We’re Halfway-ish Through Summer — In a Nutshell

Summer is here … the days are getting longer and longer (which gives me time to get even more accomplished - at work and on the farm)! The last few days have been busy - a good kind of busy! Brooke completed another IronMan 70.3 … in Hawaii on the Big Island. Not only was THIS a great place to “exercise” for 6 hours straight (or in my case spectate), but we were able to witness Mt. Kilauea erupting, “swim” with giant Manta Rays, enjoy some much needed beach time, and (most importantly) hang out with one another … just mother and daughter! I also brought two new pets home - Milo and Maverick … Highland calves (Milo is pure highland and Maverick is half highland and half Texas Longhorn)! They are soooo cute - they have fluffy red hair and are highly food motivated! 

Aside from my farmily, I am excited for the school scene in June. I truly enjoy the month of June; a slower pace for sure - the past school year wrapped up and plenty of time to prepare for the next one. We have many faculty and staff who work year round, and I share with them the importance of “taking a breath” during the summer months. Although there is much work to be done, slowing down allows reflection, philosophical discussions, less rushed conversations, deeper connections, and time to truly think about possibilities. “The best way to predict the future is to create it!” Peter Drucker. That is what summer is for…creating a blueprint for the coming year!

Summer Camp brings excitement to the campus during June and July! It lives out the motto - Best Summer Ever - in every way possible. Oakhill faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of Oakhill do their very best to make these 40 days unforgettable - making memories each and every day! Our Student Success Team helps keep skills sharp, fill in gaps, and enrich during the “out of school” months. I am extremely proud of these programs, the people, and the partnership between the teachers, students and families. 

Beyond our summer program, there is much hustle and bustle around campus. Our new STEM spaces are being designed and created and the east side of the Main Campus building is preparing for a HUGE makeover! The campus is buzzing with cleaning, repairs, upgrades, and more! I am grateful for the hard work and dedication of our Maintenance team led by Hunter Parker - thank you Ken, Mark, and Heidi for preparing our campus for what is to come in August! 

I want to update you on a few new hires for the next school year. 

4th Grade - Please welcome Pam Bruner. She received her Bachelors of Psychology from Oregon Institute of Technology with a minor in business. She went on to receive a Masters in Elementary Education from Southern Oregon University. Pam has taught 3rd grade (in North Carolina), as well as Kindergarten and 1st-5th physical education at Faith Christian Academy. Every single reference called her "relational", high energy, positive, detail-oriented, and highly organized. Pam enjoys collaboration, teamwork, and building community. In her spare time, she coaches Varsity basketball, enjoys working out, loves cleaning and organizing, and looks forward to time with her husband and three children ranging from ages 13-18...her oldest is heading to college this fall. Pam is excited about this next chapter! Coming from a private school, she recognizes the importance of the parent/teacher/student partnership and is well versed in what this should look, sound and feel like! 

5th Grade Communication Arts - Amanda Orsi is excited to join the 5th grade team alongside Audra Olson. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English and Communications from Robert Morris University and a Master of Science in Education from Duquesne University, both in Pittsburgh, PA. Amanda has taught High School English, served as an education specialist for the middle school STEAM program, served as a Senior Quality Specialist over English and Essay Writing for the Princeton Review, and has enjoyed many short and long-term substitute teaching positions in grades Kindergarten and above. Amanda is excited about teaching 5th grade - she considers this an exciting junction in their school careers as they take their skills and talents to the next level in preparation for middle school. She looks forward to challenging the students - helping them become the best readers and writers they can be! Communication Arts allows students to bring "who they are" to the space - enabling students to express and showcase that within their work, whether it be in listening, speaking, reading, or writing. She hopes to make her passion contagious! Amanda enjoys reading, cooking, being outside, and traveling with her husband, 9 year old son, and doodle! She also enjoys helping authors in their writing endeavors by editing their work! She looks forward to collaboration, teamwork, and integration/cross disciplinary projects. 

Learning Specialist - The Student Success Team has expanded for the 26/27 school year adding a dedicated South Building Learning Specialist to work with the department. Please welcome Julie Noordsy-Winterboer to the team! Julie earned her Bachelors of Arts in English and Secondary Education from Central College in Pella, IA followed by a Masters of Education in School Guidance and Counseling from Northwest Missouri State University. She also holds a certification in Dyslexia and Literacy Intervention from Friends University and is trained in Orton-Gillingham, Structured Literacy, Multi-Sensory Instruction, and Phonemic Awareness. Julie is also certified as a Library Media Specialist. For the past two summers, Julie has worked as a tutor at Oakhill and truly enjoyed getting to know the students, families, and staff. She is excited to join Oakhill as a full time faculty member and work in a school that promotes building strong relationships, creating a positive learning environment, and helping students grow with confidence. A fun full-circle moment for Julie is that several members of the faculty are actually former students of hers — and now she has the opportunity to work alongside them as colleagues. 

Toddler - Although no stranger to Oakhill for the past 20+ years, I am excited to share that Lily Clevenger will be the new Toddler Teacher. Not only was Lily a student here since she was an early childhood student, but she has worked at Kids Club, Summer Camp, assisted in PE and spent time supporting Alumni. Her latest role as the Pretoddler Teaching Assistant showcased her ability to nurture and teach our youngest students. Lily attended Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ and is currently enrolled in a Birth to 5 Early Childhood program. Lily is excited to give the children the same love and support she received both in, and beyond, the classroom. She loves spending time with her family and traveling to new places! I know she will bring positivity and energy to the position and division!!!

Alumni Relations - I also want to welcome another Alum who grew up at Oakhill - Brooke McCanles. Although Brooke is working full-time in her respective field, she will work part-time alongside Jaci Ebert to grow our Alumni Relations Department. Brooke attended the University of Colorado-Boulder and UMKC graduating with a Political Science and Classics Degree. She is excited to help reimagine alumni engagement and is passionate about strengthening connections amongst the graduates - creating a vibrant, lifelong community.  Brooke is looking forward to helping Oakhill create a long range plan for Alumni Relations while implementing a new Alumni Advisory Board and new engagement opportunities. A big thank you to Maggie Newhouse who has grown the Alumni base over the last several years and is able to pass along this detailed information to Jaci and Brooke - providing a great foundation for further success. 

Heidi Hule will add another grade level to her schedule next year, teaching Spanish to Pretoddler through 4th Grade. Cody WalkerHolmes will now teach 5th-8th Grade Spanish, Global Thread, World Peace Games, and so much more (hence the reason she needed to “give up” a grade level)! 

With the 4th of July being the “midpoint”ish of summer, I challenge you to lean into the long days! Say YES to adventures, activities, day trips, traveling, reading, biking, hiking, playing or watching sports of all kinds, concert going, movie watching, farmers market strolling, festival hopping, and whatever else sounds fun! Spend time with people who bring out the best in you, call someone you haven’t talked to in a while, visit family and friends, send a card to those you don’t see often, go get ice cream at 10 pm, and shake up your routine in a way that only summer allows! Enjoy every minute of a more flexible schedule!

I will squeeze every ounce of fun I can this summer … playing with my goats (Clarence and Walter), getting to know my new Highland Calves (Milo and Maverick) walking my dogs, babysitting my Granddog (Pickles), running, hiking, playing some golf (I hope), planning future vacations, reading, gardening (I am proud of my raised beds), mowing (I LOVE to mow), 4-wheeling on the trails, and working alongside the Oakhill Team to make next year the best yet! “Summer allows space to write next year’s Oakhill book - a best seller”!

I’ll be back in late July with “Back to School” need to knows,

Suzanne