As you know, Hank Van Putten recently announced his retirement as Oak Hill Middle School principal beginning this July. It is our experience that it is too late in the school year to run a thorough search process for his replacement. This is because it takes at least two months to advertise a position, attract a wide range of candidates, and set up a hiring process that provides for input from all constituencies at the school. At this point in the year, the strongest candidates tend to have already committed to positions for next year.
Given these circumstances, the Superintendent is in the process of identifying a strong candidate who can serve as a one-year interim principal at Oak Hill. The intention is to announce an interim principal before the end of this school year. Next fall, we will begin a full search for a permanent principal. In order to assure a successful outcome, the process will involve extensive advertising and the formation of a selection advisory committee, one that will include the participation of representative Oak Hill staff members and parents.
Paul Stein
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources
The School Council meeting scheduled for this evening, May 27, will be postponed to next Wednesday, June 3, at 7 pm in the Oak Hill Library. The agenda will remain the same: using the Strategic Planning document to begin work on the School Improvement Plan.
Oak Hill students will enjoy the annual Field Day on Friday, June 5, and we need parent volunteers to help with set-up and running the water stations during this fun day of outdoor activities.
The Oak Hill staff, led by the Physical Education/Health & Wellness department, puts together a wonderful set of activities and games for the students to enjoy each year for Field Day. We need a group of parents to show the staff and students our support by helping out for 60-90 minutes each on June 5.
Only a small number of parents are needed for set-up from 7 to 8 am, and then we need parents to staff the water tents from 8 to 9:30 am, 9:30 to 11 am, and 1:20 to 2:20 pm (there's a break at lunchtime from 11 am to 1:20 pm).
Please send an email to Chris Hill (chill@aol.com) if you can help out, indicating which time slot works best for you. Thanks!
Chris Hill and Maryanne Weiss
Oak Hill PTO Co-Chairs
To the Oak Hill Community,
One summer, I was in Sandusky, Ohio with family and friends. The entire time I was there, I kept having the same dream that my phone was ringing. In fact upon our return to the Boston area, when I entered our apartment, my phone was ringing!!! It was the Human Resources Office of the Newton Public Schools calling to offer me a job as an Elementary Physical Education Teacher - that was 1974 when I began this journey.
I have been fortunate and blessed ever since then to work in a district, the Newton Public Schools that has embraced the same beliefs about educating young people that I have embraced. I have always felt supported in the work that I do each day and have been cared about and loved by so many people over time. I will always be especially grateful to Dr. Young who entrusted me with the responsibility of leadership by appointing me the Principal of the Oak Hill Middle School in 2004.
Now, this part of my journey through life is about to end and a new day is dawning for me. With that thought in mind, I am announcing my intent to retire effective, June 30th, 2009.
Dr. Young has assured me that Oak Hill will be in capable hands and that he is initiating the process for selecting my successor for the fall. As this information becomes available in the near future, he will be in contact with our community.
Peace,
Hank Van Putten
Principal, Oak Hill Middle School