Athletics & Wellness
The mission of the athletic department is to provide a quality athletic experience with multiple opportunities for students to be challenged physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally.
While we build competitive, winning teams, our primary mission is to promote the value of sportsmanship, school spirit, skill development, fair play, and academic achievement in the classroom. It is our goal to provide each student- athlete with the tools and skills needed to succeed both on and off the field of play while preparing them for competitive high school sports.
Overview
What We Offer
Team sports are one way that Oakhill students strengthen their Lifeskills by exercising collaboration, cooperation, self-regulation and many more social-emotional skills that are important to child development. There is an athletic option for Oakhill students of all ages.
POP Sports
Panthers on the Prowl (POP) Athletics
Toddler through fourth-grade students have the opportunity to participate in an athletic program designed to meet their developmental needs. Students involved in the “Panthers on the Prowl” program will not be competing in a league and playing games with other teams. The program is designed to introduce children to a variety of activities while working to develop the child’s basic knowledge of fitness and games.
Activities such as soccer, children’s yoga, introduction to team sports, and PE adventures are a few examples of some activities offered in the past.
“Panthers on the Prowl” Skill Overview
- These three to four-week mini-camps meet 1 day per week for 20 to 45-minutes.
- Activities provide a great opportunity for students to learn the basic skills and fundamentals of individual and team sports.
- Participants will go through drills and scrimmages to apply and improve their skills.
- A variety of activities are offered in the fall and spring.
Lower School Athletics
The lower school athletics program is in place to begin building a foundation that will allow the student to grow their skills in the sport. These programs are designed to work on developing an understanding of the game along with the fundamental skills needed to play the sport. At this level, we want to see each team succeed. However, an emphasis on winning will not take precedent over developing the individual skills of each athlete. At this age (Kindergarten – 3rd grade), sports should be very instructive in nature. If the student-athlete finishes the season with improved knowledge of the game, a good foundation of the fundamental skills it takes to play the sport and has enjoyed playing, the season was successful!
The Oakhill kindergarten - first grade basketball teams play 3 on 3 and are co-ed. Teams consists of 4 - 6 players total. These teams participate in our very own Oakhill Day School League developmental league. Each team will play a total of 6 - 7 games. Games are on Saturday morning at the Oakhill Gymnasium beginning in January.
Players should be improving their skills in the sport along with their level of sportsmanship in playing as each season passes.
Intermediate/Middle School Athletics
Students entering fourth grade have the opportunity to participate in athletics at the middle school level. In the fall, third through eighth grade students may participate in cross country, with fifth through eighth grade students participating in girls volleyball. The cross country and girls volleyball teams participate in the Parochial League of Greater Kansas City.
In the winter, fifth through eighth grade students have the opportunity to participate and compete in basketball here at Oakhill. Oakhill teams all participate in the Parochial League of Greater Kansas City, the league consists of schools in the Kansas City Metropolitan area.
In the spring, middle school students may participate in track and field. Students in the fourth through eighth grade are welcome and encouraged to participate. The Oakhill track and field team participates in the Parochial League of Greater Kansas City, along with attending a couple other selected meets throughout the spring.
Who We Play
Oakhill Day School athletics is currently a member of the Parochial League of Kansas City (PLKC).
Parochial League of Kansas City (PLKC)
Oakhill has been a member of the Kansas City Parochial League (PLKC) since 2007. Currently, Oakhill participates in Cross Country, Track & Field, K - 4th Basketball, and Boys Volleyball in the PLKC. The PLKC consists of many of the parochial schools in the Kansas City area.
For more information about the league, visit the league website.
Nutrition and Wellness
Research has long shown that healthy children learn better. One way to keep children healthy and have an impact on them well into their futures is to educate them on nutrition and the value of exercise. Oakhill integrates both nutrition and physical education into the daily work of its students. Oakhill also provides ample opportunities for physical activity throughout the school day and in its auxiliary programs.
Pre-Participation Sports Physical (4th - 8th Grade ONLY):
Prior to participating in athletics here at Oakhill each 4th - 8th grade student must have an updated sports physical on file (School Doc) here at Oakhill. Students without a valid/updated sports physical on file will not be allowed to participate until that is completed. Beginning in the fall, 2021 sports physicals will now be valid for two-calendar years from the date they were performed. Click link below if you are needing to download a form.\
Click Here to Download 2-Year Sports Physical Form
Our commitment to Nutrition and Wellness
Nutrition Education
Oakhill Day School seeks to incorporate the education of healthy eating and positive food experiences in numerous ways including regular cooking classes, the utilization of a school garden, regular demonstrations and fun food activities in the dining hall.
Cooking Classes
Students in grades Pre-Toddler through 5th Grade will be offered educational cooking classes once or twice per month. These classes primarily include the use of whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The classes are taught by the Oakhill Day School Food and Beverage Department, our food service provider. The curriculum also offers the means to gain student acceptance for trying new foods.
School Garden
Oakhill Day School provides and cultivates a garden for its students. The garden is used throughout the curriculum. The garden allows for hands-on learning of biology and the life cycle of plants and allows students to see first-hand where their food comes from. The garden also supplements the food used in cooking classes and salad bars.
Fun Friday Demonstrations
Once per quarter, a Friday demonstration is provided in the dining hall during the lunch period. These demonstrations include presentations by local growers and farmers and allow for taste testing of fruits and vegetables, legumes, and grains. The demonstrations allow students to meet with growers from their communities and learn about the people who grow and produce their food. These demonstrations also expose students to new foods.
Physical Education and Physical Activity Opportunities
It is the goal of Oakhill to have students fully embrace regular physical activity as a personal behavior. Healthy, active lifestyles are reinforced during the school day through daily physical education, daily recess, before and after school sports as well as opportunities for short activity breaks between lessons when appropriate. Other active opportunities such as running club and intramural sports are offered through our after school programs.
Daily PE
Oakhill offers physical education classes for pretoddler - eighth grade students throughout the week. Students not only learn the importance of maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle but they also experience the excitement of being active. Students can expect to enjoy physical education classes according to the following guidelines:
- Pretoddler –Toddler classes participate in physical education for 20-minutes two times each week
- Preschool - Prekindergarten students participate in physical education for 20-minutes three times a week
- Kindergarten – Fourth Grade students participate in 30-minutes of physical education daily
- Fifth - Eighth Grade students participate in 45-minutes of physical education daily
- High School students have access to the Gladstone Community Center to get in daily activity when they need a break from academics
Daily Recess
All Oakhill students are offered outdoor recess every day. Teachers are encouraged to take their students outside unless the weather is deemed dangerous due to storms, excessive cold or excessive heat for anywhere from 15 - 30 minutes per day.
Before and After School Physical Opportunities
Oakhill offers a range of activities that meet the needs, interests, and abilities of all students. Oakhill’s Athletic Program offers individual and team sports activities.
Physical Activity Integration into the Classroom
Teachers are encouraged to provide short, specific physical activity breaks between lessons or classes as appropriate.
Mental Wellness
Oakhill wants both students and staff who are healthy mentally as well as physically. We emphasize prevention and overall personal well-being by encouraging mindfulness moments throughout the day and by hosting awareness/prevention training and family-oriented events throughout the school year.
In addition to having a full-time Wellness Counselor on campus, several faculty and staff members received training and are certified Youth Mental Health First Responders. Oakhill is also an active partner of the Tri-county Mental Health Northland Coalition and was awarded their Outstanding Partner in Prevention Award at the 2020 Northland Prevention Conference.
Upcoming Athletic Events
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Meet the Athletics Staff
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