Message from the Principal

Winter Break
I wanted to take a brief moment to express my gratitude for your dedication to your child/ren's education. Thank you for your continuous support and commitment to Oak Grove. As a reminder, winter break begins on December 25th and ends on January 5th. Please stay safe, and we look forward to seeing you all back at school on January 8th, 2024.

Battle of the Books
4th-8th grade students participating in Battle of the Books remember to keep reading your four books. The Battles start the week of March 11! Don't let your team down!

2024 Illinois Youth Survey
The Illinois Youth Survey (IYS) is a survey of 8th, 10th and 12th graders, funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services. It gathers information about a variety of health and social indicators including drug use and perceptions, violence, bullying, depression, perceptions of school climate, nutrition and fitness. The IYS results in a statewide report that is used by local and state policymakers.  For more information: Visit the IYS website to see the 2024 IYS survey questions, sample school report, and to learn more about IYS.  Oak Grove students will be completing the Illinois Youth Survey on January 25th.  If you do not want your child to participate in this survey, please email Assistant Principal Joe O’Malley, omalley@ogschool.org, to officially opt-out of the survey. 

Student Recognition
Oak Grove Chess placed 2nd amongst all the U400-rated players on Dec 10th, 2023, 143rd Kumbaya Chess Tournament at Niles North High School. This tournament is an officially recognized tournament by the United States Chess Federation, the governing body of chess in the U. S. I would like to recognize 3rd graders Asher and Irene Liu. 

Mental Health Minute
Five Ways to Teach Children Gratitude - Children’s book ideas...Amazon links provided below!

Thank You Bear
Winter's Gifts
Those Shoes
My First Gratitude Journal
When Stars Are Scattered
White Bird

Important Dates
12/19/23 - Board of Education Meeting (JH Cafe); Committee of the Whole - 6:30pm, Capital Transfer Fund Hearing - 7:15pm,  Regular Meeting - 7:17pm  
12/22/23 - Classroom Winter Parties in Grades K through 4 (More details from grade level communications)
12/25/23 - Winter Break Begins
1/8/24 - School Resumes 

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

Literacy Pilot Update
Beginning in January, teachers will be piloting a second literacy program. This is part of the planned 5-year curriculum review cycle in order to adopt an updated, research-aligned literacy curriculum beginning next school year. Select teachers and classrooms in grades 1-3, and grades 4 and 5 will utilize Great Minds Wit & Wisdom. Grades 6-8 will utilize Savvas MyPerspectives. Teachers received training and time to plan in order to execute the delivery of the program. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child(ren)’s teacher. At the end of the pilot process, teachers will complete a rubric to compare resources and make a recommendation. The recommended resource will be available for stakeholders to review in the spring. 

iReady Benchmark Reports
Reports will be sent home to families via email on January 10.

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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