Summer’s End, School’s Start – In a Nutshell

Dear Oakhill Families,

I hope this letter finds you soaking up the last days of summer! I recently spent some time helping Brooke move from one apartment to another (I’m grateful she has some strong friends), and watching Shark Fest and Shark Week (I am fascinated by sharks… especially Great White Sharks)! Fun fact… this is the 50th anniversary of JAWS (the movie)! One of my bucket list adventures is cage diving with Great Whites off the coast of Nova Scotia with a shark scientist! I also enjoyed the new Jurassic Park movie; a new plot line and new characters were necessary. I give it two thumbs up!

My POV during the final days of May is… “60 plus days to enjoy flexibility, a slower pace, and more time to get things done.” My POV after the 4th of July is… “we are running out of time, gotta get everything done ASAP, and there is no time to waste”! Both versions are true (at the time), but the reality is… summer (or my definition of summer) is winding down, and SCHOOL is right around the corner!

It is “back to school” season… the supplies (bring back the Trapper Keeper with the velcro closure), the clothes (what goes around comes around), the backpacks (not much has changed here – still love my leather-bottomed Jansport), and more! Back in my day, we headed to Metro North Mall, Independence Center, or Bannister Mall for a day of school clothes shopping… think button-down oxford shirts, frayed Calvin Klein jeans, fun and relevant t-shirts (from the store that used the manual hot iron press), and the “it” sneaker of the month (maybe Reebok, Nike, Adidas, or Puma). After a long day of shopping, I headed home to try on my new outfits (what would my first day of school outfit be?). My schools didn’t have great air conditioning… so I am sure whatever I wore that first day was gross and smelly by the final bell!

I love this time of year – the planning, the excitement, and the anticipation – we're just days away from officially beginning our 2025/2026 school year. As I head into my 19th year at Oakhill (my 33rd start of school as an Educator), I am as excited today as I was then… just a (little) bit older and a (whole lot) wiser. I am proud you have chosen Oakhill. We (every department, every division, and every facet of the school) are here for your children. We constantly reflect on our mission and who we are as a school – “to challenge, to know, to value, and to inspire our students to be their best selves.” We strive to ensure our mission is in motion every single day!

We (the entire team) worked hard this summer; we accomplished a great deal! We spent time together debating, discussing, and determining direction for the coming year! What did we do really well last year, and what can we do even better this year? We have so much to offer… how can we continue to show and share THAT value every chance we get? I can’t wait to share our theme for the new school year – one that will capture the seasonality of a school year from start to finish! Through this theme, we will keep doing what we do best – a continued emphasis on character education and pursuit of the highest standards, a focus on what makes us special (the school/student/parent partnership), and the promise to deliver the strongest academics possible for each and every student (our data is impressive).

We have a team of educators and staff who are committed to reaching each and every student each and every day. We are here to listen, to assist, to guide, to be partners in the educational journey, and to be here for your children. We will make our decisions with the children and mission of the school in mind; the students (as a whole) always come first. Children, whether they are two, seven, or fourteen, want a school community where they are valued and known as individuals; they want a learning environment where they can question, discover, and grow. Oakhill students want high standards, clear expectations, and a teacher who can recognize and appreciate the gifts they bring. We WILL provide such a place!

I cannot say enough about the Oakhill team of educators and professionals… their commitment, dedication, passion, and talent. Our students are fortunate to have these people in their lives – as teachers, instructors, coaches, mentors, and trusted adults!

---

Here are a few updates and highlights for the coming school year:

New Positions and People
We have several new team members who will join us for the upcoming school year! I have shared new hire information in each monthly Acorn, and here are the new hires since the last time I wrote:

• Lily Clevenger – Lily is a true lifer at Oakhill, attending as a student since Early Childhood and working at Kids Club and Summer Camp since she was old enough to officially work! She will be assisting Mrs. Clark in the Pretoddler Classroom this year; Oakhill’s littlest students will enjoy her smile and kindness!

• Summer Craven – With Summer wanting more flexibility this school year, she will be assisting in Mrs. Lafferty’s Prekindergarten classroom. Summer brings warmth and kindness wherever she goes; the students will enjoy her nurturing vibes!

• Lola Heintz – Lola’s versatility, flexibility, and talent has secured her a position as Oakhill’s Full-Time Substitute! She is ready to lead our Pretoddler through 8th graders as the need arises. Lola will also help in the Advancement Department.

You will find the full listing of our faculty and staff on the website! I am so proud of this crew… they are ready to fill their unique seat on the proverbial Oakhill bus. We also have some strong mentors to lead our new faculty and staff, guiding them and sharing the Oakhill traditions and ways… our guidance regarding the Oakhill way creates confidence and leads to success.

---

Summer Program
We have had another “Fully Charged” summer; the campus has been full of fun, freedom, and laughter. Taylor Clevenger and Jaci Ebert led a talented group of teachers and assistants this summer! The students had a great time – kids being kids – and our teachers and teaching assistants created the perfect environment for summer fun – just teachers being teachers! Delaney Zimmermann led the tutoring department – supporting our students academically during the summer months. Many of our faculty, staff, and alumni came back to work this summer; their presence made an impact on the children and the climate. I am proud of the quality service we offer in the summer, and I credit Taylor and Jaci for making the vision come to life each and every day.

---

Back to School Bash & Activities Fair

Tuesday, August 12th from 5–7 pm
We invite ALL students and parents to this FUN night – giving students the opportunity to drop school supplies, meet teachers, see classroom spaces, pick up schedules (middle)… and for students and parents to find out about morning club opportunities, Afternoon Adventures, Athletics, PTO volunteerism, events, and much more!

---

Calendar
The most up-to-date and accurate information will always be available on the school calendar. Please double-check the calendar for updates on a regular basis.

---

First Day of School Info
You’ll be receiving (or may have already received) additional communication regarding car lines, first day of school details, and messages from Tim Ziegler (Early Childhood and Lower School Division Director) and Margaret Sarver (Intermediate and Middle School Division Director) as we get closer to the date!

---

I will await my 50th “first day of school”! I do love my “job” – the good, the bad, and the challenges. This work is so rewarding, and Oakhill allows all of us to “be the teacher, coach, administrator, or support staffer” that we were meant to be! My mom always begged me for a “first day of school picture”… so… I always take a “school picture” to capture my first day… a fresh start to a new year… a snapshot of this specific moment in time! There is nothing like that first day!

I can’t wait to be on this journey with you! I am honored you chose Oakhill; we are grateful and appreciative!

Let’s savor these final moments of summer while we gear up for a wonderful year ahead,
Suzanne