The post Oakwood Grade School Honor Roll / High Honor Roll  appeared first on .

Using guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education, the initial draft focused on all day, in-person instruction, keeping the students and staff safe and providing opportunities for students to be successful, a letter from Superintendent Larry Maynard said.

IDPH guidelines require use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including face coverings; prohibit more than 50 individuals from gathering in one space; require social distancing be observed, as much as possible; require that schools conduct symptom screenings and temperature checks or require that individuals self-certify that they are free of symptoms before entering school buildings; and require an increase in school-wide cleaning and disinfection.

“I am sure this preliminary information will raise just as many questions as it provides
answers,” Maynard wrote. “This is a very fluid situation, and there could be changes to our current plan prior to school beginning or during the school year.”

Districts are also required to develop an e-learning plan to be submitted to ISBE. Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan may require districts to move back to remote learning.

Oakwood sent a survey to parents to gain their feedback. Maynard reports that over 500 parents participated. After board review, the plan will be released to the community members of the task force in hopes that “blind spots” can be identified.

The plan will then be released in its entirety to the community.

The current plan is for students to begin instruction on August 25.

The post Oakwood board to see “Return to Learn” plan July 15 appeared first on .

Oakwood High School’s Marci Wilt found that out at a young age.

“My goal from the beginning of high school was to be one of our class’ Valedictorians,” Wilt said. “However, I had some bumps along the road at home and at school and I ended up losing my 4.0 GPA. 

“While I was very upset at myself for a while, I eventually came around to realizing that sticking with my hard work and doing my best still paid off and rewarded me when I was told I was the Salutatorian. 

“Even though it’s not what I originally was aiming for, it is still a big accomplishment and I’ve come around to still being proud of myself after everything.”

Wilt managed to remain on the High Honor Roll all four years at Oakwood, earning a spot on the National Honor Society and the Academic Challenge team. She is also an Illinois State Scholar.

During her last two years of high school, Wilt decided to go all in. 

She added Scholastic Bowl, Student Council, Band/Marching Band, FCA and Drama Club to her list of activities. 

“This past year, I was also able to take on various leadership roles in my extracurriculars,” she said. “I was the Secretary of the Student Council, the Drum Major of our Band, the Senior Class Vice President, and the Student Director of the Drama Club. 

“It was really important to me to be involved because it gave me a lot of experience in working with other people, it helped me to discover and follow my passions, and it helped me to improve my leadership skills. It was also just a lot of fun and I almost always had something to keep me busy.”

The Salutatorian said there isn’t another community she would have wanted to grow up in.

“Oakwood High School is a special place because we have a lot of school pride,” she said. “Anyone who’s been to one of our pep-assemblies would agree with me! We have a lot of fun together and for the most part, we’re a pretty tight-knit group.”

This weekend, Wilt will walk across the stage, grabbing her diploma as her loved ones watch and her classmates wait for their turn.

“Throughout high school, my biggest support system was my mom,” she said. “She always pushed me to get my work done, study hard, and just to be a good student and person. She’s always had high expectations for me and that has taught me to set high expectations for myself. 

“My friends have also helped me a lot through high school, whether that be academically or emotionally.”

As she looks ahead to attending college at the University of Illinois to study Animal Sciences, Wilt will take the lessons she learned through focus and hard work with her.

“Hard work really is the key to success in my opinion,” she said. “Also, to always stay involved. Being involved really completes any experience. It kind of gives you that sense of fulfillment when you know you’re actually a part of something and not just along for the ride.”

Her favorite memory of Oakwood will be the Thursday before Homecoming week when she led Cometfest.

 “I was actually the head of the committee that organized that event so I didn’t get to participate, but people really had fun and a lot of people have said that it’s one of their favorite memories of senior year,” Wilt said. “It made me feel like we did a really good job and I had a ton of fun organizing it and watching everyone participate. 

“And to add to all of that, the seniors won the competition!”

The last eight weeks has looked a little different for Wilt than many other teenagers. While some teens continue to be with or visit their friends, she has had to stay inside the whole time because of an immunodeficiency.

Even prior to the stay-at-home order, Wilt missed much of the third quarter because of illness.

“I have to be really careful with everything I do,” she said.

But Wilt’s resiliency and desire to learn new things will propel her onto the next chapter of her life.

“My love of learning really just came from my curiosity and always wanting to understand something new,” she said. “I’ve always loved learning new skills and information. The opportunity to learn is so important to me because if I couldn’t learn, I would have no way to channel my energy and curiosity.”

The post Oakwood’s Marci Wilt overcomes disappointment to earn Salutatorian appeared first on .

Whether that story begins with the moment he stepped into Oakwood High School or at the moment the Class of 2020 Valedictorian walks across the graduation stage or when he begins his next experience at Columbia College Chicago, White is making the most of his experiences.

“I think being Valedictorian was something I worked for, definitely. I always just strived to do the best I could with whatever I was doing,” he said.

White, an Illinois State Scholar, has always been curious about the world. He’s enjoyed spending his time reading or taking part in Oakwood’s drama, pep band, marching band, concert band or Scholastic Bowl opportunities. 

Her served as class President his freshman year, then went on a the take on the role of the Treasurer the following three years. 

“In Student Council, I served on multiple subcommittees for my sophomore, junior, and senior years,” he said. “I was also Vice President of the council my junior year and Council President my Senior year. 

“I served as Assistant Director for the Drama Club this year. For Scholastic Bowl, I was JV captain my Junior year and Varsity captain my senior year. I was named a part of the All-Vermilion County Scholastic Bowl team during my senior year.”

Over time, White has learned that “starting something is the hardest part.” 

Although his senior year did not end the way he thought it would, White is looking forward to the next steps in his story. He plans to move to Chicago in the fall to study television. 

“After that, I hope to find myself writing and producing shows for companies like NBC or Netflix,” he said.

Packed in his bag of stories will be memories of his hometown where the entire community comes together for homecoming, missing the opportunity to make more memories with his class after they walked out the doors mid-March or having a support system.

“My family has always been behind me in everything I do. It was great to have them stick by me. Especially when things got hard and stressful,” he said.

“These last 8 weeks were definitely different than what I expected my senior year but it did give me time to start to really think about what the future holds for me.

“I’m looking forward to what is ahead.”

The post Luke White’s story includes earning 2020 Oakwood Valedictorian honors appeared first on .

One of seven Valedictorians in the Class of 2020, Wells had her sights set on reaching the top of her class as she came into her freshman year. 

“I have a love to succeed which I got from my parents, they always pushed me to do my best and expected a lot from me when it came to my school work,” Wells said. “I always prided myself on doing well in school. The opportunity to learn to me means the opportunity to further my education and create a good life for my future.”

The support of her parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins met a lot to the graduate.

“My family is a big part of my life and to have them cheering me on and pushing me to be my best was very important to me,” she said. “My teachers were always very supportive, they saw what I was capable of and helped push me to achieve that success.”

Wells maintained a 4.0 throughout her academic career, was secretary of the National Honors Society and has received the Presidential Scholarship to Danville Area Community College.

She was also a member of the football and basketball cheer squads, played basketball, softball, cross country and was a member of FCA throughout high school.

Wells was named by part of the Vermilion County Conference team in cross county, winning two conference and two county titles, helped win a Vermilion County Championship with the Comet basketball team and was part of the Oakwood competitive cheer squad that placed 10th at State.

“It is important to get involved in high school because it keeps you active and gives you something to work for,” she said. “It teaches you to work hard and be held accountable for what you are doing.”

Wells will look back on her time at Oakwood fondly. 

“The 2020 school year was amazing, it was flying by just as everyone had said it would,” she said. “Our class was making the most of everything knowing that it would be our last. Homecoming week in general was crazy, lots of ups and downs but it was lots of fun. Our class really made the most of it.”

The last eight weeks have been tough, though. As event cancellations, eventually ending with final weeks of school being canceled, Wells said it really hit home that the Class of 2020 was done. 

“I am glad that we get to do some sort of graduation, I wish that we were able to see all of our classmates but this is all for our safety so it is understood why it has to be done like this, she said. “There is still some hope that we will be able to do prom during the summer as a last get together with our class but everything is still undecided.”

After completing her time at DACC, Wells plans to transfer to a four-year university, although she is not sure what she would like to focus on at this point.

“School is important but it is not everything, as long as you are doing your best that is the most someone can ask of you,” she said. “Your teenage years don’t last forever, have fun while you still can.”

The post Oakwood’s Aubrey Wells had sights set on success on way to becoming Valedictorian appeared first on .

One of seven Valedictorians in Oakwood’s Class of 2020, Walker had his sights set on prioritizing his grades and working hard on the football field as he went into his freshman year.

As he walks across the stage, grabbing his diploma this weekend, Walker will have kept a 4.0 during each semester of school, finding himself on the High Honor Roll List and earning All-State honors. 

“I realized that learning was a way of life and the only way to get better was to learn more. Most skills are developed not given,” he said. 

Walker wanted to accomplish something similar on the football field. The Comets won their first postseason football game since 1988 last fall, defeating Nokomis 20-0 at home.

“The 2019-2020 school year has definitely been my favorite despite the current circumstances. I had the most fun in football I have ever had,” Walker said. 

A four-year varsity member, Walker was able to keep his grades up while also being named on the Vermilion County All-Conference and Vermilion County Offensive Lineman teams. 

“I had so much enjoyment leading the line as center and getting to make calls for some of our plays and helping the younger classmen learn more about the sport and how to improve themselves,” he said. 

Walker tried track and field and FFA for three years, becoming the treasurer, but said he never really found his niche there, as his father and brother once had. 

Instead, he took on the lead role with FCA and was the treasurer of the National Honor Society. 

“It was an honor to be a part of that experience and meant a lot to get to wear those gold ropes at graduation,” he said.

Balancing all of his responsibilities, Walker relied on his family, friends and coaches for support. 

“My family and friends because I always appreciated them being proud of my accomplishments,” he said. “My coaches also played a big part encouraging me and bragging to the team.”

“My coaches felt like real friends and still are. They definitely had a positive impact on me and the sport helped me through some rough times.

“School has always been enjoyable for me and I love seeing my friends every day. Also many of the teachers at Oakwood are super friendly and give good advice.”

Like many seniors who left school in mid-March as Gov. JB Pritzker closed schools, Walker did not realize that the last time he walked out Oakwood’s doors would be the last time that he was able to experience high school.

“Oakwood is a special place because of the pride and energy our school has,” he said. “We keep a lot of tradition going for many decades and I do not know any other school that does homecoming like us. 

“In a small town everyone basically knows most of the population and you decide if you want them to be your friend or not and I think most of us embrace this town and all the parents and friends living here.”

Walker will stick close to home as he goes off to college. He was awarded the Presidential Scholarship at Danville Area Community College. He plans to get his general education courses out of the way before transferring to a university where he wants to study accounting or maybe Ag finance.

“The lesson I stick by is that you have to appreciate hard work,” he said. “It is the only way to advance in this life even if we do not always want to do it. Life is hard but there is no giving up. If you need help do not be afraid to ask.”

The post Riley Walker valued hard work on way to becoming Oakwood Valedictorian appeared first on .

In 2015, the district was placed in the lowest “watch” category, then over the next two years, they continued to be monitored closely by ISBE in the “early warning” category. 

For 17 years, ISBE has reviewed each district’s financial profile based on fund balance to revenue ratio, expenditure to revenue ratio, days of cash on hand and percent of short-term and long-term borrowing ability remaining.

The State then gives each district a score and places them in the financial recognition (highest), review, early warning or watch (lowest) category.

The 2020 Financial Profile report also realized the largest number of districts in the highest “Financial Recognition” category with 706 of the 851 districts that reported.

The 212 page report cites an increase of state funding from the Evidence-based Funding model, increased EAVs, and lesser reliance on debt. 

Oakwood’s efforts to improve their financial health were realized with 100-percent of their short-term borrowing ability remaining and an expenditure to revenue ratio of $8,276,841 to $8,637,893. 

The district also scored well on fund balance to revenue ratio at $1,997,282 to $8,637,893.

ISBE recommends districts have 180 days of cash on hand, but Oakwood has 87. They also have 43.12-percent of their large debt margin remaining. 

[pdf-embedder url=”https://sjodaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Oakwood-2020-ISBE-Financial-Rating.pdf” title=”Oakwood 2020 ISBE Financial Rating”]

The post Oakwood School District continues to improve financially appeared first on .

The following article explains what that question means for Oakwood School District constituents. The question will pass or fail by a simple majority vote of all residents within Vermilion County.  

Voters in Vermilion County will see a proposition for a one-percent sales tax increase on the March 17 primary ballot.

Residents from the Oakwood School District had the opportunity to hear from their Superintendent Larry Maynard about what the ballot question means for local school districts in Vermilion County on Monday.

Maynard said that it is his understanding that when the one-percent sales tax came up two years ago on the spring ballot, people bucked up against the word “tax,” not understanding what it really meant for the community.

Since 2007, 54 of the 102 counties throughout the State of Illinois have enlisted a one-percent sales tax to fund things like paying off school facility debt to reduce property tax, to build new schools or to renovate facilities and to hire resource officers and mental health professionals in schools.

Funding for the projects comes from a one-percent increase to items that are already subject to sales tax within the state of Illinois. Those that are exempt include groceries, medicine, vehicles, mobile homes, ATV’s/RV’s, seed, fertilizer and farm equipment.

“Anything that doesn’t have a sales tax now, doesn’t get a sales tax in the future,” Maynard said.

It is projected that the Oakwood School District would receive approximately $450,000 each year to help with facilities, student resource officers or mental health professionals.

If passed in March, Vermilion County school districts could see the funds as early as June 2020.

As the Oakwood School District and Board discussed what the sales tax increase meant for the district, the Board of Trustees wanted to help Oakwood residents understand, with full transparency, what the district intends to spend the money on.

Currently, the Oakwood School District has $652,000 in facility debts from bonds issued in 2012-13 when improvements were made to Oakwood Grade, Junior High and High School. The board would like to take half of the sales tax money the district would receive each year and pay down that debt. Currently, property tax is used to pay off the facility debt.

The pamphlet passed out to constituents said, “based on the last levy, eliminating a facility tax levy projects a seven-percent decrease in the tax rate for homeowners, small businesses and farmers.”

That means homeowners with a $65k home would see a $57 decrease on their annual property tax bill, a $100k home would see a $101 decrease, a $150k home would see a $162k decrease and a $200k home would see a $224 decrease in property taxes.

Sales tax money left over from property tax abatement would be used to address renovation at Oakwood High School including: Science STEM Lab(s), a Family Consumer Science Lab, upgrades to athletic facilities, windows, lighting, electrical, and plumbing efficiency, HVAC system controls and parking lot expansion.

Maynard said that ultimately the district has its sights set on improving educational opportunities for Oakwood students. The one-percent sales tax money could also be used to help acquire land, build a 6-12 facility, centralize athletic facilities, build fine arts facilities and a cafetorium for the high school, build a bus garage with a unit office, renovate the high school soccer field with restrooms and bleachers, or build on an early childhood learning center with an auxiliary gym capable of hosting district-wide preschool and daily PE for all students.

Maynard believes that the best part of the one-percent sales tax money is that the decisions for how it is spent are not made by the Governor or by the Speaker of the House, but rather local control takes precedent.

“You and the seven board members have control over how this money is being spent,” Maynard said to the crowd. “It’s a local decision and local control.”

Those in attendance asked questions about if the money could be used to consolidate schools, whether within the district or with another school district. Maynard said that they could, although consolidation talks have not been brought to the table recently.

He added that if there is interest in pulling the 92-square mile school district in closer, that is something that would need to be planned.

Visitors also added that they thought the tax could be a plus for the area with visitors passing through stopping at truck stops along I-74. The Oakwood School District and other taxing bodies will also soon see a tax revenue boost as the Interstate TIF district expires.

Early voting in Vermilion County is open:

[pdf-embedder url=”https://sjodaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Polling-Place-Listing.pdf” title=”Polling Place Listing”]

The post Vermilion County voters to decide one-percent sales tax increase to benefit schools appeared first on .

Parents should plan to be there the entire time as several activities have been planned.

Students will be given a short assessment test, be able to go into the kindergarten classrooms, meet the teachers, and get on a bus and learn about bus safety.

The post Oakwood Kindergarten Open House appeared first on .

The post Schools look to tackle teen vaping with staff and student education appeared first on .