Oak Grove News

Superintendent Chat

OGS Severe Weather Response Plan
Dear Families,

It’s that time of year where weather can be unpredictable and we want to take a moment to revisit our inclement weather protocols with all of you. We make every effort to keep our school open, but sometimes circumstances beyond our control dictate that we close.  

Our administration refers to the National Weather Service (www.weather.gov) to monitor weather advisories and warnings. Additionally, we consult with administrators in neighboring districts when making closing decisions. To help you prepare for all possibilities, here are our cold weather guidelines:

Wind Chill Warning
A wind chill warning is typically issued when the wind chill will be -30 degrees Fahrenheit or colder OR the actual air temperature is -15°F.
• There is a high likelihood that all classes may be canceled. If the classes are canceled, OGS will offer a remote learning (e-learning) day.
• If classes are canceled, extracurricular activities will be suspended.
• Our BrightArrow system and website will be leveraged to communicate school cancellations to families.

Wind Chill Advisory
A wind chill advisory is typically issued when the wind chill is -20 degrees Fahrenheit or colder.
• There is a high likelihood that schools will be open; however, all outside activities will be suspended, including recess and outdoor physical education.
• Extracurricular activities may be suspended if conditions persist. Updates will be posted on our school website and parents will receive an email if after-school activities are canceled.
• Field trips may be canceled.

Communication 
If we were to cancel school, we will notify you through a BrightArrow call and email by 5:30 am that morning. OGS and D128 feeder school districts often wait until the morning to make that call because the weather in the Chicagoland area is constantly changing.  We will always make the call as early as possible so that our families can make arrangements.

If the administration believes there is a strong possibility for remote learning, teachers will be encouraged to send students home with the appropriate learning supplies in advance. NOTE: Depending on the circumstances of the situation, administration can always exercise an emergency day (or "snow day"), if remote learning is not in the best interest of the school community.

I would like to remind all families to consider now what kind of alternative childcare arrangements need to be made for your children should our school be closed for inclement weather or other related emergencies.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our school administration.

Thank you,

Allison

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From the Principal’s Desk

In this season of gratitude, we want you all to know how grateful we are for the enduring support you provide us in your kind messages of appreciation and encouragement, your volunteer efforts to keep our children developing their whole selves socially, emotionally, and academically, and your participation in the various community activities provided each year. We hope you feel like a partner in your child’s education, and we hope that you found parent teacher conferences informative of next steps for your child. Thank you for joining in our efforts to help your child reach success! We are grateful for each and every one of our Oak Grove families!

 

Community Outreach
U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (IL-10) launched the "Holiday Cards for Heroes" program for the 2022 holiday season. He also announced the opening of his annual competition to design his office's holiday card. For the "Holiday Cards for Heroes" program, Congressman Schneider invites constituents to drop off holiday cards for military service members at Congressman Schneider's District Office in Lincolnshire through Tuesday, December 12th. Please do not put the cards in sealed envelopes.

Staff will set up a drop box outside Congressman Schneider's District Office at 111 Barclay Blvd., Suite 200, Lincolnshire, IL.

For the Seventh Annual Holiday Card Design Competition, Congressman Schneider invites elementary school students in the Tenth District to submit artwork to be featured on the cover of his office Holiday Card. This year's theme is "Home for The Holidays," participants are encouraged to express what this phrase means to them through their card design.

Students may submit their entries by email to Jared.Rose@mail.house.gov. All submissions are due by Monday, December 9th, and the winner will be announced by early December. Please call (847) 383-4870 if you have any questions.

Code Ninjas Starting at OGS
Transform your child’s love for technology into an exciting learning adventure with an engaging game-based curriculum that teachers real coding skills! Code Ninjas Club will be held after-school at Oak Grove on Tuesdays for students in Grades 2-4 and on Thursdays for students in Grades 5-8. Space is limited! Register through THIS LINK. The flier information can be found in the Virtual Backpack.



 

Oak Grove Athletics and Spectators
Please remember that students staying after school to watch a game or match will need an adult chaperone. This is to ensure that all of our Oak Grove students are able to make it home safely once the event is over.

Reporting Student Absence - Reminder
We ask that parents please inform Oak Grove of any absences prior to or by 9:00 AM on the day of the absence: Oak Grove Front Office (847) 367-4120. If calling outside of office hours please select option 3 to report an absence.
When reporting an absence please identify the following items so that Oak Grove may accurately record the absence: Student’s first and last name - Please spell out the last name for clarity; Grade level and classroom/homeroom teacher; Name of parent/guardian calling as well as the contact phone where parent/guardian may be contacted; Identify the reason for absence (More information in Parent-Student Handbook).

Pupils may be released during regular school hours for appointments with a doctor or dentist; however, the school discourages the practice of instructional interruptions. When a student’s release from school is absolutely necessary, parents need to send an email to ogsofficestaff@ogschool.org, explaining the reason and the time for leaving. When a parent arrives at school for the child’s pick up, the parent should call the Main Office, 847-367-4120, and the child will be released to the parent.

Cold Weather Attire
Students will continue enjoying arrival and lunch recess as long as the temperature is at or above 10 degrees fahrenheit. To comfortably play in the cold and snow, we encourage students to wear snowpants, boots, winter coats, gloves, hats, and scarves. If your child is in need of any of these cold weather items please contact Mrs. Barnabee - barnabee@ogschool.org.

SEL Update
Spirit week starts today! HERE is the flier for the week. Please help us celebrate our Soaring Eagles! and empathy throughout the week.

Mental Health Minute
The SEL theme for November is Empathy. Studies have shown that genuine empathy begins to develop in children as young as two years old! If you’re interested and are looking for some more information then please click HERE for our November Mental Health Minute.  

Important Dates
11/28: Girls BB vs Edgewood @ 4:30 PM
11/30: Girls BB @ Highland 4:30 PM
12/1:  Boys BB vs Edgewood @ 4:30 PM
12/3:  Winter Market - PTO JH Gym
12/5:  Wrestling Begins @ 3:30 PM, Boys BB @ Northwood 4:30 PM
12/6:  Girls BB @ Milburn 4:30 PM, Concert Band in Pat Patt Gym 6:30 PM
12/7:  PTO Mtg @ 9:30 AM, PTO BreakSk8 Assemblies, Boys BB vs Lake Bluff @ 4:15 PM
12/8:  Girls BB @ Northwood 4:30 PM
12/12: DEI Virtual Mtg 5:30 PM
12/13: COW @ 6:00 PM, BOE @ 7:15 PM
12/21: Wrestling @ Viking
12/23-1/8: Winter Break - No School
1/9: School Resumes

Curriculum Corner

Spotlight on STEM
Our elementary students have been having so much fun while learning a lot about the engineering design process in STEM class with Mr. Henneberry!  In October, students designed pumpkin elevators.

This month, first and third graders designed objects using pattern blocks and got to share their designs. Fifth graders tested their aqueducts. Seventy percent of the groups were successful in moving their water. Way to go, engineers!!! 

Middle school students are learning about the essential and peripheral nervous systems through Project Lead the Way.  The 6th and 7th graders are designing and demonstrating how our neurons work. They will be designing a neuron and showing the function through a GIF animation. These medical detectives are working hard!

 

Family Traditions Collage
Oak Grove School wants to highlight the traditions our families celebrate year round! Please attach a photo to the Google Form which will be added to a collage hung in the hallways of OGS! Photos will be accepted from now through Monday, December 12. We can’t wait to showcase our students and their families!

Band News
We hope you had a restful break over the past week! Now the band department is kicking into high gear with lots of performances coming up:

Symphonic Band students have the opportunity to perform in small groups for the Winter Market on Saturday, December 3 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. If your musician is interested in taking advantage, please write to Mr. Jones (jones@ogschool.org). This event (and next week’s Concert Band Concert) are a great way to earn Hones Society service hours. 

Concert Band has its first trimester performance on Tuesday, December 6 at 6:30 p.m. Our performance is here at OG in the Patt Gym. Details to come out to our performers’ families regarding call times and attire. New this year, any interested Symphonic Band students wishing for some extra performance time may sign-up to perform in small ensembles.

Jazz Band has our Jazz Café Concert on Wednesday, December 14 at 6:30 p.m. Come for an evening filled with fun music and yummy treats! We would love families (open to all Grovers) to donate their favorite bake goods or some festive decorations for all to enjoy. You can sign-up here or email one of the directors for more information (jones@ogschool.org or frankowski@ogschool.org).

If your child is interested in private lessons on their instruments, please contact one of the directors. This great to help your child hone their skills on their specific instrument and prepare for auditions (high school or district band) or solo/ensemble festival. 

Who: 7th graders supporting PADS of Lake County
https://www.padslakecounty.org

What: We are collecting the following items and making welcome packages  for people transitioning into stable housing  and we are also making personal care kits for those still needing shelter at PADS. If you can provide one or many of the items listed below it will assist the 7th graders and help many needy people this winter.

Welcome Packages
(4 pack of toilet paper, 2 pack of paper towel, hand soap, dish soap, all purpose cleaner, pack of sponges, dish towel, clorox wipes, small container of laundry detergent)

Personal care kits
(travel size shampoo, bath gel, toothpaste, toothbrush, travel size lotion, razors)

When: December 1st-21st

Why: We are supporting people in need and giving back to the community. A perfect SEL lesson for everyone.

Don’t forget Penny Wars, too! Whose IE class will have the most active helping hands? Are your classmates up to the challenge? (pennies are positive points and silver and paper are negative for the other team….what is your strategy?)

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PTO

Join Us At the OGS Winter Market
Please plan to shop the OGS Winter Market on Saturday, December 3 from 9am-12pm. We need more adult helpers so please sign up for a shift if you are able. Volunteer here!

• Secret Shopping Village: Students can pay at the Secret Shopping Village using cash or pre-paid voucher. Purchase vouchers online in advance at www.funhgs.com. If your student doesn’t spend the full amount of their voucher, the cashiers will return change in cash. Please print and fill out the attached form so your individual authorization code is ready at checkout.
• Stan’s Donuts: Stan's Donuts will join us again this year! We encourage you to pre-order which will guarantee your donuts - presale closes 48 hours prior to the event. Place your pre-orders here. A limited amount of donuts will be available for onsite purchase. See the flier in the Virtual Backpack for more information.
• Vendor Market: We have 12 confirmed vendors participating in the Vendor Market this year. Come out and support local businesses!

Book Fair Thank You!
Thank you OGS Families for making our K-5 Fall Book Fair a HUGE success! Because of you, we were able to purchase books for every K-5 teacher who filled a Wish List Basket. Your generosity brought smiles to so many faces. We hope your kids had as much fun as we did! We can't wait to see everyone again at the Spring Buy One, Get One Book Fair. Until then, Happy Reading! 

 

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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