-teach a hands-on science lesson some of our youngest Mustangs won't soon forget.
Together, they walked the 2nd graders through the anatomy of a fish, then let students get right into the action with a fish dissection. From curious questions to a few squeals along the way, the students got an up-close look at science in action, guided by two generations of Ross educators working side by side.
It's not every day you get to learn from your teacher and your teacher's teacher all in one lesson! Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Ross, for bringing some extra Mustang magic to the classroom.
this is your last chance to weight in!
this is your last chance to weight in!
This is it, Mustangs! Our final call for Chess Club interest! We're exploring the idea of launching an after-school Chess Club for grades K–6, and we need to hear from you now before we make the call.
This is an interest check only, no commitment required. Based on the response we receive, we'll determine whether this program moves forward, so if your Mustang would love to learn strategy, patience, and a few good checkmates, now is the time to let us know!
Good news: If there's enough interest, a sample class will be offered after we return from Fall Break!
Don't miss your chance to help make Chess Club a reality, let us know today!
math is everywhere
math is everywhere
Ms. Webb's third-grade scholars explored the idea that math is everywhere and in everything we do! For their Real-Life Math Project, students created their own real-world word problems and then solved them by choosing the correct mathematical operation and showing their work.
This hands-on project allowed students to connect math to everyday life while strengthening their creativity, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills. Our Voyagers are learning that math is more than numbers, it is a part of the world around us!
UNIFORMS: DRESS CODE
UNIFORMS: DRESS CODE
All students are expected to be in full CASUAL uniform beginning August 10th. Due to the extreme heat, the formal uniform policy will not be enforced until October 2026. Please review the complete uniform policy for your student's grade level before the first day, and reach out to the front office with any fit or exception questions. You can access the uniform policy via page 16 of our handbook linked below.
welcome back, chef kara peters!
welcome back, chef kara peters!
Say hello (again!) to a familiar face baking up something special in our cafeteria, Chef Kara Peters is back at OAA!
Kara recently completed culinary school with a track in Baking and Pastry Artistry, and rather than taking her talents elsewhere, she chose to bring them right back home to the stable. Each day, Chef Kara is in our cafeteria kitchen baking fresh goods for our Mustangs, turning what could be an ordinary school day treat into something made with real skill and real love for our school.
It's one thing to learn a craft. It's another to come back and pour it straight into the students who shaped you. That's exactly what Chef Kara is doing, one fresh-baked batch at a time.
Welcome back, Chef Kara, we're so glad you're home!
how to sign up for our hotlunch program
how to sign up for our hotlunch program
We’re excited for our hot lunch program, provided by local caterers 2 Men in a Kitchen! This program offers a delicious and nutritious meal option for our students, prepared fresh daily with quality ingredients.
How to Sign Up:
Log in to ahotlunch.com
Create an account.
The school code is "oaa"
Once registered you can use Hotlunch.com app for iOS or Google, the domain you need to enter is “oaa”.
Additional Information:
Special Dietary Needs: If your child has any specific dietary restrictions or allergies, please make sure to indicate this in the portal. 2 Men in a Kitchen is committed to accommodating special requests to ensure all students can enjoy their meals.
Questions or Assistance: If you have any questions or need help with the sign-up process, feel free to contact our school office or reach out directly to the hot lunch program coordinator. We’re here to assist you every step of the way!
We encourage all parents to take advantage of this convenient and healthy meal option for their children. Signing up is quick and easy, and we’re confident your kids will love the delicious meals from 2 Men in a Kitchen!
COACH'S CORNER
spirit wear
spirit wear
OAA Athletics Fundraiser
Let's gear up, Mustang Nation! The Athletic Department is excited to launch a School Spirit & Apparel Fundraiser, featuring official-inspired spirit wear created just for the OAA community.
Shop apparel and accessories for students, parents, alumni, and supporters, including school spirit designs, athletic team gear, game-day apparel, and more.
Whether you're cheering from the stands, supporting your favorite team, representing OAA on campus, or showing your Mustang pride long after graduation, there's something here for every member of the OAA family.
MUSTANG COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Building Together With Our Community
Kingdom Builders isn't just happening inside our classrooms, it's happening across Huntsville too! We're excited to introduce a new section of Mustang News: Community Partners.
Throughout the year, we'll be highlighting local Huntsville-area businesses that partner with OAA by giving back to our school based on purchases made by our Mustang families. Whether that's a percentage of sales, a rewards program, a spirit night, or another way of investing in our students.
Supporting these partners is an easy, everyday way to support OAA.
Know a business that would love to partner with OAA? Have them reach out to the Business Office.
This Issues Featured Partner: Rita's of Madison AL
Our Community Partners list keeps growing! In this issue we're spotlighting Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard of Madison. This one's a sweet deal for Mustang families.
Rita's comes right to our campus to serve up Italian ice and frozen custard. For every purchase made during these campus visits, OAA receives a percentage of the proceeds. It's a fun, easy way for families to support the school while cooling off with a treat.
Be on the lookout for Rita's next visit to campus so that your scoop can support us right here at the stable!
Contact Information:
Location: 8046 HWY 72 W, Madison, AL 35758
Phone: 256-539-7447
Website: ritasice.com
Thank you, Rita's, for partnering with OAA.
HOME AND SCHOOL (HANDS)
OAA HandS CHERRYDALE FUNDRAISER UPDATE
We have incredible news to share: OAA HandS surpassed our Cherrydale Fundraiser goal!
Online sales alone closed at $15,717 and counting, since paper order totals are still being tallied. We set out to raise $15,000 in just two weeks, and thanks to the generosity of this community, we didn't just reach that goal, we blew past it.
For those who may still be getting to know us: OAA HandS is our Home and School Association, the equivalent of a PTA at a public school. We're a group of parent volunteers working to support OAA students and teachers, and 100% of what we raise goes directly back into our school community.
This year's proceeds will go toward:
Fall Fest | our community night of games, treats, and fun for every family
Field Day | equipment and activities so every student can fully participate
Teacher classroom needs | supplies our teachers often pay for out of pocket
What made the difference this year wasn't just orders, it was families sharing their student's link with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends, teachers encouraging their classes, and parents stepping up in the final hours when we realized we were closer to the finish line than we thought. In the last 60 minutes before close, this community rallied to push us from $14,101 to well past $15,000.
Thank you to every family who ordered, shared, and spread the word. Thank you to the teachers who kept their classes engaged. And thank you to everyone who took two minutes out of a busy day to support OAA students.
A final total, including paper orders, will be shared soon, along with details on how these funds come to life at Fall Fest and Field Day this year.
We couldn't do this without you. Here's to another great year at OAA!
IN THE COMMUNITY
5K RUN ON CAMPUS
October is National Sensory Awareness Month, and our own campus is hosting a community celebration you won't want to miss — The Sensory Fun Color Run & Walk, right here at Oakwood University Church!
This free, family-friendly event invites participants to run or walk at their own pace through a 5K or 1-Mile course, all in support of sensory inclusion within our community. Expect explosive color powder, sweet treats, and immersive sensory experiences designed to welcome everyone — all participants receive a finisher medal.
Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026
Time: 5K at 1:00 PM · 1-Mile at 2:00 PM
Location: Oakwood University Church, 7000 Adventist Blvd, Huntsville, AL
Cost: Free
Registration deadline: October 25, 2026
What to bring: Wear white, bring sunglasses, and come ready to have fun!
A special thank-you to Special Needs Programs – Madison Parks and Recreation, who will provide a dedicated sensory support area and inclusive activities so every family feels welcomed. Sensory item donations for local children are welcome (completely voluntary) at Packet Pick-Up on Friday, October 30, 2026.
CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow us on all social media platforms as this is another amazing way for us to stay connected for latest news and updates!
We also encourage you to use our hashtags when showing your Mustang pride so that we can repost you on our pages!
#thestablelife #letsgomustangs #gooaa #oaadna #oaamustangs #mustangnation
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