Oak Grove News

Superintendent Update

Dear Families,
In anticipation of streaming our first Board meeting on Feb. 21, we would like you to know that you will be able to access the meeting virtually through a link that will be posted on our website (click Board of Education tab and select "Minutes and Agendas"). The recording of the meeting will be posted on the same page within 48 hours of the meeting's conclusion.
 
We also want to remind all attendees of the meeting that this meeting will be recorded and accessible by anyone in the public domain at any time, including local or broader-area media.  As such, please refrain from identifying OGS staff members and/or OGS family members by name, unless you have sought their permission. 

We are looking forward to having these meetings more accessible to our entire school community and broader audience and appreciate your patience as our technology staff has worked hard in preparing to implement this new practice.

A Message From Mr. Murray
Scholastic Storyworks Winners
Third graders, Grace Lockowitz and Allie Mendrygal, from Mrs. McCarty’s Class were selected as the Scholastic Great Sea Monster Contestant Winning Entries.  Both girls won a gift from Scholastic for their entries in the October/November 2022 issue. Both students’ entries demonstrated a solid understanding of the story along with the skills needed for an appropriate and engaging response. Scholastic receives hundreds of entries each month, and each contest requires students to demonstrate their critical reading skills and to apply their thinking to a rigorous authentic writing activity. Congratulations on your win!

5 Essentials Survey
We encourage you to take some time to complete the 5 Essentials survey. The completion of this survey provides our community with the opportunity to share thoughts on important elements of Oak Grove. The survey closes on March 31. For more information, click HERE, and for direct access to the link please click HERE. Thank you all for your input and support. 

Family Input for Class Placements 
Our staff will soon begin to build classes for the 2023-2024 school year. We welcome family involvement in this process, as we recognize that you know your children better than anyone else. If you would like to offer insight, share your perspective, or express a need on behalf of your child, we invite you to complete THIS form prior to Friday, February 24. 

Student Drop Off
Parents please be sure to utilize the upper parking lot for student drop off and pick up. The lower lot is primarily for our buses. If you arrive after 8:15, you will need to drop your student off in the lower parking lot.  Please note that cars are not permitted to move around bus stop signs at any time.  This includes the parking lot. Thank you for your support in keeping our students safe. 

Simply Bee
The OGSEF hosted a parent event last week which focused on supporting families in building resilient children. Audrey Grunst, from Simply Bee, presented to the families. The presentation was recorded and is available for viewing through February 14. Please see the Oak Grove School Education Foundation website for the video presentation. There will be two more evening events with Simply Bee this year sponsored by OGSEF. 

Spring Conferences - March 2nd 
Conferences will take place from 1 - 8 pm (virtual 1-4 pm and in-person 5-8 pm) on March 2. Please be on the lookout for an email with particular details and information to sign up through the “Meet the Teacher” platform. 

SEL at Oak Grove
Just in case you missed last week! The theme for February is Mindset. If you’re interested in more information, please click HERE. 

Variety Show
Attention junior high students, have you started thinking about an act for the Variety Show? During your lunch period Wednesday, February 15, there will be parents in the cafeteria to answer questions and help you think about your tryout.

IMPORTANT DATES:
FEBRUARY
2/20: Presidents Day - No School
2/21:  COW @ 6:00pm & BOE Meeting @ 7:15pm
2/23:  Early Release at 1:00pm
2/23: 8th Grade Musical 11:00am; 7:00pm
2/24: 8th Grade Musical 7pm
2/25: 8th Grade Musical 11:00am

Battle of the Books Winners!
Congratulations to the Battle of the Books Champions at each grade level.
8th Grade: The No Name Team
7th Grade: The Hoodie Gang
6th Grade: The Ultimate Spuds
5th Grade: The Dragons
4th Grade: The Amazing Flamingos


 

Preschool Screening
Preschool screening will be held at Oak Grove on Wednesday, February 15th from 12:30 - 3:30. The screening is for three and four year olds who will NOT be entering kindergarten in the fall. The screening will examine a child's proficiency in speech/language and motor development, as well as assess pre-academic skills. Parents with questions or concerns about their child's development may schedule an appointment by contacting Julie Waehner.

Band News

Happy Concert week! Wednesday, February 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Patt Gym is the show time for all the Oak Grove Bands. The Beginning, Concert, Symphonic and Jazz Bands will all be featured. Band parents, please be on the look out for an email with details.

Beginning Band only: We will return to our regular schedule on Thursday, February 16. "White" Band will meet at its regular time on that Thursday and "Blue" Band will have it's regular rehearsal on Friday, February 17.

Concert/Symphonic/Jazz Bands only: There will be no band rehearsal on the mornings of Thursday, February 16 or Friday, February 17. Enjoy the much needed rest. We will resume our regular schedule with Concert and Symphonic Bands rehearsals in their regular spaces at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 21.

Curriculum Corner

CogAT Testing 
Students in grades 3 and 5 will be taking the CogAT assessment this week. CogAT stands for Cognitive Abilities Test. This is a three-part test that assesses a student's Quantitative, Verbal and Nonverbal aptitude and the results of this assessment are used in placement decisions for the 2023-24 school year. If your child is absent, there will be opportunities for make-ups. Please make sure that your child has working headphones and a fully charged device for testing. Student results will be sent home by the end of March.

IAR Spring Testing Window
The Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR), a state mandated assessment, will take place this year from March 13-17, with makeup testing March 20-22. Students in grades 3 through 8 will be assessed in both mathematics and language arts. More information will be shared closer to the testing window. 

PTO News

Meet the School Board Candidates Night
On March 15th from 6:30 - 7:30 pm, the PTO will host a Meet the Candidates night to learn more about the individuals running for the OGS Board of Education. There are three seats up for election and three community members are running. Please submit your questions for the candidates HERE. We will compile the questions and condense the list, which means not every question will be posed to the candidates. Candidates will be invited to respond via written responses and these will be shared with PTO members before the Meet the Candidates Night.

St. Joseph’s Food Pantry Drive
More than 1,000 items have been donated to St. Joseph’s Food Pantry so far! Please continue to send items to school and be sure to check the flier in the Virtual Backpack for a list of the most needed items. Contact Brooke Schamber at 847-772-3055 with any questions. If you’d like to make a financial donation to St. Joseph’s Food Pantry, click HERE. 

The PTO Needs You! Exec Board & Committee Chairs
It is that time of year where the Nominations Committee will be seeking volunteers to serve on the PTO Exec Board and as committee chairs. If you have any interest in taking a more active leadership role with the PTO, please reach out to Lynsey Wolfe to learn more about available opportunities.

Variety Show Committee 
Opportunities to learn more about assisting the Variety Show Committee are happening today! Don’t forget to join committee chairs Ashley Wilson and Christine Merrild at 6:30pm at O’Tooles (412 N. Milwaukee) if you are interested. If you can't make it to the meeting but you are still interested in helping, please enter your information in this form and they will contact you.  

Frontier Soups Thank You!
Want to extend a huge THANK YOU to everyone who placed orders! We had an overwhelmingly positive response and hope that you enjoy these meals with your friends and family. A financial summary of this fundraiser will be shared at our next meeting, but it was a great success! Many thanks to Erin Liebgott for coordinating the sale, to OGS Office Staff and teachers for distributing the catalogs to all students and to Elisabeth Cobb, Joni Kane, Jennifer Morrison and Kate Robinson for packing up and delivering orders.

Please join us at Lolo's Bowls on Saturday, February 18, 2023, to support OGSEF!

 

Author Vist
The JH Library is delighted to welcome award-winning author/illustrator Jason Chin on Friday, February 24. Mrs. Chin will talk with 4th and 5th grade students about his career as an author/illustrator and discuss his new book, The Universe in You: A Microscopic Journey.
To guarantee a personalized, autographed copy of this book, please return the form in the Virtual Backpack with payment to Mrs. Osterman in the JH Library (cash or check payable to Oak Grove School) by Thursday, February 23rd.

Save the date. On Saturday, February, 18 Oak Grove Student Council will be hosting a Family Fun Carnival at Oak Grove School. There will be Bouncy Houses, Carnival Games, Popcorn and Prizes. Each child is $5.00. Please pay CASH only at the door. 
Ages 3-10 9:00am-11:30. 
Ages 11 and up 12:00-2:30.
Any questions please email abrown@ogschool.org
Sign up using https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090e45aba92da1fb6-family2#/

Attention Parents:  The 8th graders need your help!  Do you or someone you know have a career that they are passionate about? If so, please consider signing up to speak at the 8th grade career day.  Please see the flyer in the virtual backpack for more information.



 

Virtual Backpack

Please click HERE to view the flyers in our virtual backpack. Flyers are updated weekly, so please check back often so you won't miss any of the events going on in our community.