Oxford Community Schools

Dear Wildcat Students and Families,

Over the last three months, we have been working to establish a “new normal” at Oxford High School. It has been a difficult but rewarding process to see our students begin to recover and resume some of their previous activities and routines. We know that we have a long journey ahead of us. One that may take several years for some of our students. We want you to know that we are there for you and your student as they take each step in this process of healing.

Through this process, we have listened to students, parents, staff, and others who have given us advice and input directly or through email. We have been in contact with staff from five different schools who have unfortunately experienced similar trauma as our high school. While each situation is different and unique, their assistance has been immeasurable and much appreciated. Lastly, we have been privileged to receive guidance from mental health experts who specialize in addressing trauma. All of these sources of expertise have been instrumental in guiding our many difficult decisions. We will continue to rely on these sources as we move forward.

We also know that we are going to have many ups and downs in the coming weeks, months and years as we experience events that will bring about strong emotions from our school community. Through it all, we must continue to lean on each other and work together to strengthen our resolve to come through this tragedy.

After spring break, we will be communicating our process for creating a 3-year plan for our continued recovery. As part of this plan, there will be an opportunity for parent and staff input through a survey of needs for all families in the district. In addition, we will be hosting forums for high school students, parents, and staff to give input. These forums will be by invite only as members of these groups will be asked to submit their name for random participation in the parent forums. These forums will focus on our recovery process only. Ultimately, building and district administrators will be tasked with creating a plan that will focus on the following areas: Safety, Mental Health, Staff Retention and Wellness, Social Emotional Learning, Community Outreach, and the Permanent Memorial process. We will share the plan and host a town hall to receive feedback from our stakeholders.

Today, I am announcing the posting of several positions that will assist us in the coming years to make sure our students experience the support and care needed to heal:

• Executive Director of Student Services and Wellness – District level position that will oversee building level mental health programming and personnel for all students (guidance services, social work, social emotional learning, restorative practices). This position is permanent and participates in district level decisions.
• Recovery Coordinator – District position that will coordinate the mental health recovery efforts across the district. He or she will coordinate trauma clinicians, therapy dogs and program, community outreach, student response. This position is funded through a 3-year federal grant.
• Family School Liaisons (elementary) – These two positions are social workers who will work with students to improve their social and emotional behavior through best practice intervention. These positions are funded through 31n state funds and will be supported partly through Medicaid.
• High school counselors – Two counseling positions will be added to the high school to lower caseloads to address increased needs of students. These positions are in addition to the existing four positions at OHS. These positions are funded through a 3-year federal grant.

In addition to these new positions to help with the recovery of our district, we will be posting the following position to help support our use of technology and implementation of curriculum:

• Director of Curriculum and Instructional Technology – This position will assist with the adoption of curriculum and best practice use of instructional technology and data. We are currently in the process of purchasing new interactive white boards (Prometheans) and classroom sound systems (pending final approval of the board).

Next, we will be filling my former position:

• Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Instruction – This position supervises all secondary schools including Oxford Virtual Academy.

Lastly, a few members of our district leadership team underwent title changes due to changes in their responsibilities and scope of their previous assignments:

• David Pass: Deputy Superintendent of Human Resources
• Sam Barna: Assistant Superintendent of Business and Maintenance
• Jill Lemond: Assistant Superintendent of Safety and School Operations

There is much work ahead of us and building upon our team will help us to move forward in our healing and our educational mission. Thank you for your partnership in the education and well-being of y(our) students. I am confident that together we will continue to grow stronger and become better.

I hope you and your family enjoy the break ahead and create wonderful memories to cherish.