Decatur County Community High School
605 E Commercial St, Oberlin, KS 67749
August 18, 2024 (Schedule at the bottom, Skip What You Want)
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Decatur community,
My first two years in Oberlin were great, but as the old saying goes, "Third Times a Charm," and year three will be the best one yet.
Though I will throw tidbits of my life into almost every Weekly Message, I believe that it is truly important to know those that are looking out for your kids. Here are some things that I would like you to know about me up front:
1. I moved to Louisburg, KS in 2001 after my 4th year of teaching. Throughout my life I had gone to multiple elementary schools and middle schools as well, 7 different schools in multiple states beteween pre-school and 8th grade. Wichita Northwest became the 8th, and the first time that I had ever stayed in one school for 4 years in a row, as I graduated as a Grizzly.
My mom was one of 14 and my dad was one of 6, and I wouldn't trade a single second of my childhood, but Louisburg was the first town I would call my home. I taught, coached, was an athletic director, and finally the high school principal there for 21 years. It is a place that will always be dear to me. Their superintendent is still one of my best friends, and it was one of the most difficult decisions in my life to leave.
2. I never wanted to be a principal, even after I completed the courses. I was simply trying to move across the pay scale, and I said that I would rather be a teacher and a coach than a principal. There were no openings, and I wasn't looking. When the opportunity came over the summer after I had finished my courses, there were those that reached out to encourage me to apply. Giving up my history classroom, my football team, my pole vaulters, but, most importantly, my daily relationships with my students, was one of the most difficult decisions that I have ever made. When I walk through classrooms today, I often long for those irreplaceable moments that can only be captured in a classroom, but I have embraced the special, albeit different, way that a principal can build relationships with students as well. Some day, maybe I will teach an elective.
3. I understand that there is nothing more important in a parent's life than their children and that every day we are dealing with hundreds of students that represent the most treasured items in the lives of their loved ones. It's a responsibility that I have always taken very seriously.
4. Oberlin is home. The past two years have been everything that I could have asked for. This community has been so amazingly supportive from the moment I arrived and completely accepted myself and my family into the community. The school board, the staff, the students, and the community as a whole have made Oberlin everything that I hoped it would be.
My take on Oberlin?
Oberlin has a staff that wants to be here. It is still that town where Friday night football is the place to be, a miniature Arrowhead with fans that know each other and care about one another. A town where the kids can run loose in the park (not the stadium). A town where you know there are hundreds of other Red Devil eyes that are all looking out for each other.
Oberlin is still that town where your kids can ride their bikes to the pool, to the park, or to their friends houses along old red brick roads, and you don't have to worry about them getting right back home where they belong.
Oberlin is exactly what I was looking for!
5. It is an honor to be your principal.
Welcome back, Red Devils!
Every year, I will give shoutouts to various students, staff, and community members for a varitey of things that have happened. As this is coming off of the summer, I will mention some items from this past summer.
Shoutout to Mrs. Jenee Moore. I don't think I could possibly begin a shoutout without mentioning such an important event that occurred to a staff member. Most know her as Ms. Davis, but Mrs. Moore was married in late July this summer. I was so happy to see her and meet so many family members at her reception. You could tell that she was so loved, and her mom (a former teacher and educator) talked with me and my family for quite some time. Mrs. Moore would be at the top of the list in any district she applied for, and she is still driving from Colby every day to be a Red Devil. Congratulations! We are lucky to have you.
Shoutout to English teacher Jacinta Carter for knowing her boss well. As a fellow Stephen King fan, she recongized long ago that I had a small square tile with the book The Stand on it. Interestingly enough, a former teacher gave that to me as well. This summer she visited the hotel from the movie The Shining, and they had a tile with a book theme from the book in the gift shop. It was a thoughtful gesture.
Shoutout to a busy lady in Ms. Teresa Saul. Aside from working at the pool in the mornings, she has taken over Yearbook this year, will have more students taking their College Speech class through Colby, is now the head Cheer Coach, worked two full nights with her cheerleaders at the fair, hosted a cheerleader retreat and little cheer camp, and is up at the school each day getting her class ready for all of these things.
Plus, she has Blue, and that little guy is a walking shoutout.
Shoutout to Technology Coordinator Jeremy Bundgard for getting new Interactive TVs ready for more of our teachers this year and for getting our new Chromebooks updated and ready to go. Most teachers now have the modern interactive teaching boards, and the students will get brand new Chromebooks. Like other things in the building, things are looking fresh.
Shoutout to district secretary Jolene Dempewolf. She applied for a grant this summer for Drivers Ed. funding. Due to her actions, we are able to pay for each student's fee. We can't guarantee that will happen in the future, but it's happening this year. Thanks, Jolene.
Shoutout to Mrs. Melissa Dreher, my secretary. Growing up, my mother was a secretary for State Farm. As a matter of fact, my mother and I graduated college the same year. I have so much respect for the role that Mrs. Dreher plays. If we made a sitcom about DCHS, the primary scene would be the office, and the rest of us would all be characters with Mrs. Dreher as the star. She knows just about everything that there is to know about the school and is a great resource and person to be around every day. We are lucky to have her.
Shoutout to an amazing first few days with the staff. I'll share a bit more below, but the fact of the matter is that I was so excited to see them. You see, a principal's life is affected by his relationship with his staff more than anything. I could not ask for a more supportive staff, and I enjoy being around each and every one of them every day. Here's a taste of what they have been doing and will be doing ahead of the first day.
1. Teambuildng: One of my favorite activities to do with teachers has always been the Goosechase. I will share some pictures below, but it has long been my philsophy that those who teach kids should never forget what it's like to be one and have fun. Peter Pan was on to something. They were paired in teams and given a large variety of challenges.
2. Dyslexia training: Every teacher and para that works with students in an educational environment worked to earn certificates in dyslexia training.
3. District Welcome with the entire district. Dr. Applegate gave a presentation to the whole district
4. Annual Trainings: They get a bit redundant, but the staff was trained on a variety of topics such as Bloodborne Pathogens, Cybersecurity, and many more.
5. PDP Toolbox Training: Simply a training on our new professional development point platform. As teachers train, they earn points for relicensure, and the points are all housed somewhere. This year, we have shifted to the PDP Toolbox through Greenbush.
6. Increasing Student Engagement: Another philosophy that I have always had is that you have to keep striving to do better, even as a veteran. Here is a quick synopsis: While we know learning is social, sometimes learners won’t talk. Sometimes students talk...but not about the important stuff, right? Sometimes it’s scary to encourage student conversation for fear of losing control of the classroom, too. Getting students into quality conversations about our content is critical and tricky! In this interactive workshop, we tackle all of that! This training will help teachers to increase student engagement using effective methods to improve academic conversations. The practices and strategies modeled and shared are supported by educations experts such as Hattie, Kagan, Tomlinson, Marzano, and other recognizable educational experts and could be implemented “tomorrow.” It doesn't matter the grade level. It's for all teachers who wish to make student learning audible. OES teachers will be joining us.
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Shoutout to the math department for their diligent work searching for a new math curriculum. Starting in May, DCHS math teachers Tessa Anderson, Wendy Scott, and Gina Witt began bringing in samples of math programs to research. They got hands on use and researched multiple book series before finally making their choice. I anxiously await the impact that I believe our new resources will make on our students.
DCHS Looks Great
Shoutout to maintenance director Jess Allen and his crew. The building looks as good as it has since I have been here. Almost every classroom, the restrooms, the kitchen, hallways, and more were painted. Floors were stripped and waxed in almost every classroom and hallway as well, done the right way. Jess even powerwashed the mat when you walk in the front door. The mat is over 30 years old, donated by a STUCO class in the early 90s. It looked it. Now, it looks fresh, like we just bought a new mat trying to be vintage.
More than anything, it was the comments about pride that I enjoyed the most. Maintenance staff actually stuck around beyond hours to continue working on things they wanted done right. Loved Jack Farr's comments about feeling a part of something.
New Track Finished
Shoutout to a brand new track that is done. It is officially finished, even if it took awhile. I hope everyone enjoys it and that we eventually get a regional track meet here some day. If you haven't seen it, we will be getting some more pictures out soon. Year 3 is going to see a lot more of the drone.
New Teachers Join DCHS
Mr. Cepeda will be joining the DCHS staff as an apprentice. The apprentice program is a new program that was recently started by the State with the hopes of getting quality people into teaching programs. Mr. Cepeda has worked at both OES and DCHS as a staff member through the Oakley Service Center for several years. He primarily worked with migrant students, and he worked with several of our students in smaller settings. This year, he will be here with us full time working with the Spanish program, observing other classes, and working his way to becoming a teacher in the next few years. We are very lucky to have him on staff.
Ms. Tamera Rice comes to us from Colorado. About three weeks ago, we had a Spanish teacher call us that told us they would not be taking the job they had agreed to. Two weeks ago, Ms. Rice got into contact with me about business teaching opportunities. During the conversation, I learned that she had a degree in foreign language as well as business and had studied in Spain. I could not be more pleased to have her join us, and I know she will bring a great experience for our students. On top of some Spanish classes, she will also be teaching both Business Essentials and Career and Life Planning this year. I love the prospect of growing a business program, and her experiences are going to be tremendous assets.
Mr. Ladd Wendelin is a familiar face here at DCHS and throughout the community. Oddly enough, when I first moved to Oberlin, I went into the school, and he was leaving the school on his way out. We shook hands, and I assumed I would never see him again, but here he is back. A DCHS grad, Mr. Wendelin will be teaching science for us this year, a new adventure that he is looking forward to. In my life as a teacher, I was a science teacher and english teacher before finally being a history teacher. I think it's great, and I am anxious to see what he will be able to accomplish with our students.
DCHS Back to School Night/Open House
Tomorrow, Monday, August 19, DCHS will have open doors from 6:00-7:30 for an Open House. Open House is an opportunity for parents and students to come in and meet the teachers and walk through schedules. Come at any time during those hours. Here's a quick list of things you can do:
1. Meet the teachers (remember that they will be finishing up rooms on Tuesday)
2. Walk the halls and walk through your schedule
3. Find your lockers
4. Meet and/or talk with the principal and/or counselor
5. Solve final schedule items or scheule questions
We hope to see you there. There are no scheduled meetings or disussions during this time, simply an opportunity to familiarize yourself before the first day.
Task: Hang 'Em High
Take a photo or video with all team members high-fiving each other simultaneously. This must be done at the stadium. Is it worth the hike?
Task: Brilliant!
Snap a shot of a teammate standing under a lightbulb as if coming up with a brilliant idea.
(Hardwick must have discovered a hole in Hoxie's defense)
Karate Kids
Snap a pick of the whole crew taking aim at crane kicking the year off to a good start.
(The smiles say it all)
Smile Big and Make a Team Name
Convince someone in the building to take a picture of your whole team. Make sure you smile BIG, as BIG as you can. Give your team a team name. Teams play in the gym, so make sure you do this in the gym.
(Mr. Breth?)
Egypt, Here We Come
Construct the largest human pyramid you possibly can. Must be at least 3 levels. (Actually, let's keep it to 3 people.)
(Blue thinks he's human. Practically is. )
Sleepy Little Devils
Photo all team members less one sleeping somewhere in the building.
(So this is what goes on in my office when I'm not around)
Weekly Messages
Every Sunday night at 5:00, you will receive a Weekly Message from me through email if you have a student in PowerSchool. These messages have useful information that you can pick through, and they all have quick contact information at the bottom of the page.
The Weekly Message is also put on the district website and Facebook page so that the public can read as well. These usually come out sometime the following day. The message will also have links to our Facebook page included.
Several people have asked if I could send them the message as well and are included in the group. If you have anyone that you know of that would like me to add their email address to the message, or if you are reading this from Facebook and would like it sent, please send me the email address that you would like included.
Decatur County Community Junior/Senior High School
Email: jholloway@usd294.org
Website: https://www.usd294.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/DCHS
Location: 605 East Commercial Street, Oberlin, KS, USA
Phone: 785-475-2231
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Decatur-Community-JrSr-High/372347636275932
Twitter: @DCHSREDDEVILS