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Otter Splash for the Week of July 29 - August 10

Otter Splash for the Weeks of July 26-Aug 2 & Aug 5-10

Hello, Oak Grove Family, Versión en español aquí, النسخة باللغة العربية هنا, Toleo la Kiswahili hapa, Версия на русском здесь

Wow! What a fantastic week of school! Thank you to our Track 1, 2, and 3 families who attended our Parent Information Night on Thursday! It was wonderful to see so many of you stay for the PTA meeting. Our Otterly Awesome PTA has some incredible events planned for the coming year. We are especially excited for the BIG Splash, which will take place from August 7th to 16th for Tracks 1 and 2 and August 21st to 30th for Tracks 3 and 4!

We are thrilled to see our students back in the classrooms and fully engaged in their learning journeys. Last Friday, we bid farewell to our Track 3 otters and wished them a fantastic track-out period. We can't wait to welcome our Track 4 first through fifth-grade otters on Monday and look forward to seeing their bright faces and energetic spirits. 

This week, our Track 4 Kindergarten otters will join us for staggered entry, with their first full day of school on August 5th. We look forward to seeing our newest Otters on Friday, August 2nd, at 2:00 for Meet the Teacher. We are excited to welcome them as they begin their educational journey with us.

Oak Grove is proud to have the best staff in the Wake County Public School System. We continually seek ways to recognize and celebrate our amazing, talented, and dedicated team. You can shout out a staff member anytime using this link, which will also be included at the end of the Otter Splash newsletter. Be sure to visit our website to see staff members as they are recognized. Our website is updated weekly with important information, so we encourage you to explore it regularly to stay informed about what's new at Oak Grove. Visit us at https://www.wcpss.net/oakgrovees.

Please be sure to check out our staff, school, and club wishlists. Your support in fulfilling these needs is greatly appreciated and helps us provide our students with the best possible resources and experiences. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has donated to our Donors Choose Project, which funds books for our Book Talk Fridays. We are grateful for your partnership in creating a culture of reading and positive behavior at The Grove!

Here are some friendly reminders as our Track 4 students return on Monday. 

  • We use the WCPSS-provided Verkada system to sign in to the building. Please remember to bring a government-issued identification when signing your child out of school. 

  • The tardy bell rings at 9:15 AM. Any child arriving after 9:15 AM will need to be signed in. 

  • Students must be present for at least 3 hours and 15 minutes to be counted as present for the day. 

  • Our Family Handbook answers all of your questions about whom to call and much more!

  • Track 4 families, be sure to mark your calendars for Thursday, August 15, for our Parent Information Night (see below for more details) 

  • Track 4 - 3rd Grade Students ONLY will take the Beginning of Grade Test on Thursday, August 1st.

  • We continue to need volunteers for our Student Clubs. (See below for more details)

  • Beginning July 17, all WCPSS-owned buildings are under a temporary fire watch. Please read the update HERE. 

Here are some friendly reminders regarding transportation. 

Carpool  Reminders: 

  • Please refrain from using cell phones in the carpool lane once cars begin moving and students are present.

  • Ensure your carpool tag is visible.

  • Practice your student’s carpool number with them to help them be successful during dismissal.

  • Make sure the passenger side of your car is accessible so your child can quickly get in and out of the vehicle.

  • Do not get out of your vehicle to help your child.  We have staff outside to assist with getting students in and out of the vehicle.

  • If you need additional time to buckle your child, please pull to the assisted carpool area located beside the gym/cafeteria. 

  • When in the carpool lane, please move up as far forward as possible to a color spot to ensure a swift and smooth dismissal.

  • Carpool ends by 4:10 PM each day, so please arrive by then to pick up your child.

Bus Rider Reminders:

  • Please leave bus tags on backpacks—they are required to ride the bus, and bus drivers check them daily! 

  • When traditional schools are out, our transportation system moves quickly! Please ensure you are at the bus stop early in the morning and in the afternoons to receive your child.

  • You can access route information HERE.

  • You can view real-time updates HERE.

  • Please be sure you have signed up for the New Bus Delay system so you can receive texts via School Messenger on transportation delays. (More information on how to set up the system can be found below.) 

  • Please review our Otter Expectations while on the Bus with your child(ren)

Walker Reminders:

  • Please complete the Walker/Biker Agreement for any child walking or biking to and from school with or without an adult. This agreement must be approved before students are allowed to walk home without a parent.

Please see below for important information regarding another Staff Shout Out, Track 4 Parent Information Night, Our School-Wide Donors Choose Project for Book Talk Fridays, Volunteering for the 24-25 School Year, the new Bus Delay Notification System, 24-25 School Meal Information, Health Plan Updates and Renewals, 2024-25 Otter Adventures (clubs), unclaimed meal balances, student accident insurance, and PTA  Updates.

As we start this new school year, we are committed to maintaining open lines of communication and working closely with you to ensure that every child at Oak Grove receives the best possible education. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We look forward to a fantastic school year filled with learning, growth, and success for all our students.

24-25 Year Round Calendar

 

Staff Shout-Outs

Staff, School, and Club Wishlists

Staff’s Favorite Things

 

Warm Regards,

Ms. Benton 

 

Otter Happenings (English Calendar)

Acontecimientos de nutria (Spanish Calendar)

   حداث قضاعة Arabic Calendar      

Matukio ya Otter (Swahili Calendar)

Выдровые события (Russian Calendar)

 

 

Staff Shout Out - Way to go, Ms. Taylor!

Thank you to Jennifer and Gareth Jones for shouting out Ms. Taylor, an exceptional 1st-grade teacher!

 

Track 4 Parent Information Night

We are excited to invite you to our annual Parent Information Night. This event is an excellent opportunity to meet our dedicated staff and learn more about the upcoming school year.

Date: Thursday, August 15th

Time:  Session 1: 5:30-5:55

             PTA Meeting: 6:00-6:15 - media center

             Session 2: 6:20-6:45

Please note the following guidelines for the evening:

  • Childcare: Supervision will be available for children ages 3 through 5th grade. However, please be aware that no entertainment or food will be provided. While we are happy to offer this supervision, we encourage parents to consider alternate childcare arrangements if possible. Please complete this form if you will utilize childcare during our Parent Information Night.

  • Older Students: Middle and high school students should not attend the event.

  • Infants and Toddlers: We kindly ask that children younger than 3 remain with their parents during the evening.

We look forward to seeing you there and working together to ensure a successful year for our students!

 

Club Help Needed- From Ms. Sammons

We need volunteers to help run clubs every other Friday starting July 26th. K-2 clubs will run from 1:15 to 2:00, and 3-5 clubs will run from 2:15 to 3:00. Please click the link to find out more information and sign up.  

 

Book Talk Fridays - Donors Choose Project

At Oak Grove, we love celebrating our students. Whether it's their birthday, positive behavior, test score, or classwork improvements, we celebrate them! We would like to continue our bi-weekly or monthly book raffle so that our staff and students can receive a new book! This is one of the many ways we hope to increase morale and positive behavior in our otters. We began this project in January of 2024 and would like to continue for the 24-25 school year. Please consider donating to this project, which our staff and students love so much! We are grateful for your partnership in creating a culture of reading and positive behavior at The Grove!

Donors Choose Project - Book Talk Fridays



Calling all Volunteers

At Oak Grove, we believe in the importance of fostering a strong sense of community and partnership with our families. We encourage you to get involved in school activities, join our PTA, and consider volunteering your time and talents. Your involvement is crucial in creating a supportive and enriching environment for our students. The WCPSS volunteer renewal window for the 2024-25 school year is July 1 - October 1. Visit Volunteering in WCPSS to learn more about volunteer renewal or to apply as a first-time volunteer.



Bus Delay Notification System for the 24-25 School Year

The WCPSS Technology Services and Transportation departments have developed a new notification system to inform families when bus service is disrupted. The system will be used at all schools across the district starting with the 2024-25 school year.

 

IMPORTANT: This new system uses SchoolMessenger. To receive these notifications, you must have permissions turned on. See the information and instructions below.

 

About the notification system

The new system will send email and text notifications when buses are delayed or when a bus is unavailable to pick up students. These messages will be sent as soon as transportation staff learns of a disruption. The system is designed to notify parents more quickly so they can make alternate arrangements when necessary. You can still track your child’s bus using the Here Comes the Bus app. There will also be a link on our school website that will display bus delays. We will share that link in a future message. 

 

What this means for you

Starting with the 2024-25 school year, bus riders' families will receive notifications in the event of bus delays or cancellations. To receive these messages, you must make sure you have given permission to receive text and/or email notifications via SchoolMessenger. This is the same system used for districtwide messaging, separate from TalkingPoints or other communications services.

 

How can I make sure I’m signed up to receive these messages?

If you receive the weekly district-wide message sent on Wednesdays, you should be able to receive bus notifications without taking any further action. If you do not receive those weekly messages, go to wcpss.net/schoolmessenger to learn how you can sign up to receive notifications. 

 

The simplest option may be to simply text YES to the number 67587. That should automatically allow you to begin receiving text notifications.

 

Contact the school data manager if you need support.

 

Feedback

Share any feedback you have about the system using this Google Form.



2024-25 School Meals Price Increase, Free/Reduced Lunch Application

Our School Board approved a 25-cent price increase for school meals for the 2024-25 school year. At elementary schools, full-paid breakfasts will increase to $1.75, and full-paid lunches will increase to $3.50. The price increase is necessary to cover rising costs of food, supplies, wages, and benefits for staff.

 

You can apply for free or reduced meal prices for the 2024-25 school year. Prior year meal benefits carry over for the first 30 days of the next school year. See https://www.wcpss.net/free-reduced-meals for more information about free or reduced meal prices.



Health Plan Updates & Renewals!

Nurse Rudisill must speak to a parent or guardian to reassess a student’s health care needs before she can renew any health plans. If you have a student who has medications at school, a new 1702 form will be required when the new school year begins in July. Your doctor may complete the 1702 form anytime after April 1, 2024, and it will be valid for the 24-25 school year. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Nurse Rudisill can be reached at 919-815-6829 or mrudisill@wcpss.net. 



Unclaimed school meal balances

Students who will graduate or exit the district during the 2023-24 school year and leave funds in their meal account may request a refund. The Refund Form must be submitted by Sept. 1, 2024, or the funds will be donated to Child Nutrition Services to be used to support the district's school meal program for students. If you need assistance, contact Child Nutrition Services at 919-856-2918.



Student Accident Insurance for the 2024-25 School Year

Each school year, parents have the option to purchase accident insurance for their child through a WCPSS-contracted provider, which offers a variety of plans and coverage options.

 

Students who participate in interscholastic or intramural activities are required to have insurance, per board policy. Student accident insurance can be purchased at the provider’s website any time during the school year. See www.wcpss.net/insurance for the current student accident insurance plans and claim form.



⭐ PTA UPDATES⭐

🌊 COMING SOON..... THE BIG SPLASH!! 🌊

 

Based on feedback from families and staff, this year's PTA-sponsored annual fundraiser will be a direct-give model. This means 100% of your donations will come back to the school, students, and staff!! Learn more here!

 

Tracks 1 and 2 will kick off their BIG SPLASH on August 6th!  

Tracks 3 and 4 will kick off their BIG SPLASH on August 21st!

 

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🥳 Our NEW School Spirit Store is OPEN!! 🥳

We have TONS of NEW designs, shirts, mugs, water bottles, tumblers, notebooks and MORE!! You can order at any time and your merchandise will be shipped to your home.

Check it all out here!

 

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Sponsor Shout-Out! 

 

Join us in saying "THANK YOU" to Systematic Business Consulting for becoming 🥇 PLATINIUM🥇 sponsors of the Oak Grove PTA!

We greatly appreciate their generous support!! 💙💙💙

https://systematicbc.com/

 

 

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Do you own a business? Consider becoming an OGES PTA Sponsor!

Your one-time donation is a simple and meaningful way to bring recognition to your business while supporting Oak Grove Staff and Students!!

Get details about the different sponsorship levels offered here:

https://ogespta.wixsite.com/ogespta/general-7

 

 

RENT THE ROCK Today!

The Oak Grove Elementary School Spirit Rock is a great way to send a message for all to see! The rock is available for weekly rental to families and staff of OGES for their use and enjoyment.

Reserve the Spirit Rock here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944ABAD2FA5FFCF8-49819340-rent#/

 

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⭐ It's not too late!  Join the PTA for the 2024/25 School Year! ⭐

 

Sign up here: https://oakgrove.givebacks.com/store

 

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