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The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce allows school districts to choose either August 1 or September 30 as the cutoff date by which a child must be five years old to enter kindergarten. In the past, Oakwood City School District selected September 30 as its kindergarten entrance date.

With increased expectations in school, our youngest learners often face unique challenges. Since 2017, our administrative team has monitored the potential benefits of moving the entrance date to August 1. This adjustment would provide younger children with additional time to develop critical cognitive, social, and emotional skills, contributing to improved academic performance and long-term success.

On Wednesday, November 13, the Board of Education held a first reading of a proposal to change the kindergarten entrance date from September 30 to August 1. Final board approval is expected in December. If approved, this change will take effect at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, aligning Oakwood with all other public school districts in Montgomery County.

Oakwood Schools is providing this annual notice to its parents and guardians regarding the monitoring of school-issued devices used by students. School-issued devices include any hardware, software, or accounts provided to students for personal use.

Students should have no expectation of privacy when using school-issued devices. Oakwood Schools and its technology providers can electronically access or monitor these devices under specific legal conditions. 

For example, to comply with the requirements of the Federal E-Rate funding programs, Oakwood filters all student internet access in alignment with Board policy. This includes filtering materials that are obscene, objectionable, inappropriate, and/or harmful to minors. School administrators may be alerted to questionable content for review. They can also receive information on possible self-harm indicators on student devices, and a parent will be contacted if it is determined to be a threat to life or safety.

Reasons for Monitoring School-Issued Devices

Throughout the school year, there are a limited number of situations in which the District and its technology providers may electronically access and monitor your student’s school-issued device. These reasons are:

1. For educational purposes for instruction, technical support or exam proctoring by school staff;

2. If required by a court order;

3. If the device is reported lost or stolen;

4. To respond to a threat to life or safety;

5. To comply with federal or state laws; and

6. As required by federal or state funding programs.

Notification to Parents and Guardians

For reason number one above, the District is providing you with advance notice that it and/or one of its technology providers intend to electronically access or monitor your student’s school-issued devices for non-commercial educational purposes for instruction, technical support or exam proctoring by school district employees or staff. It shall not be done for any reason other than educational purposes as outlined.

For reasons 2-6 listed above, the District or school will notify parents and guardians in writing about what was electronically accessed and why within 72 hours of the monitoring. If providing notice is a threat to life or safety, the notice will be provided within 72 hours after the threat has ended.

The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting was officially presented to Laura Sauber and the Oakwood City Schools’ Treasurer’s Office at the October Board Meeting. The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded the Certificate of Achievement to Oakwood City Schools for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.

The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the program's high standards, which includes demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and attaining it represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

Superintendent Neil Gupta expressed his gratitude for the diligent work of the Treasurer’s Office in achieving this recognition. “This award reflects the commitment of our Treasurer’s Office to maintaining the highest levels of financial accountability and transparency,” Gupta said. “Their hard work ensures that we continue to serve our community with integrity and openness, building trust with every report.”

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources, and practical research for more than 21,000 members and the communities they serve.