Oaktree Families,

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU !!!!

We had an awesome time at our first annual auction which was held on Friday, Nov 7th. The food was great (some said the best chicken they ever had....thanks Carraba's!), silent auction competition was in full swing and the live auction saw many great deals sealed with the sound of "SOLD" ! We heard so many comments about how much fun everyone had and also how surprised everyone was with the variety and quality of all of the auction items. Many people have told me that they are already plotting for next year and will definitely be more prepared to bid!! Start saving money now !!

Thank you to all of you who donated items, secured donations, baked desserts and/or volunteered that evening. It was truly an all school event and we were delighted by the participation.

Our final total raised after all was said and done, was $ 7,477.54 ! Your generous spirits were such a blessing to us. I always stand amazed when I look at our families and realize that despite the fact that these may be challenging times, we all continue to pull together and press forward. I would not want to be anywhere else than leading this wonderful Academy. I sincerely thank you.

A friend of mine sent a card to me recently that I would like to share with all of you. All of our families are a vital part of Oaktree and I hope you will be encouraged by this message....

A mighty wind blew night and day
It stole the oak tree's leaves away.
Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark
Until the oak was tired and stark.
But still the oak tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around.
The weary wind gave up and spoke,
"How can you still be standing, Oak?"
The oak tree said,
"I know that you
can break each branch of mine in two,
Carry every leaf away, shake my limbs, and make me sway.
But I have roots stretched in the earth,
Growing stronger since my birth.
You'll never touch them, for you see,
They are the deepest part of me.
Until today, I wasn't sure
Of just how much I could endure,
But now I've found, with thanks to you,
I'm stronger than I ever knew".

May God richly return to you everything you have given and sacrificed for the education of your children.
So...mark your calendars for Nov 6, 2009...AUCTION TIME next year!!

Terri Turley