From the Desk of John Elmore
Welcome to 2015! I hope that everyone had a restful, enjoyable holiday break and is looking forward to a second semester filled with learning and activity. The next few months will be exciting for the O’Neal community with major school-wide events, the hiring of new personnel, including an Athletic Director, visitors from our partner schools in France and China as well as our students traveling to Spain and Italy, and enrolling new families for the upcoming year.
I am pleased to announce that Will Rhem will be the new Upper School Director. He will officially join O’Neal on July 1st, when Richard Catania retires after 5 years of service to the School. Will is currently the English Department Chair and Head of Teaching and Learning at Kents Hill School in Maine. A Houston native with ties to North Carolina, he attended Wofford College where he also played soccer. Will has held a number of positions in education, including serving with the Peace Corps in El Salvador, and has earned advanced degrees from Middlebury College and Columbia University. We look forward to his leadership and to welcoming Will, his wife Amanda and two young daughters.
Current parent, Sue Gibbons, has joined O’Neal to serve in a variety of roles, including School Nurse. Sue’s expertise, involvement and love of the School made her the ideal candidate. With more than 440 students from ages 3 – 18, O’Neal truly needs a health professional on campus. Sue has already acquired a medical kit that will enable her to go provide assistance anywhere on campus and researched the resources and organizations that will help her develop a comprehensive program for our students. Sue will be doing some additional training during the coming months, and we will be finding and outfitting an appropriate location for her office/infirmary.
O’Neal’s Admissions Information Session and Tours will be on January 25th for any families with children in Pre-K through Upper School who are considering O’Neal for 2015-16. The School is stronger and more vibrant when enrollment is larger because additional students enhance the talents, diversity and interests of the overall student body. In addition, O’Neal provides an exceptional educational environment in our area, and we want to provide the experience to as many children and young adults as possible. Therefore, I ask that our current families encourage others to attend this event.
The construction area between Bradshaw and Meyer Halls will be a garden to acknowledge the Landmark Society who so dramatically assisted the School in the early fall. The space was designed by parents, Lynda Acker and Bart O’Connor, to provide a beautiful location for groups to gather or individuals to study and will be another focus point on our already beautiful campus.
Two of the School’s biggest events will occur in the next several weeks. Spirit Week will end with Homecoming on January 23rd, which will include the pep rally, Booster Club dinner, basketball games, plus the presentation of the Homecoming Court. It is a special week, so please see specifics from each division about the events. On February 20th, O’Neal will hold its 44th Annual Auction. This is a special evening, open to families and guests from all divisions, where we celebrate and support the School. Invitations and information have been sent, but if you have any questions about the Auction, please contact Jennie Ford.
The winter season is upon us increasing the threat of inclement weather. If you have not already done so, please make sure your information is up to date on our rapid communications system so that you can be properly notified of school closings. Information about our rapid communications system is located under “Community” on our homepage.
Finally, we are taking additional steps to limit the flu outbreak affecting the region. Teachers are encouraging frequent hand washing, and as always, we ask that any student who is ill remain at home. Our evening cleaning staff has also been instructed to provide additional cleaning of common surfaces such as door handles, etc., and following morning drop-off, a member of our maintenance team is again wiping down surfaces.
Thank you all for supporting O’Neal. I look forward to seeing everyone during the next few exciting months and throughout the spring semester.
Thank you all for supporting O’Neal. I look forward to seeing everyone during the next few exciting months and throughout the spring semester.
The O'Neal School
The O'Neal School admits students of any race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by law to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by law in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
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