Oak Grove News

Message from Mrs. B
As we prepare for this year's Parent Teacher Conferences - scheduled for November 21-22, 2022 - we would like to know which type of conference you prefer. The information you provide will help us determine in our system how much time we should devote to in-person or virtual conferences. We will do our best to accommodate your preference. PLEASE RESPOND through THIS LINK BY NOON ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022.

SEL (Grades K-5): What’s Happening this week?
Spirit week is here! The mismatched socks are everywhere! Thank you all for your participation and we look forward to seeing the other outfits as the week progresses (September Spirit Week Flyer).

In class, our students are working on being assertive. It is important to model, teach, and encourage students how to advocate for themselves. Also, students are building connections and developing relationships with their peers. For more information, please visit the Oak Grove SEL website.

Suicide Awareness Month
As we wrap up the month of September, it is important to identify resources that are available for suicide prevention. If you’re looking for information on who to contact with when support is needed, important facts, or additional information then please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website as well as Oak Grove’s crisis resources.

Elyssa’s Mission - Families of 6-8 grade students
The community-based organization was founded in 2006 in honor of Elyssa, a bright, gifted and outgoing Chicagoland girl who bravely battled post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Elyssa’s Mission® provides hands-on support to area public and private schools in order to educate students, staff, parents and guardians on how to recognize and assist those teens most at-risk.

To proactively address this issue, Oak Grove School is partnering for a fourth year with Elyssa’s Mission to offer depression and suicide prevention training. To learn more, please review the 22-23 Elyssa’s Mission: Family Letter

Digital Citizenship Tip of the Week
Are you looking for some tips regarding social media and your child/ren? If so, please take a look at the NetSmartz resource on some numbers, how to talk about social media usage, and some additional resources.

SEL Survey: Fall
All students in grades K-8 will take a brief SEL survey during the week of October 17th. Please take a few minutes to review the 22-23 SEL Survey: Family Letter for additional information. If you have any questions, please contact Ryan Murrray at murray@ogschool.org.
 
 
Mental Health Minute
The Soaring Eagles! Theme for September is relationships. Please take a brief minute to read the Oak Grove Mental Health Minute: Relationships.

Important Dates

• 9/27: 7th/8th Girls Volleyball at Milburn 4:15-6:15 PM, Cross-Country at Milburn   4:30-5:30 PM, Talk Tuesday 6-7:30 PM in PD Conf Rm (Parents Welcome) - see curriculum corner below!
• 9/29: 8th Gr. Girls Volleyball Tournament at Milburn 4:15-8:15 PM
• 9/30: Hawthorn Cross-Country Invitational 4:15-5:15 PM
• 10/5: PTO Mtg @ 9:30 PD Room
• 10/7: Teacher Institute-No school, Preference for Parent-Teacher conferences due (THIS LINK)
• 10/10: Columbus Day-No school

Free and Reduced Application
Families are encouraged to complete and submit the application for free and reduced-price meals, and for fee waiver applications.  Both can be found on the District website for consideration at www.ogschool.org/business/parent-forms.
 
The income eligibility guidelines for the 2022-23 school year can be accessed below:
Fiscal Year 2023 Income Eligibility Guidelines (ISBE)
 
If you have questions or would like to speak about this, please contact Steve Cummins, Director of Business at scummins@ogschool.org or 817-367-4120 ext. 2003.

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PTO Week of 9/26/22

12 Days Left to Order Caramel Apples!  Back by popular demand, the PTO is proudly partnering with Rocky Mountain Chocolate  Factory to offer five varieties of delicious caramel apples and gift cards in two denominations!

• Order Dates: Monday, September 19 - Friday, October 7 ORDER HERE
• Pick-up Dates: Friday, October 14 10am-9pm -OR- Saturday, October 15 10am-9pm

IMPORTANT: If you do not pick up on the 14th or 15th, your order will no longer be available and cannot be reimbursed.
Within 24-48 hours of completion of the order form linked above you will receive a PayPal invoice from the PTO with the amount due. All payments must be received by Sunday, October 9. Unpaid orders will not be submitted.
 
Questions regarding ordering or payment? Contact Kate Byers at kateGbyers@gmail.com.
Questions about this fundraiser? Contact Erin Liebgott at ellieb1314@gmail.com.
 

PTO Standing Rules for Review & Vote
At the September PTO meeting, the Standing Rules document was introduced and discussed. Following the advice of both PTO Today and legal counsel the Exec Board drafted Standing Rules for the PTO after the completion of last year’s Bylaws update. Standing Rules is a separate document that is meant to enhance and augment the Bylaws. The Standing Rules delineate operating procedures of our organization (guidance for how the organization runs day-to-day) versus the Bylaws that dictate how we are governed. Prior to the upcoming meeting on October 5th, all members have the opportunity to review and provide feedback. Please follow this link to review and share any comments or questions with president@ogspto.org.
 

PTO Meeting Next Week
The next PTO meeting will be next Wednesday, October 5th at 9:30am. The agenda will be made available on Facebook later this week and will include a debut of the new PTO website as well as votes on the Standing Rules document and at least one request for funds under $500. If you are unable to attend the meeting and would like to request a proxy ballot to participate in the vote please contact PTO Secretary ElisabethACobb@gmail.com. Proxy ballots must be requested by EOD, Friday, September 30 and must be submitted in a sealed and signed envelope to the PTO Mailbox by 1 hour prior to the start of the meeting.
 

Helping Hands
Each year the Oak Grove PTO raises money to support its Helping Hands program. Funds from Helping Hands are directed towards OGS students experiencing financial hardships.  Below is a non-exhaustive list of the items and events covered under the program.

• Winter wear (coats, snow pants, hats, gloves, boots)
• Clothing (any kind)
• Shoes (any kind)
• Lunches
• Lost library book fees
• School club/activity fees
• School sports fees
• Field trip fees
• Spirit wear items
• Family dance tickets
• Books and trinkets at school book fairs
• School supplies 

Please contact OGS Principal, Jennifer Barnabee at barnabee@ogschool.org, with any needs or fill out the google form provided (access via the link or QR code on the left), which will go directly to Ms. Barnabee.  Although the PTO funds and helps coordinate the logistics of the program with OGS staff, no identifying information of the students will be revealed to PTO representatives. Requests are treated as confidential by OGS administration and staff.
 

Curriculum Corner 9/26/22

September Talk Tuesday - Reminder
Please join us this week on Tuesday from 6:00-7:30pm in the PD room for our first Talk Tuesday. We will share information updating families about current Illinois State Board of Education mandated units of study, as well as the Sexual Health and Education standards and programming. We will also be sharing information on Oak Grove course trajectories in core subjects for grades 6 through 8 and the sequence of these courses through high school. Finally, we will discuss TAG services and the placement appeal process. Talk Tuesday slide decks will be available on the Oak Grove website after each session; there is no RSVP for this session.

Fall Placement Appeals
Parents/guardians of students in grades 4-7 can request an additional review of student placement for consideration into Oak Grove’s talented and gifted (TAG) program for the 2022-23 school year. Families can appeal placement for a child in ELA and/or Math once per calendar year which is reviewed by the Advisory Council. This process is discussed on pages 11 and 12 of the TAG Handbook. To initiate an appeal, please complete the Parent Feedback form (please print or make a copy) and email to Leslie Weber (weber@ogschool.org) and Alexa Dunn (adunn@ogschool.org) by Friday, October 7. In completion of the form, please do not reference your child by name when providing examples and explanations. All student information is to remain anonymous when reviewed by the Advisory Council. Parents will be notified via email regarding the testing process and a final decision about placement made by the Advisory Council.

STEM FEST at NIU
STEM Fest is a celebration of all things science, technology, engineering and math. This free event is held each year in October on the campus of Northern Illinois University and features more than 100 exhibits, speakers, and demonstrations designed to inspire and engage guests of all ages with opportunities for STEM learning. It is one of the largest free family events in northern Illinois.  https://niusteam.niu.edu/kids-families/stem-fest

Board Briefs
Board Briefs are a quick summary of each School Board Meetings. The official minutes will be posted in the Agenda section after the Board Minutes have been approved at the following month's meeting. CLICK HERE for the September 2022 Board Briefs.

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.

 

 

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