Oak Grove News

Hello Oak Grove Community,

December 7th through the 13th is the official Hour of Code week for 2020. The Hour of Code activity is a global attempt started by Hadi Partovi to encourage over 100 million students from over 180 countries to learn the basics of computer programming. In addition to the activities covered during school hours, we encourage families to visit www.code.org/learn to explore the wide variety of activities that work on computer browsers, tables, smartphones, or with no computer at all.

This year, Hour of Code is dedicated to Admiral Grace Hopper who invented the COBOL computer language. She also is the creator of the word, "Computer Bug." Her birthday is December 9th.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Hopper
To read about other women leaders in STEM, click here.

If you are a 4th-8th grade student, and are interested in participating in the Oak Grove School Spelling Bee, then read on! This year's bee will be conducted virtually. Scripp's, the national platform for the spelling bee, has included options for virtual bees this year. To qualify for the spelling bee, we must do an entrance exam. In past years, the qualifying test has been given by the ELA teachers in the various grade levels sometime in December.

With all this technology in our hands, we can do qualifying rounds using Google Meets. We need 5 spellers (and one alternate) from each grade, 4th-8th grade. If you would like to participate in the qualifying rounds, you will need to be available to be in a Google Meet on the below dates and times assigned to each grade level.

In years past, a study sheet has been given out to prepare for the qualifying test. This year, no spelling list will be given as this is a virtual format. You will be working off your spelling ability, not your studying ability. That is how the actual spelling bee works anyway!

This will be a live bee and rules will be given before the qualifying bee begins. If you are one of the top 5 spellers, you will move on to the school bee in January. This is a great platform because it helps prepare you for the actual bee, which always involves spelling out loud in front of an audience.

Interested in trying the qualifying rounds? Please take a look at the dates below. You will need to be able to attend and participate in your grade's round, so make sure to mark you calendars!

4th grade qualifying round: Wednesday, December 16 at 3:00 PM

5th grade qualifying round: Thursday, December 10 at 3:00 PM

6th grade qualifying round: Friday, December 11 at 1:20 PM (during REI time)

7th grade qualifying round: Tuesday, December 15 at 1:20 PM (during REI time)

8th grade qualifying round: Wednesday, December 16 at 11:45 AM (during REI time)

Rules will be read promptly at the start time.

**As these are grade level events, if a student is unable to attend their date, they won't be able to make up the qualifying event.

Keep in mind that our school-wide bee will take place on Wednesday, January 13 at 6:00 PM. If you know that you won’t be able to participate in that bee if you make it to that round, please sit out the qualifying round so other students who will be available on that date have a chance.

Those interested should join the Google Meet at their date and time using the meet code: spellingbee.

If you have questions that were not answered above, please email Ms. Douglass at douglass@ogschool.org.

Erin’s Law

We wanted to take a few minutes to remind our community that during the week of December 7th - 11th, Oak Grove is implementing Erin’s Law to all K-8 students. We have worked to ensure that this topic is presented with research-based information, that our staff is prepared, and to let you know that you are supported. This is a collective effort and we are all working to ensure the safety of our children.

With that being said, we understand that this is a sensitive topic and we want you to know that this is a collaborative effort. Below are some resources that you can utilize to help continue the conversation at home.

Introduction to Erin’s Law

PSA by Erin Merryn

About Erin Merryn

Resources to talk about personal body safety

Book- My Body Belongs to Me by Pro Familia

Book- The Swimsuit Lesson by Jon Holsten

Family Packet- Think First & Stay Safe Family Guide provided by Child Lures ($5 purchase)

5 Reasons to Talk with Your Child(ren) About Personal Body Safety

Key Concepts

Safe and unsafe touch

Safe and unsafe secrets

Warning signs

Who to reach out to for support?

How to reach out to a trusted adult for support?

Infographic

If you have any questions about how Erin’s Law is being implemented or do not want your child(ren) to participate, please contact Ryan Murray at murray@ogschool.org or 847-367-4120 ext. 2708 as soon as possible, as lessons are being presented all week.

As always, thank you for your support.

20 DAYS OF GIVING - FINAL WEEK!

We have only 5 days to go! Any and all donations are greatly appreciated by the Libertyville Food Pantry. Drop off your donations, no contact, Saturday, December 12th through Monday, December 14th. We will have 12 collection spots at the homes of OGS families throughout our community. Make sure to complete the donation drop-off e-ticket next weekend to enter the raffle and to help us get a final tally on donations collected. Watch for an email later this week with the link and for the collection spot closest to you!

TEACHER’S FAVORITE THINGS

If you’re looking for holiday gift ideas for OGS staff members— whether it be a Specials teacher, Support Staff, an Admin Team member, or a homeroom teacher— consider checking out the Staff’s Favorite Things list. Direct links to eCards are provided for many of their favorite places.

MARLA’S - TAKE OUT TUESDAYS

Support the PTO & local restaurants by ordering Marla’s Take out Tuesdays. Next Tuesday’s, 12/15 dinner will be provided by Cluckers. Details will be emailed from Marla this week. Orders must be placed by 9am each Monday for Tuesday’s dinner.

OGS ORNAMENT

The PTO has received several requests for it's OGS ornaments! Typically, these are sold annually during holiday halls. If you are interested in purchasing, please complete this form and you will be contacted once ready for porch pickup. OGS yard signs & magnets are also available. Please email the pto@ogschool.org with any questions.

The time is quickly approaching to begin thinking about transitioning from Eagles to Wildcats! For more information about the registration process and timeline, review the LHS Incoming 9th Grade Registration Timeline. Contact Ole Stevens, LHS Director of Student Services with questions about the registration process.

Don't forget to have your child complete their reading and math iReady Assessments this week! Please contact your classroom teacher with questions.

The winter AIMS Web benchmark assessment will be conducted between December 7th and the 14th. This very brief assessment takes place during class time in a one-on-one setting with a teacher or specialist. AIMS Web data provides teachers with an additional point of information to develop a robust view of their students as learners. Please contact Julie Waehner with any questions.

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