Isabelle Fox is one of the special honorees who will receive recognition for her contributions to Oakwood at the Parent Organization Volunteer Thank You Luncheon on May 31, 2001. The impact that she, her husband Robert (Bob), and her family, has had on the school is truly noteworthy.

The Foxes so strongly believe in the power of education, that it is “the core of their family belief system.” Isabelle, the daughter of two chemists, attended the Lincoln School, which was a progressive school connected to Columbia’s Teachers College in New York, for twelve years. Bob attended the progressive Park School in Baltimore. Bob is an attorney, now retired, and Isabelle is a psychotherapist who for many years had a private practice in Encino. She has recently written a book, Being There: The Benefits Of A Stay-At-Home-Parent.

The Foxes came to Oakwood in 1960 as the parents of a first and fourth grader. New to the Valley, they had heard about Oakwood from other parents familiar with progressive schools, and knew that its philosophy was compatible with their beliefs. Isabelle became an active volunteer, serving as room parent, and once her children had matriculated into the secondary school, directing parent education seminars and workshops. Her professional background led to her position as advisor to the Board of Trustees, where her input was highly valued. Isabelle said that their Oakwood parent years spanned from 1960 until 1974, and that for a time they were one of the few families with students in both schools simultaneously.

The procurement of the current secondary school campus is due mostly to the diligence of Isabelle and Robert Fox. Isabelle, along with Arthur Ross (past Trustee), had heard that there was a church and an old American Legion Hall for sale on Magnolia Boulevard. The church needed to sell the buildings in order to build a new structure across the street. Isabelle believed that the Magnolia Boulevard location had certain benefits, such as proximity to the Public Library and the fields of North Hollywood Park, which would be available for physical education. At that time, the school did not have the library and gym that we have presently, so although the presence of the freeway was not ideal, the advantages outweighed that issue. Robert Fox negotiated the sale on behalf of Oakwood, and with this purchase the current secondary school was born. (At that time, students were taken by bus to ‘Hidden Trails Camp’ in Agoura, which served as the secondary school campus for two years. This location had its drawbacks: distance being one. And apparently, the slightest bit of rain or moisture turned this rustic campsite into a muddy swamp!)

An important contingency that had to be met before the school could be opened was the acquisition of additional land for parking to satisfy zoning requirements. Bob Fox met many times with the elderly couple that owned the property that is presently the “quad” (formerly the senior parking lot) and finally convinced them to sell to Oakwood for the sake of all the children who would benefit from the wonderful school that would be established there. As a result of his success, Bob was named chairman of the Board of Trustees, a position he held from 1967 through 1970. Bob was very involved in raising the funds needed to demolish the existing buildings, do the necessary construction and create the required parking lot. At that time, Bob also tried to convince the Board to purchase the two triplex units that stood just west of the new parking lot, but was not successful. Some of the Board felt that a move to the west valley and the creation of a large campus with rolling hills and lots of land was a better idea. Ironically, the purchase of those two triplexes and another lot was made possible twenty-five years later by the sale of that west valley property. Those properties are now the site of the Math/Science Building!

Isabelle and Bob Fox are both alumni parents, and alumni grandparents. Their son Michael (‘69) who started in 4th grade is an attorney (and father of two) who teaches law and is a professional photographer in Northern California. He was student body president in 1968 and 1969. Their son James, an attorney (‘72) who started Oakwood in 1st grade, was an editor of the Gorilla, the secondary school newspaper. He and his wife, Judy, have 3 children, one of whom is in the 9th grade at Oakwood. Carolyn Fox (‘74) a ‘lifer’ (i.e. kindergarten through 12th grade) and her husband, are both artists who live in Ojai with their two children who also attend a progressive school. As her senior project, Carolyn created the bronze statue of Marie Spottswood that still stands outside of the elementary school.

Isabelle stated that each of their children left their mark on the school in their own fashion, and she is thrilled to see her grandson excited about school and motivated by his teachers. She recalls Marie Spottswood and Chris Holabird as being inspirational directors during their tenures, and the Foxes express great admiration for the original trustees who established the school. All three of the Fox children were active in college after leaving Oakwood, and they attribute this to the encouragement and confidence they received while at Oakwood.

Surrounded in her home by beautiful artwork created by her artistic progeny, an incredible spoon collection, and innumerable family photos and portraits, the Foxes, who have been married for 54 years, are a wonderful example of Oakwood alumni parents who are still connected to the Oakwood community. We are fortunate to have had the advantage of their involvement and dedication and to be able to share their memories of Oakwood with them.