Oak Grove News

Three Oak Grove staff members traveled to Washington, D.C. November 7-9 to attend the National Blue Ribbon School awards recognition ceremony. Teacher Katie Riley, principal Andrew Fenton, and superintendent Lonny Lemon represented the school district.

Oak Grove was named an Exemplary High Performing School for 2016 by the United States Department of Education. There are more than 133,000 public schools across the nation and less than 250 received this honor. This puts Oak Grove in the 99.98 percentile of all schools.

The United States Secretary of Education, John B. King, Jr., addressed and congratulated the recipients during the event. The district received a plaque, a banner, and a flag. During the Veterans Day ceremony last Friday, Oak Grove students “raised the flag” for the very first time! It is flying proudly underneath the American flag on our school grounds.

This was the first time Oak Grove has received the National Blue Ribbon school award. School districts are eligible every five years for the honor. A district cannot apply for the award; the Illinois State Board of Education must nominate it on behalf of Illinois schools.

The entire Oak Grove community of parents, teachers, citizens, and most important-students are to be commended. The National Blue Ribbon School designation is the single greatest honor a school can be awarded. Your commitment to excellence and support of our school made this dream come true last week!

Please click here to view the Veterans Day ceremony and reception.

The PTConference Maker system opened today and will remain open until noon on Friday. An email for each student went out with the student number and 4 digit password necessary to schedule a conference. Each family should have also received an email reminder on Friday that the system was opening today.

If you'd like to schedule a Parent/Teacher conference, please click on the PT Conference Maker link via our home page.

All K-8 report cards will be emailed home on Wednesday afternoon between noon and 3 PM. The report card will come from the email address broadcasts@schoolmessengermail.com and will contain a link for you to download the report card. You should, if possible, whitelist this address so it does not go to your spam folder.

Are you looking for a holiday gift for your Oak Grove student?

The Oak Grove Education Association (OGEA) will be selling Oak Grove stadium throw blankets to support our Eagle Scholarship Fund. The OGEA represents the certified staff at Oak Grove School. The Oak Grove Eagle Scholarship recognizes an OGS alumni who exhibits Oak Grove's mission. It is awarded to an individual who demonstrates positive character through service and volunteerism in the community and who is also involved in extra and/or co-curricular activities at Libertyville High School.

Blankets are Gildan Dry Blend Stadium Blankets in Oak Grove Blue with the *new* Oak Grove logo. The are 50” x 60” and a 50/50 blend.

Blankets can be ordered by clicking on the order form here. Blankets will be available for pick up at the Eagle Extravaganza on December 3rd from 9 am- 12 pm or will be delivered to homerooms the week of December 5th. A small amount of blankets will be available at conferences for cash and carry purchase and at the Eagle Extravaganza. The order link closes Monday, November 28th.

Thank you for your support!

Questions? Contact Casey Dugan dugan@ogschool.org or Allison Honaker honaker@ogschool.org

Hello Oak Grove Community,

This week, parents will be receiving report cards digitally on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 16th. As you are aware, we have implemented a standards-based report card for students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade.

Please click here for information about our standards-based report card.

We would also like to provide you with an opportunity to ask questions regarding the standards-based report card. During conferences, feel free to stop by the standards-based report card booth, located outside the elementary office.

As a reminder, parent-teacher conferences will be held on Monday, November 21st from 1:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. and on Tuesday, November 22nd, from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Fun Holiday Today – World Kindness Day

Last week we finished up our Bullying Unit in grades kindergarten through fifth grade. I am so impressed at how the students are putting their skills to use and reporting to other teachers and me. We have been working to solve problems on the bus, playground, hallways and classrooms. Although the unit has come to an end, I want you to urge your students to continue to talk to you or their teachers. Reach out to us if they feel like they are being excluded or need help.

We are now starting our Empathy Unit! You will hear the words, STOP, NAME YOUR FEELING and CALM DOWN. Today is WORLD KINDNESS DAY. Each student will be challenged to write at least one note to someone, thanking or complimenting that person. The notes can be to teachers, friends, siblings or anyone that you want to share kindness with. Donating books to your favorite charity is great too, but let’s pledge to each do ONE ACT OF KINDNESS this week. A simple note to anyone you choose!

Happy Kindness Day!

Love,

Mrs. Kiefer

November 15th -18th the Honor Society will be selling pencils, stickers and backpack tags during the 2nd and 3rd grade lunch. The backpack tags were made by our members and are alphabet letters. Children can buy a tag with the letter of their first name to hang on their backpack. The proceeds will go to a local animal shelter. Please send money with your child!

Hot lunch:

Kiddo's will be adding a few new items to the menu, so please visit www.kiddoscatering.com to view and order. Orders are due by 11AM on Mondays for the following week.

BoxTops:

After the first Box Top collection, the leading classrooms for the K-5 contest are as follows:

• K - Sweeney
  
• 1st - W. Miller
  
• 2nd - A. Miller
  
• 3rd - Dugan
  
• 4th - Seveska
  
• 5th - Rogers
  

Special thanks to all of the Jr. High parents, faculty and staff who also support this program. We have raised about $450 thus far for the PTO. Please keep looking for Box Tops and sending them in. The next collection will be in February. Thanks to our Box Tops co-chairs, Amy Eberhardt & Maureen Burke.

Scholastic Book Fair:

Parents and families,

Reading for pleasure unlocks the power of information and imagination and helps children discover who they are. Here’s what you can do to help children develop stronger reading skills and a love for reading:

• Set the example. Let children see you read
  
• Have a collection of books in your home. Update this collection routinely to keep pace with changing tastes and reading skills
• Support our school’s Book Fair. Allow your children to choose their own books to read

Our Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that brings the books kids want to read right into our school. It’s a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Please make plans to visit our Book Fair and be involved in shaping your child’s reading habits.

Book Fair dates: November 16, 17, 18, & 21

Shopping hours:

11/16: 8:30am-3:30pm FAMILY EVENT 6pm-8pm

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

11/18 - 8:30am-3:30pm

11/21 - 1pm-7pm (during conference time)

Join us for shopping, reading with family, and a few snacks. We will be raffling off a gift basket full of new books and goodies. If you are unable to attend the fair in person, we invite you to click this link to visit our ONLINE BOOK FAIR . Our online fair is available from November 11th to November 21st. If you would like to volunteer to help at the Book Fair, click this link to SIGN UP.

We look forward to seeing you and your family at the Book Fair! Remember, all purchases benefit our school.

Sincerely,

The Oak Grove PTO

ALL FOR BOOKS COIN CHALLENGE:
Please, remember to have your students (K - 4th) bring in loose change to help their classroom raise money for the All For Books program. Each classroom has a coin collection jar. The classroom to raise the most money will win a Book Fair SHOPPING SPREE sponsored by the PTO!!! Each student from the winning class will be allowed to choose one item ($10 or under) from the Book Fair!! We are collecting coins now through Nov. 17th. All money collected during this period will be used to help build the library at Shiloh Park Elementary in Zion, IL.

Author Visit:

The Oak Grove PTO is excited to host David Biedrzycki at Oak Grove School December 9th. David will speak to our K-4th grade students about what inspires him, his books and the importance of reading. David’s book are available for signing prior to November 29. See the Virtual Backpack for ordering instructions.

David is an inspiring author/illustrator whose books have earned him numerous awards, most importantly the Monarch Award.

The Monarch Award: Illinois’ Readers’ Choice Award will be presented annually to the author and illustrator of the book voted as their favorite by students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade in participating Illinois schools or public libraries. The Monarch Award is sponsored by the Illinois School Library Media Association.

The name Monarch was chosen:

• To embody the emergence of children as they move from non-readers to independent readers
• To symbolize the growth, change, and freedom that becoming a reader imparts
  
• To connect to children’s familiarity with the Monarch Butterfly, Illinois’ state insect
  

PURPOSE:

• To encourage children and adults to read children’s books for personal enjoyment.
  
• To help children become familiar with books, authors and illustrators.
  
• To encourage children to read critically.
  
• To develop a statewide awareness of outstanding literature for children.
  
• To promote cooperation among agencies providing educational and library service to children.
  

David comes highly recommended by teachers & schools alike.

Thank you to Jina Rappaport for always recommending such excellent authors.

For more information about David, please visit this link:

http://www.davidbiedrzycki.com/

Order by November 18th for Fall/Winter Installation

Our children's memories of their time at Oak Grove will last a lifetime, so take this opportunity to leave a permanent mark with a custom brick paver and support innovative curriculum enhancements for your children at the same time! The custom brick pavers are the centerpiece of the Elementary playground! For sizes, information and order, please visit http://www.ogsef.org/playground-pavers.html. Thank you!

Our sixth grade class is going on a field trip for a morning of service to Feed My Starving Children in Libertyville on Friday, December 16, 2016.

Parent volunteers are needed for this field trip. FMSC requires we provide 1 adult supervisor for every 3 – 4 students. Thus, we are in need of multiple adults! Please let Mrs. Klunder know if you are available to meet the class at the facility in the morning and help a small group of students perform their task. It is an amazing morning and such a great experience for all who participate!

Thank you in advance for helping to make it wonderful for the 6th graders!

Please contact Mrs. Klunder at klunder@ogschool.org with any questions or volunteering availability.

7th grade students came to Ms. Alghini's classroom to talk about the election process and taught first graders how to vote in the Oak Grove School Mock Election 2016! Thank you to Mrs. Yarc for coordinating!

Please click HERE to view the flyers in our virtual backpack.

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