Oak Grove News

We thank everyone for their continued cooperation during morning drop off at school. Winter always brings more parent drop offs in the morning and with it, more traffic. It is important that we continue to be as efficient as possible, so that we can get our students to class on time, and keep everyone safe in the parking lots. It can take several minutes for students to walk to their lockers and then get to class. If you drop them off even a couple of minutes early, they can still be tardy to class, so please account for the time it takes to get inside, get to their lockers, and then get to class.

Here are a few reminders:

• School starts at 8:20. Students should be in class at that time, not just in the building.
• Parent drop offs before 8:20 should take place in the upper, Junior High parking lot.
• Please exit your children on the right (sidewalk) side of your vehicle, for their safety.
• In ALL cases--please use the designated crosswalks if you are going to walk your students into the building and/or to the elementary playground. We have seen parents & students walking across the parking lots which can be very dangerous. Please use the crosswalks.
• We prefer that you do not park in the cul-de-sac (where our traffic guard stands). For student safety, please park in the lot. If you must park in the cul-de-sac, we ask that you walk your students to the building/playground. Do not let them walk across traffic by themselves, please. It is much safer if you drop off your students at the entrance to the school.

As you know, traffic is heaviest between 8:10 and 8:20 each morning. Please plan accordingly for extra traffic, especially in these winter months, and help us keep our morning drop off as safe as possible for everyone. Thank you.

A dental examination is required by the state of Illinois for all students in Kindergarten, 2nd, and 6th grade, and must be submitted by May 15th, 2019. The examination must have taken place within the 18 months prior to this date. Failure to submit a dental exam may result in registration freeze for the following year. Please submit exam as soon as possible, or contact the school nurses with any questions.

What's In Your Toolbox?

This past week, students in grades Kindergarten - 5th grade reviewed our three main strategies for calming down. We use belly breathing, self-talk, and counting when we are feeling in the Yellow Zone (worried, nervous, excited, silly) or Red Zone (angry, mad, frustrated, out of control). You may have seen some videos on Class Dojo.

THERE ARE MANY MORE TOOLS AVAILABLE to calm ourselves down. Each of us is unique. We explored tools that help us to get back in the Green Zone (calm, focused, happy & ready to learn)!

Here are some of the tools we tried:

* playing ball

* doing push ups

* coloring

* stress balls

* playing cards

* reading books, riddles or tongue twisters

* walking, running

* listening to music

* hugs or snuggling with a stuffed animal

* lifting heavy things (we used a giant garbage can)

* singing

After we explored these tools we tried to figure out which tools work best for each zone. Many students noticed when they were in the blue zone that walking around and getting a drink of water helped them feel better. We talked about PE and how halfway through PE students in the Blue Zone have often moved to the Green Zone. Exercise is a great tool!

What tools do you use to calm down? Talk about it with your children and share what works for you!

Attention 7th grade students and parents - apply to be part of an exciting summer leadership opportunity. Project LEAD summer camp is being held tentatively from June 10 -14 from 9-2 at Oak Grove School (final dates to TBD based on the last day of school). Project LEAD parent permission forms are due by February 13th. Check the virtual backpack for a flyer which includes a parent permission form.

Hello Oak Grove Community,

February is Black History Month. It is important to understand its origins and place in American history. Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard-trained historian, believed that truth could not be denied and that reason would prevail over prejudice. His hopes to raise awareness of African American's contributions to civilization was realized when he and the organization he founded, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), conceived and announced Negro History Week in 1925. The event was first celebrated during a week in February 1926 that encompassed the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

The celebration was expanded to a month in 1976, the nation's bicentennial. President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” That year, fifty years after the first celebration, the association held the first African American History Month.

For more information about the history of Black History Month, here are a few additional links:

http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/index.html

http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month

https://www.familyeducation.com/entertainment-activities/black-history-month

http://www.scholastic.com/browse/collection.jsp?id=706

4th/5th Grade Social This Friday

Don’t forget, the PTO 4/5 social is this week on Friday, February 15th, 1:30-3:00 at Sky Zone! Follow link to sign up and sign waiver. https://www.smore.com/7f3v5-4th-5th-grade-social-free-event

Waiver must be signed before your son or daughter can attend.

2nd/3rd Social This Friday

Last chance to register! Don't miss out on a chance to lace up your skates with all your 2nd & 3rd grade friends! Sign up by Wednesday for the FREE PTO-sponsored roller skating party taking place on Friday from 1:30-3:30 pm at Just For Fun! Roller Rink in Mundelein. More details and the registration link are available here: https://www.smore.com/m6d75

We are in need of a few more parent volunteers - PLEASE consider helping! Contact Kate Byers if you plan to stay while your student skates: kateGbyers@gmail.com or 773-480-4245

Mother/Son Dance

The dance is quickly approaching; Saturday, February 23rd, 6:30-8:30 pm in the Junior High gym and cafeteria. Thank you to everyone who has already signed up to volunteer to make this dance a success. The last day to purchase tickets is Sunday, February 17th. You don’t want to miss out on this special night. Click HERE to purchase tickets now.

Box Tops

Counting has begun for our March 1st submission date. Please send in your Box Tops!

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.

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