August 15, 2024 -- Principal Mark Caudill set out on a quest to raise awareness about Oakland Park Traditional Alternative Elementary School. Post-pandemic, Caudill attended community events to promote the school he led and eventually decided the school needed to host its own public event. 

The Eta Nu Nu chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., received a $900 grant from the City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods to host a National Night Out event. 

National Night Out is an annual initiative designed to strengthen police-community relationships and foster neighborhood unity through community events.

The chapter, which regularly serves the Linden area and has previously collaborated with Oakland Park, found this to be a natural partnership. Together, they hosted their inaugural National Night Out on August 6.

“We have a presence in the Linden community,” said Antonio Caffey, vice president of Eta Nu Nu chapter. “We believe in Linden. Much of our programming targets Linden schools, so it just made sense.”

An estimated 50 families attended the event, where the fraternity served food and provided a DJ. Vendors included the National Kidney Foundation, One Linden, Chamberlain University, and the League of Women Voters. School supplies and literacy materials were distributed, and children enjoyed a bounce house and the school’s playground.

Caudill noted that not only current students attended but also new students and families interested in the school. He called the event a success.

“We have great family engagement here at Oakland Park, and this was an opportunity to show that to the community,” said Caudill.

Robert “Bill Varney, community liaison for Columbus Police Department 2 Precinct, distributed water bottles and spoke with various community members. Oakland Park was his third National Night Out stop in North Linden.

Varney emphasized the significance of such events in removing the stigma of police officers as merely enforcers.

“It takes a village, and events like this show the public that we are part of [that] village,” Varney said. “We are people too. We have kids, and we are a part of the community.”

For Caudill, the event highlighted the school’s ongoing efforts to build relationships with local law enforcement. Local police have participated in the school’s field days and limbo contests, reinforcing their visibility and importance to the Oakland Park community.

“We do anything we can to include them in any event that we have,” Caudill said. “We want the families that attend Oakland Park to know that they are part of our community and we want them to feel safe.”

With the success of the event, Caudill said he plans to bring it back “bigger and better” as an annual event for years to come.