Oxford Community Schools

Dear Oxford Community Schools Families,

As part of our ongoing school safety efforts, we want to make sure families know what to expect if an emergency requires students to be reunited with their parents, guardians or other authorized contacts at school or another location.

What is Reunification?

If an emergency affects the safety or use of a school building, we may activate our Standard Reunification Method. Reunification may take place at the school or at another designated location, depending on the circumstances.

Our priority is to safely account for every student and reunite them with an authorized parent, guardian, or emergency contact. When reunification is activated:

• Wait for instructions from the district before going to the reunification location. We will communicate information by text, email and/or other district channels.

• Bring a photo ID. You will need to verify your identity before your student can be released.

• Be patient. Reunification takes time because we must carefully account for every student and ensure each student is released only to an authorized person.

• Make sure your emergency contacts are current. Students can only be released to individuals authorized in our PowerSchool system. We encourage all parents and guardians to log in to their PowerSchool Parent Portal and review emergency contacts ASAP. Please make any necessary updates now so we have accurate information if we ever need to reunify students with their families or other emergency contacts.

During a Reunification process, please note that students will remain supervised by their teacher or another staff member. When you arrive, you may not be able to park in the parking lot so please use caution if you must park on the street.

For more information, please visit our School Safety and Security webpage and select Standard Reunification Method. This page contains resources to help you become familiar with the processes that will be implemented in the event that reunification becomes necessary such as a Parent Handout, Standard Reunification Method Video, and example Reunification Card.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to review this important information and help us keep students safe. If you have any questions, please contact our Director of School Safety, Dr. Sproul at carl.sproul@oxfordschools.org.

Sincerely,

Oxford Community Schools

A great night to celebrate our incredible OCS staff!

More than 200 staff members joined us Friday for Staff Appreciation Night at the football game, giving us the opportunity to recognize the people who show up every day for our students and families.

And the Wildcats gave us plenty to celebrate on the field, too! Oxford pulled out a thrilling 15–14 win over Rochester Adams in a game that came down to the final moments. 🏈

We appreciate our OCS team and all the hard work they do each and every day! Thank you for everything you do!

#WorldClassWildcats #OCSWildcats

Yesterday was an exciting day for Oxford High School! 🎓✨

OHS hosted its first-ever Futures Fair, giving all students in grades 9–12 a hands-on opportunity to explore their post-graduation paths. Students connected directly with more than 40 representatives from:

🏛️ 4-Year Colleges & Universities
🏫 Community Colleges
🛠️ Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship Programs
🪖 U.S. Military Branches

Our Wildcats spent the day asking great questions, exploring their options and learning more about what their futures could look like.

A huge thank you to all of the visiting representatives for investing their time in our students, and to our Career Focused Education Department for organizing this event!

#WorldClassWildcats #OCSWildcats

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

In accordance with Michigan’s Safe Storage Laws (MCL 28.429, MCL 380.1313a, and MCL 380.1313b), schools are required to share information on the safe storage of firearms. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has provided resources for distribution through the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).

The following resources are available for your review:

What is the Secure Storage Law in Michigan

Safe Storage Notice

Additional information and resources can be found on MDE’s Safe Storage Law webpage.  

Questions may be directed to MDE’s Office of Health and Safety at MDE-OHS@Michigan.gov.

Sincerely,

Oxford Community Schools

Save the Date for the 2026 Parent Education Fair!

Join us Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Oxford Elementary School for a day focused on supporting and empowering parents and families.

This year, we’re excited to partner with Lake Orion Schools and welcome Susan Graham as our keynote speaker.

Registration opens next week. We hope to see you there!

#WorldClassWildcats #OCSWildcats

Oxford High School Families,

We know that seeing a Hold at Oxford High School can understandably cause concern, particularly in a community that cares deeply about the safety and well-being of our students. We want to provide some additional information about what occurred today and help clarify some of the information that may be circulating online.

Earlier today, a student allowed two other OHS students to enter the building through an unauthorized entry door. Once this was identified, OHS was placed in a Hold while staff worked to locate and identify the students. The students were located and the Hold was lifted.

As a follow-up, staff will review our current protocols and procedures related to building access and unauthorized entry. We are not able to provide information about any individual student disciplinary matters.

We also want to clarify what the different Standard Response Protocol (SRP) actions mean. These protocols are action-based and are used based on the circumstances at the time. A Hold, for example, does not mean the same thing as a Lockdown.

Hold: Used when hallways need to be kept clear. Students and staff remain in their current locations while normal classroom activities continue.  Examples include a medical emergency or other situation where movement through the building needs to pause.

Secure: Used to safeguard people within the building, such as when there is a concern outside the building.  Examples could include police in the area or another situation where everyone needs to be brought inside and exterior doors secured.

Lockdown: Used to secure individual rooms and keep occupants quiet and in place when there is an immediate threat inside the building.  This is the protocol used for situations such as an intruder or weapon threat.  This is also where our ALICE protocols are enacted.

Evacuate: Used when people need to move from one location to another because remaining in the current location or section of a building is not safe.  A common example would be a fire or other building damage.

Shelter:  Used when a specific hazard requires a designated safety strategy for protection.  An example would be a tornado warning.

The Standard Response Protocol gives schools, students, staff, families and first responders a common language for responding to a variety of situations. You can learn more about the SRP through the I Love U Guys Foundation.

We appreciate the care our community has for our students, and we appreciate your support as we continue to review and strengthen the safety practices that help keep our schools secure.

Sincerely,

Oxford Community Schools

Oxford High School Families,

Oxford High School briefly entered a Hold today as a precaution while staff addressed a matter involving students.

Students and staff remained safe throughout the Hold. The matter has been addressed, the Hold has been lifted, and the school day will continue as normal.

What is a Hold? Under the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), a Hold is used when there is a need to keep students and staff in their current locations. Hallways are cleared, while normal classroom activities continue. A Hold is different from a Lockdown, which is used when there is an immediate threat inside the building.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Oxford Community Schools

Dear Oxford Families and Staff,

At last night’s Board of Education meeting, the Board directed the district to begin planning for a potential $7 million reduction to the 2027-28 operating budget. This follows the failure of the district’s non-homestead operating millage proposal in the August election. The current millage expires at the end of 2026, and if it is not renewed, the district will lose approximately $7 million in annual operating revenue.

District administrators presented the Board with three budget options designed to minimize disruption to student learning while continuing to meet required obligations. The Board directed the administration to move forward with Option 2 as the basis for planning. At a high level, this option includes:

• Closure of Leonard Elementary School (approximately $1.7 million)

• Changes to athletics and facility usage (including pay-to-participate and student gate fees, approximately $500,000)

• Changes to transportation (including enforcement of a 1.5-mile walking zone and restructuring of general education routes, approximately $400,000)

• Reductions to staffing and operational services (approximately $4.4 million)

These reductions would affect students and families across the district, not only those directly connected to Leonard Elementary. A school closure would require changes to elementary attendance boundaries and would increase class sizes at other schools. Transportation changes would affect which students are eligible for bus service and how routes are structured. Athletics changes would increase costs for students participating in sports and attending events.

The largest area of reduction would be staffing and student programs. This would mean fewer teachers and student support personnel, including paraprofessionals, as well as reductions in elective course options, programs and other student experiences. Operational reductions would also affect services and resources that support our schools and classrooms.

We recognize the potential impact on our students, staff and schools. The Board’s action does not put these reductions into effect. It directs the administration to develop a budget based on this scenario so the district is prepared if the millage is not renewed.

The operating millage will appear again on the November 3, 2026 ballot. If approved, the approximately $7 million reduction in operating revenue would not be necessary for the 2027-28 school year. Regardless of the election outcome, the district will continue evaluating its operations and identifying opportunities to use resources efficiently and responsibly.

For more information about the operating millage and the November 3 election, please visit oxfordschools.org/millage.

Sincerely,

Oxford Community Schools

Dear Wildcat Families:

Oxford High School’s football games have long been a wonderful tradition in our community. To ensure this experience continues to be safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for all, we have implemented some expectations/guidelines for this season. These updates are based on feedback from families, staff, and public safety partners, and align with best practices being adopted across the region.

Updates and Reminders for the 2026 Season:

• No Re-Entry to the Stadium.

• All Oxford High School students must have a school ID for entry. Showing PowerSchool schedule is allowed.

• Expect to go through the Evolv weapons detection system for entry.

• Students: No bags of any kind will be allowed for students.

• No outside footballs or sporting equipment.

• Middle School and Elementary aged children are to be accompanied, supervised by, and in the vicinity of an adult.

  • Our ticket workers will not allow unsupervised students to enter into the stadium.

  • If there are issues with accompanied students gathering and causing unsafe issues, parents will be contacted and the students will be barred for the rest of the season.

• Adults: No backpacks or large bags. Small purses, diaper bags, and medical bags are permissible and are subject to search.

• The circle drive in the south parking lot will be blocked off before, during, and after the game.

• OHS parking lots will not be open to non-OHS staff and students until 4:00 p.m. on game day.

• No outside food or beverages are allowed into the stadium. This includes empty or filled bottles, cups, thermos containers, coolers, mugs, etc.

• Oxford Community Schools prohibits the possession and/or use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and weapons while on school property and at any district-related event. Please see Policies 3102.01 and 3408.01 for more information.

• Alcohol is strictly prohibited; anyone who attempts to bring alcohol and/or is visibly under the influence of any substance will be removed for the rest of the season.

• All school rules and district policies are in effect and will be enforced for this event.

We remain committed to providing our students, families, and community members with an enjoyable game-day experience that reflects the values of Oxford Community Schools. Your partnership is key in making that possible. Should there be anything we can do to assist you or your student, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Let’s have a safe, spirited, and successful season. Go Wildcats!

Sincerely,

Tony DeMare, Athletic Director, Oxford Community Schools
Brad Bigelow, Principal, Oxford High School

Oxford Community Schools is offering a School Board 101 informational session for candidates running for the OCS Board of Education.

The session will be conducted by the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) and will provide an overview of the role, responsibilities and opportunities of serving on a local school board.

While the session is being offered for candidates in the November 3 election, members of the public are also welcome to attend and learn more about what school board service involves.

📅 Thursday, September 10
⏰ 6:00–7:30 p.m.
📍 10 N. Washington, Oxford, MI