Inclement Weather Reminder
Hello! I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend. Again, I am sharing the procedures for canceling school, in case we have inclement weather ahead.
The area superintendents work together to make decisions about canceling school. I work closely with the D128 high school district superintendent as well as the three other “feeder” school superintendents. Whenever bad winter weather is predicted, or occurs, we are in constant contact with each other. We also use up-to-date information provided to us by local weather agencies.
First, and foremost, it is our obligation to keep students safe as they wait at bus stops and travel to school. There are times when the area high schools choose to remain open, but the elementary schools cancel. However, we do try to avoid this if possible. There is no “exact” temperature, or wind chill factor that causes cancellation of school. We make our decision based upon a myriad of factors, with each weather event being analyzed on an individual basis.
We are cognizant of your need to make supervision plans as far ahead as possible. We make every effort to consider this as we make our decision. If school is canceled, I will utilize our School Messenger phone messaging system first. We also will try to send an e-mail to you, as well as update our website. Please know that those methods take a bit more time, so please don’t rely upon them as your first source of information. If your phone contact information has been changed, please inform the school as soon as possible, so that we may update your contact information on the phone messaging system.
In my 35 years in education, the decision to cancel school, or not, can be one of the most difficult. Either way, people are disappointed. Experience tells me that the most important factor is student safety, so it will be the determining factor in our local decision to hold classes, or not. Hopefully, our winter will be mild and we will not have to cancel classes.
Curriculum Corner
Hello Oak Grove Community,
As part of our Talented And Gifted (TAG) placement procedures, we will be holding our winter session of Advisory Council. During the winter Advisory Council meeting, the committee will review placement appeals. Parents have the right to request an additional review of student placement into Oak Grove’s TAG program, through a placement appeal which would be reviewed by the Advisory Council. This process is discussed on pages 11 and 12 of the TAG Handbook.
In addition, please see the TAG Handbook for the matrix used to make placement decisions (p. 10) as well as the placement flowchart (p. 13) for additional information.
Parents requesting participation in the appeal process are required to complete the Parent Inquiry Form beginning on page 22 of the TAG Handbook. The Parent Inquiry Form, located on the OG website- click on Parent Inquiry Form, must be completed and emailed to Sarah Cacciatore at cacciatore@ogschool.org no later than Tuesday, January 30th for consideration at the winter Advisory Council meeting. Parents will be notified via email regarding the final committee decisions.
*Please note, appeal process may only be utilized once a calendar year.
Kindergarten Pre-Registration 2018/19
Oak Grove School is in the process of determining kindergarten enrollment for the fall of 2018. Having correct enrollment numbers is important to us as it impacts the number of sections, teachers and classrooms.
A child must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2018 to attend kindergarten. If you have a student who will be attending kindergarten in the fall, you can click the "18-19 Pre-registration" link from the main Oak Grove web site, or simply go to www.ogschool.org/kindy to pre-register your child.
You will be asked to enter the following information:
- Your child’s name, birthdate and gender
- Parent names and address, phone number and email address
- Names of siblings attending Oak Grove School
If you have neighbors who do not have children at Oak Grove and do not receive the Oak Grove News, please share this information with them. We would also like to hear from you if you have a child that will be attending 1st grade at Oak Grove next year and is not currently attending kindergarten at Oak Grove this year.
Save the Date
Wednesday, February 7th @ 6:30PM
Kindergarten Parent Information Night, Elementary Library
- Information about the Kindergarten program for 2018/19, including the registration and screening process
- Kindergarten curriculum presentation
- Parent Q & A
Boys Volleyball Tryouts
7th and 8th grade Boys Volleyball tryouts will be on Tuesday, January 23, and Thursday, January 25, from 3:30 - 6:00 PM in the Patt Gym. There will not be tryouts on the 24th due to an early release day. All athletes must have a current physical on file with the school nurse in order to participate in tryouts. Contact Coach Anna Edelson at edelson@ogschool.org with any questions.
You Be The Chemist Challenge® (YBTCC)
The You Be The Chemist Challenge® is an interactive academic contest that encourages students in grades 5-8 to explore chemistry concepts and their real-world applications. The Challenge provides a unique opportunity for a variety of individuals and organizations—including schools, members of the chemical industry, educators, and other community partners—to come together and show their support for STEM education.
*Any students interested in participating in the competition should take the qualifying exam after school from 3:30-5:00 on Friday, January 19 in Mrs. Edelson's Room (305). Oak Grove School can send three participants and one alternate to the Local Challenge competition in March. Students can still be part of the OGS YBTCC Science Club even if they are not participating in the competition. If you are not able to stay after school on Friday, or have any questions, please contact Anna Edelson (edelson@ogschool.org) or Matt Oesch (oesch@ogschool.org).
Follow this link to access the YBTCC Study Materials
Important YBTCC Dates
January 19, 2018 Local Challenge Qualifier administration deadline
February 10 – March 18, 2018 Local Challenge competitions
April 7 – 22, 2018 State Challenge competitions
June 18, 2018 2018 National Challenge
Spelling Bee
Join us for the Oak Grove Spelling Bee this week on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. If your child is a participant, they need to check in at the judge's table in the Junior High Library by 6:15. The Bee will begin promptly at 6:30. Everyone is welcome, but children must have an adult with them for the bee as staff will not be present to watch unattended students in the building.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
Think First & Stay Safe Parent Guide
Please check your youngest child's backpack for the Think First and Stay Safe Guide that was sent home the last day before break or early last week. “Children are our most precious national treasure, and we all want to do our part to ensure they grow up healthy, happy and safe.” ~ Child Lures @LTD. The parent guide will assist you in discussing safety with your child. Beginning last week and over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing these lessons with you via ClassDojo.
For specifics on your child’s lessons, please be sure to read the Class Story posted each week. Please let me know if you have trouble logging into Class Dojo. I try my best to make sure I send you a photograph of your child along with the story. You can use these photos to begin a conversation with your child about what is taking place in class. Please go to www.classdojo.com or download the app for your weekly updates.
Thank you! Enjoy your week and keep smiling!
Susie Kiefer
Social Emotional Learning Teacher Kindergarten-Fifth Grade
PTO News
4th & 5th Grade Social
Oak Grove School 4th and 5th Grade Social will be held Wednesday, January 24th, from 1:30-3:30 @ Ultimate Ninja’s in Libertyville. This is a free event organized by the Oak Grove PTO.
Drinks and snacks will be provided. Parents are responsible for getting their child to the event. In order to participate, each child needs to sign a waiver. Please click here to fill out the waiver: https://lilypadpos6.com/unl/onlinewaiver/waiver.php?sid=2953. If your child plans to attend, please RSVP to Liz Howard: lizhowardpto@yahoo.com by Monday, January 22nd with your child’s name and grade. Hope to see you there!
Daddy/Daughter Dance
Don’t forget to get your tickets to the Oak Grove School Daddy/Daughter Dance held on Saturday, February 3rd from 6:30-9:00PM. Click this link to purchase tickets: http://howardliz.wixsite.com/daddy-daughter-dance
We still need more volunteers to help with the event, especially to help serve food, decorate and clean up. This special night can not be a success without the help of volunteers. Please consider signing up for one of the open positions. http://signup.com/go/FPAwzop
If you have any questions, contact Liz Howard: lizhowardpto@yahoo.com
FREE K-1 Social
Attention Kindergarten & 1st Grade Parents! The PTO has a fun and FREE afternoon of activities planned for Kindergarteners and 1st graders next Wednesday, January 24th from 1:30-3:30 pm at the Libertyville Sports Complex. Shake out the winter wiggles and burn some energy after the 1:00 PM SIP early release! Activities include a challenge course, gaga ball, the climbing wall, relay races and various sports - even the chance to work with an agility coach who is a former NFL player!
Click here for more information on how to RSVP, sign the Sports Complex Waiver and volunteer to help!
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
