MCAS scores improve

By Becky Harvey
Patriot Correspondent

OXFORD - Despite the nasty weather, the freshly plowed Oxford High School welcomed a full roll of the Oxford School Committee on Monday evening.  The meeting commenced with a discussion of the school improvements at Clara Barton by Principal Stephen Baroni.

 The MCAS scores have increased in English Language Arts (ELA) due to extra support, including the addition of a “.5 literacy specialist.”  The school has started an initiative this year, sending home MCAS packets every week.  Parents have responded positively to the program.  In addition to straight-out MCAS work, grade three also sends home weekly literacy packets.  These efforts, along with the addition of leveled reading groups have helped to reinforce language and reading skills.

Oxford senior signs with Sacred Heart University

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – When Emily Dawidczyk last week signed her letter of intent to attend Sacred Heart University in the fall to major in nursing and play Division 1 soccer, it was a great moment in Oxford High School history.

Dawidczyk has had nothing less than an incredible sports career at Oxford.  She is the all-time leading scorer (88 goals) in school history in soccer and holds several school and league records in track and field. She is quite possibly the greatest athlete in the school’s history and maybe the best girls’ track runner to ever compete in the Southern Worcester County League.

 

By Charles Kelleher Harris

OXFORD- Selectman Jennie L. Caissie officially announced today that she will not be pursing the senate seat recently vacated by new Secretary of State John Kerry.

“I always thought politics was my first love, but then I saw my baby girl’s face,” Caissie said Tuesday.

Speculation about Caissie’s possible bid arose last week when she was spotted at the State House.

"Snow date" added

For those of you who did not attend Saturday, Feb 9th, please come by Generations Healing Center on Saturday, February 16 between the hours of 1pm and 3pm. Consider donating your loose change and/or bills-- at the donation jar for A.M. Chaffee PTO.

by Charles Kelleher Harris
Patriot correspondent

OXFORD- The Board of Selectmen chose to listen to citizens complaints instead of the professional opinions of the Police Chief and the Department of Public Works Director Tuesday night, January. 29.

Originally William and Erica Byrne, of 39 Walnut Street, contacted the Board of Selectmen to request that a stop sign be placed at the intersection of Walnut and Cypress Streets.

“Our concern is speed on this road,” said William Byrne, “We would not like an accident on this road.”

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD- The Oxford High unified Special Olympics basketball team will be competing this coming Sunday, February 10, in a qualifying event in Weston in preparation for the Special Olympics, which will take place at Clark University in Worcester on March 9 and 10.

The team practiced this past Saturday at Oxford High School in uniform to get ready for the qualifier.

Oxford High School Principal Kevin Wells, who also coaches the team said, “I had an older brother who had Down Syndrome and my masters degree is in Special Education; I have always had a passion for students with learning disabilities, as well as with regular education kids.”

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – The Oxford Pirates outscored the Millbury Woolies 51-20 and had 12 steals in the first half en route to a huge 78-46 victory Friday (February 1) night, which earned them their tenth win of the season and a district playoff birth.

The Pirates stormed out of the locker room and played a flawless first quarter dominating the Woolies and outscoring them 29-8.  Senior co-captains Mike James and Donnie Freeland led the early attack with eight points apiece.

Senior co-captain Tyler Barrie joined the hit parade in the second quarter, burying a pair of deep 3-pointers and helping his team build its enormous 31-point half-time lead.

by Becky Harvey

OXFORD - Parents of Oxford students received a shocking call from Superintendent of Schools Allen Himmelberger on Monday, January 29.  He opened the call stating that he “regrets to inform that a white male in his thirties with spiked red hair and driving a small black SUV with tan interior drove up to the bus stop” and exposed himself to students of Clara Barton Elementary School who were waiting to be picked up for school. 

According to Detective Rick Bryn of the Oxford Police Department, the suspect passed the bus stop and then turned down Matthew Circle from Holly Street.  He then made a three point turn about half way down the street and then made his way back to the bus stop.  While stopped for the stop sign, he exposed himself to the children.  There were four students present and no parents at the stop.  Three of the children claim to have seen the act, while one says she didn’t see anything. 

Bryn stated that all of the locally registered sex offenders have been interviewed and all have alibis for the time during which the crime allegedly happened.  Officers continue to work on the case though there really aren’t any leads.  Bryn stated that anyone seeing an unfamiliar, dark-colored SUV in their neighborhood should take down the license plate number and contact the Oxford Police, just to be on the safe side.  Tips can either be called in to (508) 987-0156 x:122 or by emailing the detective directly at:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   The Oxford Police also offer an anonymous tip line on their website, http://www.oxfordpolice.info/, under the contact us tab.

Police urge citizens to remain vigilant and on alert for vehicles or people who seem unfamiliar.

by Charles Kelleher Harris

OXFORD-Department of Public Works Director Sean Divoll revealed he results of a recent pavement management study to the Board of Selectmen at their Jan.15 meeting.

“During the development process we learned many things. One of  the key things learned is that our annual expenditure on road maintenance and repair is not enough to maintain the overall pavement condition average,” said Divoll.

Through a PowerPoint presentation, Divoll showed how action needed to be taken quickly in order to save the town potentially millions of dollars in coming years.

Caroline Bercier receives award

by Becky Harvey
Patriot correspondent

The Oxford School Committee, like so many others in surrounding towns, went almost directly into executive committee in order to discuss safety precautions in the wake of the shootings in Newtown last month.  Prior to closing the doors to the public at the January 14 meeting, Superintendent Allen Himmelberger introduced his choice for this year’s Worcester County Superintendents' Association (WCSA) Certificate of Academic Excellence winner, Caroline Bercier.

Ms. Bercier, along with 60 other students from around the county, was honored at the Worcester County Scholars luncheon at Clark University the previous week. This award honors the best and the brightest students that Worcester County has to offer.  Himmelberger noted that choosing the recipient and bestowing this award is one of the greatest parts of being a superintendent.  He loves being able to recognize students for their achievements.  He feels it is some of the most gratifying work a superintendent can do.