K-6 WEEK OF PRAYER RECAP

Our recent K-6 Week of Prayer held from April 8th to 12th, 2024 was truly a week filled with spiritual growth, meaningful reflections, and heartwarming moments as our students recharged their spiritual batteries and strengthened their walk with Christ.

Theme: "Good To Grow"

Under the inspiring theme "Good To Grow," our students embarked on a transformative journey of spiritual growth. Each day was a new opportunity to delve deeper into their faith and discover ways to nurture their relationship with Christ.

Inspiring Messages

We were blessed to have three incredible speakers who graced our Week of Prayer with their powerful messages:

• Pastor Tayon McGregor: Pastor McGregor captivated our students with his insightful teachings on spiritual growth and the importance of cultivating a personal relationship with Christ.

• Pastor Kimberly Mann: Pastor Mann's heartfelt messages resonated with our students, encouraging them to embrace faith, love, and kindness in their daily lives.

• Seventh Grader Christopher Jackson: Christopher's unique perspective and heartfelt testimony inspired his fellow students, reminding them that faith knows no age and that everyone has a role to play in God's kingdom.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our speakers for sharing their time, wisdom, and faith-filled messages with our students. Their contributions have left a lasting impact on our school community, inspiring us all to continue growing in our walk with Christ.

INTERNATIONAL FAIR HIGHLIGHTS

It is always a blessing to be able to come together as a community and celebrate the richness of diversity that makes our school truly special. The OAA International Fair provided the perfect platform for parents, students, and OAA personnel to come together and appreciate the unique cultures that weave the colorful tapestry of our community.

A Feast for the Senses

The International Fair was a feast for the senses, featuring a delightful array of cultural games, tantalizing food, and uplifting music from around the world. From traditional dances to mouthwatering dishes and interactive games, there was something for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

A Heartfelt Thank You

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to OAA Home and School (HandS) President, Mr. Mountain, and his dedicated team for orchestrating such a memorable and enriching event. Your hard work, creativity, and commitment to fostering unity and appreciation for diversity within our school community are truly commendable.

The OAA International Fair was not just a celebration of different cultures, it was also a beautiful reminder of the values of unity, understanding, and respect that bind us together as one community. It was a day filled with laughter, learning, and shared experiences that will be cherished by all who attended.

ROBOTICS TEAM SHINES AT THE ADVENTIST ROBOTICS CAROLINA QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT

Our talented students recently showcased their ingenuity, teamwork, and passion for robotics at the Adventist Robotics Carolina Qualifying Tournament, and they have made us incredibly proud.

Impressive Performance

Our dedicated robotics team demonstrated exceptional skill and perseverance throughout the competition, earning a well-deserved 4th place in a field of talented participants. Their hard work, innovative ideas, and collaborative spirit were evident in every challenge they tackled, highlighting their commitment to excellence.

A Special Recognition for Coach Hardin

In addition to the team's success, we are delighted to announce that our esteemed Robotics Coach, Mr. Hardin, was honored with the Coach/Mentor Award! This prestigious recognition is a testament to Mr. Hardin's dedication, leadership, and the positive impact he has had on our students' lives.

Heartwarming Feedback from the Competition

During the tournament, the Emcee asked our OAA team what their favorite part of being in robotics was, and without hesitation, they exclaimed, "Coach Hardin!" The judges were deeply touched by this heartfelt response, and at that moment, they knew that Mr. Hardin was the deserving recipient of the Coach/Mentor Award.

Celebrating Teamwork, Dedication, and Leadership

The success of our robotics team and Coach Hardin's well-deserved recognition exemplify the power of teamwork, dedication, and inspiring leadership. We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of our school community, parents, and staff who have played an instrumental role in nurturing our students' passion for robotics and guiding them towards success.

K-12 STUDENTS EXPERIENCE THE SOLAR ECLIPSE

The recent celestial event provided a unique learning opportunity for our students to explore the wonders of the universe and deepen their understanding of science and astronomy.

A Day to Remember

On the day of the solar eclipse, our students gathered with excitement and curiosity to witness this rare natural phenomenon. Guided by our dedicated teachers and staff, they observed the gradual transformation of the sky and the mesmerizing dance of light and shadow as the moon passed in front of the sun.

Safety First

Ensuring the safety of our students' eyesight was our top priority during the solar eclipse. We provided certified solar eclipse glasses to all students and staff, allowing them to safely view the sun and experience the beauty of the eclipse firsthand.

Sharing the Wonder with Others

Understanding the value of giving back and spreading joy, we took the opportunity to make a meaningful impact beyond our school community. After the eclipse, we collected and carefully packaged our unused eclipse glasses to send them to Eclipse Glasses USA.

Through this initiative, children in Latin America will have the chance to safely enjoy future solar eclipses, fostering curiosity and inspiring a love for science and exploration among young minds around the world.

A HEARTFELT GATHERING OF STRENGTH AND SUPPORT

Over the past couple of months, these dedicated mothers have been gathering monthly at our school to unite in prayer, offering invaluable support, encouragement, and strength to one another and our school community.

A Sanctuary of Prayer and Connection

The Moms in Prayer group has become a cherished sanctuary where mothers come together to uplift our school, students, teachers, and families in prayer. Through their heartfelt prayers, these dedicated moms create a powerful circle of love, positivity, and spiritual support that resonates throughout our school community.

A Bond of Unity and Purpose

Each gathering is a testament to the unwavering bond of unity and purpose that these mothers share. They come from diverse backgrounds and walks of life, yet they are united by their shared commitment to praying for our school's well-being, growth, and success.

An Inspiring Presence

The presence of the Moms in Prayer group has been a source of inspiration and comfort for many within our school community. Their dedication, faith, and love shine brightly, reminding us of the transformative power of prayer and the importance of coming together in times of joy, challenges, and uncertainty.

Gratitude and Appreciation

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each member of the Moms in Prayer group for their selfless dedication, unwavering faith, and compassionate hearts. Your commitment to praying for our school community has touched the lives of many, creating a ripple effect of positivity, hope, and spiritual growth.

JOIN US FOR A SNEAK PEEK INTO OAA KINDERGARTEN LIFE

Are you or someone you know looking for the ideal place for your [their] little one to begin their educational journey? Look no further than Oakwood Adventist Academy! We are thrilled to invite you to our upcoming Kindergarten Roundup event, where you'll have the opportunity to experience firsthand the warm and welcoming environment of our kindergarten program for the 2024-25 school year.

Please refer to the flier as we have 2 separate events for you to partake in:

1. 2024 Promotional

2. Kindergarten classroom demonstration

During our roundup, you and your child will have a chance to:

• Meet our kindergarten teacher committed to providing a nurturing and enriching learning experience for every child.

• Tour our facilities, including the classroom, age appropriate playground and other exciting learning spaces.

• Learn about our comprehensive curriculum, which focuses on fostering academic excellence, social-emotional development, and a love for learning.

• Discover the range of extracurricular activities.

• Connect with other prospective families and become part of our vibrant and inclusive school community.

Whether your child is just beginning their educational journey or transferring from another school, our Kindergarten Roundup is a wonderful opportunity to explore all that OAA has to offer.

For more information or to register for Kindergarten Roundup, please send an email to oaainfo@myoaa.org .

We hope to see you there! 

K-12 TUTORING OPPORTUNITY

We are excited to announce that Tutor Me is available for all students at OAA K-12.  We were blessed to add this program when we added the GoGuardian program.   Tutor Me is an online on-demand individualized 24/7 learning support program for all subjects and all grade levels K-12 through college level. 

Students can receive live one-to-one tutoring and feedback in all subjects and assignments.  See the attached student guide document on the program and the website. www.tutorme.com will provide additional information on how the program works.  They have just recently announced that it is now called Pear Deck Tutor.  

Students can find the blue login link in the bottom left-hand corner of every Canvas subject to log into the TutorMe (Pear Deck Tutor) program. Take advantage of this free online tutoring program!

For the safety of you, your child(ren), the OAA volunteers, safety patrols and staff, please be reminded of the following:

GENERAL RULES:

• Children should enter and exit the vehicle from the right side only.

• Only allow your child to exit your car on the sidewalk.

• Drive slowly while on campus, especially during drop-off/pick-up.

• All cars move together "One Band, One Sound" [this is for the safety of your child(ren) + all children of Oakwood Adventist Academy]

MORNING SPECIFIC RULES:

• Drop-off begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 7:55 a.m. Students may not enter the building until 7:30 a.m. Oakwood Adventist Academy is not responsible for their safety before that time. Please do not leave them unaccompanied outside of the school building.

• Safety patrols are here to assist your children out of the car and to class. If you need to speak to a teacher, please schedule a conference. 

• If you are not at the drop-off zone in front of the school, your children should not exit.

• Children should be ready to exit the vehicle when they arrive at the drop-off zone. Please don’t wait to put sneakers on and collect your school supplies when you pull up to the drop-off zone.

• Do not begin to pull away from the car line until all children are safely on the other side of the barrier.

• If the 8:00 a.m. bell rings, your child is tardy and you MUST sign them in at the front desk.

AFTERNOON SPECIFIC RULES:

• K-8 ||| Pick-up now begins at 3:05 p.m. and ends at 3:45 p.m., M-TH AND begins at 2:05 p.m. and ends at 2:45 p.m. on Friday

• 9-12 ||| Pick-up begins at 3:30 p.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m., M-TH AND begins at 2:30 p.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. on Friday

• OAA car tags are preferred to be hanging from the rear view mirror. Bare minimum they must be placed on the driver side of the dashboard.

• Students may NOT walk to the parking lot at any time unless accompanied by an OAA staff member.

• Please refrain from talking with the teachers during pick-up, as this distracts them from ensuring the safety of all children.

AFTERNOON SPECIFIC PROCESS:

• Cars arrive and we group names based on arrival for calling students to line up for dismissal.

• Cars make their way to the front of the building (8 cars at a time)

• Students are dismissed to their car based on how they were grouped.

• Once the sidewalk is clear and all students are loaded, the group at the sidewalk departs so that the next group of 8 cars can arrive to the front of the building. 

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***Please do NOT drive around pass the old high school building/the Anna Knight building to cut the line. When you cut the line, it prolongs the car line process for everyone as the names and numbers get thrown off.***

OAA HandS welcomes parent participation in support of our OAA school programs (grades K-6, 7-8, 9-12). We promote a positive and beneficial partnership with OAA Administration and Teachers. Research indicates many positive outcomes for children when parents volunteer and actively participate in their child’s school.

Follow these simple steps to become a successful OAA In-School Volunteer:

Step 1. Fill out this Google survey form to submit your name for service as an OAA volunteer.

Step 2. Complete the mandatory South Central Conference risk assessment. The link to begin the risk assessment can be found in the Google survey form.

Please use the following for the assessment:

Union: Southern Union

Conference: South Central

Step 3. You will be contacted by the OAA HandS Parent Coordinators for final review:

Parent Coordinator: Tawnya Laughinghouse (tpl3222@gmail.com)

Asst. Parent Coordinator (K-6): Shantel Wise

Asst. Parent Coordinator (7-8): Charmaine Woode

Asst. Parent Coordinator (9-12): Tarshall Dublin

OAA HandS and OAA Administration believe that volunteering and visiting within the school building is a privilege. As part of a team supporting student success, you are very important to OAA as a school volunteer.

These volunteer guidelines are established for the benefit of our children, whose needs are our highest

priority.

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!

#letsgomustangs #gooaa #oaainmydna #oaamustangs