Oak Grove News

From the Principal’s Desk
Mr. Murray and I would like to continue to help inform parents about the restorative practice strategies that staff are using to address negative student behaviors that occur during the school day. Over the next two months we will try to include articles that highlight best practices in restorative strategies. One misconception that needs to be clarified first is regarding consequences at OGS. To be clear, we do provide consequences for student misbehavior. We match the consequence to the behavior. As explained in our Parent-Student Handbook, “We recognize that each child has individual needs and staff will evaluate and handle each disciplinary situation based on the context and child/ren involved.”

In our Parent-Student Handbook we explain the philosophy of discipline at OGS on p. 13, “As a learning institution, our focus is on helping each child learn from their mistakes, including misbehavior and the restorative practices that may be needed after a negative behavior occurs.” If and when possible, staff use restorative strategies to help the student who made a transgression acknowledge the effects caused by misbehavior and to create a plan for how to repair the harm caused to other individuals. “The No Punishment Guide…” article, found for us by Mrs. Zurawski, highlights proactive strategies for students who cause disruptive behavior in class, especially for students who are challenged by ADD or ADHD. We look forward to sharing more information on restorative strategies in the coming weeks.

World Language Survey for Incoming 6th graders 
As we prepare for the 23-24 school year we would like to know if your child would prefer French or Spanish as they continue their educational experience at Oak Grove. Families of 5th-grade students sent out login instructions earlier today. If you are the parent of a current 5th-grade student and you do not receive your World Language Survey login instructions, please let Dave Huber know at huber@ogschool.org.

If you're looking for more information about the World Language program in the middle school at Oak Grove please click here:
World Language in Middle School at Oak Grove.

Mental Health Minute
As we continue into the month of December, we are encouraging our students, staff, and community to demonstrate gratitude. When working with children it is beneficial to ask several questions to help children experience the multiple components of gratitude. To find out more, please click HERE to read the latest edition of the Mental Health Minute. 

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 winter break. We can’t wait to showcase our students and their families! In addition, students will be participating in drawing and writing about traditions in their classrooms this week.

Late Bus Update
This year Durham Bus Company has continued to have staffing challenges that have resulted in three late buses. The late afternoon buses have been 2, 4, and 8. As they continue with their staffing challenges, we have asked the bus company to switch which buses are late each day. Unfortunately, due to route logistics and the drivers’ schedules they are only able to make the switch at the year’s midway point. They agreed to make the switch starting January 9, 2023, when we return from winter break. Afternoon buses 1, 13, and 15 will stay late after winter break until the end of the school year. Afternoon buses 2, 4, and 8 will be the first three buses to leave each afternoon, with the drivers returning to OGS to make the second run for afternoon buses 1, 13, and 15.

Paraprofessionals needed!

Important Dates
12/12: Staff Meeting 3:30-4:30 pm; DEI Virtual Mtg 5:30 pm
12/13: COW @ 6:00 pm, Levy Hearing @ 7:15 BOE @ 7:18 pm
12/14: Jazz Cafe @ 6:30 pm Jr High Cafe
12/16: K-3 Marriott Theater Trip
12/21: Wrestling @ Viking
12/22: K-4 Class Parties
12/23-1/8: Winter Break - No School

January
1/9: School Resumes
1/11: PTO Mtg @ 6:30pm (*2nd Wednesday due to Winter Break)
1/13: PTO Spirit Day
1/16: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School
1/17: COW @ 6:00 pm, BOE @ 7:15 pm

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Curriculum Corner

Computer Science Week

Computer Science Week, recognized nationally December 6-12, promotes the importance of computer science education. Research shows that the jobs in the Computer Science field are expected to grow by 13% by 2026. Teachers will be working with students this week and next on some activities like Hour of Code. If families would like to participate at home, we encourage you to visit https://hourofcode.com/us/learn. Scratch and Scratch Jr. (ages 5-7) are other free web-based apps that introduce programming language to children. Children can create their own interactive stories and games! Check them out at home!

TAG Committee Meeting

This past week, the TAG committee met. This is a year of learning for the committee, and the first article we read titled, Enrichment versus Acceleration, allowed the committee to understand types of acceleration and how those are utilized to best support our learners at Oak Grove School. We look forward to learning much more this year about gifted education while evaluating the current programming in the district.

Long Formal Dresses Needed!
The OGS Drama Department needs old bridesmaid and prom dresses for this year’s 8th Grade Play!
This year the Oak Grove Fine Arts Department and the talented 8th Grade students will be performing Frozen Jr. on February 22, 23, 24.  You can help Elsa’s Coronation Ball to be truly fabulous by donating your old bridesmaid and prom dresses.  The dresses must be long - no short skirts or spandex can be used. Please see the photos below for examples. 

Please drop off dresses in the office or ask your child to drop them off in Ms. Ludington’s classroom.   Dresses will NOT be returned.

 

 

 

 

Can you sew? 
Master and novice sewing volunteers are needed this year to help with costumes for the 8th Grade Play- Frozen, Jr. Please fill out this Sewing Volunteer Form if you are interested in helping. Thank you!
 

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Student Council News
Student Council will be hosting a Holiday Happenings on December 16 from 5:30-7:30 for 7th and 8th graders.  The event will be held in Jr High Cafeteria & Jr High Gym. Admission is either an unwrapped toy or $5.00. Concessions will be sold at the event.

 

News from the Libraries
Are you looking for great gifts for your student, niece, or nephew, that "hard to buy for" uncle or aunt, or grab-bag gifts?  Maybe something to read to start the new year off?

Here are some suggestions for wonderful books for children:
https://bccb.ischool.illinois.edu/blueribbons/2021-blue-ribbons/
https://www.slj.com/page/best-books-2022

Here are some suggestions for a relative that loves crime novels:
https://www.slj.com/page/best-books-2022

Start the year with a list of to-do lists for life:
https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/Reading-Listopia
 
Have a wonderful winter break and a happy, healthy New Year!

PTO News

Grades 5-8 Domino's Pizza Lunch on Thur, Dec. 22nd
The PTO will be purchasing cheese pizzas for Grades 5-8 on Thursday, December 22nd to kick off winter break. A small number of individual gluten free pizzas will also be available. Nutrition information for the pizza & sides will be sent out in an email prior to December 22. If your student cannot or would rather not eat the lunch provided, please send them to school with a lunch. Any previously ordered Marla's lunches for that day will receive an account credit.

Morning Recess Volunteers Needed on 12/21
We are looking for 2 more volunteers on Wednesday, December 21st from 7:40-8:15 AM to help supervise the Junior High playground. This is when OGS will host its staff holiday breakfast and we want all of the playground supervisors to attend the breakfast as well. Please sign up here.

Amazon Smile Donations
Are you donating to the PTO using your Amazon Smile account? Amazon Smile is a simple way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. Amazon Smile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases when you select “Oak Grove District PTO Inc.” on your account profile. Every little bit helps the PTO, and it is a simple and free way for you to help!

Favorite Things Lists
In this giving season, don’t forget to access the Staff’s Favorite Things lists available here.

Mark Your Calendar!
As you look ahead to 2023, hold these dates on your calendar:

• January 31 - February 2, 2023 Jr. High Book Fair (5th-8th)
• February 4, 2023 Girl & Guest Dance (6:30-8:30pm)
• March 11, 2023 Son+One Glow Bowl (6:00-8:00pm)
• April 14, 2023 Variety Show (show times TBD)

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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