This evening’s board of education meeting will be live-streamed courtesy of OCTV and can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/@OCTVMichigan. For those attending the meeting in person, the meeting location is at Clear Lake Elementary School. This regular board meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m.
Dear Leonard Families,
Two notes.
First, an email I sent earlier this afternoon about parent involvement had a broken link, but if you look at our live feed on the Leonard website the message is there and the link is working. For some reason it did not work on the email.
Second, picture day for our school will be Tuesday, September 16th. Please contact the school if you have any questions.
Dear Leonard Families,
The Oxford Community Schools’ Board of Education, administration, and school staff believe that student learning takes place when we all work together and there is an effective partnership between the school and our students’ parents/guardians. There are many ways in which parents/guardians can be involved in their child’s education. We invite you to review our Parent Involvement Plan by clicking the link below. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Greetings Leonard Families,
Thanks so much to those of you who warmly welcomed me upon my arrival this past week. I also appreciate all of your patience and understanding with our new arrival and dismissal procedures.
The morning is going very smoothly. The afternoon is going as planned, as we have consistently had every car gone within 10 minutes of dismissal which is our goal. We are continuing to work on efficiency on our end by solidifying staff tasks, among other things.
Please (!!) continue adhering to our procedures, including not parking in the front lot and walking up to pick up your student, then walking back to the lot. One of several reasons for these changes was to avoid that foot traffic in the driveway and parking lot while cars are coming and going. Thank you!! We look forward to another great week with your children!!
Dear Wildcat Families:
Welcome back to another exciting school year! We hope your summer has been restful and filled with great memories. As we prepare for a strong start to the 2025–2026 academic year, we are excited to once again gather as a community to support our students both in the classroom and beyond, including under the Friday night lights!
Oxford High School’s football games have long been a point of pride and tradition in our community. To ensure this experience continues to be safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for all, we are implementing a few important changes 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 2025-2026 School Year:
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.
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
I wanted to share one follow up regarding Curriculum Night tonight. The event runs from 6:30 - 7:30 as noted in the prior email.
Due to many parents having multiple students in the building, meaning more than one teacher to visit, we will do our best to accommodate you in this way.
Each teacher will be running a session from 6:30 - 7:00, then repeating that same process from 7:00 - 7:30. So a parent can attend a session for one student at 6:30 then another at 7:00. If you have 3 students in the building, feel free to move about as necessary to see as much of each teacher as possible. We hope this helps!!
Marty Kaye
This is a friendly reminder that our Curriculum Night will be tonight, August 25th, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The staff looks forward to welcoming you into your school and classrooms. See you there!
Dear Leonard Families
Without exception, your children were amazing , courageous, and resilient during today's power outage. You should be so proud.
Thank you to your children and to our incredible staff! Well done.
Dr. van
Interim Principal
Good news! Power has been restored at Leonard Elementary. Students are continuing their day as planned.
Leonard Elementary School
Good afternoon, Leonard Elementary families.
We want to let you know that the power is currently out at Leonard Elementary. Students are safe and have been having a great first day of school. At this time, we are awaiting information about the cause of the outage, but we are planning to keep students in session as scheduled. If there are any updates or changes, we will communicate with you right away.
If you need to reach the school in case of an emergency only, please call (248) 941-3385.
Thank you for your patience and support.
Leonard Elementary School
Dear Leonard Families
We are so excited to start the 2025-26 school year. This message is just a friendly reminder about our new arrival/dismissal procedures.
Please click on the following links for:
Arrival-Dismissal Procedures and Map
Car Loop Sign to be placed in your vehicle's dashboard
Thank you.
First Week of School 2025-2026
All 1st through 5th grade students begin school on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
We have planned a staggered start to the school year for our Kindergarten classrooms. Starting with only half the K students in our classroom will allow the teacher to teach routines and make connections to smaller groups of students.
We will begin the 2025-2026 year with only K students with last names A-M attending school on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Only K students with last names N-Z will come to school on Friday, August 22, 2025. All K students will attend on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Thursday, August 21: K students last name A-M attend school
Friday, August 22: K students with last name N-Z attend school
Monday, August 25: All K students attend school. (All students)
Thank you.
Dear Leonard Families
Please access the two links below to view our new arrival/dismissal procedures and video. Your child's bus information is now available in PowerSchool. Look for the transportation tab.
Please, it is very important that your child's teacher knows how your child is getting home each day. Please share that information with your teacher.
Leonard Elementary Arrival/Dismissal Procedures 2025-26
Leonard Arrival/Dismissal Procedures video
Thank you.
Click here for some important District Updates as we head into the new school year!
Dear Leonard Elementary Families,
The 2025-26 school year is quickly approaching. I hope you had an eventful summer making memories with family and friends! The Leonard Team is looking forward to sharing another year of learning together at Leonard Elementary with you and your child. The purpose of this message is to keep you informed with the most important/urgent information - please see your email that includes your Leonard Family Handbook for more information.
· Safety: Safety is a priority for us at Leonard Elementary. Please see the handbook for information specific to safety procedures and routines at Leonard.
· Class Placement: Class placements will be emailed by the end of the day Friday, August 15th.
· Bus Information: Bus information will be sent by Monday, August 18th. Routes are still being adjusted. When they are complete, bus information will be available on Powerschool.
· School Start and Dismissal Times: 9:03am – 4:05pm. Students can begin arriving at 8:53am. School personnel will begin supervising students for arrival at 8:53am each day. For student safety, please do not begin dropping students off until school personnel are outside greeting students in the parking lot.
We will have staff available outside and inside the building to ensure students find their classroom safely.
● Parent Drop-Off/Walkers ○ Students can enter into the building from two different locations starting at 8:53 AM.
■ Students in grades K-1 will be dropped off and proceed to the East Entrance Doors (Door #14) (by the kindergarten classrooms)
■ Students in grades 2-5 will be dropped off and proceed to the Main Office Entrance (Door #1)
■ For safety reasons, parents are not allowed to escort their students to class during the first week of school.
. Early Release Times: 9:03am-12:15pm.
· First Days: For student safety, parents and other visitors will not be allowed in the building. We will have staff directing students to their classrooms.
We will begin the 2025-2026 year with only K students with last names A-M attending school on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Only K students with last names N-Z will come to school on Friday, August 22, 2025. All K students will attend on Monday, August 25, 2025.
· Dismissal (more details to come). After the 15th when you receive your child’s class placement, the most important thing is to alert your child’s teacher of how your child will be traveling home; parent pick up, bus, walk.
There are many important dates and upcoming events as we begin the new school year. The most immediate are highlighted below.
· Information Update: It is very important that we have up-to-date information about all students on the first day of school. An email from Oxford Community Schools regarding the information update has been sent to you. This should be completed by August 18th. You will be asked to update phone numbers and provide information that we may need to use to contact you when your child is not feeling well or when we need to dismiss school early.
· August 18th: Leonard Pop in for Popsicles, 1:30pm-3:00pm: Pop in for Popsicles is a PTO sponsored open house event. All Leonard students are invited to stop in at Leonard between 1:30pm and 3:00pm to meet their teacher and see their classroom. Thank you to our PTO for providing popsicles.
· August 21st: First Day of School! All 1st-5th grade students and Kindergarten students last name A-M attend school
School begins at 9:03am. Dismissal is at 4:05pm. It is important that we have clear directions on how each student is going home from school.
· August 22nd All 1st-5th grade students and Kindergarten students with last name N-Z attend school
· August 25th: All students attend school
August 25th: Curriculum Night, 6:30pm-7:30pm: Students and parents are invited to come to Leonard at 6:30pm. Teachers will provide important information regarding the 2025-26 school year.
· No School August 29th and September 1st – Labor Day Weekend
· September 16th: School Picture Day
I am very excited to start the 25-26 school year with you, your children, and the Leonard Team. My email address is below - please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Dr. Gary van Staveren (Dr. van)
Aug 11-22, 2025 Principal, Leonard Elementary
gary.vanstaveren@oxfordschools.org
Marty Kaye, Leonard Principal will start Monday, August 25, 2025
Dear Elementary Families,
I hope this finds you doing well and ready for a great school year! I know your children are eagerly anticipating the start of school and even more, eagerly waiting to hear who their classroom teacher will be for the 2025-2026 school year!
Many of you have heard from your building principals that you can expect classroom and teacher placement on August 14, 2025. That was our original plan across all five elementary buildings.
However, due to many late or pending enrollments, we are asking for a little more time to carefully consider class lists and try to ensure more balanced classes. Therefore, we will delay sending out class placements until Friday, August 15, 2025. You should receive notice from your home school by the end of the day Friday.
We greatly appreciate their patience as we are working diligently to prepare for our most important stakeholders- your children and our students!
Sincerely,
Anita Qonja-Collins
Anita R. Qonja-Collins
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning
10 N. Washington Street
Oxford, MI 48371
248.969.5096