Oak Grove News

Oak Grove News

Weekly Update - 05/01/23

Mr. MurrayMessage from the Principal

What a week!
We look forward to the opportunity to recognize our wonderful teachers next week during National Teacher Appreciation Week.  Teachers, we thank you!

Registration for Returning Families
2023-2024 registration for returning families is open. A letter with instructions and login credentials was emailed home today. If you do not see it, please check your spam folder. If you still cannot locate your registration login information, please contact Dave Huber at huber@ogschool.org. We ask that all families complete online registration before May 15. If you are not planning on returning to Oak Grove for the 23-24 school year, please contact Karen Draths, draths@ogschool.org.

Registration for Incoming Kindergarten and All New Families
Monday, June 5, 1:00 - 7:00 pm in the small gym. Information regarding registration will be mailed home to all new families. If you aware of anyone new to the area who is interested in registration information, please have then contact Karen Draths, draths@ogschool.org.

Mental Health Minute
This month's topic is Community. Having a supportive relationship between students, teachers and parents is the heart of a school community. 
For more information, click here.

Important Dates
5/2: Track at Lakes High School 4:00 pm, Symphonic Band at Libertyville High School 6:30 pm
5/3: Golf vs. Millburn and Lake Bluff at Glen Flora 4:00 pm, Track at North Chicago High School 4:30 pm, PTO Meeting 6:30 pm
5/4: Track at Lake Forest High School 4:30 pm
5/6: Lakeside Conference Track Meet at North Chicago High School 8:00 am
5/9: Spring Book Fair until May 12 in the Junior High Library, Simply Bee Parent Meeting 6:30 pm
5/10: Spring Book Fair Family Night 5:00 pm, Beginning and Concert Band Concerts 6:30 pm
5/11: Honda Art Show at Honda Libertyville 6:00 pm
5/13: Track Sectionals 8:00 am

Matthew saratoreOak Grove Board of Education Welcomes Nuriddin Matthew Saratore

On Tuesday, Aril 25, the Oak Grove Board of Education swore in new memeber, Nuriddin Matthew Saratore. Mr. Saratore is honored to be joining the OGS Board of Education where he hopes tomake a positive impact on the school and the community. Having lived in District 68 for nearly eight years, he has seen his eldest daughter graduate from OGS. His two younger daughters are both currently enrolled, one as a fourth grader and the other as a kindergartener. Mr. Saratore’s wife, Aayshah Mirza, has been active in the PTO as the Registrar as well as various positions as a parent
volunteer at OGS.

Saratore FamilyMr. Saratore’s background includes a start in healthcare, followed by years at a local medical manufacturer, Hollister Incorporated where he worked in sales, sales management and global sales excellence. Currently, he works for Veeva Systems, an IT company focused on advancing the cloud for life sciences companies around the world, as a Team Lead, Vault RIM Services Engagement.

When not working or spending time with his family, Mr. Saratore is often found in his fruit and vegetable garden where he grows a wide variety of heirlooms. He is always happy to share his wealth of gardening knowledge and is often asked for impromptu gardening advice by his fellow community members.

OGSEF presents Simply Bee- May 9

According to a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, 44% of adults reported increased stress levels over the past five years. The Oak Grove School Education Foundation is excited to announce an upcoming mental health seminar with Simply Bee at OGS on this very topic! Join us on May 9 from 6:30-7:30 pm in the OGS Jr. High Cafeteria, where we'll be discussing "Self-Care and Stress Management for Busy Families." Childcare will be available for no cost. RSVP now to reserve your spot Bit.ly/OGS_May
Simply Bee Brochure 1
    Simply Bee brochure 2

Curriculm Corner LogoCurriculum Corner

iReady Testing Make-Ups & Reports
If your child was absent for iReady testing last week, they will be taking the test(s) Monday and/or Tuesday in the afternoon. iReady reports will be sent home to families via email on May 8.

Rotations Preference Survey - Grades 5-7
All students currently in grades 5-7 will choose courses for Rotations for next school year on Tuesday, May 2 during the school day. Students in middle school take one course per quarter in Art, Music, Technology/Media Arts, Drama, and Project Lead the Way/STEM. Please review the options here. Upon completion of class lists, families will have an opportunity to review the selections and make adjustments prior to the school year. If you have any questions, please reach out to Alexa Dunn (adunn@ogschool.org)

Aimsweb Testing
Students in grades K-5 will take the Aimsweb assessment in reading and math next week. Aimsweb is a nationally-normed, skills-based benchmark assessment and progress monitoring tool.

Spring Placement Appeals - Grades 3-7
Parents have the right to request an additional review of student placement into the talented and gifted program or to request subject- or grade-level acceleration. The next opportunity to file an appeal will open on May 8. Look for more details shared in next week’s Oak Grove News. If you have any questions, please visit the website or reach out to Alexa Dunn (adunn@ogschool.org)

OGS Summer Camp Registration Open
Summer is just around the corner and Oak Grove School will be providing some summer camp options for our students. Please see the camp offerings below and use the Registration Link to register by  Friday, June 30. 

OGS Art Camp (Gr. 4-5) 
Get ready to create some summer art at the OGS Art Camp! Artists will take home multiple finished projects by the end of the week using various materials like clay, chalk pastels, watercolor paints and more!  All projects will be unique to art camp and will not be offered during the school year.
Teacher: Ms. Vance   Date: July 17-21  Time: 8:30-11:30 am 
Grades: Incoming 4th-5th grade students
Cost: $140 per student per session      Minimum 8/Maximum 20 

OGS Art Camp (Gr. 6-8)  
Get ready to create some summer art at the OGS Art Camp!Artists will take home multiple finished projects by the end of the week using various materials like clay, chalk pastels, watercolor paints and more!  All projects will be unique to art camp and will not be offered during the school year.
Teacher: Ms. Vance   Date: July 17-21  Time: 12:00-3:00 pm 
Grades: Incoming 6th-8th grade students
Cost: $140 per student per session      Minimum 8/Maximum 20 

OGS Sports Camp (3-5)
Gear up for a sports filled week at OGS Sports Camp! Athletes will improve upon their athletic/sports skills, as well as, develop the skills necessary to be a successful member of a team. Basketball, Soccer, Hockey, Track & Field and Strength & Conditioning will be the primary focus. 
Teacher: Mr. Callahan  Date: July 24-28  Time: 8:30-11:30 am
Grades: Incoming 3rd-5th grade students
Cost: $140 per student per session     Minimum 8/Maximum 20 

OGS Sports Camp (6-8) 
Gear up for a sports filled week at OGS Sports Camp! Athletes will improve upon their athletic/sports skills, as well as, develop the skills necessary to be a successful member of a team. Basketball, Soccer, Hockey, Track & Field and Strength & Conditioning will be the primary focus. 
Teacher: Mr. Callahan  Date: July 24-28  Time: 12:00-3:00 pm
Grades: Incoming 6th-8th grade students
Cost: $140 per student per session   Minimum 8/Maximum 20

OGS Carnival Camp (K-1) 
Come one, come all!  Join the kindergarten teachers for a week of carnival fun - it is sure to be a roaring good time!  There will be games, crafts, outdoor fun, and more!  This is a great opportunity for our incoming kindergarteners to meet new friends and our first graders to hang out with their pals. You don't want to miss it!
Teachers: Mrs. Sobey, Mrs. Zanon, Mrs. Honaker   Date: July 17-July 21  Time: 8:30-11:30 am 
Grades: Incoming Kindergarten and 1st grade students 
Cost: $140 per student.   Minimum: 25 students/Maximum 60

PTO LogoPTO News

PTO Meeting This Week & Committee Chairs Needed
The PTO will meet this Wednesday, May 3 at 6:30 pm in the Elementary Library and by Zoom. Zoom information will be shared by email. Prior to the meeting, please review the meeting agenda and minutes from April 5, 2023. Membership will be voting on three special funding requests at this meeting. Information about these requests and the proxy voting form are available here. We will also discuss the ‘23-’24 budget and ‘23-’24 Committee Chair slate. We are still in need of a number of committee chairs for ‘23-’24. If committee chair positions are not filled, PTO programming will likely be cut. 

Teacher Appreciation Week
May 8-12 is Teacher Appreciation Week! The PTO will provide daily surprises for our wonderful OGS teachers, but please take a moment to encourage your child to write a note, draw a picture or send an email to their teachers as well. It goes without saying that OGS has some of the very best teachers around; they most certainly deserve to feel loved and supported after all that they have given to our students! You can also have them complete this fun activity.

Buy One, Get One Book Fair May 9-May 12
The BOGO Book Fair for Grades K-8 will be at Oak Grove Tuesday, May 9 - Friday, May 12. We will be open late for Family Night on Wednesday, May 10 from 4-7:30 pm. If you have questions, please contact Kelly Epley. Here's how to get ready for the Book Fair:

  • VISIT the Oak Grove Book Fair Web Site
  • VOLUNTEER - Click Here to view and sign up for available times!
  • CHECK the Book Fair Schedule - Find out when your child shops.
  • SET UP your eWallet - Make shopping easy by adding money to an eWallet account for your child. Click the eWallet link on the Book Fair Home Page. You can also donate to teacher's eWallets! Just search by name.
  • GIVE the gift of reading to others - The All for Books Dollar Challenge is back during the Spring Book Fair!  Send in donations (extra change and/or small bills) with your student on his/her shopping day to drop into our donation jars. This year, OGS is raising money to buy books for Reading Power!  Reading Power partners with underfunded schools in Zion, North Chicago, and Waukegan to provide one-to-one literacy tutoring.  The grade in K-4 and 5-8 that collects the most money during the challenge will win a popsicle party!

RSVP Now for 6th-7th Grade Social
Calling all 6th and 7th Graders! Come to SkyZone on Thursday, May 18,  from 1:30-2:30 pm  for a fun afternoon of jumping! We will have the place to ourselves, so it will be a great time to socialize with friends and jump out some energy. This event is limited to 85 students and a designated adult must remain on site. (This adult can be for a group of students). Sign up here. Water and a snack will be provided at the conclusion of the event. Please complete the sign-up sheet and the SkyZone Waiver for your Student.  The Students are given jump socks at  the event.  Please reach out to Carrie Siebert with any questions.

Field Day Volunteers
Thank you to all who have signed up to volunteer at Field Day on Friday, May 26 from 8:30-11:00 am! There are very limited volunteer spaces left. Please email Karin Pawlowski or Laura Reutzel with any questions.

A Message From The School Nurses

Spring has sprung and with that has come an increase in mosquito and tick activity. Please the information below on how to keep your child safe.  
Lyme disease flyer

Math Contest Logo
Thank you to all of our Oak Grove Noetic Math Contest participants for 2023!!  We had over 130 participants from grades 5-8 (and 4th grade TAG).  Congratulations to the following students who will receive award medals:
**Team Winner Medal = highest scorer on their Oak Grove grade level team
**Honor Roll Medal= Scored in the top 10% of ALL Noetic Contest participants in their grade level

4th Grade TAG - Aiden Trout (Team Winner and Honor Roll Winner), Omar Alsawaf (Team Winner and Honor Roll Winner), Fiona Zwingmann (Honor Roll Winner)

5th Grade Team 1 - Melvin Cui (Team Winner and Honor Roll Winner), Hasan Abdullah (Honor Roll Winner), Hitav Reddy (Honor Roll Winner)

5th Grade Team 2 - Ashmik Inkollu (Team Winner)

6th Grade Team 1 - Aarushi Dey (Team Winner and Honor Roll Winner)

6th Grade Team 2 - Milo Saubidet (Team Winner)

7th Grade - Ethan Cao (Team Winner)

8th Grade - Mira Shah (Team Winner)

Thank you again to ALL of our participants.  Hope to see many of you back next spring!

Mrs. Phillips

Board Briefs

Board Briefs are a quick summary of each School Board Meeting. The official minutes will be posted in the Agenda section after the Board Minutes have been approved at the following month's meeting. CLICK HERE for the April 2023 Board Briefs.

Yearbook photo adYearbook Photos

Do you have great photos from this school year to add to our yearbook?  Please use the link to upload your photos.  You may continue to add photos through the last day of school!

Upload Photos for the Yearbook HERE.  Use school code: ogsyb2023.

 

Virtual Backpack

Virtual Backpack

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.

 

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