![Story Time w/ Mrs. McCanles]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1734975576/oakhillday/ncq4kkkw5alllfaadufe/IMG_4230.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1734975576/oakhillday/ncq4kkkw5alllfaadufe/IMG_4230.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1734975576/oakhillday/ncq4kkkw5alllfaadufe/IMG_4230.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1734975576/oakhillday/ncq4kkkw5alllfaadufe/IMG_4230.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1734975576/oakhillday/ncq4kkkw5alllfaadufe/IMG_4230.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1734975576/oakhillday/ncq4kkkw5alllfaadufe/IMG_4230.jpg","width":2200}])
As I write this article, Brooke and I are flying home from a weekend trip to Dallas. Brady's girlfriend, Eliza, graduated from SMU with an MBA - we celebrated and enjoyed a pre-Christmas gathering as a partial family (Kevin had to fly a trip)! We are driving back to Dallas on the 29th … taking Gramma and Grampa with us! I am excited to spend a few days (as a family) in Dallas - temperatures are ALWAYS a bit warmer!
Christmas at the McCanles home has evolved over the years; everyone has "grown up," and we don't have any small children running around (yet), and I think it will be a few years before that happens! I miss the good old days - all of us under one roof, when we enjoyed crab legs on Christmas Eve and opened gifts at dawn on Christmas morning. Although times have changed, togetherness outweighs the expectations of yesteryear! I'll take family time when and where I can get it!
I have enjoyed Oakhill "family" time these past few days! Nothing is quite as memorable as "this" school during this time of year - the kindness, the gratitude, the traditions, the special feeling in the air! Our final panther party of the year featured a reading of "Hanukkah Bear" by Mrs. Verwers and the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas performance by EVERYONE! Santa and Mrs. Clause came to visit, and after every class from Pretoddler through 8th, came by to say hello to them. Santa and Mrs. Clause said they were impressed with the students' and teachers' politeness, kindness, and happiness! That meant a lot coming from Santa! Of course, the parties were top-notch, as well - room parents … ALL the parents made them special!
The Oakhill family has also rallied around Mrs. Crouse (Prekindergarten teacher of 25 years) and her husband, Mike. Mike was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer this past week with a challenging journey ahead; Janelle has chosen to retire a few months earlier than expected to be by his side. Times like this remind me that "school" is so much more than curriculum and teaching (although very important); it is about the people - the relationships - the connections - and the community!
As we head into the second semester, I want to thank each and every one of you for your trust, support, and belief in Oakhill. Thank you for choosing Oakhill, for continuing to choose Oakhill, and for referring other incredible families and students to our community. I have been able to sit down with many families over the past few weeks to discuss the business side of Oakhill and the educational side; I have enjoyed the conversation, dialogue, and time. The more families understand how an independent school operates, the stronger we become!
I am looking forward to a new month, a new semester, and a new year!
Suzanne