From Superintendent Sherman
Today our administration was excited to welcome back our teachers and staff as we prepare to meet students at our doors this Wednesday. In advance of our first day, I wanted to briefly update you on a few items related to our health protocols. We currently remain under our Governor's Executive Order which mandates masking for all students and staff indoors at school. We know our community shares varying viewpoints on this requirement, but it is still one that is legally binding for Oak Grove to follow. As I have done in the past, I will continue to share updates with families on our health metrics through OG News or email blasts, and our administration will let our families know of any COVID-19 positive cases amongst students or staff this year.
Our county and zip code incidence rates for COVID-19 cases still register in the "High" category according to the CDC metric indicators. Our staff is prepared and will be implementing all mitigation measures outlined in our recent webinars beginning on Wednesday. Finally, as of last week, the IDPH is releasing vaccination rates by zip code. Our zip code vaccination rate registers at 62.96% fully vaccinated and 67.47% having received one dose as of 8.10.21. Please note -- the denominator for this rate is the total population of individuals in our zip code, including those currently not eligible for the vaccine at this time. These rates place us at the top of the second highest CDC tier for vaccination rate -- which is great news.
We look forward to seeing your child(ren) soon! And before I end this note, I want to send a quick shout-out to six special Kindergarten students -- Keegan, Lucy, Jaxson, Maggie, Kate, and Mariana -- who weathered a broken-down bus with their Superintendent on their way to our Kindergarten Kick-Off event last Friday. You brought me many smiles while playing rounds of "I-Spy" as we awaited our "rescue." You, and the hundreds of other Oak Grovers, are why we are here and who we will protect and grow under our care. And Wednesday's ride is guaranteed to be much quicker!
Board Vacancy
There is currently a vacancy on the Oak Grove School District 68 Board of Education due to the resignation of Amy Franz. Ms. Franz’s resignation occurred July 28, 2021. In keeping with the legal requirements that the Board appoint a successor within the 60-day period, the Board is now seeking applicants who are interested in being appointed to the Board of Education and serve until the next consolidated general election which will occur in April 2023. The pending appointment is for the remaining balance of the term for Amy Franz.
Residents interested in applying to become a member of the Oak Grove 68 Board of Education should submit a one-page letter of interest, along with a resume, to be received by the close of business (4:30 pm) on Aug. 20, 2021. Submissions can be made by email to Board President, Krysia Ressler (ressler@ogschool.org). Each submission will be acknowledged upon receipt.
The one-page letter of interest should address the following:
· Why are you interested in becoming a member of the Board of Education?
· What could you offer Oak Grove District 68?
· What prior experience/involvement have you had with the school district?
All applicants need to meet the legal requirements to be a member of the Board of Education. A Board of Education member must be, on the date of appointment, a United States citizen of at least 18 years of age, a registered voter, and a resident of Illinois and District 68 for at least one year preceding the appointment. Reasons making an individual ineligible for Board membership include holding an incompatible office and certain types of State and federal employment. A child sex offender, as defined in State law, is ineligible for Board of Education membership.
Candidates for office need to file a Statement of Economic Interest with the Lake County Clerk. The form can be downloaded from the Lake County website.
Once letters of interest have been received, it is the Board’s intent to interview all candidates the evening of Sept. 8, 2021. The goal of the Board of Education is to appoint the new member and administer the oath of office on Sept. 21, 2021. Please direct questions to Allison Sherman, Superintendent of Schools, at asherman@ogschool.org.
Curriculum Corner
Hello Oak Grove Community,
Welcome back! As we return to school, we have all been preparing to support our students, socially, emotionally, and academically. All of our teachers will be focusing on building relationships and community within their classroom and supporting our students as they return to school this year. Ms. Keifer, our SEL teacher, is excited to get back into classrooms and work with both students and teachers this year.
We will be administering the iReady assessment, in both reading and mathematics the week of August 23rd. The assessment is not a timed assessment and students can work at their own pace. Even our earliest learners take the same assessment so the data can be analysed from kindergarten through grade 8. The information gathered from this assessment will help guide instruction and support and enrich students within various skills. We will also be using iReady Learning Paths again this year to support students in their learning pathway.
Thank you for your continued partnership with Oak Grove and we are all looking forward to a wonderful school year.
From the Desk of Mrs. B
The following important resources will help new and returning families stay connected throughout the school year:
Extended Day After School Care: Extended Day Flyer, Extended Day Parent Handbook, Extended Day Registration Form
Bus Routes and Times: AM Bus Stops, PM Bus Stops
Directions for ordering Marla’s Lunch options
From the School Nurses
Parents,
Below are links to information about Oak Grove's testing program this year. There are four options for testing and parental consent forms enclosed. Please read through each information sheet carefully, and choose the best option(s) for your child. Please contact one of the school nurses with questions. We are asking for consent forms to be returned by this Friday, August 20, to support the start of our testing programs within the next two weeks. Thank you!
PTO News
Chalk The Walk - 8/17
Help us "Chalk The Walk" at OGS to surprise students and staff on the first morning of school! On Tuesday, August 17th from 4:30-7:30pm drop by the school with sidewalk chalk and design a few areas of sidewalk! If you’re in need of sidewalk chalk, the PTO will have a limited amount on hand for volunteers. You don’t need to stay the whole time, and we will have Pinterest ideas for you to copy if you don't have design inspiration! This is for grown-ups only since we want this to be a surprise!
Family Fest - 8/22
This Sunday, August 22nd from 11am-2pm, the PTO is hosting Family Fest to kick off the 2021-2022 school year. There will be games and activities for the whole family including the Teacher Dunk Tank, 2-Liter Ring Toss, Crafts, Yard Games, and more! New this year, the Kona Ice Truck will be selling flavored ice and will be donating a portion of proceeds to the PTO! Some activities do require tickets - Paypal is preferred, but cash will be accepted. Food/snacks will be available for purchase.
We are still looking for a few more volunteers to make this event a success! Parents and Jr. High-aged siblings are welcome to volunteer. Please sign up for a 1-hour shift by following this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e4facac2ea1fb6-family All of the jobs are easy and fun, and this is a great way to get involved in the PTO!
If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Stone (drignat@gmail.com) or Jennifer Davis (jeculp@hotmail.com).
First PTO Meeting - 8/25
Please mark your calendar to join us for the first PTO meeting of the year on August 25th at 6:30pm in the Professional Development room. Masks will be required for all in attendance, and we will have a Zoom option for anyone who prefers to attend virtually. The meeting agenda; minutes from the May 26, 2021 meeting; and a Zoom link will be shared in a separate email.
Lunch Volunteering Signups are Open!
We are thrilled to share that parent volunteers are welcome AND needed during lunchtime this year. If you have never been a lunchroom volunteer before, the job is very easy. You will help the onsite representatives from Marla’s Lunch distribute meals to the appropriate kids and then help OGS staff and students during the lunch period with whatever needs arise. You can signup for as many or few days as you can accommodate. Many people like to signup on/near their students’ birthday to see them on their special day!
Elementary (K-4) lunch volunteer sign up form:
Junior High (5-8) lunch volunteer sign up form:
New Family Night - Thank you!
More than 100 new OGS families joined us for New Family Night 2021. They heard presentations from various members of the community including Administration, the PTO, OGSEF, and Marla’s lunch. They also went on tours of the school with awesome parent and student volunteers. Thank you to everyone who volunteered at this event and a special thanks to Amber Rynes for her leadership as New Family Welcome Chairperson. We welcome all new OGS families and look forward to getting to know you this year!
Virtual Backpack
Oak Grove School Board of Education
Click HERE to view Board Agenda and Minutes
Email: boe@ogschool.org
Website: www.ogschool.org
Location: 1700 S. O'Plaine Rd. Green Oaks, IL 60048
Phone: 847.367.4120
