05/22/23 Oak Grove News

Superintendent Update
Dear Families,
As we close this school year, I would like to take a moment to recognize the outgoing leadership of our PTO and OGSEF. Both Beth Zender and Jeff Barry, respectively, will be stepping down from the presidency role they occupied this last year. On behalf of our Board, administration, and staff, we offer our sincere gratitude to Beth and Jeff for their dedication and commitment over the years in support of our students. We welcome Joni Kane as incoming co-president alongside Kate Byers, and OGSEF will be identifying its new leader in a special meeting this week.

Message from the Principal

What a week!
We're excited about all of the fun events and activities that are taking place over the course of the next two weeks. Thanks to our community, PTO and staff for coordinating all of these events and providing these wonderful opportunities for our students. Stay safe, have fun, and enjoy the remainder of the school year!

OGS Countdown to Summer
Click here for the countdown to summer activities.

Mental Health Minute
This month's topic is Community. Having a supportive relationship between students, teachers, and parents is the heart of a school community. For more information, click here.

Important Dates
5/23: Second Grade Open House 6:30 pm
5/24: Eighth Grade Chicago Trip
5/26: Early Release Day: Students dismissed at 1:00 pm, Field Day 9:00 am, Eighth Grade Dance 7:00 pm
5/29: Memorial Day, there is NO SCHOOL
5/30: Eighth Grade Graduation at Libertyville High School 7:00 pm
5/31: Fifth Grade Civil War Day
6/1: Last Day of School

SEL News
In last week's session of SEL, we took a Mindfulness Walk to explore another avenue to getting to our upstairs brain. Oftentimes when we are upset or angry we feel at a loss for ways to calm down. If breathing or counting doesn't seem to be working we can also use our 5 senses. We used 4 senses on our mindfulness walk, but in our final lesson of SEL we'd like to celebrate using our 5th sense...taste! Students will be receiving an outshine popsicle during their SEL lesson. We will do some fun mindfulness/tasting activities before we indulge in our delicious treat! Here are the ingredients listed below. If your child MAY NOT have a popsicle, feel free to send them in with a treat to keep in their locker that you feel is safe for them. Thank you! Thank you for an amazing year! skiefer@ogschool.org
Ingredients

Tech Equipment Turn-In
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Thank you for all that you have done to help make this a successful school year. The end of the year is fast approaching, and it is time to talk about wrapping things up and collecting your student(s) tech equipment. All Kindergarten through 4th grade students will be turning in their iPads, chargers and travel bags beginning Wednesday, May 24.
The return dates for laptops, chargers and travel cases are as follows:
8th Grade - Tuesday, May 23
5th Grade - Tuesday, May 30
6th Grade - Wednesday, May 31
7th Grade - Wednesday, May 31

If your student has a missing or damaged item, charges will be assessed.
Replacement Cost for Missing/Damaged Equipment
- Laptop travel bag with strap $35
- Laptop strap $5
- Laptop Charger $69
- Laptop Shell Damage/Hard Case $40
- iPad Travel bag $25
- iPad Charger $19
- iPad Cable $5
- iPad Shell/UZBL case $36
If you have any questions, please email ogstechsupport@ogschool.org.

Kona Truck
Back by popular demand, the PTO is sponsoring the Kona Ice Truck on May 31 to celebrate the end of the school year. This event is for all students who will be at school that day (Kindergarten - 7th grade). The allergen and ingredient list is here. If your child cannot have a Kona Ice treat, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher and send an alternative treat; freezer space is available in the nurse’s office.

Summer Construction and Building Access

As you may already know, OGS will be undergoing construction this summer to the roof of our 1997 building addition, located above most of our elementary classrooms and main office. This construction is slated to start June 5 and run through August 3. As a result, the entire elementary addition of the building, main office, and lower parking lot will not be available to the public or staff through the construction time period. The elementary playground will still be accessible to the community.

Summer school programs, camps, and the main office will be relocated to the Junior High end of the building. We ask all visitors to use the upper parking lot and access the building through Door 16 only. Visitors can continue to register for school through this entrance. Reminders will be included in upcoming OG Newsletters, as well as email blasts to those involved in student activities.

Curriculum Corner

Curriculum Review Opportunity for Families

At the May Committee of the Whole meeting, information was presented to the Board of Education regarding curriculum pilots that occurred during the school year for social studies and science in grades 3-5 and a resource review for our new early childhood classroom. In accordance with Board Policy 6:45, resources will be available for stakeholder feedback and review May 22 through June 2 by appointment. Stakeholders will have access to samples of the curricular resource and be asked to complete a short survey. The Teaching and Learning department will review stakeholder feedback and present a recommendation to the Board of Education for resource adoption at the June Board of Education meeting. If you would like to view the presentation, please click here. To schedule an appointment to review resources, please contact Leslie Weber (weber@ogschool.org).

OGS "Teacher of the Year" awards

The Oak Grove School Education Foundation continued its annual end-of-year tradition presenting the OGS "Teacher of the Year" awards. The purpose is to recognize and honor teachers and staff who had outstanding accomplishments during the school year. Nominees (1) demonstrated a commitment to self-improvement and personal development, (2) promoted learning and growing, (3) collaborated with others in sharing best practices and ideas, (4) had a positive rapport with students, and (5) contributed to the success of OGS.

There were three categories including: (1) K-4th grade, (2) 5th – 8th grade (3) and Student Services/Special Areas. Nominees were recommended by their colleagues and all nominations were reviewed by the Foundation Board of Directors. Each winner received a glass plaque and a check for $500.

Kelly Zanon won in the K-4th grade category. Here are some of the comments she received in her nominations:
“Every student that has had her falls in love with Ms. Zanon. She is kind, patient, and loving. It is evident from the number of older students that light up when they see her."

“I have never encountered a teacher so committed to learning more so that she can do her best for every one of her students. She is already incredibly knowledgeable but still finds the time to read more books, research more topics, and listen to more podcasts - she has a wealth of knowledge and she is always willing to share."

Matt Oesch won the 5th-8th grade category. Here are some of the comments he received in his nominations:
“The kids love Mr. Oesch because he makes it fun, innovative, and interesting. He puts in countless hours to educate himself and help his team be successful.”

“He is continuously improving to bring the best version of himself to the classroom.”

“He attends extra-curricular events to show support to the students and his coworkers.”

“Oak Grove School is a better place because of Mr. Oesch.”

Meg Oesch won the Student Services/Special Areas category. Here are some of the comments she received in her nominations:
“She is dedicated to Oak Grove and all who dwell in the halls. She puts effort into thinking about all that she can do and share to make it a better place. She takes small groups to help study for tests or find solutions to homework problems. She does PD for the math team this year in the building to keep us all growing and trying new ways to better teach our students. She is a real inspiration!”

“I am lucky to work with Meg Oesch and know that I have a person who will celebrate the highs and help me through the lows. She is a true super-hero in the math department.”

Thank you to all of our teachers, support staff, and nominees this year!

PTO News

Field Day Is This Week!
We are so excited that a fun-filled morning for ALL of Oak Grove is almost here! Please remind your students to wear their OGS spirit wear or blue and white. Many thanks to ALL that signed up to volunteer. This event is not possible without you! Details have been emailed to all volunteers. A frozen treat and bottled water will be offered during the event. Nutrition information is available here if needed. In the event of rain, the event will take place indoors. Please email Karin Pawlowski or Laura Reutzel if you have any questions, or did not receive volunteer details

Volunteer Bakers Needed
On Wednesday, May 31 the PTO will help provide baked goods for the Retiree/Student/Family get together taking place after school. If you are willing to provide baked goods for the event (homemade or store bought!), please sign up here. Items will be collected in the main office during the day on the 31. Please plan to drop off at school before 2 pm.

23-24 School Supply Orders
Pre-pack school supply sale is open! The PTO is partnering once again with Educational Products, Inc. (EPI). This company has put together individual school supply packs to match the current school supply list for 2023-2024 school year. You will find the prices online and also on the info sheet found in the virtual backpack. Just follow the link to their website. Type in our Oak Grove code OAK039 . Then find your grade level pre-pack needed and place your order. All of the non-consumable items are guaranteed for the year. If your student's binder, scissors, pencil bag, headphones, ruler etc. are damaged during the school year, the company will replace them. Place your order before June 4. After June 4 there will be a $10 late fee. No orders will be accepted after July 25. If you have any questions, please, contact Jennifer Liu at jen_hen@comcast.net.

Book Fair Popsicle Parties!
Congratulations to 4th and 5th graders for winning popsicle parties by donating the most money to the All for Books Dollar Challenge for Reading Power’s classrooms. We appreciate your generosity and enthusiasm for helping foster a love of reading among children in our neighboring communities.

Retirement Wishes

On Wednesday, May 31, current and former students of Mrs. Saia, Mrs. Koehler, and Mrs. Hamlin will be given the opportunity to say goodbye and wish them luck in their retirement.

Current Oak Grove students in grade levels 3-7 will be given a ten-minute time slot during the last hour of the day to go to the JH Cafe and meet with these teachers.

Former Oak Grove students are invited to meet from 3:45-4:45 pm on the Jr. High playground for their opportunity to say goodbye to the retiring teachers.

If you have any questions please email Jennifer McBride at mcbride@ogschool.org.