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!

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 team participates in the Parochial League with the girls volleyball team participating in the Metropolitan Private School League.

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 Metropolitan Private School League, 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 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 Metropolitan Private School League (MPSL) and 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.

Visit the PLKC 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.

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.

Learn more about our lunch program

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.

Learn more about Oakhill's Wellness Program