Curriculum Corner
Hello Oak Grove Community,
Digital Citizenship Week runs from October 18-24th and is a wonderful opportunity for parents to talk to their children about the responsible use of social media, cell phones, and using apps and games online. According to Pew Research Center, 92% of teens go online daily and nearly three quarters of 0-8 year olds have access to mobile devices at home, according to Common Sense Media (check out the CSM infographic). With that much access to online apps, games, and social networks, it’s important to help children understand how to navigate online safely and respectfully.
Oak Grove School has spent much of the beginning of the 2015-16 school year discussing responsible Digital Citizenship with students Kindergarten through 8th grade. The District approved the Digital Citizenship program created by Common Sense Media. Multiple lessons were delivered to each grade level by the District’s Technology Coaches. These lessons were grade level appropriate and included topics such as appropriate keyword searching, protecting private information online, and dealing with Cyberbullying.
Common Sense Media is a free program that not only offers educational curriculum for schools but great information and tools for parents and children to use at home. CSM provides parents and children with reviews of movies in theaters & DVDs, online games & apps, as well as websites. Also provided on their site are various iBooks that can be downloaded for continued instruction on being a responsible Digital Citizen. Among other resources, CSM has provided parents with Digital Citizenship discussion items that can be used with kids at home to continue the idea of safe and responsible use while online. Click this Link to go to the CSM guide that parents can use to talk about Digital Citizenship with their children. CommonSenseMedia.org has many resources for both parents and children.
Enjoy a happy and safe Digital Citizenship Week!
The Tech Coaches
Social Emotional Learning
We have introduced our 4 Skills for Learning in Kindergarten through 5th Grade! We have had a great beginning to the school year. We have learned about focusing our attention, listening, using our self-talk and finally being assertive! If you haven’t signed up for Class DOJO, please do! I communicate weekly with specific lessons and conversations that you can have with your child. I also send pictures! THANK YOU for all of the responses I have received. I love when you write back to me and tell me about your discussions.
Self-Talk
We all use self-talk in our own ways. Self-Talk can be as simple as thinking “First I’ll put my shoes on, grab my purse, my keys, make sure the garage door shuts,” or it can be as difficult as, “I think she’s upset with me, I need to talk to her about this. I hope she forgives me and understands.” We use it to prepare ourselves in almost every situation. We are practicing using self-talk with our youngest learners so that they can advocate for themselves and solve problems. With our older elementary friends we are focusing on recognizing others’ perspectives and feelings. We want to think before we talk!
Be Assertive
We had so much fun acting out these strong words. We used our whole body to experience what it feels like to be passive, aggressive or assertive. In grades kindergarten through fifth grade we focused on being assertive to get what we want or need. It is so important that students learn how to ask for help in a calm and respectful manner. Remind your child at home if they say things like
- “I’m hungry!”
- “I need my jeans out of the wash now!”
to BE ASSERTIVE ~ try this~
- “Excuse me, may I please have a snack?”
- “Did you have a chance to wash my jeans, I was hoping to wear them.”
BEING ASSERTIVE HELPS YOU GET WHAT YOU WANT OR NEED IN A CALM AND RESPECTFUL WAY!
FINALLY: Next week on Friday, wear blue! 7th & 8th Graders will be wearing their snowflake shirts. Blue is the color for National Bullying Prevention Month. This is anti-bullying month. What better way to stand up to bully’s than to wear our Oak Grove Color BLUE!
Thank you for your support!
Mrs. Kiefer
Cross Country News
Congratulations to the girls’ and boys’ cross country teams on their performance at the Lakeside Conference Meet. The girls’ team finished first in the conference and took the coveted trophy home! Top finishers and medalists at the meet were:
- Gretchen Wimmer (7th)
- Paige Gleason (8th)
- Riley Brennan (11th)
- Lyann Tamm (13th)
- Jane Arnold (14th)
The boys finished out of trophy range, but also had two medalists:
- Emmett Burke (5th)
- Ali Faiz (12th)
PTO News
October 13, 2015
A Message from PTO Co-Presidents Lisa Perrone and Mia Hughes:
Lunches this Week:
Tuesday - Panera
Wednesday - Pasta
Thursday - Culvers
Jr. High Book Fair:
The Book Fair was a huge success. The PTO would like to thank the following volunteers: Clare Michelotti (Co-Chair), Julie Goodman (Co-Chair), Cinda Considine, Jamie Denz, Vicki Engfer, Maria Roberts, Kirsten Stuteville, Beth Williams, Bev Sleep, Jennifer Hutchins, Mindy Warren, Bev Sears, Jenny Mayer, Lisa Parker and Krista Sorensen.
If you didn't have a chance to purchase and would like to support the PTO, you can order books directly from Anderson Book Fair Company. Use this link to order and we will earn 20%. http://www.abcfairs.com/website-instructions
Schwan's Home Delivery
This fundraiser has begun! Thanks to those who have already made some purchases. Introducing Schwan’s Home Delivery benefitting the Oak Grove PTO. Schwan's™ Home Service offers mealtime solutions delivered right to your door. Choose from more than 350 family favorites, all flash-frozen for freshness and flavor.
The PTO will receive 20% of the sales placed from October 1-November 15. So please consider placing an order today. It’s all online and they deliver to your door. Starting on October 1st, please visit the website below to be linked to our fundraiser campaign:
https://www.schwans-cares.com/campaigns/23066-oak-grove-pto-district-68
Eagle Extravaganza
Mark your calendars for the 4th Annual PTO Eagle Extravaganza!
Saturday, December 5th 9am-12pm
Bring the whole family for shopping, food and fellowship!
There will be local vendors (LHS items, jewelry and more!) for your holiday shopping, a gym filled with gifts priced at $1-$5 for your kids to do their holiday shopping, and a fun breakfast to purchase for all! Presented by the Oak Grove School PTO! Vendors sign up at: https://oakgroveschooleagleextravaganza.shutterfly.com/.
Heinen's Teaming up for Education
Heinen's Grocery will donate up to 1% of qualifying purchases from Oak Grove participants. It's easy to participate. Just sign up for their preferred card and enroll in their Tasteful Rewards program. This can be done in store or online at heinens.com. You then select Oak Grove School PTO as a school. Then make sure you use your rewards card every time you shop. Please note, you need to re-select the school every year.
Fannie May Candy Sales
The Oak Grove PTO Fannie May Candy fundraiser is going on again this year. Order
forms are due no later than October 23rd. Return the white and yellow copies of the order form with your payment. All orders will be shipped directly to your home (via UPS) the week of November 16th. Fannie May will be giving away FREE CANDY to those with the highest sales.
Please contact Cristina Buelow at 847-367-7998 or Carlene Lichter at 847-816-3925 with any questions.
Girls Basketball Tryouts
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
