Oak Grove News

Message from the Principal

Spelling Bee News
Wednesday night was a big night at Oak Grove School. Twenty-five spellers from fourth through eighth grade competed late into the evening until we had a winner. Seventh grader, Deep Penmetsa will represent Oak Grove School at the regional bee in February. Congratulations to our runner-up, sixth grader, Hitav Reddy. All of our spellers did a wonderful job!

Attention all Eighth Grade Parents/Guardians
Oak Grove is hosting a high school transition meeting on Thursday, January 25, from 6-7 pm. Please join us in the Jr. High Café as LHS staff reviews the transition process to high school. You may attend this presentation in person or virtual by using THIS link. Please note that there will be time for Q/A portion that will only be available to our "in person" attendees, and we will be recording the presentation in its entirety to share at a later date. If you have any questions or concerns, please add them to THIS form. 

Also for 8th grade families
On Tuesday, February 13, we will hold the 8th Grade Dance Parent Committee Meeting at 8:45 am - 9:45 am in the Jr High Cafe. If you would like to attend this meeting and help out with the dance, please contact Kathy Azzato at azzato@ogschool.org or 224-424-4725 to reserve your spot.

Yoga Club - 3-5 grades
Yoga Club starts January 16! We will meet in the PD room from 3:20-4:00 pm on Tuesdays. Mats will be provided. Hurry, as space is limited! Sign-up here!

Libertyville High School Girls Softball - K-8 grades
Calling all Libertyville elementary and junior high students from kindergarten through 8th grade who have an interest in Girls Softball! The Libertyville High School Girls JV & Varsity softball players and coaches would like to invite you to sign up for "Meet the Cats Camp 2024". This is open to any student regardless of experience. Additional information can be found in the virtual backpack, or contact Coach Ferrell at Sean.Ferrell@D128.org. Registration is now open, and the deadline to sign up is noon on February 21.  If your student is interested, sign up here.

Reminder
We have an early release on January 25 and all students will be dismissed at 11:30 am.

Mental Health Minute
This week's topic is emotions. In a household with children, it is not uncommon to hear that “someone made me mad” or that something is the “end of the world”. Asking questions such as “what size is this problem?” or “what is something you can control in this situation?” are great ways to get children to start thinking about their roles in various situations as well as help develop awareness of if the way a child reacted to something matched the size of the problem. 

Two resources that create great talking points and are used on a daily basis with the Mental Health Team at Oak Grove School are Size of the Problem and My Circle of Control. Both links will provide information regarding these two great SEL conversation starters.

Important Dates
1/22:  8th Grade Candor Presentation Informational Meeting (virtual) from 6:30 - 7:30 pm
1/23:  Board of Education Meeting; Committee of the Whole 6:00 - 7:15 pm & Regular Meeting 7:15 pm - TBD (JH Cafe)
1/25:  Early Release 11:30 am (School Improvement Day)
1/25:  High school transition meeting from 6:00-7:00 pm in the JH Cafe for any interested 8th grade families.
2/3:    PTO Girl and Guest Event in the JH gym and Cafe from 6:30 - 8:30 pm Register HERE

Band
Looking for information about band? Please check out the Oak Grove Band website for the most update information.

Athletics
Looking for information about upcoming games or events? Please check the Oak Grove Athletics Calendar

Multicultural Fair-Booths Needed!

The Multicultural Fair will be on Saturday, April 20 from 3:30-6:30 pm. It is an opportunity to learn about the many countries and cultures represented at Oak Grove School.  All family members and ages are welcome to attend and participate in this event. We are looking for families to host a booth and share their customs with the Oak Grove community. If you are interested in hosting a booth that represents a country, please complete this form by Friday, March 22.

Curriculum Corner

8th Grade Virtual Candor Information Meeting - Tonight
Please see this letter with information about the virtual meeting tonight hosted by Candor about the Teen Sexual Health presentation for 8th grade students in February. The letter was sent to all 8th grade families via email. Please RSVP and the virtual presentation link will be shared with you prior to the presentation. The presentation will not be recorded.

Talk Tuesday
The next Talk Tuesday will be held on February 6 at Oak Grove from 6:00-7:30 pm in the Professional Development room. These meetings are hosted by the Teaching and Learning department and will share highlights around OGS curriculum and programming. During this session, we will share information on the talented and gifted (TAG) program and updates on this year’s literacy program pilots. Please take a moment to R.S.V.P. for this event in order for us to plan accordingly. The presentation shared at the Talk Tuesday will also be available on the Oak Grove website. 

K-5 SEL Update
This week, students in grades 3-5 will be practicing reaching personal coherence. Practicing coherence creates balance and cooperation, rather than competition and stress between our heart, mind, and emotions. Lack of balance between our mental and emotional systems encourages much of our impatience and lack of resilience. Personal coherence increases deeper connections, which creates more harmony and better outcomes in our interactions. The Oak Grove School Education Foundation purchased six devices that will help students practice reaching personal coherence. Students will learn that it takes time and more than one deep breath to regulate emotions. While it is okay to be angry, mad, or upset, it is important to continue practicing steps to calm down: Stop, Name Your Feeling, Calm Down. It is also important to find time to get to the green zone each day. This video helps explain what happens in the brain when it is met with different feelings. If you have any questions about how the device will be used in grades 3 through 5, please reach out to Susie Kiefer at skiefer@ogschool.org.

OGSEF Gala 2024: Come Together - Tickets on Sale Now!

Have you ever attended an Oak Grove event in the Pat Patt Gym and benefitted from visual and audio enhancements to the presentation? Has your child ever come home talking about the Calm Corners? Used a Kindergarten easel during instruction? Participated in Fourth Grade Glow Math? Used robots in the STEM lab? Applied for a scholarship from OGSEF as a Senior at Libertyville High School? All of these initiatives and more are funded by the Oak Grove Education Foundation, a 503(c) charity working to bring the Oak Grove community together. Our biannual gala is quickly approaching on February 24, 2024, and we'd love to have your support. Purchase tickets to the event, make a donation to our spotlight project, or consider becoming a sponsor by visiting patpatt.givesmart.com today!

PTO News

Girl & Guest 2-3-24
We hope to see you for “A Night in Paris” on February 3, 2024!  The Girl & Guest flier in the Virtual Backpack has additional information.

If you have 1-2 hours to spare, we would love some volunteers to help out.  Volunteers are needed for raffle ticket prep, set-up (the night before), check in/food/raffle tables, and decoration tear down after the dance. Sign up HERE!

JH Book Fair Feb. 6-8
Attention all 5th- 8th graders! The junior high book fair is just around the corner. February 6-February 8 all junior high students will attend Anderson’s book fair with their ELA classes. Click HERE for the schedule, and ask your student when they have ELA. Please consider volunteering for this fun event! Click HERE to volunteer. 

Cash, credit, & ApplePay will be accepted. If you would like to view some of the books in advance, check out the flier HERE. Any questions? Please contact Melissa Sallmann or Lynsey Wolfe.

Son + One Bowling Madness
Come join us for some Bowling Madness at Bowlero in Vernon Hills. Saturday, March 16, 2024! Event, Raffle & Arcade Tickets are on sale HERE and can be purchased through March 9. Please note what size jersey you need for your student(s). The Son Plus One flier can be found in the Virtual Backpack has additional information.

If you have any unopened toys or gifts to include in this year’s event raffle, we’ll gladly accept your donations! We are also looking for lane sponsors again this year. Please reach out to Amy Peterson to coordinate raffle pick-ups or if interested in sponsoring a lane.