Oak Grove News

From the Principal’s Desk

Both PTO and Student Council are working hard to get dates on the calendar for a few of our junior high grade level traditions, including DANCES!! To start us off, we’d like to announce that on Friday, November 18, 2022 from 3:30-5:00 PM we will host our first event for 6th Grade students - 6th Grade After School Hang Time - SAVE the date and hang with your classmates after school. The Junior High Gym will be open for basketball, and for those who want to hang in the cafeteria, we will have board games. Feel free to bring your own board game too. We will have snacks for everyone. Also, we are looking for 4-6 parent volunteers to help chaperone. Please complete this RSVP to let us know if your 6th-grade student will be attending (and if you are able to chaperone).

No School Tuesday, November 8th
Due to Election Day on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, there will be no school for students and staff. The building will be open for voters.

1:00 PM Early Release Thursday, November 10th
As the first trimester comes to a close, we will have a 1 PM early release on Thursday, November 10th. Please note that students will have lunch on this day.

Student Council Toys for Tots Drive                                                                                                                                                    The Student Council is once again holding the Toys for Tots donation collection starting Tuesday, November 15, 2022. All the toys donated will benefit children in need. Did you know that Toys for Tots is a top rated charity? 100% of our donation goes to their mission of providing toys, books and other gifts to less fortunate children. During Parent/Teacher Conferences please consider taking a “snowflake” labeled with a certain age child and gift idea from either of the trees; one which is located by the main office, and the other by the administration office. We ask that the toys be new, unwrapped, and no stuffed animals. Then please deliver the toys to the labeled boxes by either office by Monday, December 19, 2022.  We truly appreciate your support with this endeavor!

E-Learning Day Expectations
An E-Learning Day is used in lieu of an emergency day (i.e. for snow or cold, water or electrical issues, etc.). In the event that an E-Learning Day is warranted, parents will be notified as soon as possible.

• All students are expected to use their individual devices to sign into their homeroom teacher’s Google Meet at 8:15 AM for learning to begin at 8:20 AM. The day will follow each student’s normal schedule and will end at 3:20 PM.
• Teachers/Staff will share E-Learning plans with their students by 8:15 AM through Seesaw, Google Classroom, or parent and/or student email.
• Teachers will take attendance in PowerSchool as usual.

Within the next two weeks all OGS teachers will share Google Meet codes and schedules with students and families. Staff will also go over the E-Learning Student Expectations Checklist and will have students practice joining a Google Meet, sharing their screen, muting/unmuting, and other strategies to make the E-Learning Day a positive experience. If you have any questions about an E-Learning Day, please reach out to your child's teacher/s.

Soaring Eagles
Last week we held assemblies to celebrate our students and their continued practice of our monthly SEL themes (communication, relationships, decision-making, and empathy). The students had a blast and we look forward to our future assemblies towards the end of each trimester. Below are some highlights from the assembly.

In grades K-2, the Eagle mascot was out and performed some dance moves with our students!  We recognized blue ticket winners from first trimester, danced together, and learned about November's theme: Empathy!

In grades 3-5, we recognized blue ticket winners from first trimester, learned about November's theme: Empathy, and played several rounds of "Are you smarter than a teacher?" where students and their teachers faced off about questions related to SEL topics and themes. We even had some random blue tickets hidden in the bleachers to pump up the energy!

In grades 6-8, we recognized blue ticket winners from first trimester, learned about November's theme: Empathy, and played several rounds of "Are you smarter than a teacher?" where students and their teachers faced off about questions related to SEL topics and themes. We even had some random blue tickets hidden in the bleachers to pump up the energy! Our middle school students learned an important lesson about leadership to round out the celebration!

Volunteers Needed
The OGS Volunteer Form will be open throughout the school year.

Mental Health Minute
The SEL theme for November is Empathy. Empathy is an important interpersonal skill that is defined as understanding how other people feel even when they don't feel the same way as themselves. Studies have shown that genuine empathy begins to develop in children as young as two years old. If you’re interested and are looking for some more information then please click HERE for our November Mental Health Minute.

Important Dates
• 11/8: Election Day - No School
• 11/10: Early Release @ 1PM
• 11/11: Veterans Day -- wear red, white and blue
• 11/14: Conference Sign-Up begins at 8:00 AM
• 11/15: COW @ 6:00, BOE @ 7:15
• 11/16: Report cards go home
• 11/18: Conference Sign-Up ends at noon
• 11/21: Parent teacher conf @ 1-8PM
• 11/22: Parent teacher conf @ 8-noon
• 11/23: Thanksgiving Break - no school
• 11/24: Thanksgiving Day - no school
• 11/25: Thanksgiving Break - no school
 

K-5 Scholastic Book Fair
The K-5 Scholastic Book Fair is coming up November 14-17.  If you would like your child or children to receive financial assistance to purchase books, please reach out to Jen Barnabee at barnabee@ogschool.org.  Ms. Barnabee can organize assistance through the PTO's Helping Hands program.  Requests must be received at least 24 hours before your child's designated shopping day but ideally by the morning of Friday, November 11.
 

Welcoming New Staff
Please help us continue to welcome new staff members to the Oak Grove family!

Mr. Steve Cummins, Director of Business/Chief School Business Official
Mr. Cummins started his career as a middle school math teacher at Aptakisic-Tripp School District 102 in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Since then he has served in multiple administrative positions including: Director of Human Resources at Adlai Stevenson High School District 125, Senior Director of Human Resources at Oak Park Elementary School District 97, and most recently, Superintendent of Finance & Human Resources at River Trails Park District in Prospect Heights. Mr. Cummins received his Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his Master’s in School Business Management degree from Northern Illinois University. As a public servant, Mr. Cummins is also an elected Park District Commissioner for the Buffalo Grove Park District. Mr. Cummins is a father of two children and met his wife, Sherrie, a fifth-grade teacher, while teaching at District 102. Mr. Cummins is an alumnus of Oak Grove School, and in his words, “is excited to be back and contribute to the school and community that had a profound impact on my life.” His roots are well entrenched in the area as he, his mother, and his grandmother were Libertyville High School graduates. His great-grandparent’s farmhouse was located on River Road which is now Independence Grove Forest Preserve.

Mr. Dmitry Andrievsky, Director of Technology
Mr. Andrievsky started his career in educational technology before it was an actual role in the field and most recently comes to us from our neighboring village, Libertyville District 70. He says he has worked in just about every position in educational technology throughout his career. In particular, he says, “I always enjoy making sure that technology is there to serve the needs of our district, students, staff, and parents.” He is excited to share his experience and knowledge with OGS as the new Director of Technology. One thing he is enjoying about OGS is the one building environment that he says, “feels more like a family than a multi-tiered district.” In his spare time he enjoys diving and holds several certifications.

 

Curriculum Corner

Veterans Day Celebration
Veterans and current service members in our Oak Grove community are invited to attend our annual Veterans Day celebration with their families the morning of Friday, November 11th. Don’t forget to wear your red, white and blue!  The ceremony will begin at 9:00 AM in the Junior High Gym. Please park in the upper parking lot and have an ID available for check-in. The ceremony will be followed by refreshments and an opportunity to explore the Historical Artifact Museum organized by the eighth grade students. If you are planning to attend, please RSVP using this link.

This event is open to veterans, service members, and their families. We are excited to share that we will be live streaming the event for all Oak Grove families to enjoy as well. We hope that you will join us through our link to be posted on the Oak Grove website under “Latest News” at 8:00am.

Preschool Screening
Preschool screening will be held at Oak Grove on Wednesday, November 16th from 12:30- 3:30 pm. The screening is for three and four year olds. The screening will examine a child's proficiency in speech/language and motor development, as well as assess pre-academic skills. Parents with questions or concerns about their child's development may schedule an appointment by contacting Julie Waehner at waehner@ogschool.org.

The OGS Children’s Book Drive for Bernie’s Book Bank started today!
Clean out those bookshelves and donate any new or gently used children’s books aged birth to sixth grade! Collection bins will be placed in front of both offices. See the flier for more information. Questions? Email Alyssa Osterman osterman@ogschool.org.
 

Wrestling Meeting
Calling all current and potential wrestlers! There will be a wrestling meeting for parents and interested wrestlers next Thursday, November 17th. at 5:30 in the Oak Grove Junior High Cafeteria.  Come and meet Coach Liu!
 

PTO News

Fall In Love With Reading
The K-5 Book Fair is coming to Oak Grove November 14-17. The Book Fair Website has everything you need to get your kids ready! Set up eWallet accounts, shop online and check out the class shopping schedule.
 
Book Fair Family Night is Wednesday, November 16 from 5-8 p.m. It’s a great chance to shop together...and you can pre-order and pick up dinner to take home from Pequod’s Pizza, a Chicago classic! Place your order here and then pick up in the school parking lot. $5 from each order goes to the OGS PTO and only a limited number of orders will be accepted, so place your order early. More information is in the Virtual Backpack.
 
Help grow our teachers’ classroom libraries by choosing a book from your teacher’s Wish List Basket at the Book Fair or donating money to your teacher’s eWallet account. There are still volunteer opportunities available. Please consider signing up for a time slot on the OGS PTO Website. Thank you for helping to make our Book Fair a success! If you have questions, please email kelly.epley@gmail.com.
 

Winter Market & Donut Presale
Join us December 3 from 9am-12pm for the Oak Grove Winter Market! We will have the Secret Shopping Village for students in the Jr. High Gym as well as multiple vendors throughout the halls. Stan’s Donuts will join us again this year! We encourage you to pre-order which will guarantee your donuts. Place your pre-orders here. A limited amount of donuts will be available for onsite purchase. See the flier in the Virtual Backpack for more information.
 

PTO Website
Congratulations to Katherine Harris, Ponni Nainar and Claudia Injante for winning a $10
Starbucks or Dunkin gift card for selecting their “How I Volunteer” roles on the PTO Website. This week we’d like to highlight the directory which can be searched and filtered in a number of ways including by student or parent first or last name and by grade, homeroom or group/club involvement.
 

We Need YOU at FMSC!
We need to release the remaining Feed My Starving Children spots soon so please sign up if you’d like to join with other OGS families to pack meals on November 17. To join us go to www.fmsc.org and select one of the two Oak Grove Community Gives Back options on that date. The first is from 4:30-6:15 which requires code EE63V5 to join, the second is from 7:00-8:45 with M8BN2D as the code to join. If you have questions not listed on the website please contact Brooke Schamber to inquire about this event at (847) 772-3055.
 

Thank You Treat Train Sponsors!
The PTO’s Eagle Express Treat Train went through the halls on Friday with a “On the Trail to Learning” DIY Trail Mix Bar. We’d like to extend a big thank you to the 3rd grade families for sponsoring all of the items. Next month will be sponsored by 2nd grade families so watch your email for how to donate.
 

Phishing Scams
We continue to hear about members receiving realistic-looking emails from supposed PTO Executive Board members requesting assistance and ultimately asking the recipient to buy gift cards. If you receive one of these emails, report it to your email provider as spam/phishing and block the sender. No Executive Board member or committee chair would request a member make a purchase on behalf of the PTO without prior discussion or involvement in committee planning.
 

 

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.

 

 

---