Oakwood faculty and staff had so much fun delivering surprise packages to each of our 32 graduating seniors on Saturday. The Class of 2020 was greeted with a celebratory yard sign, as well as a care package containing their cap and gown, a mug with the class of 2020 names on it, a custom cookie created by an Oakwood faculty member, a senior class photo, a "Virtually the Best Senior Class Ever!" t-shirt, a book of "High-Fives" from Oakwood Kindergarteners, and much more to commemorate an unforgettable final year at Oakwood. We're grateful for their resiliency and dedication and wish them the best in their future endeavors! Congratulations Class of 2020!

As the school year comes to an end, some of the annual events we were looking fondly towards are not on the calendar due to the shelter in place order. One of these events is the "A Little Song and Dance" performance. However, Mr. Potter has a little surprise to share with his amazing students and the entire Oakwood community. He has created an incredible video of his students performing "Tuxedo Junction."

Congratulations to Kate Jackson whose Science Fair project titled, "Finding Fibonacci: Does separating leaves by the Fibonacci Golden Angle optimize average sun exposure per leaf?" received an Honorable Mention award in the Biological Science & Engineering category at the Synopsys Silicon Valley Science & Technology Championship which moved to a Virtual Model this year. Kate's project had previously placed 2nd at the South Valley Science Fair, an event at which Oakwood was also recognized by being awarded "Best School." Congratulations Kate!

Oakwood High School senior Valerie Doan is one of two local college-bound women who will receive scholarships this year from P.E.O. Chapter WJ in Morgan Hill. The scholarship selection is based on academic achievement, strength of character, non-scholastic activities and financial need. Morgan Hill Chapter WJ is one of 3 P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) chapters in the South Bay region. P.E.O., www.peointernational.org , which provides financial aid to women worldwide for undergraduate and graduate studies, has been a pioneering force for women's education since 1869. Congratulations, Valerie!

During their remote learning lessons, the Oakwood Kindergarten classes have finished their Christopher Columbus history unit. As a bonus activity, they could re-create one of Columbus' boats, the Nina, the Pinta, or the Santa Maria, and either a telescope or a compass, with their family. Many of them have been acting out the journey at home, and we love the video that this Oakwood family created to commemorate their experience.

Oakwood Preschool through High School Educators have been resilience personified. They quickly organized classrooms within their homes and adapted their teaching styles to fit the new Oakwood Zoom Class platform, learning new technology and applications along the way. They understand that learning online can be challenging and have worked to present the information clearly, giving students the tools and knowledge needed so they can be successful during their independent learning time. Upper School faculty are even using zoom technology in their classes to provide breakout discussion groups.

On Wednesday, March 18, all Oakwood students, preschool through high school seniors, powered up their devices and joined teachers and peers online for the first day of Oakwood Zoom classes. Our passionate faculty and support staff have worked furiously behind the scenes to transform and organize the current curriculum to facilitate an "Oakwood away from Oakwood" education. This time of unease has tested the resilience of our community. We have all responded quickly to ensure that our students are now back to learning from their teachers and engaging with their peers.

The South Valley Science and Engineering Fair took place on February 8-9, at Christopher High School, in Gilroy. In addition to the eighteen Oakwood students that received top awards in the competition, sweeping all categories in the High School division, Oakwood School won the Best School award! Read more to view winners list.

On Monday, November 18, Oakwood School's newest campus addition, the Athletic Center, officially opened with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and All-School Spirit Rally! Michelle Helvey greeted the eager community in the Athletic Center Quad to cut the ribbon for another jewel of our campus. Students, staff, and guests proceeded inside and marveled at the size of the new gymnasium before making their way to their class' assigned seating areas. Athletic Director Kort Jensen welcomed the crowd, and explained to them that this newest facility is so much more than a gym, but a true athletic center where they will enjoy locker rooms, team rooms for game strategy, weight and cardio rooms, and a concessions stand! Oakwood's new mascot finally made its debut and Mrs. Helvey announced its name--Thunder! Kort Jensen then asked all middle and high school athletes for the 2019-2020 school year to please stand in the bleachers for our community to honor them and their hard work and dedication to their various sports! Students were able to participate in a shoot-around on the court with thunderous cheers from the entire student body and our new Mascot! High school student-athletes then led students from kindergarten through 12th Grade on tours of the facility, pointing out the various spaces and answering questions from inquisitive minds. The morning ended with high fives and hugs from Thunder and each student taking home a brand new Oakwood Hawks pennant flag!

Each year Oakwood families participate in a uniform exchange program. This year our uniform exchange coordinator, Wendy Sue Kissa, sent many of the extra Oakwood uniforms to Honduras to share with some very deserving students. Thank you, Mrs. Kissa, for facilitating this admirable project!

Oakwood's beautiful new Gwendolyn Riches Liberal Arts Center Theatre had its debut performance on October 25th and 26th with the high school comedy "Here Comes the Judge." The rapid comedic dialogue, superb acting, and zany characters in this play held the audience's attention. Thank you to everyone who came out to support Oakwood's Performing Arts Program and the cast, tech crew, creative staff, and parent volunteers and supporters for their time, talent, and hard work putting the show together.

Congratulations to the Eighth Grade Girls' Volleyball team, who are the 2019-2020 San Benito Athletic League Volleyball Champions! Click "Read More" for details.

Last week seven of our high school seniors were notified of honors received from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Four students, Nolan Kornelsen, Jashan Pabla, Abhas Rajhans, and James Xu, are among the approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the 65th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue for some 7,600 National Scholarships worth more than $31 million that will be offered next spring. Three additional students, Shria Bulusu, Ali Rastbaf, and Anne Rickard, were named as Commended Students in the 2020 National Scholarship Program, an honor recognizing their exceptional academic promise. We are proud that 21% of our students have already been recognized nationally for their outstanding academics! Bravo Seniors!

Oakwood students participated in creative and campy themed days throughout spirit week, culminating with the annual Spirit Assembly on Friday, where they exhibited grade-level and school pride. The assembly brought together the entire campus, both lower school and upper school, as well as friends and family. Students participated in grade-level performances, each with their own individual style, and based on a theme chosen to represent the grade for this school year. It's incredible to watch Oakwood students supporting each other and showing Oakwood pride. It's great to be a Hawk!

Classes have been in full swing for the past two weeks, and Oakwood students, from both lower and upper school, have been utilizing our new Liberal Arts Center. Many ooohs and ahhhs have been heard in the halls as they enter for the first time! Click "Read More" for details.