In the News

More Teacher Professional Development

Time: 8:00am - 3:00pm

Place: Addams Elementary School, Royal Oak, MI

Two of our teachers, Nathaniel Brock and Julie Elder, participated in a very worthwhile all-day exercise to practice a key component of the new Lucy Calkins Writing Workshop curriculum we are continuing to implement. They both returned with good reports on the value of the experience. About 24 teachers from various local schools met at a public elementary school in Royal Oak where an expert led a workshop on the methods of conferencing with students about their writing. Then each teacher was paired with a student to practice what they learned.

Julie said – “I enjoyed the writing workshop very much. It turned out to be very useful. Laura Schiller is so dynamic and full of information. She has a real passion for writing. We met as a group and then visited a third grade classroom and watched a lesson being presented. Then we all conferenced with the students. Afterwards we talked as a group about what we noticed and wondered about. We repeated the same schedule in the afternoon. I feel confident we are on the right track with this writing workshop program.”

There must have been quite a buzz in that school to have so many teachers converging and interacting with the students for this event. Thank you to Julie and Nathaniel for attending! They will share what they learned with the other teachers. ~Nathan Gladish

Annual "School Benefit" Fundraiser - Another Successful Event

Time: 6:00 pm

Place: Social Hall, Foyer, School Lobby

Wow, what an exciting and enjoyable event! Congratulations to our leaders Nathaniel Brock and Donna Donakowski Steen and their mighty staff of volunteers. This wonderful annual event was a tremendous success. Our thanks to all who worked tirelessly to make it happen, and to everyone who bid generously on the items offered. The featured entertainment was "Not-So-Grimm Tales" by Kevin Bean, and it was absolutely hilarious! It was a fantastic night. We hope to see you at next year's event!

Basking in the Glow of Another School Play - "The Frog Prince"

Time: 7:00 pm

Place: Social Hall

Congratulations to the students of the 3rd and 4th grades for a fantastic production of "The Frog Prince!" They touched the hearts of a large, responsive audience of all ages. Their stage presence was admirable. Thanks especially to their hard-working, patient and encouraging teachers, Mrs. Genzlinger and Mrs. Elder. And thanks also to all the behind-the-scenes volunteers! What a great learning opportunity for our students, and what a great promotional event, too!

Celebrating the Memorization of the Ten Commandments

Time: 9:00 am

Place: School Chapel

Congratulations to each and all of the 3rd and 4th grade students for memorizing the entire Ten Commandments from Exodus 20:1-17! They did an excellent job accomplishing this goal. Over the years I’ve noticed that some students start out thinking it is so long and it will be so hard, but every student I’ve had in these grades has risen to the challenge and succeeded.
In morning chapel on March 17, these students recited the Commandments all together for all the other students and teachers to hear. Then in class we celebrated the achievement. Each student received a set of very special rewards for their accomplishment - including a tiny version of the Ten Commandments and a handsome red garnet gem cut in a triangular shape. Gems are symbols of truth, to remind them of the very valuable truths of the Lord that they are learning.

Thanks also to Paul Haig, owner of "Haig's of Rochester" for supplying these beautiful gems at a reasonable cost. ~Nathan Gladish

Middle School History Presentations

Time: 7:00-8:30 pm

Place: School Lobby

Each year our Middle School students present their history studies to an audience of students and parents. This gives them additional experience in public speaking. Once again, our students did a fabulous job, each of them growing in their facility with the slideshow feature of the OpenOffice software they use on a regular basis in class. Mentors also worked with each student in their preparation. Congratulations to all students and thank you to their History teacher, Mrs. Genzlinger.

Cup Stacking in PE

Recently our PE teacher, Mrs. Pitcairn led a unit on Cup Stacking in all her PE classes. Ask your kids about it! This is a sport that involves stacking cups in specific formations partnered with physical activities. Sport stacking helps students develop bilateral proficiency - equal performance on both sides of the body. By increasing bilateral proficiency, a student develops a greater percentage of the right side of the brain, which houses awareness, focus, creativity and rhythm. Stacking also helps train the brain for sports and other activities where the use of both hands is important, such as playing a musical instrument or using the computer. Sequencing and patterning are also elements of sport stacking, which can help with reading and math skills.

Annual Student Luncheon and Program on the Growth of our Church Around the World

Date: Jan. 29, 2010

Time: 12:30-1:30pm

Place: Social Hall

Last year we learned about the growth and development of our affiliated churches in Brazil. This year we had a very informative presentation about the church "down under" - in Australia. Thanks to our guest speaker, Alex Sandstrom.

Winter Parent-Teacher Meeting

Date: Jan. 28, 2010

Time: 7:00pm

Place: School foyer

We had a full agenda of useful topics at our winter Parent-Teacher meeting. Thank you for your attendance and participation.  ~Nathan Gladish

Middle School Ski Trip

Date: Jan. 27, 2010

Time: 9:00am-4:00pm

Place: Pine Knob

Thank you to our PE teacher, Kristin Pitcairn, for organizing and facilitating this trip. It was another success. The weather cooperated, the sun was out, and the students learned a lot. And they left wanting more! The students also enjoyed mingling with a group of blind skiers who were skiing in the same area.

All day Scrapbooking Fundraiser

Liane De Chazal did an amazing job as the new coordinator for the annual all day scrapbooking fundraiser. She and a host of volunteers are to be commended for another very successful event. The passing of the baton from our awesome original leaders – Pam Steen and Amy Elder – was smooth and efficient. So many people helped in so many ways that I won’t even try to list them here. I have heard through several attendees and vendors that this event at Oak Arbor is the BEST of its kind in the area. People comment that it’s the most beautiful setting, the best food, the friendliest atmosphere, and many other things. Congratulations to everyone! ~ Nathan Gladish

Middle School Students Go to Court

November 30, 2009

Our students in grades 7-8 took a field trip to the local district courthouse in Rochester Hills. This was a very educational experience including a mock trial led by one of the District Judges and a tour of the Sherriff’s substation. They rated this trip a resounding “10” and would like to go back for more!
The tour of the Sherriff’s station was very informative. The officer was excellent, engaging, and educational. Ask your students:

• How do you stay out of jail? (two part answer) 

• What is the most powerful thing an officer has in his possession?

The mock trial was completely overseen by Judge Carniak in her courtroom, using a script which the students read aloud. Each of the students took a role and sat in the appropriate places in the courtroom as the trial proceeded.

Mitten Tree Service Learning Activity

Christmastime, 2009

Oak Arbor School coordinated a program to accept donations to a Mitten Tree again this Christmas season. The tree was decorated with many new hats, scarves, and pairs of mittens. They were donated to the Rochester Area Neighborhood House on Monday, Dec. 7. Thanks go to Julie Elder for organizing this activity.

Award winning LEGO Robotics Teams

Fall semester, 2009

Another Successful Season! Congratulations to the two Oak Arbor Lego Robotic Teams - the Legobots and the Ecobots - for their work this year! Both teams competed at the State level in December. The Legobots placed in the top 5 for Teamwork and placed 2nd for Innovative Solutions to the problem they selected to work on. It is quite an honor for our small school to be represented by two teams! Congratulations again!

Thank you to the coaches who supported this effort - Francis van Loosbroek, Craig Steen, Dale and Pam Steen. Also, congratulations to Chandler Clay for once again receiving the award for outstanding Young Adult Mentor. Thank you to the sponsors of the team for their tangible support. Corporate Sponsors: Andrew Madak, DO, PC; Curtis Insurance Agency; Innatech; Steen Photography; Family Supporters: Mark & Julie Elder, Todd & Sue Elder, Mike & Suzanne Green Family, Paul & Kathy Rogers.

Oak Arbor 5th-8th Graders Take the Stage
"A Monster in My Closet"

November 20, 2009

Audiences delighted in Oak Arbor's rendition of this lighthearted fantasy during two performances on Thursday, Nov. 19 and Friday, Nov. 20. Congratulations to the cast, crew and directors Nathaniel Brock and Dawn Genzlinger!

Thank you Veterans!

November 11, 2009

Special thanks to Mr. Robert Bradin who spoke to our students on Veterans Day - Nov. 11, 2009 - after our morning chapel service. His talk was thoughtfully accommodated to all ages. Using memorabilia as visual aids, he helped give us an appreciation for his service to our country during the Vietnam War. In addition, he spoke of the value of his faith during his time in the military and the important perspective that his religious convictions gave him.

And a warm thank you from everyone at Oak Arbor School to all our veterans of various branches of the military. 

Teacher Professional Development News

Language Arts Curriculum Meetings
Thank you to two of our teachers, Nathaniel Brock and Judi Pafford, for taking the time to participate in the Language Arts Curriculum meetings held Nov. 12-14 in Bryn Athyn, PA. They reported to the rest of the faculty at our regular Tuesday meeting that the meetings were very educational and productive. Curriculum work is progressive. Each session is valuable not only for our school system as a whole but for each individual teacher. Thank you also to our very capable substitute teachers for filling in.

Physical Education Workshops
Thanks go to our PE teacher, Kristin Pitcairn for participating in several Physical Education workshops this fall. She went to a free mini-workshop several weeks ago in Clinton Township. These are about 4 times/year in the evening at various local schools where PE teachers get together and share ideas. She also attended an all-day workshop on a recent Saturday in Farmington for a first-ever conference on integrating functional physical fitness into PE classes. The speakers are world class experts on the subject. And on Nov. 12-14, she attended the annual Michigan PE professional organization's conference in Traverse City, where she learned a wealth of new information and got supercharged with enthusiasm for all the educational opportunities there are in physical education. Thank you, Kristin for all the energy and creativity you put into developing our PE program! 

Oak Arbor School Alumnus Wins Scholarship

June 4, 2009

Congratulations to former Oak Arbor student, Matthew Childs. In his junior year of high school at Stoney Creek in Rochester Hills, MI, he won a $2,000 scholarship for his film entry in the 2009 Courageous Persuaders competition. Entrants are asked to create a TV commercial targeted at middle school students to warn them about the dangers of underage drinking. This year's focus was on the the dangers of drinking and driving. He won the Adcraft Club of Detroit award in the contest, and his entry can be viewed at http://www.courageouspersuaders.com/childs.htm.

For a pdf of the press release in the Rochester Post, click here.

Oak Arbor School Alumnus Pedals Across America

Oak Arbor School Alumnus Wins National Video Award

Oak Arbor School Alumnus Plays Carnegie Hall

April 15, 2009
New York, NY
On Wednesday, April 15, Ben Odhner, son of former Oak Arbor School principal Grant Odhner, was honored to play in the YouTube Symphony Orchestra in NYC's Carnegie Hall. Ben attended Oak Arbor School for his elementary education and later graduated top in his class from the Academy of the New Church Secondary Schools in Bryn Athyn, PA. For this concert, he was among only 96 musicians selected out of over 4000 entries from around the world. You can view the whole concert on YouTube. Search for it using the words YouTube Symphony Orchestra Carnegie Hall. (It is split into two acts.)

For a pdf of the full story, click here.
YouTube link
Ben Odhner - Youtube Symphony Audition