By Becky Harvey
Patriot correspondent

OXFORD - The superintendent of the Oxford schools, Allen Himmelberger, began the school committee meeting on March 11 with a Smartboard presentation of the school budget for 2014.  In his presentation, he reviewed two separate budgets, a mandatory and an optimal one.  Himmelberger stated that the lack of federal funding was making a marked difference in the budget, explaining the need for two proposals. 

Districts across the commonwealth have had to spend lots of money in their quest for Race to the Top.  Mapping the curriculum to match the national common core standards and complying with the new educator evaluation system has cost much.

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – Last year when we visited the Oxford High School Art Department, one of the students whom art teacher Jaimee Taborda raved about was Anissa White, then a junior.

Taborda said that White “works very hard to make things happen,” and that her peers see her as very talented. The art teacher also said that White was “getting to be more of her own artist and not just doing what I ask her to do.” She described her as being very focused.

Here we are a year later, and Anissa White is more driven and focused and active than ever, not just in art, but in many other things as well.

Janet Malser Humantities Trust
Deadline April 1

The Janet Malser Humanities Trust is accepting applications for the 2013 grant cycle. Ms. Malser set up the charitable Trust in order to support the arts and humanities, community service and conservation in the towns of Dudley, Oxford, and Webster, MA.

The causes for which funding will be considered include: “the restoration and preservation of historic sites; the furtherance of art and music in the schools, both public and private; public concerts with an emphasis on classical music; the improvement and growth of public libraries; the support of church work aiding the indigent, homeless, aging citizens and needy children; beautification through planting and the preservation of park areas and cemeteries; the improvement of service and equipment at the Hubbard Regional Hospital [now Harrington Healthcare at Hubbard], and the environmental protection of Webster Lake.”

Trustees will make awards annually to verified tax-exempt organizations meeting the charitable purposes of the Trust. Prior recipients are eligible to apply so long as proper follow up status reports have been filed; otherwise they will not be considered.

Applications and instructions for the current year are available janetmalsertrust.org.  Please use the 2013 application as changes have been made. All applications must be postmarked by April 1, 2013.

photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – Isador’s Fruit and Deli hosted the second annual “Chili Cook-off” this past Sunday afternoon at its store in Oxford and raised almost $700 dollars. The money was donated to the "Hand Fruit Program," which brings fresh organic fruit to local schools.

Mike Morin of Oxford won first place, while Carolyn Latham, also of Oxford, came in second place, and Heather Day of Worcester, who also works at Isador’s, came in third place.

The Webster Dudley Business Alliance sponsored the event, which again was a huge success.

More photos follow.

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – Oxford High School senior Tyler Barrie achieved something that is rarely done in high school sports when he was chosen captain for three different sports this year - football, basketball, and baseball—an accomplishment that really only tells half his story.

During his sophomore year in the middle of football season, Barrie was faced with a much bigger challenge in life than going to class and playing football. Awoken by an early December morning phone call right before Christmas, he was told that his father Scott had passed away.

“It was shocking, it was something I didn’t expect,” said Barrie. “I talked to him on the phone the night before and we made plans to talk again the next day and I remember waking up to a phone call and I walked into the next room and my mom (Kim) was crying. She had a blank stare on her face, and then she told me.”

Finish season at 14-8

by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – The fourth-seeded Oxford Pirates saw their season end this past Tuesday (February 26) with a 72-60 loss to the 13th- seeded Gardner Wildcats in Division 2 district playoff action.

Coming off a semi-finals loss to Quaboag after getting their first win at the Clark Tournament in four years, the Pirates had been playing really good basketball. Unfortunately they went up against a team which, despite its 8-12 record, plays a much tougher schedule, and they were outmatched.

Cracks in floors and walls in high school an issue

By Becky Harvey
Patriot coorespondent

Oxford - The New Director of Student Services of the Oxford Schools, Ms. Trish Susen, graced the committee with her presence at the school committee meeting this past Monday night.
She presented a “CPR” or Coordinated Program Review.  This is her 26^th preparation of such a report. Areas of compliance/non-compliance are reviewed by the government.  Oxford has received a commendation for its technology program.  Susen said “we are light years ahead of so many other” districts.  A history with the progression from prior reports is available on the school’s website.  These in depth reviews include such things as interviews with parents and students, as well as review of the schools and programs.  A corrective action plan was developed by Susen and has been made available for public review.  The Title One and ESL plans are not yet finalized.  This is an ongoing process that involves much follow-up and review.  “The ability to be in 100% compliance is very, very difficult,” according to Susen.  There is “nothing glaring, nothing huge” about which Oxford is non-compliant.

Worters comes in third in 1000 meters

Text and photos By Steev Riccardo    

BOSTON – Oxford High School senior track star Emily Dawidczyk shone at the MIAA All-State meet this past Saturday at the Reggie Lewis Arena in Boston, winning both the 55-meter hurdles and the long jump.

Dawidczyk recorded an 8.29 in the 55-meter hurdles and a personal best 17’ 9 1/2” in the long jump in a dazzling effort.

“I wasn't expecting two wins at all,” said Dawidczyk. “It felt really good to win the hurdles after hitting two last week. Right before my race I really had to focus in and pump myself up, I was nervous that I'd hit a hurdle again. Getting back in the 8.2 range definitely meant a lot, it makes me feel a little more confident going into New England's.”

District playoffs next

by Steev Riccardo

WORCESTER –Few people gave the Oxford Pirates any chance at all in their semi-final Clark Tournament match-up with the highly ranked Quaboag Cougars, but the Pirates gave a valiant effort and made it interesting for about three quarters before falling 64-49 on Tuesday evening, February 19.

Pirates’ senior co-captain Tyler Barrie hit an incredible shot from beyond half court at the buzzer making it 11-10 Cougars after an exciting opening quarter.

End ten-year Clark hex

By Steev Riccardo

WORCESTER – The Oxford Pirates won their first Clark Tournament game in almost ten years and advanced to the semi-finals and a marquee match-up with Quaboag with a 52-51 win over a scrappy Maynard Tigers team on Monday afternoon at the George F. Kneller Athletic Center at the Clark University gymnasium.

The Pirates opened a 16-10 first quarter with a balanced scoring attack led by a pair of hoops from senior co-captains Tyler Barrie and Mike James and a 3-pointer by Donny Freeland.