Before and After School Care

Day care hours are: 7:30AM to 8:00AM and 2:30PM to 6:00PM. A variety of after school activities are planned a month in advance. Healthy snacks are provided to the children who participate in the after school care program.

Day care charges are calculated in four-week units. Invoices will be sent by email or US mail and are due and payable the first week of each month. One check including the combined totals of tuition and day care may be written.

To help students celebrate their special day, parents are welcome to send treats for their child’s class. Some parents also celebrate a special occasion with a flower arrangement in the main entrance.

The Book Buddy tradition helps create a strong foundation for the Oakwood Community. Older and younger students are paired together as book buddies. They meet daily for the walk to recess, twice weekly to share their favorite books and at other times to work together on special projects.

Children are welcome to bring a water bottle and a snack to school. Students will have time to enjoy their snack each morning. Children are also welcome to bring slippers or extra socks for the cold or wet days. Children in the Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten class should have an extra change of clothing available at school. Please bring items in a labeled bag.

Frequently during the school year special events, activities, classes and field trips are offered to Oakwood students. Enrichment activities are designed to supplement the curriculum and contribute to the education of students.

Each spring the children and their teachers in grades 3/4 and 5/6 further their education and expand their study of the environment by spending part of the week at Sky Ranch Camp near Pingree Park. The 3/4 class spends three days and two nights, and the 5/6 class spends four days and three nights at the camp. At camp the children participate in a variety of classes which stress ecology awareness. Students also learn important social skills that a group outing of this nature has to offer.

Fall Family Retreat

All Oakwood School families are invited to spend a wonderful fall weekend in the mountains at Sky Ranch Camp near Pingree Park. Food and lodging are provided. Dates, times and cost will be announced at the beginning of the school year.

Family Involvement

The staff and students encourage and enjoy volunteer participation at Oakwood School. Families are invited to participate in the education of their children through a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. Volunteers are welcome to come in on a regular basis or stop in when they have time.

We believe that having regular homework helps children develop a sense of responsibility while providing extra learning opportunities. The amount and frequency of homework depends upon the child’s age. Teacher's provide information concerning homework requirements.

Children who display one or more of the following symptoms would most likely be more comfortable at home where rest and extra supervision can be provided. While it is often difficult to predict if a "tummy ache" is serious, we would appreciate knowing about any symptoms that may be present. If a child’s condition worsens during the day, or if any worrisome symptoms develop, every attempt will be made to contact one of the parents.

If any of the following symptoms are present, your child should be kept home from school: Fever, runny nose with yellow or green mucus, excessive drowsiness or lethargy, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, undiagnosed rashes, sore throat, infection, earache, constant coughing, mattery discharge from eyes, open skin lesions, painful or frequent urination. (Guidelines from the Fort Collins Youth Clinic)

Colorado law requires that all children who attend schools and daycare facilities be immunized for a number of communicable diseases. Upon enrollment at Oakwood School, parents will receive an immunization card. It is the parents’ responsibility to contact their child’s health care provider to fill out this form and return it to school. Children who are not in compliance with the law will be given a brief period of time during which their immunizations must by updated; children may not be able to attend school if they do not provide this information. Because the immunization requirements are modified periodically, Oakwood School will make every attempt to inform parents of changes. Parents who object to having their child immunized for personal or religious reasons must sign a statement of exemption.  

To minimize the problem of "lost" items, we encourage marking all items that are brought to school. It is amazing how difficult it can be to identify one’s own boots or backpack when they are on a community shelf. A lost and found tote will be maintained in the auditorium. We would appreciate you checking for any misplaced items. At various times during the year, unclaimed items will be donated to a local charitable organization.

Hot lunches are available Tuesdays and Thursdays, and can be ordered and paid for on that day. A punch card is also available for repeat hot lunch customers.

On Wednesdays, the 5/6 grade class serves pizza. Students order and pay for pizza the previous day. Mondays and Fridays are sack lunch days.

Office staff is available Monday-Thursday from 8:00AM-12:00PM. After this time messages may be left for staff members. Calls will be returned as soon as possible.

At the end of the school day (2:30PM), parents are asked to pick up children at the loading areas on the west side of McKinley marked by parking signs. If you would like to get out of your car to enter the school, parking is available on Mountain Avenue, on the east side of McKinley and in the parking lot south of the school. Parents picking up children from day care, during reduced traffic times, are welcome to park on the west side of McKinley.

It is our belief that children benefit greatly from fresh air and outside play with their classmates. We request that children are prepared for the day with shoes, boots and other clothing (including rain gear and sunscreen) appropriate for the weather conditions. During extreme weather, students participate in indoor activities.

School Closures Due to Inclement Weather

In case of inclement weather, we will follow the Poudre R-1 policy of school closures. The local radio stations will broadcast school-closing information, usually by 7:00AM if school will be closed for the day. If the weather situation deteriorates during the day, children should be picked up as soon as possible after the radio announces the closure. Oakwood School will phone any parents who have not picked up their children to let them know when a school closure has occurred during the day.

Each year students are invited to participate in the citywide science fair. Parent led science groups help each student select a topic, state a problem and formulate a hypothesis. Each student then conducts original research and reaches a conclusion. Participants display their results at the school science fair and are evaluated by outside scientists who offer constructive criticism and choose several students to represent the school in the district science fair. All third through sixth grade students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.  

Suzuki Classes

Suzuki classes and lessons are available for students (with their parents) in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. Students may elect to play any of the following stringed instruments: violin, viola, cello or double bass. A fee is charged to cover the cost of instruction. Students in the Suzuki program receive lessons during the school day. Questions about this program should be directed to Phyllis Smith.  

The culminating activity for each of the three World Studies units is a special evening presentation. At these events, parents and other family members join Oakwood students and staff for a program highlighting the World Studies topic. Student presentations, guest artists and special music or food from the featured culture are activities which are shared during these enjoyable evenings.