Oak Grove News

Message from the Principal

Student Recognition
Max G. (7th Grade) was nominated as the first chair tuba player for the All Illinois Junior Band Festival (AIJB) held each January at the University of Illinois. We are so proud of him! 

Student Council Updates

Fine Arts Newsletter
Please click HERE for the October 2023 issue of the Fine Arts Newsletter!

Mental Health Minute - Empathy continued
Below are some strategies for teaching empathy at any age are: 

• Model empathy - Any time you want to teach a skill to a child, it’s important to model it yourself. This way, the child understands what empathy looks like, sounds like and feels like. Plus, it’s easier to teach a skill that you’ve already mastered yourself. 
• Discuss emotions - Talk openly about emotions rather than dismissing or burying them. 
• Help out at home, in the community, or globally - Helping others develop kindness and caring. It can also give children the opportunity to interact with people of diverse backgrounds, ages, and circumstances, making it easier to show empathy for all people. 
• Praise empathetic behavior - When your child shows empathy for others, praise the behavior. Focusing on and encouraging empathetic behavior encourages more of it in the future.

Important Dates
11/27/23: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committee virtual meeting 5:30 pm
12/2/23: PTO Winter Market
12/4/23 - 12/8/23: Aimsweb Testing
12/6/23: Band Concert 6:30 pm
12/7/23: PTO Meeting, PD Room 6:30 pm 
12/8/23: Winter Dance, Grades 6-8, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm (See details above)
12/19/23: BoE Mtgs; CoW 6:00, 7:15 Capital Fund Transfer Hearing & Regular Mtg 7:17 (JH Cafe)

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

Curriculum Corner

Aimsweb Winter Testing
Aimsweb testing begins on Friday. This benchmark assessment uncovers learning gaps quickly, identifies at-risk students, and assesses growth at the individual and group levels. The data will be reviewed by the interventionists and classroom teachers to support students’ needs moving forward. The assessment is given in both reading and math in grades K-5, and reading only in grades 6-8.

iReady Winter Benchmark
iReady is a district administered assessment in reading and mathematics used to measure growth relative to national and local grade level peers. This benchmark assessment is given three times a year. Beginning December 11, all K-8 students will take the winter iReady diagnostic assessment in reading and math. Teachers will use this assessment data, as well as classroom data to identify areas to support individual student learning. Specific testing dates and times will be shared by the classroom teacher. Reports for both assessments will be shared with families following testing.

Please help your child(ren):

• Charge his/her iPad or laptop at home prior to test day
• Bring headphones for testing
• Get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast 

For more information, please see the iReady Family Presentation.

PTO News

Place Spirit Wear Orders This Week
Now’s your chance to show off the new Oak Grove logo! The newest spiritwear collection is available HERE now through November 29. If you are gifting spiritwear to your kids for a holiday and would like to keep it a secret, MAKE NOTE when checking out in the slot marked ‘Student name/grade/teacher name’. The PTO will reach out to you when your order is ready and let you know where you can pick it up. If you have already ordered and would like to do this option, please contact Courtney or Christine. 

OGS Winter Market THIS Saturday
Join us this Saturday, December 2 from 9:00 am-12:00 pm for the annual OGS Winter Market.

• Younger shoppers will enjoy the Secret Shopping Village to surprise their family and friends for any gifting occasion. Gifts range in price from $1 to $20 and shoppers can pay by cash. If your student will need help managing their budget, Shopping Assistants will be available!
• Be sure to place your Duck Donuts order in advance for pick-up in the OGS JH Cafe. The deadline to order is Wednesday 11/29. We will have Lee Donuts available to purchase on-site as well as hot beverages and water.
• Local makers and sellers will have booths in the JH Cafe and in the halls with unique gift options.
• VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We still need a number of volunteers to make this event a success. Jobs for adults include cashiers, wrappers and helpers for set-up and clean-up. Jobs for students (7th and 8th graders only) include Secret Shopping Assistants and helpers for set-up and clean-up. Adult volunteers can sign up here and student volunteers can sign up here. 
• If you have any questions about this event, please contact Kate Byers.

Mark Your Calendar for One Sweet Evening
Head to Sugarville on December 15 for a sweet end to the school day! Stop by Sugarville for some ice cream, candy, and hot cocoa from 4-8 pm, and they’ll donate a portion to the PTO. Crave away!

Book Fair Thank Yous
Our K-5 Fall Book Fair was a major success! Thanks to your participation, we were able to add books to each K-5 teacher’s classroom library. We had so much fun seeing your students and helping them shop - we hope they had as much fun as we did. Thank you to Catie Gelbmann and Melanie Lee for chairing the book fair and thank you to the many volunteers who served as cashiers and shopping helpers. We look forward to seeing everyone again in May for the BOGO Spring Book Fair. Until then, happy reading!

THANKFUL For Your Generosity
Our hearts are full from the response to the Community Gives Back Thanksgiving event benefiting the homeless children of Lake County with Fill a Heart 4 Kids. We had more than 140 people attend and countless others donate products. We packed 250+ meals and donated $1000+ in McDonalds gift cards. 
A big thank you to Ashley Wilson for coordinating the event and to Laura Buerstatte who helped with communication. Thank you as well to Jen Tippett, Melody Lyon and Geniene Dillon (and Ashley Wilson’s parents) who jumped in at the last minute to haul and unpack boxes.