🌟 Join the Oskaloosa Schools team and make a difference! We're looking for dedicated individuals to fill immediate openings for 2nd or 3rd shift custodians.
Responsibilities include:
✅ Maintaining a clean and safe environment for students and staff
✅ General custodial and maintenance tasks
✅ Continuous use of independent judgment
Working as a custodian with Osky offers several benefits, including health insurance, participation in IPERS, flexible work hours, and the opportunity to work alongside our wonderful team. Starting pay is $16.50 per hour.
To apply, please visit the job posting at http://www.oskyjobs.com/.
Discover fun community events at the Oskaloosa Virtual Backpack! Just head to www.oskyschools.org and click on OCSD Backpack in the Parents tab. 🎒🖥️
Local organizations are encouraged to share their event fliers with us at https://tinyurl.com/24mztee9.
Have you downloaded our mobile app? You’ll get access to calendars, menus, reminders, and more, right in the palm of your hand. Free for all mobile devices!
👉 App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/oskaloosa-community-schools/id1524263227
👉 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apptegy.oskaloosacsd&pli=1
Registration for the Oskaloosa Basketball Club’s Winter Skills Academy Closes Soon! 🏀
Designed for boys and girls in grades 1-2, our program is dedicated to taking your fundamental basketball skills to new heights during the season.
📅 Season/Sessions: November - January (Games on Saturdays in January)
🏀 Practices: Tuesdays and Fridays, 5-6 p.m.
📍 Location: Oskaloosa Elementary Gym
👦👧 Age Groups: Boys and Girls in 1st and 2nd grade
💲 Cost: $80 — register on our website, or make checks payable to Oskaloosa Basketball Club
🏀 Players must bring their own basketball!
Secure your spot before October 30:
https://www.oskybasketballclub.com/registration. For inquiries and to learn more, please contact Erik McGee at mcgeee@oskycsd.org.
🎉 Let's welcome Kendra Mouton to her new role at Oskaloosa Schools! Kendra is serving as a Business/World of Works Teacher at Oskaloosa High School for the 2023-24 school year.
With a master’s degree in business leadership from William Penn University and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Graceland University, Kendra is bringing a wealth of knowledge to her new role. Hailing originally from Victorville, California, she's now a proud member of our community and a loving mother to two young boys.
Outside of work, Kendra loves exploring the city with her children, enjoying delicious food, catching the latest movies, and having fun at Skyzone!
“I’m excited about my new role as the Business Teacher. Being able to learn new things daily to teach students is exciting!” says Kendra. “After being a full-time substitute, everyday I left work, I felt fulfilled. I love seeing students grow year to year. I love kids, and I love making a difference in our students' lives.”
Kendra’s choice to join Oskaloosa Schools was “easy,” and she has big plans for her new role: “I live in Oskaloosa. I wanted to do more for our community.” We're beyond excited to have you on the Osky team, Kendra! 🌟
Save the Date! 🍂 The Oskaloosa High School Concert Choir and Chamber Choir are excited to present their Fall Concert:
📅 Date: Monday, November 6
📍 Location: George Daily Auditorium
🕢 Time: 7:30 p.m.
There is NO cost for this concert; however, for those who wish to show their support, a free-will donation option will be available.
🎶 Our high school musicians have been working hard to put on the best possible performance for our community, and we can't wait to showcase their hard work. Spread the word and mark your calendars – we hope to see you there! 🎉
REMINDER: Today is our usual early-out Wednesday. We will have a 60-minute early release today.
Donate new and gently used clothing to the United Way of Mahaska County’s Winter Coat Drive! 🧥🌨️
From now through November 6, the organization will be accepting coats, snow pants, boots, hats, gloves, and scarves. No shirts or hoodies, please!
Distribution will take place at the West Hall Connector in Penn Central Mall on November 10 (10am-8pm) and November 11 (10am-6pm). Please stop by if you or a friend needs some warm winter clothing!
🎉 Let’s welcome Chelsea Steenhoek to the Oskaloosa Schools family! She is a new Special Education Teacher at Oskaloosa Elementary for the 2023-24 school year.
Originally from Montezuma, Iowa, Chelsea currently resides in Pella. She holds a degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in Special Education and Reading from William Penn University. Over the past eight years, Chelsea has enjoyed working with children with a variety of needs.
A proud wife to Austin and mother of two children, Chelsea enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, traveling, and going on hikes! “I am really looking forward to building relationships with my students and seeing growth in each one!” says Chelsea. “I feel that we have a wonderful team, and I know we will see a lot of growth and success in our students.”
Special Education is Chelsea’s passion! She says, “The part that I love the most is building relationships with the students.”
Why Osky? Chelsea shares, “The staff and administration at Oskaloosa Schools have been so welcoming, encouraging, and supportive. As soon as I started having conversations about joining Oskaloosa Schools, they made me feel like I already belonged and was supported.”
Chelsea’s goals this year include growing both as a person and as an educator. She looks forward to the knowledge she will gain throughout her first year at Oskaloosa Elementary. Welcome to the team, Chelsea! 🌟
🎉 Join us in welcoming Logan Sheets to Osky Schools! He is a new Special Education Teacher at Oskaloosa Elementary for 2023-24.
An Oskaloosa native, Logan holds degrees in Special Education and Business Management from William Penn University. As the oldest of six siblings in a busy family of eight, he's also a devoted dog owner to Winnie!
In his free time, Logan is a sports enthusiast, cheering for his favorite team—the Iowa State Cyclones! “I am super excited to get to know my students and get my first year of teaching under my belt!” says Logan.
Logan shares that he chose teaching as his profession because, “I grew up in a family of special education teachers and really grew to love the profession.” With close ties to Oskaloosa, choosing to teach at Osky was an easy decision.
This year, Logan’s goal is to grow his knowledge about special education and provide the best possible experience for his students. Welcome to the Osky family, Logan! 🌟
We have an immediate opening as a part-time Substitute Teacher! Check out this job posting and others at http://www.oskyjobs.com.
Today, Oskaloosa Elementary celebrated a major milestone with the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for our brand-new kindergarten-2nd grade playground! 🪁
After gathering insights from our amazing OES community through focus groups in the 2022-23 school year, we're proud to introduce a playground that's inclusive and sensory-rich for all our young explorers. Features of the new playground include a ThunderRing for an auditory experience, a 3-in-a-Row game gadget panel, and several free-standing structures accessible by wheelchair.
We're excited to see our students enjoy this dynamic, engaging, and accessible playground! A big thanks to Cunningham Recreation for their dedication and expertise in bringing this wonderful playground to life. 🙌
It’s Red Ribbon Week! This week and always, we encourage our students to make positive decisions and do everything they can to avoid drugs and alcohol.
Together, we can ensure a bright future free of substance abuse!
🎉 We are thrilled to welcome Alex DeJong to his new position at Oskaloosa Schools! He is serving as a Physical Education Teacher at Oskaloosa Elementary for the 2023-24 school year.
An OHS graduate, Alex holds a degree from William Penn University. Alex cherishes his family, which includes mother Tiffany, father Tony, brother Ki-Jana, and brother Tucker. In his free time, Alex enjoys spending time with friends and family, coaching, watching sports, and playing golf.
This year, Alex is excited to get to know his students and work together with the amazing staff!
“I have chosen to become a teacher because I want to make a positive impact and a real difference in the lives of our youth,” he says.
His reason for joining Osky? “I wanted to give back to a community that has given so much to me!”
Alex’s goals this year include creating long-lasting relationships with students and helping them find a love for physical activity! Let’s welcome Alex to the Osky team! 🌟
Osky encourages all to participate in Emotional Intelligence Awareness Month! Practice empathetic listening and dedicate a few minutes each day to self-reflection. These simple steps can enhance your emotional intelligence over time. 🧠👂
❄️ The annual Winter Coat Drive is here! 🧥 From now through November 6, United Way of Mahaska County is collecting new and gently used winter gear to help those in need.
Accepted articles of clothing include coats, snow pants, boots, hats, gloves, and scarves.
Distribution will take place at the West Hall Connector in Penn Central Mall on November 10 (10am-8pm) and November 11 (10am-6pm). Please stop by if you or a friend needs some warm winter clothing!
Uncover a world of family-friendly events at the Oskaloosa Virtual Backpack! Simply visit www.oskyschools.org and click on OCSD Backpack under the Parents tab. 🎒🖥️
Local organizations are welcome to submit their event fliers at https://tinyurl.com/24mztee9.
In-person absentee voting is available ahead of the November 7 election! On the ballot is a voted Physical Plant & Equipment Levy for Oskaloosa Schools.
To cast your ballot, visit the Mahaska County Auditor’s Office from now through Monday, November 6. Hours are 8:00am to 4:30pm.
The Auditor’s Office is located at the Mahaska County Courthouse (106 S. 1st Street, Oskaloosa). Note that you will need a valid ID to vote. Find voting information at https://elections.mahaskacountyia.gov/vote/.
Learn more about the voted PPEL: https://bit.ly/oskyppel2023
🎉 We are excited to welcome Lucianna Swarthout to Oskaloosa Schools! She is serving as a new Kindergarten Teacher at Oskaloosa Elementary School for the 2023-24 school year.
Originally from Chariton, Iowa, Lucianna holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Simpson College. With five close-knit sisters, she's also an aunt to five nieces and three nephews!
During her downtime, Lucianna loves reading, spending time with loved ones, and staying active outdoors or at the gym.
“I am excited to get to know everyone at the school better, as well as dive into my second year of teaching!” says Lucianna. Her passion for working with kids drives her career choice, aiming to make a positive impact daily.
“I chose Oskaloosa because of all the great things that I was told about the district,” she says. “I wanted to be a part of all the great things I was hearing!”
Her goals this year are “to develop strong relationships with the staff here at the school, as well as to make sure that all students I come into contact with know that I am happy to see them at school.”
Please join us in giving Lucianna a warm welcome to the Osky team! 🌟
🎉 We are thrilled to welcome Kimberli Kern to the Osky Schools team! She is a new Preschool Teacher at the Oskaloosa Early Childhood Center for the 2023-24 school year.
Originally from New Sharon, Iowa, Kimberli holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa and is currently attending Northwestern College to receive her Early Childhood Special Education endorsement. A proud mother to two daughters, Kimberli and her family enjoy ice cream dates, swimming, riding bikes, and watching movies together!
Beyond the classroom, Kimberli has passions for reading, staying active through exercise, enjoying quality time with friends, and attending memorable concerts.
“I'm excited to embrace the challenge of special education within the preschool classroom,” she says.
Kimberli’s primary goal this school year is “to connect and build strong, positive relationships with families.” Welcome to the Osky family, Kimberli! 🌟
