The Lee Brothers are Taking the Medical Field by Storm!

Alex Lee ~ ODS Class of 2013 ~ is beginning his Junior year at the University of Missouri - Columbia and is also studying to be a doctor.  He is pursuing a degree in Health Science with minors in Spanish and Psychology.  Alex was a camp counselor this summer for Camp Kesem Mizzou ~ which is a camp for kids whose parents have been affected by cancer.  He also studied this summer in Spain.

Last year he published and presented his original research at Life Sciences Week at Mizzou.  His mother, a highly regarded Cardiologist at St. Luke's, said, "There is hope for our degenerative knees" with Alex on the job!

Andy Lee is a 2018 graduate of the University of Missouri - Columbia.

Andy is now a member of the class of 2023 at the Medical School at the University of Missouri - Columbia.  His White Coat Ceremony was this past August.  Read more here.  Good luck, Andy!

Middle School Boys Basketball (5th - 8th) - Parent Informational Meeting with Coach Stutz 
 

When: Monday, November 4, 2019

Where: Oakhill Day School Gymnasium

Time: 6:30pm - 7:30pm
 

We hope you can join Coach Stutz for a Middle School Boys Basketball parent informational meeting on Monday, November 4th. Coach Stutz would like an opportunity to meet all the parents and give the Oakhill community an opportunity to meet him as well. Coach Stutz will be going over his goals and expectations for the upcoming season, along with giving you a preview of what you can expect from his practices. This is a great opportunity to ask questions that you may have regarding the upcoming season. 

Hope to see you here on Monday, November 4th!!

GO PANTHERS!!

Late Fall at Oakhill is Just Right!

In my last Acorn article, I couldn't wait for fall weather... but, now it is a little bit too cool! I like it to be not too hot and not too cold - but, just right! That is kind of the way I like things in general... (kind of like Goldilocks)! I am either really bored or I have way too much to do; I am so excited about something or not that excited at all; I love a food or dislike a food; I have a strong opinion or really no opinion worth having at all!  I think that is why I love the 2nd quarter of school - there is so much to do... so much going on... and, so many balls to juggle! I have to be ON all the time... and, that brings out the best in me!

We are currently:

• preparing for our Annual Auction  
• ramping up Annual Fund Give Online
• planning Global Celebration and our brand new Global Celebration - After Hours Event
• sponsoring our Gladstone Chamber Thanksgiving Luncheon 
• organizing our first ever All that Jazz event at June's Jazz Club
• starting up the basketball and cheerleading season
• memorizing our words for the Annual Scripps Spelling Bee 
• gearing up for our six winter musicals
• determining vendors for our first ever Holiday Hoopla in the gym (Click here for more information, vendor application and terms)
• decorating for our Auction Favorite Things party

And...

Saving energy to enjoy Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks!

I know life is busy; I doubt I see you at all of these events, but I hope to run into you at many!

I also want to share some quick updates. Maggie Newhouse has stepped into the Alumni Coordinator role, and she will be contacting students and families from the past to keep in touch and keep them informed. If you have news or updates to share, please contact Maggie. Terri Ferris is our Volunteer Coordinator helping to find the right fit for all of our volunteers. If you want to volunteer or have ideas, simply reach out to Terri for help or guidance. Amy Potts has graciously agreed to serve as Annual Auction Chairperson. She will be organizing our largest fundraising event of the year and is excited to lead the committee. The right people are in the right places, and great things are to come!

Enjoy the 2nd quarter... although it is action packed, it is deliberately so! We create the activities and events for you... for your family... and, for the school. Thank you for being a part of the Oakhill community - we are one big happy family! 

Here's to my second family,

Suzanne

Masquerade Ball - Auction 2020

It's time to get ready for Auction 2020 - A Masquerade Ball that is sure to be a magical night of memories as we raise our paddles to raise money for the students of Oakhill!

This year's auction event is on Saturday, February 29. To get everyone excited, we have a few additional events that precede Auction night. These events are both friend-raising and fund-raising and count towards the monetary goals and success of the auction event. 

This year, we are having a:

Vacation Raffle - This year's vacation raffle is an exclusive 2020 Delmar Race package with paddock access, winners' circle viewing, turf club seating, Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa 3-Night Stay in San Diego, and Airfare for 2.

Each current Oakhill family will receive 5 raffle tickets in the mail that can be sold for $20 or kept and entered into the drawing. More tickets are available upon request. We will send out communications letting you know when to expect the raffle tickets in the mail, and we will also let you know the deadline for returning raffle tickets. Raffle tickets not returned before the deadline will be automatically billed to your Oakhill account. No exceptions. If you do not receive your raffle tickets by the estimate receipt date, please notify us in advance so that we can make a note before the deadline. More information to come.

Learn more about this year's raffle!

Favorite Things Party - Join us on Friday, December 13 at 6:00 PM at the home of Amy Potts for a pre-masquerade celebration!

What's this party all about you ask? It's simple. Every Oakhill Family is invited to attend the party for FREE! There will be food, drinks, and fun and all we ask is that you bring with you one (or all) of your most favorite friends to have a great time with, and one of your most favorite items to donate to the Auction.

Great Auction items include:

• Restaurant Gift Certificates
• Bottles of Wine
• Concert/Movie/Play/Symphony/Ballet/Sporting Event Tickets
• Children's Toys (Lego Sets, Fortnite, etc.)
• Airline Passes
• Jewelry Items
• Spa Services
• Personal Electronics
• Vacation Homes
• Sports Memorabilia
• Children Related Passes (Powerplay, etc)
• Beauty Items (Hard to get Make-up Pallets, etc.)
• Uber Gift Cards
• Golf Packages
• Man Cave Items (Coolers, Drink Sets, Neon Signs, etc.)
• Certificates for Lessons (Sports, Dance, Instrument, etc.)
• Custom Items (one of a kind furniture pieces, art, etc)
• Photography/Portrait Certificates

This event is 21+ and free to attend! So plan on grabbing a friend, significant other, and your favorite thing to help us kick off what should be our most successful auction yet!

RSVP for the Favorite Things Party Now

Children's Auction - The Children's Auction is an opportunity for you to try your hand at mobile bidding while the kids get to have a little auction fun before the big event. This event will have old favorites like jail and bail, while also having a few new events to give it an update look and feel! This event is on Wednesday, February 19... right after school! We are always in need of great children's auction that we will auction off that night, especially items that attract the older Middle School students! All donations are welcome!

Donate an item to the Children's Auction Now

The Committee Needs You!

There is still room on the committee for anyone who wants to sign up to give their time and talents to the largest fundraising event at Oakhill.

Join the Auction Committee

Want more information on this year's event? 

Visit the Auction online to learn more about this year's event! 

Now accepting Silent Auction Donations!

As you get ready to do your holiday shopping, remember that we are looking for great items to include in our silent auction! With Black Friday coming up, this is a good time to look for deals on children's toys, hot new and hard to get items, electronics, and more! 

Already have donations?

Complete the online donation form here! 

Thank you!

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor Kansas City Credit Union for their support of the 2020 Masquerade Ball at Oakhill! Their major contribution will take this year's event to a whole new level!

Winter Weather Reminders

With the looming possibility of winter weather in the coming days, we'd like to take a minute to remind you of Oakhill's procedures for inclement/winter weather.

Snow/Ice Days

It is Oakhill's intent to conduct school each day of the current school calendar unless inclement weather prohibits safe travel to and from school. Once we are in school we will remain in school according to the full day schedule. Kids' Club and after school classes and clubs will continue as planned unless notified otherwise. Evening events will not automatically be cancelled. Please watch the website for information regarding evening program cancellations. Parents can also sign up to receive cancellation calendar alerts as well as text alerts via School Messenger. Snow and ice days are not made up throughout the year, nor are credits given for lunches.

Parents ultimately make the final decision on your student's school attendance. If, in your judgment, you do not feel safe transporting your student(s) to school, you have the right not to. In that event, please contact school to let us know your student(s) will not be attending. As a parent, you also have the right to sign your student(s) out early due to weather conditions.

When inclement weather is predicted, suspected or imminent, the following procedures will be implemented.

• During inclement weather, it is best to check in this order: 1) look for a text message (if you have chosen to opt-in to School Messenger), voicemail/phone call, or email; 2) check the website; 3) call the school at 816-436-6228; 4) Check Facebook /Twitter; and 5) watch the morning news stations, prior to leaving home if you have a long drive and doubt whether school will be open.
• Every effort is made to call off school as early as possible. Snow days will be called by the Head of School with the safety of students, parents, and its employees as the number one priority. Although we will not follow North Kansas City, Liberty, and Park Hill closing, their decision to close will be a factor as the decision is being made.
• There may be days we have a delayed start time to allow road conditions to improve. Always check the website or call the school to be aware of such a delay. In such an instance, car line will begin at 10:00 a.m. with school starting at 10:30 a.m. Kids' Club will not be available before a late start.

Days when snow is on the ground and school is in session: Please send snow gear – boots, snow pants, coats, gloves etc. for the recess and gym time on a day in which the temperature and conditions allow for fun in the snow.

To opt-in to text alerts, text "Y" or "YES" to 67587.

Congratulations Isabel!

Congratulations to Isabel Holmes, Oakhill Class of 2017, for earning Honorable Mention All Conference in softball at Kearney High School.  We are so proud of you Isabel!

Holiday Hoopla is Coming to Oakhill!

We are SUPER excited about the new Holiday Hoopla, a unique and amazing shopping event for Oakhill and our surrounding community! 

The event will be held Saturday, December 7 from noon until 4pm in the Oakhill Gym and Commons. We hope that you will make plans now for your whole family to come and shop for holiday goods and treats!

We will have a variety of vendors with homemade goods, local products, fun items for the holidays, decor and so much more! Even the Oakhill Mercantile will be there! Families can shop together and enjoy the holiday atmosphere and fun! We will also have a Kids Area in the Commons for them to shop with Holiday Elves, wrap their finds, and be ready to celebrate their family and friends with homemade items straight from the heart.

Invite your family, neighbors, and friends and mark your calendar now to attend Holiday Hoopla December 7th from noon until 4pm! Open to the public.

Interested in being a vendor? Click here for more information, vendor application and terms.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Dorothy Beckham or Michelle McDaniel!

See you for a fun day of holiday shopping on December 7!

PreK - It's Time to Test Drive Kindergarten!

You've planted the seeds for a lifelong love of learning in your child, now its time to establish roots by further cultivating that love for learning! 

Learn more about Kindergarten at Oakhill - Wednesday, November 20, from 5:30 pm-7 pm.

Prekindergarten students, bring mom and dad back to school for a fun-filled evening designed to help you learn all about Oakhill's Kindergarten program! Your child will have a blast as we introduce them to academic departments like Art and Science that they've yet to explore while at Oakhill. The kindergarten teachers will be here to outline the philosophy and goals of your child's kindergarten year while also answering any questions that you may have about this foundational year.

Are you ready to take your child's education to the next level? Make plans to join us on November 20 to learn more!

This event is open to current and prospective Oakhill families looking for the right Kindergarten program for the 2020 School Year.

Click here to RSVP. Have additional questions about enrollment at Oakhill, contact Dorothy Beckham.

Congratulations to Alumni Tennis Ace Georgia Carter!

Congratulations to Georgia Carter, Class of 2019, who was the #1 Girls Varsity player at Liberty North this year. In post season play she advanced to sectionals after placing 2nd at districts. 

Dear Oakhill Families and Friends:

As I look back to my early childhood years at Oakhill Day School I have fond memories of my teachers and classroom experiences.  Oakhill Day School prepared me for my education for the rest of my life. While having in-depth conversations with other parents from Oakhill we feel as your child continues through eighth grade at Oakhill that they will be fully prepared to tackle the challenges of high school and excel in their studies and extracurricular activities.

My wife Heeok and I have made Oakhill our primary philanthropic donation.  We have reduced our alma mater donations and increased our Oakhill contribution. We are excited about the education our children are receiving and feel this is a wonderful investment in their future. As you choose your philanthropic contributions please remember how this school is helping prepare your children for life.  Your money truly makes a difference. 

Personal participation also make a difference.  Attending the auction, getting involved in activities and volunteering in the classroom are important ways to help the school and its students. Your employer or your business may sponsor a community partnership or there will be several underwriting opportunities throughout the year. 

I would like to remind you of the importance of the Annual Fund.  Following NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) guidelines, the Board of Trustees sets tuition approximately 85% of the actual cost to educate a child.  The remaining 15% is what we commonly refer to as "the gap".  The gap is what your donations to the Annual Fund aim to fill. By design, the gap is meant to keep tuition as low as possible, making the school more accessible and affordable to potential families, while providing the

Oakhill community an opportunity to come together with a shared sense of purpose.

Please make a yearly donation to the Annual Fund.

Join Me!

Kent Peterson
Board of Trustees President