Oak Grove News

A Message From the Superintendent

Dear Families,
Thank you for your flexibility over the last weekend as we worked around major winter storms. We hope the days went as smoothly as possible for your child(ren) under these less than ideal circumstances. We are expecting to be under a wind chill advisory (as opposed to warning) going into Wednesday morning. This means we will experience slightly "warmer" temperatures. We will be holding a normal, in-person attendance day tomorrow.

Please contact our administration with any questions and we look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow.

Message from the Principal

E-Learning
Thank you for your support and flexibility during our last two school days.

Winter Weather & Recess
Please be sure that your students are dressed appropriately for the weather. Specifically, jackets, hats and gloves as well as boots and snow pants if applicable. As a reminder, our students are outside for recess unless the weather feels like 10 degrees or below. These guidelines are applicable for morning recess (arrival) and during the school day. Oak Grove has recently created a clothing closet for students in need. If you feel that this is something that could benefit your student, please reach out to our Helping Hands Program at helpinghands@ogschool.org for assistance in obtaining winter wear. 

Winter Clothes







Attention all Eighth Grade Parents/Guardians
Oak Grove is hosting a high school transition meeting on Thursday, January 25, from 6-7 pm. Please join us in the Jr. High Café as LHS staff reviews the transition process to high school. You may attend this presentation in person or virtual by using THIS link. Please note that there will be time for a Q/A portion that will only be available to our in person attendees, and we will be recording the presentation in its entirety to share at a later date. If you have any questions or concerns, please add them to this form.

2024 Illinois Youth Survey
The Illinois Youth Survey (IYS) is a survey of 8th, 10th and 12th graders, funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services. It gathers information about a variety of health and social indicators including drug use and perceptions, violence, bullying, depression, perceptions of school climate, nutrition and fitness. The IYS results in a statewide report that is used by local and state policymakers.  For more information: Visit the IYS website to see the 2024 IYS survey questions, sample school report and to learn more about IYS.  Oak Grove students will be completing the Illinois Youth Survey on January 25.  If you do not want your child to participate in this survey, please email Assistant Principal Joe O’Malley, omalley@ogschool.org, to officially opt-out of the survey. 

23/24 Extracurricular Survey
Oak Grove is always looking for ways to better serve our students. In collaboration with the PTO, we’re conducting our 2nd Extracurricular survey. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey as your feedback helps us plan opportunities for the future. Thank you in advance! Click HERE to complete the survey. 

Board Games Club - 5-8 graders
Get ready to settle into some winter fun!  The Board Games Club will be returning next week! This is a wonderful chance for students in grades 5-8 to stay after school once a week, disconnect from screens, socialize, and play games.  If you are interested in joining us, please complete this form: Board Games Club Registration

Mark your calendars for our meeting dates:  1/24, 1/31,  2/14, 2/21, 2/28.  Pick up is at 4:15. Please email Ms. Douglass with any questions: douglass@ogschool.org

Yoga Club - 3-5 graders
Yoga Club starts January 16 (cancelled due to weather)! We will meet in the PD room from 3:20-4:00 on Tuesdays. Mats are provided, hurry up, space is limited! Sign-up here!

Code Ninjas - 2-4 graders
Next session begins February 6 - April 14 from 3:30 - 4:30 in room 108 on Tuesdays. If you are interested in the next session, Sign-up here!

iCook Classes - K - 4 graders
We welcome back iCook to our OakGrove Clubs. Sessions begin February 12 - April 22 in room 207 on Mondays. If you are interested, please Sign-up here!

Reminder
We have an 11:30 am early release on January 25. Dismissal begins at 11:30 for all students.

Important Dates
1/17:  Spelling Bee Grades 4-8 (qualified) in in the JH library from 6:00 - 8:00 pm
1/22:  8th Grade Candor Presentation Informational Meeting (virtual) from 7:00 - 8:30 pm
1/23:  Board of Education Meeting; Committee of the Whole 6:00 - 7:15 & Regular Meeting 7:15 - TBD (JH Cafe)
1/25:  Early Release at 11:30 (School Improvement Day)
1/25:  High school transition meeting from 6-7 pm in the JH Cafe for any interested 8th grade families.
2/3:    PTO Girl and Guest Event in the JH gym and Cafe from 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Register HERE

Band
Looking for information about band? Please check out the Oak Grove band website for the most update information.

Athletics
Looking for information about upcoming games or events? Please check the Oak Grove Athletics Calendar

Curriculum Corner

Talk Tuesday
The next Talk Tuesday will be held on February 6 at Oak Grove from 6:00-7:30 pm in the Professional Development room. These meetings are hosted by the Teaching and Learning department and will share highlights around OGS curriculum and programming. During this session, we will share information on the talented and gifted (TAG) program and updates on this year’s literacy program pilots. Please take a moment to R.S.V.P. for this event in order for us to plan accordingly. The presentation shared at the Talk Tuesday will also be available on the Oak Grove website. 

K-5 SEL Update
This month, the focus is on emotion management. Students are learning about the parts of the brain and what their roles are. Students will practice a variety of ways to calm down, including breathing. As we read Alphabreaths by Christopher Willard and Daniel Rechtschaffen, students will learn at least 26 differnet types of breaths. Breathing helps us calm down. To learn more about this month's lessons, please visit our SEL webpage.