Oak Grove News

Beginning October 23rd through October 27th, Oak Grove students will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week by participating in a variety of activities. The red ribbon symbolizes a commitment to a drug free, healthy lifestyle... no use of any illegal drug and no abuse of a legal drug. The school will be decorated throughout with the red ribbon message. We at Oak Grove are joining the community in educating our children about the dangers of drugs and encouraging them to lead healthy, successful lives.

Snowflake 2017 was a huge success! A gigantic thank you to all the teachers, parents and students that participated or volunteered.

Tryouts will be held on Friday, October 27th, from 3:30 - 5:00 pm in the Patt Gym, and Monday, October 30th, from 3:30 - 5:00 in the Junior High gym. All participants must have an up to date physical on file with the nurse. Questions? Contact Mr. Walsh at walsh@ogschool.org.

The second session of Engineering for Kids® Lake County is starting soon! Engineering For Kids® brings the wonder and excitement of STEM education (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) to children ages 4-14 through a variety of hands-on learning experiences. Below is a list of classes for the fall session.

Session #2

Program Dates: Thursday 11/9, 11/16, 11/30, 12/7, 12/14, 12/21

Time: 3:30PM-5:00PM

$150 Register Before 11/2/2017 $170 Register 11/2/2017 – 11/9/2017

Junior Robotics Engineering – Adventure Stories : K-2nd

This class is a perfect mixture of fun and learning, using LEGO® WeDo™ Robots. Using LEGO® bricks, students build an airplane rescue, a giant escape, and a sailboat storm. They also learn how to program and operate their creations using laptop computer.

Apprentice Computer Building: What’s in that Box? 3rd-5th

In this class, students will get started right away by following blueprints to build a fully functional laptop that will power on. Once the computer is built, students will learn about the inner working of computer electronic components such as USB and HDMI components and hard-wiring circuits while they traverse through an interactive game of Minecraft. Additionally, students will be tasked with designing and manufacturing a custom controller to connect to and play with the computer.

Master Computer Science Level 1: 6th - 8th

In this class, students will explore the basics of programming by creating a variety of types of programs using Scratch. Concepts discussed in this class includes scratch overview, algorithms, project planning, and more.

The Multicultural Committee is collecting items to display in the elementary library display case. This month we are showcasing Diwali. If you have any artifacts or other items that you would like to include in the display, please send them to school and we will make sure that they are included. Please label them with your child’s name, teacher’s name, and elementary library display case so we can be sure they are returned to you.

We are looking for more committee members. If you are interested in joining the Multicultural Committee, please contact Beth Hughes at hughes@ogschool.org for more information. Thank you for your help.

Often our OGS middle school students may find themselves in situations with LHS students, whether it be for the Homecoming parade, a football game, or the festivities of other events. These situations provide a great opportunity to talk with your teens about decisions they face in their social lives and to remind them of your family values and expectations for health and wellness. Please use this e-postcard from Libertyville Connect, the new community coalition formed with assistance from the Lake County Health Department, as a friendly reminder about the importance of conversations during the teen years.

Our kids need to hear from us that their safety is of utmost importance and that we are here to help them navigate the complex social situations they face as adolescents. Please consider taking a moment this week and having a short conversation with your child about your expectations related to underage drinking and parties. Research consistently shows that kids do listen when we address these issues, even if parents think they don't hear or care.

For additional information, please contact Rachel Mintle, MPH, Community Health Specialist at the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center.

T: (847) 377-8775 | F: (847) 984-5726

E: rmintle@lakecountyil.gov | health.lakecountyil.gov

Hello Oak Grove Community,

As part of our continuous improvement efforts, Oak Grove has a five year curriculum review cycle. This year, it is time to review our reading materials for our kindergarten through eighth grade students. In order to complete the review process, many reading resource companies were reviewed and four publishers were presented to the teachers for their input. Areas considered during the review process included: alignment to our Illinois state standards, its ability to meet the needs of all of our learners, the use of authentic literature, continuity across grade levels, ability to assist teachers in developing students’ reading skills, and workshop model philosophy in it’s format for instructional practices among other areas of interest.

The teacher representatives who participated in the publisher presentations chose two different reading products to pilot. The advantage of a pilot is to provide the teachers and students an opportunity to implement one unit from the resource in order to get a better sense of the materials prior to making a longterm commitment to a set of resources.

During the pilot units, our teachers will continue to follow our rigorous learning expectations for our students. In grades K-5, teachers will be piloting a unit from Lucy Calkins Units of Study this fall and then a unit from Schoolwide, Inc. in the winter. In grades 6-8, teachers will be piloting a unit from McGraw Hill StudySync this fall and then a unit from Schoolwide, Inc. in the winter.

As the reading review process continues, we will keep you informed.

Picture retake day is Wednesday, November 1st. If you would like your child’s picture retaken, you must return the photo package to the photographer that day. If your child was absent when pictures were taken in August, their picture will be taken for the yearbook/Student ID, and you may order pictures at this time.

New students will have their pictures taken and ordering information will be sent home with them. Class photos for grades 6, 7 and 8 will also be taken on November 1st. Please refer any questions to Karen Draths at extension 2027.

On Tuesday, October 31st, the Halloween Parade for grades K-3 will begin at 1:15. Parents may watch the parade on the elementary playground. If the weather is bad, the parade viewing will be in the Patrick Patt Gym. The parade will be recorded and available for viewing at a later time. If you can’t attend, feel free to visit our website for information on watching the parade.

Weapons of any kind (plastic swords, plastic guns, tasers, etc.) that are part of a costume cannot be brought to school. Since the parade is outside, weather permitting; you may want to send a t-shirt with your child to wear underneath their costume. Also, high heels can be a challenge given the length of the parade.

Students should not come to school with make-up on or dyed hair. Students in grades 5-8 do not change into costumes.

The Halloween Parties schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, October 31st (Parade 1:15-1:45pm)

Kindergarten- 1:45-2:45pm

1st grade- 1:45-2:45pm

2nd grade- 2:00-3:00pm

3rd grade- 12:45-1:15pm (Games) 1:15-1:35pm (Parade) 1:35-1:45pm (Games)

4th grade- 1:25-2:25pm

Attention 5th - 8th graders: Buy a Boo Gram for you or your friends! Student Council will be in the junior high cafeteria Tuesday through Friday, or until we sell out, selling grams that we will deliver with suckers attached for you on Halloween! Each gram costs $1. Make sure to fill out all of the information required and return it to the cart or Mrs. Evans sometime this week. Please note: we will only deliver these grams to 5th -8th graders. If you want to buy them for a friend in a lower grade, send them to yourself and you can give them to your friend personally.

Holiday Wishes Catalog Orders: All orders have been placed. The estimated wait time to receive the ordered items is 4 weeks. We expect our orders to come in just ahead of Thanksgiving break. If orders are small, we will send them home with your child. Large or bulky orders will be available for pick up during conference days. We will be in touch once the orders are in. Thank you again to all who supported us!

Friday, Mr. Jones will be absent. Students with Friday lessons will need to come earlier this week. See link for this year’s lesson schedule to choose a day. http://ogschoolband.weebly.com/lesson-schedule.html. Yes, this means that the Symphonic Band students will have the morning off! The Concert Band can rehearse in the band room for a change.

Symphonic Band Parents:

Monday night is the Festival Pre-Rehearsal at Highland Middle School from 7-9 p.m. Carpooling is encouraged! Be on the lookout for an email (or 3) from me regarding the festival, tickets, and Veterans Day.

Beginning Band Parents:

The students are doing great! Our lessons are becoming more and more productive. Parents, please make sure you have set up your child’s Essential Elements account online to give them every advantage possible to learn to play a musical instrument. Also, please periodically listen to your child practice or have them play a song for you each week. This helps nurture their excitement and gives you the ability to check-in on their progress.

Reminders

Instruments should go home each day after rehearsals or lessons for review, and practice to reinforce or master skills.

Morning rehearsals are buzzing with a flurry of activity! Please help us stay on top of attendance by letting us know with a quick email if your child cannot attend a morning rehearsal for any reason.

Symphonic band- jones@ogschool.org

Concert Band- farris@ogschool.org

The kindness box is being flooded with slips! Yeah! If your child tells you a story about a friend being kind, please help them write it on a slip of paper and turn it into the kindness box as they enter through the playground doors in the morning. We are having a contest to see which grade level reports the most kindness in grades K-4.

I will not bully others!
I will not stand by while others are bullied!
I will report and refuse bullying whenever I see it because I have the POWER of ONE!

Don't forget to join your Oak Grove Community at Culver's tomorrow night, October 24th, between 5 - 8 pm for dinner and a little fundraising! Come out and see your teachers and foundation members hard at work!

Elementary Book Fair

The Elementary Fall Book Fair will begin November 15th. You can find a flyer with information in the virtual backpack. This flyer will be sent home with K-4 students before the fair. A copy of classroom shopping times is also available in the virtual backpack. Everyone is welcome to shop during shopping hours. If you would like to assist your child during their scheduled classroom shopping time, we welcome you to join them.

We still have 3 volunteer shifts available if you are able to help. Please follow the link to our Scholastic's page to find times and sign up.

https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.scholastic.com%2Fbf%2Foakgroveelementaryschool13&data=02%7C01%7Ccmerrild%40msn.com%7Cdedb09500ade4a9b410a08d519ad6367%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636443155339819085&sdata=vLm1soUkC5H0xK%2FndbU0pP15SZq4B1BAqjXfh%2F25RvE%3D&reserved=0

Book Fair dates: November 15, 16, 17 & 20

Shopping hours:

11/15: 8:30am-3:30pm - FAMILY EVENT 6pm-8pm

11/16: 8:30am-3:30pm

11/17: 8:30am-3:30pm

11/20: 1pm-7pm (during conference time)

Special activities: FAMILY EVENING EVENT: November 16th 6pm-8pm

We will be raffling off a gift basket full of new books and goodies.

All For Books

Classroom Coin Challenge is back again! One of our goals is to ensure as many children as possible have access to books through the All For Books program. We will be collecting coins in each of the Kindergarten through 4th grade classrooms from Nov 6th through Nov 16th. The money raised will be donated in scholastic dollars to help Murphy Elementary School in Round Lake Beach replace books that were damaged during flooding this year. The classroom that collects the most money at the end of the campaign will win a SHOPPING SPREE at the Book Fair!! Each student from the winning class may choose one item (book, toy, poster, etc) with a value of $10 or under at their classroom shopping spree. See the flyer in the virtual backpack for more information.

Jr. High Book Fair Competition

The Jr. High Book Fair will be running a Book Drive Competition between grades 5-8. The grade that brings in the most books will get a pajama day! We will be collecting books from Oct. 25th - Nov.10th . All books will be donated to Andrea's Angels.

http://www.andersonsbookshop.com/andersons-gives-back

Mother/Son Luau

Only 2 weeks left! Make sure to buy your tickets now for the Oak Grove Mother Son Luau on November 4th from 6:30-8:30 in the Junior High gym! Also, we are still looking to fill a few volunteer spots during the dance. If your husband or friend is available, please sign him/her up so the moms can have a special evening with their boys! Thanks and see you there!

http://www.ogsef.org/pto-mother-son-dance.html

http://signup.com/go/MGrFa3

Holiday Halls

Holiday Halls is just around the corner. Yes, there are a few things mid block, but wanted to get the word out early. We are looking for creative artists willing to vend their wares for our upcoming Mall in the Hall! The more unique the better! OGS’s bustling hallways are just the place to showcase your talents. Email shelliefahy@att.net for further vendor information.

Candy Cane Lane needs you, too. We are looking for donations for our little ones to shop. We are also looking for any holiday decorations you'd be willing to lend to us to make our Candy Cane Lane bigger & better than ever before.

If you have anything to lend or donate, please contact Shannon.bilcox@gmail.com.

More details to follow in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out!

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